- by Cole O'Brien, writing from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
It seemed that Brazil would have an easy game after the opening minutes as not only did they keep a tremendous amount of possession, but the game turned controversial as soon as Barrrios received a knock to the chin with no card being produced to Lucio. Minutes later Ramieres took a strike wide of the post that only began a spell of bad finishes from the green and yellow.
It wasn't much longer until Brazil found a few quick breakaway's against a outmatched Paraguay defence, but once again shots went far a wide, and although Villar was having an exceptional performance, he was not that good. Of course come after the game the Brazilian players would come to blame that quality of the pitch on these poor shots, yet they seemed to have no problems with it when their shots were on target.
A little over twenty minutes in Brazil's fans were starting to become fed up as they seemed to be urging on their players to score after they failed to net one after another convincing looking counter attack. It was a very timid start to the game as only 8 days earlier both teams had given up two goals to each other in the group stage of the tournament.
At half time Brazil were the only team to have found any real chances on goal, although failing to finish. It was expected that Brazil would come back into the half full of energy after a rather drab first half, and would easily find a few goals as they were looking to avoid extra time and penalties.
Yet come the second half the performance by Brazil was horrible for the crowd to watch. Paraguay seemed to be playing at the same level as the Brazilians. Neymar was completely cut off from play with multiple defenders marking him at all times. Yet it seemed he had finally broken away in the nineteenth minute as he timed his run perfectly to receive a pass that would lead him straight into a defender's foot.
Throughout the second half both teams had countless chances though, with Brazil having a few powerful shots with many, to the dismay of the players, rebounded off of the woodwork. Paraguay even launched a few shots and although few and far between, they had a few nice free kicks near Brazil's eighteen. Yet it was getting to be worrisome as neither team had yet conceded a goal. It was quite clear Brazil should have already had the game in the bag, and yet the score was still stuck at 0-0.
Come the seventy-fifth minute Neymar had to be helped off the field as Fred came off the bench to begin forty-five minutes of stressful play. Although it was very fair to say that Neymar never should've played after the first half and that Fred never should've ended up on the bench after already proving himself against Paraguay earlier in the group stage.
The stats told the game. By the eightieth minute Brazil had out shot Paraguay 14-1 and had won five corners while Paraguay hadn't won any. It was for anyone to answer as to why the score was still tied come the ninetieth minute.
The opening minutes of extra time was full of frustrating moments for the Brazilian side. In the ninety-sixth minute we saw Robinho make a perfect dribble down the line beating two defenders through a complicated maneuver of step overs, but his cross went to the box to find not one striker to head the ball in.
Come the hundredth minute a fight for the ball assumed. All 22 players on the field ran over to the sideline in what turned into a all out fight with many players screaming and pushing each other. It didn't take long for the referee to come over and after talks with the players and a very stressful few minutes he proceeded to give straight reds to not one, but two players in Lucas Levia and Antolin Alcaraz.
You'd think with a Paraguayan defender and fifteen minutes left on the clock that the match should open up and Brazil should easily find one of the half dozen goals in which they should already have and although we saw many bookings and chances the back of the net seemed to be the forbidden resting place of the ball.
It finally came to penalties. It was the same fate that spelled disaster for the Argentine side and Brazil, determined to best their rivals, had an even more catastrophic line of penalties. With Elano, Santos, Silva, and Fred all missing their penalties, many of them heading over the bar it was a sight that no one had ever imagined. Paraguay proceeded to net two penalties and find their way into the semi-finals.
Brazil's poor performance was not helped by the fact that many of their stars drastically under performed. We hardly saw a good moment from Neymar, and while Robinho did have a few startling blasts from the left side, he, like the rest of his team, could not find the back of the net. Of course, credit should go to the Paraguay custodian Villar, who's great performance was one of the primary reasons Brazil were stuck at zero after 120 minutes.
Brazil's Copa America campaign's primary goal was to win it's third straight Copa America after winning the previous two. Coach Mano Menezes called up a mixed squad of proven veterans and youngsters boosting with potential. This wasn't the first bad performance of the group stage though, as Brazil stumbled through the group stage with hardly convincing wins over teams that shouldn't have even bothered them.
