By RYAN TOLMICH
While Thursday’s opener officially kicked off the tournament, Day 2 of the World Cup is when the fun truly begins. With a slate of three games on the docket, Friday’s lineup boasts the first full day of World Cup action.
The day’s action will start off with a Group A clash between Mexico and Cameroon in a matchup that will be key for a pair of teams jockeying for position behind yesterday’s winner, Brazil. Both teams limped through qualifying, but Friday’s contest gives both teams a chance to erase any memories of frustration by providing their supporters with three crucial points.
The second contest is the day’s headliner, as defending champion Spain takes on the Netherlands in a rematch of the 2010 final. Friday’s game is a first in the tournament’s long history, as prior to this contest, there had never been a Group Stage rematch between the last tournament’s finalists. While both sides will be gunning for early points, the 2010 tournament proved that it is possible to succeed after stumbling out of the gate, as Spain became the World Cup’s first team to win it all after losing its opening game.
The day’s action will conclude with the other two teams in Group B, Chile and Australia. The two sides will surely have their backs against the wall in their contests with Spain and the Netherlands, so Friday’s opener will be crucial if either team has hopes of reaching the knockout stages.
If you will be watching today’s matches, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action (TV listings after the jump):
TODAY’S WORLD CUP SOCCER ON TV
11:30am – Mexico vs. Cameroon – ESPN2
2:30pm – Spain vs. Netherlands – ESPN
5:30pm – Chile vs. Australia – ESPN2
Man, folks above, Chile definitely outclassed Australia. Not by a huuuuge margin, but by a notable one. Oz was in it mainly by fire and fouling.
These goalkeepers have unique and different approaches ways to inspiring anxiety
Australia really should be ahead. Shame about the bogus calls.
Jokes aside, it’s nice to see Cahill repping the MLS well.
Socceroos have heart and a good fighting spirit in em.
Australia more dangerous than Chile at the moment.
Mexican announcer is nominated for the Spanish-language voice of Herman Munster.
+1 F*ck that’s good. Now I can’t switch back!
This is not so much a case of Chile dominating as the early goals suggested. However, Australia has just written another chapter in the playbook for “How not to start your WC”. Two early goals and a completely needless yellow card for Cahill were not in the gameplan. But… they weren’t not badly outclassed, and they may still be able to erase much of the damage if they keep the focus they started to show after they woke up. Frankly, Bob Bradley woud love this sh*t
Bob should be coaching the socceroos
Classic Tim Cahill goal. Take that RVP.
LS gets its first goal of the World Cup too
Cahill special there
*MLS 🙂
nice
and its first yellow card. Cahill in the book
game on
Man those Socceroos look slower than molasses in the wintertime.
GO-GO-GO CHI-CHI-CHI GO CHILE!
Let the goal differential battle begin… Spain is in big trouble. 2-0 already
ugly early
So…… anyone rethinking their brackets ?
Yup Chile should be first in the group followed by the dutch
Its too late. Im boned.
Robben proving that he might be the best player in this Cup.
Both goals were picture perfect. Pure technical genius. The calm control and timing.
The reality is though that the writing was on the wall for Spain. Barca was falling hard and they couldn’t get it done this year. No Puyol and that overrated Pique coupled with no true number 9 will not result in a title this year. Plus, where was Spain’s midfield?
Del Bosque told Pique no more waka…waka with Shakira… It weakens the legs.
I like ESPN’s porch set. The talent should have caipirinha in front of them. Drunk Bob Ley and Alexi Lalas anybody?
This is what the U.S. hopes to do against Ghana, counter attack…and tear it up in the second half as the Ghanaians get tired.
Chile playing in Brazil is just like Mexico playing in Texas. So Spain is in for it!!!
Looks like Spain is going to have to beat both Chile and Australia.Chile is going to be tough.
OK, next game.
Chi-Chi-Chi Go Chile!
Del Bosque: You’re Old Mother Hubbard and only Torres is in the cupboard
Australia is starting to lick their chops
Fernando Torres, Jozy thanks you for making him feel better
Seriously Torres!!!! How did he make the team???
I know, wide open net cant even swing his leg to take a shot.
Ticky tacky is done
as poorly as Spain has played, the Dutch are playing out of their minds. They would have crushed Brazil.
Ok, I gotta give Iker some credit on those last two. He is an incredible shot-stopper that makes poor decisions and is weak on crosses. With the Spain of old, most teams resorted to long shots and played to his strength. No such protection with this current team.
what a strike from Robben, Casillas deserves a little credit there
Any goalie that let’s in 5 doesn’t deserve credit.
haha no doubt, he has to be benched
After 3 goals it becomes the goalies moral obligation to step up or at least play like his family is watching.