FIFA World Cup 2014: Netherlands and Mexico

Brazil – Chile 1-1 (3-2 pen.): Chile – a proud way to leave the World Cup

Defence: 1 – 1

Midfield: 1,5 – 1,5

Attack: 1,5 – 1
Interplay: 1,5 – 1,5

TOTAL: 5,5 - 5

1. Bravo (CHI) – 1,5

7. Alexis Sanchez (CHI) – 1,5

10. Neymar (BRA) - 1

12. Julio Cesar (BRA) - 1

21. Diaz (CHI) – 1

8. Vidal (CHI) - 1

7. Hulk (BRA) - 1

4. David Luiz (BRA) – 0,5

Colombia – Uruguay 2-0: Colombia beat toothless Uruguay  

Defence: 1,5 - 1

Midfield: 1,5 - 1

Attack: 1,5 – 0,5

Interplay: 2 - 1

TOTAL: 6,5 – 3,5

10. James Rodriguez (COL) - 2

11. Cuadrado (COL) - 1

2. Zapata (COL) – 1

3. Yepes (COL) - 1

1. Ospian (COL) – 0,5

3. Godin (URU) – 0,5

Netherlands

The fabulous start of the World Cup with a 5-1 win over the champions of the World makes the Netherlands big favourites in the eyes of many experts. The interesting tactics by Louis van Gaal, where he fills the defence with many inexperienced players who fight for the ball and send it to the great
trio Sneijder-Robben-van Persie, has been much better than expected. We saw hunger in the first match, willpower in the second, and patience in the third.

The match against Mexicans is going to be a big demonstration of tactical play. The Dutch are surely not going to risk from the beginning of the match. The Mexicans have nowhere to hurry either. This will be the most difficult match for the Netherlands so far, with the stadium full of Mexican supporters, unusual weather conditions, and Mexico having at least 4-5 players focused on the Dutch attackers. Luckily for van Gaal, the team has got some talented youngsters like Memphis Depay and Giorginio Wijnaldum ready to enter the game and score for their national team.    

Matches played: 3

Goals scored - conceded: 10 - 3

Topscorer (s): van Persie, Robben (both - 3)  

Team marks: 7 + 4,5 + 5,5 = 17
Average mark: 5,67
Best players: Robben (4,0), van Persie (3,0)

Place among 32: 1

Chances to win the World Cup: 12,78%

 

Mexico

There are no teams in the tournament that haven’t conceded yet. Mexico is the one that conceded latest –

after almost 267 minutes of play. Miguel Herrera’s team was not expected to do so well, but they were much stronger in two of their group matches, and at least not weaker than Brazil. A great goalkeeper, three strong defenders behind a creative midfield trio, good wingbacks, and a classical duo of forwards, make Mexico look like a typical successful Italian team. They even have a joker named Javier Chicharito Hernandez, who always comes in when it is time to score.

The first round of Play-offs will see Vazquez suspended. Herrera should be able to find a substitute for him in the middle of the pitch. The way Mexico patiently fought Cameroon, Brazil and Croatia, makes one assume that Netherlands is not going to have an easy match. And if Mexico manages to score first, Louis van Gaal has to dig really deep in his managerial archive to find a weapon to equalize.

Matches played: 3

Goals scored - conceded: 4 - 1

Topscorer (s): Pinilla, Rafa Marquez, Guardado, Hernandez (all - 1)  

Team marks: 4 + 4,5 + 6 = 14,5
Average mark: 4,83
Best players: Moreno (3,0)

Final place among 32: 8-9

Chances to win the World Cup: 5,07%