The 2014 World Cup thread

[Mick Mac]

I agree the PL should pay. But I don't think England's lack of success is anything to do with the quality of children pitches.

[El Pibe]

that was non-sequitur i agree, given its a drum hes often banged i guess he was just using the world cup as a useful focus.

Stike while the irons (or lack of three of them) etc

[Mick Mac]

The confederation said in its statement that ?the prognosis is excellent? for Neymar, but only if the injury is given the proper amount of time to heal. ?Rushed measures put at risk his future life as an athlete?, the statement added.

The Brazil team doctor, Jos? Luiz Runco, said Neymar is expected to be sidelined for about 45 days. He has returned home from the team?s training camp to recover. ?Let?s not create an illusion to the Brazilian people,? Runco told Globo TV. ?There isn?t the smallest possibility for Neymar to play on 13 July if Brazil reaches the final.?

[maxxi]

I went for a 3-1 win for Germany... and I thought i was being harsh on Brazil.

Germany are fulfilling the expectation of a few years back - great to watch.

[MrBen]

Points for anyone watching who genuinely used one of these descriptors tonight:

- Organised

- Efficient

- Machine

- Ruthless

- Anything invoking Godwin

Brazil showed they were a house of cards. At 5-0 with 60 mins to go I was cringing for them though.

[Mick Mac]

Tonight was little about Germany's strength but more about Brazils weakness. Germany on top form no doubt but they start from scratch in the final and must forget tonight.

Brazil, I don't believe they would have gotten through against Columbia without ref weakness. The same weakness in dealing with Brazil thuggery in first half led to Columbian thuggery in second half and Naymar gone.

No real sympathy for Brazil as not a top team.

[Jah Lush]

By far the worst Brazilian team I've ever seen. That's not to take anything away from Germany who were magnificent. I had Germany down for a two-nil win but never expected that. It was game over after 20 minutes.

[Otta]

I agree with MM, Brazil were more bad than Germany good (good as they were), and this means Germany have basically had a pass, and not a work out. Hope they realise that ahead of the final...

Not that I actually want them to win the final!

[Jeremy]

Seems that Brazil responded by rushing forward every time one of their guys got the ball, resulting in a huge empty space at the back. Can't imagine Netherlands or Argentina (or anyone, really) doing the same.

[El Pibe]

it was surreal, Brazil had been unimpressive, but they were just awful, after the first goal they just seemed to run around randomly, i've never seen anything like it outside of a school match.

[Otta]

Exactly,! Worse than Sunday League in the park.

England probably could have managed a draw with that Brazil side!

[Jeremy]

I can only assume that blind panic set in after the second goal.

[Mick Mac]

Sometimes the value of a captain shines through and Brazil missed their captain massively last night.

Brazil came into the tournament talking of a strong defence, ironically, and missing a key figure at centre back can leave a big hole for any team.

But looking at why he wasn't there, he cynically ran across the Columbian keeper who was trying to clear the ball long with Brazil on the back foot at 2-1 up, and deserved his booking I thought.

[GaryD]

Brazil was a mess! Hope tonight's victor's win the world cup.

GD

[StraferJack]

Brazil were abject - but I think people doing Germany a bit of a disservice

The finishing was clinical (on another day a lot of those would have gone wide or post) but the assists were great as well

I know it?s easy to say those things are easy when the oppo goes awol but sometimes it?s a combination of the two

[El Pibe]

indeed, germany were awesome, and more to the point were joyful, something that's been lacking in this tournament.

Why anyone wouldn't wish germany to win the whole thing is betond me, unless one fo the teams really pulls it out of the bag tonight.

Holland have occasionally amazed, but have been too cynical. Argentina have been too cautious and relied on a couple of players, but it would be nice to see Messi get in the hall of greats on this stage I guess.

[Mick Mac]

I'm coming round to the idea of supporting Germany. Don't have any reason to support anyone else, but they appear at least to be non cynical and attack minded, cant bear the thought of Robben with the trophy, so hope for a Germany v Argie final.

[Otta]

"Argentina have been too cautious and relied on a couple of players, but it would be nice to see Messi get in the hall of greats on this stage I guess."

This is where I stand. Want him to step out of Maradonna's shadow as he's easily as good, and a nicer character (notice I use the word character rather than man, as I don't know either of them, but Messi seems decent).

Robben's diving and the keeper in the last shootout have just totally turned me against Netherlands, even though my waters are telling me they'll go to the final.

[MrBen]

The Dutch and the Germans really don't love each other. In IMO that alone would make for a better final

[El Pibe]

Dutch guilt for all that collaboration ;)

[steveo]

My sister in law is Dutch. C'mon Germany

[????]

a bit of me was sad last night because in 1970 everyone at my primary school wanted to be Jarzhino or Pele rather than Hurst or Moore, pretty amazing in insular England in 1970....but it felt like that the already fading 'brilliant, entetaining Brazil' brand was finally killed off last night....even Hansen looked on the verge of tears

Germany fantastic but I've a 'orrible whisper "Holland, Holland" in the back of my head.

[Jeremy]

Yeah Germany were on top form last night, but remember they've had a few close calls in the tournament. Either Argentina or Netherlands seem capable of giving them a run for their money on the day.

[titch juicy]

Germany unbeaten in 16 or 17, young team (Lahm is eldest at 30) all looking fresh (except Ozil who continues to amaze with his abject displays....what's happened to him? He even managed to look average in that display last night), a couple of keys players rested for the second half last night, a game-plan perfectly executed when it mattered and an unbelievably strong bench.

Their time has come again (he hopes upon hope as is at a wedding this weekend in Germany and will be watching it with a 100 Germans).

[maxxi]

Otta Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

>

> England probably could have managed a draw with

> that Brazil side!

Now you're just being ridiculous!

Germany were great to watch and their finishing was calm and selfless - so many crosses across the box for tap-ins from positions where an England player would have panicked and lashed to ball at the goalie.

I think Argie-Dutchy will be all argy-bargy as both teams resort to type and kick lumps out of each other. Hope I'm wrong and it's a great game but still fancy Germany for the cup - they are a class act and, as Juninho said, we can all learn from them.