I hate that Brazil and Colombia are playing each other. I’m for both of them.
Edit: That stadium is so full it’s crazy. Wow.
2.
cmorenc
I take Brazil in a closely fought, thriller of a game played in an electric atmosphere, by one goal.
3.
HumboldtBlue
Ham-ezz! Ham-ezz! Ham-ezz!
4.
raven
The players could be feeling the pressure. Neymar and the team’s captain, Thiago Silva, have been seen in tears on the field, drawing criticism from former Brazilian stars for their emotional displays.
“The team is crying when they’re singing the anthem, when they get hurt, when they shoot penalties!” the former World Cup winner Carlos Alberto said, adding: “Come on! Stop crying! Enough!”
The pucker factor is on!
5.
raven
Colombia in Red White and Blue!!!!
6.
Alex S.
Go Colombia!
7.
Violet
Brazil has a national anthem that goes on after the music ends? How interesting.
8.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
Go Colombia! Make der Onkel Fritze chooose in the semis!
9.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
Though it is hard to root against a team with players named Fred and Hulk.
10.
Morzer
Come on, Colombia. Please spare us the sight of this lumbering Brazilian team in future.
11.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
My dream final of Netherlands vs. Germany is still alive.
12.
HumboldtBlue
Key to the game — Oscar. If he is prominent Brazil is on and they win. If he is invisible Colombia wins
I agree. Most of the remaining teams (and France) depend on one great player, Benzema, Neymar, Messi, maybe even James. You can ‘easily’ disrupt these teams. Germany and the Netherlands (and Costa Rica, I guess) are much harder to neutralize because the danger can come from several sources.
@Morzer: I figured that much but wondered if there was some kind of rotation they went through or performance in a previous match was taken into consideration. Or something else.
21.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
@Valdivia: I won’t have any trouble rooting for Costa Rica if they go through but I’m a long time fan of the Dutch.
22.
raven
Rut ro
23.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
@Violet: They are evaluated after every match and the pool shrinks at each stage as only the higher rated refs move on the the later rounds. The competition among the refs is almost a fierce as it is among the teams.
24.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
Dammit
25.
HumboldtBlue
Stupid luck
26.
Alex S.
Early goal by defender after set piece! I think I saw that before.
27.
Morzer
Well, that’s an ugly goal to concede, but they all count.
28.
gene108
I’m pulling for Costa Rica. I want a North or Central American team make it for once.
EDIT: If Canada could get off its duff and field a team in any sport, outside of ice hockey (and I guess curling) that didn’t suck, it would help North America by improving the level of competition on the continent. As it is, the U.S. and Mexico can only push each other so far.
29.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
Is there any reason Silva was left all by himself?
30.
askew
Come on Colombia!!!!! We need to see James in the final.
31.
burnspbesq
That looked like a Monty Python satire of how to defend a corner.
The mugging of Rodriguez will commence momentarily.
@Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN): Thanks. Interesting. I wonder if the USA ref will get another shot at a match. He seemed to get good reports for his performance.
35.
Valdivia
Nooooo :(
36.
gene108
General World Cup question: Why do the teams bring out children onto the pitch before the start of every match? Are they to be sacrificed to appease Sep Blatter and FIFA? (joke)
Just curious about that tradition.
37.
Morzer
Well, Colombia have certainly come to play. At least they aren’t looking as dopey as France did in their match.
38.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
@Morzer: I figured as much but, hey, it’s not my game.
It’s one of the classic blunders – leaving the guy at the back post unmarked. See also: land wars in Asia.
46.
Violet
@gene108: Canada plays rugby union at the international level and has been in every Rugby World Cup since they began in 1987. They’ve qualified for the 2015 World Cup as well.
Not surprising: Anthony Cumia from Opie and Anthony was terminated by SiruisXM over a massive Twitter thread that was incredibly racist and misogynistic. Cumia lamely tries defend himself by saying it didn’t happen over the air and it wasn’t illegal.
Typical conservative behavior-blame the company and try to yell ‘1st Amendmant’ when it doesn’t apply to your own stupid behavior.
50.
Randinho
James will realize today he is not playing against Greece or Japan.
51.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
Where was this Brazil team hiding for three weeks?
52.
Corner Stone
BRA is going balls out to kill these guys early.
53.
HumboldtBlue
Colombia is shaky on defense
54.
Corner Stone
@HumboldtBlue: Those back to back saves by the COL goalie were nuts.
55.
Violet
This crowd is insane.
56.
HumboldtBlue
Colombia is one attack away, Brazil is vulnerable in final third
57.
Corner Stone
WTF? That was like a pick route in the NFL.
58.
Amir Khalid
@gene108:
Six of 20 World Cups have been won by the host nation. So Brazil have a 30% chance of winning it in 2014.
59.
HumboldtBlue
That was the Brazilian synchronized diving team
60.
Alex S.
Ok, this game is explosive.
61.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
So the players have collectively decided to ignore the ref?
62.
Valdivia
What was that? Seemed kind of dirty.
63.
Violet
So far this is a great match. Very exciting.
64.
Randinho
@HumboldtBlue: But Colombia is giving the ball away a lot.
65.
Corner Stone
I like Colombia’s “kit”, but Big Orange is still my fav.
Go Neddy Nederlanders!
@HumboldtBlue: No, I mean that one dude’s fro is Gladwell-esque.
BRA came to play today, no overrated stuff so far.
86.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
@Violet: I know. There have ben a couple of times someone has touched Arjen Robben and he hasn’t broken a leg.
And the Brazilian players flat out ignored the ten yard line of foam on that free kick and the ref did nothing. He is completely losing control of this game.
87.
HumboldtBlue
Looks like they chose the shittiest referee for this game, he’s terrible
88.
burnspbesq
This ref needs to book some people or this match is going to get out of hand. There is all kinds of ugly shit going on off the ball.
@Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN): itwas an indirect free kick (not the referee’s raised left arm). Once one Colombian player touches the ball they can move.
102.
Violet
My TV is now showing the Coke commercial with “America the Beautiful” sung in multiple languages–the one that made wingnut heads explode. Oh look, they just showed a Muslim woman.
103.
Amir Khalid
It’s hardly surprising that the referee might feel intimidated at a match like this — Brazil at home in the World Cup knockout stages — but the ref today has been too kind to the host nation’s players.
