How about those matches yesterday, folks? The end of the second one especially!
On tap today:
At 10, Spain v Russia. I expect Spain to win, but Russia could pull together and continue on.
At 2, Croatia v Denmark. I expect Croatia to win, but not easily. It will be a good match!
Enjoy, everyone.
Amir Khalid
This post showed up after Spain went out on penalties, and the whirlwind start to the second match which saw it at 1-1 inside 5 minutes. I take it Comcast is still feeling moody.
Amir Khalid
Where is everybody?
Bostonian
Like any right-thinking person, I was disappointed with the outcome of this morning’s game. Because f Russia.
But that was also the most boring game ever. Sixty out of ninety minutes was just Spain passing the ball back and forth, back and forth, in the midfield. Jogo bonito it wasn’t.
Amir Khalid
Looks like Croatia vs Denmark is going to penalties too.
Wayne Marks
@Bostonian: I was disappointed too, but then again the Russians are tough to beat at home, see Napolean, Hitler.
hitchhiker
Anything that makes Putin smile is nauseating. That final save, though … gotta give it to that keeper.
Bostonian
I @Wayne Marks: I figure Russia must have had something on the ref to make him ignore Ignatzabich tackling Pique inside the box. That miscall threw the game to Russia.
Tony Jay
I know, I know, FTF Russian Government and all that, but I’m afraid I can’t raise so much as a perfunctory sniffle for Spain. I thought they’d wake up and tear Russia apart but nope, an hour of tiki-taki ball retention and not much else. Plus, of course, Sergio Ramos is always welcome to go fuck himself.
And now there’s a pretty good chance that Croatia (team of the tournament so far for me) might go out to Denmark, leaving this side of the draw as wide open as I can ever remember a World Cup Knockout stage looking. No big guns left in, anyone can get through to the Semis at least.
Hell of a thing.
Bostonian
@Tony Jay: I really like the Belgians this year. That said, wtf back tackle in the box?
Tony Jay
@Bostonian:
He had no choice. Open goal if he didn’t stop the shot. Can’t believe Modric took such a poor penalty! That was it for Croatia, their big chance, now Denmark have all to momentum.
Amir Khalid
Kasper Schmeichel saves a penalty from Luca Modric! It made his dad Peter so proud. Denmark have to have the edge on confidence in the shootout now.
Bostonian
@Amir Khalid: el heroe hasta ahora
Tony Jay
@Bostonian:
And yeah, Belgium have a terrifying front three, a very tidy midfield and defence, and a lot of confidence. They can take on anyone in this tournament.
Tony Jay
You know when you’re looking at someone and thinking they’re going to miss this penalty? Getting that a lot tonight.
Tony Jay
Now that’s how you take a penalty. Denmark 1-0
Tony Jay
1-1. 1-2. Momentum still with the Danes. Modric scores this one. 2-2
Tony Jay
Oooh. Bad Danish penalty. Advantage Croats.
Bostonian
It was the bad hair made him miss
Tony Jay
Bloody hell. Another save. Peter Schmeichel must be ridiculously proud.
Croats keeper saves it. They just need to score and they’re through.
Goal. Croatia through. Bloody hell.
Amir Khalid
Despite Kasper Schmeichel’s penalty heroics, Croatia score on the decisive fifth penalty. Denmark are out and Croatia go on to meet Russia.
TomatoQueen
Unbelievable. I hate pens and the boring passing back and forth that leads to them. If it’s nothing but pens to the end of the tournament I shall complain to somebody.
Nym not saving in Fireyfox. Comment box working, so far. Site is more and more difficult to navigate without the recent posts/recent comments feature, piggishness notwithstanding. Puerto Rico no power, Flint no water.
Platonailedit
If fucking Luka hadn’t gone wrong, I would have been right.
Brazil beware. Be best. Or begone.