Liveblog: Portugal vs. Netherlands

June 25th, 2006 | by: Chris Heidrich |

In a game of fluctuating levels of players on the pitch, and 16 yellow cards, Portugal found time to score a fantastic goal and hold on to beat a physical Dutch team that lacked punch in the six yard box. Portugal face England in the quarter-finals and the Dutch go home. Keep adding your comments about the madness on the pitch in the comments below.

Final: Netherlands 0-1 Portugal

Full-time: Portugal hold on to win it! Amazing game. 16 yellow cards and 4 red cards. Be interested to read what Aaron over at the referee’s blog has to say about this performance by the man in the middle.

Dutch World Cup is over to a resolute Portugal. They held on while chaos reigned for long periods. The Dutch created some decent chances but could not find the finishing touch needed to equalize. The inquisition of van Basten’s selection choices will begin tomorrow.

Portugal coach Scolari’s unbeaten World Cup run continues. Portugal faces England in the quarter-finals but they will have to do it without Deco and Costinha after both were sent off today.

96:10 – Last chance for the Dutch. Ball pumped into the area and van Persie leaps around like a landed fish. Portugal appeals for a card for a dive, but it looked like he just jumped awkwardly.

95:32 – Tiago breaks into the Dutch box and gives a little shake’n'bake before toeing the ball towards goal. Dutch defense caught napping again.

94:10 – Red Card! Gio gets a yellow card and is also sent off. His tackle on Simao followed a preiod where Portugal was keeping the ball away nicely from Holland. Simao did well to chase down a loose ball and win back possession after the move broke down and Gio hacked at him. 9 on 9 now.

92:13 – Dutch laying seige to the Portugal 18 yard box. Crosses keep getting pumped in and keep getting repelled by Portugal. Kuyt is making his presense felt but can’t get a clear header.

89:34 – Goal mouth action as Kuyt slides in and the cross just misses his foot. Desparation for the Dutch now. 6 minutes of unjury time.

87:45 – Portugal breaks free and Miguel passes into the area for Simao running through unmarked. Where is the Dutch defense? Simao is called for offside but not before van der Saar has to make a save at his feet. Simao slid in as he was justified in doing but van der Saar took offense and tries to punch Simao while simultaneously yelling at the referee. He’s a talented man, for sure.

86:00 – Van der Vaart is whistled for handball. Portugal pumps the ball long to ease the pressure. Simao will have a lonely time up front, chasing long balls for as long as this game goes on. We can expect about 10 minutes of injury time after all the shenanigans.

84:25 – Dutch bring off Cocu for Vennegor. That’s it for their subs. No van Nistelrooy tonight. Will they get the goal they need to progress without him?

82:48 – No subs as far as we can tell. Dutch warming up the guy with the longest name on the back of a jersey. Vanneldoor of Hesseldink (or something like that) is the player we might see next. Finally Figo does come off and Tiago is on. Looks like Ricardo is gonna be ok.

81:17 – Tiago about to come on for Portugal. Figo is coming off. Portugal is battening down the hatches. They will try to defend this lead til the end. But wait! The goalkeeper may not be able to continue. Will they have to sub Ricardo instead?

79:30 – Kuyt has the chance of the game, put through one on one with Ricardo. He slides in but Ricardo does well to make himself big and makes a fantastic save. Now he’s hurt although it’s not apparent how Kuyt actually hurt Ricardo’s thigh.

78:43 – Amongst all the madness, a game of football has broken out. Portugal trying to make attacking moves with only 9 men on the park. The Dutch counter but their shots are being blocked before they become dangerous.

77:19 – Red Card! Deco is booked again and is sent off for not giving the ball back. Deco delaying the game and gets a yellow card. Stupid, stupid foul. Dutch have 10, Portugal with 9 players.

75:50 – Valente hacks down van Persie and gets a yellow card for his trouble. The match is in danger of escalating out of control and I’ll be surprised if we don’t see another sending off.

74:42 – Play restarts with a free kick which bends nicely but the header at the far post is wide. Keeper Ricardo gets a yellow card but for what I don’t know.

72:18 – Chaos breaks out. The Dutch were unsporting after not giving possession back to Portugal after the stoppage of play for Carvalho’s injury. Deco hacks down Heitinga. Then Sneijder knocks down Deco and its a melee in the middle of the field. Referee loses control momentarily. Van der Vaart also gets yellow card.

70:48 – Robben makes a flying run down the left wing but his cross is just too high for Kuyt at the near post. The ball breaks to the edge of the area and Carvalho makes a fantastic tackle to block the shot by Sneijder.

69:41 – Heitinga is disposesed in midfield and Deco breaks forward. A nice move on the edge of the are but no shot is forthcoming.

68:03 – van Persie has awoken from his World Cup slumber and is making nice moves, ala Ronaldo but with actual usefulness. His great cross slides across the 6 yard box but there is no one to follow through. That’s van Nistelrooy’s territory for sure.

66:44 – van Bommel comes off to be replaced by Heitinga. van Bommel is on a yellow card and the way this game is going, maybe van Basten was worried his aggressive midfielder might not finish the game. Will we see van Nistelrooy?

64:35 – Both teams down to 10 men now and the game should open up even more. Not to say justice was done, but the Dutch have been very physical in this game and Boulahrouz earned his marching orders.

62:08 – Red Card! Chaos reigns as Boulahrouz gets his second yellow for elbowing Figo in the face. Figo did get struck in the face and he went down like a sack of crap. Wasn’t intentional by the look, but Sepp Blatter has called elbows in football the Devil and it must be removed from the game.

61:46 – Portugal enjoying a purple patch of possession here. Let’s hope they don’t wear themselves out.

59:56 – After the dust settles, Simao takes the free kick and hits the roof of the goal, but unfortunately for Portugal the outside of the netting. Nice effort, but no cigar.

58:16 – Nice period of possession for Portugal eats away from clock and eventually a foul on Deco at the top of the arc of the 18 yard box. Van Bronkhurst gets the yellow card for the late tackle. Confusion reigns as Figo gets in the face if van Bommel and may well have spat in his face. Van Bommel hits the deck like he’s been punched. Figo gets a yellow card.

56:32 – Portugal break out of defense and the ball finds it’s way to Figo on the left. He runs at defenders then releases to Maniche on the edge of the area. His shot forces a great diving save from van der Saar.

55:02 – Attacking substitution for the Dutch. Mathijsen comes off for van der Vaart. Dutch need to score and with the extra man, they can afford to play 3 at the back.

54:56 – Kuyt contines to have a shocker. His touch lets him down on a throw-in and it goes out for a goal kick.

53:24 – Figo tries to ease the pressure by dribbling to get a shot away. A nice bending effort but van der Saar has it easily covered.

52:23 – Corner from van Persie is a shocker. Too hard and sails harmlessly away. Shots of van Nistelrooy warming up. The Dutch will need his finishing power.

49:46 – Van Bommel has a shot from outside the area on a slight angle along the deck with troubles Ricardo. He flaps at it and looks as though he made a hash of it, but the ball spills wide. Dutch rampant right now.

48:40 – Great chances for the Dutch! Cocu rocks the cross bar but the ball bounces out. A cros from the left sees van Bommel attempt a bicycle kick. The ball falls to Cocu 12 yards and he hammers it against the bar.

46:27 – Keep an eye out for the subtle time-wasting Portugal will do this half as they try to hold on to their slender lead with only 10 men. Expect the Dutch to have a lot of possession, let’s see what they can do with it.

45:01 – Pauleta has been taken off and Petit is on in his place. Portugal is preparing for the defensive mountain they have to climb to get this win.

Half-time Highlights: Some folks in the comments aren’t too happy with the Ronaldo bashing in the LiveBlog. True we’ve been harsh on the young guy, but let’s face it he loves the attention of the camera and the fans. I hate to see him leave the game the way he did and I respect his emotions shown after being kicked out of the game. Even though Portugal is down basically two men now, I would be happy to see them hang on and win so we get to see Ronaldo again in this World Cup.

Half-time: Portugal have been the better team of the half, controlling possession well and creating more chances that the Dutch. Maniche’s goal was a well worked team effort along with his individual skill. Pauleta will have thought he scored for sure until van der Saar ruined his celebrations with a great save.

The Dutch have not shown much except for small flashes of nice play. Robben is a danger and van Persie came closest with his outside of the boot shot that whizzed across the face of goal after he’d schooled multiple Portuguese defenders inside the box.

The sending off of Costinha is a huge blow to Portugal. The Dutch should be able to exploit the extra space if they keep moving the ball from side to side between Robben and van Persie. Kuyt has been quiet and not shown why he should be in for van Nistelrooy. In fact, a bit more selfishness from him might have resulted in more shots on goal.

47:55 – Figo shows he’s still got some skills down the left wing. The move dies out and the ref blows for half-time.

45:50 – Red Card! Costinha gets his second yellow for a stupid handball and is sent off. It was an obvious handball but I don’t know if he intended it as he stretched for the ball. That changes the complexion of this game completely for the second half.

44:23 – Pauleta has a great strike from 9 yards well saved by van der Saar. Amazing save.

43:45 – Wesley Snipes has a free kick on the corner of the 18 yard box, but he strikes it high and wide, not getting the bend he wanted.

42:13 – Robben is called for a high challenge in the box, though it appeared more like Robben was kicked in the chest by the Portuguese player. Our resident referee called is a small testicles call by the ref who did not want to give a penalty for a high challenge.

40:32 – Some nice battling in midfield from both teams. Ronaldo kind of reminds me of the Karate Kid. He gets kicked unfairly to hurt him and take him out of the tournament. Unfortunately Portugal does not have Mr Miyagi to do that clapping-warm-hands routine to get him back out on the park. Magic spray can only do so much.

38:27 – Ooijer just fell over in the middle of the park, no one near him. Sniper shot? Replay shows a knock in the back of the leg. Retaliation from Portugal for kicking Ronaldo out of the game?

37:00 – Great work by van Persie in the box. He skins two players with a sweet cut back but skews shit eventual shot wide with the goal beckoning. Great chance for the Dutch and nice to see some life from them.

34:42 – Duch cannot keep possession beyond their own half. They get so far but either lose it or have to turn back. We’ve seen some bodily fluids today. Beckham’s vomit and Ronaldo’s tears. What’s next? Some blood?

32:40 – Ronaldo has gone down again. He got crunched and will be coming off for good. Simao takes his place, but a big blow for Portugal and a big blow for the young man. He’s in tears and in some pain.

30:39 – Yellow card for Costinha after he scythes down Cocu. He gets up limping but he’s a hard man and should be fine after a few minutes. Get some magic spray for that guy!

28:47 – Long ball from van Bommel finds Robben who controls well with no space to work with. He works inside but it ends up being a Portuguese player who sends the ball goalwards, but Ricardo is not required to make a save.

25:22 – Nice early goal that will be great for the game. The Dutch look good enough to create some chances. in the meantime, Maniche is feeling good tonight. A long range effort that’s just over the bar, even though van der Saar had it covered.

22:33 – GGGGOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!!!! Maniche scores with a wonderful burst into the box. Ronaldo to Deco on the wing, who plays it in and Pauleta puts it on a platter for Maniche, who beats one player before hammering home.

21:09 – van Persie with a foul throw. Come on, son, how hard can it be?

19:08 – Robben hits the deck and appeals for a free kick. His pouting is worthy of Ronaldo. Maniche goes into the ref’s book for clattering through the back of van Bommel.

