This afternoon we continued to hone our caipirinha crafting skills in the AC of our hotel (it was HOT today) while watching a feisty performance from Australia. We learned that adding twice as much sugar as I would think is almost as important as using real limes, which are small here, instead of ‘laranja’s, which look like huge limes; apparently oranges are green in Brazil, which explains why our first caipirinhas were so awful. A dash of passionfruit juice helps as well! But no juice could have been more passionate than the Australian team’s attempt to scrape a point from their difficult group stage draw. It’s difficult to single out any of the Australians for particular valor, because they all gave 100%, and balanced their attack and defense well to (almost) prevent Robben’s relentless attempts to counter-attack. Eventually, however, they wilted, but for a solid 70 minutes I was expecting this game to be the upset of the tournament. It did, however, yield a strong candidate for goal of the tournament, as Tim Cahill hammered home an absolute GOLAZO!!!!!!!
The Croatia v Cameroon game was noteworthy only because now Croatia has to beat Mexico to advance with Brazil; the game itself was pretty dull despite being high-scoring. Alex Song ended his World Cup, and any hope for Cameroon, a game and a half early by picking up what will likely prove the stupidest red card in the tournament. Not that they deserved a victory, they've pretty much sucked in both games. So much for my bold pick in group A...
We headed back to the local steakery for the Spain-Chile game, which was a lot of fun. Not only was the food typically fantastic, we enjoyed Chile’s decimation of Spain’s attempt to win their 4th major tournament in a row. I picked Spain to get through, but was pleased to see my (logical!) pick proven wrong. Everyone else seemed to enjoy it as well; of the 30-40 people watching not a single one seemed to be a Spain fan. It must be tough to hold the belt, but no one told Chile they were they underdogs. They followed the Dutch game plan, harrying the Spanish midfielders in possession to prevent service to Diego Costa and breaking quickly. I’m a big fan of Gary Medel, and he didn’t disappoint; he displayed his usual tenacity in tackles while offering what I can only assume was impolite advice, not being able to lip-read Spanish. However, Spain’s biggest problem was their own fault. They simply don’t seem to be able to play with a target-man type center forward like Costa. All of their prior success was with Torres (at his peak) and David Villa, both tricksters who can outrace defenders to precision through-balls from Iniesta and Xavi. Instead, they resorted to passes in to Costa with his back to goal, and crosses from the wings. The Spanish manager even brought on Koke, an attacking midfielder from the same club team as Costa, to try and kindle some kind of hope. It didn’t work, and Chile grabbed a well-deserved win. I don't envy any creative midfield that has to contend with the twin wrecking balls, Arturo Vidal and Gary Medel.
As a result, Netherlands and Chile will advance to the knockout rounds to face Brazil or Croatia/Mexico. Their remaining game will decide who plays Brazil, so look for both teams to be swinging for victory, although the Netherlands will take #1 in a tie on goal difference. Spain is officially eliminated, and will go home with their tail between their legs no matter what. Their final game against Australia is meaningless, but they’ll be playing for pride. Is it possible that Spain takes zero points from their group? On the Australians performance today, and two successful templates for a victorious game plan, it sure seems like it could happen.
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