The World Cup Boot Battle: Day 10
Today was crunch time for the 2014 winners Germany. Lose to Sweden and they would be out at the group stages – a draw would not be much help either. Elsewhere, Belgium faced the rugby-tacklers Tunisia in England’s group.
Germany is nearly out of the World Cup
Germany is hanging by a thread: Germany 2-1 Sweden
Germany was as close as any German team has been to going out at the group stages in the last 70 years. It was another uninspiring performance as they stumbled over the line against the Swedes, with Jerome Boateng, in particular, looking like he didn’t belong on a football pitch.
The ref seemed to think so too as he got sent off late on, not for his ability, but for a second yellow – and rightfully so. Rewind back to the first half though, and Germany starred elimination directly in the face. Ola Toivonen was put clean through and the forward expertly lofted the ball over the on-rushing Manuel Neuer to score.
Germany pressed heavily and Marco Reus scored early in the second half to firmly swing momentum. It was a lot of pressure then from the Germans but they struggled to break down a solid defence. Boateng then got sent off and it seemed to spark Germany into life. They looked more creative. But it took a last-minute wonderstrike from Toni Kroos, curling a well-worked free-kick into the top corner, to defeat Sweden and give Germany hope.
Rugby’s going home: Belgium 5-2 Tunisia
Justice was served in our opinions, so thank you Belgium for that. They destroyed Tunisia 5-2 and believe us, if Michy Batshuayi wasn’t a complete donkey in front of the goal it could have been seven or eight.
Eden Hazard kicked things off after winning a penalty himself and then converting it as he so often does. Romelu Lukaku scored twice after, the second a lovely dink over the keeper, in between a Dylan Bronn header to pull one back for the Tunisians.
In the second half, Hazard controlled a great through ball and took it around the keeper to score a fourth. After missing three of the easiest chances you’ll see, Batshuayi made it five before Wahbi Khazri scored another consolation.
Korea going home: South Korea 1-2 Mexico
Son Heung-Min was left in tears at the end of the match after his side will be going home. The Spurs striker scored a great goal in stoppage time of the second-half, but it was not enough to rescue his side from elimination.
Carlos Vela kicked off the Mexican assault by scoring a penalty, given for a handball. Javier Hernandez scored the second to pretty much seal the deal for his team and send them all-but through bar a catastrophic meltdown in the final matches.
Boot of the day – Adidas 11pro boots
Adidas 11pro football boots
‘Toni Kroooooooooooooooooooooosssssssssssssssssssssssssss.’ That is along the lines of what we expect the German commentators said right after their team’s winner. We aren’t too sure exactly because we are too lazy to Google ‘German commentator reaction,’ but let’s just say they did. Obviously, the German midfielder’s Adidas Pros must be the boot of the day!
Goal of the day – Toni Kroooooooooooooooooooooooossssssssssssssss.
Scored that peach, enough said.
Assist of the day – Thomas Meunier
We could have picked a few others, but we loved Meunier’s little check and then love slipped-through pass into space for Lukaku’s second.
Moment of the day – Khazri’s… Ambitious shot
Yes Kroos’ winner was a good moment, but we went for something a little more off the track. Khazri, just after Belgian’s fifth and final nail in the coffin, took the resulting kick-off.
Did he pass the ball back depressingly to his teammates like the majority of players would do? Did he heck. To quote Eric Cartman, he thought ‘screw you guys I’m going home.’ But before he went home, he took a shot from the centre-spot which tested Thibaut Courtois as much as much as a nun is tested for STDs.
It just epitomised his side’s woeful performance and the attitude they must have felt being 5-1 down (Khazri scored Tunisia’s second goal after).
The World Cup Boot Battle: Day 10
Points Awarded
Belgium v Tunisia
Eden Hazard +8 (Nike) – Two goals for the forward earns Nike eight points.
Romelu Lukaku +12 (Puma) – Two goals and a MOTM performance, good day for Puma.
Dries Mertens +2 (Nike) – Assisted Lukaku’s first.
Thomas Meunier +2 (Adidas) – Great ball for The Kak’s second.
Toby Alderweireld +2 (Nike) – Great long ball to assist Hazard.
Youri Tielemans +2 (Nike) – Assisted Batshuayi.
Michy Batshuayi +4 (Adidas) – Least deserved four points of the tournament after some disgusting misses.
Whabi Khazri +6 (Nike) – Assisted the header and scored himself, Tunisia’s biggest threat.
Dylan Bronn +4 (Nike) – Good header to pull one back in the first half.
Hamdi Nagguez +2 (Nike) – Assisted Tunisia’s last goal.
South Korea v Mexico
Son Heung-Min +4 (Adidas) – Scored a nice goal.
Lee Jae-Sung +2 (Nike) – Assisted Son.
Carlos Vela +4 (Adidas) – Scored the penalty.
Hirving Lozano +2 (Nike) – Got an assist.
Javier Hernandez +8 (Adidas) – Scored a goal and was MOTM.
Germany v Sweden
Toni Kroos +4 (Adidas) – Don’t need to tell you again why he’s getting four points for Adidas.
Marco Reus +6 (Puma) – Scored Germany’s equaliser and tapped the ball ten centimetres for Kroos’ winner.
Mario Gomez +2 (Nike) – Assisted Reus.
Ola Toivonen +4 (Adidas) – Scored Sweden’s goal.
Viktor Claesson +2 (Nike) – Assisted Toivonen.
The World Cup Boot Battle: The best football boots in the world
| Adidas | Asics | Diadora | Mizuno | New Balance | Nike | Puma | Umbro | Under Armour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 189 | 14 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 501 | 78 | 2 | 4 |
It was a great day for Adidas and Puma who boost up their scores. In comparison, it was a relatively poor one for Nike who have been doing brilliantly throughout the World Cup.
Tomorrow’s World Cup matches
ENGLAND v Panama 13:00 (GMT)
Japan v Senegal 16:00 (GMT)
Poland v Colombia 19:00 (GMT)
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