A pair of sides that has never made it to the World Cup quarterfinals will do battle in Brazil on Sunday afternoon, as a Cinderella Costa Rican side takes on Greece and veteran midfielders Giorgios Karagounis and Kostas Katsouranis, who are looking to write their own fairytale story.
The home team are through to the next round but I think it is fair to say that we thought they might have been a little more convincing.
The Desert Eagles of Algeria will enter Thursday’s match with the most somber of game-faces slapped on their mugs; it might be the most important match in Algerian footballing history.
After winning its first two World Cup matches, Belgium will look to close out the group stage with a perfect record, if they can get by a South Korean team that needs a win to stay alive.
For France, it’s more a case of sophisticated shuffling, but for Ecuador, it’s all on the line in this third game of Group E.
I know this is Bosnia’s first trip to the World Cup but they have been a disappointment, needing a win against Iran to salvage some respect.
The curse was lifted on Carlo Costly’s goal against Ecuador ended a 32-year scoring dearth for Honduras at the World Cup, Now the Los Catrachos will need a miraculous performance against the Swiss in Manaus on Wednesday if they want to advance to the knockout rounds.
Scenarios Abound as Ghana and Portugal Play Their Final Group G Game
Group G has become more fascinating by the day – all four teams are still mathematically alive with one game to go. Ghana meets Portugal on Thursday with both teams clinging to life, awaiting the result of the other Group G match between Germany and the USA.
From the gorgeous Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday its everyone’s favorite – The Tico’s of Costa Rica vs. her majesty’s England. England have made wholesale changes for Tuesday’s clash and Frank Lampard will captain the English youth movement.
Japan has failed to win a match on its way to being knocked out in the group stage of the World Cup two prior times, and it looks to be three, unless they can find a way to beat a very tough and talented Colombian side that sits atop the group C table.
Spot in the Group of 16 on the Line For Nigeria – But Argentina Looms
Nigeria put themselves is good position to move on to the knockout stage of World Cup 2014 when they finally got a long-awaited World Cup win against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Standing in their way of a Round-of-16 berth is Argentina who is the class of the Group and will be looking to remain perfect in the tournament so far.
Italy Meets Uruguay With Only One Moving On
The two favorites in Group D meet Tuesday to see which team will join surprise Costa Rica in the Round of 16 – one of these teams will be making an early departure from World Cup 2014. Italy has a little more breathing room than Uruguay – a draw would see the Azzurri through due to their goal-differential advantage.
Mexico has every reason to be riding high so far in this year’s tournament, but the third match-up of the group is do-or-die for the Croatians, who will be sent home if they don’t produce.
Like their opponent the Socceroos have lost their first 2 World Cup matches – the difference is that wasn’t much of a surprise.
Two sides that have not faced each other at the World Cup for a decade, will square off on Monday afternoon, as Cameroon plays host-nation Brazil.
Netherland and Chile Play for First Place in Group B
The Netherlands and Chile will meet in Sao Paulo in Monday in a seemingly unfathomable match to determine first and second place in Group B. With the shockingly early departure of Group favorite Spain, the Dutch and the Chileans will both move on to the round of 16 but the loser of Monday’s game will likely be matched up against Brazil in their first game of the knockout stage.