17:40 – Nice work by Deco earns Portugal a corner. Half cleared by the Dutch and away for another corner. Figo works hard to get a cross away, but the Dutch are strong enough and take care of business.

15:31 – Robben breaks the offside trap beautifully but gets shut down in the box. His pass finds a team-mate but no shot results. Eventually Portugal clears.

14:34 – Figo blows by Gio and gets a cross in. Pauleta leaves it thinking he had a player behind him following up. Cleared by the Dutch.

13:01 – One step-over move by Ronaldo for those keeping count. That magic spray is good stuff.

12:30 – Figo already moved to the left side. Perhaps the Dutch are weak on that side, though with Gio playing out there, you’d have to think the other side might bear more fruit.

10:50 – Close up of the magic spray being applied to Ronaldo’s thigh. Nearly a whole bottle going on there. Might be a corked thigh. Those hurt a lot. His legs are pretty smooth too. He shaves? Or maybe has not hit puberty yet – hence the pouting.

09:18 – Ronaldo moving a bit gingerly after the tackles he’s been through. Hope he’s gonna be ok. Figo has started on the right, Ronaldo on the left. I’m sure they’ll move around throughout the game. He’s really struggling out there. Maybe Ronaldo’s game is over before it’s begun.

08:14 – Good defense by Miguel who dispossesses Robben who was making his run into the Portuguese box. Should be a great battle between those two all night.

06:58 – Dangerous tackle on Ronaldo by Boulahrouz which earms him a yellow card. Looks like he’ll be getting some attention tonight. Ample ammunition for the pout-o-meter.

06:13 – Portugal breaking nicely and with speed through Miguel. The move slows down once they hit the Dutch 18 but they keep possession. Eventually i breaks down, but it woke the crowd up.

03:45 – Van Persie is fouled while jumping. Looked like nothing, but the Dutch have a free kick. Gio stands over it. His shot is decently hit, but does not trouble Ricardo who scoops it up.

02:49 – Robben picks up the ball after Portugal are unable to clear their wing. His shot goes way wide and high.

01:12 – Van Bommel shoots just wide. nice chance for the Dutch. He picks up a yellow card 2 seconds later for a challenge on Ronaldo. Not good for van Bommel.

00:01 – We’re off! Goals galore is the prayer to the football gods. How many step-overs will we see from Ronaldo tonight?

National Anthems: Dutch looking sharp in white. Maniche is in the Portuguese line-up even though I thought he’d picked up too many yellow cards in group play. His distance shooting will hopefully be on target today. Portuguese players all belting out the national anthem. Great to see these players obviously caring. Dutch players a little more reserved but all singing to a man. Nice one.

5 minutes to go: After sitting through the agony of England’s win against Ecuador, I just hope we see some enterprising football and some shots on goal. As nice as Beckham’s free kick was, it was slim pickings for anything else of note in that game. These teams like to attack and have excellent wide players. Players in the tunnel about to come out.

15 minutes to go: Looking at recent performances, Luis Paulo over on the Portugal team blog breaks down the recent meetings between these two teams and Portugal has the upper hand by some margin. Portugal has not lost to the Dutch in 7 games. Several have been draws though and that won’t be enough today. Still, it makes my prediction for extra time look more likely, but I don’t know if I backed the winning horse on this one.

20 minutes to go: Still on the Dutch, Jan reports that Holand will wear their white away kits tonight. Portugal is considered the home team by whatever mystical formula FIFA uses to decide these things and will wear their usual maroon kits, which is a shame cos I’m looking forward to seeing Portugal take the field in their black away kits – though I hope for their sake it’s not during the heat of the early game. I quite fancy the Dutch white jerseys. If you do too, you can buy them here.

30 minutes to go: According to the Dutch team blog, Kuyt is replacing Van Nistelrooy up front. This is a surprise to me as I’ve been very unimpressed by Kuyt. Van Nistelrooy hasn’t exactly set the tournament on fire either, but he has scored once already and is a proven goal-poacher. What has Kuyt done to justify his inclusion? I don’t know, but if you do, please leave a comment. I’m all ears – just like Cocu.

Pregame: What is your prediction for the game?
After the snooze-fest in the summer sun that was England vs Ecuador, we can only hope the later game time will mean more running and a more exciting game. On paper the teams should produce a game worthy of a later round game, but as I read in the comments of an earlier LiveBlog, paper tears easily.

It’s hard for me to even predict a score in this game. Both teams have done well enough in the group stages without really turning on the jets and wowing us. I like the look of Holland’s defence, and Portugal has an abundance of talent up front. The Dutch aren’t too shabby in the wingers department either so we should see a spread out game with some nice passing.

I definitely don’t know what I’m talking about, but I have to make a prediction here. I’m going to go with the Netherlands and a 2-1 victory after extra time. Let’s see how wrong I can be.

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Deviilz.

Holland are fav to win this match with a singls goal.
Possible..?
paddy

A short prayer to the Gods of football:

Please give us a beautiful game and consign the demons of boring football to the fires of hell.
[They've already had their 90 mins in the sun in Stuttgart today.]

I don’t really care who wins, I just want the real game to shine again like it did yesterday.

2-2 then Portugal on penalties
Andreia & Alex

Not sure we have a favorite. Would like to see a good game. No excessive carding
Roland

This will be a good match – Portugal has speed and creativity on offense, but the Dutch are solid on defense. It will all come down to whcih team makes the most of their opportunities. Based on experience, I’ll give the edge to the Lusitanians; Portugal 2 – 1.
Rain

I go for the dutchies. 2 – 1.
kapcro

Shots on goal, this game looks promising.
Maura

Chris, after group play, the yellow card record was wiped clean for all players. Now that elimination play has begun, yellows are cumulative through the remainder of the tournament.
Freak

06:58 – Dangerous tackle on Ronaldo by Boulahrouz which earms him a yellow card. Looks like he’ll be getting some attention tonight. Ample ammunition for the pout-o-meter.

Great to see the very unbiased, anti-ronaldo commentary is out in force again.
Maura

wait i’m confused.
Freak

Van Der Sar giving the Oranje a f-ing fright there.
Andreia & Alex

What is that stuff they are always spraying on the players?
http://blog.coolleen.com/ Col

So far this game looks to be more exciting then the snoozefest that was England vs Ecuador – will England *ever* look sharp before the end of the tournament (still waiting for them to take their collective foot off of the brake pedal). I’ll give Portugal the slight edge in this one (although Robben might make a liar out of me). :-)
Freak

His legs are pretty smooth too. He shaves? Or maybe has not hit puberty yet – hence the pouting.

Who is this clown? Honestly? First off, thanks for staring we needed the analysis, second, give me a break man his thigh is clearly screwed up and you’re banging on about pouting? Gis a break son, you jealous or summat?
laprimavera

Vicious attacks and diving. Glad to see familiar Dutch soccer again.
Roland

Is that pretty or what?
Trav

I read earlier this week (it may have been here) that Holland is the only major European nation not to win the World Cup.

Go Holland Go!
http://blog.coolleen.com/ Col

Awesome play from both Deco and Maniche!!
kapcro

Very pretty.
Tom

GOAL!!!! PORTUGAL!
paddy

Now….THAT is a goal!!!
Great finish by Maniche.

Game on!!!
Freak

Maniche 1-0.
marco

let’s talk ’bout the Dutch now.
Shame on you Dutch.
Without having been touched, Van Bommel fell down screaming for Maniche to get a yellow card!
This is UNFAIR. I think it’s a matter of “TV evidence”.
2 games out for me!!!
He had to be kicked out today anyway.
Tom

This one is somewhat similar to the Ecuador-England game. You have a larger, more physical team (Netherlands) versus a smallish, quick team (Portugal). Difference here is that these two teams are much better than the other two.
Freak

Costinha should have been sent off for that.
Roland

Boulahrouz is the one who should be out right now, not Ronaldo.
Tom

Sucks for Ronaldo. Sabrosa is a decent player and the Univision guys love his name.
kapcro

Shame about Ronaldo being out.
Trapper

marco:

Why do you even watch football if it makes you so bitter?
Bobbio

HAHAHA Prettyboy Ronaldo is CRYING!!
Andreia & Alex

I hate that Ronaldo had to go out…
laprimavera

If the Portugese player should be out for “that”, then entire Dutch team should be out by now.
http://blog.coolleen.com/ Col

Nice moves by Van Persie!!
Roland

Bobbio, I guess that’s the only thing you have to cheer for, since Holland is being badly outplayed.
Tom

How is it funny that he is crying, bobbio?
Bobbio

A crying Ronaldo is a super mega-bonus in the Pouting Ronaldo drinking game.
Trapper

Van Persie has the Portugese defence flummoxed, pity about the finish.
Maura

“pouting ronaldo drinking game”?
Tom

Ooijer “exaggerates” that tackle but doesn’t get a yellow. Good for him.
sergio

i hate the way the dutch are clamoring for a yellow for costinha instead of playing..

i hope refs are careful about falling for this like the guy did in germany-sweden yesterday.. i’d rather have a rougher game with everyone on pitch
Roland

That should have been a penalty.
Andreia & Alex

No problem with Ronaldo crying…
Tom

It’s a matter of time before Netherlands scores, I think. They are attacking relentlessly.
http://blog.coolleen.com/ Col

Huge save from Van De Saar. (and Nice turn by Pauleta)
Tom

Wow, taekwondo-style kick doesn’t net a yellow against Portugal. Tough break for the Dutch.
Tom

Wow, great save.
Bobbio

It’s simple enough. You drink every time he pouts.
sergio

this dutch team is nothing compared to previous ones…

they are a bunch of whiners and divers..

i will grant you portugal plays rough its true… but they have more skill on the ball…
Tom

Ouch, red on Costinha.
Roland

What an absurd and stupid foul. Costinha shoots Portugal in the foot.
Lion

Snoozer of a match so far. Maybe the red card will spice it up. :)
http://blog.coolleen.com/ Col

Uh-oh, Costinha gets sent off for a hand-ball. Portugal down to 10 men now (and Ronaldo isn’t one of them….)
Tom

Watching Cstinha’s replay…what a moron.
laprimavera

Is hand ball an automatic yellow card?
Bobbio

A handball is only a yellow card when it looks deliberate (Hand to Ball instead of Ball to Hand).
Trav

Portugal should be worried now…
Tom

Intentional handball is a yellow card, yes.
sergio

i wish refs weren’t so eager to red card players..
laprimavera

It didn’t seem like intentional to me..
Chris

Costinha, the man with no brain.
Bobbio

Anyone listening to the online Sun radio feed? I think I just heard one of the technicians say the F-word in the middle of the half-time dead air!!
Tom

Well, the ball didn’t just touch Costinha’s hand during the regular course of play (as it didn’t just bounce into his hand accidentally). He basically reached out and hit it with his fist. Whether or not he tried to do it on purpose really doesn’t matter to the ref.

