What a second day of action from the World Cup. Here’s what we learned from an exciting day of action:
Mexico’s good luck runs out, but still prevail
Mexico had the luckiest final two games in CONCACAF possibly ever. Needing wins in each game, plus help from the United States, everything went El Tri’s way and they were able to qualify for Brazil via the playoff. That luck ran out in their Group A opener Friday against Cameroon. They were stripped of two goals due to very questionable offside calls.
But Mexico overcame the adversity thanks to a goal from Oribe Peralta in the 61′ off a great feed from Giovani Dos Santos. For much of the game, El Tri controlled the game from Cameroon, and although the Indomitable Lions had their chances, Mexico overcame adversity and took a very important three points as they look to their next match against Croatia.
Cameroon not to be overlooked
Cameroon is arguably the weakest link in Group A with the likes of Brazil, Mexico, and Croatia hanging in their shadow. But Samuel Eto’o’s squad had their chances against a Mexico team expected to win. They still are in a hole and probably won’t make it out of the group, especially with their second match against heavily favored Brazil. But Cameroon will give teams fits and will not be a cakewalk.
Iker Casillas is done for Spain; Spain no longer intimidating
Who would have seen that result yesterday? Spain, reigning World Cup champions, who defeated Netherlands 1-0 in the final, embarrassed themselves in a 5-1 thumping by the Dutch. The most embarrassing moment? When Spanish stalwart Iker Casillas, goalkeeper of the 2010 World Cup team as well as their Euro 2012 championship team, misplayed a ball that Arjen Robben capitalized on and easily scored. Vicente del Bosque, Spain’s manager, has no choice but to sit his champion goalkeeper. Casillas does not even start on his club team Real Madrid. It’s time to say thank you for your service, but it’s time to move on.
Aside from Casillas, Spain just looked abysmal. They were not the World Cup champions everyone is afraid to play. After being thrashed like this, La Furia Roja have lost the immortal status in international soccer. They still are Spain and will be a challenge for anyone they play, but they are no longer invincible. Will Spain be able to recover and regroup from an embarrassing loss?
Netherlands class of Group B
The Netherlands were given the tough task to avenge their World Cup finals loss four years ago in the very first match of group play. To say they were still ticked off about that loss was an understatement. Oranje put up five goals (!!!) on Spain and embarrassed their nemesis Friday. Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben each scored twice. Van Persie stole the show, earning the nickname “The Flying Dutchman” thanks to his flying header.
After being down 1-0, Holland roared back proving that they are in fact the class of Group B. And with a match looming against lowly Australia, the Netherlands may very well solidify their spot in the knockout stage before their final match.
Chile is fun to watch; Australia not so much
Chile has the door wide open to get out of Group B thanks to Spain’s embarrassing loss. Chile took the three points it was expected to against Australia Friday night thanks to a 3-1 win. They scored two goals in two minutes thanks to their furious attack. Players shifted all over the field, causing Australia fits. They’ll have to do a better job on set pieces and balls in the air, and they must keep their furious attack throughout the entire match. But Chile is fun to watch, and should provide for some entertaining soccer as they go in to their two matches against Spain and the Netherlands.
Meanwhile, Australia are not exactly the furious attacking team that Chile is. In fact, they let Chile attack and wait for counter attacks. Those chances were rare. And when they did have those chances, they failed to take advantage. The Socceroos kept it close at 2-1 in the second half, but were unable to score in the final third on their rare opportunities.
The Nestel Cup 