World Cup Round up – Monday 23 June 2014

Today featured 4 games and the third and final games of the Group Stage began. The first 5:00pm kick-off was a Group B match between Australia and Spain at the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba. Spain got their first points of the tournament as they beat the Socceroos 3-0. The final group standings leave Spain in 3rd place with 3 points and Australia in 4th place with 0 points. Both teams bow out of the tournament. After a slow opening, Spain turned up the tempo and Villa broke the deadlock nine minutes before the break with an improvised flick from close range. Spain struggled to rediscover a high tempo after the break, with several misplaced passes curtailing promising attacks. Manchester United’s Juan Mata was subbed on shortly before the hour mark, replacing David Villa, who made his last ever appearance for Spain and he was shaking his head as he emotionally exited the pitch before burying his head in his hands on the substitutes bench. With 20 minutes remaining Iniesta sent a defence-splitting pass through to Torres, who collected on the left of the box before calmly slotting right-footed into the far corner. Further gloss was added to the scoreline in the 82nd minute when substitute Cesc Fabregas picked out Mata in the penalty area, and the Manchester United man slipped the ball under the goalkeeper to secure third place in Group B and restore some pride despite the reigning champions’ early exit.

Spain may have crashed out of their World Cup campaign early with embarrassing defeats to Holland and Chile but this isn’t the end of La Roja.
Spain have been dominant for 6 years now, so they will not end now. Spanish football is only getting better, before the start of this tournament Spain were the holders of the World Cup and they are the holders of the Champions League, Europa league and are European Champions.
They have had one bad tournament, so they will be back stronger for Euro 2016, just as long as they change their Manager and tactics.
Australia may have been favourites to finish bottom of the group but they never went down without a fight and have one the hearts of many. They played well and deserved a point against Chile, they were close to getting points against Holland, but they was clearly overpowered by Spain. Maybe if the group was kinder to them, they may of progressed.

Frustratingly Manchester United’s David De Gea was the only player on the Spain national team not to play a game due to injury. Also Juan Mata only played 30 minutes of World Cup action in Spain’s campaign which was too little too late to save Spain as their exit had already been confirmed. Mata played well, bagging himself a nice goal with a lovely touch and finish for Spain’s final goal. Mata always impresses in every game, I have never seen him play bad.

The second 5:00pm kick-off featured Louis Van Gaal’s Netherlands and Chile of Group B at the Arena Corinthians in São Paulo. Holland defeated Chile 2-0 and they top the group with all 9 points while Chile are left in 2nd spot with 6 points. Both teams advance to the second round. A meeting of two of the competition’s most eye-catching teams had been highly anticipated, yet it had failed to live up to its billing before late heroics from Fer and Memphis. With the Netherlands requiring just a draw they opted for a cautious approach as the two counter-attacking sides largely cancelled each other out. But it was always Van Gaal’s men who had looked the most likely to secure victory, with their third successive triumph ultimately coming from two unlikely sources. The South Americans were beginning to enjoy the better of proceedings and came close to breaking the deadlock when Felipe Gutierrez curled over after being picked out by Alex Sanchez’s clever corner.
But Louis van Gaal’s men responded well, enjoying a good spell towards the end of the opening period. Any momentum built up before the break had disappeared afterwards as both sides struggled to fashion opportunities, the desperation best summed up when Sanchez hit wildly over from 35 yards. With 77 minutes gone Leroy Fer met Daryl Janmaat’s cross with a bullet header that flew into the corner. Chile failed to respond as Robben tricked his way down the left wing and squared the ball for Memphis Depay to tap home in injury-time.

The Netherlands have clearly shown they are strong contenders for the World Cup as they have topped their group and have won all their games, including the 5-1 demolition of Spain. I think Holland can win it, but it would depend who they would get in the final to see if they will. Chile have also shown they are a strong team, but I don’t think they can get futher than the Quarter Finals as they are not good enough yet.

To be Manchester United Louis Van Gaal said: “I think Manchester United has nothing to do with this and, if you look at my CV, I win a lot of matches. You just have to play according to your strengths… it’s all about winning. I’ll pick a system that helps me win. This is proof of the pudding. We’re not giving away very much, but we’re creating a lot. Me and my staff, we only ever want to score one goal more than the opponents.”