Generally, if the ball is kicked or bounces into a players hand (as in it can’t be avoided or is clearly accidental) normal play continues.
sebastian

wow..costinha is a dumbass…
hed been beging for a 2nd yellow for sometime….
and he got te 2nd one in hte
stupidest way possible….
Bobbio

I think it was. Costinha had no business having his hand there.
Tom

I wouldn’t be shocked a ta 2-1 holland finish.
pao

Costinha….you must have sand in your brain
tom

final score 3-1 holland….
Chris

Like the halftime Budweiser commercial where the American commentators say they’re surprised the Dutch aren’t playing in wooden shoes.
drew

Thought there were supposed to be yellow cards for running off the picth .. as “minosh” did…
futbol

I disagree with the red card. Looks like the player did not do it intentionally.
avenue

I just came back from jogging… Pity, that I missed first half… I’ve just seen Ronaldo crying… Can’t take this unfair game…
drew

he should have been off earlier anyway… he was given an extra 5 mins on the field anyway…
matthew

This is a poor match so far, running track not helping the atmosphere.

yet another sending off sigh.

I make that 20 now (a record/).

mexico will be a bit miffed , a better side than england portgual and england put together.

yet their out such is life.
laprimavera

Very disappointed with the Dutch again. This is not the national team I used to admire long time ago for their efficiency and agility. There is something very pathetic about tall, big guys clumsily diving and making faces.
sergio

all these red cards are ruining the games…

its unprecedented in world cups.. and is it leading to more goals and more open soccer?

i think not..goal average is pretty down this world cup.. and the way things are heading may be lowest since 90

and what do refs do? invalidate goals with bullsh** offsides calls left and rights

conclusion: red cards out ying yangs and poor offside calls threatening world cup level
sergio

all these red cards are ruining the games…

its unprecedented in world cups.. and is it leading to more goals and more open soccer?

i think not..goal average is pretty down this world cup.. and the way things are heading may be lowest since 90

and what do refs do? invalidate goals with inexistent offsides calls left and rights

conclusion: red cards out ying yangs and poor offside calls threatening world cup level
avenue

I’m going to check what comentators in Polish Channels think about this red card… and I’ll check two different chanels, beacuse their opinions are often contrastive… I’ve read your views and I still don’t know… was it intentional or not? :)
sergio

and why are all these players tripping? i’ve heard there is problem with pitch.

how can that be??? they had years to prepare??
kapcro

The football gods were on Portugals’s side with that dutch shot. Cards are playing.
Bobbio

Laprimavera, I take it you’re not a big Crouch fan!
sergio

i agree laprimavera..they’ve lost their trademark style….they may win this but they’re not the dutch i always rooted for..
laprimavera

No I am not, Bobbio.
Bobbio

Not surprising though, since the team’s almost had a complete personnel makeover since the last big tournament.
sergio

you always expect teams to play to their style though..

but i hear you..
laprimavera

So what’s the new Dutch style and team characteristics, as perceived in Netherlands?
Trav

It seems that the rough stuff has settled down. Good, now we can focus on the football.
drew

Figo gets RED hopefully….
sergio

man so far portugal has so much more skill! deco is a phenom!
Bobbio

Honestly Laprimavera, I haven’t the foggiest clue. I don’t pay attention to the pundits, but I was hoping this tournment would give me some idea.
Andreia & Alex

dang it is getting ugly
Trav

Nevermind……
Bobbio

… but I bet they stilll suck at penalties though.
Maura

this game is turning into a brawl!
Roland

What drama.
Bobbio

Haha! Cards for EVERYONE!
DJ

And the dugouts clear!
sergio

right on! YOU’RE OUT!

the dutch fought more for the red card the first half than the score..
kapcro

Fight, I mean game on.
Troglodyte

When exactly did the Dutch start playing like Argentines?
Chris

Luis Figo aka CHEATING WANKER.
drew

Hope fully the Dutch kick the *&^(*^$%(^$ out of Port now…
Rain

What is this. A football game or a boxing match.
sergio

i hate red cards..

both yellows that led to reds i disagree with..

red cards should be an extreme measure..
Trav

This is like old fashioned ice hockey. Come on lads, where’s the cross-checking!!
drew

this ref is out of control….
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

use feet, not elbows !
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

I just came back in the house to watch the brawl.

I never would have guessed the Dutch and the Portugese would have bad blood. The Battle Of European Powers Who Haven’t Been Powers Since The 18th Century?
sergio

that comment about the dutch playing like argentines is baloney

all the best games in this cup have featured argentina..think about it! they play exicting attacking soccer!
James

if kuyt didn’t suck, he would’ve gotten that.
paddy

LOL
Figo’s a cunning old fox.
Headbuts an opponent and gets away with a yellow, then takes an elbow to the face and gets the opposition reduced to 10 men.
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

Elbow to the face is a yellow card. He should be lucky he didn’t do a de Rossi.
drew

Hopefully FIFA give figo a red card after the fact… he (*&(*%$^C desevers it….
Bobbio

Get Kuyt off. Missing that cross was unforgivable.
kapcro

The last ten minutes could get really ugly.
sergio

yah agree paddy
James

if kuyt didn’t suck, he would’ve put that one in too.
Bobbio

Shame on Figo headbutting Boulahrouz’s elbow! It’s a disgrace! This ref is obviously being paid by the Belgians!
Bobbio

YAY! Violence!
sergio

i have to say van nisterooy is a better guy than kuyt..
Andreia & Alex

Okay I could have done with out that icing down shot…
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!
Andreia & Alex

this is getting crazy
drew

Hope the Ducth through some GREAT punchs…
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

Three cards on that play, but amazingly no reds.
http://arubagirl.typepad.com arubagirl

I can’t bear to watch it on tv anymore. I’m just following it via the liveblog
samaruf

came to watch football and a wrestling match broke out
Maura

this ref won’t have any more games after this. he’s lost control.
laprimavera

I hope there will be a complete makeover of the Dutch national team again after this Cup.
Roland

Should probably be a red card.
kapcro

Ref getting paid per card.
Bobbio

Bwahahaha Now goalie RICARDO gets a yellow card!!!
DJ

This is unbelievable. Will this game even make it to full time?
paddy

ROTFLMAO
Thank god the referree isn’t called POLL!!!
sergio

so much for dutch fair play!

ref has lost control..red cards willi nilly lead to that..

england is most benefited
Trav

Ali – we’ve missed you!
Ali Siddiqui

What a travisty of a game!! :o This is a coaching problem! Why aren’t the coaches not controlling their players?
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

14 cards now. Record is 16. I think we have a shot.
Roland

This is getting wacky.
avenue

Arubagirl, I did the same… No use watching THIS… I prefer reading your comments… At least they make me smile, not nervous… :)
paddy

I hope everyone is keeping count of all these cards.
We’ll end up with an abandoned game if this goes on.
Ali Siddiqui

I think they should just stop the match…this is bad.
Lala

Ref, Players, Coaches, FIFA eberyone has lost it. Ultimate Fighting Worldcup 2006
Bobbio

LOL how many minutes have they actually played this half?
James

INSANITY!!!
Jodido

Wow, officially worse than the US-Italy game now. Crazy.
Roland

Has this ref gone crazy?
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

will the entire Portugal team be sent out now ?
http://blog.coolleen.com/ Col

What the he** is going on with all of the cards???? (is the ref trying to get in the Guiness book of world records or what ??)
Maura

omg this is jaw-droppingly insane
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

15.

Get the ref off the field.
kapcro

Have Poll and this guy tandem ref a game.
Lala

RED CARD- DECO
http://AOL Marc

Is this a Rugby match?
Bobbio

Whatever happens in this joke of a game, England now has a smidgen’s chance of getting through the semis. Look at those cards! It even broke the SUN commentry!
Tom

This is ridiculous.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

what’s going on ?
Andreia & Alex

How many players does Portugal have playing now…
Lala

I know one guy that is not going to be ref at the final game.

RED CARD TO THE REF…………..
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

Cleated in the hamstring. OW.
Tom

Yeah, welcome to the semis England. You’ll be playing against a shell of a team, no matter who wins.
Maura

it’s almost like the ball doesn’t even matter anymore…
Troglodyte

Take the ref and the embarassing Dutch off the field. Now. This is the most ridiculous game I have seen in a long time.
Roland

It wouldn’t be a World Cup without a referee controversy.
Ali Siddiqui

Mohan, fists, punches, kicks and the occasional baby is being thrown about…this is just unbelievable.
http://blog.coolleen.com/ Col

Deco off ?!?!?! Crap !!!
James

This is a shame, especially considering the level of play both teams have shown themselves capable of playing at.
Bobbio

No actually.. the Sun commentry hasn’t died.. it’s just that there are no players left on the pitch!
http://arubagirl.typepad.com arubagirl

I am asking the same question mohan.
Andreia & Alex

oops, should have read the blog first…saw the answer
James

if kuyt didn’t suck, he would have made that.
Roland

What. A. Game.
Ali Siddiqui

Bobbio, good thing you told me…for a moment I thought the Sun Commentary got knocked out by some angry fans…or players.
Roland

Ricardo writhing from that save.
Tom

I hate refs that try to control a game by carding like crazy.
paddy

Well if Portugal actually hang on and come out the “winners” in this mess, England will be playing the Portugal seconds team.

Really a sad sight:(
samaruf

how many red cards can a team eat before it isn’t a match anymore?
Andreia & Alex

Portugal’s goalkeeper has been doing an awesome job, I hate to see him go out.
sergio

people who don’t know much about soccer/futbol often insist refs hand out yellows for every foul…

but thats not the way it should be..

a foul is not an automatic card

and its a great problem that some refs at this cup don’t understand..
Ali Siddiqui

Ooops. It’s back on now! :D
Chris

Fifteen yellow and three red cards, both these two teams are getting what they deserve for constant diving.
tuanny

Another injury, and GK! There’s gonna be 10 minutes of injury time, ha!
laprimavera

Redcard the Ref!
Raybron

These announcers are idiots, almost every card was deserved. Deco was BS time-wasting and Portugal is playing VERY cheap, and as far as Deco’s first yellow I am all for a team not giving the ball back off a player faking an injury, as Portugal have been doing the entire second half. PATHETIC.
Bobbio

Give Ricardo his second yellow card for getting in the way of Kuyt’s goal!!!
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

the most shameful game of this world cup !
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

This is ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. Blow the damn whistle and end the game now.

This is the worst officiated game I’ve seen in any sport, ever. And I watched the Fifth Down game live.
Ali Siddiqui

Chalk up another mark on the board for most disgraceful match.
Bobbio

No wait! First award Holland an arbitary goal just for the sake of controversy!
Raybron

“people who don’t know much about soccer/futbol often insist refs hand out yellows for every foul…

but thats not the way it should be..

a foul is not an automatic card

and its a great problem that some refs at this cup don’t understand.. ”

Time wasting by pulling ball away, and then turning away w/ ball=YELLOW.

Challenge from behind in retaliation, studs-up=YELLOW, SHOULD BE RED.