Arguably the greatest game in the history of U.S. Soccer. After a game filled with controversial calls, he USWNT trailed Brazil 2-1 into added time in extra time. An Abby Wambach goal kept the US alive and forced penalties. Twelve years ago today the USWNT also went to penalties. It was the 1999 World Cup Final against China. The U.S. walked up and put all five shots in the back of the net. Today they made it 10 for 10. You don't want to go to penalties with the U.S. on July 9th. Below is the Wambach goal in extra time and the penalties that followed.
 |
| [photo by David Cornejo] |
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima, known commonly as simply Ronaldo, announced that his 18 year career will come to an end today. The reason: fitness. It is hard to play football when your over weight and Ronaldo finally accepted that he was no longer in shape to play the game he loves without the fear of injury.
In his prime Ronaldo was one of the best footballers on the planet. He won his first Ballon d'Or in 1997 at the age of 21. He would win that award again in 2002. He is also one of only two men to have won the FIFA Player of the Year award three times, Zinedine Zidane being the other player to achieve that. On the international level Ronald lifted the World Cup twice, in 1994 and 2002. The record for the most goals scored in the FIFA World Cup is also held by Ronaldo: 15.
Today when you mention Ronaldo people often ask if your referring to Cristiano or "the fat one". Ronaldo is solely to blame for his down fall. I cant help but remember his transvestite adventures a few month prior to his departure from AC Milan to join Corinthians. We wish you the best Ronnie. Stay healthy.
The video below shows Ronaldo's transformation through the years.
 |
| [photo by sdhansay] |
- by Matt Narvaez, writing from Florida
ESPN2 - France Vs Brazil - 3PM
This game is great matchup of two of soccer’s historic powerhouses. Both will be fielding top flight squads. Brazil will feature the likes of Pato and Robinho for AC Milan up front. Mid field will have EPL players Anderson, Lucas, Ramires, and Sandro. Dani Alves, David Luis, Marcelo, Rafael will be some of the stalwarts in the back. Mano Menezes will also have plenty of fire on the bench to draw from so this should be a formidable test for Les Bleus. The French side will have some familiar names on it. The big man Karim Benzema will have to show some of the form that has been missing this year during at Real Madrid. Also Guillaume Hoarau from PSG and Loic Remy from Marseille will be featured in the attack. Diaby and Malouda will be the big names in the middle of the pitch; while the back line might as well be known as gunners light with 3 players from the London squad called up to hold back the Brazilian onslaught. The French team has been playing well of late. After what was just a humiliating world cup new manager Laurent Blanc has more than righted the ship and well on their way to their rightful place in world football. Notable absences are Ronaldinho, Nelmar, Kaka, and Nilmar for Brazil. Ribery, Evera, Lass, and the internationaly retired Nicolas Anelka. Since this will be airing on the world wide leader plenty of people should have a chance to watch this great international match.
GolTV Argentina vs Portugal 3PM
If a matchup with 2 of the best footballers on the planet right now can’t get you excited I can’t help you. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi will be squaring off in what has to be the glamour match of the day. German and Italian fans would argue that, but when the last two players that have received the Ballon d'Or are on the same pitch it makes for a special night. Add the fact they are neck and neck for the battle of the Pichichi, it’s definitely one not to be missed. They of course won’t be playing 1 v 1 and both of their nations teams will be fielding impressive squads. Messi will be joined by Milito, Lavezii, and Gaitan in the attacking half. Barcelona teammate and ex Liverpool player Mascherano will be roaming mid field with Inter star Cambiasso, Di Maria and Gago from Real Madrid, Pastore, and Sosa. The back will be anchored by Zanetti, Zabaleta, Milito, and Garay. The men from the Iberian Peninsula should certainly hold their own against the Argentines. Ronaldo will have the Red Devil’s Nani and Danny to send shots at the opposition goal. Manager Paulo Bento will hope Raul Meireles current great play with Liverpool will continue tomorrow. Bosingwa and Bruno Alves will be missing Real Madrid’s Pepe and Carvalho in the back, out due to injury. Hopefully the two main stars can play decent minutes and get an opportunity to display some of the brilliance that they have all year for their clubs.
Other Notable Matches:
Turkey Vs South Korea 1 PM
Denmark Vs England - 2:15 PM on ESPN3
Germany Vs Italy on ESPN3
- by Joe Curtis, writing from Miami
North Korea left everything on the field today when they took on football Superpower Brazil. Besides the fact that their fans are reportedly paid actors, they made Brazil work for the win which came off a Maicon goal that was arguably meant as a cross instead of a shot on net. Either way it was a goal. The Brazilians added a, Elano goal in the 72', but the Koreans did not go away quietly and in the 89' Ji Yun-Nam was finally able to get the Korean on the scoreboard. Check out the Maicon goal in the video below.