One of four games today was Group D’s Costa Rica and England at the Mineirão in Belo Horizonte. Costa Rica held England to a 0-0 draw, which leaves them top of Group D and they advance to the knockout stages. England embarrassingly finish bottom of the group, their elimination was already confirmed last Friday when Costa Rica beat Italy. Joel Campbell saw a speculative second-minute effort deflect wide and Costa Rica’s control of the opening exchanges underlined the gulf in confidence between the two teams. The 12th minute brought England’s first sight of goal, with Sturridge whipping a shot narrowly wide of the target following bright build-up play by Jack Wilshere. Ben Foster was the first goalkeeper called into action when he superbly tipped Borges’ free-kick behind via his crossbar. Sturridge had a 27th-minute penalty claim rejected, going to ground under close attention from Oscar Duarte, and another half-chance fell the striker’s way, but he could not keep his header down after Phil Jones nodded Ross Barkley’s corner back across goal. Barkley fashioned space for himself in the 42nd minute, but his subsequent slice wide underscored a half desperately lacking in quality. A flurry of late substitutions did not increase the entertainment factor as Costa Rica looked forward to a knockout clash against the runner-up in Group C – where Ivory Coast, Greece and Japan all retain ambitions of following likely winners Colombia into the knockout stages later today. For England, who belatedly extended Navas when substitute Wayne Rooney sent a delicate 80th-minute chip goalwards, a grimly familiar period of reflection and attempted renewal awaits.
This World Cup has proved that I and most people don’t know about the smaller teams, Costa Rica have shocked everyone and have finished 1st in Group A, I thought they was one of the worst team in the competition and that they would easily finish last. But they proved everyone wrong and got what they deserved, but I don’t think they will get further than the Quarter Finals. England on the other hand has not surprised me in anyway, the team and manager is not good enough and I didn’t expect us to get through the group stage but I didn’t expect us to finish last with 1 point. It’s embarrassing to be an England fan, we invented the game and we are awful at it, something needs to change.
Group D’s Italy and Uruguay face each other in a 2nd place decider at the Arena das Dunas in Natal. Uruguay defeated Italy 1-0 which takes them through to the second round finishing in 2nd place. Italy needed a point to progress but the lost and have finished 3rd in the group and have been eliminated from the Tournament. The match began with a host of full-blooded challenges, perhaps unsurprisingly given the prize at stake.
The crowd had to wait until the 12th minute to see an effort on target, when Andrea Pirlo fired a dipping free-kick that Fernando Muslera needed to tip over, and the remainder of the opening half-hour passed by with little action of note. Gianluigi Buffon was then called on to deny Suarez and Christian Lodeiro from close range following intricate build-up play, while Martin Caceres struck an audacious effort way wide from distance. Cavani’s appeal for a penalty was waved away following a tangle with Leonardo Bonucci before Cristian Rodriguez wasted a golden opportunity for Uruguay. Suarez clipped a ball in to the Atletico Madrid man, who skewed an effort wide when through on goal. Marchisio was handed a straight red shortly after and Suarez was quick to test the 10 men of Italy – bursting through the defence only to be denied by Buffon. If that showed the Liverpool man’s talent on the ball, his clash with Chiellini seemingly offered an insight into the less savoury side of Suarez’s will to win. The Juve defender was eager to show referee Marco Rodriguez his shoulder and Italian tempers flared. 9 minutes before the end Diego Godin headed home a corner to take his team into the lead. Cesare Prandelli’s side were unable to find an equaliser and questions over the actions of Suarez appear set to dominate the aftermath of Italy’s elimination.
I expected more from Italy, I thought they would win all games and top the group, but they played poor in their games against Costa Rica and Uruguay and chucked away their chances of advancing. Uruguay didn’t play well in their games either but they did enough to win in the end.
Pictures have shown Luis Suarez has bit someone once again, the victim this time being Chiellini. This behaviour is disgraceful, he has bit someone three times now, if a dog did that it would of been put down. He should be banned from Football all together, he is a criminal walking free, it isn’t safe to have him on a football pitch. If someone bit another person on the street they would be locked up, but since Suarez is a footballer it’s fine. He needs help and he needs to be banned from the Football world.
The next game was a Group C match between Greece and Ivory Coast at the Arena Castelão in Fortaleza. Greece beat Ivory Coast 2-1 by a stoppage time penalty from Samaras. Greece finish in 2nd place of the group with 4 points and face Costa Rica in the second round. Ivory Coast have been knocked out as they finish on 3 points in 3rd place. Greece’s start was thrown into disarray by two forced substitutions inside the first 30 minutes, as Kone and goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis suffered injuries. But they almost took the lead in the 33rd minute from a quick break, as Holebas – played in following Samaras’ well-weighted through-ball – saw his fierce strike come back off the crossbar. The goal frame did not come to the rescue of Barry nine minutes later, though. A stray pass from Cheick Tiote saw Samaris pounce, and he combined well with Samaras before coolly slotting past the goalkeeper. Cote d’Ivoire continued to control possession but failed to convert it into regular chances, as their opponents looked more decisive in attack. Greece’s threat on the counter only grew as the second half progressed and Cote d’Ivoire were rescued by the bar for a second time with 22 minutes to go, when captain Karagounis tried his luck from 35 yards. The introduction of Bony gave the Africans another dimension and after wasting a pair of half-chances, the Swansea City forward drew his side level, producing a composed first-time finish after Gervinho’s clever cut-back. But it was the Greeks who looked more likely to score the winner, as Dimitrios Salpingidis flashed an effort wide, before Sio’s foul gave Samaras the chance to be a hero. And it was an opportunity he took with both hands, slotting past Barry to earn Fernando Santos’ side a place in the next round.
