2014 FIFA WORLD CUP (FROM THE GROUND UP)

[OliDegu2008]

2014 World Cup in Brazil.JPG

Aguero's goal wins Argentina Group C over France

Sergio Aguero's goal against France took Argentina from 3rd place to 1st place in the group in t.jpg
Sergio Aguero's strike in the 71st minute against France was magical, miraculous and amazing. The goal in the matter of seconds propelled Argentina to 1st in the Group and put pressure on France.
All Russia needed to do was win against Saudi Arabia and score some goals and France would not be going to the Round of 16.

Match #37 June 24, 2014 France vs. Argentina
Arena Pantanal, Cuiabá; Attendance: 40,340 (4 p.m. Clear)
Referee: Pedro Proença (Portugal)

France Starting XI (Formation: 4-3-3)
Hugo Lloris (1)
Patrice Evra (3) --- Mamadou Sakho (5) --- Gael Clichy (28) --- Mathieu Debuchy (2)
Franck Ribery (44 Captain) --- Blaise Matuidi (14) --- Yohan Cabaye (6)
Antoine Griezmann (11)--- Karim Benzema (10) --- Mathieu Valbuena (8)

Argentina Starting XI (Formation: 4-4-1-1)
Agustin Orion (1)
Pablo Zabaleta (4) --- Ezequiel Garay (2) --- Martin Demichelis (15) --- Javier Mascherano (14)
Gonzalo Higuain (9) --- Ever Banega (25) --- Angel Di Maria (7) --- Ezequiel Lavezzi (22)
Sergio Aguero (20)
Lionel Messi (10 Captain)

Game Log:
36' E. Garay (Argentina) Yellow Card
59' M. Debuchy (France) Yellow Card
71' S. Aguero (Argentina 1-0)
86' E. Perez (Argentina) Yellow Card
90' D. Payet (France) Yellow Card
Result – Argentina W 1-0 (Budweiser MAN OF THE MATCH! Agentina's Sergio Aguero)

***********************************************

Russia implode, Saudi Arabia play spoiler

Saudi GK Waleed Abdullah broke the hearts of thousands of Russian supporters by being a brick wa.jpg
Russia needed a win and some goals to advance to the Round of 16 but Saudi Arabia, its goalkeeper Waleed Abdullah and Russia's lack of discipline is why Russia now are packing its bags and heading home.

2014 Group C Final Standings.JPG

Match #38 June 24, 2014 Russia vs. Saudi Arabia
Estádio Castelão, Fortaleza; Attendance: 59,095 (5 p.m. Clear)
Referee: Carlos Vera (Ecuador)

Russia Starting XI (Formation: 4-2-3-1)
Igor Akinfeev (1)
Igor Denisov (7) --- Vasiliy Berezutskiy (14 Captain) --- Sergey Ignashevich (4) --- Alexandr Anyukov (29)
Vladimir Bystrov (27) --- Roman Shirokov (31)
Alan Dzagoev (10) --- Alexandr Kokorin (9) --- Alexandr Samedov (19)
Artem Dzyuba (24)

Saudi Arabia Starting XI (Formation: 4-2-3-1)
Waleed Abdullah (1)
Osama Hawsawi (3) --- Mohammed Noor (8) --- Osama Al-Muwallad (5) --- Kamel Al-Mor (37)
Saud Khariri (14) --- Ahmed Ateef (6)
Mohammed Al-Shalhoub (10 Captain) --- Taisir Al-Jassim (17) --- Salem Al-Dossari (34)
Nasser Al-Shamrani (11)

Game Log:
15' I. Denisov (Russia) Yellow Card
47' R. Shirokov (Russia) Red Card
56' S. Khariri (Saudi Arabia) Yellow Card
75' S. Al-Dossari (Saudi Arabia) Yellow Card
76' S. Ignashevich (Russia) Yellow Card
90' I. Denisov (Russia) Yellow Card (2) = Red Card
Result – Draw 0-0 (Budweiser MAN OF THE MATCH! Saudi Arabia's Waleed Abdullah)



2014 World Cup Knockout Stage Bracket.JPG

[Mind_the_Cones]

Just to say that it says in the description of Russia vs Saudi Arbaia and France vs Argentina that Russia needed a draw or win to advance. It was a 0-0 draw but Russia have been eliminated.

