Germany beats Argentina 1-0 to win World Cup

RIO DE JANEIRO — Mario Goetze produced the piece of individual skill that Lionel Messi couldn’t muster.

With two quick, deft touches, Goetze ended Germany’s 24-year wait for another World Cup title with an extra-time winner against Argentina on Sunday — denying Messi the one title he needs to forever take his place among the game’s all-time greats.

It was the moment of brilliance that ensured Germany’s 1-0 victory in a tight and tense final.

Goetze, who wasn’t born when West Germany beat Argentina in the 1990 final, controlled a cross with his chest in the 113th minute and in one fluid motion volleyed the ball past goalkeeper Sergio Romero and inside the far post from five yards out.

It delivered Germany its fourth World Cup title, equal second with Italy on the list of all-time champions and just behind Brazil’s five.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling. I don’t know how to describe it. You just shoot that goal in, you don’t really know what’s happening,” Goetze said. “And then at the end of the match, having a party with the team, the whole country … it is for us, a dream come true.”

At the final whistle, German players fell into a pile in a mid-pitch celebration. Messi walked past them with his hands on his hips — still in the shadow of his compatriot Diego Maradona, who led his country to the 1986 title.

The 22-year-old Goetze went on as a substitute for Miroslav Klose near the end of regulation time and his fresh legs made the difference.

Andre Schuerrle broke down the left flank, sending his cross into the area, and the Bayern Munich midfielder did the rest with a clinical finish. The goal echoed that of Andres Iniesta four years ago, when the midfielder scored in similar fashion but from the other side of the area to give Spain a 1-0 extra-time win over the Netherlands.

It went entirely to script, according to Germany coach Joachim Loew.

“I said to Mario Goetze, ‘OK, show to the world that you’re better than Messi and you can decide the World Cup. You have all the possibilities to do that,’” Loew said. “I had a good feeling with him.”

Germany became the first European team to win a World Cup in the Americas, and the victory ends a string of near misses since winning its last major title at the 1996 European Championship. The team lost the 2002 World Cup final to Brazil, the Euro 2008 final to Spain and was eliminated in the semifinals in both 2006 and 2010.

Argentina had not been back in the final since that 1990 loss, and has now been beaten by Germany in the last three World Cups.

“This was our chance, and we felt that way. We couldn’t do it. We have to lift our heads and suffer the pain,” Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano said. “Obviously, the pain is tremendous.”

It is Germany’s first World Cup title as a unified nation, having won as West Germany in 1954, 1974 and 1990.

The Germans faced Argentina in both the 1986 and 1990 finals, during Maradona’s heyday. This time, they were up against Messi, the four-time world player of the year who has set a slew of scoring records in leading Barcelona to every major club title and is widely considered the best player since Maradona.

But in the biggest game of his career, Messi came up short.

He had one good chance to score when he was sent free in the area just after the halftime break, but sent his shot wide. It was a difficult angle, but still the type of chance he so often converts for Barcelona.

Messi threatened intermittently throughout the match, but was effectively smothered by the German defense. His free kick in the 120th minute went well high.

Messi, who scored four goals in the group stage but none in the knockout rounds, then had to trudge alone up the stairs of the Maracana Stadium to accept the Golden Ball award for the tournament’s best player, shaking hands with German Chancellor Angela Merkel along the way.

“At this moment I don’t care about this prize — only lifting the trophy matters,” Messi said. “I’m hurt for losing the way we did. … I think we deserved a little better, we had chances. As well as they controlled the ball, we still had the clearest chances.” After Messi received his award, the German team made its way up the stairs for captain Philipp Lahm to raise the hallowed 18-carat gold trophy.

Until Goetze’s winning goal, the game was more notable for top-class defending than creative attacking, but both teams had their share of chances.

Gonzalo Higuain fired wide when gifted a chance in a one-on-one with goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, and later had a goal ruled out for offside.

Germany defender Benedikt Hoewedes hit the post just before halftime with a header.

Germany had entered the game as the favorite after its 7-1 semifinal drubbing of Brazil. But Argentina proved to be an entirely different proposition.

“I’m very proud of the team. They played a great game against a great team,” Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella said. “I salute the players, they made the country proud.”

After Germany’s last win in 1990, then-coach Franz Beckenbauer predicted that a unified Germany would be “unbeatable” in the future. It took 24 years to prove him right but with young players like Goetze, the next wait may not be as long.

“We, I think, deserve this trophy,” Goetze said.

___

Lineups:

Germany: Manuel Neuer; Philipp Lahm, Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng, Benedikt Hoewedes; Christoph Kramer (Andre Schuerrle, 31), Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil (Per Mertesacker, 120), Thomas Mueller; Miroslav Klose (Mario Goetze, 88).

