World Cup Match Day 14

Chew on this: Luis Suarez has just bitten his third victim in his professional soccer career. Unfortunately, that was the headline yesterday, and just below it was the surprising result that Uruguay beat Italy to advance into the knockout round with Costa Rica from Group D. Near the end of the game, Suarez seemingly bit into Georgio Chielini's shoulder inside the box. The referee did not see the act, and no red card was issued to Suarez. However, FIFA has already stated that they will promptly launch an investigation into this issue.

To think that Costa Rica and Uruguay would eliminate England and Italy from this group would have been laughable months before this World Cup even kicked off. Two of the strongest, most storied European nations are going home with Spain. England couldn't even muster a goal yesterday as the drew with Costa Rica, 0-0. Shocking.

To continue updating your bracket, you will be writing Columbia vs. Uruguay and Costa Rica vs. Greece in the Round of 16. Greece pulled off a win against the Ivory Coast behind a late penalty that was buried by Samaras. Columbia remained unbeaten by winning all of their group stage matches and are raising eyebrows as one of the South American teams to watch in the knockout stages.

Today, Lionel Messi and Argentina look to remain unbeaten and clinch the top seed out of their Group F while Karim Benzema and the French side look to do the same in Group E. Iran are fighting for their life when they take on Bosnia-Herzegovina needing a strong result and Nigera to lose if they are to go through. Ecuador and Switzerland, although not playing each other today, are also in a dogfight to get through to the next round.

Today's Games:
Nigeria vs. Argentina, 9:00 PST Porto Alegre
Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Iran, 9:00 PST Salvador
Honduras vs. Switzerland, 13:00 PST Manaus
Ecuador vs. France, 13:00 PST Rio de Janeiro

My Picks:
Argentina
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Switzerland
France

My Record:
23 out of 40, 58%

World Cup 2014: Match Day 13

The final group stage matches kicked off yesterday, seeing Netherlands top Chile for first position out of Group B and Brazil taking first position over Mexico from Group A. This sets the first two games of the Round of 16 in this World Cup: Brazil vs. Chile and Netherlands vs. Mexico. Croatia, Cameroon, Austraila and former champions Spain have all ended their play in Brazil, failing to escape the Group Stage, but still having shown valiant efforts in their play.

Today, we push onward and find out the next round match ups between Group C and Group D. The marquee matchup of the day pits European powerhouse Italy against South American warriors Uruguay. A classic match up that will feature stars like Luis Suarez, Adrea Pirlo, Mario Balotelli, and Ednilson Cavani, don't miss this one as it also will determine which one of these teams makes it to the next round, and which one goes home. Just a tie or a win will push Italy through, while Uruguay needs a win to qualify. Costa Rica finishes their group stage having already qualified for the next round with a game against the eliminated England side. Costa Rica, the biggest surprise of the tournament so far, have the opportunity to lock up first position in Group D.

Group C is a much more open group as Columbia, Greece, Japan, and Ivory Coast could each either qualify for or be eliminated from advancing to the next round. Columbia has looked the strongest, boasting a complete team that can pass together, play defense well, and provide a deadly attack.

Today's Games:
Italy vs. Uruguay, 9:00 PST Natal
Costa Rica vs. England, 9:00 PST Belo Horizonte
Japan vs. Columbia, 13:00 PST Cuiabá
Greece vs. Ivory Coast, 13:00 PST Fortaleza

My Picks:
Italy
England
Columbia
Ivory Coast

My Record:
22 out of 36, 61%

World Cup 2014: Match Day 9

The shockwaves keep on coming! Yesterday Luis Suarez did what he does best, be a thorn in his rivals' side. Uruguay beat England 2-1 despite Wayne Rooney's first ever goal in a World Cup match. With two losses to start this tournament, things are looking very grim for the Queen's lads. The Ivory Coast couldn't put back to back wins together and fell to the sharp looking Columbians. Japan and Greece played to a scoreless draw, making Group C a very tight race still.

Today's match day pits the surprising Costa Ricans against Italy in the opening match. Pirlo and Balotelli will be wise not to underestimate Los Ticos, but the Azzurri are heavily favored to win this game. Costa Rica and the rest of the CONCACAF North American nations already have 3 wins, 1 tie, and only 1 loss to begin this World Cup, a strong showing for what many still see as a weaker footballing region. 

The second game of the day will be France against Switzerland in a match up of two UEFA teams. The French have brought one of the youngest squads to this tournament but they showed great unity in their opening win against Honduras. Benzema and Giroud are the focal points of their attack, with veteran Patrice Evra's experience anchoring their defense. It will be interesting to see how the Swiss deal with the many faces of France's attack. 

The final game of match day 9 sees the resilient Ecuadorians take on Honduras. The later had a very poor showing in their opening game, picking up a red card and failing to string together any real possession or show any promising attack. Ecuador is playing for the memory of their fallen brother, Chucho, a player that went to play in the Middle East but suffered a fatal heart attack at the age of 27, only 6 months before this tournament kicked off. Look for El Tri Color to bring the heat with both of the Valencias streaking down the flanks toward goal. 

