Today is the most pointless game of the World Cup. I can't think of a better way to say it. I'm sure exactly what the Netherlands and, especially, Brazil want to do is go out and play a game that pretty much serves as a reminder they neither one made the final. Also, the short rest, especially for the Dutch having just played 120 minutes three days ago, will hurt the quality of the game. Dutch coach Louis van Gaal echoed those sentiments after the loss to Argentina by saying that the third place game was not about sports at all.
On the plus side, no pressure on the teams is probably going to lead to more open and fun play. Neither team may really care about the end result, so I'm sure they will take more risks. It still won't make me want to stay inside on a beautiful Saturday and watch it, however.
The Brazilian people might enjoy watching their team play on home soil for one last time in the World Cup, and I think that, and the reduced pressure, will lead the home team to victory. I think Brazil wins a wide open glorified friendly by a 3-1 score.
Enjoy the appetizer to tomorrow's fantastic conclusion to a fantastic World Cup.
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