Rio de Janiero - 2014 Fifa World Cup Thread

[FootballLight]

First topic message reminder :

This **should** be the main article for the Fifa World Cup 2014 competition that happens in 10 days time. Lets try and keep the debate simple yet reasonable about all of the build-up, the stadiums, the countries, the players, the qualifying, the winners and most importantly, the "bought" 2022 World Cup.

Enjoy! (And... lets try and make this World Cup as good as possible considering all of the poor build-up, tragic deaths and he outrageous violence that has been happening over recent months)

[FootballLight]

Just got the Uruguay game on now, got back in time.

[Fernando]

Big fan of the Costa Rica goalkeeper one of the best in Spain

[FootballLight]

Costa Rica will be no pushovers today. This is the game when you want someone like Suarez with his ball skills ability to drag 3/4 players towards him to close him down and take them out of the game. As long as they can keep it tight for 20 minutes - 30 minutes and then have a go at the Uruguay defence for 15 minutes in both halves, they may win this game. But it will be difficult for them today.

Oh certainly. Keylor Navas done really well for Levante this season. One of their better players for them. Only a couple of goalkeepers have been up to his level this season, Courtois one of them.

[FootballLight]

Good little break there for Costa Rica. Good play from Campbell initially, maybe a little bit more quality then and there could have been a first shot at goal for the all whites. I said it would be difficult, but they will battle, they will foul, they will be tight and they will compete, from first to last certainly.

[FootballLight]

Decent spell this for Costa Rica. Not much tempo to their play but they are making the Uruguay defence do something at the moment and Ruiz has just headed over under pressure. Half chance, never going in but I can see this being an entertaining game if this continues for the full 90 minutes. Especially if it does stay at 0-0 for the majority, but there certainly will be a winner.

[FootballLight]

Disallowed goal there! Offside given on Diego Godin, just offside, good decision. Typical South American fans going mad as the ball hit the net. Scoring some goals at the moment is Godin, although this didn't count, a goal in the Champions League final certainly did.

[FootballLight]

Uruguay having a good spell, starting to get chances. But that is a big and potentially costly chance missed by Cavani, the best of the game. Take a touch, slide in at the near post or slide it across goal for a tap in, instead, hashed it over the bar. A big chance. But some pressure on the Costa Rica back 5.

[skyeman]

Aye, does in the early part of the game that this won't be a walk in the park for Uruguay.

Costa Rica started brightly but now more and more Uruguay are pushing forward.

[FootballLight]

Uruguay having a good spell, starting to get chances. But that is a big and potentially costly chance missed by Cavani, the best of the game. Take a touch, slide in at the near post or slide it across goal for a tap in, instead, hashed it over the bar. A big chance. But some pressure on the Costa Rica back 5.

[FootballLight]

Don't know why that posted twice then?

[Fernando]

Penalty to Uruguay despite Lugano handballing it. Id hope it's for the rugby tackle otherwise that's poor refeering.

[Fernando]

1-0 Uruguay - Cavani Pen.

[GSC]

Lallana to the bench, Sterling central.

Welbeck and Rooney wide. Oh dear

[SirJohnnyEnglish]

Stupid tackle by the Costa Rican. Definately a penalty for me

[skyeman]

Ref got that right. 1-0 Uruguay.

[FootballLight]

So far, it does seem Costa Rica are well drilled about what they need to do in this game to collect a point. Don't think they will, they will tire but they are already starting to make Uruguay become impatient and making them try and force the issue. They are very disciplined.

PENALTY TO URUGUAY! Is it a penalty for handball? No. It hit Lugano's hand! But you can't hold his waste and wrestle him to the ground, clear penalty, stonewaller. Good penalty from Cavani, Uruguay lead. 1-0. This game needed a goal, hopefully we will see 4/5 from Uruguay now because Costa Rica need a goal.

[Guest]

Good penalty. Had to be considering the keeper was about 12ft of his line

[GSC]

Safety first from Roy unfortunately, Henderson plays

[Fernando]

"Hart: Johnson, Jagielka, Cahill, Baines; Gerrard, Henderson; Welbeck, Sterling, Rooney; Sturridge.

[FootballLight]

Great strike from Joel Campbell there!   Really unlucky that hasn't hit the target. If it did, goal of the season. Joel Campbell certainly looking like the biggest threat so far. Not a bad little player him.

[skyeman]

Costa Rica should have had a penalty there.

[Dave.]

Pie makers 1, Coffee makers 0.

[GSC]

Costa Rica should score there

[Ent]

Great goal.

Like I said Costa Rica are no mugs and will throw spanners in this group.

[GSC]

Joel Campbell equalises. As suspected Uruguay are nothing special behind their star strikers

[skyeman]

Fantastic cross in. Deserved 1-1.

[Duty281]

Neither of these teams particularly impressing.

Uruguay look one-dimensional in attack, and will heavily rely on a not fully-fit Suarez against England and Italy, whilst the defence isn't exactly a commanding presence against a slow Costa Rica attack.

Costa Rica are tidy, well-organised, but are struggling for dynamism in attack. Joel Campbell very good, though.

And underrated Costa Rica score!

[GSC]

You get the sense Suarez might be rushed in now. Uruguay need something to turn the tide

[skyeman]

I went 2-1 to Uruguay but the draw would suit England.

[Guest]

Good goal. Looks a very good player does Campbell

[GSC]

2-1 Costa Rica

[GSC]

Unbelievable scenes.

Suarez time?

[Duty281]

There you are, Owen, do you see why I said Uruguay are overrated?

[Ent]

What a goal, great finish.

That's my 1-1 prediction busted anyway.

[Ent]

What a header that was, bent right into the corner.

Absolute class.

Got to love the World Cup.

[Fernando]

Good goal. Looks a very good player does Campbell

Of Course he's a good player he's an Arsenal youth product    You should know considering the beauty that he smashed past De Gea in the CL  

[GSC]

Once Suarez got injured it was panic stations. The rest of the team is absolutely nothing special, Forlans been immensely unimpressive this season.

[Guest]

Guessing Suarez will be introduced now

If this stays like it is I might see if work will let me cash in my world cup sweep selection

Also if it stays like this tonights England game is even more important than it was

[GSC]

Uruguay getting destroyed aerially.

Wheres big Andy when we need him

[Guest]

Good goal. Looks a very good player does Campbell

Of Course he's a good player he's an Arsenal youth product    You should know considering the beauty that he smashed past De Gea in the CL  

Ha I haven't forgotten

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

A defence containing Diego Lugano is struggling?! Well I never

[Ent]

Very surprising how bad Uruguay are defending set pieces.

[GSC]

Arsenal couldnt get a work permit when they signed him iirc?

[Fernando]

Arsenal couldnt get a work permit when they signed him iirc?

Correct which is why he keeps being pimped out on Loan to Real Betis & Olympiakos. I think he should be eligible for one now so could be on the bench for us next year.

[GSC]

Costa Rica need to avoid going into their shell. More goals available if they keep playing, can't allow Uruguay to sit on the attack

[Fernando]

Abel Hernandez of Palermo on for Atletico's Cristian Rodriguez - So no Suarez tonight for Uruguay.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Suarez really can't be anywhere near fit then

[Fernando]

I suspect so but they might just be going pace abuse on Costa Rica's Ass.

[GSC]

Uruguay look short of ideas.

3-1 might be worth a bet

[Fernando]

Is that not a red card challenge?

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