Featured World Cup

Chile were less than six inches from a win in extra time.

I wish the golden goal applied in World Cup. It would change the whole dynamic of knock out games.

 

That was the only chance they created in the entire 40 minutes. If they'd attacked like that throughout extra time, they'd have scored the game winner long before that shot rebounded off the cross bar. Brazil wasn't showing any particular ability to stop the attack through the middle and switched outside.

 

I just watched Mexico get robbed.

 

I was thinking the same, but just saw detailed replay. Robben over dramatised, but the defender did step on his foot :-(

 

Rewind it, C4K ... Robben was flopping before contact was made. I looked at it three times. The ref blew it.

 

I really want to agree. I just can't see it. It looks to me like the defender indeed stepped on his instep.

Either way I can't blame the ref. He only saw on a split second what we both have rewound and paused.

Really disappointed for the Mexicans, but especially their keeper.

 

The mod for this forum can delete this if anyone complains. It is really hard to judge. The defender is not going after the ball, but the foot and it looks like he catches it. It certainly is enough to trip him. As much as I wanted Mexico to win, I really can't agree they were robben-ed

 

I disagree. Marquez was playing the ball, which by the time this photo was taken had been played two feet in front of Robben. Marquez just missed it. And Robben is already throwing his hands in the air to flop. Obviously, at least at the time of the photo, Marquez did not clip his instep, and had not made contact at all until Robben was already beginning his flop.

The referee recognized Robben's two previously attempted flops and waved them off. Why, with a minute left in stoppage, does he suddenly decide Robben is not flopping this time? My opinion is, the call, that late in the game, is a disgrace. I played the game, coached the game, refereed the game. You swallow your whistle at that stage of the match, unless it is blatant, drawing blood or a bone protrudes. :laugh:

 

He flopped... but since I would watch baseball before I rooted for Mexico, I'll take it! Hup, Holland, Hup!

 

Note too surprising when one considers their history.

 

What is your prediction on the USA vs. Belgium today?

I am hoping the odds makers are wrong and the USA will win.

 

USA.

Belgium scored its three winning goals at 80 minutes against Algeria, 88 minutes against Russia, and 78 minutes against South Korea. Group H was the weakest group in the World Cup, and Belgium's wins came against three sides that are far from the talent level of the United States, but nonetheless all three of them had every opportunity to win their matches against Belgium.

Do what Algeria, Russia and South Korea did successfully for most -- but not all -- of each of their matches with Belgium, and the US has the formula for what many will consider an upset, but I will not. They must stymie the attack through the center. Belgium has no true fullbacks, and as such can't depend on the back line to provide width to the forward game. Belgium also has no true playmaker at center half. With those talents lacking, I find it very difficult to believe Belgium came in as one of the top five contenders for the World Cup.

I think the US embarrasses Belgium, perhaps holding them scoreless.

In fact, I predict 2-0 and the US's first foray into the quarterfinals since 1930.

 

I am hopefully picking a US win. On my iPhone app I have 1-0

 

Didn't they make it to the quarters in 2002?