Game Recaps

Netherlands turn every USA strength into weakness during Round of 16 humbling

For those who count Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Soccer among their favorite books, the 2010 duo of Wesley Sneijder-Mark van Bommel among their favorite midfield pairings and videos of of Johan Cruyff and Johan Neeskens among their most visited on YouTube, watching the United States take nearly 65 percent possession off the Netherlands while completing almost twice as many passes in the first-half of a World Cup knockout match was a dream state.

Estados Unidos cae ante Países Bajos y la Concacaf se despide de Catar

El sueño mundialista de Estados Unidos se terminó este sábado luego de caer por 3-1 ante Países Bajos, en los octavos de final del Mundial de Catar.

La derrota del USMNT también significó el adiós definitivo de la Concacaf del torneo.

La confederación había perdido a México, Canadá y Costa Rica en la fase de grupos y tenía la esperanza de ver a Estados Unidos quizás dando una sorpresa ante los neerlandeses. Sin embargo, Países Bajos dio poco espacio para la ilusión.

Saucy Swiss assist vs. Serbia seals spot in Round of 16 for Switzerland

Switzerland defeated Serbia 3-2 on Friday in an incredibly feisty affair that had fights and one incredibly saucy goal. Switzerland realistically only needed a draw to join Brazil and advance out of Group G.

The first half saw four goals (two from each team) in a wildly competitive affair. Switzerland’s game-winning goal was scored in the 48th minute by Remo Freuler, but it was all about the backheel assist from Ruben Vargas.

This goal won’t win the best in the tournament, but it’s definitely a top 10 contender.

Son gets his World Cup moment and helps send South Korea to Round of 16 with 91st minute assist

South Korea secured a spot in the Round of 16 of the World Cup on Friday with an incredible last-minute goal against Portugal to win 2-1. The South Korean victory paired with Uruguay defeating Ghana 2-0 meant that the Asian underdogs advanced due to the tiebreaker of having more goals scored than Uruguay.

Group E chaos is exactly why we love soccer

Unpredictability is inherent in soccer, and major international tournaments seem to always throw up a heaping of craziness. The gulf between reality and previous perceptions reminds anyone who claims to know soccer that they don’t, and if we were truly as smart as we claim to be, we’d stop trying to predict results. Just embrace the unpredictability and the chaos and enjoy these moments. 

Milan Borjan howler perfectly sums up Canada's nightmare World Cup campaign

Oh no, Canada.

Just as it was in 1986, so too will it finish in 2022. In just the fourth minute of Canada's third and final match of this year’s World Cup, Morocco’s Hakim Ziyech was gifted a goal after a horrible mistake from goalkeeper Milan Borjan. His misplaced pass took any remaining wind out of his side’s sails, condemning them to the same fate as their predecessors from 36 years ago (three matches, three defeats). 

Romelu Lukaku distraught after his series of terrible misses eliminates Belgium

Belgium, the world's second-ranked team, needed a win over Croatia on Thursday to avoid elimination and reach the World Cup round of 16. The Belgium players had promised unity and urgency in the face of rumors alleging total chaos in the squad, but the Red Devils again came out flat with Leandro Trossard and Dries Mertens leading the attack.

A un paso del milagro: Las calificaciones de México en la victoria sobre Arabia Saudita

El México que queríamos ver en el Mundial apareció ante Arabia Saudita. Rápido, vertical y capaz de hacer goles. Lo malo de esta historia es que ese Tri llegó tarde a Catar y no pudo evitar ser eliminado en la fase de grupos.

Ojalá lo hubiéramos visto ante Argentina y sobre todo en el debut ante Polonia. 

Pero bueno, así es la vida y así fue la performance de un México que en su último partido en el Grupo C hizo soñar a su afición, pero que hoy hace las maletas de regreso a casa.

Mexico is out of the World Cup on goal difference!

Mexico beat Saudi Arabia but the third goal wouldn't come. Argentina beat Poland but the third goal, which would've gotten it done for El Tri, wouldn't come. When the final whistle sounded at Lusail Stadium, bringing the insanity of World Cup Group C to a close, it confirmed Argentina as winners and Poland as runners-up on goal difference (Poland's zero vs. Mexico's negative one).

It had been even closer than that.

Australia explodes at 3 a.m. local time as Socceroos reach World Cup last 16

Heading into Wednesday's final matchday in World Cup Group D, Australia figured it'd probably only need a remarkable draw against Denmark, the world's 10th-ranked side, to advance to the round of 16 for only the second time in their history and first since 2006.

Kickoff was scheduled for 2 a.m. in Australia, and supporters took up their traditional post in Federation Square (downtown Melbourne) to watch as Australia went about its task admirably to keep things at 0-0 after 45 minutes.

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