Idiot American announcers and others think NOTHING should be yellow but when you blatantly and dangerously break rules, you will get yellows, sorry.
DJ

The coaches’ fault? These guys are all adults. They should control themselves.
sergio

if portugal wins this the loss of deco is huge! he was the best player on the pitch..what a shame…
Raybron

I love people who think that just b/c there are a lot of yellows it is a bad game. Please watch the game and point me out several yellows that were unwarranted.
laprimavera

So when Dutch does the handball, very intentionally, no yello card?
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

italy – USA was another
Raybron

Hint: When you agree completely with the American announcers, you are probably an idiot.
Tom

Raybron, it’s tough to listen to you as your comments during the US games were generally racist and, quite frankly, idiotic.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

15 yellow cards in this match so far
sergio

raybron,

i disagree.. anygame with 15 cards shows the ref lost control..period..
Andreia & Alex

yep this one is definitely keeping me on the edge of my seat
sebastian

portugal is just goin at it at thin point….
and their the ones winning…
http://blog.coolleen.com/ Col

*Very* surprised that there will be no van Nistelrooy playing tonight — especially since he the Netherlands top goal scorer (and it would seem that the Netherlands do need a goal).
sergio

raybron,

does not mean game is not good.. its still a thriller…
Raybron

:raybron,

i disagree.. anygame with 15 cards shows the ref lost control..period.. ”

Ok, so assuming the ref “lost control” and the game is out of control, I guess the ref should just let it run wild and not give cards. Great idea, that would get things under control.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

Portugal in self destruction mode…makes things easy for England !
James

kuyt sucks. all the bad refereeing in the world won’t change that
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

“I love people who think that just b/c there are a lot of yellows it is a bad game.”

No, it’s a bad game because it’s so dirty it warrants this much yellow.
Raybron

“No, it’s a bad game because it’s so dirty it warrants this much yellow.”

yes, I agree completely. I was unclear in my statement, I mean that a lot of cards =/= awful refereeing if both teams are playing dirty. It is not a great refereeing job, but I am just saying that most of the cards WERE deserved and people seem to just be saying OMG WORST TRAVESTY EVER b/c of the # of cards but look at the play, there could have been even more red cards given during many of those scuffles.
James

another cross wasted by kuyt
sebastian

SIX MINUNTES!!!
bring on the goal
holland!!!
I WANT EXTRA TIME!!!!!!!!
vinlondon

Portugal doing brilliant in face of adversity. Where did this ref come from and could the Dutch possibly dive more?
Bobbio

Surprise! Surprise! Kuyt misses like eight goals in succesion. Excuse me while I go get my pitchfork.
sergio

how can kuyt be playing for van nisterooy???

i would give 8 minutes extra time
paddy

6 mins of stoppage time to go
Roland

Wow, the officiating is awful, but the match is exciting as hell. Six minutes of penalty time!
kapcro

Ref is Russian I believe, isn’t he?
Bobbio

Just six??? Geez.
Bobbio

A goal in the last tewnty seconds of play and I’ll call off the fatwa on Kuyt.
Raybron

Can’t wait for the shirt exchange; I hope no one brought a shank.
Andreia & Alex

Gosh how many cards has this been now
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

Yeah, it’s finally getting interesting. Can the Dutch score with their awful forwards?
vinlondon

I’m waitng for an all out brawl– how about all the players take on the ref?
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

16. 4th red card. Good Lord.
Raybron

To be fair to the crappy football being played, I was terribly unexcited by this matchup between two mediocre teams. Can’t wait to see England’s shooting gallery on Portugal- they may actually score TWO!
http://blog.coolleen.com/ Col

Well at least the game is ending on a consistent note — Van Brockhorst just got red carded.
Ali Siddiqui

I hope for no Equalizer…could you imagine putting more extra time on this match… :?
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

23 red cards in this tournament so far. New record.
http://pepys_s.rediffblogs.com/ mohan

another red ..fourth! is it a new record ?
James

i know van basten has a plan for the future and he didn’t expect the dutch to go deep into this world cup, but leaving kuyt in this long seems to be going a bit far to prove a point.
http://blog.coolleen.com/ Col

Great shot of Deco and Van Brockhorst chatting it up on the sidelines.
Jodido

Bizarro world game.
Andreia & Alex

That was a bizarre shot seeing the ones taken out all sitting together. You have to wonder how the conversation went
Raybron

Portugal-England: EASIEST MONEY IN THE QUARTERS!
kapcro

Whew what a totally crazy match.
Andreia & Alex

You know we ended up wanting Portugal to win but I can’t say I wanted a game like this
laprimavera

The Dutch team need to ditch this coach. All he seems to have done is to assemble a bunch of second-rate (like himself) bullies and this is the result.
Roland

Too bad. This game had such potential. I was riveted, but the way you watch a car crash as it’s happening.
sergio

i still would pick portugal..they can win without deco…

portugal has shown skill…england has shown a free kick!
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

And that’s it. Portugal moves on.

Comic Book Guy: Worst. Game. Ever.
Bobbio

And it’s over! Holland is out! But seriously, what a belter! I really wanted it to go into extra time! Who knows what extra fun we would have had?
http://fansattic.blogspot.com Fan’s Attic

that was awful.
matthew

their shoudl have been 20 minutes of injury time.

what a awful ref and what a shameful game

how very very sad
vinlondon

Good riddance to the Dutch….. but Portugal w/out Deco is like pizza w/out cheese
Ali Siddiqui

“That was a bizarre shot seeing the ones taken out all sitting together. You have to wonder how the conversation went.”

All I can think is the muttering of revenge. ;)
Andreia & Alex

You could just imagine the ejections if they had to play Extra time
Troglodyte

“No, it’s a bad game because it’s so dirty it warrants this much yellow.”

But obviously very one-sided in favor of the Dutch, despite them playing far, far dirtier. I went in to this game supporting them. Now I’m glad they lost.
sebastian

so i stayed up till 4 am on a sunday for this! :)
Maura

raybron, i am watching the game with a former certified FIFA ref. we agree that a lot of the dirt that came later in the game was probably inspired by frustration with any combination of the following: heat, humidity, bad calls (which there were many of) and inability to finish.
http://fansattic.blogspot.com Fan’s Attic

new record for reds in a WC match. at least the US doesn’t have a hand in this record anymore since they tied it this year.
WOO HOO

And now England get to pick up the pieces. Mwahahahaha!
kapcro

How many cards in England-Portugal?
Big-Baller-Shot-Caller

Bizarre game. Just goes to show how futbol can be a cruel game. Portugal and Englad are in the quarter finals with horrible displays of sportsmanship, olympic caliber diving and very little futbol. Shame. Mexico was superior to both these teams.
sergio

horrible job by the ref ..half those fouls did not warrant cards (at least)… by rewarding acting/pressure from the dutch in the first half and giving cards to the portuguese he just lost control..theportugese starting acting/fouling too ..more cards… more fouling in response from dutch and just a mess…

there’s a way for ref to use cards to impose order….this ref clearly does not know it

shame
squiggle

What a pity both teams couldn’t lose.
Azim

Hum, wht cn i say…
it ws a good game and i am happy tht portugal won, i am a portuguese…
And would like to thank the person who is writing whts happening because i couldnt watch it on tv and this helped..

cheers
Big-Baller-Shot-Caller

Can there be a bigger clown than Scolari, it’s no wonder his players are divers. His hystrionics are disgraceful.

Meanwhile Van Basten has tarnished his legacy something terrible.
futbol

Anyone remember Arg vs Ned in ‘78. It was bloody. But it’s not dirty. This game is BAD.
sebastian

Portugal Vs Holland

the winner???

ENGLAND!!!…..

suckers…..
Ali Siddiqui

Chris has disappeared! I wonder if he is either for our sake not venting his anger about this game online or he’s really just getting another beer to cool the nerves? ;)
Bobbio

…Oh yes and OMG the ref wuz so Fkn biased!x10^23 WTF He may just as well have worn red and scored the goals himself whilst singing E viva Portugal and dancing the Ribatejo before stripping naked doing an elaborate celebration involving lobsters!! Foam! Foam! Spittle!
sebastian

we waant mexico back!!!!!
Raybron

Here is my biggest PROBLEM with the Cup so far:

-Not the refs.

-TIME-WASTING- It is incredible the level of time-wasting once a team goes up 1-0 against a similar team. The worst example is when a team fakes a real injury and then knocks the ball out or the other team must knock it out. I think in this situation if the other team knocks it out they should NOT get the ball back b/c then that is 3+ minutes of time wasting PLUS however long they can hold on to the ball. TOTAL BS. Refs need to add A LOT more time with the kind of time-wasting going on or it will get even worse and people will make fun of football not for flopping, but for the fact that 25+ mins of the second half of a 1-0 game are just teams cheating to waste time.

It is also unnecessary and makes the game a terrible farce.

Portugal were the better team and deserve to go through but Deco also deserved to be sent off and it is his own fault he will not be playing the next match.
Ali Siddiqui

Whoops…spoke to soon!
Mason

“That was a bizarre shot seeing the ones taken out all sitting together. You have to wonder how the conversation went.”

Probably something like:
“This guy’s crap, isn’t he?”
“Yep.”
Troglodyte

I don’t see how anyone could think the Portugese were diving an unusually large amount. Figo took an elbow to the face and Ronaldo basically got assassinated. Given the incredibly unbalanced officiating in favor of the Dutch I can hardly blame the Portugese from trying to figure out just what on earth they needed to do to get a call.
sergio

time wasting as the biggest problem in this world cup?

thats the first time i heard that one..

i guess you wanted more cards for the time wasters?

raybron, you’re like that guy that should have been a high school principal or police officer or something! :)

you live to dole out punishment!!
sebastian

is it just me or is this wolrd cup just a little bit too controversial???
futbol

ALL THE BLAME SHOULD PERHAPS BE ON ITALY
tuanny

There used to be the “ugly American.”

After this game, it’s the “ugly European futbol player”!

Yikes!
DJ

Based on how the English have played so far, I still think second string Portugal can beat them.
sergio

mason!

thats exactly what they were saying! you know it!

this ref was awful all around..

at the same time, i lost a lot of respect for the dutch team this world cup… i saw in their game against the ivory coast that they were just a bunch of divers….here you saw it again…

the portuguese played much smarter and demonstrated far more skill with the ball.. they move on deservedly..

too bad they will have to face england without their most skilled player deco…. but i think they are still going to beat england…

their secret weapon is scolari..the smartest coach in the competition…
vinlondon

after Mexico v Argentina no match will satisfy, I’m afraid…. now THAT was riveting. This, although I favor Portugal and think they were provoked, was a joke.
Bobbio

Hogwash! EVERYONE knows Figo faked getting hit in the face with an elbow and angsty Ronaldo got himself grieviously injured in a desperate plea for attention!
Andreia & Alex

I have to wonder if there were any shirts exchanged after the game. They cut the feed quick here
Raybron

“time wasting as the biggest problem in this world cup?

thats the first time i heard that one..

i guess you wanted more cards for the time wasters?

raybron, you’re like that guy that should have been a high school principal or police officer or something! :)

you live to dole out punishment!! ”

Haha, no no. I think deliberate and prolonged time-wasting does deserve a card (Deco, goalies often do it too and get carded) but the other way to address it is to compensate at the end of the match with the proper amount of injury time. In this game it would probably have been at least 8-10 mins, though this game was so insane that it is a bad measure. I have watched several other matches where there was at least 5 mins of time-wasting and only 2 mins added-on. I even saw one match where the keeper got carded for time-wasting and the ref immediately blew the whistle afterwards to end the half.

Refs are SOMETIMES very quick to give out cards for time-wasting, which is fine, but very ignorant in terms of adding on the appropriate time, which is usually much more important especially since:

-most time-wasters do not already have cards so they don’t care about the yellow too much.

-there are many ways to waste time w/o getting carded (e.g., fake injury that is not a dive).
marcus

Does Fifa pay refs more to give out more cards? Soccer is a beautiful game until you throw in Figo-type dives and 9 vs. 9 games. I hope Fifa has the balls to fine/ban Figo for a couple games for that game-changing dive. I don’t understand why players with that much talent like to lay on the ground holding their knees and ankles so much?
cyberkraze

There was some good football in the middle of all the boxing!
Bobbio

Fifa has the balls all right. Lots of them.
Big-Baller-Shot-Caller

Mexico can be proud, they displayed class and honor in their defeat. Although, they lost to a great team, you can be proud of that kind of sportsmanship.

