World Cup Fever!!!

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Another day, another kick at the can.

Italy - Uruguay
Two teams that were highly ranked going in. Uruguay looked terrible in their first match and have to win to advance a tie puts Italy through. I figured on the team playing for a tie yesterday and well that didn't work out. I'm stumped on this.
Italy 2 -1

Costa Rica - England
Costa Rica has nothing to play for and neither does England. Even a victory today will be heralded as too little too late for their press. Which is sad. While they might not have a team or style that can win it all, they aren't a bad team. They are what they are and I think some countries need to realize how rarely some of us even get to cheer our team on.
England 2 - 0

Japan - Colombia
Colombia already have first place with their victory over Côte d'Ivoire, but what about Japan. They could advance if everything falls together with a Greece victory as well. But they don't deserve to advance.
Colombia 3 - 1

Greece - Côte d'Ivoire
Not a match you want to play needing a result to advance for Côte d'Ivoire. It wouldn't shock me if Greece advanced from this group either. I'm picking against Greece because I don't want to watch them in the knockout stage.
Côte d'Ivoire 2 - 0

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Uruguay scores late, it's do or die for Italy now.

[Salgueiros]

What a scrappy game. I thought Italy could have done better, but as usual, they are always doing the minimum, and were comfortable with the draw until the red card, and even more after that (but in this case perfectly understandable). I can't say it was not undeserved.

[Salgueiros]

Now Colombia beats Japan and Ivory Coast draws with Greece.

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I predicted Italy so Uruguay would win.

[Salgueiros]

...and that was the first ever goal for Greece in a World Cup.

Actually no, they did score two in South Africa.

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Disappointed with Greece advancing for some reason.

Really disappointed that we are going to lose three of Colombia, Uruguay, Brazil and Chile because they are all in the same section of the knockout. Two or three or even four of those teams might be the top eight in the tournament, but two are going home after the first round of the knockout stage.

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Well, the World Cup thread has appeared to have lost some steam over the last few days.

Today's super rational and incorrect match theories:

Nigeria - Argentina
Toss up here. A tough road lies ahead for anyone making it through this group with France or Switzerland in the round of 16. Argentina just needs a tie and a tie would do for the Nigerians to qualify. We might see a listless game here as Nigeria could be out with an Iran win if they lose. This has all the makings of a 0-0 tie. Maybe a late goal, but I think if nothing happens in the first 45, not much will.
0-0

Bosnia and Herzegovina - Iran
Too bad Asia. The region has been outplayed for most of this tournament and this follows suit. Australia was actually the pluckiest of the group, but doomed in a group featuring Netherlands, Chile, and Spain. Perhaps FIFA rethinks the qualification process based on how hard it is to judge which region is playing better. Redivide it so all the also rans in the regions meet in two groups to decide a few of the last entries.
Bosnia and Herzegovina 3 - 0

Honduras - Switzerland
I look for Switzerland to dominate this game and send a message that they didn't give up in the France game and they will not be a fun team to play in the next round.
Switzerland 3-0

Ecuador - France
France doesn't really have to do anything, but a draw or win would see them take top spot and avoid the winner of Group F who might be Argentina. If Argentina wins or draws they might play that way, if Argentina loses though, all bets are off and France might blow it to play Nigeria instead who is the only other potential winner of Group F. Ecuador isn't an easy match and they need a win to have any chance to advance. One of the tougher groups to advance from given the quality of the top three teams. Ecuador tries, but they do not advance.
France 2-1

[Salgueiros]

I go for a 2-0 for Argentina, a 0-0 in the Iran game and a victory for both Switzerland and France. 3-1 for Switzerland and 2-1 for France.

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About a third of the way in:
Nigeria 1 -Argentina 1
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 - Iran 0

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Estadio Beira-Rio is on fire again. 3-2 Argentina with 30 minutes to go!

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3-2 Argentina stands up. Bosnia and Herzegovina defeat Iran 3-1.

Good showing by Bosnia and Herzegovina. A shame they didn't advance after playing well enough in the Nigeria and Argentina matches to have deserved a draw.

[Salgueiros]

Bosnia could have made a point with Argentina, and it would have changed everything in this group. Too bad for them.

Iran clearly was the weakest team, so it was deservedly out after the group stage.

[Salgueiros]

I am still not convinced by the Argentinian defense. I think they will have problems when they face better teams. And if they ever field that DeMichelis i bet it will be a total disaster.

[Salgueiros]