By TIM FONTENAULT
After a wild finish Monday night, the World Cup continues Tuesday with three matches, including the introduction of the four teams that have yet to play.
Belgium finally kicks off its first World Cup since 2002. No longer considered a dark horse thanks to a young crop of stars like Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois and Axel Witsel, Belgium has been by pegged by many to be the most likely of the non-traditional powers to lift the trophy in Brazil and will be the team to beat in Group H.
Belgium opens their tournament against 2010 World Cup participants Algeria. While not considered a threat to escape the group, Algeria knows how to make things difficult for bigger sides at the World Cup. After all, their last match at the tournament very nearly kept the United States out of the knockout stage.
Brazil and Mexico both overcame slow starts to grab three points in their opening matches. Now, they face off against each other, with the winner (if there is one) all but assured a spot in the second round.
Russia and South Korea will be the last teams to make their 2014 World Cup debuts. Russia has hopes that they can overtake Belgium in Group H and maybe make a deep run as a result. Defeating South Korea and Algeria will be crucial for the No. 18 team in the world.
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
12 p.m. – Belgium vs. Algeria – ESPN
3 p.m. – Brazil vs. Mexico – ESPN
6 p.m. – Russia vs. South Korea – ESPN
Thiago Silva showed some class there… late on the challenge…knew it, took the yellow card like a man and apologized to the player he fouled hard… Chicarioto accepted…wish football could always be like that.
+1. Coulda easily gone red.
Ya, that was a leg breaker.
The idea that pretending to be fouled is part of the game, is something that i wish was not excepted. I heard Howard sY something to that effect the other day.
Yeah, I read that. He said they are trained to fall if they feel contact(goalkeepers), lost a lot of respect for him. Not that much was left after he cried and complained in 2011.
I really hope mr howard is able to soldier on without your respect.
Know him he’ll just have another break down.
Brazil just missed their best scoring opportunity from an offside non-call. Mexico has been defending well. Brazil might need a Mexican to be red-carded off to win.
Chicharito will get the game winner
Marcelo and Luiz look like the most dangerous plaers going forward for Brazil…not sure it’s agood sign
Neymar is doing rather well now too.
Luiz also feels like half a second away from a yellow or Red on every play he makes.
Ochoa has some pretty big gloves. Puts them to good use…
Brazil is really laking a good striker, Fred is the most un Brazilian striker I have seen, dude gives them nothing.
Ochoa pulling a Kasey Keller circa 1998 against Brazil….
I have to laugh when i see Guardado asking for a card for consistent infringement, and then not 40 seconds later he commits at least his 6 th foul of the game.
Getting good.
Brazil is getting counterattacks but I have a feeling Julio Cesar is going to make a mistake here. Anyone else feeling that?
and their defenders are pushing very high….gotta figure mexico gets a chance to counter
Mexico looking stronger and stronger
I believe that Mexico will win. Go Concacaf
I can’t believe how poor Brazil look. They do not even look like contenders.
Mexico is definitely the better team in the 2nd half so far.
I see Rafa Marquez writhing in pain on the ground and I feel nothing…nothing…
I feel glee.
It’s not just the Brazilian games it’s all the games. Very impressive work from the camera crew
I’m so afraid to comment on this.
So far it’s a great game. Both teams are playing dirty and flopping quite a bit but it’s entertaining football.
Mexico went from being the worse to the best team in our region pretty fast.
I still say they take it 2-0. Their goalie will be MOTM.
Reminds me of a game I saw yesterday.
The US game? I don’t remember a lot of flopping.
don’t mind ted, he’s one of sbi’s resident mexican troIIs.
A lot of tough battles, good pressuring. Game 2 of the group.
Memo Ochoa looking like MOTM right now,
Agreed
Memo is standing on his head today.
Memo stepping up. I wouldn’t have guessed that.
Ochoa came to play.
Case in point: Brazilian striker falls down after a light touch, only to realize it was his teammate that touched him, so he hits his head in frustration. Minute 38-39
I missed that but knowing Brazilians that fits the bill.
This game is very exciting but they are hacking the $hit out here other.
no one has to be convinced that brasilians dive; i just don’t think they’re substantially worse than mexico.