Both Portugal and Holland deserved to be sanctioned for the fake WWE wrestling acting show they put on.

And I thought the refs were bad this world cup but this one takes the cake.
vinlondon

They cut to feed pretty quickly here, too. Although, when Eng-a-land isn’t playing they don’t really bother covering any more than they have to.
Thol

I think this is the most UGLIEST game in worldcup. There were so much of hatred in every foul. Players who got yellow cards they deserve it.
sergio

i say time wasting is a part of the game..

you have to remember, raybron, that those playing are HUMAN BEINGS not ROBOTS!

anyways, see you around …

hope this is the last crappy ref we see but i doubt it..

the mexico – argentina ref.. that is the model to follow… perhaps too lenient on heinze at the end of the first half..but other than that levelheaded.. and look at what a great game it turned out to be! with this ref/criteria that game would have never happened
vinlondon

Figo? Lay off, man! The Dutch were falling over if anyone even looked like they were going to challenge them
SoCal

Lol, Cyberkraze.
Raybron

“i say time wasting is a part of the game..”

No, only part of the game in the sense that as long as you can maintain possession and of course you don’t have to rush FKs, etc. But deceptive time-wasting is only “part of the game” in the sense that diving is a part of the game:

-it makes the game incredibly boring.
-it is deliberate cheating.

That is not the football I know and love.
Raybron

PS I thought Portugal did waste time deliberately like almost every other time but this is a general observation on the Cup, as I did not think Portugal’s time-wasting was the most egregious I’ve seen, it is just VERY prevalent.
Steve

Very good ref tonite, certainly helped the game flow. Could have done with showing a few more cards though.
Jess

i can’t believe the Netherlands lost. They completely controlled the game and had 62 % ball possession. They totally deserved to win.
Big-Baller-Shot-Caller

I thought FIFA was promoting fair play. This game is turning into a disgrace.
futbol

Marcus,

In 1982 Italy played “defense” (i.e.: fake, foul and time wasting strategy) and they won the cup.

Now, the beautiful game is almost non-existed.

TOO BAD
Raybron

err “every other team,” not “time.

Anyway, I am out. Good luck to Portugal in their next match and let’s hope for cleaner play all-around.
vinlondon

If England had to play Mexico last night, they’d be at Heathrow tonight
http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/worldcupfan/ dw

“Hogwash! EVERYONE knows Figo faked getting hit in the face with an elbow and angsty Ronaldo got himself grieviously injured in a desperate plea for attention!”

Let me give you a little help with your English. “Everyone” means “iedereen,” not “me.”
Big-Baller-Shot-Caller

Olympic diving is still an official Fifa sport. I have seen more good dives this World Cup than ever.

A comprehensive list of the best diving (er… Football teams):

1.Portugal
2.Italy
3.Netherlands
4.Argentina
5.Ghana
Big-Baller-Shot-Caller

The rest of the top ten olympic diving teams:

6.Ukraine
7.Korea
8.Croatia
9.Brazil
10.Angola
pao

ahahahaha being italian i am mad at both Portugal and Holland, hey guys diving is our national sport how come you learned it so well? Impressed by the diving skills from the dutchies, i supposed Portugal were good at diving, being mediterranean but definitely Dutchies have won the contest, professionals!
No offense intended.
pao

ooops portugal is not in the mediterranean area, my bad.
Bobbio

Dw, you are in denial. And that goal was an offside as well that came off Maniche’s hands when he slam dunked it in! Talk about scandal! Van Bronckhorst never even touched Simao! Simao dived away to kindom-come a full three seconds before Gio even went in for the challange!!!! Talk about bias!
paddy

I’m trying to work out where it all went pear shaped and I think it was the tackle on Ronaldo that started the rot.
Looks like he might be out for the rest of the tournament and It WAS an ugly foul.

Such a pity it turned into a train wreck, and if England manage to beat what’s left of Portugal in the next match………..Well we’ll know that the football gods really are playing a sick joke on us all.
[Unless you're an England supporter ofcourse.]

What a bummer!!!!
Big-Baller-Shot-Caller

What is really ridiculous in this World Cup is when a RED CARD is really warranted the refs are too chicken to issue it:

Prime example # 1:
-Gabriel Heinze

(last man back–hacks down a clear scoring opportunity and the ref gives a yellow)
Big-Baller-Shot-Caller

Well said Paddy. How can these teams continue to advance. It is beyond me.

Apparently Mexico need to hire an acting coach with Academy Award credentials, and also found a world class acting school.
Jay

Deco OUT suspended
Costinha OUT suspended
Cristiano Ronaldo OUT – thigh injury
A ton of other players – On Caution

This can mean only one thing…
That ref was obviously being paid by Sven Ericsson!
Anthony O’Donnell

The concept of fair play is clearly lost on Portugal. I hope their antics cost them dearly against England.

When will FIFA wise up against the harm diving and other “teatro” does to this sport?

I’ve seen some comments about Dutch diving, but if one watches a replay they’ll see that the Dutch realized they had to play this game too.

Ref did a terrible job, but the most important factor was the utter lack of sportsmanship from Portugal.

I was hoping Portugal was going to do well in this cup. With this game I lost all sympathy. Hope they get hosed by England.
vinlondon

Mexico stood out as perhaps the only team who played with passion and gusto, without all the drama that comes with over-paid prima donnas who know the world is watching. They played football and they played it well!
vinlondon

Jay, you read my conspiracy theory-loving mind!
sergio

big baller,

i think ayala was in on play .. you need to rewatch that about heinze!

argentina has played the most exciting games this cup (featuring attacking soccer) has seen… i ‘m not sure why you are calling them divers etc..

they’ve played well.. and been awarded only 6 yellows in four games! which might be the lowest total

as for the heinze tackle… ayala was around the play..that is why there was no red card..
Jansen

lol
dietmar

who didnt think they would throw punch’s? darn
it!
Big-Baller-Shot-Caller

I agree vinlondon 100%.

Mexico really stand out.

I hope FIFA sorts this trainwreck out. The referees have lost all credibility this world cup. Of course, they did in Korea 2002 as well as Korea kept advancing.
vinlondon

Too bad Mexico is gone, and now we have to watch as England probably advance after beating (barely) the scraps of what’s left of Portugal. Let the gloating begin….
futbol

I don’t think it’s all ref’s fault. I think it’s more about the players. Todays players are too “smart”
Big-Baller-Shot-Caller

sergio, i respect your opinion. I think it was questionable. I did watch the replay, that was game changing counter attack Mexico had and the ref was too chicken to call the red.

of course, that is not why mexico lost. mexico lost to a brilliant team and proponents of attacking soccer.

on argentina’s divers: i would put them up there. I saw I think it was mascherano and scaloni flop around like fish.
again, not why mexico lost. it was a brilliant, brilliant game.
Big-Baller-Shot-Caller

saviola is a world class diver too.

the bottom line is football is not about fairness, it is a cruel game.

the cherade fifa has of fair play is mindboggling. it’s really disgraceful.

england has played the crappiest out of anybody and yet there they are.
vinlondon

What I don’t get is that Deco gets a card for wasting time. Ok (although I question this call) but the guy who throws him to the ground doesn’t get crap. What’s with that? If you know someone’s fouled he’s fair game to kick around?
dietmar

come on, who wasn’t rootin’ fer dave to put that one in the back of the net?
squiggle

Referees have made some mistakes but I’m getting very bored with seeing them blamed for just about every problem, and with demands that they ignore misbehaviour for ‘the flow of the game’.
The players are adults and they should bloody well act like it.
http://sarapp.hi5.com Sara

Holland started it all!
C.Ronaldo went off crying..so unfair…
The cards were RIDICULOUS
I cried and laughed soooo much!!
I wonder how much costs a russian ref??????????????
vinlondon

No one is blaming the refs for every single problem, but you have to concede that their influence is very powerful. Inconsistancy breeds a sense of unfairness, which leads to frustration, etc.
The players, I agree, tend to act more like school boys on a pitch than adults. But then, half of them are boys, aren’t they?
dietmar

englend-1
thee underground-zip
Haru

Netherlands hasn’t fair play, they didn’t deserved to win.
dietmar

hopefully noone is developin’ a case of clausterphopia, huh?
pao

Anthony O’ Donnell said “The concept of fair play is clearly lost on Portugal. I hope their antics cost them dearly against England.

When will FIFA wise up against the harm diving and other “teatro” does to this sport?

I’ve seen some comments about Dutch diving, but if one watches a replay they’ll see that the Dutch realized they had to play this game too.

Ref did a terrible job, but the most important factor was the utter lack of sportsmanship from Portugal.

I was hoping Portugal was going to do well in this cup. With this game I lost all sympathy. Hope they get hosed by England.”

How can you say that? I was neutral watching this game but I saw Van Bommel collapsing to the ground after Figo did nothing to him, I saw Van Persie diving in search of a penalty. I saw Boularoz trying to take off Ronaldo’s right thigh. And most of all I saw Holland not giving the ball back to Portugal. I started neutral but as the game went on i became the biggest Portugal supporter in this world.
Troglodyte

pao said : “How can you say that? I was neutral watching this game but I saw Van Bommel collapsing to the ground after Figo did nothing to him, I saw Van Persie diving in search of a penalty. I saw Boularoz trying to take off Ronaldo’s right thigh. And most of all I saw Holland not giving the ball back to Portugal. I started neutral but as the game went on i became the biggest Portugal supporter in this world.”

Completely agreed. Anyone who watched this game with a smidgeon of neutrality could see how disgusting the Dutch players’ conduct was.
Anthony O’Donnell

I agree that the Dutch played violently at times. Van Bommel was rightly sanctioned. But the Dutch dived more after they seemed to realize there was nothing else to do. Obviously some soccer cultures are more diving and injury-faking prone than others. Perhaps that explains a post from Italy failing to recognize it at its worst.

I was rooting for Portugal going into this game because I thought they’ve had some bad breaks in the past. Interestingly I was told by someone prior to the game that they would never support Portugal because of a game they watched where the Portuguese got up to the same tricks that characterized this game. Since I wrote my other post I receieved an e-mail from that person saying, basically, “I told you so.” Indeed.

Hey, how about that stealth headbutt by Figo, followed by indignant pleading to the ref. Was that when Van Bommel collapsed to the ground.

The Portugues are dirty scoundrels who help to throw the sport of soccer into disrepute. Hope England spanks them.
Cile

I am surprised at the apparent ignorance some people on here exhibit. This game was rediculous. This was not football. This was a perversion of football by the Dutch. Portugal should be credited for knocking out a team full of dirty divers and hackers who will do anything including killing players to score a goal.

No one person on here cared to mention the disrespect the Dutch showed in the 75th minute when a portuguese player went down and portugal had a clear opportunity when the ref blew the whisle. The dutch got the ball back and Hetinga #14 instead of fairly returning the ball to Prtugal continued on to try and score. At that point the shocked and pissed Deco had to hack him and recieve his first yellow card. The dutch recieved a free kick after the brawl that involved severall yellow cards.