Good luck USA against Brazil!


Sent from my iPad using Operation Sports

[OliDegu2008]

2014 World Cup in Brazil.JPG

Mexico ruin Ivory Coast's 2014 World Cup with 90' goal

Mexico would not be denied a victory in the 2014 World Cup.jpg
We all knew that Mexico would get at least a point in their group right? Ivory Coast needed a win, a Colombia loss or draw and some goals and they would've been thru to the knockout round, instead they're packing their bags and heading home.

Match #39 June 24, 2014 Mexico vs. Ivory Coast
Arena das Dunas, Natal; Attendance: 39,706 (1 p.m. Clear)
Referee: Djamel Haimoudi (Algeria)

Mexico Starting XI (Formation: 5-3-2)
Guillermo Ochoa (13)
Jorge Nilo (41) --- Hector Moreno (15) --- Rafael Marquez (4 Captain) --- Francisco Rodriguez (2) --- Paul Aguilar (22)
Andres Guardado (18) --- Hector Herrera (6) --- Carlos Salcido (3)
Oribe Peralta (19) --- Javier Hernandez (14)

Ivory Coast Starting XI (Formation: 4-3-3)
Copa (1)
Sege Aurier (17) --- Kolo Toure (4) --- Cheick Tiote (9) --- Emmanuel Eboue (27)
Yaya Toure (19) ---- Salomon Kalou (8) --- Didier Drogba (11 Captain)
Gervinho (10) --- Wilfried Bony (12) --- Seydou Doumbia (45)

Game Log:
6' D. Drogba (Ivory Coast – Missed Penalty)
19' S. Kalou (Ivory Coast) Yellow Card
26' O. Peralta (Mexico) Yellow Card
59' J. Nilo (Mexico) Yellow Card
79' E. Eboue (Ivory Coast) Yellow Card
90' C. Pena (Mexico 1-0)
Result – Mexico W 1-0 (Budweiser MAN OF THE MATCH! Mexico's Carlos Pena)

***********************************************

Colombia top Portugal in thriller 4-3

Fredy Guarín notched a hat-trick against Portugal and led Colombia to the top spot in Group D.jpg
In what has been easily most entertaining match of the 2014 World Cup so far, Colombia topped Portugal 4-3.
The hero for Colombia was midfielder Fredy Guarin who notched a World Cup hat-trick.
With the victory, Colombia finished atop the group, Portugal claims the runner-up spot.

2014 Group D Final Standings.JPG

Match #40 June 24, 2014 Colombia vs. Portugal
Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte; Attendance: 57,823 (1 p.m. Clear)
Referee: Marco Rodríguez (Mexico)

Colombia Starting XI (Formation: 4-1-3-2)
David Ospina (1)
Pablo Armero (7) --- Mario Yepes (3 Captain) --- Cristian Zapata (2) --- Luis Perea (25)
Fredy Guarin (13)
Juan Cuadrado (11) --- James Rodriguez (10) --- Juan Quintero (20)
Adrian Ramos (19) --- Falcao (24)

Portugal Starting XI (Formation: 4-3-3)
David Ospina (1)
Pablo Armero (7) --- Mario Yepes (3 Captain) --- Cristian Zapata (2) --- Luis Perea (25)
Fredy Guarin (13)
Juan Cuadrado (11) --- James Rodriguez (10) --- Juan Quintero (20)
Adrian Ramos (19) --- Falcao (24)

Game Log:
5' Falcao (Colombia) Yellow Card
5' Falcao (Colombia 1-0)
21' Danny (Portugal) Yellow Card
39' C. Ronaldo (Portugal 1-1)
49' P. Armero (Colombia) Yellow Card
50' Vieirinha (Portugal 2-1)
67' F. Guarin (PEN) (Colombia 2-2)
77' F. Guarin (Colombia 3-2)
81' J. Moutinho (Portugal 3-3)
85' Pepe (Portugal) Yellow Card
88' F. Guarin (Colombia 4-3)
89' L. Perea (Colombia) Yellow Card
Result – Colombia W 4-3 (Budweiser MAN OF THE MATCH! Colombia's Fredy Guarin)



