Switzerland V Costa Rica
(Synopsis in red)
Beers: Group E of Beer World Cup:
Celestial Brewery from Neuchâtel, Switzerland, a late last minute edition to my beer world cup will be up against an old favourite Imperial from Costa Rica. Will it be a winning start to a new beer, or can Imperial qualify today with another win?
V 
Celestial Brewery make a winning start, nice one. Had a really interesting taste, hoppy and full of flavour, was nice to sip through while looking at the football. Hard luck to Imperial, a nice lager, but no match for a tasty IPA.
PreGame:
Serbia V Switzerland was a game of two halves, really. Mitrovic scored early doors, from an excellent cross by Tadic, who only a minute beforehand had whipped in a virtually similar cross into the box. This time they scored, and Mitrovic and Tadic were combining well all first half, with most play coming down the left side. At the other end of the pitch, Serbia’s defence was again solid, the Swiss just couldn’t get pass them at all.
How often have we seen teams punished for missing simple chances. Well that happened when Tosic should really have made it 2-0 when he totally missed a free header in the Swiss box. Oh how he will rue that miss.
Then in the second half Switzerland came more into it, Shaqiri spent most of the first half moaning and falling down easy, but in the second half he decided to actually play, and was to be found on both wings and playing balls from all over. Much improved.
The game, and momentum, had changed in the Swiss’ favour, and sure enough on the 52nd minute, Xhaka (who did fuck all else in the game) scored with a cracker from outside the box to equalize. Was a good finish alright.
It was amazing what a goal can do, for the Swiss it reinvigorated them while totally shocked the Serbs who looked like it drained them of all their energy. Shaqiri hit the post with a wonder strike, and you could sense that perhaps there was a win for this Swiss team. Well in the 90 minute that goal came, and Shaqiri was the man to take all the credit, on the break calming slotting it past the on running goal, you just knew he wasn’t going to miss from there. Brilliant, what a turnaround for the Swiss.
For the Swiss, I thought Akanji in central defence was good, first time seeing him and I was impressed, he was pacy and on top of most things. Also Rodríguez came into it in the second half with his usual bombing runs on the wing. They now know a win today against the Costa Ricans and they are through to the last 16. A draw might also be enough. Mission accomplished, very efficient.
Costa Rica V Brazil: Good game, were Brazil started the more livelier and were far pacier in the early stages of the game, without creating a whole lot of chances either. In fact the first real chance of the game fell to Borges who had a clear shot on goal but he fluffed it way wide. What a terrible chance wasted.
Neymar was active, and he forced Navas off his line to save, early on. He also had another good chance to score but for the reaction save of Navas again. Neymar had the chances but looked a little off the pace just ever so slightly. Remember he still isn’t completely back to full fitness. But it wasn’t all Neymar, Coutinho had a cracking game, with all the good moves starting with him on the ball first.
Costa Rica continued to have chances of their own, had a 3 v 2 break but again they fluffed their lines. They really could have done with more composure in the final half of the pitch.
Time was ticking and it didn’t look like a goal was coming. The Neymar capitalized on a bad mistake to be running on free towards goal on his favourite foot, a goal surely? Alas he hit it curling just wide. Was that the chance gone?
No, because not long after Neymar was again involved, this time in the box appearing to be dragged back by the Costa Rican defender. It looked a penalty, but the referee needed another view. He wasn’t convinced and changed his mind, no penalty. A brave decision and the correct decision I think. A slight touch but a dramatic fall by Neymar. Good decision.
Costa Rica thought they had done enough, got the draw they needed. But one minute into injury time, Coutinho ran onto a ball and smashed it home, brilliant, and no more than he deserved. This goal started the samba football off, and flicks and lovely ball control were shown by the guys in yellow, including Neymar who cleverly flicked the ball over the defenders head, what skill! And if that wasn’t enough, rather than defend the lead, Brazil only went up and scored another. Finally the man of the moment got on the scoresheet, Neymar, with a nice square pass from Costa, 2-0 to get Brazil’s world cup finally on the road. All great fun and drama to watch! Not much fun for Costa Rica though, and perhaps today they can let the shackles off and play some good football, as I know its in them, somewhere.
A more detailed review on Switzerland here and on Costa Rica here
Looked at the first half of this game.
