It’s knocking-off time, the football’s on and we haven’t had our dinner yet. Let’s talk top, top tournament football.
Another day, another evening of crazy football games.
While I was standing in front of the bathroom mirror, slapping my face and muttering last-minute words of motivation before the hangout kicked off, Argentina and Nigeria started like a train.
First, your friend and mine, Lionel Messi volleyed in an early opener before the African side marched straight down the pitch to equalise.
So what have you achieved with your day?
I’ve been counting down the minutes to payday by eating €2 chicken rolls from the local Londis and reading a lot about Luis Suarez’s inner chimp. So, average Wednesday.
Our colleague Mikey ‘Long Straw’ Stafford meanwhile is keeping the show on the road in Brazil. He’s currently watching the #USMNT train after Jurgen Klinsmann’s press conference.
We expect another award-winning missive to land within the next 30 mins.
Read today’s interview with Davor Suker here in the meantime, Mikeyfanatics.
Where were you then?
Who had Edin Dzeko for top goalscorer? Well, you’re gonna lose your money, but the big Man City man’s put Bosnia a goal up against Iran.
“In her Pulitzer Prize-winning 1960 novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee famously wrote: ‘You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view — until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.’ Not many people claim to know Luis Suarez, yet most are quick to judge him. His actions can sometimes be reprehensible, as was ostensibly the case when he allegedly bit Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini, yet on the other hand, arguably not since Diego Maradona has one player encapsulated the spirit of a nation with his passion and drive, his tremendous talent and expressive nature. He is someone capable of entrancing those around him, as was seen when Uruguayan players raised him over their shoulders following his recent match-winning performance against England.“
Fenno’s only gone and done another opinion again. And he’s quoting books. This piece on you-know-who is worth your time.
Also the Daily Edge have trawled the internet for the best web reactions to last night’s pantomime.
Here’s that neat finish from Dzeko.
From biting strikers to brawling teammates, this tournament has been as much a soap opera as a highly-entertaining tournament.
This just dropped on the AP newswire:
Ghana players needed a phone call from their country’s president to get them on a plane to Brasilia for the decisive group game against Portugal after an argument with officials over unpaid bonuses. The Ghana Football Association said President John Dramani Mahama “personally spoke with the players” to reassure them they would get their money, avoiding an embarrassing squad strike.
“According to Ghanaian media, the money — between $1.7 and $2.3 million — is now being flown over to Brazil in a specially chartered plane because the players didn’t trust that officials would make the electronic transfers.”
Sergio Aguero’s injured again sadly. And Lavezzi’s on.
Look’s like the PSG man has some El Diez ink:
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Did someone say COMPETITION TIME?
We’ve got a copy of Ben Lyttleton’s Twelve Yards to give away for the best caption for this beautiful picture of Wazza arriving home.
Via Tr16ia
‘Can one man win a World Cup,’ Darragh Maloney asks Richie Sadlier and Kenny C in the RTÉ studio at half-time, moments after Leo Messi does this:
Can one man win a World Cup?
SPOILER ALERT There’s been another crazy start to the half in the Nigeria-Argentina game. There’s been two quick goals, follow the action here.
We’re not far out from the 9pm deadline which the Uruguay camp face in the Suarez case. While the scramble a defence together in their hotel suites, Didi Hamann reckons Europe’s biggest clubs will now back away from buying the troubled striker.
“Would Bayern Munich be interested in a player like this? Not in a million years. For the big clubs, it is about more than what is happening on the pitch,” the former Liverpool man said on RTÉ earlier.
“What is happening off the pitch is equally important because it is about reputation; the sponsorship deals and the merchandising they get.”
While Leo Messi trots off to a massive ovation after an hour, Iran are losing 2-0 to Bosnia.
And some fans at Arena Fonte Nova reckon the middle-eastern side should concentrate on a run in the qualifiers. Check out the ‘Iran for Sam’ banner high in the stands, via Joe.ie and first, Mark Doyle.
Someone (TMZ) asked Bruce Springsteen what he thought of ‘Luis Sanchez’ biting a lad.
He’s not in favour if it.
Entry to the caption comp:
Hey Wayne! You forgot your participation medal!
Anyone do better than that?
Stat attack: Iran have made it 2-1 against Bosnia, meaning every team at the tournament has now scored. Which is nice.
Did Lavezzi mean this?
Historic win klaxon: Bosnia have beaten Nigeria to earn their first victory ever in a World Cup. Fair dues.
Messi’s Argentina top the group, Nigeria go through in second and Iran are bottom.
So, are Argentina now the favourites for the title?
Poll Results:
Right, that wasn’t a bad aul couple of games to whet the appetite was it?
Messi’s again underlined his desire to lead his side to a first world title since 1986 while Nigeria were lots of fun to watch and march on too.
Stay with us for full coverage of France v Ecuador and Honduras v Switzerland.