2014 World Cup Knockout Stage Bracket.JPG

[Mind_the_Cones]

What a match Columbia vs Portugal! And as great a player as Drogba is, his penalty miss turned out to be very costly

Sent from my SM-G930F using Operation Sports mobile app

[OliDegu2008]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mind_the_Cones

What a match Columbia vs Portugal! And as great a player as Drogba is, his penalty miss turned out to be very costly Sent from my SM-G930F using Operation Sports mobile app

Colombia and Portugal has been the match of the tournament and as for Drogba, it was sad to see and a sad end to a wonderful national career.

[OliDegu2008]

2014 World Cup in Brazil.JPG

Greece top Cameroon, secure spot in knockout stage

Kostas Katsouranis netted this beautiful strike against Cameroon that sealed the deal for Greece.jpg
After Cameroon captain Samuel Eto'o picked up a red card shortly before the end of the first half and it was all down hill from there for the Les Lions Indomptables.

Match #41 June 25, 2014 Greece vs. Cameroon
Arena da Amazônia, Manaus; Attendance: 40,322 (4 p.m. Clear)
Referee: Néstor Pitana (Argentina)

Greece Starting XI (Formation: 4-2-3-1)
Orestis Karnezis (1)
Vassilis Torosidis (15) --- Sokratis Papastathopoulos (19) --- Kostas Manolas (4) --- Kyriakos Papadopoulos (30 Captain)
Giannis Maniatis (2) --- Konstantinos Katsouranis (21)
Stefanos Athanasiadis (31) --- Dimitris Salpingidis (14) --- Panagiotis Kone (8)
Konstantinos Mitroglou (9)

Cameroon Starting XI (Formation: 4-1-4-1)
Idriss Kameni (33)
Henri Bedimo (12) --- Joel Matip (21) --- Sebastien Bassong (31) --- Nicolas N’Koulou (3)
Alexandre Song (6)
Benjamin Moukandjo (8) --- Vincent Aboubakar (10) --- Jean Makoun (11) --- Eric Choupo-Moting (13)
Samuel Eto’o (9 Captain)

Game Log:
23' V. Aboubakar (Cameroon 1-0)
39' S. Eto’o (Cameroon) Yellow Card
41' P. Kone (Greece) Yellow Card
42' P. Kone (Greece 1-1)
45' S. Eto’o (Cameroon) Yellow Card (2) = Red Card
47' K. Katsouranis (Greece 2-1)
59' S. Bassong (Cameroon) Yellow Card
79' S. Ninis (Greece) Yellow Card
88' P. Webo (Cameroon) Yellow Card
88' L. Christodoulopoulos (Greece 3-1)
Result – Greece W 3-1 (Budweiser MAN OF THE MATCH! Greece's Konstantinos Katsouranis)

***********************************************

Uruguay play world class defense, stifle Japan

Uruguay and Japan fought to a draw, it was a battle. .jpg
The ball was entirely in Uruguay's court as the nation needed just a draw to secure a spot in the knockout round.
Uruguay not necessarily known for its defense stopped Japan allowing the Asian nation just 2 shots on target.

2014 Group E Final Standings.JPG

Match #42 June 24, 2014 Japan vs. Uruguay
Estádio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro; Attendance: 73,749 (5 p.m. Clear)
Referee: Noumandiez Doué (Ivory Coast)

Japan Starting XI (Formation: 4-2-3-1)
Eiji Kawashima (1)
Yuto Nagatomo (5) --- Gotoku Sakai (3) --- Maya Yoshida (22) --- Atsuto Uchida (2)
Makoto Hasebe (17) --- Hiroshi Kiyotake (8)
Takashi Inui (27) --- Shinji Kagawa (10 Captain) --- Shinji Okazaki (9)
Keisuke Honda (4)