It’s a general thing, not just for the World Cup. I don’t know exactly how widespread it is, but they do it every week for all games in the English Premier League, for example.
105.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
Is Fred in the game for comedic purposes or is Scolari just saying, “We’re so confident we’ll win that we’ll spot you a player.”
106.
burnspbesq
Hulk is all like “you can’t possibly have seen me push him in the back from your angle. Ignore the fact that he face-planted.”
The children are mascots. Each club may employ a different policy about how to become a mascot, but generally includes some of the following criteria;
Whether you are a season ticket holder/ member
Between a certain age
Whether it’s your birthday, etc.
Being a mascot gives you an experience which again depends on what team you’re a mascot for but could generally include:
Getting a tour of the stadium
Getting to meet the players
Getting given (signed?) merchandise
Getting to walk out with the players
Getting to warm up with the players
From searching “How to become match day mascot” on Google, you can see some of the packages each each offers (taken from the first page of results)
Colombia needs to try passing the ball to an area where one of their own players is standing.
119.
Violet
This game seems to have turned into a right mess.
120.
Amir Khalid
@raven:
Probably. Club sides train and play together for like, ten months of the year. National sides only train and play as a team on occasion.
121.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
My non-expert take on this game is the the frenetic pace is obscuring the fact that there is some extremely sloppy football being played by both sides. If Germany doesn’t get sucked into the chaos I like their chances.
Pro clubs are not constrained by player pools. If they don’t develop a right back in-house, there’s a global talent market. CL level teams can buy the best talent on the planet at every position. At least in theory. Front offices screw up, even big clubs can get run into bankruptcy, etc, but that’s the gist of the argument.
FIFA is also more restrictive in national player transfers relative to the IOC. There are foreign nationals who came up through NCAA and play in MLS, who are willing to play for the US, and would be upgrades to US national team, but it’s a really long grind to get them eligible.
And over-ruling that Colombian goal just before Brazil scores means the game is going to get even uglier.
139.
Valdivia
@Violet:
Exactly! And just with that they score again. Must say seems like an ugly way to win. Think I’m going to stop watching now. Can’t stand bad referring like that.
140.
burnspbesq
That’s a gift. Really poor goalkeeping. If you set the wall to cover the other side, you should be standing exactly where the shot came in.
141.
Corner Stone
I’m so conflicted. The sex appeal from both countries is just too much for my delicate sensibilities.
How to decide?
142.
Amir Khalid
Brazil 2-0 Colombia. A beautiful free-kick goal by Luiz.
ETA: That should settle everyone down.
@Corner Stone: It’s unfortunate they’re playing each other. I want to see more of both teams. Don’t want one of them to go out. Sigh.
145.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
@smintheus: Coming at this from a hockey perspective, Brazil might be better off if they don’t score again. In a game this rough and ugly, once the Colombians have no hope they might start going for Neymar’s knees.
Should have been a red no? I just can’t with the calls in this game.
165.
burnspbesq
Idiot! Get your ass onside!
166.
Violet
@Valdivia: The calls are baffling in this match. No idea what’s happening there.
167.
Amir Khalid
I wonder if Colombia should have another goal and take this to extra time. Do I want another half-hour of this interesting but deeply flawed match?
168.
Steeplejack
This game is a sloppy mess.
169.
Steeplejack
Neymar apparently dead on the field. RIP.
ETA: Apparently he did take a real shot there, but it’s hard to have sympathy after the way he has acrobatically bounced three feet in the air anytime someone touched him.
170.
scav
@Amir Khalid: Would additional time at least provide the opportunity for either team to at least look like they earned a win?
171.
Corner Stone
Why don’t these fuckers have a golf cart on the sideline?
172.
Steeplejack
I’m expecting the ref to call cross-checking on the blue line any moment now.
173.
Violet
Five minutes added. Seems a bit short.
174.
Amir Khalid
@scav:
Pish-tosh. Nobody earns a win in football. Wins are awarded by capricious deities.
175.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
@Steeplejack: More than that, I can’t figure out how that blow felled Neymar so completely. It was a knee to the small of the back. I can see that hurting like hell and leaving a wicked bruise, but not necessitating hauling someone off on a stretcher.
176.
scav
@Amir Khalid: Well, earned your whim, O capricious one, at this point you’re sounding as they be up for equal opportunity smiting.
177.
Valdivia
@Violet:
I wonder what the calls will be like when they play Germany. Hope they get a better referee that day. Also in the Argentina game they like to dive and flop those guys.
178.
burnspbesq
How can you not crash the far post in that situation? Does Colombia not want this?
I can sort of see maybe getting a back spasm from it, but who knows with all the operatics we’ve had in this game.
183.
Alex S.
Three goals so far, a free kick, a corner kick and a penalty. No goal created out of the game.
184.
Violet
The winner of this match is not the referee.
185.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
Strange, strange game.
186.
Corner Stone
@Mike E: They can’t afford a medical golf cart to carry people to the back area?
Watching those beefy bastards jostle Neymar for 100 yards seemed really wrong to me.
187.
Steeplejack
Man, this game had me almost rethinking the choice to skip that NCIS marathon.
188.
Violet
Oh my beautiful James. How I will miss you. Sigh.
189.
SRW1
The ref butchered that game real good. And Brazil still short of a convincing performance.
190.
burnspbesq
Somebody get the smelling salts for Valdivia.
191.
Steeplejack
I’m thinking the 2014 Hot Dog Eating Contest coming up momentarily on ESPN2 will be neater than this game.
192.
Violet
Oh, no. Now he’s crying. That makes me sad. He looks like such a disappointed kid. Awww….
193.
Morzer
Well, that was a remarkably weak display of refereeing that damaged what might have been a great game. By my count 6 maybe 7 yellow cards could justifiably have been issued . If the referee had taken control of the game in the first half, we would all have been better off.
I am also fairly surprised that Julio Cesar didn’t get a straight red.
194.
Valdivia
The South American twitter consensus is that referee was the worst of the tournament. I think if the referee had been better the spirited play would have given us a fun fair game. This was messy and ugly at the end. Ugh.
195.
Tony J
Well, there you go. Before this game I didn’t think Brazil had what it took to win the Cup, after it I really, really hope the Germans tear them a new one. There won’t be any Colombian players receiving death threats after this game, the referee, I’m not so sure.
