Netherlands vs Mexico FIFA World Cup - June 29, 2014

Netherlands vs Mexico, WC − 2014 in Brazil − Round of 16

Estádio Castelão, Fortaleza, Brazil 

Sunday, June 29, 2014, 1:00 PM.

Netherlands won all their  three matches to top the Group B, thrashing Spain in their opening match by 5-1 before beating Australia by 3-2. The Oranje finished off their group with another impressive victory, a 2-0 over Chile. The Netherlands should welcome back defender Bruno Martins Indi after he missed the win over Chile with concussion while Robin van Persie makes his return from suspension. Ahead of this test Nigel de Jong, Daley Blind, Arjen Robben and Stefan de Vrij all trained separate from the group with minor knocks, but they are expected to be fit. Leroy Fer is definitely out.
After a narrow win over Cameroon, Mexico played to a 0-0 draw facing Brazil and then beat Croatia 3-1 in the last group match thanks to goals from Guardado, Rafa Márquez, and Javier Hernández. They finishing unbeaten with seven points and only missing out on top spot on goal difference.
The only enforced absentee for Herrera's side is José Juan Vázquez, who misses out through suspension. In his place could well be 34-year-old Carlos Salcido. Javier Hernandez is likely to start from the bench, despite netting in the 3-1 win over Croatia.
Mexico’s history in the knock out stages doesn’t inspire much confidence; since 1994 they have lost out in the second stage each time, while their record against the Dutch in their last four encounters has seen them lost three and draw one while shipping at least two goals in each game. The Netherlands are also unbeaten against Mexico in their last four international games.

Netherlands (5-3-2) – Cillessen – Janmaat – Blind – Vlaar – Wijnaldum – De Vrij – De Jong – De Guzman – Sneijder – Robben – Van Persie.

Mexico (5-3-2) – Ochoa – Layun – Moreno – Aguilar – Marquez – Rodriguez – Herrera – M. Fabian – Guardado – Gio dos Santos – Peralta.

You can watch the match here: Link 1 , Link 2 [Live Scores]

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Portugal 2-1 Ghana Highlights 26-06-2014 FIFA World Cup

Portugal vs Ghana - Competition: FIFA World Cup
Match date: 26 June 2014
Venue: Estadio Nacional, Brasilia, Brazil 

Portugal was rewarded after half of hour mark thanks to an own goal from John Boye, which lasted until half time break.

Needing at least two more goals to turn their deficit around, Portugal found themselves in more trouble when Ghana got back on level terms from Asamoah Gyan's strike.

That situation suddenly turned things on Ghanas favor as one more goal will instead put the African side heading into the next stage.

However, it was Portugal that regained their lead as Cristiano Ronaldo scored on 80 minutes to make it 2-1 for his team.

Despite creating several chances, none of those teams manage to score more goals as they have to pack their back and fly home since that 2-1 result was not enough in taking down USA from runners up spot.

Goals: Portugal – John Boye (og) 31' // Cristiano Ronaldo 80'
Ghana – Asamoah Gyan 57'

Portugal starting lineup vs Ghana 2014 World Cup:- Beto, Bruno Alves, Pepe, Miguel Veloso, William Carvalho, Ronaldo (c), Moutinho, Eder, Nani, Amorim, Pereira.

Ghana starting XI vs Portugal 2014 WC:- Dauda, Gyan (c), Atsu, Agyemang Badu, A. Ayew, Rabiu, Waris, Mensah, Asamoah, Boye, Afful.

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Croatia vs Mexico 1-3 Highlights 23-06-2014 World Cup

Croatia vs Mexico - Competition: FIFA World Cup
Match date: 23 June 2014
Venue: Arena Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil

Croatia 1-3 Mexico (Group A)

Croatia – Ivan Perisic 87'
Mexico – Rafael Marquez 72' // Andres Guardado 75' // Javier Hernandez 82'

It was a very tight encounter where both sides seemingly finding difficulties in breaking each others defense, especially during the first 45 minutes.
However, midway into the second half, Mexico finally found a way though as they got in front through Rafael Marquez's header on 72 minutes. Soon afterwards, it was 2-0 for the Concacaf side when Andres Guardado scored his team's second. Mexico practically sealed their qualification spot when Javier Hernandez's netted home the third goal eight minutes from time.
Croatia themselves only able to pull one goal back from Ivan Perisic on 87 minutes, which was not enough to rescue them from World Cup exit. Mexico themselves will be heading into the knock out stages and an interesting meeting against Netherlands.