Argentina: Sergio Romero; Pablo Zabaleta, Martin Demichelis, Ezequiel Garay, Marcos Rojo; Lucas Biglia, Javier Mascherano, Enzo Perez (Fernando Gago, 86); Ezequiel Lavezzi (Sergio Aguero, 46), Gonzalo Higuain (Rodrigo Palacio, 78), Lionel Messi.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Netherlands beats host Brazil 3-0 to finish 3rd

BRASILIA, Brazil — When it was all over, it was the Netherlands receiving a standing ovation from the Brazilian crowd. Brazil walked off the field to boos, after another demoralizing loss to end its home World Cup.

The Netherlands’ remarkable campaign ended on a high note after Robin van Persie and Daley Blind scored early goals to help give the team a 3-0 win over Brazil in the third-place game on Saturday.

“We can look back at a very successful tournament,” Dutch coach Louis Van Gaal said. “I’m proud of my players.”

The Netherlands finishes a World Cup unbeaten in regular play for the first time, having lost to Argentina on penalties in the semifinals. After finishing runner-up in 2010, the third place is the best position for the Dutch squad since it lost the final in 1974 and 1978.

The Brazilian fans loudly greeted the Dutch players after they received the third-place medals, applauding on their feet.

“I would like to thank all people in Brazil for their great support,” Arjen Robben said. “For us it was the best way to end this tournament. We fully deserved third place the way we played. It’s a very big achievement.”

The loss added to Brazil’s frustration at the home tournament following the disastrous 7-1 defeat to Germany. After the final whistle, the team was loudly booed by the nearly 70,000 fans that attended the match at the National Stadium in Brasilia. Many had already left even before the late third goal by the Dutch. It’s the first time since 1940 that Brazil lost two consecutive competitive games on home soil.

“It’s a terrible feeling, I don’t know what to say,” Oscar said. “After a huge loss to Germany, today we tried our best from the beginning to win third place but it wasn’t our day. We have to see what went wrong so we can improve for the future.”

Brazil conceding 14 goals in the tournament, the most ever for the team. The previous worst had been 11 goals in the 1938 World Cup. Now it conceded 10 in its last two games.

“It was supposed to be an even match but after the early goal things started going their way,” Scolari said. “I don’t think we played that bad. The players fought hard from the start. They created chances, so it’s difficult to lose 3-0. But they deserve all the credit in the end, they reached the semifinals.”

Van Persie converted a penalty kick three minutes into the match after Robben was brought down by Brazil captain Thiago Silva on the edge of the area. Blind added to the lead in the 17th with a shot from near the penalty spot after defender David Luiz made a mistake while trying to clear a cross in front of the goal. Georginio Wijnaldum rounded off the win in injury time with a shot inside the near post.

“The most beautiful was our resilience. We were knocked out but we came back and finished third,” Wijnaldum said. “We wanted to close it out well.”

Brazil looked lost from the start, making many of the same defensive mistakes that marked the historic defeat to the Germans four days ago. The Netherlands took advantage with quick passes and speed in the attack.

Silva had to foul Robben after being beaten on the run, leading to van Persie’s firm left-foot shot into the right upper corner to put the Dutch ahead.

The Dutch wanted a red card for Silva for a professional foul, but Algerian referee Djamel Haimoudi only gave him a yellow. Silva had missed the semifinal against Germany because of a yellow card suspension.

Blind added to the lead after Luiz failed to clear a cross, heading the ball right back to the Dutch defender for an easy goal.

Wijnaldum closed the scoring in injury time with a goal from inside the area after a cross by Daryl Janmaat.

“It’s frustrating,” Silva said. “We didn’t deserve to have it end like this. But unfortunately it’s football. I have to apologize to our people. The fans supported us even during the 7-1 loss and again today. They booed in the end, but it was normal. They have feelings too.”

It was the fourth time Brazil played in a third-place match. It beat Sweden in 1938 and Italy in 1978, and the only other loss had come against Poland in 1974.

The Netherlands had played in the third-place match one other time. It fell to Croatia 2-1 in 1998 after being beaten by Brazil in the semifinals.

Van Gaal, in his final match with the Netherlands before joining Manchester United, had to play without midfielder Wesley Sneijder, who was injured while warming up for the game.

Scolari made six changes from the team that started in the loss against Germany, the national team’s worst defeat in its 100-year history.

___

Lineups:

Brazil: Julio Cesar; Maicon, David Luiz, Thiago Silva, Maxwell; Luiz Gustavo (Fernandinho, 46), Paulinho (Hernanes, 57), Ramires (Hulk, 73), Willian, Oscar; Jo.