Agreed. It cheapens the game when you see these exaggerated flops.
Which is why I can’t for Demps, JJ and Jozy are gone from the National team.
Goal line technology works again.Finally…What took Soccer so long?
It takes time for the FIFA crew to switch strategies, and they needed to get accustomed to making bad offside calls and preparing the world for bad PKs, instead of just disallowing and declaring goals like they used to.
I’m entertained. Very Shakesperean
Amazing save. Come on Mexico! Beat the host!!!
come on Mexico get beaten like’s February in Columbus
eat the Host?
– Jorge Mario Bergoglio
2 great saves on both ends
having been to Rio when it’s rainy it’s nothing special
Atmosphere looks incredible. What on earth am I doing here at work?
lol mexico playing bradleyball. love it.
seriously, I was thinking the same… although it’s more Bora-ball and Sampson-ball and Arena-ball and Bradley-ball and Klinsmann-bal…it’s the American way until the talent pool s sufficiently stocked with players who equal their European peers in terms of first and second touch and spatial awareness…
good point. last night was a masterclass in bradleyball.
Wasn’t Bradley/Arena/Sampson/Bora-ball absorb then strike? Last night was strike then absorb then strike again.
(s) It’s totally different. (/s)
Its a shame that can play the game with out all these theatrics, could have been a great free flowing game.
kudos to Peralta for staying on his feet, I totally expected him to ake that leg and trip over it in the box
lol at Guardado screaming in pain BEFORE Alves make contact
what is Mexico wearing? the look like the 1970’s Dutch teams on the stream I’m watching
Two teams that like to dive and act like there legs were ripped off their bodies, should be a tough one for the ref.
The ref’s already lost control. Broken legs will follow soon
agreed
May the flopping begin for Brazil.
Seriously, there is no reason to do five barrel rolls when being fouled
Agreed. I call them flopping drama queens.
HAHAHAHAH 😀
On a side not, the MLS is showing pretty huge in the tournament. Dempsey’s goal, Cahill making Australia looking more than just a push-over side, and that guy from Costa Rica, number 9, with his amazing performance.
Not bad, I don’t even care for the MLS that much!
Don’t forget the Zusi corner on the goal. It was pinpoint.
I did forget that!!! (although why would i??) Thanks man. 😀
Joel Campbell (9) is signed to Arsenal and was on loan last season at Olympiacos. Reports are Wenger plans to bring him in next season.
His left footed shot from the run of play is breathtaking. The combo of technique and pure power is impressive.
However, Giancarlo Gonzalez from the Crew did play in that match
I’m a little surprised Estaben Alvarado isn’t there back up keeper or at least made the team. I thought he had a strong season at AZ.
Thanks man!!! So, the kid is that good huh?
yep and only 21 too, so scary having to see him for the next decade. he’s also the same player that took the dive getting Besler a yellow, making him miss the Mexico match.
Sigh … I remember that dive… seems he’s already getting ready to leave MLS and head for Europe.
Oh, so he is THAT guy. That I remember.
Well, now I like him a lot less. hahaha
Good comeback for Belgium..a lot of hasty folks earlier in this thread..can’t wait for the SK Russia game to see if Russia lives up to all the hype
+1
Russia is a strong side.
Belgium is getting to the quarters at least.
Way too much talent on and off the field.
The dominated the whole game and the Algerians were no push-overs. In fact, I was amazed at how organized and tight they were. Not half-bad at all.
That number 10, which club does he play for? God, he is FAST!!!!
Feghouli plays for Valencia I think
I think his name is Hazzard or something like that…or am I confusing players?
Lol I thought he was talking about the Algerian number 10
Yeah, I wrote it poorly. My head is moving quicker than my fingers can type! haha
Hazard plays for Chelsea. Probably Chelsea’s top player this year. Word is that he’s off to PSG after the cup though. Do you follow any club soccer?
Any news on Jozy?
Today is a holiday in Brazil; If he needs a specialist, it will probably take at least another day before we hear anything.
VERY TRUE.
Brazilians are drinking beer and getting ready for the game. Jozy can wait as far as they are concerned. Although, money does talk in Brazil.