Brazil fouled, dived and generally took advantage of a ludicrously indulgent referee. Colombia were hardly angels either, but Brazil displayed a deeply unattractive cynicism at the expense of soccer tonight.
At least he made his sixth goal. That could give him the Golden Boot.
200.
Violet
@Valdivia: Yeah the ref was awful. So many things he could have called in the first half to get the game under control. It would have been a much better match had he done that.
Think what a game we might have seen if the referee had done his job. It could have been one of the all-time classic games – and instead it descended into something too near to a farce at points.
202.
Violet
@Alex S.: I hope he ends up with it. He’s been the standout player of the tournament.
203.
Steeplejack
Well, it’s gonna be a hella interesting game against the German cyborgs on Tuesday.
He’s said he would be interested in La Liga, but not in the “physical” English Premier League.
211.
Tony J
@Morzer:
It’s not like it’s a surprise. Before the tournament even kicked off I read an article where Scolari explained Brazil’s reliance on fouling when necessary. It’s part if the game, isn’t it? Why else have free kicks and two types of card if fouling isn’t a tactic teams can use?
That said, the referee isn’t supposed to play along. Yeah, the Colombians weren’t angels, but their fouls seemed to come from frustration, while Brazil went out there with a deliberate intention to kick the living shit out of Rodriguez and got away with it. How Fernandihno was still in the pitch at half time is a mystery for the ages.
Meh, it would be a pity if Brazil went on to win the tournament in this fashion and ended up sliming the country’s footballing reputation by being – obvious – cheats.
212.
Valdivia
@Tony J:
You articulated my frustration perfectly.
Brazil has been as cynical and dirty as any of the more infamous South American teams for quite a while now. Watching them is a depressing experience at best.
I suppose I shall have to root for die Mannschaft now, although I don’t think they are a particularly enjoyable team to watch either. Still, I guess being led by the German Beatle has to count for something!
214.
Randinho
@Morzer: didn’t prevent a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
Frustration is the right word. The referee has one job to do – apply the rules of the game fairly and without bias. Yeah, that almost never happens, but it’s rare indeed to see a referee so cynical in his bias. Tossing out free kicks like confetti top break up the flow of play, but very few cards, and studiously ignoring the deliberate campaign to foul Colombia’s playmaker and star goalscorer out of the game.
That’s both of my tips to win the tournament with style out on the same day, so what do I know?
216.
Randinho
@Tony J: A knee into Neymar’s back didn’t even get a yellow.
It feels very, very weird to be rooting for Germany against Brazil, almost anti-football, but that’s the position the Powers That Be have put me in. I don’t want – this – Brazilian team to get their hands on the World Cup, full stop, period, underscore.
The whole aim of Brazil’s cynical approach is to disrupt play and stop such opportunities from emerging. Obviously, fans who want to win at all costs will applaud this approach, but it’s hard to respect a team that behaves in such a way.
220.
lol chikinburd
Scolari said something in his press conference before the game to the effect that Brazil had already “had one hand on the trophy”, leaving the rest of us wondering in dread just what he actually meant by that, and what he may have known that the rest of us didn’t. Prior to this quarterfinal there wasn’t much evidence that any such Brazilian hand would belong to a player or coach. The Croatia game offered a dark hint. I really hope this isn’t what’s going on.
It would indeed be hard to root for this German team against a good Brazil team. Fortunately, there isn’t a good Brazil team to be found at this world cup, so our consciences don’t have to bear that particular burden.
A challenge at some distance from the referee, at an angle where you only saw it clearly on TV, and arguably just a ‘coming together’ that ended up badly for one player. I can see it not being given, though clearly it – was – deliberate. And sue me if you like, but Neymar’s conduct during the game earned him a painful How Do You Do from whichever Colombian had the opportunity. That he seems to be genuinely injured is a pity, but it wasn’t the result of a deliberate campaign of persistent fouling.
Most of the fouls on Rodriguez, OTOH, happened right in front of the referee, went on all game, were mostly committed by the same player, and went mostly unpunished. Those decisions had a material effect on the game, because so much of Colombia’s attack naturally goes through their best player. Not the same thing at all.
The sad thing is, this is the best I’ve seen Brazil play in this World Cup. For the first twenty minutes or so I was like “They’ve finally woken up!”, but then it all went downhill. Without Neymar’s pace and ball control they’re even more pedestrian than an Argentina without Messi.
They actually wanted to play soccer for the first 20 minutes or so – and then, for some reason known to themselves, they reverted to being the same stodgy, crude, limited Brazil that we’ve had to endure throughout the tournament.
@Randinho: I thought the knee to Neymar’s back definitely deserved a card. However, that came late in a game where Brazil spent the entire time trying to annihilate James Rodriguez as well as other assorted mayhem. Silva needed a red card for trying to take out Ospina. I don’t approve of dropping Neymar but I wasn’t surprised by it. In fact, I called it in post 145, though I got the body part wrong.
The ref was a disgrace. He ignored obvious fouls. He undercalled ones he didn’t ignore. He didn’t take control when teams started playing the ball before he blew the whistle. He didn’t take any action when Brazil ignored the ten yard distance on a free kick and I understand what you said about that, but Neymar was running at the ball and within ten yards well before Rodriguez touched it.
I thought I just set out how the cases we’re discussing were entirely different, so not a double standard.
YMMOCV.
230.
Violet
@Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN): If the ref had taken control of the match early in the first half then a lot of that other crap could have been avoided. The players saw what the ref would and wouldn’t do and played to that, just as players do in every sport and every match. The ref was crap.
Apparently Neymar has a fractured vertebrae. That sucks.
To be honest, I think it’s the pressure of playing a World Cup at home and knowing that without Neymar they’re just not worthy of wearing the most prestigious shirt in International football. Imagine being in their position. Your entire country (along with most of the world) – expects – you to win the Cup, no excuses, but you’re the one who has to go out there every few days and actually perform. If I were in their shoes I’d probably take the easy route as well. But I’m not, so I feel comfortable slating them for it.
And with that, it’s damned late on this side of the Atlantic. More hijinks will, I’m sure, be had tomorrow.
Come on Costa Rica!
232.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
@Tony J: I’m always a little bit nervous about an opponent whose single star player has just departed the scene. (Since I’m a college hockey fan, it’s as often for graduation as injury.) Sometimes that wakes up a team that has been relying on that one guy too much.