Croatia starting lineup vs Mexico 2014:- Pletikosa, Srna, Corluka, Lovren, Vrsaljko, Rakitic, Pranjic, Perisic, Modric, Olic, Mandzukic.

Mexico starting XI v Hrvatska 2014 WC:- Ochoa, Aguilar, Rodriguez, Marquez, Moreno, Layun, Herrera, Vazquez, Guardado, Giovani, Peralta.

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Switzerland vs France 2-5 Highlights 2014 FIFA World Cup

Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador- 20 June, 2014 - 20.00 UK KO

However, it was France that looked sharper up front as they manage to get themselves ahead after 17 minutes from Olivier Giroud.

Within just a minute later, Les Blues doubled their advantage from Blaise Matuidi's fine finish, before they sealed the first half with a third goal scored by Mathieu Valbuena five minutes from time.

France should probably took a 4-0 lead going into half time break, but Karim Benzema failed to convert his spot kick.

The Real Madrid man paid back his miss though as on 67 minutes he made it 5-0 for France as Moussa Sissoko wrapped up Les Blues victory with a fifth goal.

Swiss still putting up brace effort though as they manage to pull two goals back through Blerim Dzemaili on 81 minutes and Granit Xhaka 87.

Switzerland 2-5 France (Group E)

17' 0-1 Olivier Giroud // 18' 0-2 Blaise Matuidi // 40' 0-3 Mathieu Valbuena // 67' 0-4 Karim Benzema // 73' 0-5 Moussa Sissoko // 81' Blerim Dzemaili 1-5 // 87' Granit Xhaka 2-5

Switzerland starting lineup vs France WC 2014:- Benaglio, Djorou, Lichtsteiner, Von Bergen, Rodriguez, Behrami, Inler, Shaqiri, Xhaka, Mehmedi, Seferovic

France starting XI vs Schweizer Nati 2014:- Lloris, Debuchy, Evra, Sakho, Varane, Matuidi, Valbuena, Cabaye, Sissoko, Benzema, Giroud

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Chile vs Spain 2-0 Highlights 18-06-2014 World Cup

Spain vs Chile  - Competition: FIFA World Cup
Match date: 18 June 2014
Venue: Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 

Spain 0-2 Chile (Group B)
Goals: Chile – Eduardo Vargas 20' // Charles Aranguiz 43'

 

Suffering a massive 5-1 loss from Netherlands on their opening match, Spain were determined to redeem themselves as they met Chile.

However, it turned out to be another nightmare for Vicente Del Bosque's men as instead of taking the lead, they found themselves trailing when Eduardo Vargas scored on 20 minutes.

The South American side continue to showcase their strength after doubling their lead just before half time break with an effort from Charles Aranguiz. After the break, Spain tried to improve their game, but nothing really changed as the defending champion continue to struggle in breaking down their opponent.

No more goals were scored in the second half as that result means that Spain have to bid farewell to this WC campaign in such tragic fashion.

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Germany vs Portugal 4-0 Highlights 2014 FIFA World Cup

Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova - Salvador, Bahia- 16 June, 2014- Group G - 17.00 UK KO

Eager to grab maximum points from their first group fixture, both sides immediately put on an aggressive effort since kick off.

After creating several chances, it was Germany that got themselves in front thanks to a penalty effort from Thomas Muller on 12 minutes.

Things continue to get better for Joachim Loew's men as they manage do double their lead on 32 minutes from Mats Hummels' header.

Keen on getting back on level terms, Portugal found themselves in an even worse situation when they were forced to play with only 10 men with the sending off for Pepe.

Germany took full advantage of that situation as they added two more goals in that match, which were all scored by Thomas Muller, who marked his World Cup opener with a hat-trick.