Costa Rica started on fire, as I expected, and to be fair, like in all their games. They actually had 3 chances back to back within the space of about a minute, or about that! Firstly Campbell (who was finally starting, jeez!) hit a long in-swinger that Sommer just about pushed away, then Borges hit the woodwork with a bullet header, again Sommer saving brilliantly, and the to cap it all off Colindres with a long range effort, again Sommer getting down to it. Brilliant start for CR.
Colindres had a few chances, hitting the crossbar with a great shot, unlucky not to score, then twice in the box failing to square a ball he shoots and misses, twice he did that, greedy bastard.
Sommer was unbeatable, making save after save, the man just could not be beaten in the first half, a world class performance.
Of course if you dont take your chances then the usual thing happens, the other team goes up the other end and scores, and that is exactly what Switzerland did. A lovely, one-two-three, from Lichtsteiner (only the one dive in the first half) with a lovely cross to Embolo who knocked it down beautifully for Dzemaili to rifle it home in the box, lovely goal. One nil to Switzerland, with oh so little effort.
Lichtsteiner, the prick, ended up getting a deserved yellow for a bad tackle which means he will miss the next game, a big loss to the team. What an idiot.
In the second half the game ended up 2-2 which didn’t mean much as Switzerland surely must have known that they were through at that stage.They now go on to play Sweden which will be a tough enough game for them. Will Shaqiri be able to handle it i wonder, the big girls blouse? As for Costa Rica, they kind of disappointed a little, in that they had chances in all their games, but most of the time they just couldn’t put the ball into the back of the net.
Music to get you in the mood
DJ Antoine ft. The Beat Shakers – Ma Chérie (DJ Antoine vs Mad Mark 2k12 Edit) (Switzerland) V Suite Doble – Profanar
For South Korea, in their last game V Mexico, crikey they could have had ten yellow cards for all the misplaced tackles they did,, rather than the measly 4 they got. They just didn’t have the players to do anything substantial in this World Cup, albeit Son Heung-Min played much better, was lively throughout, had a rake of chances, and managed to score a cracker of a goal. We wont mention the simple chance he had well before!
German started off fine, stretching Sweden down both flanks, but Sweden showed they could be dangerous early on when Neuer made himself big for Berg to hit it straight at him when through. That was the big scare that should have woken the Germans up.
Now surely Germany would ease to victory and get that second goal. Or so we thought, but the minutes started to tick away, and then Boateng got himself sent off for a silly reckless challenge. It was hard with 11, now it was going to be near impossible with only 10. 
Saw the second half of this game. Wow, what can I say? Germany playing like there was lead in their boots, shameful from a team with such quality, or at least apparent quality. Low should have freshened this team up, he had 4 years to do so, yet he played players that were/are living of their World Cup win of 2014. PFA young player of the year, Leroy Sane on his couch looking at this shite, most be laughing his hole off. 
Respect
Mexico got the penalty in the first half, a definite peno, don’t know what the Korean defender was doing flying in with his hands up. Nice penalty from Vela, about all he did in the game. 
R Márquez made an appearance and proceeded to have a brain freeze gifting the ball to Min, who should have done better. Corona came on and I was wondering what Porto got for their 10 million, as he barely made a forward run at all, tripping up over the ball at times. Anyway Korea pulled one back and Mexico held on, just about. 
But it didn’t, and in the 32nd minute Toivonen was through, and somehow chipped Neuer from nearly an impossible angle, one nil to Sweden, oh heck! Claesson, later then had a great chance to make it two nil, but he was let down by a terrible first touch, on a 2 v 1 break. Tut tut.
Gomez missed a point blank sitter, amazing really how he can call himself a striker, then Brandt hit the post with a long range effort, Robin Olsen the Swedish goalkeeper in between making a number of excellent saves. The Swedish back line were under all sorts of pressure. With only about 30 seconds of the allotted time left, Jimmy Durmaz, with the paedo like beard, gave a silly free kick away on the edge of the box. This was surely the last chance for the Germans, it was a tight enough angle but no bother for Kroos who, with a quick one two with Reus, smashed it over the wall into the net. Brilliant recovery from Germany, and they are still in this years World Cup. PHEW, my heart!
But Sweden kept up the pressure and continued to hit Mexico hard from free kicks and corners. Forsberg blasting in a good free kick that Ochoa in the Mexican net did well to push over for a corner. Berg with a clever overhead that just went the wrong side of the post. Forsberg, again, blasted over with a free shot on goals when he could have got it at least on target. It was all Sweden.