I am incredibly thankfull that Portugal showed a superrior techincal skill over their Dutch opponents who made a habbit of diving and trying to seriously injure players like Ronaldo. This game is a discrace to both theam in terms of cards but the Dutch schould walk away with shame for playing such a game not worthy of being called football.

At one point you can see Deco after he recieves the red card. He has disbelief written all over his face. He cannot comprehend how a team (DUTCH) can play such a physical, dirty game and totally eliminate the beauty of football. Alas, Portugal advances, and preserve with their game the beauty of Football.
Anthony O’Donnell

Did I mention that double kick to the face against Van Der Saar? Who was that Simao? Could have been any one of the Portuguese. It would be fun if the gigantic Van Der Saar could meet that vicious little runt on the streets of Nuremberg.
Troglodyte

“Did I mention that double kick to the face against Van Der Saar? Who was that Simao? Could have been any one of the Portuguese. It would be fun if the gigantic Van Der Saar could meet that vicious little runt on the streets of Nuremberg.”

You mean when he was lying on the ground and grabbed and pulled the attacking Portugese player’s foot to his face?

If so, you either need to watch the match or make some attempt at being honest about what you see.
Anthony O’Donnell

The Portuguese, like other Southern European teams, certainly do play a more beautiful style of soccer, which is why I was rooting for them prior to the game. And the Netherlands, like most of the northern countries, play a tougher physical game. Unfortunately the southern teams are especially prone to faking. In Argentina they call it “astucia.” It’s a concept Portugal believes in earnestly. As they advance, they preserve the value of cheating with pride.
Troglodyte

“The Portuguese, like other Southern European teams, certainly do play a more beautiful style of soccer, which is why I was rooting for them prior to the game. And the Netherlands, like most of the northern countries, play a tougher physical game.”

This, hilariously and conclusively, proves you have been following football for approximately three hours, aided by ESPN commentary.
Anthony O’Donnell

To the aptly named Trogolodyte:

I must insist, despite only having watched soccer for approximately three hours that the southern European games play a more stylish brand of football.

Perhaps you’re right, northern countries don’t play a more physical game.

How many hours have you been following the game?
http://thebiglead.com/?p=569 The Big Lead » blog » You Talkin’ To Me? Portugal 1, Netherlands 0

[...] Man of the Match: Maniche (FIFA World Cup) Netherlands vs. Portugal Liveblog (World Cup Blog) [...]
Anthony O’Donnell

You know, I just remembered that I must have been following the game a little longer because I could swear I remember an earlier World Cup game where a Latin player (I believe his name was Ortega… Orteguita–something like that) head-butted a Dutch player. In fact, the victim was named Van Der Saar, if I remember correctly.
pao

ahahaha so Anthony O’Donnell you are assuming that being Italian i should like diving and acting. You are not worthy to be answered on this point. Northern Europe teams play a more physical and less stylish brand of football you say. I agree with troglodyte, you have been following for approximately three hours, aided by ESPN commentary.Everyone knows Holland’s football is one of the stylish in the world. Maybe you need some history lesson.
pao

and i need some english lessons since my post was full of mistakes :)
Anthony O’Donnell

Te juro, Trogo, que estoy mirando casi todos los partidos en Univisión.
Anthony O’Donnell

Sure, Pao, that’s why historically all the Spanish announcers lament the “mechanical” style of the Germans.

Do you assert, then, that the northern European style of football is as poetic and stylish as the southern European or South American styles? I look forward to your refutation.

It’s true that Holland has had a more stylish approach than many northern European teams, but the present side is not a good example of that, as compared with the days of Cruyff and Neeskins or Davids, Rijkard, Van Basten, etc.

I understand your English is limited, but please try to read what I say with greater attention.
david

I hope AUS vs ITA isn’t this rough tonight. But i won’t be surprised if it is.
pao

Anthony I want to let you know i am basically kidding, no offense meant…..
You are certainly right about northern Europe style of football, but Dutchies are different. They used to play a very tactical football but very stylish at the same time. Sure the present side is not the best ever side but still they try to play a stylish football more than physical. I don’t think Robben’s Snejeder’s and Van der Vaart way of playng is based on their physical strength.
Anyway I always admired Dutch football but today they played and acted awfully, and that you can’t deny.
pao

and Btw my english is not that limited. You try to speak italian, i dare you.
pao

well David Aus had a rough match against Croatia, Ita had a rough match against USA, we are both done with that. let’s play football tomorrow
david

I hope so pao. I think Italia will win, but i want Aus to go out with a reputation of being a *worthy* team.
barbara

Portugal es un gran equipo me gustan sus estrategias de juego y sus jugadores que cada dia estan mas buenos y como principal el papasito divino de cristiano ronaldo. los kiero chao
Anthony O’Donnell

I appreciate your response, Pao. My skills in your beautiful language are all but non-existent (although I do speak Spanish).

To defend the generalization I made, along with my subsequent comment about this Dutch side, I think what I said was consistent with many of the comments made on this thread. One of the important differences between the two sides was the fast, driven (physical) game of the Netherlands versus the more refined, skills-oriented approach of the Portuguese.

Good luck in tomorrow’s game. I’d like to see Australia do well, for sentimental reasons, but I’d be happy to see Italy come into its proper form. Italy hasn’t had such a great Cup so far, but they clearly have the class to do it. We’ve only seen flashes so far. Perhaps tomorrow we’ll see the Italy we admire.
Troglodyte

“Do you assert, then, that the northern European style of football is as poetic and stylish as the southern European or South American styles?”

Nevermind, you’re absolutely right. Italy, for one, traditionally plays far more exciting football than England or the Netherlands……..

Ummmm…
Anthony O’Donnell

Estoy de acuerdo con lo de Cristiano Ronaldo (que no hizo ninguna jugada sucia y, sí, sufrió una de ellas por parte del holandés Van Bommel). Lástima que probablemente no va a jugar más en esta copa.
pao

“Do you assert, then, that the northern European style of football is as poetic and stylish as the southern European or South American styles?”

Nevermind, you’re absolutely right. Italy, for one, traditionally plays far more exciting football than England or the Netherlands……..

Ummmm…

What is going on Troglo?? We were agreeing on everything and now you take Italy as a bad example..hmmmmmm I withdraw all the agreeing on your posts.
Anthony I just hope I will see the same Italy I saw against Ghana.
al100p

both netherlands and portugal were insufficient tonite . The game was a disgrace to anyone who watched it !!!!

Figo is a bad example for everyone .!!!!
Troglodyte

“What is going on Troglo?? We were agreeing on everything and now you take Italy as a bad example..hmmmmmm I withdraw all the agreeing on your posts.”

No offense to the Azzuri, who left catenaccio behind a long time ago, but to suggest that England have traditionally played a plodding physical game and Italy play a stylish, flashy offensive game is ridiculous. The fact is O’Donnell’s generalization is dead wrong.
pao

Well since I am a wise man I think no generalization is right.
hmmmm that may sound a clichè, a right one though
bosompem

Louis Figo was a disgrace to humself and all soccer loving fans.I was surprised that he never got a card after that headbutting.Look at how he threw himself onto the field after losing the ball and got the Dutch player sent off.I hope FIFA comes out heavily against him on these two incidents.What a shame,Figo!
Troglodyte

“Well since I am a wise man I think no generalization is right.
hmmmm that may sound a clichè, a right one though”

Wise, indeed.
Rolf Habich

Portugal vs Netherlands: good drama. Whoever thinks this was boring is boring himself … :-)
(Compare the yaaaaaahhhhwwwn- stuff England delivered vs Ecuador.)

As a German I feel a bit of “Schadenfreude” at the Dutch side’s defeat, since they, although having repeatedly shown great football in the past, have often been too self-important at the same time and not omitted any opportunity of deriding Germany, sometimes plausibly, sometimes ridiculously. ( So it’s: OHNE HOLLAND FAHR’N WIR NACH BERLIN ) Humiliation serves them well.
Well, honestly, they were quite good, nevertheless.
Anthony O’Donnell

England plays an intense, fast, long-ball game–a style not as friendly to the elegant dribbling game traditionally practiced to a vastly greater extent by the southern Europeans and South Americans (we could use “Latins” as shorthand). Why is this controversial?

A question: No generalization is right except that “no generalization is right”?

Pao’s instincts are right: generalization is always hazardous, but especially when dealing with myopic, ill-willed hair-splitters.
Apley

Coming into the game, I was slightly pro-Dutch. But what happened to their distinctive orange jerseys? The House of Orange looked like Serbia and Montenegro? Then the game turned ugly. what ticked me off the most is that Dutch player not returning the ball to Portugal after Deco halted a breakaway attempt when a Portuguese player was down.
That’s either ignorance or bad sportsmanship. The other Dutch players should have reminded him but didn’t and ran along to join the attack.

It’s hard to assess a game when half of the second half was marred by angry confrontations. But I thought Schneider played pretty well for Holland, making some nice dribbles inside the box. Kuyt was ineffective. The Dutch burned a lot of set piece opportunities in the second half by sending kicks straight out of bounds.

Overall, this team didn’t resemble the team of Bergkemp, Overmars, Kluvert and the one and only Edgar Davids.

Portugal looked more impressive and skilled. Figo was steady. Deco and Miguel brought energy. It’s a real shame that Deco and Costinhas will be out and half of this talented team will be carrying yellow cards against England.

I think many of the cards resulted from frustration at earlier non-calls by the ref on fouls by both sides.
James Hilton

Clearly nobody cheats like the Portugese. They even edge out Argentina as the Quuens of Diving and Flopping. Figo destroyed his reputation with first a head butt and second an absolute flop on the elbow. Hit in the face yet his legs buckled. Hmm. Judgement: all-time Loser. I alwats thought he was the one bright spot on a Portugese team whose every member will dive, cheat, whatever. Portugal are a disgrace to the World Cup! Simao, Deco, Maniche they all dive and fake injuries, then act like victims.
pao

I kinda like English style, I mean intense and fast long-ball football….the matter is, are those generalizations still good to describe different styles of playing or are something that was good in the past? I mean does England still play an intense and long balls based football? Does Italy still play a counter-attack style of football? Does Holland still play a football based on ball possession? Are still the Uruguayans (i am not sure Urugayan is the word for someone coming from Uruguay) the Europeans of south america? Do Brazilians play out of TV commercials?
I think globalization got into football as it got into everything. To be honest football is less attractive than it was in the ’80’s when I was young and naive.
I am still young though
Dutch Master

Figo a superstar? First a head-butt and than a dive? That man has less honor than a $5 crack “bleep”!!

Potugal played with heart? They never even heard of that word. Did you see them flopping around every time somebody in the crowd looked at them? (Especially that goalie..Ricardo) And don’t even get me started on that P$%#y C. Ronaldo. He’s supposed to be the saviour of Man United? You know the difference between C. Ronaldo and Roy Keane? CR makes highlight tapes, Keane wins Championships.

I heard you could buy anything you wanted in Russia and apparently that includes referees. What a clown!! I’ve only played for 34 years but the way I read the laws of the game, a leaping studs-up tackle to the face in the box warrants a penalty.

Go England! Kill Portugal!!
Dutch Master

Oh, I forgot….this game was brought to you by Hallmark……

We have a card for every occassion!!
Diogo

Netherlands GO HOME!!!!
soccerazy

PAO

How can you say that? I was neutral watching this game but I saw Van Bommel collapsing to the ground after Figo did nothing to him, I saw Van Persie diving in search of a penalty. I saw Boularoz trying to take off Ronaldo’s right thigh. And most of all I saw Holland not giving the ball back to Portugal. I started neutral but as the game went on i became the biggest Portugal supporter in this world.

