Argentina 3 - 1 Mexico
If you're not rooting for Germany, then you should be worrying about them. I missed the match against Serbia so I don't know what happened there, but I do know that these players are dangerous. German soccer is looking pretty smooth this year, pretty masterful. It's as if they found the secret recipe to making soccer that's as delightful as their chocolate.
In today's game against England, Germany posed an early threat. It took only 20 minutes to break England's defense which the Germans did, over and over, starting with a long ball by goalie Manuel Neuer wedged in tactfully by Miroslav Klose.
Eyes on the prize, Klose is looking to beat Ronaldo's record of having scored 15 goals in the World Cup. Klose has played in three world cups, including this one, and has achieved a total of 12 goals so far. Guess we'll see how close, Klose can get. Goal two for Germany came from Podolski, a tight shot that cuts right through the goalie's legs. This team seems to have everything going for it (it did in this game at least), perfect passing, good formation, quick thinking, smart assessments, intuitive communication.
England fought back. It started with a hard header by Upson bringing the score to 2-1. Then, a minute after, another FIFA fraud. England was denied a perfectly valid equalizer by Lampard. The best word that I've read so far to describe the bogus call is, "shambolic". It makes you wonder, if a tree falls in a forest and a FIFA ref is there to see it, does it fall?
In the 2nd half, England looked strong and played w urgency. In spite of the final score, I found this match to be a nailbiter, England was working hard at getting a foothold in this match. But then came the 67th minute and a too easy third goal by Germany who took advantage of goal area left totally ajar.
Another plum moment would come again, and, like the first time, Germany would seize upon it beautifully. It started with a throw-in for England that brought all players to the German goal area scrambling for possession. Then, Oezil sprung into action, running hard up left field in anticipation of a ball that suddenly arrives at his feet like a magical Fed Ex delivery. Oezil continues to run like lightening up a wide-open field, British midfielder Gareth Barry futilely chasing after him and Ashley Cole preparing to cut him off. Oezil foils all blocking attempts with a gentle cross to Muller who blasts it in, no questions asked. Germany has sealed the deal with a 4-1 lead to victory.
Heskey comes in to replace Defoe in the 71st minute, he must have thought, what am I supposed to do?
Incidentally, the outcome of this game was predicted by a psychic octopus.
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