Louis Van Gaal has made a name for himself this World Cup, building a good first impression for United fans. We can’t get excited to early though, as it will take time for him to build a new team at MUFC.
Arjen Robben starred in Oranje’s win and he is showing that this is his World Cup. He scored 2 goals against Spain, one of them he broke the record for the fastest sprint by a football player. He scored against Australia and set up Depay’s goal against Chile by abusing his incredible pace.
Memphis Depay was subbed on against Australia and Chile, and scored both times. In my opinion he is a really good player who is young, strong, fast and has a great shot. If I could I would beg Man Utd to sign him, he can solve one part to our attacking problems and he can only get better.

The first 9:00pm kick-off involved Group A’s Cameroon and hosts Brazil, at the Estádio Nacional in Brasília. Brazil defeated Cameroon 4-1 and they top Group A with 7points advancing to the Last-16. Cameroon have been knocked out of the Tournament as they finish in 4th with 0 points. Brazil will now play Chile in the Second round. It was Cameroon’s susceptible backline that was first to be breached in the 17th minute when Neymar, inexplicably unmarked, cleverly turned home Luiz Gustavo’s low cross from the left. Despite their woeful defending, Cameroon looked dangerous at the other end and in the 26th minute Matip side-footed Allan Nyom’s cross into an empty net, scoring Cameroon’s first goal of the tournament to draw them level. With Brazil seeking a response Neymar again stepped up 8 minutes later, with the help of some more schoolboy defending as he was awarded far too much and the Barcelona forward cut inside from the left and sent the keeper the wrong way. The goalkeeper had to be on high alert again after the interval, denying Hulk and Neymar in quick succession. But he could do little in the 49th minute when Fred, was left free in the area and the under-pressure forward headed home David Luiz’s cross. 6 minutes before the end, Fernandinho, who came on as a half-time replacement for Paulinho, settled any nerves with a cool finish following a fine move involving Oscar and Fred made sure the hosts finished in top spot.

Brazil are considered one of the favourites of this tournament, but I don’t think they stand a chance as they have played at an average standard in every group game, they may have finished top spot as expected but it should of been an easy group for them and they made it look like hard work. I believe they will beat Chile in the Last-16 but I highly doubt they will get past Germany in the Quarter-Finals . They need to beat a top side to prove they can go far in this tournament.
Cameroon didn’t really have a chance of advancing when their star man Samuel Eto’o got injured in the first game against Mexico. Every team they played overpowered them, they just didn’t have the quality to escape.
Neymar starred in this World Cup and he is now the top scorer of the competition, but I don’t consider him a World Class player yet. He plays amazing for Brazil all the time and carries the team but he has played against easy opponents and we will need to see how he plays against a World Class side. Also he played awful for Barcelona last season. He needs to be playing for Barça like he does for Brazil to be a World Class player.

The other 9:00pm game was a Group A match between Croatia and Mexico at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife. Mexico beat Croatia 3-1 and they finish in 2nd of Group A, going through to the knockout stages. Croatia have been eliminated as they finish in 3rd place with 3 points. Mexico now face the Netherlands in the Last-16. Manager, Herrera, was adamant in the build-up that Mexico were not going to simply play for the draw they needed and, although Croatia controlled the early possession, the Central Americans looked typically dangerous on the break. Croatia continued to look unconvincing in attack as an ill-tempered first half wore on. Despite some tactical tweaking from Kovac at the break, with Luka Modric seemingly taking up a more advanced position, Croatia’s lack of creative spark was not remedied. Srna luckily escaped conceding a penalty in the 65th minute as he clearly used his arms to block a Guardado shot, but it all went wrong for Croatia soon after. Marquez gave Mexico a deserved lead with 72 minutes on the clock, nodding in Herrera’s corner despite Stipe Pletikosa’s best efforts and a second swiftly followed. With Croatia attempting to pile on the pressure, Mexico sprang an incisive breakaway and, after receiving a squared pass from substitute Chicharito, Peralta set up Guardado for an easy finish inside the area. Mexico gave the scoreline a more resounding look in the 82nd minute as Marquez flicked on a cross and Manchester United’s Chicharito was on hand to nod in from close range. Perisic did get Croatia on the scoresheet with a clever finish from an angle, but Rebic ended any hopes of an improbable comeback with a callous challenge on Carlos Pena, earning a straight red as the European side go home early.

Mexico were the favourites to go through behind Brazil for me, and they did. They deserved it as well, put up great performances in all of their games, beating Cameroon, held Brazil and finished off Croatia. But they face a strong Dutch side in the Second Round and can’t see them standing a chance against Louis Van Gaal’s men.
Croatia did well in their group as they put up a good performance against Brazil despite losing and they thrashed Cameroon. But I expected better from them against Mexico, they conceded poor goals and could of conceded more, this game showed why I thought they could not advance.