Must say that their defence is the best I have seen in this years World Cup, very tall and difficult to break down. In particular, Granqvist in the centre of the defence has caught my eye with some great performances in the 3 games so far. Take a bow Sweden, well done today. 
And then the fucking imbecile of a manager takes off Agüero to further make Messi’s life harder. Bringing on Higuaín (did he even touch the ball?) is neither here not there, take off a fucking midfielder ffs!!!! 
Nigeria can be very disjointed at times, and terrible to watch on occasion, but when they click boy do they click. Its really all about confidence. They also got some half decent players. Moses is such an awkward player, at times he can be an ass taking potshots from all angles, but other times like today he was opening up the space on the wing and doing so much running at the Icelandic defence, that he had a huge effect on the game. Then you got Musa, who did very little in the first half, but was extraordinary in the second. Two absolutely brilliant goals, one taken from a quick break, again on the counter, he flicked it up and banged in into the bag of the net, every schoolboys dream, brilliant. The other, running with amazing speed, beating the defence and the goalie at will, back of the net. Brilliant.
Imagine my shock when I see that Mascherano was playing. I literally had just wrote on my notes WTF, when sure enough he made two errors. He headed out for a corner when no one was near him, then with the resulting corner he pulled down a Nigerian forward. Ok that was a bit harsh that decision, but what was he doing anyway. I would like to know what Jorge Sampaoli sees in him? He is useless, gives the ball away too cheaply and can’t defend. I also might add why the manager would only introduce Aguero with about 12 minutes left in the clock, and start with the donkey Higuain, who cant shoot straight for shit. Tsk, tsk. 
I also notice no players went to congratulate Jorge Sampaoli as the goal went in, he looked like a lemming on his own, billy no mates. Says a lot. 
We expected Denmark to come out in the second half and normal service would resume, but instead it was all Australia and they were unlucky on a few occasions not to snatch a winning goal. What they lacked in skill they more than made up for it in spirit and tenace. Leckie for Australia was simply outstanding, all over the pitch, left and right, and such a workhorse. He might not be the most technically gifted player but boy does he work his socks off for the team, great performance. 
For Peru, I have a lot of love for the way they tried in the French game but in the end, after two games for them, it was all fruitless. If they can’t score a goal against such muck then you are not good enough to be under the top table, dont mind sitting at the table. Harsh but true.
Peru fans though, never let up all game, and were noisy throughout, a real credit to their nation, and definitely one of the top fan groups at this years World Cup. 
All started perfectly for the Danes, with Eriksen blasting in a lovely executed volley early on, and it look like there would be a hiding for the Aussies. Denmark were playing some decent passing football, Sisto was better, Schöne was impressive and they had a few chances to increase their lead. N Jørgensen heading wide when it might have looked easier to score. All looked well. 
Deschamps had Pavard still on the starting 11, which tells you a lot about their squad strength. and he was still shit against Peru, albeit less so as Mbappé had to track back and do the forwards runs Pavard should have done. You could argue that was a good solution to an obvious problem, perhaps, but it means there is a gap in midfield. 
Only real highlights were when, stand in goalie, Mandanda saved well from an Eriksen effort, and Griezmann setting up Giroud to balloon 40 foot over the bar. And that was about it. Fucking boring.
Morocco had Portugal on the ropes in their last game but didn’t have the knock out punch required to get a result in this game. Shocked after an early initial goal by Ronaldo, they were unlucky.
The Iran V Spain game for me was a fascinating duel between the classy Spanish team up against the resolute defending of the Iranians. For a long time I really couldn’t see how the usually patient Spanish build up was going to break down such a solid defensive line. Where was the goal going to come from?
Diego Costa got the lucky goal, scoring off a rebound that hit his knee, don’t think he even knew too much about it. Not much the goalkeeper could do about it.
And then a shock, Boutaïb capitalized on a sloppy error by Ramos, was free and took his chance brilliantly to slot home past De Gea, one nil to Morocco. Wow didnt expect that!
Second half En-Nesyri scored with a bullit of a header to put Morocco ahead again, but just before the end Spain equalized when Iago Aspas slotted home in what looked like an offside position. VAR called in again, and the goal stood much to the chagrin of the Morocco team. Game ended a draw, but Morocco might find they were unlucky in this World Cup, in a tough group. If they were in another group they might have got to the last 16. Spain up against Russia next, should get to the last eight. 
