England always come into the World Cup with high expectations. Almost always, they flounder out of the tournament in hilarious and sometimes embarrassing fashion. This time, England's demise was a little more predictable. With opening games against the likes of Italy and Uruguay, nobody would have been surprised if England dropped their first two and were eliminated from the tournament before it really got started.
That is exactly what happened. After losing 2-1 to Italy out in the rainforest, the Three Lions traveled to Natal to face a pretty much do or die game against Uruguay. Unfortunately for England, Luis Suarez was declared fit and in the starting XI. And Luis Suarez did not disappoint anyone. He got things started in the first half with a lovely header in the box the passed Joe Hart towards the far post.
Then he scored a beautiful goal to put the game to bed. Goalkeeper Fernando Musalera launched a long ball that was headed backward by England right to Suarez. A couple dribbles and a blast was all it took to make Hart look silly again. Suarez may not have been at 100% fitness, but he sure played like it.
In between the Suarez goals, Wayne Rooney, after getting denied twice before, finally netted his first career World Cup goal. The one he finally scored on was a gift. Rooney had an open net after a perfect sliding pass from Glen Johnson. Rooney wasn't going to miss that one, but the story will be the ones he did miss. First, he got an open header off a free kick that he clanged off the corner of the woodwork. Second, he had a shot from point blank range that went right into Musalera. Rooney will be more remembered for his inability to score at the World Cup, not for the one he eventually got. He would have loved to have the performance of Suarez, but Rooney only wishes he could be the Uruguayan striker.
England aren't technically eliminated, but they need a miracle. A Costa Rica win or draw sends England to an early shower today.
Elsewhere, we saw Columbia and Ivory Coast explode with some late goals after a scoreless first half. Columbia got things started with James Rodriguez in the 64th minute with a header off a corner. Six minutes later, Ivory Coast turned the ball over slightly into their own half and Columbia got a three on two break that ended in Juan Quintero putting Los Cafeteros up 2-0. Gervinho would add a consolation prize for the Elephants in the 73rd, but it would hardly be enough. Columbia would win 2-0 and seal a place in the knockout rounds.
Finally, Japan played a 10 man Greece to a scoreless draw. After the sending off of Kostas Katsouranis for a second yellow after a violent sliding challenge, Greece clearly played for the draw. Japan couldn't penetrate Greece putting all nine defenders in the box and the game ended 0-0 with any memorable chances. The game was, to be honest, quite boring.
The most exciting games in the World Cup have been when both teams play with an attacking punch. We have been thankful to see most of the games featuring two offensive minded teams. Today will see the possibility of more of each style. First, Costa Rica try and survive a match against Italy. Costa Rica are riding high after beating Uruguay, but between their willingness to settle for a draw and Italy's tendency to play down to their competition, we could see some fairly lax play. I am thinking a draw eliminates England, 1-1 the final. The 3pm game gives us Switzerland and France, one of my five games you must watch. This one should be fantastic. France, mostly Karim Benzema, lit up the scoreboard against Honduras and the Swiss got an exciting late winner against Ecuador. The winner of this one should win the group, and I like France to take home a 2-1 win today. In the nightcap, Honduras continues its Brazilian vacation against Ecuador. I expect Ecuador to come out with a 2-0 victory.
Let's hope this trend of goal scoring continues, enjoy the games everyone.
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