Today's Games:

Italy vs. Costa Rica, 9:00 PST Recife

France vs. Switzerland, 12:00 PST Salvador

Honduras vs. Ecuador, 15:00 PST Curitiba

My Picks:

Italy

France

Ecuador

My Record:

14 out of 23, 61%

World Cup 2014: Match Day 8

The mighty have fallen! There will be a new champion crowned at this World Cup! Chile put on a fantastic show to defeat Spain 2-0 at the Estadio Maracaná. There was a raucous crowd on hand cheering for the Chileans and celebrating the end of an era.

In the previous game, the Netherlands booked their passage into the Round of 16 after an exciting back and forth battle with Australia. Tim Cahill smashed a one timer for what could be the goal of the tournament in his last World Cup game before international retirement. However, it wasn't enough as RVP and Arjen Robben both scored again to put the Dutch through to the next round.

Today, we see a huge match up between England and Uruguay taking place in São Paulo. Luis Suarez will indeed be fit to start against the country where he plays his club football. British eyes will all be on Wayne Rooney to see if he can finally get his first World Cup goal and lead the Three Lions to a desperately needed win.

The Ivory Coast squire off against Columbia in Group C action, coming off a comeback victory in their first match. No word yet on if Dider Drogba will start, but Les Elephants will surely need him. The other half of Group C will play their second match when Japan and Greece square off.

Today's Games:
Columbia vs. Ivory Coast, 9:00 PST
England vs. Uruguay, 12:00 PST
Japan vs. Greece, 15:00 PST

My Picks:
Columbia
England
Japan

My Record:
13 out of 20, 65%

World Cup 2014: Match Day 4

The upset of the tournament so far took place yesterday, and my picks took another hit as Costa Rica knocked off Uruguay 3-1 in Group D. Uruguay were forced to bring in Luis Suarez but that still wasn't enough to come back as they dropped three points and picked up the first red card of the tournament. 

Italy proved the experience trumps youth in their duel against England at Manaus with Mario Balotelli opening his account for the game winning goal. Ivory Coast turned up the heat in the second half to come back and beat Japan 2-1 after Didier Drogba came off the bench.

Today marks the debut of the renovated Maracana stadium as Argentina and Bosnia-Herzegovina open play in Rio de Janeiro. The great Lionel Messi will look to begin his quest for a first World Cup title under loads of pressure from his home country and the football fans across the world. Don't sleep on this Bosnia-Herzegovina team though, as they are a group of quality footballers led by the dangerous Eden Dzeko, and could prove to be a surprise contender to make it into the next round. 

The South Americans look to continue their good form in their home continent today as Ecuador takes on Switzerland in the Brazilian capital city, Brasilia. We may even see another big upset today by a CONCACAF team if Honduras can outpace France in their match at Porto Alegre, the most southern stadium in the tournament. 

Today's Games:

Switzerland vs. Ecuador, 9:00 PST Brasilia 

France vs. Honduras, 12:00 PST Porto Alegre

Argentina vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina, 15:00 PST Rio de Janeiro 

My Picks:

Ecuador

France

Argentina

My Record:

5 out of 8, 63%

World Cup 2014: Match Day 3

What a day of football it was yesterday! The champions were absolutely slammed by the Dutch, 5-1 behind braces from Van Persie and Robben. Spain's tici-taca style could not produce goals and left them vulnerable to the quick counterattack, while Iker Casillas had his most forgettable performance yet.

Chile and Mexico won their games, despite some more controversial referee decisions. Mexico had two valid goals taken back by incorrectly called offside decisions. Giovanni Dos Santos put forth a beautiful, hard working performance for El Tri to help win three points while it was Alexis Sanchez that played some inspired football to lead Chile past Australia.

Today, there are four matches taking place throughout beautiful Brazil. First, Columbia take on Greece, followed by Uruguay against Costa Rica. In the afternoon, the marquee match takes place pitting England against Italy. Japan and Ivory Coast wrap up Match Day three in Recife.

Both South American teams are favored today, with Uruguay leaving Luis Suarez on the bench to save him for games against England and Italy. Japan and Ivory Coast will be an interesting watch as both teams are known for fast paced, gritty football. All eyes will look to see if Balotelli and Pirlo can lead the Azzurri past England, as the two European powerhouses battle for position in Group D. This will be Pirlo's last hurrah as he has announced his retirement from international soccer following this World Cup campaign. Look for England to impress with fast football and their spirited youth, despite the extreme humidity in Manaus.

Today's Games:
Columbia vs. Greece, 9:00 am Belo Horizonte
Uruguay vs. Costa Rica, 12:00 pm Fortaleza
England vs. Italy, 2:30 pm Manaus
Japan vs. Ivory Coast, 5:00 pm Recife

My Picks:
Columbia
Uruguay
Italy
Japan


My Record of Picks So Far: 
3 out of 4 - 75%