The first day of the last matches for the group stage. A magical time where games are played at the same time, teams who are still in try to get first place in the hopes of getting a good seed for the knock out stage, and those who have been eliminated try to have one last hurrah before going home. Despite what many think, few teams actually choose to play it safe, and a lot of times sparks can fly between two teams trying to at least go home with dignity.

Australia VS Spain

FIFA Result

Australia 1 Spain 1

Australia 1
Cahill (58′)

Spain 1
Villa (28′)

FIFA seems to have a lot of faith in the power of Cahill. I would call this prediction optimistic, but the way Spain has been playing it wouldn’t be surprising.

World Cup Result 

Australia 0 Spain 3

Australia 0

Spain 3
Villa (36′)
Torres (69′)
Mata (82′)

This was a strange game. The champions woke up and were able to crush a team that despite having heart, is clearly inferior. There seemed to be no joy as they scored, and it was sad to see Villa subbed out of what is probably his last international game. Part of me hoped the socceroos, a team that was all heart if nothing else, would get at least one victory before leaving.

Netherlands VS Chile

FIFA Results

Netherlands 3 Chile 1

Netherlands 3
Robben (56′)
Robben (69′)
Robben  (82′)

Chile 1
Suazo (88′)

Chile held off the whole first half, but in the end, Robben was just too much for them and with a majestic hat trick, it gave the Netherlands the group.

World Cup Results

Netherlands 2 Chile o

Netherlands 2
Fer (77′)
Depay (92′)

As the group of death wraps up, Chile tried to go for the top spot against the fearsome Dutch. They fought valiantly, and without Van Persie in the attack, it looked like they may be able to at least get a draw. But even then Robben was able to eventually break the stalemate and give the Netherlands the group with a 2-0 win.

Croatia VS Mexico

FIFA Result

Croatia 0 Mexico 2

Croatia 0

Mexico 2
Guardado (32′)
Peralta (78′)

Mexico controlled the game for an easy win against Croatia. There wasn’t much exciting to this one.

World Cup Result

Croatia 1 Mexico 3

Croatia 1
Perisic (87′)

Mexico 3
Marquez (72′)
Guardado (75′)
Chicharito (82′)

Through much of the game, it seemed that Croatia was the better team. They looked dangerous and came close to scoring a few times. However, in the last 20 minutes Mexico showed its superiority and scored three goals to squash Croatia’s dreams, who only got a goal of their own as consolation

But we do like to watch Herrera go SSJ

But we do like to watch Herrera go SSJ

Cameroon VS Brazil

FIFA Result

Cameroon 1 Brazil 1

Cameroon 1
Eto’o (14′)

Brazil 1
Hulk (63′)

I knew I suspected this result when I saw both Eto’o and Hulk score. Both players had quiet world cups, and as of this writing Cameroon is pretty much mathematically eliminated, so I don’t think this result will pan out.

World Cup Result 

Cameroon 1 Brazil 4

Cameroon 1
Matip (26′)

Brazil
Neymar (17′)
Neymar (35′)
Fred (49′)
Fernandinho (84′)

Brazil seemed shaky for the first minutes of the game, but two goals from Neymar were all that were needed for them to regain their confidence and dominate the game. I am not sad to see Cameroon go. They are no longer the team they were 8 years ago, and were strangely aggressive. Last match Song was sent off after punching a player in the back of the head. Today, Nyom pushed Neymar from behind for no reason when the ball wasn’t even in play. It should have been a red card, but I guess the ref was feeling kind.

Conclusion

A good day for FIFA, some bold predictions did not come through. It was a day with few surprises, not a good day for bold predictions. FIFA is also showing conservative numbers in the goals department, with a huge and widening gap. Let’s see how the rest of the group stage plays out.

June 23