- FINALLY. someone in here was watching the same game i was.
soccerazy

pao | June 26th, 2006 at 1:51 am

and Btw my english is not that limited. You try to speak italian, i dare you.

- ok that one made me laugh so much. i almost fell out off my chair! haha i’ve been to italy and speaking italian aint easy …thats for sure!!!

*HIGH FIVE*
Diogo

Greece GO HOME!! DEFENSIVE FOOTBALL GO HOME!

Figo is a bad example for everyone ?! lol.. you’re crazy!

Greece are good example for the people who want to watch good football? I don’t think so!

You’re watching Mundial 2006 on TV.. so you shut up GREECE suporter’s, and think before speak.. FIGO is an boss..

WHERE ARE YOU GREECE?! GO HOME BASTARDS!!

PORTUGALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!
Marlene

I was extremely disappointed in Holland. I am not saying Portugal was perfect but they are definitely the DIRTY DUTCH.
soccerazy

Diogo | June 26th, 2006 at 3:45 am

WHERE ARE YOU GREECE?! GO HOME BASTARDS!!

PORTUGALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!

- i jus wanted to join u say

“GREECE GO HOME” and “PORTUGAAAALLLLL” :)

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Diogo

Canada ?! Where are youuu??

PORTUGAL!!! PORTUGAL!! PORTUGAL!!!
Figo_7

What the hell of game have you watched?
Figo did nothing comparing
with what Bommel, Heitinga, Ooijer or BOULAHROUZ have done! You don’t know nothing about FOOTBALL… so Shut Up!

England you’r the next going home!
Diogo_PORTUGAL

England you’re the next going home!
magic genie

Hahahahahahhahahaaahhaaaaaahhhaaha! Sorry Diogo _ POrtugal you are soooo funny! After that performance last night from Portugal I cannot believe you have the balls to type that.. Portugal was awful!
Dutch Master

You wrote: You’re watching Mundial 2006 on TV.. so you shut up GREECE suporter’s, and think before speak.. FIGO is an boss..

WHERE ARE YOU GREECE?! GO HOME BASTARDS!! “”

Greece is at home where they belong!!. Finished 4th after Ukraine, Turkey and Denmark in qualifying. Guess the 8-1-1- system works only for so long….Euro04 was a fluke.

And the Oscar for best diving performance goes to.. Figo….Real Madrid was right in getting rid of your useless ass.
Diogo_PORTUGAL

Portugal does not have to prove nothing it.

We are one harnesses World-wide.
we go to eliminate England in the next phase.

The Australia that if worries in win its game, and leaves Portugal in peace!
prim3r

Congratulations to Netherlands that is a country that i like when it comes to soccer and all the fans that were in the stadium. They made a good game in the second half, but we had an inspired GoalKeeper ( maybe if Van Basten Played..? :P

:)

To bad for the referre that we had, that made really bad decisons for both sides… ( good for england….. ? )

Good luck for the next fight ( Euro ).

Next.. England !!
James Hilton

The Portugal fans on this site make me laugh they are so blind.

I’m not a Dutch supporter at all, and I freely admit they do more than their share of diving and injury-faking. Boulahrouz’s ‘tackle’ on Ronaldo was cheap and dirty.

But given all that, Portugal were much worse. They have no sportsmanship at all. Simply put they are cheaters. Not by accident. They intend to cheat. They want to cheat. Their fans here obviously don’t care either. It’s all game-playing and acting.

As for the cards, Costinha deserved the first yellow for a bad tackle, should have gotten a second yellow for another poor tackle (but didn’t) and clearly reached out and up with his hand. The ref, Ivanov, had no choice but to give him red. Same with Deco. Deco’s first yellow can’t be disputed. He wasn’t even close to the ball. On the second yellow, Ivanov also had choice as it was a clear time-wasting offense. Deco pleaded, please. Why? You’ve played the game before. Why should you get away with it? Will getting away with make you stop? No. Finally, Ricardo faked an injury for 3-4 minutes. Whenever possible, Portugese players dove and tried to suck time. That’s not soccer. That will stop people from watching the game.

Still, the Dutch did a lot of diving themselves, and if they were in the lead, as they were against Ivory Coast, they would have time-wasted terribly too.

The problem is that both of these teams are full of pussies who don’t care about fair play. You didn’t see the Germans flopping ad time-wasting against Sweden.
Figo_7

Hei magic genie… I want to see your face after we sent home England ;)
Diogo_PORTUGAL

They speaks and.. speaks. But never they must have seen Greece to play in Euro 2004.

They see the games that the Grecia made in Euro 2004.. and was champion of the Europe.

PORTUGAL 1 x 0 holand.. the rest its conversation ;)
prim3r

“Their fans here obviously don’t care either. It’s all game-playing and acting.”

No.. your wrong, very wrong.. not all.. you cant judge us all for 3 or 4 replys in a iblog…

In my opinion Portugal made a very bad game, and indeed had a little lack of sportmanship and “cheat”.. but they did to. ( with Figo )

Its obvious that the deserved score for this game was 1-1, but.. this is knockout stages, so somebody had to loose…

And i say again, this confusion was only created by the refere…
prim3r

lats reply was for James Hilton.
charles

The Dutch had plenty of opportunities to score but did not seem to be able to put any type of trajectory control on the ball when they had a penalty kick. They also could not get players in position for corners. Holland played good defense but had very little offense. Maybe in 2010?
soccerazy

NETHERLANDS PLAYED DIRTY.

THEREFORE

PORTUGAL GAVE THEM A TASTE OF THEIR OWN MEDICINE..

YAY PORTUGALLLL
Diogo_PORTUGAL

Maybe..
Revenge

PORTUGALLLLLL

Netherlands GO HOME!!!

Next Fight: England
brian young

The Nederlands vs. Portugal game wasn’t fussball. It was wussball.
Diogo_PORTUGAL

Netherlands GO HOME!!!

Peace :)
tiagoalvin

Great game, very emotional.
Red card for the referee, it was horror.
But, the best team win, theres no question about it.

GO PORTUGAL!!!!!
Trent S.

I hate when people claim that something obvious never happened. Doesn’t anyone else here tape games or have Tivo/DVR?

Figo was elbowed in the face. Did it knock him down? No, but you show me a footballer that doesn’t go down in that situation. Still trying to find one, huh.

Cristiano Ronaldo went into the game banged up with a leg injury and it took all of five minutes for him to get a cleated heel in the meat of his thigh. That was the worst play of the match.

And Figo didn’t headbutt anyone. He got in his face, but if you think that was a real headbutt you’ve never seen a real headbutt.

I don’t see how people can disrespect Portugal by saying they were the divers and the classless ones. Maniche has a breakaway when the ref blows the whistle, then they try to keep the ball on the restart? A-holes.

The Dutch went down every time they lost possession or couldn’t get a shot off in the Portuguese half.

I hate when people “see” something on a distance shot in real time, decide what happened, then close their eyes so that they don’t have to see what really happened. Then their arguments would be down the drain.

I think everyone here should watch this game again if they can tonight and see what really happened.

Enough sour grapes people. The deserving team won.

Forca Portugal!!!!
OilerFan

That was an insane match, there musta been something in the air i suppose. As a neutral observer, i thought both sides played shamefully, although the drama was very entertaining. I dont see how anyone can blame just the ref..i mean comeon, these are grown men, making millions of dollars for what they do, there is really no excuse for loosing control the way they did.

I felt a bit sorry for the ref, i mean he’s just human and the amount of pressure on his shoulders musta been intense. Both teams know the rules, the ref was just enforcing them, cant blame him for that. Every decision might not have been dead on, but for the most part he did his job…the players were just out of control.
michel platini

missing costinha and deco agaisnt england is not the end of the world for the portugese.
Jake

Neither side should be proud of its performance in that game, as there was plenty of bad conduct to go around.

It started with that tackle on C. Ronaldo that very well could have been a red card, and continued with Figo’s headbutt (absolutely unbelievable that he would even do that, let alone not be shown red for it), the elbow he took just a bit later (possibly worthy of red even if it hadn’t been the players second offence), the jumping kick by the portuguese player in the box, the bad sportsmanship by the dutch after the injury, and numerous other incidents.

A couple of points – the ref actually did not do as bad of a job as he could have – the players made it hard on him with their behavior, although he probably should have done a better job keeping the match under control. In addition, when the Dutch kept the ball after a pause due to injury – in no way am I defending their action, but the only possible explanation I can come up with for their behavior was that they thought portugal had forfeited the right to getting the ball back when they tried to press the attack with their player down, only to have it whistled dead by the ref (I don’t know if this was ignorance on the Portuguese player’s part or an attempt to take advantage of his own players injury). Regardless, the Dutch were clearly unjustified in their behaviour, but I believe this may explain why the Netherlands thought themselves justified in maintaining possesion.

That’s just how I saw it from a neutral point of view, but if anyone wants to take issue with my points in a reasonable tone, I’ll gladly discuss them.

Deutschland Vor!
APinto

The russian referee was still dizzy with the last game of Portugal against Russia (7-1). I hope we don’t have to face a Dutch referee in the near future. He will be dizzy too! LOL!

In the 10 matches that Portugal and the Netherlands played, the Orange team only beat us once. Soon they will start running out of excuses. Maybe next time Portugal should play only with ten to see if they have a cha….oh wait…we tried that already. Oh, I know, maybe if they try to skneak the ball and start attacking when the ball is expected to be returned…opss…that was been tried too. Ok we will give them a chance in front of the goalkeeper … Gee, I’m running out of ideas.

I’m sorry about the sarcasm, but I can’t resist! We lost with Greece in the Eurocup and we were sad! But we congratulated the Greeks! Not even after defeat the Dutchmen are able to hide their arrogancy!

I look forward to see Portugal against England. But what ever happens I’m already proud of my team. They are there to give everything they have. That is the biggest difference in the team since Scolari started coaching. The tears of Ronaldo expressed exactly this. He wanted and tried to play after that stupid foul. He cound’t, and he cried with rage! Forca Ronaldo, forca Fico, Deco, Miguel, Ricardo, R. Carvalho, Costinha, Maniche, Petit, Simao, Postiga, and all the others. And to Scolari…thank you!!!

“Contra os Bretoes marchar, marchar”
Phani Krishna

Netherlands deserved a penalty against Portugal. Refree neglected it. Someone sue FIFA. Hard luck Netherlands… hard luck.. u did all you could do. My feelings are for you.
CTL

There should have 3 other red cards, thus qualifying this to be an all-time record, never to be surpassed. These 3 should have been awarded to:

1. Luis Figo (Portugal) for headbutting Mark van Bommel.

2. Mark van Bommel (Holland) for simulation – falling in slow motion (like those WWE instant replays) after being head-butted.

Fact: Figo should have given a harder headbutt!

3. Philip Cocu (Holland) for wrestling Deco to the ground. Was that a side suplex or a side slam?

Fact: Deco should don a mask like Rey Misterio the next time to hide his hideous face!

The true beneficiary of this “main event”: Sven Goran Eriksson’s England (the Bob Backlund of the World Cup. Yawn!)

