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)
The best football boots in the world: World Cup Boot Battle
What are the best football boots in the world? It’s a commonly asked question. But how can we answer it? If only we had some major event coming up where all the best players from around the world will meet, sporting the very best football boots on the market at the moment and, I don’t know, played in some tournament against one another. Oh that’s right, we do! The World Cup 2018 is here and ...[Read More]
What football boots are the key players wearing at the World Cup?
At this season’s World Cup a host of stars (minus the likes of Jack Wilshere, Dani Alves, Karim Benzema and Raidja Nainggolan) descend on Russia to pit themselves against one another for team and country. Two of the greatest players to ever walk the planet, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, are of course representing their nations. They’re among an array of other worldwide talents that we ...[Read More]
Who will win the World Cup 2018?
There’s only a couple of days until the FIFA World Cup 2018 officially starts. It’s like when you’ve booked a holiday, but it is months and months off so you don’t think about it or get excited for it. Then one day, you remember your holiday is a week away. It’s still a way off but you begin to get hyped and just imagine how buzzing you’ll be when it’s only a few days until...[Read More]
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of the 2018 World Cup kits
The FIFA World Cup 2018 due to start on June 14th and we’re buzzing! It’s the ultimate football tournament and we can’t wait to watch with glee and then confusion as England stumble out before the semis. But we’re not here to talk about England’s anticipated performance. Instead, we’re focusing on the World Cup kits. So much has been said about Nigeria prior to...[Read More]
World Cup 2018: How to watch, important dates, times, channels and matches
The FIFA World Cup 2018 set to kick off on June 14th. In the words of Michael Scott, ‘Oh my God. Okay it’s happening. Everybody stay calm, stay f****** calm.’ Never has a sentence resonated so perfectly with all football fans, as we as one wait intently for the ultimate football marathon to commence. So, we are here to make sure you are completely prepared for the biggest sporting event in the wor...[Read More]
- 1
- 2