World Cup 2010 Semifinals Wrap-Up

Uruguay 2-3 Netherlands

18' NED Van Bronckhorst (0-1)

21' URU M. Pereira (YC)

29' NED Sneijder (YC)

29' URU Caceres (YC)

41' URU Forlan (1-1)

70' NED Sneijder (1-2)

73' NED Robben (1-3)

78' NED Boularouhz (YC)

90+2' URU M. Pereira (YC)

90+4' NED Van Bommel (YC)

This was the best game both sides have played, with the Dutch showcasing their free-flowing Total Football, and El Celeste showing their resiliant, never-say-die attitude. The match was highlighted by 5 brilliant goals (most notably skipper Van Bronckhorst's), a couple of which highlighted some farcical goalkeeping.

URU Verdict: Probably the best game they've played (outside of dominating South Africa and, holding the line against France, and showing Mexico what was up, and that handball!), Uruguay played another very solid game, and will very well deserve the 3rd or 4th place they will be getting.

NED Verdict: The best match the Dutch have played, they were able to run circles around the steady Uruguayan defense (who was without Lugano and Fucile). Stekelenburg did not look great in goal, but hopefully his mids and forwards can keep him out of trouble by maintaining possession.

Man of the Match: Giovani Van Bronckhorst (NED)

Germany 0-1 Spain

73' ESP Carlos Puyol

The marquee semifinal matchup proved to be just that. The 2008 European Championship ended up with the same result, thanks to a dazzling header from Carlos Puyol. Both sides played remarkably, but the Spanish, for the first time this tournament, decided to show up.

GER Verdict: When they had the ball, they nearly scored on many occasions, but were denied by some good last minute challenges and quality saves by Iker Casillas. The Germans would have indeed liked to play for the final, but their team is very young, and Die Mannschaft's time will come.

ESP Verdict: Well kids, this is what we were waiting for. after 5 lacklustre performances from the reigning European Champions, La Furia Roja finally showed up, and no better time to do so. Taking on a ferociously dominant German side, The Spanish played their brand of football, dictating possession and tempo. Xavi found his touch again, combining with the likes of Iniesta, Pedro, and many others to form precise formations around the Germans, eventually seeing Puyol's run on a corner kick and putting the ball at the perfect spot at the perfect time, almost at will.

Man of the Match: Xavi (ESP)

World Cup Wrap-Up Matchday 22

Argentina 0-4 Germany

3' GER Muller (0-1)

11'ARG Otamendi (YC)

35' GER Muller (YC) (Misses Next Match)

68' GER Klose (0-2)

74' GER Friedrich (0-3)

80' ARG Mascherano (YC)

89' GER Klose (0-4)

Argentina managed to string a few passes together. . .occasonally, and Maradona's tactics and flimsy defense finally were Argentina's undoing. Probably the fastest match played in terms of speed, it was a fast paced game where the Argies were always one step behind the riveting German play.

ARG Verdict: Messi will leave the World Cup with 0 goals. 'Nuff said.

GER Verdict: Fast, efficient play and clinical finishing. Die Mannschaft employed blitzkrieg style football at its finest. If it wasn't clear that Germany was among the favorites before, it's hard not to put them as front runners now. Beating Australia 4-0 is one thing, beating Argentina 4-0 is something else entirely. Germany will advance to their 3rd straight semifinals.

Man of the Match: Bastian Schweinsteiger (GER)

(Note: It's really to award only one German player man of the match, since German play is so team based. Also very notable performers were Lukas Podolski (GER) and Carlos Tevez (ARG)

Paraguay 0-1 Spain

57' ESP Pique (YC)

59' PAR Cardozo (pen miss)

59' PAR Caceres (YC)

59' PAR Alcaraz (YC)

61' ESP Xabi Alonso (pen miss)

63' ESP Busquets (YC)

71' PAR Morel Rodriguez (YC)

83' ESP David Villa (0-1)

88' PAR Santana (YC)

Yet another game for La Roja where they failed to impress. You really have to wonder whether or not they truly are who they are supposed to be.

PAR Verdict: A very hard fought game from the Larissa Riqulme's, and the way Spain was playing the probably deserved to win the match.

ESP Verdict: Vicente Del Bosque refuses to adapt to his teams rises and dips in from, playing many players that shouldnt be on the pitch at all (ahem Fernando Torres).