Netherlands: Jasper Cillessen (Michel Vorm, 90); Dirk Kuyt, Ron Vlaar, Stefan de Vrij, Bruno Martins Indi, Jordy Clasie (Joel Veltman, 90), Daley Blind (Daryl Janmaat, 70); Georginio Wijnaldum, Jonathan de Guzman; Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie.

source: sports.inquirer.net

5 reasons why Messi stands out in football world

RIO DE JANEIRO — A four-time world player of the year, Argentina’s Lionel Messi is gifted with talents that most footballers can only dream of. What makes him special is that he possesses not just one or two but a combination of special skills that give him an edge over just about everyone.

Although he hasn’t played brilliantly in every game of this World Cup, Messi’s talents have been on display on Argentina’s road to Sunday’s final against Germany. Here are five traits that explain what makes the Argentina captain so difficult to stop. 


SPEED

There are plenty of players who could outrun Messi in a 100-meter dash. But running with the ball is a different story. Messi can control the ball at close to top speed, making him an excellent dribbler. Also, it’s his acceleration rather than his top speed that cuts up defenses. Few defenders can keep up when Messi revs up from standstill, creating space for his left-foot shot.

BALANCE

Like former Argentina great Diego Maradona, Messi uses his short stature to his advantage. His low center of gravity enables him to make quick turns and to stay on his feet when challenged. Often, the only way to knock him off balance is to foul him. Defenders at the World Cup have been taking turns tackling Messi to spread the risk of getting booked around the team.

ACCURACY

Messi is one of the world’s top free-kick takers, striking the ball with impressive accuracy with his magic left foot. Almost always he hits the target or just misses it — you rarely see Messi blast a free kick five meters over the crossbar. In Argentina’s final group-stage match, Nigeria gave Messi two free kick opportunities near the penalty area toward the end of the first half. He elegantly curled the first one over the wall, but goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama was well-positioned and stopped it. By the second free kick, Messi had fine-tuned his aim, and struck the ball perfectly inside the post. Enyeama jokingly asked the referees during the break to not give Messi any more free kicks.

PATIENCE

Patience is a perhaps and underrated virtue for a football player, and it’s one that has served Messi well in the World Cup. Every opponent has come with a plan to stop him, by closing down his space and tackling him as soon as he touches the ball. As a result Messi has looked out of the game for long periods. But instead of hanging his head and getting frustrated, Messi keeps looking for openings, patiently awaiting a moment when defenders take their focus off him for just a split second. That’s when he strikes. Against Iran, that moment came in injury time when he scored his second goal of the tournament. Against Switzerland, it happened in extra time as he set up Angel Di Maria’s winning goal with a piercing run down the middle.

INTELLIGENCE

Messi also stands out for his ability to read the game, mapping out paths to the opponent’s goal in his mind before the opponent does. That’s key to understanding why he’s such a prolific scorer. Knowing by instinct where a gap will open up for a quick pass or shot gives him an advantage over others, though it can also complicate things for the team. Sometimes Messi lets chances slip away by being too smart for his Argentina teammates, who aren’t in sync with him to the same degree as Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez in Barcelona.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Netherlands looking to finish World Cup unbeaten

BRASILIA, Brazil — Dutch coach Louis Van Gaal is trying to motivate his players for the third-place match against Brazil by giving them the mission of becoming the only Dutch squad to finish a World Cup unbeaten in regular play.

After being eliminated by Argentina on penalties, the Netherlands has the chance of ending the tournament without a loss in seven matches. The Dutch won its first four games, then drew Costa Rica 0-0 in the quarters and Argentina 0-0 in the semis.

Van Gaal had been saying the third-place game was pointless and he would rather not play it, but “we are realizing that there is something else we need to defend and we have to go for it. Never a Dutch team returned home unbeaten, and that has to be the next target.”

source: sports.inquirer.net

Brazil striker Neymar to miss rest of World Cup

FORTALEZA, Brazil—With tears streaming down his face after being kneed in the back, Neymar was carried off the field on a stretcher.

He won’t be coming back. Not to this World Cup, anyway.

The 22-year-old Brazil striker, the one with the hopes of a nation on his shoulders, was ruled out of the rest of the tournament after fracturing his third vertebra during Friday’s 2-1 quarterfinal win over Colombia.

“It’s a big loss for us,” Brazil midfielder Fernandinho said. “We need to find a way to stay together and become stronger after losing our greatest player. We will try to win this World Cup and for sure we will dedicate it to Neymar.”

Neymar is the biggest football star in Brazil, and one of the biggest at the tournament along with Argentina forward Lionel Messi. His face has been plastered on billboards and shown on television continuously, leading many of his staunchest supporters to copy his dyed-blonde fauxhawk.

His millions of fans had expected Neymar’s World Cup to end with him holding the trophy, not being carried off the field in tears.

Neymar was kneed by Colombia defender Juan Camilo Zuniga late in the second half at the Arena Castelao. He was taken to a private clinic and was released a short time later.

He was not expected to need surgery, Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said, but he will also not be able to face Germany on Tuesday in the World Cup semifinals.

