The World Cup 2014 Thread

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Howard had defenders who did their best despite not being of the highest quality.

Cesar had not much protection from players who did not seem to understand the basics.

I am not saying he had a great game, he did OK. He was not the reason for the disaster.

David Luiz has been sold by Chelsea to PSG for $75m, good timing! He had a horror.

Off topic, but how much will Luis get of that 75 million? I really don't understand how these players rights work. I'm used to sports here where players have a contract with a certain team, the team can trade the player, but his contract is honored.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Okay, now I want to see Holland crush Argentina tomorrow and all will be set for two fun matches on the weekend. Doesn't have to be 7-1, a 3-0 or thereabout would do.

I'll bet you that Holland doesn't crush Argentina. I'm picking Argentina, and if you tell my wife I'll deny it.

[Boiler 45,519]

Most of the time it is never disclosed.

He signed a 5 year contract, presumably for more money, if he did not request a transfer then he also gets a percentage. Probably lots of dirty dealing.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Most of the time it is never disclosed.

He signed a 5 year contract, presumably for more money, if he did not request a transfer then he also gets a percentage. Probably lots of dirty dealing.

He'll be with Thiago Silva there.

[Boiler 45,519]

Germany

Manuel Neuer 7/10: Was quick off his line and energetically reliable, as ever, where needed. Saved well from Paulinho in the second half. Was annoyed at conceding near the end

Philipp Lahm 8: Denied Brazil any space down their left; purposeful and creative further forward. Decision to play him at right-back wholly vindicated

Benedikt Höwedes 6: Steady in defence and, occasionally, in attack, though gave the ball away at times and may have been tested by better forwards

Jérôme Boateng 7: Gave the ball away a couple of times early on but almost always on top of his role. Got angry at Marcelo’s perceived diving

Mats Hummels 7: Always well positioned and reliable in defence. Tried to join the attacking fun just before the break but pass to Özil was cut out

Sami Khedira 9: Excellent. Involved in most of Germany’s devastating link-up play in midfield in the first half. Thoroughly deserved his goal

Bastian Schweinsteiger 8: At his authoritative best. Swept up well defensively when it was goalless, and a composed figure directing attacks

Toni Kroos 8: Inventive passing and probing rewarded with two goals. At the heart of most attacks and showed exactly why he is so sought-after

Thomas Müller 8: Took his deceptively simple looking goal expertly, and his mobility and energy was decisive. Key part of the attack, as ever

Mesut Özil 7: Still a relatively peripheral figure in the first-half onslaught, though enjoyed the extra freedom Brazil granted him. Late miss typified his tournament, however

Miroslav Klose 7: Busy as always and, even if he does not always make the right decision or pass, poacher’s instinct brought record goal

Substitutes:

Per Mertesacker (for Hummels, h-t 6); André Schürrle (for Klose, 597); Draxler (for Khedira, 76)

Brazil

Júlio César 6: Must have been exasperated to get such little help from backline and made perhaps save of the match from Müller

Maicon 4: Easy to forget that he made a couple of telling early interceptions but overwhelmed as German goals went in

Marcelo 3: Showed some characteristic attacking thrust initially but outpaced, out-thought and out of position defensively

David Luiz 4: Another defender better in attack. His long balls were Brazil’s main attacking outlet in the first half. All at sea during goal blitz, losing his man repeatedly

Dante 4: Frequently had to cover for Marcelo when the full-back roamed forward but unable to cope with Germany’s fluidity

Fernandinho 3: Brazil’s defensive midfielders were at least as poor and shapeless as their back line. Occasional energetic runs did not atone for basic lapses

Luiz Gustavo 4: Had to sit deep as full-backs tried to pile forward but looked out of his depth during goal glut. Sad end to a decent tournament for the midfielder

Hulk 4: Never able to get the better of Lahm on the left or behind Germany’s back four enough. Distribution was also variable

Oscar 6: Brazil’s classiest player and the most likely to create space and time on the ball. Wasted good chance in second half but deserved goal

Bernard 5: Grew into the game a little after half-time but peripheral in the first half, a victim of Brazil’s often aimless long-ball tactics before the break

Fred 3: Felipe Scolari’s persistence in the striker unravelled totally and horribly here. Isolated and ineffective – and the crowd’s scapegoat

Substitutes

Paulinho (for Fernandinho, h-t 7); Ramires (for Hulk, h-t 6); Willian (for Fred, 69 5)

[Jacque67 7,328]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2685198/Brazil-blown-away-Germany-five-goals-18-minutes-leaving-World-Cup-hosts-verge-crashing-tournament-agony-fans.html

Wow. Sore losers!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

This whole BRA vs. GER match, summed up in less than six seconds.

https://vine.co/v/MPXtK7qw5Ya

Edited July 9, 2014 by Mr. Big Dog

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I'll bet you that Holland doesn't crush Argentina. I'm picking Argentina, and if you tell my wife I'll deny it.

[Ban Hammer 13,342]

congrats to germany for making brazil redesign their flag

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

congrats to germany for making brazil redesign their flag

our pleasure

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Still all bagels. Yesterday's match was decided at this point with the score at 5:0.

Hup Holland Hup!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Fairly balanced match thus far. Argentina seems to do slightly better than Oranje.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

One goal may win this game. Maybe it will even go to a shootout. Very boring so far, but that's how Argentina has played most of this Cup. They have won three of their 5 games 1-0. Germany must be salivating.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

One goal may win this game. Maybe it will even go to a shootout. Very boring so far, but that's how Argentina has played most of this Cup. They have won three of their 5 games 1-0. Germany must be salivating.

Germany isn't taking anything for granted. They know that it'll be a tough final no matter what happens today.