What’s at Stake Today

June 21st, 2006 | by: WC Bob |

Another day, another four matches. That is what is known as World Cup bliss. We close out the action in Groups C & D. Three of the four spots in the round of 16 have been filled and the teams today will be jockeying to see who will play one another in the knockout stage. Here’s a rundown of what is at stake for each of the teams today.

Group C

Argentina and Netherlands are both through. The winner of their match will win Group C and play the second place finisher from Group D. Argentina has a clear goal differential advantage so a tie will also give them top billing in the group.

Serbia and Montenegro and Ivory Coast have both been eliminated and are playing for no other reason then because they have to. Poor Chris drew the short end of the stick and he will be liveblogging that one.

Group D

Portugal is through to the next round and there is nothing that can be done today to change that fact. Portugal will win the group with a win or draw against Mexico. Either way, they are going to play either Argentina or Netherlands next round.

Mexico can punch their ticket to the round of 16 with a win or draw against Portugal. El Tri can also advance if Angola loses or draws against Iran. With a win against Portugal they win the group and a case of Turtle Wax.

Angola is still mathematically alive but will need some help. First, the Palancas need to beat Iran. Next they need Portugal to beat Iran. Finally they need to have a better goal differential than Mexico. Currently they are -1 and Mexico is +2.

Iran is going home no matter what. Thanks for showing up. See you again in 2010.

Predictions

Group C
1. Argentina
2. Netherlands

Group D
1. Portugal
2. Mexico

Again, I am going with the favorites. I’ve learned my lessons.

What do you think will be the outcome from today’s matches?

International Football News – World Cup Blog RSS Feed

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/postglobal/ Amar Bakshi

PostGlobal, a new feature – launched by Fareed Zakaria and David Ignatius – soliciting viewpoints from leading journalists around the world, is debating the links between the World Cup and international relations. I thought this might be of interest to these readers.

See:
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/postglobal/
Kelvin

Hopefully your prediction will be correct, and my team can dodge playing Argentina.
Nicolás

A hard game for us. We beat Holland only once (1978 final match) in seven matches.
Orfeo

I believe Argentina will win this one too. Both teams are planning to save their booked players and let some others rest (it’s not official yet, but half their teams will be substitutes). The difference is, Argentina’s bench is as good (or even better: Messi, Tevez, Cufré, Aimar, Palacio, etc.) as the regular first-team.
My prediction: ARG 3 – NED 1.
Orfeo

Bob, I don’t know if you can edit that, but where you say: “Next they need Portugal to beat Iran”, it should be: “Next they need Portugal to beat Mexico”.
BTW, I’m going with your prediction :)
SES

Lesson: In the end everyone will be speaking Spanish.

Great predictions. Portugal 2-0; Argentina 2-1. I think the Dutch could pose a challenge to the Argentines though as they’re a great defensive team.
http://brazil.worldcupblog.org/ Euler

When it comes to non-Brazilian matches my predictions are always wrong. But I keep trying, naturally.

NED 2 : ARG 1

Robben twice, Tevez once.
OPKO

Today’s festivities will be showcasing some of the best play-acting on display at the World Cup. The diving (a.k.a. “simulation”) and dirty play of Argentina, Portugal, and Mexico (Holland also had some diving in their last game – perhaps it’s contagious?) highlight everything that is wrong with football. I’m tired of watching these antics and wish that they could suck it up and jut play.

For example, they should watch tapes of yesterday’s games when Rooney took that long ball and COULD HAVE fallen down as he was fouled on two separate occassions, but continued fighting for the ball and tried to create a chance.

Joga Bonito.
Cocoliso

So Rooney’s behaviour is a shining example to follow… go tell his mom.
OPKO

Is anybody watching the dive-fest being put on by Mexico?
OPKO

Perez dives… second yellow… red card. He is off for the day. The “simulation” continues. Can’t wait for Argentina this afternoon. Does anyone see a pattern here?
OPKO

Now the Portuguese players are kicking at the others… this is disgusting!
http://www.worldcupblog.org/world-cup-2006/big-question-which-current-coach-was-the-best-player.html#comments Pedro P

OPKO, get some glasses…