I still think Germany wins the semi, but I thought that before Neymar went down and don’t feel much more confident about it in the wake of the injury.
233.
Randinho
@Tony J: a pity? It appears he may have a fracture. Do you really believe he deserved it?
That he seems to be genuinely injured is a pity, but it wasn’t the result of a deliberate campaign of persistent fouling.
What the fuck? It’s a “pity”?
235.
Randinho
Don’t disagree with anyone about Fernandinho; he should have been carded. Colombia spent almost the entire first half giving the ball away. They lost because no one marked Thiago Silva and James Rodriquez commited a cynical foul on Hulk resulting in a free kick.
Brazil spent the entire game playing Grand Theft Auto World Cup. They know that they can’t bring what quality they have to bear. They can’t even score during the run of play. If James had been carried out on a stretcher, they would have been happy as hell. Every time some Brazil fan starts up with the “beautiful game” bullshit, I ask them why they make it so ugly with their raw cynicism on the field. Two things happen. Silence, or threats of bodily harm. Both speak volumes.
And what’s that “superior” Mexican side up to these days?
242.
Randy Paul aka Randinho
@Morzer: unwad your panties. More’s the pity that your hatred of Brazil blinds to you what was the ugliest cheap shot in is WC so far. I’ve been watching this sport for more than forty years. I’ve seen lots of leg injuries, head injuries, etc. through challenges. Rare is the back injury. I cannot even remember having seen one that resulted from contact. There was no intent whatsoever to play the ball, not even to slow down the attack; just to injure. Meanwhile you’re pissing and moaning about Brazil fouling tactically.
I agree that I don’t like to see players fouling tactically, but there was no instance in this game when I can recall a Brazilian deliberately trying to injure a Colombian player.
243.
Randy Paul aka Randinho
@Haydnseek: where did Colombia score during the run of play? Colombia won a very weak group and they beat a depleted Uruguay. They were outplayed for nearly the entire first half.
Then with the game almost over, Zuniga decided to injure their star attacker. Spare me the outrage.
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Violet
I hate that Brazil and Colombia are playing each other. I’m for both of them.
Edit: That stadium is so full it’s crazy. Wow.
cmorenc
I take Brazil in a closely fought, thriller of a game played in an electric atmosphere, by one goal.
HumboldtBlue
Ham-ezz! Ham-ezz! Ham-ezz!
raven
The pucker factor is on!
raven
Colombia in Red White and Blue!!!!
Alex S.
Go Colombia!
Violet
Brazil has a national anthem that goes on after the music ends? How interesting.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
Go Colombia! Make der Onkel Fritze chooose in the semis!
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
Though it is hard to root against a team with players named Fred and Hulk.
Morzer
Come on, Colombia. Please spare us the sight of this lumbering Brazilian team in future.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
My dream final of Netherlands vs. Germany is still alive.
HumboldtBlue
Key to the game — Oscar. If he is prominent Brazil is on and they win. If he is invisible Colombia wins
Valdivia
@HumboldtBlue: si si si!
Sorry Randinho but I’m with Colombia today.
Violet
How do they choose who will referee each match?
Violet
Randinho, the commentators are making it sound like Brazil has shut down for this match. Is that true?
Alex S.
@Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN):
I agree. Most of the remaining teams (and France) depend on one great player, Benzema, Neymar, Messi, maybe even James. You can ‘easily’ disrupt these teams. Germany and the Netherlands (and Costa Rica, I guess) are much harder to neutralize because the danger can come from several sources.
Morzer
@Violet:
They have a pool of qualified referees and try to assign a referee to the game who is from a different region to either of the teams.
Baud
@raven:
Rio lit up Christ the Redeemer in red, white, and blue this morning.
Valdivia
@Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN): Valdivia The Terrible will come after you for this ;) little CR believes!
Violet
@Morzer: I figured that much but wondered if there was some kind of rotation they went through or performance in a previous match was taken into consideration. Or something else.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
@Valdivia: I won’t have any trouble rooting for Costa Rica if they go through but I’m a long time fan of the Dutch.
raven
Rut ro
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
@Violet: They are evaluated after every match and the pool shrinks at each stage as only the higher rated refs move on the the later rounds. The competition among the refs is almost a fierce as it is among the teams.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
Dammit
HumboldtBlue
Stupid luck
Alex S.
Early goal by defender after set piece! I think I saw that before.
Morzer
Well, that’s an ugly goal to concede, but they all count.
gene108
I’m pulling for Costa Rica. I want a North or Central American team make it for once.
EDIT: If Canada could get off its duff and field a team in any sport, outside of ice hockey (and I guess curling) that didn’t suck, it would help North America by improving the level of competition on the continent. As it is, the U.S. and Mexico can only push each other so far.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
Is there any reason Silva was left all by himself?
askew
Come on Colombia!!!!! We need to see James in the final.
burnspbesq
That looked like a Monty Python satire of how to defend a corner.
The mugging of Rodriguez will commence momentarily.
Baud
Has the host country ever won the World Cup?
Morzer
@Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN):
Incompetence?
Violet
@Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN): Thanks. Interesting. I wonder if the USA ref will get another shot at a match. He seemed to get good reports for his performance.
Valdivia
Nooooo :(
gene108
General World Cup question: Why do the teams bring out children onto the pitch before the start of every match? Are they to be sacrificed to appease Sep Blatter and FIFA? (joke)
Just curious about that tradition.
Morzer
Well, Colombia have certainly come to play. At least they aren’t looking as dopey as France did in their match.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
@Morzer: I figured as much but, hey, it’s not my game.
Alex S.
@Baud:
Yes, very often, in fact.
Amir Khalid
When you get to the knockout stages, recent form counts for nothing and capricious deities rule.
ETA: Just saying.
Morzer
@gene108:
It’s intended to suggest innocence and a future. Pretty much the opposite of Septic Bladder.
HumboldtBlue
@Baud: Yes, the last was France in 98
Valdivia
@Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN): big grin. I was joking but happy to know you’d cheer for us. @gene108: and thank you too!
gene108
@Baud:
Yes
Wiki link of winners It is not unusual for it to happen.
The last was France, in 1998.
Morzer
@Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN):
It’s one of the classic blunders – leaving the guy at the back post unmarked. See also: land wars in Asia.
