2014 FIFA World Cup

[DeeSpencer 25,522]

How about that goal line review for France. And you reckon the AFL review is controversial!

[Macca 16,941]

How about that goal line review for France. And you reckon the AFL review is controversial!

The technology gave it as a goal but it didn't look so to the naked eye. Shaka Hislop on ESPN brought up a good argument that at the exact moment that the keeper was bringing the ball down, the ball was initially past the line.

It might have been academic anyway as the French were 1-0 up playing against the 10 men of Honduras. However, the overall reaction might have been a whole lot different if the incident had happened in the actual final.

[Whispering_Jack 29,836]

In the past month I've visited USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, Columbia and back to the USA.

If the Yanks get up against Ghana this morning, I will have scored the quaddy!!!

[Deestroy All 14,262]

I need the US to get up for my multi, got Germany/Portugal and Nigeria/Iran right.

A goal in 32 seconds was a good start.

Could be my week.

[Deestroy All 14,262]

Tim Cahill.

Royalty.

[The Big Ticket 94]

Could be 3-1 up, we've missed a couple of sodas.

[Deestroy All 14,262]

What a shame we've played this well and lost 2 games.

Probably would've beaten at least 8 other teams on form.

Chile won so we're officially not getting out of the group.

Robben is the biggest vvanker, can't stand him.

[Whispering_Jack 29,836]

Are the Poms out now?

[Deestroy All 14,262]

Are the Poms out now?

Not quite.

Thy need Italy to beat Costa Rica and Uruguay.

And England need to beat Costa Rica by a few goals.

The bad news for Italy and England is Luis Suarez will be a bit fitter by the time the Italy game rolls around and he'll probably sink England a 2nd time.

[Macca 16,941]

Not quite.

Thy need Italy to beat Costa Rica and Uruguay.

And England need to beat Costa Rica by a few goals.

The bad news for Italy and England is Luis Suarez will be a bit fitter by the time the Italy game rolls around and he'll probably sink England a 2nd time.

I can see Italy winning both their last 2 games but I'm not sure England can beat Costa Rica. It's possible for England to still get through, but as you indicated, Suarez might have a fair bit to say in the outcome of the Italy/Uruguay game. Costa Rica may even surprise against Italy tomorrow - they were very good against Uruguay when they beat them. If Costa Rica defeat Italy or indeed if it's a drawn game, England are out of the tournament.

... World Cup: Mario Balotelli wants a 'kiss from the Queen' if Italy beat Costa Rica

Also, Italy might be happy with a draw in their last game if they go into that last game on 6 points (they would win the group if that scenario happened) A draw between Italy and Uruguay in the last game would eliminate England but not necessarily Costa Rica.

It is also possible that one of the teams in this group (group D) could finish on 6 points and miss out on advancing altogether. It's probably happened before but it would be an awful way to miss out.

... and that's just one group.

Edited June 20, 2014 by Macca

[Deestroy All 14,262]

Are the Poms out now?

They are now.

Costa Rica beat Italia.

[Macca 16,941]

What was Luis Suárez thinking? It's such a shame. Biting is just a complete no no and it will be very interesting to see where his career goes from here. There were rumours that he may have moved to Barca or Real Madrid but with this latest episode, those 2 teams at least would probably be backing off.

Anyway, England, Italy and Spain are all out with probably Portugal to follow them ... Costa Rica topping their group is a great story but many of the teams from the Americas are doing well. That wasn't unexpected of course, but it still had to be done.

Contrarily, it looks like only about 5 or 6 European teams will qualify for the round of 16 games. Up until the 2010 World Cup, European teams would usually number about 9 or 10 teams in the final 16.

Any number of teams could win the World Cup this time around. There might be one unfancied team who might make it all the way to the final. As it stands, either Costa Rica or Greece will make it to the last 8 (they play each other in the round of 16 games) There's sure to be a few upsets as well.

It's been a grand World Cup so far with plenty of goals.

[Macca 16,941]

Here's the bracket for the round of 16 matches ...

You'd expect Brazil, Argentina and Germany to win their round of 16 games and probably France, Belgium, Colombia and the Dutch will get through to the last 8 as well. The Costa Rica/Greece game is hard to pick.

However, I reckon at least 1 of those aforementioned teams will miss out and there might even be a couple who get beaten. Anything can happen on the day and there's always the chance of a red card or a dodgy penalty.

I'd like to see the Netherlands make it as far as the semi's (at least) but their round of 16 opponents (Mexico) have done very well so far and they might prove hard to beat. The Belgium/USA game could be a good one too.

All the games offer something ... bring it on!

[Macca 16,941]

Germany and Brazil are through to the semi's but sadly, Neymar won't be playing a part ...

Neymar: Injured Brazil forward ruled out of World Cup

The 22-year-old was carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital after being kneed in the back by Juan Zuniga.

A team doctor confirmed the Barcelona player fractured a vertebra in his back.

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

Germany and Brazil are through to the semi's but sadly, Neymar won't be playing a part ...

Neymar: Injured Brazil forward ruled out of World Cup

That really hurts Brazil's chances.

I'm on the Costa Rica bandwagon now; would love to see them wipe the smug look off Robben's face!

[Macca 16,941]

That really hurts Brazil's chances.

I'm on the Costa Rica bandwagon now; would love to see them wipe the smug look off Robben's face!

It does, but Brazil might be able to get past Germany regardless ... who knows? Fred and Hulk will need to step it up but that's entirely possible. The Brazilians played quite a good game today and the Colombians dropped away a bit as a consequence.

The final might be a different story though especially if Brazil get through and have to face Argentina or Holland. Argentina are missing Aguero as well so the tournament is starting to open up.

Costa Rica have been impressive all through the tournament and they can't be discounted. I still favour the Dutch though. The Argentina/Belgium game could be a cracker. A lot rests with Messi.

[Macca 16,941]

Who would have picked that scoreline? 7-1 and it could have been even worse.

A loss for the ages for Brazil - hard to believe.

Germany will be hard to stop now no matter who they play in the final.

[Whispering_Jack 29,836]

Brazil just had it's own 186!

The coach should leave the country.

[daisycutter 29,605]

Brazil just had it's own 186!

The coach should leave the country.

too late, i think he has been executed

[45HG 1,539]

Heartbreaking.

[Grapeviney 9,713]

What, am I the only one waiting up for this thing?

The hurling final between Cork and Limerick is on in the meantime...

[Grapeviney 9,713]

Missing it already, including the Brazillian Film Festival they were running on SBS 2 each night.

Anyone else in love with Fernanda De Paula?