Manchester United’s Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez came off the bench and scored Mexico’s last goal with a poaching header at the back post, living up to his nickname of the ‘Super Sub’. His goal takes the tally of MUFC players scored in the World Cup to 6 with combined goals of 8. He played well in the time he got, he was part of Mexico’s second goal and his timely header wrapped up the game for El Tri.

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World Cup Round up – Sunday 22 June 2014

The first game of the day was a Group H clash between Belgium and Russia at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro. The Red Devils defeated Russia 1-0 in a stale battle between the two. Belgium now advance into the knockout phase and Russia are left in 3rd place of Group H behind Korea Republic. Alexander Kokorin missed the best chance of a lifeless opening half, heading wide from six yards. This was not the most entertaining match of the tournament, but in the last ten minutes Belgium put their foot on the pedal and started to attack Russia, creating better chances than they did all game.
Kevin Mirallas hit a post with Belgium’s first shot on target with seven minutes remaining. But in the 88th minute Divock Origi struck a right footed shot from the centre of the box to the to the roof of the net to put Belgium into the lead, assisted by Eden Harzard’s cut back cross.

Russia’s hopes of following the Red Devils into the last 16 now hinge on their final group match against Algeria. Russia played better than in their 1-1 draw with South Korea but still lacked a cutting edge and Belgium found a way to win despite an unconvincing display. Belgium seemed to be the Dark Horses of the Tournament before, but after the first 2 games, they don’t look convincing enough to go further than the Round of 16.

Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini played the full 90 minutes in Belgium’s win over Russia after his goal against Algeria, but he didn’t really impress and seemed like the same Fellaini we saw at Man United last season. Adnan Januzaj was an unused substitute for this game, hopefully he will get some game time against South Korea. Also, reported Man United target Thomas Vermaelen started the game but was forced to withdraw and was replaced by Jan Vertonghen after 31 minutes as he had an injury.

Next up was Korea Republic versus Algeria in the second in half of Group H, at the Estádio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre, where Algeria defeated Korea in a thrilling 4-2 match. The result leaves Algeria with a strong chance of advancing as they lie in 2nd place in Group H with Russia left to play. Korea have a very small chance of qualifying as they would need to beat Belgium with some goals over Algeria and Russia. South Korea were absolutely woeful in the first half as they were 3-0 down at half time and it looked like game over already for Korea. On 26 minutes Islam Slimani outpaced two defenders to get to a long Carl Medjani pass and flick the ball past on-rushing keeper Jung Sung-ryong. Halliche extended the lead just two minutes later with a thumping header from an Djabou corner. On the 37th minute Djabou turned from provider to goalscorer when Slimani slipped a ball across for him to sidefoot home. South Korea had not managed a shot on target in the first half but pulled a goal back shortly after the break when a mistake from Madjid Bougherra allowed Song to send a shot through the legs of keeper Rais. Brahimi restored Algeria’s three-goal lead when he played a one-two with Feghouli before slotting past the keeper. South Korea were not finished, and after the Desert Foxes failed to clear their lines, Lee Keun-ho played the ball across the box for Koo to slot in, before a tiring Algeria managed to regroup and close out the win.

In my opinion Algeria played great and they responded in emphatic fashion to their defeat to Belgium and they will advance to the second round as I think they will get at least a point against Russia. I also believe Korea won’t qualify as they won’t beat Belgium.

The last game of the day was Group F’s Portugal and USA at the Arena da Amazônia in Manaus where Portugal left USA devastated as they were held to a 2-2 draw by a 95th minute equaliser. USA now lie in 2nd place of Group F with a good chance of advancing and Portugal are in bottom spot of the group but can still qualify if Germany defeat USA and Portugal score at least 3 goals against Ghana. Portugal took the lead early inside 5 minutes as Geoff Cameron failed to deal with a poor cross into the USA box and the ball falls nicely for Manchester United’s Nani who powers it into the top of the net inside the six-yard area. Just before the end of the first half Tim Howard produces a world class one-handed save to deny Eder after Nani’s attempt rattles a post and bounces out. Soon after the start of the second half Fabian Johnson gets behind the Portuguese defence and sends in a cross for Michael Bradley who must score. But his effort is somehow hacked off the line by Ricardo Costa. With 64 minutes gone Jermaine Jones wonder goal hauls the USA level as he side steps Nani before curling home from 22 yards. Portugal keeper Beto, rooted to his line, could only watch the ball fly past him into the net. With 10 minutes remaining Clint Dempsey chests home from close range after Graham Zusi’s cross following another raid down the right to give USA a shock lead. USA were 30 seconds from qualifying and knocking Portugal out but substitute Silvestre Varela heads a magical Cristiano Ronaldo’s cross home from eight yards to keep Portugal in the World Cup for now.