Germany 4-0 Portugal (Group G):

12' (pen.) Thomas Mueller 1-0 // 32' Mats Hummels 2-0 // 45' Thomas Mueller 3-0 // 78' Thomas Mueller 4-0

Germany starting lineup vs Portugal 2014:- Neuer, Boateng, Mertesacker, Hummels, Howedes, Lahm, Khedira, Kroos, Ozil, Muller, Gotze

Portugal starting XI vs Germany 2014:- Rui Patricio, Joao Pereira, Pepe, Bruno Alves, Fabio Coentrao, Veloso, Joao Moutinho, Meireles, Nani, Almeida, Ronaldo

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Ghana vs United States World Cup - Group G June 16, 2014

Ghana vs United States - Competition: FIFA World Cup

Ghana played pretty well in AFCON 2013, losing a semi final to Burkina Faso on penalty kicks whilst their 2014 qualifying campaign concluded with a 7-3 aggregate demolition of Egypt. Then, the Black Stars were defeated by Montenegro at Podgorica early in March and sucumbed to the all-powerful Holland side at Rotterdam on the end of May. In their most recent match, they beat 4-0 Korea Republic.

The midfield trio of Andre Ayew, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Kwadwo Asamoah are all gifted footballers currently playing for some of the biggest clubs in Europe. Jordan Ayew, who scored a hat-trick against South Korea, will still play as left winger behind striker Asamoah Gyan.
United States team won their three recent preparation matches- 2:0 against Azerbaijan and 2:1 against Turkey and Nigeria. So they extended the very positive campaign they achieved during the qualification round, where they finished at the top of their group ahead of Costa Rica and Mexico.
Coach Klinsmann brought in a new 4-4-1-1 tactical style, with Dempsey lurking behind the centre forward Altidore. Bayern’s Julian Green, 19, will provide youthful exuberance and an unpredictability coming in from the bench. Anyway, the decision to leave out Landon Donovan, the USA’s top scorer in World Cup finals, may come back to haunt them.
In 2006, the African side won 2-1 in their last game of the group phase, making it to the second round in the process and sending the Americans home. Four years later, it was again a 2-1 in aggregate time in the round of 16.

Ghana last 5 matches:
29/01/14 Nigeria 0 – 0 P Ghana
01/02/14 Libya P 0 – 0 Ghana
05/03/14 Montenegro 1 – 0 Ghana
31/05/14 Netherlands 1 – 0 Ghana
09/06/14 Ghana 4 – 0 Korea Republic

United States last 5 matches:
05/03/14 Ukraine 2 – 0 United States
03/04/14 United States 2 – 2 Mexico
28/05/14 United States 2 – 0 Azerbaijan
01/06/14 United States 2 – 1 Turkey
07/06/14 United States 2 – 1 Nigeria

Match date: 16 June 2014 - Kick Off Time: 23:00 BST
Venue: Arena das Dunas, Natal, Brazil
 

You can watch the match here: Link 1 , Link 2 [Live Scores]

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Netherlands vs Spain 5-1 Highlights 2014 FIFA World Cup

Spain vs Netherlands - Competition: FIFA World Cup
Match date: 13 June 2014 - Kick Off Time: 20:00 BST
Venue: Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova (Salvador, Bahia) 

Spain got themselves in front when Xabi Alonso converting from the spot kick on 27 minutes after Diego Costa was fouled inside the area.

Trailing by a goal didn't stop Netherlands from driving forward as they got back on level terms just before half time break with an excellent goal from Robin Van Persie.

After the break, it was all Dutch though as they completely demolishing the defending champions starting with Arjen Robben's goal on 53 minutes.

Things got worse for Spain when they conceded a third goal which was netted from Stefan de Vrij on 64 minutes.

A howler from Iker Casillas presented Netherlands with a fourth goal, which was scored again by Van Persie. Netherlands finally sealed their massive opening game victory with another excellent goal from Robben, who also grabbed a brace on that match.

Spain 1-5 Netherlands (Group B):

27' (pen.) Xabi Alonso 1-0 // 44' 1-1 Robin van Persie // 53' 1-2 Arjen Robben // 64' 1-3 Stefan de Vrij // 72' 1-4 Robin van Persie // 80' 1-5 Arjen Robben

Spain starting lineup vs Holland 2014:- Casillas, Ramos, Pique, Azpi, Alba, Iniesta, Alonso, Xavi, Silva, Busquets, Costa

Holland starting XI vs Espana 2014:- Cillessen, Vlaar, Janmaat, Blind, De Vrij, Martins Indi, Robben, Sneijder, De Jong, de Guzman, Van Persie

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Brazil vs Croatia FIFA World Cup - Group A 12-06-2014

Brazil vs Croatia - Competition: WC − 2014 in Brazil − Group A

Match date: 13 June 2014
Kick Off Time: 21:00 BST
Venue: Arena de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo

Brazil have won 15 of their last 16 matches, with a 1-0 defeat to Switzerland in a friendly in Basel as the only exception. They won the COnfederations Cup 12 months ago with a 3-0 win over current World Champions Spain in the final. Three warm up matches since March have brought three wins accompanied by a clean sheet with Bafana hammered 5-0 in South Africa in March and more recently they beat Panama (4-0) before being made to work hard in their final tune up, a 1-0 victory over Serbia. 

