Your Bloguero is one of the billion (yes, really, that many) people in the World who are utterly transfixed by the World Cup. It doesn’t matter to him what you call it: football, soccer, calico, futbol, etc. The semantics don't matter. In fact, nothing else really matters. Everything is now on hold in most of the world. And now that the Group Play has progressed almost halfway, it’s time to pick up where your Bloguero left off last time, with a quick update on what he’s seen so far.
Your Bloguero isn’t organized, so the following items are not necessarily in order of importance. He may have left some important ones out. No problem. In futbol, everybody has a firm opinion about everything. So he relies on you, dear readers, to correct/edit/update/comment on his very opinionated, extremely strong (and sometimes baseless) opinions.
Jump the sweeper!
1. The US team showed some grit in its infantry battle with Ghana. It withstood a huge assault. Ghana missed out on dozens of opportunities to score; the US kept serving up the ball to the Black Stars because, your Bloguero notes, the US cannot pass to save its own life. Passing, your Bloguero scolds,does not mean turning the ball over, serving it up for the defense, it means control of possession. You know, tiki taka and all of that. Maybe the US will make it to the next round (your Bloguero realizes he’s revised his opinion on the complete improbability of this event) if it can tie Portugal, which has CR7, and was also totally hapless in it’s thrashing by Germany. May CR7 continue to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous misfortune.
2. Germany, Netherlands, Brazil and Argentina are all gigantic powerhouses. Your Bloguero doesn’t give a hoot whether Leo Messi did or did not say, “Hi ya kid” to that mascota. He’s seen enough from these four teams to think they might be the final four. Others may disagree. Time will tell. If you disagree, which other team do you think will survive the eliminations? More important, just whom do you think is going to beat this power four?
3. Mexico was incredibly strong in today’s 0-0 draw with Brazil. What an exciting game. Note to self: excitement in this sport does NOT depend on high scores. This was a nail biter. Portero Ochoa was man of the match and was simply, utterly fantastic. The rest of Mexico played very, very well. Whatever anybody thought about how they were disorganized, weak, selfish, stupid, out of shape, etc. was obviously incorrect. Rafa Marquez deserves a tip of your Bloguero's sombrero. Expect them to advance. Expect also for them to beat or tie Croatia a/k/a Croacia.
4. There have been disappointments for your Bloguero. He thought Spain and Uruguay would be extremely strong. Maybe they will advance, but their first outings made them look feckless. Pathetic. Especially Spain. Spain’s drubbing by Holland stands out as a world class world cup disappointment. Uruguay’s loss showed that one cannot mug one’s way to victory. A team with Cavani and Forlan and Suarez should be much much better.
5. Costa Rica played an incredible game in beating Uruguay. They should advance if they can hold it together. That will be wonderful. It’s great when a Central American team from a small country (with no army) can beat up on the big guys. This team has a lot going for it, and your Bloguero hopes they go far. May Pura Vida beat England and tie Italy both. This is your Bloguero's World Cup Cinderella.
6. France won, but your Bloguero was offended by the way they played against weaker Honduras. May they be beaten to a pulp in upcoming matches. Yes, your Bloguero knows that they have stars, big stars like Benzema, but your Bloguero does not like how they manhandled Honduras. May they suffer from their karma. May Switzerland and Ecuador send them home.