Goals will be the objective today for Portugal, knowing that this is what is needed to come top of the group. Step forward Ronaldo so to do the business. Sure Iran are still in it, but with a well placed free kick, they soon wont be in it. 
Morocco had a few chances where they could have scored an equaliser. Benatia was unlucky with a fine header, while Rui Patrício, the Portuguese GLK pulled off an amazing save to deny Belhanda, and then Benatia in the end with another free header that probably he should have did better with. They should have at least got one goal for all their effort, but that’s the marking of a good team, all chances no goal, Portugal one chance, one goal. That’s the difference!
Not only that but at times Iran broke out of their defensive lock to attack Spain as well. Ansarifard had what the whole watching public thought was a goal, close but unfortunately for Iran it was the side netting. Oh so close. Then there was that goal, but so unlucky to be stroked off due to a very close offside, bad luck that VAR is unflappable!
Ronnie was fouled in the box, initially didn’t look like a penalty and I dont think Ronaldo protested that much either, but then the ref changed his mind, and had got VAR to recheck it. And sure enough it was a penalty. Looking at the slow-mo I guess there could be an argument that the defender clipped Ronaldo. Either way the big oaf missed it or to put it more correctly it was well saved by Iran goalkeeper Ali Beiranvand
Then we had one of the big incidents of the night. Ronaldo’s hand brushed Pouraliganji’s chest and the poor soul nearly had a heart attack. I never knew Ronnie had ninja like strength, amazing. I thought the referee did very well, considering the pressure from the crowd and the Iran bench. He gave a yellow and should have given one to Pouraliganji for playacting, bloody clown. There is a reason why Iran dont play rugby.
A tense game overall but I dont like this VAR, complicates things too much. Portugal were playing Russia one minute then Uruguay the next and in the end nearly went out altogether. They will have it tough against Uruguay for sure, while I wont be sad to see Iran go, didn’t like the vuvuzelas, and they were very cynical in the way they played the game. We have enough of those kind of teams already in the competition (Spain and Portugal are two that comes to mind!). Bye. bye
With a vastly superior goal difference Russia only need the draw and that is what I feel they will get against a Uruguay team that has so far flattered to deceive. Russia will go for it, but Uruguay might be strong enough in attack to respond themselves with a few goals. 
This all shows that Uruguay have no midfield. If you are getting played of the park by Saudi Arabia then you have serious problems as a team, and no World Cup trophy will be heading your way, for sure! Too much space and a lot of gaps appeared in the centre of the pitch, I began to wonder if Uruguay had any midfield at all.
Didn’t have to wait too long in the second half for a goal as it came after a very sloppy display of goal keeping by El-Shenawy who choose not to catch a simple ball and the resulting clearance made its way back into the box and off the defender Fathy for a pathetic own goal. Two more goals came, Cheryshev, scored a well deserved second from a great assist by Fernandes, and Dzyuba, the man mountain scored a typical centre forward effort bringing the ball brilliantly down on his chest and then rifling it home bottom corner, class stuff.
Only got to see the first half of this game. From what I saw Uruguay were well on top without having to break too much of a sweat. Stanislav Cherchesov changed most of his team, while Uruguay went with much of the same team they had in the first two games. 
If there will be goals and if, as I expect, Egypt will be scoring those goals then there is only one man to do that for them and that’s Mo. He usually gets his chances at the minimum on target and against a poor SA goalie that only means one thing: goals. 
Expecting Uruguay to push on from the goal and score more, the opposite happened, it was Saudi Arabia that began to play the better football, with Bahebri having two great chances at a goal, one a sweet long range effort well saved by Muslera, the other a simple tap in at the far post ballooned over the bar when he should have hit the target. Unlucky.
Egypt got one back from a penalty (good call ref) from Salah, but by then the game was over, and with it their tournament. Egypt were simply not good enough, with or without Mo.
Just got to see the second half of this game as I started off with the other game first. Salah got off the mark in the first half, while the Saudis had two penalties, scoring one from Al Faraj, while Fahad Al-Muwallad missed the other one. Well I say miss but in reality it was a great one handed save from El Hadary, the Egyptian goalkeeper, a sprightly young lad at 45! 
Egypt simply never used enough of Salah, never playing him in, not even passing to him at times, it really looks like Salah and his team mates dont get on at all. Ungrateful bastards, do they think they would even be there if it wasn’t for Mo?