Violet
@gene108: Canada plays rugby union at the international level and has been in every Rugby World Cup since they began in 1987. They’ve qualified for the 2015 World Cup as well.
burnspbesq
How is that not a booking?
Amir Khalid
@gene108:
Not in public, I hope.
Howard Beale IV
Not surprising: Anthony Cumia from Opie and Anthony was terminated by SiruisXM over a massive Twitter thread that was incredibly racist and misogynistic. Cumia lamely tries defend himself by saying it didn’t happen over the air and it wasn’t illegal.
Typical conservative behavior-blame the company and try to yell ‘1st Amendmant’ when it doesn’t apply to your own stupid behavior.
Randinho
James will realize today he is not playing against Greece or Japan.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
Where was this Brazil team hiding for three weeks?
Corner Stone
BRA is going balls out to kill these guys early.
HumboldtBlue
Colombia is shaky on defense
Corner Stone
@HumboldtBlue: Those back to back saves by the COL goalie were nuts.
Violet
This crowd is insane.
HumboldtBlue
Colombia is one attack away, Brazil is vulnerable in final third
Corner Stone
WTF? That was like a pick route in the NFL.
Amir Khalid
@gene108:
Six of 20 World Cups have been won by the host nation. So Brazil have a 30% chance of winning it in 2014.
HumboldtBlue
That was the Brazilian synchronized diving team
Alex S.
Ok, this game is explosive.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
So the players have collectively decided to ignore the ref?
Valdivia
What was that? Seemed kind of dirty.
Violet
So far this is a great match. Very exciting.
Randinho
@HumboldtBlue: But Colombia is giving the ball away a lot.
Corner Stone
I like Colombia’s “kit”, but Big Orange is still my fav.
Go Neddy Nederlanders!
Baud
@Amir Khalid:
Home crowd plus automatic advancement has its advantages, it seems.
raven
The Ali Shuffle!
Corner Stone
I didn’t know Michael Jackson played for Brazil.
Hee hee!
NotMax
Brazil versus Colombia?
Time was one or the other would have gone through two or three governments in the time it took to play the match.
And with those two countries, it ought to temporarily be dubbed the Coffee Cup.
HumboldtBlue
@Randinho: Yes, far too much self-inflicted trouble so far
raven
@NotMax: The Blow Show.
burnspbesq
@Corner Stone:
The ironic thing is that it was the comically bad touch by Hulk that got the defender to over-commit and create an opportunity.
Corner Stone
I didn’t know Malcolm Gladwell played for the Brazil team.
Violet
@burnspbesq: I love that there’s a player named Hulk.
burnspbesq
David Luiz has that swim move with elbow to defender’s face down to a science.
raven
I like them knocking the shit out of each other and not whining.
HumboldtBlue
@Corner Stone: You mean they are superficial and overrated?
burnspbesq
@Violet:
The first time I saw Maicon play, I read the jersey as “Maricon.”
There was a player named Maicon on the Brazilian women’s team at the 2007 WWC. Pretty sure it’s not the same person.
Violet
@raven: I’m not much of an expert but to me it seems like the play in this World Cup is more physical than four years ago and there’s less flopping.
Corner Stone
Sold that one.
Randinho
Not much of a foul there
Baud
What was the foul?
raven
Get that goddamn burma shave outa there!
raven
@burnspbesq: In Brazil, who knows?
Corner Stone
@HumboldtBlue: No, I mean that one dude’s fro is Gladwell-esque.
BRA came to play today, no overrated stuff so far.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
@Violet: I know. There have ben a couple of times someone has touched Arjen Robben and he hasn’t broken a leg.
And the Brazilian players flat out ignored the ten yard line of foam on that free kick and the ref did nothing. He is completely losing control of this game.
HumboldtBlue
Looks like they chose the shittiest referee for this game, he’s terrible
burnspbesq
This ref needs to book some people or this match is going to get out of hand. There is all kinds of ugly shit going on off the ball.
NotMax
@raven
Joke from the days of burlesque.
“My wife and I are planning a trip to South America.”
“South America? Oh, where the long-playing countries are.”
“Long -playing countries?”
“You know, 33 and a third revolutions per minute.”
raven
@NotMax: :)
Corner Stone
That Hulk likes to pitty pat too much with the damn ball.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
Hulk was only about 30 degrees away from hitting the net on that one.
burnspbesq
Why would you ever buy that fake? Hulk is 1,000 percent left foot.
Corner Stone
The refs are probably scared to death of this crowd.
Tripod
@burnspbesq:
Quiet you. Only US players have bad ball skills. Every other nation has the correct development system in place, and players of impeccable touch.
Violet
@Corner Stone: If Brazil doesn’t win the crowd might run on to the pitch and dismember the ref.
raven
@Violet: Do they sell dull deer antlers in the concession stands?
burnspbesq
@Tripod:
Umm, Canada?
Alex S.
Well, Colombia survived the brazilian steamroller. But Brazil is playing with a man more (audience+referee-Fred).
Valdivia
@HumboldtBlue: agreed.
Randinho
@Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN): itwas an indirect free kick (not the referee’s raised left arm). Once one Colombian player touches the ball they can move.
Violet
My TV is now showing the Coke commercial with “America the Beautiful” sung in multiple languages–the one that made wingnut heads explode. Oh look, they just showed a Muslim woman.
Amir Khalid
It’s hardly surprising that the referee might feel intimidated at a match like this — Brazil at home in the World Cup knockout stages — but the ref today has been too kind to the host nation’s players.
Steeplejack
@gene108:
It’s a general thing, not just for the World Cup. I don’t know exactly how widespread it is, but they do it every week for all games in the English Premier League, for example.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
Is Fred in the game for comedic purposes or is Scolari just saying, “We’re so confident we’ll win that we’ll spot you a player.”
burnspbesq
Hulk is all like “you can’t possibly have seen me push him in the back from your angle. Ignore the fact that he face-planted.”
raven
@Steeplejack:
Tripod
@burnspbesq:
Your post assumes the existence of the Canadian Soccer Association. I’m going to need to see some evidence of that.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
The ref seems to be working under the assumption that if he makes enough bad calls they’ll even out.
burnspbesq
David Luiz goes for the Hand of God and misses.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
For god’s sake, Colombia, DON’T HURT FRED! They might replace him if you do.
raven
Would the team that wins stuff like the Champions League be better than the WC champ generally speaking?
burnspbesq
Where did they find this ref? MLS?
raven
@burnspbesq: Balloon Juice.
burnspbesq
@Tripod:
http://www.canadasoccer.com
burnspbesq
@raven:
Is it Mayhew or cmorenc?
raven
@burnspbesq: Isn’t Roger Moore an official too?