Greece played really in this game and they got what they deserved as they go through to the second round. Ivory Coast blew their chance on progressing which was disappointing for The Elephants, all they needed was a point and a lack of concentration from Sio in the closing stages denied them of that.
The final game featured Japan and Colombia of Group C at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiabá. Colombia defeated Japan 4-1 and finish in 1st place of Group C with all 9 points and play Uruguay in the Round of 16. Japan finish bottom of the group with 1 point and are eliminated from the World Cup.
Jose Pekerman’s side, so impressive in securing wins over Greece and Cote d’Ivoire earlier in the tournament, were already assured of qualification and knew a draw would be enough to secure their passage as group winners.
Japan, meanwhile, needed to win and hope the result between Cote d’Ivoire and Greece went their way in order to progress. Japan made the stronger start as Colombia struggled to find their feet having made eight changes from their victory over Cote d’Ivoire. However, it was the South Americans who went in front after 17 minutes, following their first real foray forward.
Konno needlessly brought down Ramos inside the area, and Cuadrado dispatched the spot-kick, prompting further choreographed celebrations from the Colombians. Japan responded well, Shinji Kagawa creating space on the edge of the box before firing in a low shot which was tipped behind by David Ospina. Colombia ought to have doubled their lead three minutes before the interval, Martinez firing wide of the target from 14 yards after being picked out by Ramos. They were made to rue that miss soon afterwards, with Okazaki flicking home Honda’s right-wing cross with the final touch of the half. Martinez made it 2-1 in the 55th minute, taking a touch and firing low beyond Eiji Kawashima after a nicely-weighted pass from James inside the area. Martinez doubled his tally eight minutes from time with a cool finish, and moments later Kagawa summed up a disappointing campaign for the Japanese by firing wide with just Ospina to beat from close range. There was a notable moment five minutes before the end, as 43-year-old goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon – retiring after the tournament – was brought on in place of Ospina to become the oldest player in World Cup history. James Rodriguez, one of the players of the tournament so far, showed his class in the 90th minute to round off the scoring, turning Maya Yoshida inside out and dinking an impudent finish over Kawashima, before Mondragon made an injury-time save to deny Yoichiro Kakitani.
Colombia are playing great in this tournament but need to beat Uruguay to show how good they really are, they have great players such as Rodriguez, Martinez, Cuadardo ect. I have no doubt that they will give Uruguay a run for their money. I expected a lot more from Japan in this tournament, I thought they would advance to the next round but they weren’t the team I thought they were. They have some good players in their side but they were not good enough as a team.
Manchester United’s Shinji Kagawa played 86 minutes in this game, I thought he played poor as his passing and finishing just wasn’t their. I believe Shinji needs to play in the centre, he plays on the left for Japan and United but he just isn’t good enough there. Unfortunately, their is no space for Kagawa in the middle at United as we already have Rooney and Mata.
Meanwhile at Old Trafford, Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign Athletic Bilboa midfielder Ander Herrera for £28m. David Moyes was reportedly targeting the 24-year-old last summer, but failed to land the central midfielder. There were bizarre scenes in Spain when, on transfer deadline, three men claiming to be representing United tried to negotiate the deal at the Spanish Football Association headquarters. The negotiations broke down and it transpired that United knew nothing about the three men. The deal happened quickly because the clause on his contract raises to £32m on July 1st.
In my opinion this will be a good signing, but if we don’t sign another midfielder, I will be very disappointed. We have finally got what MUFC fans have been screaming for, and that is we have actually signed a player. £28m seems like a lot of money for him as he isn’t a well known player, and he isn’t World Class yet. It isn’t my money so I can’t be too bothered, but we don’t want another Fellaini on our hands.
Also at Manchester United, full-back Alex Büttner has completed his move to Russian club Dynamo Moscow on a three-year deal, the club have confirmed. Price yet to be confirmed.
It is a shame it never worked out for Alex as he had such a promising debut, but there is no place for him anymore as we look to sign Southampton Left Back Luke Shaw. He said “I want to play in the Champions League, win trophies.” Adding a bit of sting to Man Utd’s horrible season. He also said on Instagram ” Thanks for everything! Had an amazing 2 years at this beautiful club. Manchester United! Thanks to all my fans for supporting me!!”
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