Uruguay Starting XI (Formation: 4-1-2-1-2)
Fernando Muslera (1)
Diego Godin (3) --- Jorge Fucile (4) --- Maxiiliano Pereira (16) --- Martin Caceres (22)
Nicolas Lodeiro (14)
Gonzalo Castro (26) --- Gaston Ramirez (18)
Cristian Rodriguez (7)
Luis Suarez (9 Captain) --- Edinson Cavani (21)

Game Log:
36' D. Godin (Uruguay) Yellow Card
59' S. Okazaki (Japan) Yellow Card
85' E. Cavani (Uruguay) Yellow Card
Result – Draw 0-0 (Budweiser MAN OF THE MATCH! Japan's Eiji Kawashima)



2014 World Cup Knockout Stage Bracket.JPG

[OliDegu2008]

2014 World Cup in Brazil.JPG

Netherlands manage to squeak past Solomon Islands

The Netherlands were pointing their fingers at each other all match long against the Solomon Isl.jpg
Robin van Persie saved his nation from pure embarrassment against the Solomon Islands.
With this contest behind them, the Netherlands now focus on the knockout stage where they enter as Winners of Group F.

Match #43 June 25, 2014 Solomon Islands vs. Netherlands
Estádio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre; Attendance: 43,285 (1 p.m. Clear)
Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy)

Solomon Islands Starting XI (Formation: 4-2-3-1)
Samson Koti (1)
Jeffrey Bule (4) --- Tome Faisi (6) --- Freddie Kini (5) --- Hardis Aengari (2)
Abraham Iniga (24)
Mostyn Beui (15) --- Henry Fa’arodo (7 Captain)
Joses Nawo (14)
Gagame Feni (12) --- Benjamin Totori (9)

Netherlands Starting XI (Formation: 4-1-4-1)
Michel Vorm (22)
Gregory van der Wiel (31) --- Ron Vlaar (2) --- Daley Blind (5) --- John Heitinga (44) --- Nigel de Jong (6)
Wesley Sneijder (10) --- Kevin Strootman (34)
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (19)
Robin van Persie (9) --- Arjen Robben (11 Captain)

Game Log:
21' R. Vlaar (Netherlands) Yellow Card
39' J. Nawo (Solomon Islands) Yellow Card
40' A. Robben (Netherlands) Yellow Card
44' R. van Persie (Netherlands 1-0)
83' T. Faisi (Solomon Islands) Yellow Card
90' J. Lens (Netherlands) Yellow Card
Result – Netherlands W 1-0 (Budweiser MAN OF THE MATCH! Netherland's Robin van Persie)

***********************************************

Serbia draw with South Korea, move on

Zoran Tosic scores the goal that would end up sending Serbia thru to the knockout round!.jpg
Zoran Tosic opened the scoring for Serbia and that was all the European nation would need to advance to the knockout stage.

2014 Group F Final Standings.JPG

Match #44 June 25, 2014 South Korea vs. Serbia
Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador; Attendance: 48,011 (1 p.m. Clear)
Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (Spain)

South Korea Starting XI (Formation: 4-2-3-1)
Kim Young-kwang (43)
Kwak Tae-hwi (4) --- Lee Jung-soo (37) --- Ha Dae-sung (8) --- Hong Jeong-ho (20)
Ki Sung-yueng (16) --- Lee Chung-yong (17)
Yeom Ki-hun (29) --- Kim Shin-wook (18) --- Lee Dong-gook (45 Captain)
Koo Ja-cheol (13)

Serbia Starting XI (Formation: 4-2-3-1)
Zeljko Brkic (23)
Aleksandar Kolarov (11) --- Branislav Ivanovic (6 Captain) --- Milan Bisevac (4) --- Neven Subotic (20)
Zoran Tosic (7) --- Matija Nastasic (5)
Dusan Tadic (10) --- Nemanja Matic (14) --- Dusan Basta (18)
Nikola Durdic (30)