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
Colombia needs to try passing the ball to an area where one of their own players is standing.
Violet
This game seems to have turned into a right mess.
Amir Khalid
@raven:
Probably. Club sides train and play together for like, ten months of the year. National sides only train and play as a team on occasion.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
My non-expert take on this game is the the frenetic pace is obscuring the fact that there is some extremely sloppy football being played by both sides. If Germany doesn’t get sucked into the chaos I like their chances.
smintheus
This is playing out like a high school gym match.
raven
@Amir Khalid: That’s what I was thinking. thx
Violet
Finally one of the cards makes an appearance.
Alex S.
@Violet:
Indeed.
Silva out against Germany…stupid.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
Shouldn’t running into the keeper as he’s trying to punt be a straight red card? This game is ridiculous.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
Amir, could you please use your godlike powers to do something about this match?
Violet
@Alex S.: Yeah, that was an incredibly dumb move by Silva.
This game is a mess.
Baud
Oh my.
Tripod
@raven:
Pro clubs are not constrained by player pools. If they don’t develop a right back in-house, there’s a global talent market. CL level teams can buy the best talent on the planet at every position. At least in theory. Front offices screw up, even big clubs can get run into bankruptcy, etc, but that’s the gist of the argument.
FIFA is also more restrictive in national player transfers relative to the IOC. There are foreign nationals who came up through NCAA and play in MLS, who are willing to play for the US, and would be upgrades to US national team, but it’s a really long grind to get them eligible.
Corner Stone
This has gotten fucking nutty.
Violet
@Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN): Seconding this request. This is ridiculous.
And now my gorgeous James gets a yellow card? After all the other things that have gone without penalty?
Valdivia
Now he’s giving yellow cards but only to Colombia ah?
Steeplejack
Holy shnikeys! What a shot!
Corner Stone
Welp, at least the refs won’t be ritually slaughtered on the field today.
burnspbesq
Umm, ref, the guy who was offside was never part of the play.
Corner Stone
Fucking knuckleball. That had no spin at all.
smintheus
@Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN): Yes it should.
And over-ruling that Colombian goal just before Brazil scores means the game is going to get even uglier.
Valdivia
@Violet:
Exactly! And just with that they score again. Must say seems like an ugly way to win. Think I’m going to stop watching now. Can’t stand bad referring like that.
burnspbesq
That’s a gift. Really poor goalkeeping. If you set the wall to cover the other side, you should be standing exactly where the shot came in.
Corner Stone
I’m so conflicted. The sex appeal from both countries is just too much for my delicate sensibilities.
How to decide?
Amir Khalid
Brazil 2-0 Colombia. A beautiful free-kick goal by Luiz.
ETA: That should settle everyone down.
burnspbesq
@Corner Stone:
Why decide? Do ’em all.
Violet
@Corner Stone: It’s unfortunate they’re playing each other. I want to see more of both teams. Don’t want one of them to go out. Sigh.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
@smintheus: Coming at this from a hockey perspective, Brazil might be better off if they don’t score again. In a game this rough and ugly, once the Colombians have no hope they might start going for Neymar’s knees.
Tripod
@burnspbesq:
Yea well, most of them play NCAA and MLS ball, that makes them quasi-Yanks in the soccer developmental sense.
Tripod
Riots? This audience is the Brazilian 1%.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
@Violet: Actually, I’ve seen quite enough of both of these teams.
Corner Stone
@Tripod: What is Brazilian for “Brooks Brothers riot” ?
Mike E
Damn, that free kick was textbook… Screaming knuckleball.
Ooh, PK!
Corner Stone
Neymar looks like Daniel Negreanu.
Alex S.
Very illogical. IF you decide that this is a foul, then it’s definitely a red card.
Corner Stone
Ouch.
burnspbesq
@Tripod:
Canada has a decent shot at the WWC on home soil next year.
Mike E
Gol!
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
Yeah!
Violet
JAMES! Si!
Corner Stone
Ham n Eggs!
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
@burnspbesq: For some reason, the U.S. and Canada take women’s team sports much more seriously than the rest of the world.
Steeplejack
Colombia’s got the mo’ now, but is it too late?
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
Hulk sit!
Alex S.
@Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN):
And Fred is still on the field, doing his thing.
Mike E
Colombia cannot stay onside.
Edited: sp
Valdivia
Should have been a red no? I just can’t with the calls in this game.
burnspbesq
Idiot! Get your ass onside!
Violet
@Valdivia: The calls are baffling in this match. No idea what’s happening there.
Amir Khalid
I wonder if Colombia should have another goal and take this to extra time. Do I want another half-hour of this interesting but deeply flawed match?
Steeplejack
This game is a sloppy mess.
Steeplejack
Neymar apparently dead on the field. RIP.
ETA: Apparently he did take a real shot there, but it’s hard to have sympathy after the way he has acrobatically bounced three feet in the air anytime someone touched him.
scav
@Amir Khalid: Would additional time at least provide the opportunity for either team to at least look like they earned a win?
Corner Stone
Why don’t these fuckers have a golf cart on the sideline?
Steeplejack
I’m expecting the ref to call cross-checking on the blue line any moment now.
Violet
Five minutes added. Seems a bit short.
Amir Khalid
@scav:
Pish-tosh. Nobody earns a win in football. Wins are awarded by capricious deities.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
@Steeplejack: More than that, I can’t figure out how that blow felled Neymar so completely. It was a knee to the small of the back. I can see that hurting like hell and leaving a wicked bruise, but not necessitating hauling someone off on a stretcher.
scav
@Amir Khalid: Well, earned your whim, O capricious one, at this point you’re sounding as they be up for equal opportunity smiting.
Valdivia
@Violet:
I wonder what the calls will be like when they play Germany. Hope they get a better referee that day. Also in the Argentina game they like to dive and flop those guys.
burnspbesq
How can you not crash the far post in that situation? Does Colombia not want this?
gene108
@Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN):
Neymar seems fragile. He gets hurt easily. Too skinny. Needs to bulk up like Hulk.
