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The fall of an empire that’s what we have seen, German tears they are no more king. It’s the World Cup’s 15th birthday today hooray!
Help us celebrate by enjoying our recap of a memorable day 14, keep it locked here at 3Mob for all your world cup news, views and updates.
Group F:F is for Failure ….or Germany
Sometimes in life you must decide whether to turn the page or close the book and we can definitively say that it’s time for Germany to throw that book away all together! German started the match as heavy favorites against South Korea and quickly took control assuming total domination of the ball of the with likes of Toni Kroos and Mesut Ozil running the show. What was particularly evident from the get go however was the lack of tempo, the passing was slow and sluggish and the hunger non existent. In a sign of what was to come, in the 19th minute S.Korea won a free kick which Manuel Neuer fumbled before quickly recovering and preventing Son from scoring. The best chance of the half fell to Germany in the 39th minute when following a corner Hummels was left with space from close range but was denied by the heroic Cho from close range. In the second half Germany proved to be extremely profligate as they created more chances but wasted them all. Mats Hummels was the chief culprit and none more so than in the 87th minute when Ozil delivered a delightful ball to find an the defender in the 18 area who somehow contrived to miss the chance when it seemed easier to score. The defending champions were finally punished for their wastefulness when a South Korean corner in the 92nd minute led to a Kim goal after an offside review by Var. The farcical best was saved for last when in the 96th minute whilst desperately trying to salvage the result Neur channeled his inner Lionel Messi and decided to save the team leaving the goal exposed, S. Korea won the ball in their own half and hoofed it to Son who put the final nail in the already nicely carved German coffin.
In the other game Sweden went about wiping the floor with Mexico. The Mexicans seemed to have their minds on the next round abit too early and almost missed out because of it. Goals from left back Augustinsson, captain fantastic Granqvist and an Alvarez own goal mean that a Swedish side which started the day desperately hoping to just stay in the tournament now top the group. They earn a meeting with the tricky Swiss for their troubles while a lucky Mexico take on the much favored Brazil.
Germany 0-2 S. Korea
Heung-Min Son 96’
Young-Gwon Kim 92’
Sweden 3-0 Mexico
Alvarez 74’(o.g)
Granqvist 62’
Augustinsson 50’
Group E: Samba Sauce
Brazil rounded of their group stage campaign with a dogged 2-0 win over a stubborn Serbia to ensure that the Samba boys top their group for the second successive world cup. Paulinho opened the scoring in the 36th minute when he latched on to a perfectly weighted Philippe Coutinho through ball , who himself seems to be growing into Brazil’s main man, that’s now two goals and an assist for Brazil’s impressive number 11. A bar in Brazil promised free shots for everytime Neymar hit the deck and you could see why as the Brazil’s number 10 spent more time on the groind than dazzling. An average performance, but he did manage to provide the corner kick that sealed the tie, Thiago Silva being the grateful recipient as he headed home to put the icing of Brazil’s progression on their yellow and blue cake. Neymar must improve if he wants to be remembered like Pele, anyway Mexico up next and a chance to do just that.
In the other rather eventful game Costa Rica ensured they left the world stage with a bang, they might have not defeated the Swiss but still they gave us a performance to be fondly remembered. The Costa Ricans started like they meant business and right from the off Yan Sommer the Swiss number one was busy, excellently tipping a Borges header onto the post. Minutes later the Costa Rican number 9 Colindres curled a devilish shot onto the post which this time had Sommer well and truly beaten . It’s a shame the early dominance was not turned into a goal though as in the 31st minute a defense lapse allowed Dzemaili to put the Swiss in front. The Costa Ricans where in no giving mood however as in the 56th minute Kendall Waston headed home the equaliser and celebrated in the most emotional way possible showing how much it meant. The Swiss are a quality team and retook the lead when Embolo set up Drmic with a cross from the right flank which he diverted into the bottom corner to make it 2-1, it would have been an injustice if the Costa Ricans had lost this one and they were duly rewarded for their efforts in the 93rd minute when Joel Campbell won a penalty which Brian Ruiz stepped up to convert. It hit the bar and came of the back of Sommer hence it goes down as an own goal putting an end to what was a truly thrilling encounter. The Swiss battle Sweden up next in an all European duel to the death.
Brazil 2-0 Serbia
Paulinho 36’
Thiago Silva 68’
Switzerland 2-2 Costa Rica
Drmic 88’ Sommer (o.g) 93’
Dzemaili 31’ Watson 56’
Let us know what you have made of the world cup so far, your favorite moments, players and predictions on Facebook (fb.com/ThreeMenOnaBoat) and Twitter(@ThreeMenOnaBoat). Join us again tomorrow as we recap Day 15!
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by Taka Mudariki
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