I think USA will still advance as I don’t think they will concede too many goals against Germany and I can’t see Portugal scoring too many against Ghana.
I believe this was a fair contest as both teams deserved a draw, America didn’t have many chances but they took them when they had them. Portugal had lots of possession and more chances but wasn’t clinical enough.

Manchester United’s Luis Nani played the whole game for Portugal and scored the opener for them. Even though he scored Nani played really poor like always, his passing was off, his touch was off and he lost the ball a lot. He had one good season with United in his first year, but he has been inconsistent ever since and he really needs to improve if he wants to play under Louis Van Gaal. If Van Gaal was watching, I’m sure he thinks Nani won’t be featuring under him and he should be sold.
Ex Man Utd winger Cristiano Ronaldo also played, someone who hasn’t been the same ever since he picked up injurys to his leg in April. To me, he isn’t 100% fit, he doesn’t run at the pace he can and he has a strap round his knee while playing. That clearly shows that he is injured, so he shouldn’t be playing and he should rest.
Also Ex Man Utd target William Carvalho played the second half of the match for Portugal. He played really well and I believe we should revive our interest in him. He is strong, a good passer, a great tackler, always keeps possession and can crack one from outside the box now and then. He was the best player in the Portuguese league last season and I think he can fix one part of our midfield crisis.

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World Cup Round up – Saturday 21 June 2014

In today’s early action it was a Group F battle between Argentina and Iran at the Mineirão in Belo Horizonte. Argentina broke many hearts as they beat Iran 1-0 from a 90th minute Lionel Messi strike. This sends them through to the second round and leaves Iran in 3rd spot of Group F but face a small chance of advancing as they need to beat Bosnia & Herzegovina next Wednesday. The Iranian side was well organised, well drilled and showed discipline and passion, trying to catch their opponents on the counter-attack. They defended incredibly well, limiting their opponents chances of scoring and creating chances of their own. Iran kept a clean sheet for 90 minutes and kept Argentina’s stars quiet, but they could not keep Lionel Messi at bay for the whole game as he ran past one defender and whipped a curling left foot strike into the bottom corner of the net, shattering Iranian hearts.
Ex Man Utd assistant manager Carlos Quieroz who is now Iran’s manager said “The referee and Lionel Messi made the difference today. I have nothing else to say.”

I believe Iran deserved at least a point from this game as they didn’t give Argentina a real chance to score until Messi’s goal, they created a lot of chances for themselves and should of also had a penalty. Iran made their country proud.
Also I find it unbelievable when people saw Messi’s goal and they say that’s why he is the best in the world. There is no doubt that it is a great goal but he played poor all game and only showed up when he scored, he played against Iran who are not a top team and you would expect any average team to beat them, so there is more that should be expected of him.
Argentina, just like France, need to face a top team to show they are contenders of winning the World Cup.

The evening game was Group G’s Germany and Ghana facing off against each other at the Arena Castelão in Fortaleza where Cup contenders Germany where held by The Black Stars to a 2-2 draw in a thrilling game. Germany are still in top spot of Group G with a more than likely chance of advancing, while Ghana would need to beat Portugal to a go through. The first half was a even contest between the two with both sides lacking creativity. But the second half was a different story as Germany took control and in the 51st minute there was finally a moment of quality when Thomas Müller puts in an inch perfect cross to Mario Götze who almost makes a mess of it and heads the ball onto his own knee but it flies into the net to make it 1-0. Only three minutes later the game evened out again when Harrison Afful delivered a delicious right wing cross which was met by a leaping Andre Ayew and his powerful header canceled out Götze’s goal. On the 63rd minute Sulley Muntari’s through ball caught out Per Mertesacker and Asamoah Gyan kept his cool and slotted it past Neuer to take a shock lead. Germany started to worry and nearly conceded again but they made big changes when they brought on Germany’s record goal scorer Miroslav Klose and Man United target Bastian Schweinsteiger. The substitutions made a big difference as the Germans took control again and in the 71st minute Benedikt Howedes flicked on Toni Kroos’ corner and Klose poked it in from close range to become tied with Ronaldo (Brazil) as the World Cup top scorer to draw Germany level. Both teams exchanged chances in the last 20 minutes but neither could convert.

