Two great games today.... Germany v Algeria and France v Nigeria. Should be lots of attacking football on show. Sure Algeria havent forgotten the W Germany v Austria game of shame when both teams conjured a result that saw Algeria knocked out of the 1982 WC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n9WQYq7u9M      classic commentary

I think it was as a result of what happened in that game that FIFA introduced the practice from 1986 onwards of playing the final two 1st round matches in each group simultaneously, ensuring that teams didn't know what the final score was in the other game before they started and what they needed to do to advance in the competition.

The Argentina 6-0 Peru game of 1978 was every bit as big a farce, in a different way. The Argies knew they had to win by a barrowload of goals to have any chance of reaching the final and Peru (with a goalkeeper who was born in Argentina apparently!) duly helped them on their way.

Quite, I thought the Dutch were relatively poor and Mexico were worth a win. Their fatal error was not defending a one goal lead but defending too deep.

As I predicted before the match, the best way for the Mexicans to undo the Dutch would be to starve Van Persie and Robben of service, which is largely what they achieved.

You can't legislate for the Sneidjer shot or Robben falling over. Inspired tactics fromVan Gaal? My arse.

On the basis that he's actually not very good at it, my vote went to Ashley Young.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/10935074/Arjen-Robben-joins-list-of-top-9-football-divers-of-all-time-but-where-does-he-rank-compared-to-the-others.html

The funny thing about the Argentina v Peru match, though, is that Peru hit the post twice in the first half which doesn't tally with a team trying to throw the game. Maybe it was genuine?

As for the Germany v Austria game, I suspect that it's no more than what most teams would do if they had the chance. Something similar happened in 1990, though it seems to have been forgotten about. In the 1990 World Cup, England, Ireland, Holland and Egypt were all drawn in the same group. The last series of games was England v Egypt and Ireland v Holland. Back in those days, three teams could emerge from most groups. Once England went ahead after about 70 minutes, Holland and Ireland did exactly the same as Germany/Austria and stopped playing football. The scoreline obviously trickled through to the players who knew that, provided England won, a draw would see both through, whereas a defeat would send one of them home. They were taking a little bit of a risk that Egypt might grab a goal, though a small one,because AFAIR, Egypt went home without scoring once. Happy days when Jack Charlton brought us to the quarter finals....

Ah, 1990- one of my favourite World Cups. Not the highest scoring World Cup ever but had much tension and drama later on, especially the two semi-finals.

I also recall a similar situation to the one you describe from 1990 happening in the 2002 World Cup. It was in the last two games of group G which contained Italy, Mexico, Croatia and Ecuador. Italy and Mexico played against each other and drew 1-1, with the Italians equalising late on after they had trailed for much of the game. Ecuador beat Croatia 1-0 in the other match played at the same time, and after Italy equalised in their game, they just seemed content to hold onto the ball without making any proper forward moves with it. I imagine that both they and Mexico had learned of the score in the Ecuador v Croatia match and realised that a 1-1 would be good enough to send both of them through, so they decided not to take any chances. Didn't really make for much of a spectacle though.

Glad Holland won..   They do not have to Hup Hup off home yet ......

Hopefully, after today's games it will prove to be a Nigeria, Algeria double.

I fear it won't, alas.

I'm not. Apart from beating an utterly inept Spain they have largely been ordinary.

Lol 

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28085880

Either way, riveting game for a 0-0. French pressing a bit more now.

Edit, and then France score

Well he's come out and apologised now http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28099336

Perhaps to appease the likes of Barcelona, et al?

Malcolm
Wakefield & Gothenburg, SWE

Robben should have been sent off for that dive last night- disgrace.

Damage limitation.

He's quite good at doing damage though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eF4kSWnY2Z8

Hopefully, Germany and Algeria won't go to penalties as the Germans will have a distinct advantage due to the Algerian goalkeeper not knowing which way Ozil is looking.

Germany poor so far. Even if they manage to get through Algeria I can't see them doing France if they play at this level.

One of the best 0-0 draws (after 90 mins) I've seen in a while. Excellent game.

Algeria unlucky. Germany are going down against France - they are so woeful at the back, especially Ballsucker.

Best match of the tournament so far.