Brazil - FIFA World Cup - Day 10

Argentina (1) - Iran (0) - Group F

Messi's beautiful stoppage-time goal shows why he is widely considered the best player in a generation or five. He can dribble through three defenders and finish with aplomb, or, after being defended for 90 minutes, rip a 20-yarder into the side netting.

While Argentina ended any suspense about Group F's number one seed, questions remain. Are Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran to be praised for their excellent play, or is Argentina overrated? I think it is some of both.

BH and Iran proved they can compete on the world stage, but the Albiceleste have shown no indications they can go deep into the tourney against the top teams. I would love to see Messi win a World Cup, but it isn't going to happen this year. Argentina remains vulnerable in the back when they don't assume a defensive formation, and they don't have the firepower to win a wide-open game. They've scored only 2 goals in two matches, not counting a BH own-goal in their first match.

 Germany (2) - Ghana (2) - Group G

Wow. Group G standings are thrown up in the air. Everything will come down to the third match. Germany looks well-positioned for the top seed, but Ghana proved that anything is possible in the Group of Death, stacked with four possible contenders for only two R16 berths.

Is Germany vulnerable? US beat Ghana who tied Germany. Does the transitive property apply? Not in soccer my friends, not in soccer. US has a chance against Germany, but first must face Portugal.

Nigeria (1)  - Bosnia-Herzegovina (0) - Group F

In the first game of the tourney absolutely ruined by the refereeing, Nigeria stakes it claim to the 2F seed.  By any reasonable assessment, BH should have won this game 1-0 but the refs cost them two goals.

First, a BH goal was called back, even though attacker was clearly on-sides.

Then, Emenike throws the BH defender to the ground, leading to an easy Nigerian goal.

Anyone who claims Emenike "cheated" doesn't understand soccer. Players scrap on every play, and it is up to the refs to make the call. I've seen worse no-calls, and if the ref doesn't call it, by definition, it isn't a foul.

I always tell my players, "The ref is going to cost you a goal, so win by two."

In this case, BH needed to win by three to prevail.

Regardless, BH continues to show they are for real, and should hold their heads high despite being bounced from the tourney.