Beautiful counter-attacking goal. As good as the finish was, the assist was picture perfect.
Ja! Jaaaaa rode duviels!!!!!Doel!
here comes a corner….a stake in the Red Devils’ hearts?
That Algerian fan with the “Aladdin” hat (I don’t know it’s proper name) dancing around the stands, waving the flag is going to be a symbol of this Cup.
I am calling it NOW. You heard it here first!
Quatar…
The Ghana fan they showed just before their goal, the one that Ian Darke made the ‘It takes all types’ comment about, he was pretty intense. But Ghana not getting the result in the end hurts his chances as most memorable fan.
Yeah, the “witch doctor”, right?
All the guys at the bar yesterday were saying he is the one who put a curse on the US team. haha
Last Cup there was another African guy, although I don’t know which nation he was representing (maybe South Africa) who was definitely one of the symbols of that Cup.
You mean the witch doctor who was responsible for US’s hamstring injuries.
We must have wrote our comments at the same time!! That witch doctor doing his thing again!!! haha
Hahaha…..thinks it’s called a Fez. Algeria is a pretty good team don’t know why this is a big surprise to everyone. Brazil always have a difficult time with Mexico so it should be a very interesting game. Wouldn’t shock me if Mexico pulled it out 2 or 3-1
dempsey was man of the match according to wikipedia
though should have been Jones
This is one hell of a game.
Belgium not living up to their potential. Algeria with the tight, compact, controlled defense, exploiting their chances.
I am liking it.
Being half Brazilian and a fan of the USMNT, I am really looking forward to the next game. I say Mexico pulls the upset and wins 2-0.
I will thankfully be able to watch the second half on my lunch break. It will be interesting to see how Belgium reacts to being down at the half in their World Cup opener, especially considering how so many people have been singing their praises. Sink or swinmtime, they are in the deep end of the pool now.
They have lots of possession, lots of talent and get forward but can’t break the defense down. If Lukaku were Altidore in this same situation, people would be calling for his head. Lukaku can’t get two seconds of the ball at his feet thanks to the Algerians.
Honestly, I wouldn’t count them out one bit. Even if they lose this one, next game they will be more accustomed to each other and therefore play better. They have all the tools and talent.
1-0 down. The hipsters will be weeping tonight.
what a crazy world cup so far
there are always 1-2 hyped teams that don’t make it out of the group-think France and Italy in 2010…
the Belgians didn’t even make it to Euro 2012 with the same group, so the WCQ was the frist time they actually played up to their talent… and now you’re asking a bunch of EPL prima donnas to fly to a hot and humid place and work together to break down a pesky, technically sufficient underdog
How does that crow taste Paul? 😉
Belgium’s so overrated. Next big thing, my ass.
Come on, that was a great penalty conceded
So far, I’m not impressed. They don’t really have control of this game and they should.
They are dominating the game man.
They are young and have little experience. However, they are bossing the game around despite the Algerians tight, compact, organized defense.
Give it time. I bet they still get out of the group even if they lose this one.
Hmm, I should clarify. First half it didn’t seem like Belgium could do what they wanted to do. Algeria was succeeding in their plan.
And they won 2-1.
They have it all. I bet they get to the quarters at least. Too much talent.
I think we beat them in the round of 16 to move on to the quarterfinals
Where was the yellow for the kick to the face?
THANK YOU!!!
Yellow? Looked like excessive force to me.
Should have been red. You can’t let players play that out of control
Dangerous play can be red. Sliding in studs up is an example here. I can’t believe there wasn’t even a foul called on the play. They are both shoulder to shoulder going up for a header. Then the kick. Because he knew where the other player was, and knowingly kicked to his head, that should have been a red card.
This… +1.
I can only assume that all three men in yellow didn’t see the actual contact.
Agreed.
I’ve actually be trying to figure this out… at first I thought the refs just missed it — but there was ZERO commentary from the announcers as well (at least on ESPN). No one questioning the lack of a yellow, much less red. So I figured they knew something I didn’t? To me, that looked like a clearly dangerous play with no ball contact that should have been a red card.
