Mexico was on par with Brazil, had 7 points and was the best 2nd seed so far. That is a true tournament team. I expect them to pose a problem for the Netherlands.
Translation: you still expect them to lose. Neither team is favored, but Mexico is being given better odds.
Soccer is not Basketball where dominating on the defensive end will mostly win out. It can therefore you will see boring teams such as Greece win some major games or one European title. I do not expect them to lose. It is who is in better shape on game day. It is either a small win secured most likely by the three (RVP/Robben/MemphisDepay)plus Snejder or Mexico can drag it to overtime, penalty shootout. With the way Netherlands is playing I would still say they are 52% favorite to 48% Mexico.
Don't be too sure. I fancy either Brazil or Netherlands to lose in the Rof16 matchups. Either Netherlands loses to Mexico or Brazil loses to Chile. I just think both matchups will be very close. I also think France loses to Nigeria, Argentina defeats Switzerland, Belgium over USA, Germany over Algeria, Colombia over Uruguay, Costa Rica over Greece. What are y'alls predictions for Rof16?
Also, I've been thinking about World Cup Worst XI. ESPN had their own which I think they did a terrible job of putting together. http://www.espnfc.us/fifa-world-cup/4/blog/post/1916330/worst-world-cup-players-at-brazil-2014 I think Dauda of Ghana or unfortunately Casillas, deserve to be on such a list. Ambrose of Nigeria and Boye of Ghana as well. (Boye should be the 1st name on the team sheet). Sergio Ramos, Wilson Palacios, Alex Song all deserve to be in there. Fred and Eder deserve to be starting at strikers for such a team.
Damn, Ferrari breh. France loses vs Nigeria? You still underestimating them and overvalue Belgium, aye. You'll see I was right before WC in my predictions regarding these two nations.
We shall see. I do not expect the Netherlands to lose to Mexico. Like I said I expect a similar game against Mexico as we played against Chili. I do not see Mexico create many chances, and With Van Persie and Robben up front we will have a couple of brilliant moments. for me it is 80% chance the Netherlands win. I do see Chili causing Brazil trouble, but I also expect that Chili will go all out attack and lose because of a counter or a brilliant play by Neymar. France beats Nigeria Argentina beats Switzerland Belgium beats USA Germany beats Algeria Colombia beats Urugay Costa Rica beats Greece
Nigeria was one of the worse 2nd seeders. Argentina without Messi was stumbling. Switzerland will do better than against France. No problem with the other prognoses
I will support them if they're playing anyone but Mexico, but don't cheer for them. There is a huge difference. I know México has played much better football than the USA team this Cup. Evidence supports this (points, goals scored, draw with Brazil playing at home and holding Néymar scoreless, crushing Croatia, scoring easily versus Cameroon and not getting most calls, etc.). ferrari77, why can't it be BOTH? I think Chile will beat Brazil for sure and Mexico's skills will give NED headaches. Spoiler ^^ World Cup's three highest paid coaches have been eliminated while the lowest paid man delights everyone :grin:
My predictions... Brazil over Chili Colombia over Uruguay Netherlands over mexico Costa Rica over Greece France over Nigeria Germany over Algeria USA over Belgium (in penalties) Argentina over Switzerland
Feels lonely without any world cup today Ya'll are right with the arguments between US and Mexico supporters...nothing is lamer than "we'll we got out of the group ya'll lost in the group stages!!!" Unless one of the teams make the top 4 in the world cup then the arguing back and forth (unless it's a head to head match in a tournament) is dumb to me. Yea we saved their asses to get them in but they put themselves in position to where they didn't HAVE to get points the last matchday in Costa Rica (Panama was chasing them after all). Anyway I think Costa Rica has a legit shot at the semifinals...and I would find that pretty cool. Mexico getting there would be cool for all the awesome Mexican fans i've met in real life (but also would suck because message board Mexico fans are some of the worst).
^ I think its is stupid to hate on Mexico, unless its head to head of course. I mean the better Mexico looks the better CONCACAF looks and ultimately that helps the US. Finally we have a respectable federation and I think we are moving past the African nations.
Agreed. I root for CONCACAF. The better we do as an entire federation, the more prestige both teams will get around the world.
Chili beats Brazil (don't fully believe this but I really really want it to happen) France beats Nigeria Argentina beats Switzerland Belgium beats USA Germany beats Algeria Colombia beats Urugay Costa Rica beats Greece Netherlands beats Mexico
I'm not as confident as you are, arno. Remember 2008. Ever since then I never like the draws where we're supposedly "favourites", especially after an amazing group stage. Then again, prefer this match-up to playing the hosts. I expect a Mexico to give us a few problems, but if I HAD to put my house on it I'd still put it on Holland. I'm think 60/40 in our favour, so Mexico still have an excellent chance. Pretty much anything can happen now anyway. Last time in 2010 we also didn't play great in the round of 16. We'll see. I'm nervous!
Brazil 3 Chile 2 (best game of round of 16) France 2 Nigeria 1 Argentina 1 Switzerland 0 (late goal by Messi) USA 2 Belgium 1 (gotta believe!!!) Germany 3 Algeria 1 (Algeria scores first -revenge for 82- but then Germany scores 3 in a row) Colombia 3 Uruguay 1 (James is too hot right now) Costa Rica 2 Greece 0 Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 (115' winner by Van Persie)
