FIFA World Cup 2014: Climax day in Group G and Group H

USA – Germany 0-1: In a match, where both of the teams only needed an official confirmation of their advancement, there was not much happening on the pitch. The teams had their main players to start the match. The clash between two former allies, Jurgen Klinsmann and Joachim Loew, looked like a friendly match. Germany would be happy with a draw, which would win the group for them, and USA would be happy to leave Portugal and Ghana behind. Miroslav Klose was given a half to find his record-breaker, but it was
Tomas Mueller who scored, thus getting level with Neymar and Messi. The young German has already scored 9 in World Cups. Such a tempo can be a threat for Klose’s record, if it takes place at all.

Defence: 1 – 1

Midfield: 1 – 1,5

Attack: 0 – 1

Interplay: 0,5 – 1

TOTAL: 2,5 – 4,5

1. Howard (USA) – 0,5
7. Schweinsteiger (GER) – 0,5

Portugal – Ghana 2-1: The match where both of the teams were most probably going to play for the last time in this World Cup saw two hardly broken teams. Portugal had not only suffered from the German domination, but also the countless injuries they collected during this short spell of time they were in Brazil. That is the reason why midfielder Miguel Veloso had to operate as a left back. For the first time in the tournament Paulo Bento introduced the promising midfielder William Carvalho from Sporting in the starting line-up. Ghana had other type of problems. Two of the team leaders, Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng, were thrown out of the team’s World Cup squad for undisciplinary behaviour towards the coaches. The teams had huge problems connecting their passes during the whole match. The game ended 2-1 in Portugal’s favour. Cristiano Ronaldo could only use one of his many chances to score. So did Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan, however, Appiah’s team was way too unstructured when it came to organizing attacks. Both of the teams will watch the rest of the World Cup at home.

Defence: 1 – 0,5

Midfield: 1 – 0,5

Attack: 1 – 0,5

Interplay: 0,5 – 0,5

TOTAL: 3,5 – 2

7. Ronaldo (POR) – 0,5

16. Dauda (GHA) – 0,5

3. Gyan (GHA) – 0,5

Group G

1. Germany 7 (+5)

2. USA 4 (0)

--------

3. Portugal 4 (-3)

4. Ghana 1 (-2)

Algeria – Russia 1-1: In a fight between academical football against passionate the second one won. Algerian players, coach, reserves and fans looked much more interested in a Play-off participation than the Russians. The coach Halilhodzic had decided to leave captain Bougherra on the bench for this group final. At first it seemed to be a wrong decision, as Russians managed to open the score very early in the game. However, as the game developed Algerian defenders got more and more confident and didn’t make vital mistakes any more. Wherever the ball passed by the defenders, the brave goalkeeper Rais was there to prevent another goal. Algerians were determined to equalize after the break, so they made use of the opportunity and scored after a cross from a free kick. Slimani’s goal turned to be the last one in the match and brought the Algerians their first ever ticket to the World Cup round of 16. Fabio Capello’s side,mainly comprised of players from the local league, was the last team to find a place in the plane home to Europe. Capello looked like a man having a plan for every situation, but it was never that smooth. The Italian specialist introduced Dzagoev and Kanunnikov in the end of the match, but those were not able to increase the level of passing and crossing. A disastrous tournament for Russia and Capello personally! Congratulations to the second team of Africa in the next round.

Defence: 1 – 1

Midfield: 1 – 1

Attack: 0,5 – 0,5

Interplay: 1 – 0,5

TOTAL: 3,5 – 3

23. Rais (ALG) – 0,5

11. Brahimi (ALG) – 0,5

13. Slimani (ALG) – 0,5

South Korea – Belgium 0-1: The Belgians, already Play-off participants, had changed half of their starting line-up compared to their earlier matches. Marc Wilmots gave a chance to many reserve players, who might not have got another opportunity to show their skills in Brazil any more. Manchester United’s Adnan Januzaj was among them. And there was Porto’s Steven Defour, too. The midfielder got a straight red card right before the break, leaving its team with ten men for a whole half. But this didn’t prevent the Belgians score against a South Korean side under pressure. Belgians joined Colombia, Argentina and neighbours Netherlands and became the fourth team in the tournament with a 100% result. And again, the scoring came not earlier than 20 minutes before the final whistle. The substitute Origi, the author of the matchwinner against Russia, made an industrious impact in the second half and, together with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, fully deserved to become Belgium’s favourite. South Korea had almost the same destiny as Japan. They woke up not earlier than their last match, but despite the expulsion of opponent’s player and Lee Chung-Yong’s inspiring performance, it was impossible to take what was needed. The last Asian team can also book the tickets and leave Brazil.

Defence: 1 – 1,5

Midfield: 1 – 1,5

Attack: 1 – 1,5

Interplay: 0,5 – 1,5

TOTAL: 3,5 – 6

1. Courtois (BEL) – 1,5

19. Origi (BEL) – 1

17. Lee C. Y. (KOR) – 1

15. Van Buyten (BEL) – 1

5. Vertonghen (BEL) - 1    

9. Son (KOR) – 0,5

11. Lee K. H. (KOR) – 0,5

14. Mertens (BEL) – 0,5

8. Fellaini (BEL) – 0,5

Group H

1. Belgium 9 (+3)

2. Algeria 4 (+1)

-----------

3. Russia 2 (-1)

4. South Korea 1 (-3)