Mike E
@Corner Stone:
It ain’t that kind of Country Club.
Corner Stone
This was a complete F/U of a game from the ref standpoint, but Brazil was clearly the better team in this contest.
Steeplejack
@Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN):
I can sort of see maybe getting a back spasm from it, but who knows with all the operatics we’ve had in this game.
Alex S.
Three goals so far, a free kick, a corner kick and a penalty. No goal created out of the game.
Violet
The winner of this match is not the referee.
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
Strange, strange game.
Corner Stone
@Mike E: They can’t afford a medical golf cart to carry people to the back area?
Watching those beefy bastards jostle Neymar for 100 yards seemed really wrong to me.
Steeplejack
Man, this game had me almost rethinking the choice to skip that NCIS marathon.
Violet
Oh my beautiful James. How I will miss you. Sigh.
SRW1
The ref butchered that game real good. And Brazil still short of a convincing performance.
burnspbesq
Somebody get the smelling salts for Valdivia.
Steeplejack
I’m thinking the 2014 Hot Dog Eating Contest coming up momentarily on ESPN2 will be neater than this game.
Violet
Oh, no. Now he’s crying. That makes me sad. He looks like such a disappointed kid. Awww….
Morzer
Well, that was a remarkably weak display of refereeing that damaged what might have been a great game. By my count 6 maybe 7 yellow cards could justifiably have been issued . If the referee had taken control of the game in the first half, we would all have been better off.
I am also fairly surprised that Julio Cesar didn’t get a straight red.
Valdivia
The South American twitter consensus is that referee was the worst of the tournament. I think if the referee had been better the spirited play would have given us a fun fair game. This was messy and ugly at the end. Ugh.
Tony J
Well, there you go. Before this game I didn’t think Brazil had what it took to win the Cup, after it I really, really hope the Germans tear them a new one. There won’t be any Colombian players receiving death threats after this game, the referee, I’m not so sure.
Morzer
@Tony J:
Brazil fouled, dived and generally took advantage of a ludicrously indulgent referee. Colombia were hardly angels either, but Brazil displayed a deeply unattractive cynicism at the expense of soccer tonight.
burnspbesq
@Steeplejack:
If you gave the South Americans sticks there would be a slash or a cross-check every 10 seconds.
Valdivia
@burnspbesq: ha! That’s tomorrow!
@Morzer: I see we both thought the same. It was an exciting game but unruly. Sigh.
Alex S.
@Violet:
At least he made his sixth goal. That could give him the Golden Boot.
Violet
@Valdivia: Yeah the ref was awful. So many things he could have called in the first half to get the game under control. It would have been a much better match had he done that.
Morzer
@Valdivia:
Think what a game we might have seen if the referee had done his job. It could have been one of the all-time classic games – and instead it descended into something too near to a farce at points.
Violet
@Alex S.: I hope he ends up with it. He’s been the standout player of the tournament.
Steeplejack
Well, it’s gonna be a hella interesting game against the German cyborgs on Tuesday.
@Morzer:
Me, too, a little. The ESPN announcers briefly explained it to their own satisfaction, but I didn’t catch the nuances.
And I am really sick of all the stuff that fate threw at the Bacardi family. They seem to have landed on their feet all right.
Morzer
@Steeplejack:
I find myself wishing that fate had included a meteor strike or two in the things it aimed at the Bacardi bloody family.
Valdivia
@Alex S.: @Violet: yes me too for that Golden boot.
Is James off to Real Madrid now?
Violet
Neymar going to hospital and “it doesn’t look good.” That’s a shame.
Violet
@Valdivia: I’m sure James will be off to somewhere other than Monaco.
Steeplejack
@Violet:
Boy, do I feel like a heartless beast now.
Morzer
@Violet:
Brazil might just be better off without him. He hasn’t contributed much of late, although he’s still in the running for the Golden Hair award.
Morzer
@Violet:
He’s said he would be interested in La Liga, but not in the “physical” English Premier League.
Tony J
@Morzer:
It’s not like it’s a surprise. Before the tournament even kicked off I read an article where Scolari explained Brazil’s reliance on fouling when necessary. It’s part if the game, isn’t it? Why else have free kicks and two types of card if fouling isn’t a tactic teams can use?
That said, the referee isn’t supposed to play along. Yeah, the Colombians weren’t angels, but their fouls seemed to come from frustration, while Brazil went out there with a deliberate intention to kick the living shit out of Rodriguez and got away with it. How Fernandihno was still in the pitch at half time is a mystery for the ages.
Meh, it would be a pity if Brazil went on to win the tournament in this fashion and ended up sliming the country’s footballing reputation by being – obvious – cheats.
Valdivia
@Tony J:
You articulated my frustration perfectly.
Morzer
@Tony J:
Brazil has been as cynical and dirty as any of the more infamous South American teams for quite a while now. Watching them is a depressing experience at best.
I suppose I shall have to root for die Mannschaft now, although I don’t think they are a particularly enjoyable team to watch either. Still, I guess being led by the German Beatle has to count for something!
Randinho
@Morzer: didn’t prevent a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
Tony J
@Valdivia:
Frustration is the right word. The referee has one job to do – apply the rules of the game fairly and without bias. Yeah, that almost never happens, but it’s rare indeed to see a referee so cynical in his bias. Tossing out free kicks like confetti top break up the flow of play, but very few cards, and studiously ignoring the deliberate campaign to foul Colombia’s playmaker and star goalscorer out of the game.
That’s both of my tips to win the tournament with style out on the same day, so what do I know?
Randinho
@Tony J: A knee into Neymar’s back didn’t even get a yellow.
Tony J
@Morzer:
It feels very, very weird to be rooting for Germany against Brazil, almost anti-football, but that’s the position the Powers That Be have put me in. I don’t want – this – Brazilian team to get their hands on the World Cup, full stop, period, underscore.
Violet
Twitter is saying Neymar is out of the World Cup.
Morzer
@Randinho:
The whole aim of Brazil’s cynical approach is to disrupt play and stop such opportunities from emerging. Obviously, fans who want to win at all costs will applaud this approach, but it’s hard to respect a team that behaves in such a way.
lol chikinburd
Scolari said something in his press conference before the game to the effect that Brazil had already “had one hand on the trophy”, leaving the rest of us wondering in dread just what he actually meant by that, and what he may have known that the rest of us didn’t. Prior to this quarterfinal there wasn’t much evidence that any such Brazilian hand would belong to a player or coach. The Croatia game offered a dark hint. I really hope this isn’t what’s going on.
