2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil

The smug look on the referee's face as he ignores flagrant fouls by Brazil but calls iffy ones by Mexico infuriates me.
 
Really? He seems to be waving on quite a few challenges, commited by both teams. There's some pretty late, mis-timed challenges going on out there. I think the referee's been pretty good so far; better this, than flashing cards.
 
CriedWhenBrucieLeft said:
Really? He seems to be waving on quite a few challenges, commited by both teams. There's some pretty late, mis-timed challenges going on out there. I think the referee's been pretty good so far; better this, than flashing cards.
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Agree. He lets both teams get away with a lot that other referees we've seen in this World Cup would have given yellow cards for. Despite no goals, I think this was an entertaining first half. The intensity is great.
 
It was an entertaining first half! Aside from the clear corner being given as a goal kick, I don't think there's been heavy pro-Brazil bias from the ref, certainly nowhere near as much as the Croatia game at any rate. And he did book a Brazilian (quite rightly though) near the end of the first half. The Mexico keeper is the main reason it's still 0-0 though. He had a great save from Neymar, and did a great block later in the half. Mexico are definitely holding their own though, and they're not being outplayed, that's for sure. Looking forward to the second half! :)
 
Ochoa has a tendency to "win" games all by himself when he's on fire. I've seen him do it once or twice, one was against Brazil in Copa America 09, if I remember correctly. He also won a point by himself against PSG with Ajaccio, PSG had taken 34 shots that game (16 on goal) and the game ended 1-1.

Ochoa has world class reflexes, oh my.
 
The replay of that penalty claim showed an incredible dive. Arm on him? yes. does not fall until after all contact ceased, then immediately looks up, expecting the penalty. Fuck that. How about Ochoa!
 
I think aside from the missed corner in the first half, the ref had a fine game. One of the better performances so far.

A side note, Pepe should learn from Thiago Silva how to be a gentleman while still being a warrior. His apology to Javier Hernandez after the hard foul looked so genuine.
 
Good that the ref didn't give the penalty. Shame on Marcelo. *Goes to buy tar and feathers ...*

Enjoyed the game from start to finish. Mexico defended valiantly and created some chances on their own, and their goalkeeper did some very good saves. Most entertaining goalless game I've seen in a while.
 
I fell asleep after the first 15 minutes of the 2nd half of S.Korea/Russia, due to it being so dull. I woke up to find the match nearly over, and the score 1-1! Perhaps it became exciting as soon as I fell asleep... :p

The Mexico/Brazil match was an exciting game, despite finishing goalless, and a draw was probably the right result. Mexico would have definitely lost the game though, without Ochoa's heroics! He was man of the match, no doubt.
 
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The tournament has lost a step with the latest games. Argentina-Bosnia, Iran-Nigeria, Switzerland-Ecuador, second half of Germany-Portugal, first half of Belgium-Algeria and Russia-South Korea were pretty boring.
 
Are they boring because of lack of talent? Or because the teams are so evenly matched that not much action takes place?
 
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