[ravradha]

Teams placed 1,3,5 and 6 in our polls have been knocked out already!

[NPV]

Spain deserved to lose today, they've played some pretty boring games after the opening one against Portugal.
Let's see if Russian luck goes beyond the quarter final stage

Germany out in first round; Portugal, Argentina, Spain out in Round of 16, who's next Croatia or Denmark ?

[thoma]

Now the only issue/fortune (however one wants to see) is that England can reach the finals after a very long time. There is not much resistance in the bottom half except for the resolute Russians.




And personally sad that only one of Mexico or Belgium can go through from the upper half.

[Fillmore]

Originally Posted by NPV

Let's see if Russian luck goes beyond the quarter final stage

Agree.
Also Spain were just passing the ball forever with very few strike attempts.
And the Goal they scored too was like a *** goal, almost seemed like the Russian positioned his foot in place.

[vamsi.kona]

Whoa what a start to Croatia vs Denmark game. 2 goals within 5 mnts of the match with 1 for each. Hope this tempo is kept throughout the match and the tournament as well.

[roby_dk]

Wow moments Croatia somehow won the penalty shoot out which was not an easy task after missing in extra time. Both matches played today were the best so far.

[joe1980]

The Croatia vs Denmark was quite boring and dull for most of the match except the penalty kicks. So now it is Russia vs Croatia in the quarter finals. Both not my favorite teams!

[Axe77]

I would really be happy if Mexico beats Brazil. Then we'll have and end to the last big dancing fairy (Neymar).

I would also like to see teams like Mexico, Belgium, Uruguay and Croatia progress as far ahead as possible.

[b_naresh]

I voted for France. I think France, Belgium, Croatia or England have a good chance this time. France vs. Belgium and Croatia vs. England in the semis looks likely.

[strawhat]

End to end stuff in the Brazil-Mexico match. Mexicans are creating better chances. Vela especially on the left wing has been electric. Great pace and trickery causing all sorts of problems to Fagner. But the Brazil back 4 is hanging on. This Brazilian defence is much much better than their '14 predecessors.

[naveenroy]

Boring boring boring tiki tuka kakka Spain is out of the World Cup. Cannot be happier. What a boring team - just constantly passing the ball around and doing nothing. I sometimes think they are a snoozefest. Was nice to see Ramos crying. Hope he thought of Salah when the tears were flowing down his face.

Great goalkeeping by Akinfeev. That last save was spectacular. Even better keeping by Subasic. To save 3? Wow!

Do you guys have some pet peeves about commentators? Mine was when Cavani scored the first goal and they were joking about how he scored off his face. And they kept repeating it. Pathetic goal by Ramos and they were praising him. Saying that all that matters is the scoreboard. Yuck!

[NPV]

Even Stevens at half time, Brazil seem to lack that finishing touch/attack. Hope it doesn't end as an upset with Mexico going through.

Edit: Brazil playing with more focus and a sense of urgency and ahead by a goal now

[naveenroy]

Bah. Another boring team goes through. Brasil win against Mexico. Neymar should be given an Oscar though.

Ochoa - world's best keeper? Think so.

[Chetan_Rao]

Originally Posted by naveenroy

...Mine was when Cavani scored the first goal and they were joking about how he scored off his face. And they kept repeating it.....

The beauty of that goal was the link up play more than the finish. Make no mistake, finishing off that cross was no child's play, but to play two accurate cross-field passes of that quality while moving the ball quickly forward demands skill and an understanding that isn't easily achieved. Suarez-Cavani are probably the best strike pair at this World Cup, a shame Cavani may miss out due to injury.

Some of the commentary and punditry is nauseating. Alan Shearer on BBC Sport coverage spouts absolute nonsense most of the time, and the Brit pundits' contingent had the cheek to call Japan's keep-ball gamble against Poland to get out of the group stage a farce, while lauding England for fielding their B-Team against Belgium.

I'd love an audio stream with just stadium noises, no commentators.

[subraiyr]

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

Some of the commentary and punditry is nauseating. Alan Shearer on BBC Sport coverage spouts absolute nonsense most of the time, and the Brit pundits' contingent had the cheek to call Japan's keep-ball gamble against Poland to get out of the group stage a farce, while lauding England for fielding their B-Team against Belgium.

I'd love an audio stream with just stadium noises, no commentators.

I am watching this on a south american network and my God, the commentary is amazing. Even in a game where the spaniards moved the ball amongst themselves (spoilsports), the commentator made it as though they were going to get a goal every second. Now that is called expanding a hot air balloon with just your mouth

Should we call Messi and Ronaldo and Neymar the "Fallen Heros". Seems they play with more than 2 left feet. To me it looks like France is a good contender for the finals and so is Belgium. I think it will end up an all European game.