Men of the Match: Iker Casillas (ESP), Justo Villar (PAR)

World Cup Wrap-Up Matchday 21

Netherlands 2-1 Brazil

10' BRA Robinho (0-1)

14' NED Heitinga (YC)

37' BRA Michel Bastos (YC)

47' NED Van der Wiel (YC)

53' NED Felipe Melo (1-1) (og)

64' NED De Jong (YC)

68' NED Sneijder (2-1)

73' BRA Felipe Melo (RC)

76' NED Ooijer (YC)

Before the game even started, one of Holland's starting centre backs was ruled out for the game, and had to make a gametime substitution, starting Ooijer. It went from bad to worse and Brazil carved a pass through the entire Dutch team for an early goal. The Dutch began to build steam after that, but never really threatened again. The second half began with Oranje contiually breaking down the Brazilian defense that had been so stellar the first half. With the breakdown of their defense that had been so solid for them, the Selecao began to mentally deteriorate, looking more and more desperate to defend, and the Dutch almost out the game away for good late in the game.

NED Verdict: Finally, the Dutch attack looked what it's capable of doing, controlling the ebb and flow of the game through series' of passes and runs, baffling the Brazilians. Sneijder/Kuyt/Robben/RVP were magnificent as the the holding midfielders did their job and the defense got it's act together after an early miscue. Oranje advance to play Uruguay in the semifinal.

BRA Verdict: Another disappointing performance from the Selecao after it looked to be such a promising game for them. Felipe Melo almost single handedly lost them the game, but their star players really failed to shine when they were needed most. Luis Fabiano was especially invisible.

Man of the Match: Wesley Sneijder (NED)

Uruguay (4)1-1(2) Ghana AET

20' URU Fucile (YC) (Misses Next Match)

45+2' GHA Muntari (0-1)

48' URU Arevalo (YC)

54' GHA Pantsil (YC)

55' URU Forlan (1-1)

59' URU Perez (YC)

77' GHA Sarpei (YC)

93' GHA Mensah (YC)

120+1' URU Suarez (RC)

120+2' GHA Gyan (pen miss)

URU Penalties

O Forlan

O Victorino

O Scotti

X Pereira

O Abreu

GHA Penalties

O Gyan

O Abreu

X Mensah

X Adiyah

Aside from some gorgeous strikes from Forlan and Muntari, this game will be remembered for what happened in added time of the final extra time period. After 120', Ghana began a full on assault after a dubious free kick was awarded. The initial attempt was thrown into the air, and Uruguay 'keeper Musilera did not clear it properly, and the ball fell to a Ghanaian defender who's shot was blocked at the goal line. Another Ghana player picked up the rebound and fired it on goal, where Luis Suarez had no choice but the bat the ball away with his hand, earning a red card for an intentional handball, also giving Ghana a penalty. With the final kick of added time, Asamoah Gyan hit the crossbar, sending the game into penalties, where the Uruguayans promptly won the match thanks to some of the worst penalties ever taken from Ghana, and the ultimate cheeky finish with the chip from Abreu.

URU Verdict: Probably their worst performance of the tournament, El Celeste needed a little luck to move on. Shaky in defense and not really working as a unit, Uruguay was tested over and over by a persistant Ghanaian side.

GHA Verdict: The Black Stars were absolutely the better side today, outworking the Uruguayans on all fronts. A "Hand of Odd" from Luis Suarez and a lack of mental fortitude will keep the pride of Africa from moving forward, but they should exit holding their heads high, knowing they have played amongst the world's elite.

Man of the Match: Luis Suarez (URU)

World Cup Wrap-Up Matchday 20

Paraguay (5)0-0(3) Japan AET

58' JPN Matsui (YC)

72' JPN Nagatomo (YC)

90+3' JPN Honda (YC)

113' JPN Endo (YC)

118' PAR Riveros (YC)

PAR Penalties

O Barreto

O Barrios

O Riveros

O Valdez

O Cardozo

JPN Penalties

O Endo

O Hasebe

X Komano

O Honda

A Long hard fought battle by both sides, who, after a while, seemed content to let a penalty shootout happen. Neither team looked than the other, and the game played out like it should have.

PAR Verdict: Not a fantastic game played by the Paraguayans, but it was a typical performance by them. Not flashy, but about enough to somehow get by. The only team to beat Argentina and Brazil (as well as the only ones to beat Brazil by a multiple goal margin) will play Spain.

JPN Verdict: I wasn't too impressed with the Japanese until their game against Denmark, where they were absolutely lethal with their free kicks. The Japanese played another solid game, and I hope to see football in Asia continue to be a rising force.

Man of the Match: Marcus Tulio Tanaka (JPN)

Spain 1-0 Portugal

63' ESP David Villa (1-0)

74' ESP Xabi Alonso (YC)

80' POR Tiago (YC)

89' POR Costa (RC)

A game mostly controlled by Spain, though Portugal did manage to create some good chances past the sometimes spotty Spanish defense. A moment of brillance from La Furia Roja proved to be the difference separating them from a determined Portuguese defense.