Morzer
@Tony J:
It would indeed be hard to root for this German team against a good Brazil team. Fortunately, there isn’t a good Brazil team to be found at this world cup, so our consciences don’t have to bear that particular burden.
Morzer
@lol chikinburd:
I think “Big Phil” was probably talking about home advantage, rather than hinting at systematic corruption.
Tony J
@Randinho:
A challenge at some distance from the referee, at an angle where you only saw it clearly on TV, and arguably just a ‘coming together’ that ended up badly for one player. I can see it not being given, though clearly it – was – deliberate. And sue me if you like, but Neymar’s conduct during the game earned him a painful How Do You Do from whichever Colombian had the opportunity. That he seems to be genuinely injured is a pity, but it wasn’t the result of a deliberate campaign of persistent fouling.
Most of the fouls on Rodriguez, OTOH, happened right in front of the referee, went on all game, were mostly committed by the same player, and went mostly unpunished. Those decisions had a material effect on the game, because so much of Colombia’s attack naturally goes through their best player. Not the same thing at all.
Tony J
@Morzer:
Truer words, etc.
The sad thing is, this is the best I’ve seen Brazil play in this World Cup. For the first twenty minutes or so I was like “They’ve finally woken up!”, but then it all went downhill. Without Neymar’s pace and ball control they’re even more pedestrian than an Argentina without Messi.
Violet
Crowd outside hospital where Neymar was taken.
Morzer
@Tony J:
They actually wanted to play soccer for the first 20 minutes or so – and then, for some reason known to themselves, they reverted to being the same stodgy, crude, limited Brazil that we’ve had to endure throughout the tournament.
Randinho
@Tony J: talk about a double standard
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
@Randinho: I thought the knee to Neymar’s back definitely deserved a card. However, that came late in a game where Brazil spent the entire time trying to annihilate James Rodriguez as well as other assorted mayhem. Silva needed a red card for trying to take out Ospina. I don’t approve of dropping Neymar but I wasn’t surprised by it. In fact, I called it in post 145, though I got the body part wrong.
The ref was a disgrace. He ignored obvious fouls. He undercalled ones he didn’t ignore. He didn’t take control when teams started playing the ball before he blew the whistle. He didn’t take any action when Brazil ignored the ten yard distance on a free kick and I understand what you said about that, but Neymar was running at the ball and within ten yards well before Rodriguez touched it.
Tony J
@Randinho:
I thought I just set out how the cases we’re discussing were entirely different, so not a double standard.
YMMOCV.
Violet
@Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN): If the ref had taken control of the match early in the first half then a lot of that other crap could have been avoided. The players saw what the ref would and wouldn’t do and played to that, just as players do in every sport and every match. The ref was crap.
Apparently Neymar has a fractured vertebrae. That sucks.
Tony J
@Morzer:
To be honest, I think it’s the pressure of playing a World Cup at home and knowing that without Neymar they’re just not worthy of wearing the most prestigious shirt in International football. Imagine being in their position. Your entire country (along with most of the world) – expects – you to win the Cup, no excuses, but you’re the one who has to go out there every few days and actually perform. If I were in their shoes I’d probably take the easy route as well. But I’m not, so I feel comfortable slating them for it.
And with that, it’s damned late on this side of the Atlantic. More hijinks will, I’m sure, be had tomorrow.
Come on Costa Rica!
Tissue Thin Pseudonym (JMN)
@Tony J: I’m always a little bit nervous about an opponent whose single star player has just departed the scene. (Since I’m a college hockey fan, it’s as often for graduation as injury.) Sometimes that wakes up a team that has been relying on that one guy too much.
I still think Germany wins the semi, but I thought that before Neymar went down and don’t feel much more confident about it in the wake of the injury.
Randinho
@Tony J: a pity? It appears he may have a fracture. Do you really believe he deserved it?
Corner Stone
@Tony J:
What the fuck? It’s a “pity”?
Randinho
Don’t disagree with anyone about Fernandinho; he should have been carded. Colombia spent almost the entire first half giving the ball away. They lost because no one marked Thiago Silva and James Rodriquez commited a cynical foul on Hulk resulting in a free kick.
Final foul count: Brazil: 31 Colombia: 23
Steeplejack (tablet)
@Corner Stone:
A pity is a bad thing. It’s not a small bad thing.
Haydnseek
Brazil spent the entire game playing Grand Theft Auto World Cup. They know that they can’t bring what quality they have to bear. They can’t even score during the run of play. If James had been carried out on a stretcher, they would have been happy as hell. Every time some Brazil fan starts up with the “beautiful game” bullshit, I ask them why they make it so ugly with their raw cynicism on the field. Two things happen. Silence, or threats of bodily harm. Both speak volumes.
Randinho
Confirmed: Neymar has a fractured vertebrae.
Yeah. It’s a “pity.”
Randinho
@Tony J: no it was just a nasty cheap shot worthy of Rafa Marquez or Nigel de Jong.
Morzer
@Randinho:
Fine, it’s the greatest fucking tragedy in the whole fucking history of the whole fucking world. Happy now?
FYI: In English “It’s a pity that” is an expression of regret that something happened.
Cacti
@Morzer:
Still got a case of the sore ass over Croatia?
And what’s that “superior” Mexican side up to these days?
Randy Paul aka Randinho
@Morzer: unwad your panties. More’s the pity that your hatred of Brazil blinds to you what was the ugliest cheap shot in is WC so far. I’ve been watching this sport for more than forty years. I’ve seen lots of leg injuries, head injuries, etc. through challenges. Rare is the back injury. I cannot even remember having seen one that resulted from contact. There was no intent whatsoever to play the ball, not even to slow down the attack; just to injure. Meanwhile you’re pissing and moaning about Brazil fouling tactically.
I agree that I don’t like to see players fouling tactically, but there was no instance in this game when I can recall a Brazilian deliberately trying to injure a Colombian player.
Randy Paul aka Randinho
@Haydnseek: where did Colombia score during the run of play? Colombia won a very weak group and they beat a depleted Uruguay. They were outplayed for nearly the entire first half.
Then with the game almost over, Zuniga decided to injure their star attacker. Spare me the outrage.