Switzerland (2) - Ecuador (1) - Group E
Lacking the marquee appeal of some other groups, today's first Group E match nonetheless provided some exciting football.
Ecuador scored on a nice set piece from the left side with a header, and the Swiss equalized early in the second half with a similar header on a corner kick. Defenders, you have to mark up in the box!
But the real fireworks came in stoppage time, with mere seconds left in the match, when Haris Seferovic finished at the near post on a beautiful cross.
The final counter-attack began with a marvelous tackle in the Swiss end by Behrami, who then took space, and survived a clear foul to regain the ball after taking a tumble. He passed to Seferovic who switched the field and then made a great near-post run to be on the receiving end of the game-winning cross. Fantastic team play and individual effort.
The man-o-the-match has to go to the center Ref who adroitly signaled advantage as Behrami was clearly fouled. Defenders, if you're going to make a tactical foul, be sure to stop the ball!
France (3) - Honduras (0) - Group E
France looks to be the class of Group E after easily dispatching Honduras, including a PK and a controversial goal confirmed by Goal-Line Technology. In the end, it didn't matter, and France won going away. Nice to see them regaining their form after their embarrassing WC 2010 performance and conduct. Maybe there is an Oscar in LiLo's future after all.
Benzema may have recorded the first hat-trick of the tourney, unless his second goal is ruled an own-goal since it did bounce off the keeper on its way out.
Argentina (2) - Bosnia/Herzegovina (1) - Group F
BH scored more goals than Argentina, but unfortunately one was an early own goal. They went down to defeat 1-2 to the Albiceleste. Messi doubled his WC Finals goal total for his career--now standing at two--in typical Messi style, dribbling across the top of the box and finishing off the post.
Argentina remains the clear favorite in a weak Group F, but they could eventually run into the Flying Dutchmen in the semis if they make it that far. Dream outcome for US would be to face and beat Argentina in the quarterfinals.
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