The second round arrives with a bang, as hosts Brazil take on powerful Mexico. Both these teams won their first games; Brazil beat Croatia 3-1, and Mexico beat Cameroon 1-0. Since each side has three points, a win today for either would all but guarantee their place in the second round.
Belgium vs. Algeria (Group H)
Tuesday brings the two remaining matches of the first round, as Group H finally takes the field. First up are Belgium and Algeria, to be followed tonight by Russia and South Korea. Group H may be among the weakest groups in the tournament, but should provide as much excitement as any other. This match will fit that pattern – both Belgium and Algeria are bursting with young players eager to make a name for themselves on the biggest stage.
Ghana vs. USA (First Half Observations)
Five observations from the first half of today’s second Group G match, between old enemies Ghana and the United States.
Ghana vs. USA (Group G)
Our day has finally come! More than four days after the opening match of World Cup 2014, the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) will take the pitch tonight in rainy Natal. Their opponents? Ghana, the old enemy, who effectively knocked the Yanks out of both of the last two World Cups. The Americans will need to banish the specter of those defeats to escape from this so-called “Group of Death,” which also includes the second-ranked (Germany) and fourth-ranked (Portugal) teams in the world.
Iran vs. Nigeria (Group F)
The second match of the day is also the second match of Group F, following yesterday’s unconvincing Argentine victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina. Today, the current African champions Nigeria take on three-time Asian champions Iran. I can’t pretend I know much about these two sides, but read on and you’ll at least be able to pretend you know the little that I do.
Germany vs. Portugal (Group G)
Finally, the fifth day of World Cup 2014 brings the first match of Group G, the vaunted “Group of Death.” Together in this pot are Germany, the three-time World Cup champions and second-ranked team in the world; Portugal, the fourth-ranked team in the world and home of the world’s best player; Ghana, who were cheated out of the semifinals four years ago; and the USA, ranked 13th in the world and on a run of qualifying for seven straight World Cups. Germany vs. Portugal is certainly the biggest blockbuster match in a group full of them.
Argentina vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina (Group F)
The third and final match of this Father’s Day Sunday (Happy Father’s Day, Dad!), and it’s the first encounter I don’t expect to be close. Argentina, as Zonal Marking points out, don’t quote have the quality at the back that they do in attack. Still, Bosnia would love to have defenders of the quality of Ezequiel Garay or Pablo Zabaleta. There won’t be much drama in this encounter, but there’s nothing wrong with enjoying some of the world’s best players ripping apart unworthy competition.
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France vs. Honduras (Group E)
After a thrilling first match of Group E, the pressure is on the French to pick up three points against lowly Honduras in Porto Alegre. Casual fans will be expecting a cruise for France, who won the World Cup and European Championship back-to-back in 1998 and 2000. For a number of reasons, though, Honduras might present a serious problem for the Europeans.
Switzerland vs. Ecuador (Group E)
Happy Father’s Day! The world is celebrating today with three World Cup matches, the first of which is Switzerland vs. Ecuador in Group E. This match features two very different sides, and could turn into a rout or a very open, entertaining game.
England vs. Italy (Group D)
Two former World Cup champions meet in the second match in Group D. To the casual fan, this may seem like a matchup between the two favorites to go through, like yesterday’s lopsided Spain vs. Holland match. But Uruguay, having come third in the 2010 World Cup, will have other ideas, and neither Italy nor England has been terribly consistent in recent years. Rather than watching two sides feel each other out with an eye in the future, we might have the opportunity here to watch an exciting, consequential match between two old footballing powerhouses.