The Selecao will likely take to the field against Croatia on Thursday with the same XI which lined up in four of the five matches last summer as the host nation claimed Confederations Cup glory  which means the likes of Dante, Ramires and Willian should miss out on a place in the first-team.

Croatia have undoubted talent in their ranks and will not be an easy opening assignment for Brazil. Like The Seleçao, Croatia also picked up a 1-0 win ahead of the tournament, their victory coming against fellow World Cup competitors Australia. Niko Kovac’s boys are now on a positive run of five matches. Croatia will be without star striker Mario Mandzukic for the meeting with Brazil as he is suspended. Ivica Olic could lead the attack but much of the focus will be on creative trio Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Mateo Kovacic. Danijel Pranjic is  unlikely to start after he picked up a nasty ankle injury in the final warm-up fixture against Australia and Genoa’s Sime Vrsaljko stands by to take Pranjic’s place.
The host nation has never lost their opening World Cup game, with the 20 previous hosts winning 14 and drawing six of their openers. Brazil won their one previous competitive meeting with Croatia 1-0 in the 2006 World Cup; Kaka scored the winner in Berlin that day.

Probable lineups Croatia: Pletikosa – Srna, Corluka, Lovren, Vida –Vukojevic, Modric – Rakitic, Kovacic, Perisic – Olic.

Probable lineups Brazil: Julio Cesar – Dani Alves, David Luiz, Thiago Silva, Marcelo – Paulinho, Luiz Gustavo – Hulk, Oscar, Neymar – Fred.

You can watch the match here: Link 1 , Link 2 [Live Scores]

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Ghana vs South Korea 4-0 Highlights 2014 Friendly

Ghana looking confident ahead of their World Cup 2014 campaign especially after their victory in a warm up match against Korea.

Battling at Sun Life stadium, Miami, both teams looked to showcase their strength and picked a morale boost ahead of their World Cup journey.

It was Ghana though that got things going as Jordan Ayew puts them in front after only 11 minutes of play.

The Black Stars double their lead just before half time break with an effort from Asamoah Gyan, giving his team a comfortable situation before starting the second period.

After the break, Ghana kept on pouring forward as they manage to extend their lead, with another goal from Ayew on 53 minutes.

Ayew continue to cause problems for Korea as on 89 minutes he completed his hat-trick to give Ghana a convincing 4-0 victory over the Asian giant.

Ghana vs South Korea highlights (4-0):

Jordan Ayew goal (11') // Asamoah Gyan goal (44') //  Jordan Ayew second goal (53') //  Jordan Ayew third goal (89'). 

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Ecuador 2-2 England Highlights 2014 International Friendly

Ecuador vs England
Competition: International Friendly
Match date: 4 June 2014
Venue: Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Ecuador 2-2 England (Friendly):

8' Enner Valencia 1-0 // 29' 1-1 Wayne Rooney // 51' 1-2 Rickie Lambert // 70' Michael Arroyo 2-2

England started with Rickie Lambert upfront on his own while Ox-Chamberlain, Barkeley and Wayne Rooney started just behind the main striker with Lampard and Wilshere playing deep in central midfield roles. England had to suffer an early set back when Ecuador striker Enner Valencia scored in the 8th minute of the game to make it 1-0 but a goal from Wayne Rooney in 30th minute of the game put england back on level terms.
Score was 1-1 at the break and Ricky Lambert scored just after the break to put England 2-1 up and things were looking pretty easy from than before totaly against the run of play Arroyo scored to make it 2-2 on the night. A moment of controversy occured in 79th minute when referee gave Sterling and Antonio Valencia their marching orders with straight red cards.
Referee was a bit harsh of Liverpool forward Rahim Sterling who did not deserve the red card but Valencia reacted angerly on Sterling rought tackly and shove him away catching him from the neck. Game finished 2-2 and both the players who recieved red cards wont be suspeded for the world cup opening game.

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