Recapping Day 11:
The US-Portugal game was a great one. In some ways, it was the opposite of the first game for the Americans. They gave up a goal very early, but then settled in and started to really control the game at about the 20 minute mark. Eventually, they were rewarded with two goals, only have to have Ronaldo finally make a play in the 95th minute with a perfect placed cross for the equalizer. Michael Bradely, arguably the Americans best player, has been terrible in both games so far, but they’ve gotten great play from Dempsey and some of the Germans. Jermaine Jones has been great in both games, including a goal in this one. Fabian Johnson has been incredibly disruptive and dangerous from the right-back spot and, of course, the John Brooks goal in the first game.
There’s been a lot of backlash from the media and talking heads to Belgium’s perceived status as one of the favorites. I’d say they’ve been overly criticized. Yes, they’ve had to scuffle to beat two fairly mediocre opponents, but look around at the other favorites. Spain has been embarrassed, while Germany and Brazil have four points apiece. Argentina barely squeaked by Iran, who is easily worse than the Belgian foes. Meanwhile, Belgium has six points in hand. They haven’t inspired a ton of confidence but they’ve gotten the job done. Especially in this sport, a win is a win, and sometimes you just have to win by one.
Today’s Games:
Noon: Netherlands vs. Chile and Australia vs. Spain
4PM: Croatia vs. Mexico and Brazil vs. Cameroon
Today’s Drink:
Hop Doom Imperial IPA. You can’t tell from the name, but this one is Spanish. I’ve never had a craft ale from Spain, so I’m curious to see how it is. It’s easily the strongest beer I’ll have in this competition, at 11.5%. I recommend all Spaniards to down a few of these as they watch today so they can forget their troubles and maybe imagine their national team is still the world power it once was.
What’s At Stake:
Netherlands and Chile are already through in Group A, but the loser of this game will likely see Brazil in their next game, so both teams will be playing to win. Considering the talent each side has in attack, it should be a really entertaining game. The Dutch have the edge in goal differential, so they would be satisfied with a tie, but they’re without Robin Van Persie after he picked up two yellows (and three goals) in the first two games.
It’s incredibly unlikely but we have to mention that it’s at least possible that the tournament hosts and favorite could be eliminated from the tournament today. If Brazil loses to Cameroon and the Croatia-Mexico game ends tied, the Brazilians would be ousted. But, considering how poor Cameroon has looked and that all Brazil needs is a tie to clinch a spot in the knockout stage, let’s assume they’ll be ok.
So, with that assumed, the Mexico-Croatia game is essentially a knockout game, though Mexico would advance with a tie. Two solid teams that have looked pretty strong so far.
Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa spent last season playing for a team that finished dead last in the French Ligue 1 and many didn’t think he should be the team’s starter coming into this tournament. My point: his incredible performance against Brazil may have been a bit of a fluke and we shouldn’t expect him to repeat it.
Even if that’s true, Mexico still has a lot of quality, but not on the level of Croatia, especially since they’ve added striker Mario Mandzukic since the Brazil game, and he popped two goals vs. Cameroon. I like Croatia to win this 2-1 and move on to face Chile, my predicted Group A winners. That would set up a pretty great Brazil-Netherlands matchup as the first game of the knockout stage on Saturday.
