World Cup 2014 Notes I
Brazil 3-1 Croatia
Neymar 29, 71P Oscar 90 – Marcelo 11OG
Oscar Man of the match
Win controversy because penalty awarded to Brazil was given for a pull that wasn’t.
Croatia tactic to force balls wide and cross – forcing Dani Alves and Marcelo to pay more attention defensively – into Brazil zone somewhat paid off and the Marcelo own goal came off a low cross.
Croatia goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa could have closed down the inside angle better on first and third Brazil goals.
Mexico 1-0 Cameroon
Parelta 61
Giovani Dos Santos MOTM
Heavy rain for most of the match. Javier Hernandez on the bench, Dos Santos and Parelta starting. Two Mexico goals ruled wrongly offside, the first however was inches only. Second was headed on by Cameroon player and confusing interpretation of offside rule made it offside? Handful of chances for assists for Dos Santos including the goal Mexico scored. Samuel Eto’o not a factor most of the game and Cameroon only really pressured Mexico late in the game.
Spain 1-5 Holland
Xabi Alonso 27 P – Robin van Persie 44 72 Arjen Robben 53 80 Stefan de Vrij 64
Arjen Robben MOTM with honourable mention to Daley Blind.
Early shock of the World Cup. Canada born Jonathan de Guzman starting for the Dutch. Diego Costa booed and then substituted. Daley Blind had at least four good crosses and assisted on great headed/chipped Robin van Persie goal. Casillas and Spain defenders Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique played a messy and confused game. Holland’s fourth was a misplayed Casillas ball and Holland’s fifth again Casillas reacting poorly by coming out too much instead of leaving it for his defender. Fernando Torres had a howler of a miss very late on.
Chile 3-1 Australia
Sanchez 12 Valdivia 14 Beausejour 90 – Cahill 35
Sanchez MOTM
Other than early goals Chile were somewhat disappointing and some of their defending very questionable. Gary Medel is probably not a good idea in the heart of defense and doesn’t have the height to deal with big center forwards either. It often seemed like Australia can get a point from the game and all the while Chile seemed to miss doable goals by overpassing.