The face of US SOCCER
should be Clint Dempsey or Michael Bradley
not Donovan. He’s done so much for us but going forward it needs to be 1 of those 2
Absolutely NOT. Both of them were awful in yesterdays game, Bradley was downright terrible.Dempsey has a prima donna attitude, and wants everything handed to him on a silver platter including calls. As much as people dont like him, Jones is the embodiment of what America was founded on in a player. Hard work, leaving every single ounce of energy in your job, and being passionate about your work.
Dempsey scored yet another big goal for the U.S. and had his nose broken yet stayed on the field, and this is all you can say about him? He was very inconsistent last night, as were most of the other American players, but I don’t understand this vitriole.
because in 98% of the games Dempsey is only useful for 10% of it. That is an extremely common trend
+100
Dempsey is a great player with a terrible attitude. They aren’t mutually exclusive.
He carried on most of the game as if someone owes him after having done him wrong. You can see it in his face.
His nose looked totally out of joint the for like the last hour of the game. What a jerk.
I’ll take 34 seconds of Dempsey being useful any day!!!!!
unless the other team scores 2 goals…
Vitriol…that is how you spell it!
I was racking my brain about an hour ago trying to get it right.
Thanks!
So, I was not the only person who saw Clint’s attitude.
Yeah, his goal was AMAZING. Third best goal of the Cup thus far for sure. And yes, he is a beast.
But, his attitude is terrible.
Do you realize how ridiculous you sound? Clint has a bad attitude…how could all his teammates and coaches not see this.
Looks like you have never played sports before. Many world-class players, in various sports, have had HORRIBLE attitudes and yet continued to play and be played. I would go through the list but I can tell it is pointless.
At any rate, his goal was amazing.
You know that I have never played sports before ? How? and I suppose you used the same methods to determine that Dempsey has a bad attitude. Your comments are conjecture not fact is all i am saying.
Bradley did have a horrible game.
Dempsey was so-so. Always attacking. A few shots on goal.
But agreed. He is the US SOCCER PLAYER. Came from a trailer park in East Texas to playing in the best football league on the planet and has scored in 3 consecutive world cups. when will the haters die? Same with Bradley. They’ve accomplished so much and done to erase the negative image of US players abroad. Kids should desire to play like them, not to play against the likes of Chivas USA.
I dunno if I’d call MLS the best football league on the planet.
I’m going out on a limb here but I’m guessing he’s referring to his 6 years in the EPL.
you realize bradley plays against chivas usa, right? not sure if i understood your comment.
Bradley deserves to be in EUROPE.
my favorite team is USMNT
my 2nd favorite team in whoever plays Mexico
my 3rd favorite is whoever plays Russia
Go Korea, Go Brazil
Normally i would agree with you but with the Garbage that went on in the officiating in the first game i want brazil to bomb out in the group stages. I hate diving teams like brazil more than mexico
i’m trying to make sense of your last sentence. do you actually think mexico isn’t a ‘diving team’?
No where near the level that Brazil is. Both Brazil mens and Womens are the worst divers in the game, its horrible to watch
The frustrating part is that Brazil are extremely physical on defense but fall down if a breeze hits them. Neymar especially.
It’s just that Mexico was definitely robbed last game, while Brazil was given a charity PK. (And Croatia was denied a good goal, not to mention the non-call on a play equivalent to the PK gifted to Brazil.)
I’d rather see Mexico go home early and Brazil lose in te konckout rounds
Belgium 2-0. Brazil, 2-1. South Korea pulls the upset 2-1.
I’d like to see those results actually.
I think Belgium can put 3 or 4 on the board, honestly, so I expect a romp there. I agree about Brazil-Mexico, and I think South Korea holds strong for a while, but eventually succumbs in the second half, 1-0.
We’ll, they are now down 1-0 and Algeria is tough to score against (remember 2010). Belgium may have been strong in qualifying, but this is their first time on the big stage in 12 years. I do not see them scoring a ton.
I thought talent would be enough for them, but you are right, the World Cup is a completely different animal. They of course have time to figure things out, but not an impressive half from the Belgians.
As much as i hate mexico, i want to see all the concacaf teams perform well at the WC
Me, too. But I also had to be realistic with my predictions.
Me three. 🙂