“He will not be in condition to play, he will need a few weeks to be fit again,” Lasmar said. “He is very, very sad.”

About 50 Brazil fans, many still wearing the team’s jerseys, crowded outside the clinic whereNeymar was taken, while the ambulance that carried him remained parked in front, lights blazing.

Neymar was hurt in the 86th minute, falling to the ground in pain after Zuniga jumped into him from behind.

Brazil teammate Marcelo quickly called for medical assistance when he saw Neymar writhing in pain. Neymar stayed face down until team doctors arrived and put him on a stretcher.

“Everybody knew that Neymar would be hunted,” Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said. “It’s been happening in the last three matches and we had been talking about it. But nobody listens to us.”

Friday’s match ended with 54 fouls in total — 31 by Brazil and 23 by Colombia. Scolari said Spanish referee Carlos Velasco Carballo should have done more to take control of the match.

According to Hulk, another of Brazil’s striker, Neymar needs more protection from the officials.

“Every time is like this. Players always come after Neymar,” Hulk said. “The referees need to do more to keep this from happening.”

source: sports.inquirer.net

World Cup: Winning ugly no issue for anxious Brazil

FORTALEZA — Brazil striker Neymar has admitted he is happy to win ugly as he looks to take another step towards delivering his country’s sixth World Cup on home soil against Colombia in Fortaleza on Friday.

La Selecao have been criticized for some of their less convincing performances on route to the quarterfinals, most notably in squeezing past Chile on penalties in the last 16.

“You can’t always enjoy yourself and win 4-0 or 5-0. Football nowadays is so difficult, so even, that the team who is most committed on the pitch ends up winning,” said the Barcelona man on Wednesday.

“I don’t want a show. That’s the last thing we are trying to do. We are not necessarily here to produce a spectacle. We are here to run to the end, until we are tired, and come out as winners.”

Neymar fell to the ground in tears as Chile’s Gonzalo Jara missed the decisive spot-kick in the shootout in Belo Horizonte with teammates Julio Cesar and captain Thiago Silva also seen to cry in relief as much as joy.

Worried that carrying the expectations of 200 million Brazilians is becoming too much for his squad, coach Luiz Felipe Scolari called the team’s sports psychologist Regina Brandao in for an extra session with the players on Tuesday.

And Neymar said the sessions were having the desired effect.

“I had never done anything like it before and I am quite enjoying it,” added the 22-year-old.

“It is not only us, in football, who are surrounded by emotion every day and need psychologists. I think it could do every person good, to make one more relaxed.”

Neymar also insisted he will be fully-fit to face the Colombians despite suffering thigh and knee injuries against Chile.

One of the major concerns for Scolari has been the lack of support for Neymar in attacking areas as he has scored half of his side’s eight goals after four games, whilst other forwards Fred, Jo and Hulk have struggled to make an impact.

Neymar, though, claimed the team isn’t overdependent on him.

Paulinho in for Gustavo

“I don’t feel overburdened either on the pitch or off it. I have team-mates who help me by winning the ball back, scoring goals, setting them up,” he said.

“The Brazil team doesn’t have just one person who has to do everything.”

Scolari will be forced into at least one change from the side that faced Chile as Luis Gustavo is suspended so Tottenham Hotspur’s Paulinho is expected to come back into the side.

Gustavo’s absence is even more critical for the hosts given the sensational form of the tournament’s top goalscorer, Colombia’s James Rodriguez.

The Monaco playmaker has taken on the mantle of his side’s focal point with ease in the absence of the injured Radamel Falcao with five goals in four games, including a sensational dipping volley to open the scoring in his side’s 2-0 win over Uruguay in the last 16.

A fourth consecutive win for Jose Pekerman’s men took them into the last eight for the first time and ahead of the biggest game in Colombian football’s history, midfielder Carlos Sanchez insisted they won’t be overawed by their opponents.

“Afraid? No, respectful, yes, because it’s Brazil, the organising country, because of its players, its coaches, and for everything Brazil represents,” he said.

And Rodriguez believes Brazil should be just as worried about him as his countrymen should be about Neymar.

“We’re facing a very tough rival, which has great players, but they also have to think that we have great players.”

History, though, is against the Colombians as they have only beaten Brazil twice in 25 previous meetings and only once in a competitive fixture at the 1991 Copa America.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Argentine army count on ‘amazing’ Messi at World Cup

SAO PAULO — More than 100,000 Argentine fans will besiege Sao Paulo on Tuesday to see four-time world footballer of the year Lionel Messi and his teammates take on Switzerland for a place in the World Cup quarterfinals.

Belgium meanwhile have injury worries, including captain Vincent Kompany, as they head into a match against Jurgen Klinsmann’s surprise American side which closes the tournament’s last 16 phase.

