Belgium Victorious and Brazil held Goalless by Ochoa

This 2014 World Cup has been full of comebacks, and Belgium was the latest team to complete a comeback victory in their group game against Algeria. After conceding an early penalty scored by Feghouli, Belgium were forced to chase after the result. It was two substitutes who made the difference late on to grab three points.

It was in the 70th minute when Belgium finally managed to break past Algeria's defence, Kevin De Bruyne curled a cross for substitute Fellaini to head in and make it 1-1. Ten minutes later Eden Hazard unlocked Algeria's defence, drawing the defence to him before slipping a pass for Dries Mertens to blast into the back of the net for the winner. It was a promising comeback from a Belgium team which showed very little in the first 70 minutes of the match.

On the other hand, the hosts Brazil were held to a goalless draw in Fortaleza against Mexico. Neymar was unable to find the back of the net as Mexico keeper Guillermo Ochoa had an unstoppable night for his country. While it took Brazil some time before they began to threaten Mexico's goal, when Neymar finally turned on and began to create some chances him and his teammates couldn't get the ball past Ochoa's flying saves.

Mexico created a few chances for themselves, but nothing like Neymar's header which Ochoa tipped just past his post. Brazil's starlet had another great chance from close range, but his powerful volley was a bit too central and bounced off of Ochoa. It was a fantastic performance from the entire Mexico team, with Ochoa undoubtedly earning himself the man of the match award for keeping Brazil goalless.

Peralta Gives Mexico 1-0 Win Over Cameroon

In a match played under torrential downpour, Mexico have managed to start their 2014 World Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over Cameroon. Mexico coach Miguel Herrera set out his side in an attacking 3-3-4 formation, which without the ball dropped back into more of a 3-5-2. The two up front for Mexico were Giovani Dos Santos and Oribe Peralta, with Javier Hernandez kept on the bench. Cameroon had the two main pillars of Alex Song in central midfield and Samuel Eto'o up front, settling into a 4-5-1 with Eto'o as the main attacking outlet.

It was Herrera and Dos Santos for Mexico who took control of the match, and put Cameroon under pressure. El Tri were much more comfortable with the ball than the African nation who looked fairly shaky as Mexico maintained possession and cut forward with their quick movement. Although both sides went into the half without a goal it could have been 2-1 for Mexico, as there were three disallowed goals, all due to offside positions (some more legitimate than others). After the opening match's doubtful penalty, the surely legitimate goal which Dos Santos had disallowed only adds to the criticism of this tournament's refereeing.

Although Cameroon were holding onto the draw fairly well, they had little invention going forward. The African side wasn't able to settle down with possession, and were often too snappy in trying to feed Eto'o or run towards goal. On the other hand, Mexico were patient and in the 61st minute Herrera topped a great passing move with a through ball for Dos Santos towards goal. The Villarreal forward had his shot parried by Itandje, but Peralta pounced on the rebound and tucked it in.

With the 1-0 lead, Mexico coach Herrera decided to give Peralta the scorer's ovation substituting him with Javier Hernandez. The Manchester United striker looked dangerous, but when served a pacey cross in front of goal, the unmarked Chicharito blasted it over the bar. With this win Mexico put Croatia in a difficult position in group A, but El Tri still have plenty to worry about as they play Brazil in their next match.

Can Mexico manage to get out of group A ahead of Croatia? Has the refereeing hindered this World Cup so far? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The Best Bets for the Upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup

Written by Sam Darby

The World Cup odds to win for the 2014 FIFA World Cup hosts, Brazil are 3/1 and whilst some might think that’s a bit short they deserve that price. No European team has ever gone to an American continent and won a World Cup and Brazil showed the strength of the home advantage when they beat Spain 3-0 in the Confederations Cup final last year. However, everyone knows about Brazil’s strong chances, and there might be some better value in the lesser considered markets.

Betting on the groups is always enjoyable as you collect your winnings half way through the tournament. There are few better bets than a France/Switzerland dual forecast in Group E at 11/10,   which is a bet on both teams to qualify for the next round. Honduras and Ecuador stand in their way but Honduras didn’t manage to score a goal at the 2010 World Cup whilst Ecuador tend to be a bit too reliant on their home advantage where they play at high altitude. In qualifying only 3 of their 27 points came away from home which suggests they won’t be as good in Brazil.