Game Log:
7' Z. Tosic (Serbia 1-0)
27' L. Dong-gook (South Korea 1-1)
49' D. Basta (Serbia) Yellow Card
50' H. Dae-sung (South Korea) Yellow Card
63' Y. Ki-hun (South Korea) Yellow Card
90' F. Djordjevic (Serbia) Yellow Card
Result – Draw 1-1 (Budweiser MAN OF THE MATCH! Serbia's Zoran Tosic)



2014 World Cup Knockout Stage Bracket.JPG

[OliDegu2008]

2014 World Cup in Brazil.JPG

Spain wins Group G in disgustingly, beautiful fashion

It doesn't get much better than Spain's Iniesta, period..jpg
The rock for Spain, its engine Andres Iniesta was pivotal in the qualifying round for the European nation. The 30 year-old has almost no honors left to win but he plays like a man who has everything in front of him.
Spain won Group G and heads into the next stage ready and hungry.

Match #45 June 26, 2014 1 p.m. South Africa vs. Spain
Itaipava Arena Pernambuco, Recife; Attendance: 41,876 (1 p.m. Clear)
Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)

South Africa Starting XI (Formation: 4-4-2)
Itumeleng Khune (16 Captain)
Andile Jali (19) ---Tsepo Masilela (3) --- Kamohelo Mokotjo (40) --- Anele Ngcongca (5)
Daine Klate (7) --- Reneilwe Letsholonyane (12) --- May Mahlangu (25) --- Teko Modise (14)
Katiego Mphela (9) --- Kermit Erasmus (20)

Spain Starting XI (Formation:4-3-3)
Iker Casillas (1)
Jordi Alba (18) --- Sergio Busquets (16) --- Pique (3) --- Sergio Ramos (15)
Santi Carzola (20) --- Xabi Alonso (14) --- Xavi (8)
David Villa (7) --- David Silva (21) --- Iniesta (6 Captain)

Game Log:
8' Xavi (Spain) Yellow Card
15' A. Jali (South Africa) Yellow Card
40' T. Modise (South Africa) Yellow Card
43' Iniesta (Spain 1-0)
58' K. Erasmus (South Africa 1-1)
81' S. Ramos (Spain) Yellow Card
84' D. Villa (Spain) Yellow Card
90' J. Navas (Spain) Yellow Card
Result – Draw 1-1 (Budweiser MAN OF THE MATCH! Spain's Iniesta)

***********************************************

Czech Republic stop Qatar, advance to Knockout stage

Qatar's Qasem Burhan was straight up beast mode in this one .jpg
Both Qatar and the Czech Republic's keepers were outstanding in this contest. However, given the fact that Qatar's Qasem Burhan stopped 12 shots as compared to Petr Cech's 4, Burhan gets his picture in the paper.

2014 Group G Final Standings.JPG

Match #46 June 26, 2014 1 p.m. Qatar vs. Czech Republic
Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha, Brasília; Attendance: 67,540 (1 p.m. Clear)
Referee: Nawaf Shukralla (Bahrain)

Qatar Starting XI (Formation: 4-3-3)
Qasem Burhan (1)
Ibrahim Abdulmajid (13) --- Ibrahim Al-Ghanim (14) --- Bilal Mohammed (6) --- Talal Al-Bloushi (15)
Fabio Cesar (21) --- Khalfan Al-Khalfan (10) --- Wesam Rizik (7)
Muhammed Razark (9) --- Sebastian Soria (23 Captain) --- Hasan Al-Haydos (11)

Czech Republic Starting XI (Formation: 4-4-2)
Petr Cech (1 Captain)
Michal Kadlec (3) --- --- Martin Latka (5) --- Tomas Sivok (6) --- David Limbersky (8)
Vladimir Darida (22) --- Tomas Hubschman (17) --- Tomas Rosicky (10) --- Frantisek Rajtoral (12)
Matej Vydra (15) --- Libor Kozak (9)

Game Log:
30' I. Al-Ghanim (Qatar) Yellow Card
68' D. Limbersky (Czech Republic) Yellow Card
90' P. Cech (Czech Republic) Yellow Card
Result – Draw 0-0 (Budweiser MAN OF THE MATCH! Qatar's Qasem Burhan)


2014 World Cup Knockout Stage Bracket.JPG