The Argentine football army will be in place inside and outside the stadium when the Switzerland game starts at 1600 GMT. Most will have to watch giant screens outside the Corinthians Arena.

Victory for Messi would end the career of Switzerland’s legendary German coach Ottmar Hitzfeld who has said he will retire at the World Cup.

A win for Hitzfeld’s team would be a major upset and a disaster for the world superstar now in his third World Cup without ever getting close to touching the trophy.

And despite a frontline that also includes Gonzalo Higuain and Angel di Maria, and until his injury Sergio Aguero, Argentina are susceptible to their reliance on Messi.

Their three Group F wins over Nigeria, Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina all relied on Messi goals — four out of the six scored by Argentina.

Argentine coach Alejandro Sabella said he was happy for the two-time world champions to rely on their star man and likened it to Brazil using Messi’s Barcelona teammate, Neymar.

“I think both players are amazing. Messi’s the best in the world, Neymar is a great player and of course with players like this the team depends on them. It’s normal,” he said.

Switzerland are calling Xherdan Shaqiri — who scored all the goals in the 3-0 triumph over Honduras — their own Messi. But Switzerland have never beaten Argentina at the World Cup in six previous attempts.

And despite scoring seven goals in Group E, they also conceded six, including five by France.

Late Flight Home

Belgium could be without captain and center-back Kompany and are definitely deprived of his central defensive partner Thomas Vermaelen, who has a knee injury, when they take on the United States in Salvador at 2000 GMT.

Kompany is struggling with a niggling groin injury, but coach Marc Wilmots still said it would be a “failure” not to reach the quarter finals.

He was also unconcerned about criticism of the style of Belgium’s three straight wins in Group H and playmaker Eden Hazard being eclipsed in most matches.

“I let people make their complaints, we just advance. We are not going to bang our heads against the wall. When I see the team giving everything I have no regrets. We have a young team, unbeaten for a long time in competitive matches,” Wilmots said Monday.

Klinsmann, who faced criticism from the US media before the tournament but is now flavor of the moment, is also confident.

He has told his players to push their flights back to after the July 13 final.

Belgium beat the United States in two friendlies in the past three years. But Klinsmann says the US team has changed as they showed with their group win over Ghana and determined draw with Portugal.

“We also believe we can have enough confidence going into this very special knockout game to say we are able to beat them,” said the German.

The winners of the two games will clash in the quarter finals in Brasilia on Saturday.

source: sports.inquirer.net

FIFA keeping punishments to a minimum at World Cup

RIO DE JANEIRO — Despite bringing the might of FIFA discipline down on Luis Suarez for biting an opponent, football’s governing body has let plenty of other incidents go unpunished at the World Cup.

Apparent offenses on and off the pitch — from elbowing an opponent’s face to fans displaying far-right banners — have prompted no action from the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.

The panel decided not to charge France defender Mamadou Sakho for his raised left elbow which struck Ecuador’s Oswaldo Minda, though it had the same type of video evidence used to ban Suarez for nine Uruguay matches and four months. Intent — was it clear the player intended to injure the victim? — is crucial in these decisions.

Despite FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s pledge of a World Cup which would not tolerate discrimination, fans have chanted gay slurs, worn blackface make-up and brought recognized neo-Nazi symbols into stadiums. 


No disciplinary cases are currently open for those reported incidents, FIFA said Saturday.

“I think the disciplinary committee takes seriously its task,” FIFA spokeswoman Delia Fischer said. “They are looking at everything provided to them.”

That included video of Sakho appearing to connect with Minda, which went unpunished by referee Noumandiez Doue of Ivory Coast.

Sakho acknowledged the incident though said he did not act with malice.

“The referee took his decision and I respect his choice,” Sakho said after match. “It’s true that I’m a tough player but I respect my opponents.”

The timing of the incident suggested the France player would face action: The day after the Suarez case, and two days after FIFA’s chief medical officer said dangerous use of an elbow had been almost eliminated since being made a red-card offense in 2006.

“This more or less disappeared and the referees are instructed accordingly,” Jiri Dvorak told reporters at a briefing.

In just one case has FIFA sanctioned any of the 32 participating national federations, which are responsible for the behavior of fans.

Chile’s federation was fined 1,000 Swiss francs ($1,120) after supporters broke through the Maracana Stadium security fences before a match against Spain. The fine was among the smallest FIFA has levied in recent years. The minimum fine permitted by the disciplinary code is 300 Swiss francs ($338).

As the Chilean fans’ rampage came through the Maracana media center, it was filmed, photographed and reported by international media, providing an instant body of evidence.

In other cases, the disciplinary panel chaired by Claudio Sulser, a lawyer and former Switzerland forward, has worked with monitoring reports from not-for-profit fans’ groups and social media.