 In Group G a straight forecast on Germany to win the group and Portugal to finish second looks worth a bet at 13/8. They are a class above the other two teams in the group, USA and Ghana, and it is worth remembering that Germany were drawn with Portugal at the group stage of Euro 2012. They finished first and second in that order then and that form looks likely to be upheld again here at a nice price. 

A market that is often ignored but offers some great betting opportunities is the team top scorer betting. All you have to do here is outscore your team mates and the best bet could come in the Mexico team, but not on Javier Hernandez. He scored five goals in qualifying which was the second best return, as he was blown out the water by Oribe Peralta who played fewer games but scored twice as many goals. Peralta is available at 3/1 to score more than any other Mexico player, and those odds are too generous to ignore.

 Another standout team top scorer bet is Italy’s Mario Balotelli. He proved himself a big game player at Euro 2012 and was Italy’s top scorer in qualifying with 5 goals. The only other player in qualifying to score more than twice was Dani Osvaldo but he hasn’t been picked for the World Cup squad so Balotelli looks a standout bet at 15/8, especially as he takes the penalties for Italy. With all of the World Cup action coming around soon this summer, keep an eye on the final squad announcements in order to get a good idea of which teams have the best chances to come ahead in Brazil.

Argentina overpowers Mexico 3-1, and more pleas for technology

Maradona's hand of god goal

For the second time today, we see a situation where technology could've helped, it didn't help because FIFA doesn't allow it. It's funny, because back in 1986 when Maradona scored with his hand, video technology would've solved that enigma; so you'd expect that 24 years later the governing body of football around the world would add video technology, but I guess not...

Argentina - Mexico

Another match that started a bit tightly, but once it got going we saw some fantastic attacking play from both sides. Mexico started the better side, with an effort way far out from Salcido in the 8th minute which dipped and struck the crossbar, Mexico put Argentina on the back foot. But with time Argentina grew, they found a controversial goal in the 26th with Tevez who rarely scores at international level. Messi threads Tevez in with a through ball, Mexico goal-keeper Perez gets to it first but has it bounce up out of his hands, then Messi follows up to chip the ball to Tevez who is in front of the goal and clearly offside by about a meter. From that position the Manchester City striker nods in Messi's chip for the opening goal.

Messi still unable to score this match

Referee Roberto Rosetti decides to talk the goal over with his assistant after a barrage of incessant Mexican protests all telling him to look at the screen. Rosetti talks it over and the assistant tells him that he didn't see the offside, but Rosettie knows that it's clearly offside by looking at the screen, but can't disallow it because of FIFA's rules against use of video technology. The Mexican players were not happy, some rough play from them as they tried to deal with Maradona's Argentina.

But El Tri just couldn't deal with Argentina, in the 33rd minute Osorio receives a back pass which he can't control and lays into the path of oncoming Higuain. Higuain has no defenders on him, he rounds the keeper and slots the ball into the back of the open net for Argentina's second. After halftime tempers were cooled and in the 52nd minute, we see a magical piece of skill from Carlos Tevez. From outside the box, Tevez makes space for himself and sends a rocket into the top right corner for what will be a contender for goal of the tournament.

Mexico got a consolation goal in the 71st minute with future Manchester United striker Hernandez who turns well to get into a position to blast the ball into the top of Romero's net to make the final score 3-1.

Uruguay wins 1-0, Mexico still go through and France lose 2-1

The train-wreck that is the French team has finally halted, coming last in the group, France is just about a complete disgrace.

Here's how group A stands after the final day of results:

Uruguay           (7)
Mexico             (4)
South Africa    (4)
France              (1)


Uruguay and Mexico are the teams that go through, with Mexico squeezing by thanks to their goal difference. This makes South Africa the first host nation not to get through the group stages.

Luis Suarez's header entering the net for the winning goal

Mexico - Uruguay


In this match both sides could've done with a draw and they would've gotten through the group stages, but they both went for the win. An exciting match which should've been 1-0 to Uruguay in the 6th minute, when Suarez anticipated a defender but curled his shot past Perez just wide. Then in the 22nd Mexico's Guardado almost had the goal of the tournament, a rifled shot from 35 yards out struck the underside of the crossbar only to bounce out into the penalty box.

Suarez celebrating

Uruguay found their only goal before the half ended, Forlan with a ball out wide to Cavani who crosses for Suarez to neatly tuck away with a header. A clean and organized goal which put Mexico in a bit of trouble. In the second half, Diego Lugano had a fantastic header parried by an even better save from Perez who somehow got down low enough to push the header out as the defence then smothered the rebound shot by Pereira.