I think I’ll watch WWE the next time these two teams play again.
Spak

It was an attempt to do a “smart” game for Holand but at the same time the played a “dirty” game. They did’nt deserve win the math and now they are coming back home.
England is the next victim…
Lipos

For all netherlands who stay in Germany there is another flight who leaves at 5.45 p.m. Enjoy your flight!
http://www.freewebs.com/jordinu Jordy Borg

The Coach of Portugal is nothing. Just cheering like a nuthead in front of Van Basten. At least Van Basten Was calm and disciplinated not like him because Scholari would have got ap punch from him
Diogo_PORTUGAL

Scolari win’s.. Basten lose’s

Thats the diference Jordy Borg..

Netherlands GO HOME!!
rew

Spak, lipos… too bad you “port chops” got through.. both teams should have lots… too bad mexico couldn’t get a pass in your place… they played WAY better then both teams did…..
MDS

Figo has ruined his reputation? I don’t think so. In the field there is so much pressure, that sometimes you can’t control your emotions. It was an unnecessary headbutt, that´s a fact. But that doesn’t mean that he has lost his good reputation.

It was a fair win. The portuguese team could play a good open soccer if the ref have sent off the Dutch player that injured C. Ronaldo. The ref lost control of it all.

You can see any other match, where the portuguese team play fair and good soccer.
Daan

??????

Even after some beers i could tell that bouhlarouz didn’t hit figo in the face, ALL HE DID WAS put his body between the ball and figo, keeping his arms wide, HE DID NOT ELBOW HIS FACE.
sty

Scolari = a clown, Ivanov sucks a**, Portugal ruined the entire second half. Give me 2×35 pure playtime, with a clock that’s set to pauze when the ball isn’t in the game. I might just stop watching football after this World Cup. Never has it been so full of shi*t, and acting, and bad refereeing, etc.
MDS

man whatever… you can’t go back in time. If you have eyes, you can see that he hits Figo in the face. It´s a foul. Does he deserve the second yellow card? No.

bouhlarouz should be sent off when he injured C.Ronaldo. That was not on the ball and was in a malicious way…

Figo and N. Valente should have seen the red card.

We’re goin’ to play with england with fear…most of the players are booked, others injured. England will have an easy task, after the yesterday’s game.

If Holland beat Portugal, it would be fair as well. But they didn’t beat Portugal.
prim3r

Exactly MDS, i agree with u in all u said…
RP

How can a guy like Van Basten, who had so much problems with opponents injuring him, agrre with what Bouhlarouz did to Ronaldo?
Van Bommel: a Razzy for worst actor. It took about 3 seconds since Figo got his head next to his for him to grab his face and fall down like he was shot. Really lousy acting. If he wanted to fall down, he sould have fallen down immediatly.
Diogo_PORTUGAL

FIGO, THE KING OF PORTUGAL!!

Australian sucker’s, see as they had lost with the italia..
soccerazy

I just heard that Portugal is appealing Deco’s red card. I do wish he gets to play this saturday.
WE NEED HIM TO BEAT ENGLAND!
especially with the GORGEOUS CHRISTIANO RONALDO injured.

WHY DID DECO EVEN GET THAT SECOND YELLOW CARD?
CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN IT TO ME???
I jus remember hearing a whistle and i saw deco take the ball and BOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM REDDD CARD..

that goddamn referee. and his CARDS. i swear. if i was there watching the game. I woulda jumped on him and HEAD BUTT him myself. no i think i would have made him eat all those goddamn cards he gave out.
http://www.fifa.com edgar prates algarve

netherlands? what is that? that orange looks more like cow shit and now they found out this new style of playing. Started kicking and destroying Portuguese players from the beginning, just like they did with Argentina before. They do not play football. They thought they were messin around with some english or german team. They forgot about the Portuguese mediterranean guts – “you want to poison us cabrao filho da puta? so I will give some good remedy too amigo” They asked for it, they got it – and the stupid referree was afraid of the players or something? now he call his daddy to defend him?! he was pissed since Russia got 7-1 in Lisbon and were out of the world cup… conclusion: only costinha and deco are out. the rest are palying. Portugal won easily to mexico with the second team and english play worst – so far – so there is no problem. see you in semi-final brasil (if u win to spain). Scolari will teach how to be world champion.
http://www.worldcupblog.org/world-cup-2006/half-time-in-the-berlin-cathedral-stadium.html Half-Time in the Berlin Cathedral Stadium – FIFA World Cup 2006 – World Cup 2006 Blog

[...] It is an entirely appropriate, timely topic after the previous nights record-breaking four-red-card, 16-yellow-card Portugal vs. Netherlands debacle. And the message that I came away with was that if Portugal and the Netherlands been playing in a spiritual state of mind they would not have felt the need to brawl and tackle each other and wouldn’t have gotten two key players suspended for the next round’s game. But it might be lost on the crowd wandering in. [...]
karmawhale

And the Dutch went down again…dammit…I was leaping in the Air, when Cocu belted that against the bar. 2 cms below, and we’d have been in extra time.

Anyway, throw out Kuyt, throw out Nistelrooy….Where have you gone, the likes of Bergkamp, Overmars, a nation turns its lonely eyes to you!
Diana

F**k all the people bad mouthing Portugal! First of all it was the Dutch who started the war Portugal, the Portuguese just finished it! And it was also that damn referee’s fault that the game got so out of hand! As for Portugal the best of luck against England! Forca Portugal!
Diana

As for the people making fun of Cristiano Ronaldo F**k you too! Your just jealous that you can’t be him or be next to him! Go Ronaldo Go! I love you, baby!
http://weakinrock.com/2006/07/03/racist-nitwits/ The Weak In Rock » Racist nitwits…

[...] Now stick it to those dirty cheating Portuguese! [...]
http://none stevex

France go to hell.Hope italy wins
3-0.Zidane and his mates should consider the filmmaking industry
after retiring.(wwe).See how they
wrestled the portugese and not even a penalty was given.How much did you guys offered the ref?Hope you brake a leg in the final!
fair play

Well thank god for that, Portugal are out of the world cup. It was very sad to see the stupid antics of the Portugese football team. Why the stupid diving?! Do they know the meaning of sportsmanship?! The whole world is laughing at them now, its a shame, because 2 years ago they played very attractive football in the european cup finals.
http://www.beingahuman.blogspot.com Dc sore

the reason zidane headbutted the italian is on http://www.beingahuman.blogspot.com
iloveRonaldo

Wayne Rooney should be punished more than 2 Games.
He just smash Ricardo’s testicles.
I do not know what was worst!!
Headbutt or that smash.

British Press is doing a Disgusting campaign against Ronaldo.
We can see now what people from that Island realy are and what they can do!!

If the Portuguese Press would do the same regarding Rooney, maybe now That Island would declare War to us!!

Ronaldo is a boy, and Like Rooney should be protected and they have to learn a lot in football.

Both have committed stupid acts, but British press doesn’t want to teach!

British People – Do you remember Paul Gascoigne, Do you want Rooney to be another one?

Focus on Rooney Behavior!

Ronaldo just have done what hundreds of players worldwide do in aggression cases.

We Portuguese will never Forgot what British and French Press did.

Don’t let your hunger to be stronger than your Heart, this is only Football.

Ronaldo’s home in England was vandalize, and probably he can play no more in England.

About this game Portugal vs Netherlands, the referee should sent out the player who injured Ronaldo, then the game would be more clean, I never remember to see Netherlands to play with that NO Fair Play.
The smile of Van Basten, when Ronaldo had to leave the game tells everything, he forgot why he abandoned football

MISERÁVEL
ghumbby

yes, it was miserable!

The way that some British and French Press treated Portugal as a country it was shameful.

See you England and France in EURO2008
Rimon

C.Ronaldo is the best and he is my idol, but rooney on the other hand has a short temper and should be banned for at least 4 matches!

P.S. I’m 14 and have just started playing football, I have been told by coaches that I have some natural skill. However is it too late for me?
http://www.worldcupblog.org/world-cup-2006/daily-dose-0718.html#comments Pedro P

@fair play: Don’t get me wrong, but I honestly don’t think the world is laughing at the portuguese team, right now. You see, there’s only soo much the press and biased comentators can do. The rest are fans, who will always be biased, and people who really dig the game. And have been diging the game for decades and live in countries where the game is THE national sport.

So, with due respect, POR was not the victim of the WC but was surelly much more a victim than the villain.

And… What a lot of people saw, was a team that plays good football, that finally started materializing what has been promissing for the past 10 years, that still lacks a 100% striker, that produced the higgest number of shots in the WC, etc… To be honest, as soon as Portugal was kicked out by France, most of the articles to be read in the press became positive and the Zidane vs Materazzi affair took over.

To the dismay of dutch and english, Portugal is not seen by the majority of people (closer to football than to punditry) as this “ugly-kid”, without any merit, climbing at the expense of cheating. Anyway, you’d have to be somwhat blind to think that…

Dutch are now seen as cocky troublemaker kids and english are seen as english… I know at who a lot of people are laughing at… ;-)
http://www.superdudes.nl/Unknown Stef

OMG i can’t believe you guy’s you’re al pethetic..

It’s obvious that portugal ought to be sent home in this match.. the acting.. omg
the referee ..
the stalling time.

The Netherlands is a great football Nation.
The Yought of holland just won the Eurepoian champpionships.

so prepare the next generation will blow your brains out.

The match against portugal was a disgrase to footbal portugal is a lousy country and al they can do is act an whine for yellow card.

FUCK PORTUGAL
your guys just suck dude
kees

That kick against robben was a definate red card. Portugal cheets i am from the netherlands but still that was terrible
Joao

The Dutch, you know,… in Portugal we say:
If you want to good make money, do the following:
Buy a Dutchman by the price he’s worth, then sell it by the price HE THINKS HE’S WORTH. You can have a good profit from that.

The Portuguese are sometimes troublesome, but the Dutch are always troublesome. Specially in this match. They tried to injure Ronaldo twice, but the plans of these crooks of Netherlanderthal went wrong. Well done, Portugal!
I think the referee was a scapegoat from both sides. He did a good job. He did what he had to do. His head was cut in the football world. Corruption? Maybe…
Joao

I think we do not have to worry about these euro-crooks comments. They use double standards. They lie, using the goebbels maxim.

Racist Dutch people who treat the Portuguese and other foreigners in such a bad way in Holland, must have their bones smashed.

I really laugh when I see a racist Dutchy tourist head being punched in Portugal, when they slander and shout arrogantly.

Fuck Portugal? That’s you’ve been trying to do for centuries.

Fuck Holland? Yes, I’ll say that when your country will disappear with the sea level rise.
portuhater

j
cool down

my opinion is
portugal is a nice country but i hate the the portugal squad with figo,simao,pauleta all those bastards than can’t fight for their selves but call the whole crew say puta this puto that instead of a face off.
portugal was better in euro 2004 but in wc 2006 we had way more chances than portugal.portugal had almost 1 shot and goal that was that.
i hope that the euro 2008 final will be NETHERLANDS-PORTUGAL and ill bet that with that same crew of 2006 we will beat your ass.HOLLAND!
http://fuckyoa pablo

fuck the cunts live the dicks
http://fuckyoa pablo

i,ll cat your boo’ls one day,PORTUGAL , will be your couch mather fuckers , we are strong and virill…
http://fuckyoa pablo

get fucket or facuck of..
http://fuckyoa pablo

WELL CAM TO PORTUGAL , SUN ,SUN AND MOR SUN