Several cases were forwarded to FIFA by Fare, the long-established fans’ network formerly known as Football Against Racism In Europe.

Fare reported that Mexican fans’ traditional chant of a gay slur at the opponent’s goalkeeper taking a goal kick was offensive. During Mexico’s second match against Brazil, the chant provoked the home nation’s fans to chant the slur back in retaliation.

The FIFA panel opened a disciplinary case but ruled it “is not considered insulting in this specific context.”

That view was questioned by FIFA executive committee member Sunil Gulati, who as president of the U.S. Soccer Federation has heard the chant at World Cup qualifying matches over the years.

“It’s offensive, and in the year 2014, it’s inappropriate,” said Gulati, while supporting FIFA and Blatter’s stated commitment to tackle such behavior. “They made a general statement about discrimination and all of those sorts of issues, which I fully agree with, which I think we all would agree with.”

Fare also reported sightings of banners with far-right symbols brought to matches by fans of Croatia, Germany and Russia.

When Fare was invited by UEFA to send experienced monitors into stadiums at the 2012 European Championship, a string of similar cases were prosecuted within days. Fines were imposed of at least 20,000 euros ($27,300).

UEFA also fined its Euro 2012 member federations if fans invaded the pitch or set off flares and fireworks inside stadiums. Similar offenses at this World Cup have gone unpunished.

Still, the disciplinary panel might have earned a reputation for toughness solely for cracking down on Suarez.

Sulser’s only public comment during the World Cup came in a FIFA statement revealing the Uruguayan’s sanction.

“Such behavior cannot be tolerated on any football pitch and in particular not at a FIFA World Cup,” Sulser said, “when the eyes of millions of people are on the stars on the field.”

source: sports.inquirer.net

France clinches top spot in Group E; Ecuador out

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil—France’s much-vaunted attack missed a series of chances as it drew 0-0 with 10-man Ecuador to reach the knockout stage of the World Cup on Wednesday, while the South Americans bowed out of the tournament.

In the other final Group E game, Switzerland defeated 3-0 Honduras to finish in second place behind the French.

France, which ended with seven points, had scored eight goals in two games and 39 in its previous 11. But the finishing on Wednesday lacked sharpness against a spirited Ecuador side, which proved dangerous all game on the break.

“I’m proud of what the players have achieved,” France coach Didier Deschamps said. “We didn’t take our chances, but that takes nothing away from our joy. We had to be vigilant against an Ecuador side that was quick and looked dangerous even with 10 men.”

Ecuador’s chances were hindered at Rio’s Maracana stadium after Antonio Valencia was shown a straight red card in the 50th minute for digging his studs into the leg of French defender Lucas Digne.

But Ecuador may feel upset that France center half Mamadou Sakho was not shown a red card in the eighth minute when he appeared to elbow Oswaldo Minda in the face during a France corner. Then, in a late incident off the ball, France forward Olivier Giroud jabbed his elbow in to Gabriel Achilier, who was standing behind him.

‘Quite regrettable’

“Some of the decisions made by the referee did not favor us,” Ecuador coach Reinaldo Rueda said. “It’s quite regrettable what happened. I believe this is now in the hands of the committee that assesses the behavior of referees. This was not the ideal behavior in many split decisions. I don’t think it’s worth going into that now.”

Deschamps says he “did not see” the incident with Sakho because the “coach’s bench is a bit low.”

Deschamps made six changes to his starting lineup, knowing his side was all but assured of advancing, but it upset the balance of his side at times and his new-look defense looked shaky.

France came closest to scoring when Antoine Griezmann hit the post in the 47th and then missed a string of late chances as its much-vaunted attacked failed to live up to the hype generated by last Friday’s 5-2 win against Switzerland.

An inspired Ecuador went close in the 82nd when substitute midfielder Alex Ibarra broke down the right, cut inside center half Raphael Varane, and saw his powerful strike beaten away by goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Moments later, France striker Karim Benzema played a one-two with Giroud but stroked a casual shot that goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez easily saved.

Dominguez had an outstanding match, denying substitute Loic Remy with a brilliant leaping save from the forward’s curling shot in the 87th minute.

Giroud should then have scored in injury time but planted a free header straight into Dominguez’s hands.

Both sides went close 


After France had hit the post, Ecuador almost took the lead in the 54th when Cristhian Noboa shot wide.

Ecuador kept pushing forward, knowing it had to win because Switzerland was coasting. With more space, France pressured down both flanks and Benzema teed up Paul Pogba, whose shot was well blocked.

Benzema was getting on the ball much more and he sent Blaise Matuidi through the middle in the 62nd, but the midfielder placed his shot too close to the goalkeeper.

As time for Ecuador ran out, both sides went close.

Pogba headed wide from close range and Benzema shot straight at Dominguez after cutting in from the left. Then, Edcuador’s Michael Arroyo burst down the left but center half Laurent Koscielny stood him up well and he shot wide.