Players like Mats Hummels, Toni Kroos and Bastian Schweinsteiger who have been strongly linked with Manchester United played in Germany’s draw with Ghana. All players played average with not much to show.

In my opinion Germany are still favourites to win the World Cup and will still advance despite drawing as the quality of their team is amazing and they play great football. I don’t believe Ghana will advance as they have to play Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. Also I believe this was one of the best games of the tournament, the first half wasn’t great but the second was full of goals and chances.

The late game of the day featured Group F’s Bosnia & Herzegovina against African Champions Nigeria at the Arena Pantanal in Cuiabá. Bosnia were defeated 1-0 by Super Eagles Nigeria. This eliminates Bosnia from their first Major Tournament as they have lost their first 2 games in the World Cup. Nigeria are in 2nd spot behind Argentina with a great chance of advancing as Iran have to face Bosnia. In the first half Edin Dzeko is played through on goal by Miralem Pjanic and he calmly dispatches the ball into the net, only to find the flag wrongly raised for offside. Just before the half hour mark Emmanuel Emenike uses his pace and strength to get past Emir Spahic and leaves him eating the turf, and puts in a low cross which is converted by Peter Odemwingie from close range. Unlike the previous game against Argentina, Bosnia had a really poor defence but Nigeria still couldn’t convert more than one goal. Little happened for the rest of the game as no team could create a good chance to score until Dzeko’s shot from close range was saved in the 92nd minute.

Unlike the Germany – Ghana game before, this was a really boring game, the only highlights of the match was the goal and an ‘offside’ goal. I didn’t expect Bosnia to lose, Bosnia have lots of good players which I expected to better Nigeria who played really poor against Iran. I believe Nigeria will advance even though they have to face South American giants Argentina because Iran have to face Bosnia. Also Miralem Pjanic looks like a really prospect with lots of potential with a Pirlo like style of play, someone who I wouldn’t mind at Man United, anyone is better than Tom Cleverley.

Meanwhile at Manchester United Antonio Valencia has surprisingly signed a three year contract extension with an option to extend, days after being linked to arch rivals Liverpool.
Assistant manager Ryan Giggs said: “I’m really pleased Antonio has signed a new contract. His contribution to the team since he joined the club in 2009 has been fantastic. Antonio is a very powerful player with great speed and versatility. He is very professional in his approach to training and I am delighted he has committed his future to the club.”

Valencia said: “My time at Manchester United has been like a dream come true. To be the first Ecuadorian player to win the English Premier League was a very proud moment for me and for my country. I am so happy to have signed a new deal and am looking forward to working with Louis van Gaal. There is great team spirit within the club and we are all determined to get back to winning ways.”

Personally I believe Valencia doesn’t deserve a new contract extension, his performances have not been good enough in the last couple of seasons and I was really surprised when I saw the news. He must of impressed Louis Van Gaal when Ecuador played the Netherlands last month, because I don’t know what he has done to receive a contract extension, he really needs to step up his game to prove he deserves it by improving his crossing, improving his left foot, defensive skills and he needs to be brave enough to run at a full-back. Valencia broke his ankle back in 2010 which could have been blamed for his performances when he returned but it is 2014 now so that is not an excuse anymore. Hopefully Van Gaal can turn him back into the player saw in 2009 where he received Man United’s Player of the Year Award in his debut season.

World Cup Round up – Friday 20 June 2014

In the first World Cup game of the day was a Group D match between Costa Rica and Italy at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife which saw underdogs Costa Rica defeat Italy 1-0 by a Bryan Ruiz goal. This result sends them through to the knockout stages and sends England out of the group stage for the first time since 1958 so Mario Balotelli won’t be getting his kiss on the cheek from the Queen . England needed Italy to beat Costa Rica for them to stay in contention of advancing to the knockout stages for a bit longer but Bryan Ruiz’s header in the 44th minute denied them of that chance. Costa Rica came into this World Cup with everyone expected little from them and expected England, Italy and Uruguay to battle out the 2 places to advance, but Costa Rica have surprised everyone and defeated Uruguay and Italy, something England couldn’t do. In this game everyone still assumed Italy to come through as winners but Costa Rica came out with a well organised side which stopped Italy from scoring in a World Cup game for the first time since the 1998. The Azzurri came out playing shockingly poor which never posed a threat on the Costa Rican goal.
Bryan Ruiz of Costa Rica said “Many people did not believe in us because we were in the group of death. Now they are the dead”

In my opinion Costa Rica deserve to go through, they played with Pace, precision and daring which hassled the Uruguayan and Italian defence. Lord knows what they will do to England’s defence. Also England have only got themselves to blame for their early exit, they played poor in both of their games and they simply cannot rely on other teams to help them advance. England disappoint in every tournament they play and it is embarrassing and unacceptable for the country that invented Football. They have got some real hard work to do even if they want to qualify for Euro 2016.

