THE REIGNING CHAMPIONS, Spain, became the first team (yeah, and Australia are squeezing through the door with them) to crash out of the 2014 World Cup as their 5 – 1 hammering at the hands of Holland was followed up by a comprehensive 2 – 0 loss to Chile.
Manu Fernandez
Manu Fernandez
The sensational South Americans imposed themselves on their trophy-laden opposition and the high-tempo start brought them a 20th minute goal from Eduardo Vargas.
Australia joined Spain on the way to the exit as they too have no points after two games while Chile and Holland boast 100% records.
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Holland survived a scare from the Australians in the first game of the day. The Oranje rarely coming out of first gear in a game that was marked with flurries of goals rather than consistent passages of quality.
Depay celebrates as Australian players collapse in disappointment. Jon Super
Jon Super
Chile’s win over Spain means that the two qualified sides in Group B can’t simply play out a dull stalemate in the group decider as the prize of avoiding Brazil in the last 16 still looms large.
A draw would be enough for the Netherlands, of course, but they will likely encounter Chile with all guns blazing in the first half.
Spain still has talent to burn, but the recognised squad is badly in need of a cull with Koke waiting in the wings and players such as Isco and Alvaro Negredo left at home.
Joga Bonito
Before he went rogue, Benoit Assou-Ekotto pulled this piece of awesomeness from his locker.
https://vine.co/v/MTWwggVnUTO
And we just have to make room for this cracking Tim Cahill volley.
Breakfast at Bebeto's: All you need to know from the seventh night of World Cup action
On Day 7…
THE REIGNING CHAMPIONS, Spain, became the first team (yeah, and Australia are squeezing through the door with them) to crash out of the 2014 World Cup as their 5 – 1 hammering at the hands of Holland was followed up by a comprehensive 2 – 0 loss to Chile.
The sensational South Americans imposed themselves on their trophy-laden opposition and the high-tempo start brought them a 20th minute goal from Eduardo Vargas.
And the writing was all over the walls of Group B when another perfect first touch, this time from Charles Aránguiz, before he curled his shot past the increasingly error-prone Iker Casillas.
Australia joined Spain on the way to the exit as they too have no points after two games while Chile and Holland boast 100% records.
Holland survived a scare from the Australians in the first game of the day. The Oranje rarely coming out of first gear in a game that was marked with flurries of goals rather than consistent passages of quality.
In the end, after the Socceroos cancelled out Arjen Robben’s opener with a brilliant Tim Cahill volley and a dodgy penalty; Holland took all three points thanks to strikes from Robin Van Persie and Memphis Depay.
In the late game last night, Cameroon (as expected) were pretty awful, but not as awful as Alex Song’s decision to whack Mario Mandzukic in the back… or Benoit Assou-Ekotto head-butting his team-mate.
Ivan Perisic doubled the Croatian lead once Cameroon were down to 10 and Mandzukic added two more for good measure.
Winner
Despite never really getting going and flirting with disaster against Australia, Holland pulled through to remain in control of Group B.
Chile’s win over Spain means that the two qualified sides in Group B can’t simply play out a dull stalemate in the group decider as the prize of avoiding Brazil in the last 16 still looms large.
A draw would be enough for the Netherlands, of course, but they will likely encounter Chile with all guns blazing in the first half.
Loser
As his brilliant Rojas vintage passed its sell-by date, Vincente Del Bosque could not muster the will to make the hard decisions to drop under-performing World Cup-winner.
Spain still has talent to burn, but the recognised squad is badly in need of a cull with Koke waiting in the wings and players such as Isco and Alvaro Negredo left at home.
Joga Bonito
Before he went rogue, Benoit Assou-Ekotto pulled this piece of awesomeness from his locker.
https://vine.co/v/MTWwggVnUTO
And we just have to make room for this cracking Tim Cahill volley.
What we’ve got to look forward to today
When men became Giants: an oral history of Ireland 1-0 Italy, USA World Cup 1994
Landon who? Zlatan brutally smacks down Team USA’s World Cup chances
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