Pogba still had enough energy left to thump a powerful shot narrowly wide, while Ecuador’s last chance came from a corner as France defended desperately to prevent an unexpected defeat.–Jerome Pugmire

source: sports.inquirer.net

Mexico beats Croatia 3-1, advances in World Cup

RECIFE, Brazil—Mexico surged into the World Cup’s knockout stage for a sixth straight time Monday with a 3-1 win over Croatia.

Rafael Marquez, Andres Guardado and Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez scored in a 10-minute span in the second half, dooming a talented Croatia side to elimination from the group stage.

The Croats had to win to advance and held the bulk of possession, but had trouble seriously threatening goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who kept out all efforts until an 87th-minute consolation goal from Ivan Perisic.

Mexico entered the game needing only a draw, and looked dangerous in attack, but was kept out until the three-goal burst.

Marquez struck first, beating Croatia defender Vedran Corluka to head home Hector Herrera’s corner kick in the 72nd minute. Three minutes later, Guardado found the net with a hard, left-footed, one-time shot after a cross from Oribe Peralta.

Then in the 82nd minute, Hernandez, the popular Manchester United striker who has been a second-half substitute in all three of Mexico’s matches, scored with a header after Herrera’s corner had glanced off the head of Marquez.

Croatia didn’t score until it was too late, with Perisic sliding a shot past Ochoa after being set up by a neat backheel pass from Ivan Rakitic. It was the first goal Mexico has conceded in the World Cup, but “El Tri” hardly seemed to mind when the final whistle sounded and a lively, heavily Mexican crowd in Arena Pernambuco erupted.

Mexico appeared to be laboring through a downspell before this World Cup. It struggled just to qualify out of CONCACAF and fired three coaches in a year’s time before Miguel Herrera took over and ultimately rescued Mexico’s hopes by soundly beating New Zealand in a last-chance qualifier.

In the hours leading up to the match, Miguel Herrera, known as a coach of the people for the way he engages fans on social media and at times in public, implored the Mexico faithful to “stay together” and sing the national anthem “like never before.”

Mexican fans, whose green jerseys distinguished them as the overwhelming majority in the crowd, did not disappoint, belting out a thunderous rendition.

Croatia had expected to play before a crowd heavily in Mexico’s favor, with star Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric saying on the eve of the match that the game would not be won in the stands, and that his side was motivated to silence the crowd.

Croatia players were heckled each time they took a corner kick, and goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa was heckled whenever he touched the ball.

Mexico’s attacking play also enlivened the crowd, particularly a sizzling 25-yard shot by Hector Herrera that rattled the crossbar in the 16th minute.

In the 19th, Oribe Peralta pounced on a bounding ball from Herrera in the penalty area, but his sliding attempt to chip over the advancing Pletikosa went wide.

Croatia enjoyed the bulk of possession in the opening 45 minutes, but didn’t force Ochoa to make a single save.–Brett Martel

source: sports.inquirer.net

Do or die as World Cup tension mounts

RIO DE JANEIRO – The battle to avoid joining the likes of Spain and England on the World Cup scrapheap begins in earnest on Monday as the final round of first phase fixtures kicks off with Brazil bidding to book their place in the last 16.

The most entertaining World Cup in years has made a mockery of pre-tournament predictions, with holders Spain condemned to an early flight home after only two matches and England, perhaps less surprisingly, following close behind.

The identity of the remaining teams joining them in the departure lounge will be decided over the next four days as the round-robin stage of the tournament reaches its climax.

Monday’s action will see Brazil aim to wrap up qualification for the last 16, where victory over an already-eliminated Cameroon in Brasilia will clinch first place in Group A.

The battle for the other qualifying spot in the group sees Croatia face Mexico in the sultry coastal city of Recife.

Croatia recovered from an opening defeat against Brazil to trounce Cameroon 4-0 in their second match, but must beat Mexico to advance. Mexico, fresh from thwarting Brazil in a 0-0 draw last week, need only a point to go through.

With Spain and Australia already sent packing in Group B, all eyes will be on the Netherlands clash with in-form Chile in Sao Paulo.

The contest is effectively a shoot-out to decide who wins the group and therefore avoids the prospect of playing Brazil in the next round, if, as expected, the hosts win Group A.

Chile boss Jorge Sampaoli is pulling out all the stops to secure a win, and says he will risk suspension for star midfielder Arturo Vidal.

But Sampaoli indicated Chile would throw caution to the wind as they face the free-scoring Dutch, who hammered 2010 champions Spain 5-1 and overcame Australia 3-2.

“There is a context which is real, which is protecting a player and that’s respectable,” Sampaoli said.

“But we need to win the group because that will give us a way of looking to the future in a different manner.”

