Wednesday 25th June
Bosnia & Herzegovina 3-1 Iran (Prediction 1-1)
Nigeria 2-3 Argentina (Prediction 1-3)
Bosnia found some solace in a decent win against Iran, yeah too little too late, but at least they've gone home with something. Iran pay the price for not having a go against Nigeria in the first game and go home with just that point in the end. Their performance against Argentina did earn them some credit, in my eyes at least.
Messi and Musa provided most of the goals in the other match, two each. I must mention Enyeama, the Nigerian keeper, surely he could have made more of an effort to deal with Messi's free kick which snuck Argentina ahead just before half time. Both teams go through, but Nigeria did enough to suggest the Argentinian defence can be easily got at. Incidentally I'm with Kenny Cunningham on the Lavezzi/Sabella squirt, and only that.
Messi and Musa provided most of the goals in the other match, two each. I must mention Enyeama, the Nigerian keeper, surely he could have made more of an effort to deal with Messi's free kick which snuck Argentina ahead just before half time. Both teams go through, but Nigeria did enough to suggest the Argentinian defence can be easily got at. Incidentally I'm with Kenny Cunningham on the Lavezzi/Sabella squirt, and only that.
Honduras 0-3 Switzerland (Prediction 1-3)
Ecuador 0-0 France (Prediction 0-4)
An impressive hat trick for Bayern Munich's Shaqiri (particularly the first goal) meant the Swiss progressed in second place, they looked good for their win this time at least after sneaking a win against Ecuador and being completely outclassed by the French. Honduras go home pointless.
Ecuador/France looked grim, didn't see much of it, the highlights seemed to be a Sakho elbow, a Giroud elbow (both missed by the officials) and Antonio Valencia's tackle leading to his red card. Although from what I can gather Ecuador gave it a right go and will probably feel unlucky not to progress particularly after only losing the first game in injury time.
Ecuador 0-0 France (Prediction 0-4)
An impressive hat trick for Bayern Munich's Shaqiri (particularly the first goal) meant the Swiss progressed in second place, they looked good for their win this time at least after sneaking a win against Ecuador and being completely outclassed by the French. Honduras go home pointless.
Ecuador/France looked grim, didn't see much of it, the highlights seemed to be a Sakho elbow, a Giroud elbow (both missed by the officials) and Antonio Valencia's tackle leading to his red card. Although from what I can gather Ecuador gave it a right go and will probably feel unlucky not to progress particularly after only losing the first game in injury time.
So France will meet Nigeria in the last 16, which should see the French progressing and Argentina meet the Swiss. Can Drmic and Shaqiri get at the Argentine defence? Yes, but Messi, Aguero and Higuain can have a right go at theirs so should be a good watch.
Thankfully just one more day trying to watch two matches at once, requires way too much effort.
PREDICTIONS FOR THURSDAY 26th JUNE
USA 1-2 Germany
Portugal 1-2 Ghana (purely because I'm reading that teams who play in Manaus lose their next game)
South Korea 0-2 Belgium
Algeria 2-2 Russia