ESP Verdict: Spain is starting to look more and more like Spain every game. the determined Portuguese defense was not eager to allow any chances, but a string of passes from Iniesta to Xavi and his cheeky backheel to David Villa allowed Spain to score the only goal of the game. While they shouldnt be overly proud with their performance, they should be proud they are starting to find their rhythm despite essentially playing with 9 men (yes Torres and Busquets, I'm talking to you). Spain advances to play Paraguay.

POR Verdict: Strong defending and goalkeeping was not enough to save Portugal from defeat against the reigning European Champions, mostly in part due to dismal midfield play. The dazzling counterattack of Simao and Ronaldo never happened, and Portugal had a few good chances but could not find the breakthrough past Casillas.

Men of the Match: Xavi (ESP), David Villa (ESP), Eduardo (POR)

World Cup Wrap-Up Matchday 19

Netherlands 2-1 Slovakia

18' NED Robben (1-0)

31' NED Robben (YC)

40' SVK Kucka (YC)

72' SVK Kopunek (YC)

84' NED Van Persie (2-0)

84' SVK Skrtel (YC)

90+4' SVK Vittek (2-1) (pen)

A game very much so controlled by the Dutch, really controlling the game enough that the Slovaks did not have a shot on target for 65 minutes.

NED Verdict: Once again, they did what they had to do and played keepball for the remainder. We've yet to see the true dynamism that Oranje play with, however. They advance to play Brazil in the quarterfinals.

SVK Verdict: You can't blame them for not trying, and Slovakia's first World Cup was a success, beating Italy and playing Holland tight.

Man of the Match: Arjen Robben (NED)

Brazil 3-0 Chile

30' BRA Kaka (YC)

34' BRA Juan (1-0)

38' BRA Luis Fabiano (2-0)

47' CHI Vidal (YC)

59' BRA Robinho (3-0)

68' CHI Fuentes (YC)

71' BRA Ramires (YC)

80' CHI Millar (YC)

Brazil really dismantles the Chileans for trying, and the Selecao is starting to find their rhythm. Be afraid.

BRA Verdict: As Kaka's form has come back, so has Brazil's. Stellar creatively and defensively, they didnt play jogo bonito, but they played to win. They will play Netherlands in the quarters.

CHI Verdict: 3 goals losers, and no matter how hopeless it seemed (and it was pretty hopeless towards the end), the Chileans were relentless and still played a good game, though they were overwhelmed. They should be proud of themselves in spite of not being able to come up with a famous victory. Alexis Sanchez is probably also the best young talent of the World Cup.

Men of the Match: Kaka (BRA), Juan (BRA)

World War II All Over Again!

Germany - Winning Massively

France - Gave up

England - Firebombed

Spain - Doing it's own thing

Italy - Imploded

Japan - Beating people up

America - Nowhere to be found

Looks like we need Russ- oh. . .

World Cup Wrap-Up Matchday 18

Germany 4-1 England

20' GER Klose (1-0)

32' GER Podolski (2-0)

37' ENG Upson (2-1)

47' GER Friedrich (YC)

67' GER Muller (3-1)

70' GER Muller (4-1)

82' ENG Johnson (YC)

Germany dominated the entire game save for a period of about 10 minutes before the end of the first half, where England scored once and had a goal from Lampard that bounced off the bottom of the crossbar, into the net, then back out again which was disallowed. Even though the goal was disallowed, England was outplayed the other 80 minutes of the game, and the Germans took advantage of their continuous miscues.

GER Verdict: The Well-Oiled Machine run by Joachim Low has once again dominated the opposition. All of Germany's hyped young players are playing extremely well, and are looking like the favorites for the next couple of World Cups. Germany advances to play Argentina.

ENG Verdict: Another poor poor game from the English, who are heading home early. Really nothing else to say.

Man of the Match: Miroslav Klose (GER)

Argentina 3-1 Mexico

26' ARG Tevez (1-0)

28' MEX Marquez (YC)

33' ARG Higuain (2-0)

52' ARG Tevez (3-0)

71' MEX J. Hernandez (3-1)

Mexico looked the better side for the first 20 minutes, and once a controversial ruling where Carlos Tevez was awarded a goal from a blatantly offsides position, El Tri lost all of their momentum and began to play with less intensity and creativity. Argentina from that point controlled the majority of the game. Tevez made up for the miscued goal from the first half by firing an absolute laser that stunned the Mexicans for the next few minutes. One of the best goals of the tournament surely.

ARG Verdict: It's starting to look like Maradona has done a very good job preparing for the world cup, but when your toughest opponents are Mexico and South Korea, it's hard to prove anything. Their game against Germany should see if they are actually capable of matching up with the worlds best.

MEX Verdict: The "best ever Mexican side: sure didn't look that way against mighty Argentina. Their young players look very good, and the future of Mexican soccer is looking strong.

Man of the Match: Carlos Tevez (ARG)