In Group C, meanwhile, Colombia can finish the first phase with a 100 percent record if they defeat Japan in Cuiaba on Tuesday. The Colombians have already qualified for the last 16, and a point will be enough to top the group.

Japan, who have one point from two games, must beat Colombia and hope Ivory Coast fail to beat Greece to have any chance of going.

Also on Tuesday, England will bid a sorry farewell to the tournament after their elimination from Group D, with Costa Rica needing only a draw in Belo Horizonte to ensure first place from the group.

The group’s biggest drama is likely to come in the match between Uruguay and Italy, beaten by Costa Rica on Friday. A draw would be enough for the Italians to advance; Uruguay must win to go through.

The final round of games in Groups E & F see France and Argentina facing Ecuador and Nigeria respectively knowing a point will be enough to finish top of their standings.

A draw could be enough for Ecuador to advance in Group E if Switzerland fail to beat Honduras by a significant margin.

Similarly, Argentina’s opponents Nigeria need only a point to go through after their 1-0 win on Saturday over Bosnia, who play Iran in their last match.

Group G remains finely balanced with Germany and the United States in pole position to qualify.

The Americans heroic 2-2 draw with Portugal on Sunday leaves them level with Germany on four points.

A draw between Jurgen Klinsmann’s US side and the Germans on Thursday would be enough to take both teams through.

After wins over Algeria and Russia, Belgium will back themselves to secure the point they need against South Korea to clinch first place in Group H.

A South Korean win would mean Russia have to beat Algeria to avoid elimination. Algeria, currently second on three points, will qualify with a win, but a draw could be enough.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Dutch and Chile to battle for Group B top spot

RIO DE JANEIRO — The Netherlands and Chile may have already qualified for the World Cup’s round of 16, but both still want to win Group B and avoid the likely prospect of facing host nation Brazil in their next match.

Two of the tournament’s early high-fliers meet on Monday at Sao Paulo’s Itaquerao Stadium with the Netherlands requiring only a draw to top the group thanks to superior goal difference.

“If you look ahead a bit, in theory you are better off than if you come second,” Netherlands captain Robin van Persie said.

In part, that is because Brazil should win Group A — it is currently top and faces already-eliminated Cameroon in its final match — and will be the opponent for the runner-up in Group B. However, Van Persie said there are other tough nations on the horizon for the second-placed team.

“I’d really like to play them,” he said of Brazil, “but a little bit later” in the tournament.

The group winner also gets an extra day of rest before its next match.

Van Persie, who has scored three goals so far, is suspended for the game against Chile after picking up a yellow card in both matches so far — the stunning 5-1 destruction of Spain and a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Australia.



Van Persie is confident he won’t be too badly missed, given the depth of the Dutch squad. PSV Eindhoven forward Memphis Depay came on as a substitute against Australia and provided an assist before scoring his first international goal for the match winner. Schalke striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar, who has scored 34 goals in 62 internationals, is also waiting in the wings.

“The boys for the front positions train fantastically,” Van Persie. “We have a lot of good players.”

One of them already has three strikes to his name in Brazil, lightning fast winger Arjen Robben.

“Robben is very fast and the team is playing well,” said Chile midfielder Francisco Silva. “To counter their speed we’ll have to have a balanced game and close spaces.”

The Netherlands could also be missing central defender Bruno Martins Indi, who suffered a concussion after a late challenge by Australia’s Tim Cahill sent him tumbling heavily to the turf.

There is speculation that Chile might not be at full strength, either.

Coach Jorge Sampaoli could bench Juventus star Arturo Vidal and Charles Aranguiz, who scored one goal and set up the other in Chile’s 2-0 win against Spain.

Vidal, who underwent knee surgery last month and is still trying to regain his form, has hurt his right Achilles tendon, while Aranguiz has a minor sprain on his right knee. Both players also have a yellow card to their name.

In between beating Australia and Spain, Chile has clearly been studying the Dutch style of play — solid defense, pressure in midfield and passing quickly to their potent strike force.

“Based on what we saw, they’ll stay in the back, will try to press in the middle and, when they get the ball, will try to get it quickly to their strikers,” said Atalanta midfielder Carlos Carmona. “We have several days to work on ways to stop them from doing that.”

In good news for Dutch football purists, the Netherlands will pull on their traditional orange jerseys for the first time at this World Cup, having played in their blue away strip for the first two matches.

The Netherlands’ mantra ahead of its match against Australia — the lowest-ranked team at the tournament — was that the team would not underestimate the opponent. There’s no danger of underestimating Chile — a team ranked one place above the Dutch by FIFA.

“I saw bits of Chile against Spain and they looked very good. They looked fit, they looked strong, they played together,” Van Persie said. “So we’ve got a big task. It will be very hard to at least draw against them.”

source: sports.inquirer.net