This is when Mexico began to push for the equalizer and they eventually created their best chance of the match, Barrera crossed the ball in for a completely unmarked Rodriguez who from inside the six yard box glanced the header wide. Uruguay were tough in defence and dangerous on the counter-attack, they held out until the final whistle to earn themselves the first spot in the group.

Khumalo heading in the first goal for South Africa

France - South Africa


The French disaster ended up with Anelka being sent home and Evra not starting against South Africa, in Evra's place you saw Clichy at left-back. Things did not start well for France, 20 minutes in and from a corner Lloris goes up to catch the ball and instead flaps at it letting Khumalo head home South Africa's first goal of the match.

Just five minutes later things got worse with Gourcuff being sent off with a direct red for a high elbow as he was competing for a header, a really harsh decision in my opinion, but Gourcuff went in with force and a high elbow. Then in the 37th bad defending from the French let Mphela almost trip himself as he bundled the ball over the line for South Africa's second goal.

Gourcuff's high elbow which got him sent off

In the second half South Africa continued to make chances with Mphela, who when released 1 on 1 with Hugo Lloris curled the shot onto the woodwork, just barely missing the 3-0 score-line. France got a consolation goal in the 70th minute, Sagna threading a through ball for Ribery to then square to substitute Malouda for the final goal of the 2-1 score.

Zizou, Radebe take different sides

Zinedine Zidane as he is interviewed

As 2010 FIFA World Cup™ hosts South Africa and former World Champions France prepare to square up in their ultimate Group A match, football legends Lucas Radebe and Zinedine Zidane have both thrown their weight behind their respective countries in what is likely to be fiercely contested game.

With both Uruguay and Mexico sitting on on top of the table with four points, South Africa and France have only managed to accumulate a point each. Mathematically, all sides in Group A are still within a chance of advancing to the knockout stages. But in order to do that, South Africa and France will have to fire from all angles and hope for a glut of goals at the Free State Stadium. There is romance in this fixture and some old scores to settle. One of the memorable moments between these two sides - their only World Cup meeeting - was back in 1998 where France emerged 3-0 victors in a fixture where both Radebe and Zidane featured prominently. But a lot has happened since then.

During an exclusive interview with FIFA, Zidane said he hopes the French team will peak in Bloemfontein. “There are no calculations to be made anymore. France will have to go forward and score many goals while hoping to have a profitable result in the other game," said the France 98 champion. "We all know what happened recently in the team and it does not matter to talk more about it. Even if it’s very tiny, there’s still a chance to go through. So France has to go for it. But we should never forget that South Africa is at home and have not done so well so far. They will give the best they can to make their fans happy. To give pride to the country.”

On the other hand, Radebe, who captained South Africa at two FIFA World Cups, in 1998 and at Korea/Japan in 2002, believes all is not lost. He has predicted an offensive game where both sides will be going for the jugular in an attempt to register maximum points. “It’s going to be a tough game, considering that both teams have not done so well, they are yet to collect maximum points.," he said. "This makes it a very tough encounter, they both have to get maximum points not only to go through but also to salvage the image of their countries."

Media reports have hinted at internal problems within the French team, but while Radebe said this might weaken the former European and World Champions, he has warned South Africa to write France off at their peril. “When [France] played Uruguay, they looked lively, but not strong. Against Mexico, they were not good enough, surely there might be some problems in their team. To be honest, we have seen a decline of this French team. But they are former World Champions, you don’t discard them. They will want to do well on this game, they are the former World Cup holders, they have a point to prove.”

France was held to a goaless draw by Uruguay in their first match at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town. They, however, suffered a heavy blow when they were defeated 2-0 by an innovative Mexican side. Zidane said France will have to rise above their current situation in order to defeat what is likely to be a highly motivated South African side. “France has to show superiority. It’s as simple as it is," he said. "Players have to demonstrate on the pitch that they play in the biggest European clubs. We have talked about anything but football in the past days. And am sure the players will have that in mind when entering the pitch. They know that if they qualify, everything will be forgotten.”

