World Cup 2014, Day 2: Mexico Prevails

MEXICO 1 - 0 CAMAROON

June 13, 2014


Deliverance: Oribe Peralta scores for Mexico and wins the match against Camaroon.

By the end of the first half of this hard-won match, it was clear that Mexico's strongest challenge wasn't the team of Camaroon itself but Colombian referee Wilmar Alexander Roldan Perez who denied Mexico forward Giovani Dos Santos two goals in the first half--two goals that video replay shows were perfectly legitimate:



At the very least, bad calls rob teams and fans equally of the competitive value and satisfaction of a fair contest. At worst, they can even incite a riot or the kind of gruesome and extreme violence that one generally associates with drug lords or the Taliban (which really makes a good case for baseball as a more civilized sport, Red Sox fans notwithstanding...).

Fortunately, justice prevailed in the Mexico v Camaroon match in the way that justice often does, through the tenacity and fortitude of those who seek it. Peralta connected in the 61st minute, a soaring triumph that ignited Mexico fans and was a thrill to all who watched. In a game so often held hostage to chance, Mexico is fighting hard to control its destiny.

This match was played at Estadio das Dunas, Natal, Brazil:



Aesthetic Value: **** out of 5.
Fear (of collapse) Factor: 0 out of 5.

World Cup 2014, Day 2: Holland Unleashed

Getty Image by David Ramos, The Guardian

SPAIN 1 - 5 NETHERLANDS

The Dutch say they weren't out for revenge, but today's match looked like the soccer equivalent of Guernica. Holland's game was graceful, skillful and ferocious and the outcome for Spain was devastating.

The 5-1 match between Holland and reigning World Cup champions Spain, which, coincidentally for Spain, took place on Friday the 13th, started out ordinary enough—a tackle here, a yellow card there, a close attempt by Iniesta, and a picture-perfect penalty shot by Xabi Alonso. Watching Xabi, clad in white and looking very commanding, pump his fist in celebration as his teammates came running over, you would never have suspected the kind of world-class, first-rate spanking this elite squad were about to get from their 2010 rivals.


Spain's Xabi Alonso shoots and scores a penalty kick.

It all started minutes before halftime. Robin van Persie made an incredible long-distance header that sent the ball cresting over goalie Casillas like a giant wave. From the spot he was standing, there was literally nothing the legendary goalie could do to prevent that ball from completing its arc into the net. The first half ended 1-1.


Fly Robin Fly: Holland's Van Persie in mid-dive as he watches his supernatural header sink deep into the back of Spain's net.

What was to follow was 45+ minutes of riveting soccer enhanced by the Dutch fans who do not shy away from team spirit.


This man started a parade in the stands.

Spain fought back but in spite of several forceful attempts was never able to score. Spanish fans gazed in silence as the Dutch continuously hit their mark and a visibly crestfallen Casillas began to look more and more like a defeated bull, brought to its knees by a crowd-pleasing toreador:


Fallen Iker: Casillas struggles to stand after another goal by Holland.

Whether or not Spain can regain composure from this defeat remains to be seen, but their dynastic future is now very much in question, and the official conversation starter of the 2014 World Cup is "How 'bout those Dutch?"


A victory pile up featuring Dutch player Arjen Robben. Robben and Van Persie scored two goals... each.


This match was played at Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil:



Aesthetic Value: **** out of 5.
Fear (of collapse) Factor: 2 out of 5.