The second game of the day was a Group E match between France and Switzerland at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador which saw Manchester United’s Patrice Evra help France thrash Switzerland in thrilling goal-fest which ended 5-2 and sends them through to the knockout stages. It was four years to the day since France turned themselves into national embarrassment in South Africa but today they showed Les Bleus are a force not to be reckoned with. France came out with Pace, firepower and self-belief which assured they humiliated the Swiss. Switzerland was so outplayed they didn’t look like getting out their own half. Coming into to game France was clearly the favourites and they made sure of it when Olivier Giroud broke the deadlock on 18 minutes with a stunning header and Blaise Matuidi slotted another in 13 seconds after the Swiss kick back off. On 32 minutes Karim Benzema had a penalty saved and Yohan Cabaye struck the rebound at the crossbar of an open goal. France scored a deserved third 5 minutes before the half when Giroud raced away on a brilliant counter-attack and squared it to Valbuena who put it in from close range. Into the second half Les Bleus continued to show their dominance when Karim Benzema scored from Paul Pogba’s exquisite pass on 67 minutes and Sissoko scored with a fine finish into the bottom corner on 73 minutes. The Swiss tried to make it less like a humiliation when the scored 2 consolation goals in the last 10 minutes when Dzemali scored a magnificent free-kick under the wall from 40 yards out followed by a well-executed volley from Xhaka which did nothing more than put a dent in France’s goal difference. Benzema also had a very good goal disallowed when he scored after the full time whistle had already been blown.
France manger Dechamps said “That was a very good match, we did a lot of things right, five goals against a strong Swiss team, we’ve got six points, that’s ideal. We’ve got a group with strong opponents. We’ve prepared well but have to get through the match with Ecuador and then we’ll start from scratch again in the next round.”

Manchester United’s Patrice Evra played well in France’s demolition on the Swiss. He was up and down the left wing in attack and defence and played important parts in Les Bleus’ goals.

In my opinion France are a really strong contender for the Cup after showing their power in the group stage but they will need beat a really strong side to show if it is likely they can win it.
Even though Switzerland didn’t show up tonight I think they will still make it through the group stages, it was just one of those days for them but they have a really strong defence which rarely concedes.

The third and final game of the day was also a Group E match between Ecuador and Honduras at the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba which saw Manchester United’s Antonio Valencia captained Ecuador to a 2-1 win. The result lies La Tri in second of Group E behind France and above Switzerland on goal difference. Enner Valencia starred in this game scoring 2 goals and on 3 for the tournament, keeping Ecuador’s hopes of advancing alive. Honduras are close to heading home but they have the consolation of scoring their first World Cup goal since 1982. Ecuador started the game brightly and Honduras created little chances, but on the 31st minute a long ball was played up the field which was poorly defended by the Ecuadorian centre backs, with Carlo Costly latching on to the defender’s flick, Costly fired a wicked left-footed drive from the edge of the area past the sprawling Ecuadorian goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez to make it 1-0. 3 minutes later, a deflected effort from Ecuadorian right-back Juan Paredes came across the face of the Honduran net before Enner Valencia slid the ball in to put the ball past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. The second half started with very few chances of note as the game settled into an affair dictated by repeat fouls. With 65 minutes played, Enner Valencia headed a cross in at the back post to put Ecuador into the lead. This was enough to ensure victory for Ecuador and Honduras have still not won a World Cup game.

Manchester United’s captained Ecuador to victory in this game, but he didn’t play to well as he was very clumsy and got caught in possession a lot. He was the same old Valencia we have seen at Man Utd but sometimes he came into middle of the pitch a lot, something we haven’t seen before. With the performances of Enner Valencia recently you would have to think Man Utd bought the wrong Valencia.

I believe Ecuador will still not advance to the knockout stages as they have to play a really strong French side and Switzerland have to play Honduras. Honduras stand a chance of advancing as they would need to beat Switzerland and France would need to beat Ecuador by 4 goals or more.
Also I have no doubt Enner Valencia will be targeted by some top clubs as he is making a name for himself in this World Cup, he won’t be in the Mexican league for much longer.