Despite their tenacious performance in the opening game at Soccer City against Mexico, South Africa were a shadow of that team at Loftus where they went down 3-0 to an impressive Uruguay. It was a big blow to the host and their aspirations. “That was a painful game. We were not good enough and it hurts," said Radebe. "A lot will be said, but maybe I believe we could have been more offensive, we didn’t put them under any pressure, we didn’t force them to think hard. We had one striker while they packed their defence.

"I don’t want to point fingers because at the end of the day, everyone should shoulder responsibility for what happened, but I hope we won’t see the same performance against France. The boys must know that they are playing for the millions who have supported them throughout. They have nothing to lose, they need to go there ane give it their best."

Feel free to post your opinions and predictions on the upcoming World Cup 2010 third round matches.

My predictions for tomorrow's third round group matches:

France vs. South Africa 0-1
Uruguay vs. Mexico 2-0
Argentina vs. Greece 3-1
South Korea vs. Nigeria 1-1

France crash and burn with 2-0 loss to Mexico

Mexico have begun to realize their potential, while in my World Cup pools I've got Mexico first and Uruguay second, it seems like it might just happen that way.

Here's how Group A stands after Mexico's 2-0 win:

Uruguay        (4)
Mexico          (4)
France           (1)
South Africa  (1)

France - Mexico


The first half started right away with some action, Giovani Dos Santos hit the inside of the post, tantalizingly close to the opening goal, but the action was called off for offside. However France were also able to build some good chances, but they were nothing compared to what the outstanding left-back was able to do, two great chances for him. And an unfortunate injury for Mexico, Carlos Vela had to be replaced by Pablo Barrera


In the second half, France were able to create a few opportunities with Malouda lashing a shot which Oscar Perez did well to save, but France were still as clueless as ever in the second half. It was substitute Javier Hernandez with the opening goal, he put Mexico in front in the 64th minute after beating the offside trap to perfection. The young 22 year-old then coolly rounded Hugo Lloris before tapping it into the back of the net for the opening goal. 

Mexico doubled their lead in the 79th minute after Eric Abidal slide tackled Pablo Barrera, earning himself a yellow, and Hugo Lloris a penalty to deal with. It was Blanco, the oldest player in the tournament at 37 who took it, a very long run up (and I'm talking very long) led to him slipping the ball just past Lloris's fingers at the bottom left corner. 

The Mexican fans went wild as the entire team celebrated their iconic win, and it's interesting to note how badly France played. Now Mexico and Uruguay just need a draw to both advance out of the group stages, but be sure that that game will be full of action and fire.

Just going to finish with a quote from Raphael Honigstein about France, "It takes an absolute genius to make so many talented players play this badly together"

South Africa and Mexico draw 1-1 in World Cup opener

A truly fantastic match between Mexico and South Africa, the excitement and anticipation for the tournament seem wonderful in Johannesburg. There was some bad news before the game however, Nelson Mandela was unable to attend the opening ceremony because his great-granddaughter died in a car crash the night before the opener. A terrible tragedy which hopefully won't affect the spirit at the tournament.

South Africa - Mexico


Both teams entering the match on form, South Africa on a 12-match unbeaten streak, and Mexico just having beaten Italy in a friendly. Right away the match started with action, Mexico controlling the possession which eventually created a low cross which South Africa keeper Khune couldn't hold on to, and Dos Santos' followup was blocked by Mokoena. Soon after South Africa gave the ball away, and Giovani Dos Santos' shot curved wildly to balloon to the left of the goal. Mexico had another golden opportunity with Franco controlling a chipped ball in the box to try and tap it past Khune who did an excellent job to block the close range effort.

After the half things changed, we saw a less confident Mexico, and a more counter-attacking South Africa. In the 55th minute, a neat and tidy counter-attack by South Africa released Tshabalala 1 on 1 with Mexico keeper Perez; the South African rocketed the ball into the top right corner for a spectacular goal. The stadium went wild as the players celebrated in joy. Giovani Dos Santos continued to scare the South Africa defence with his dangerous dribbles which resulted in shots which Khune heroically saved, but other than that, Mexico were startled by the determined and organized South Africa which stood before them. But eventually in the 79th minute Mexico grabbed the deserved equalizer, Marquez along with two other Mexico players were unmarked as they received the cross, and the Barcelona defender thumped home the equalizer. After the goal there was plenty of tension, the sides were evenly matched, and in the dying minutes Mphela hit the post from a golden opportunity. A fantastic match full of emotions of joy and happiness, the first game of the 2010 South Africa World Cup ended 1-1.