The World Cup quarterfinals start today with the distinct possibility that four South American teams (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) could meet one another in the semifinals. First thing's first, however, as five-time champs Brazil currently play against Holland while later today versatile Uruguay face the speedy Ghanians.
Kaka, Robinho, and co. will be looking to emulate the feat done by their contemporaries twelve years ago in France. Brazil would beat the Netherlands via penalties in an exciting semifinal that had ended 1-1 in regular time. Ronaldo's goal moments into the second half was cancelled out by Patrick Kluivert in the waning seconds of the contest. Both goalkeepers were exceptional yet it was Claudio Taffarel who would become man of the match after making two key saves in the penalty shootout that was won by Brazil:
Update: Today the Netherlands avenged their 1998 and 1994 World Cup eliminations at the hands of Brazil. A Felipe Melo own-goal and a header from close range by Wesley Sneijder were enough for the Dutch to win 2-1 and knock Brazil out of the tournament. (More details including video coming up later).
Online Sources - Christian Science Monitor, MSNBC, YouTube
Brazilians are out. Good. I hope the Argies and the Germans suffer the same fate. Time to make way for some new blood in WC finals, I say...
ReplyDeleteBrazilians are out. Good. I hope the Argies and the Germans suffer the same fate. Time to make way for some new blood in WC finals, I say...
ReplyDeleteI see your so glad at Brazil's elimination that you had to post twice!
ReplyDeleteRegarding the Argentines my man-crush on Lio Messi is quashed by my intense hatred of Maradona. Hence, I hope that Germany annihalates them worse than Portugal against North Korea!
Otherwise, arriba charruas y guaranis!
Yeah, don't know what happened/how I ended up with two comments, but yep, I'm glad! Ghana and Uruguay in second overtime, think we're going to penalty kicks. Hell of a good game!
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