The World Cup Boot Battle: Day 4
After super Saturday largely lived up to its hype, a couple of previous World champions featured today. The goals may have been lacking, but drama certainly wasn’t despite the fact that today saw no penalties, own goals, last-minute goals or VAR controversies.
Holders Germany are defeated 1-0 against underdogs Mexico
Holders Germany are defeated
Germany 0-1 Mexico
In a World Cup where the underdogs in every match, bar the Nigerians yesterday, have played superbly and have deserved a lot more than they have got, today finally saw some real fruits for the labour.
Mexico were lively from the start and their deadly counter-attacking tactics could not be handled by the lack-luster Germans. They left three up front every corner they defended, and with it more often than not turned German attack into a decent opportunity.
They were in fact wasteful in front of goal. Hirving Lozano should have got a couple, but the one he did score was taken beautifully. A Mexican counter exploited, as it did so frequently throughout the match, the disorganised Germany defence. Mesut Ozil ended up in the right-back position, and the Mexican forward checked inside passed the Arsenal man and fired home at Manuel Neuer’s near post.
Germany hit the post late on and a Thomas Muller free-kick was tipped onto the bar in the first half, but the South Americans defended stoutly and Germany simply could not break through the Mexican wall (no reference and subsequent support towards Trump meant).
The 2014 World Cup champions will still likely qualify, but were they to finish second in the group as it looks like they now may they would face Brazil in the last 16.
Neymar not influential in Brazil draw
Brazil 1-1 Switzerland
Speaking of Brazil, they were in action after the Germany v Mexico match and went into this tournament as favourites to win it. They will have to seriously up their game though if they are even going to reach the final, with a lackluster and unimpactful performance only seeing them pick up a point – at this rate with all the favourites underperforming England may actually have a chance.
The Brazilians, looking for revenge from that 7-1 abomination in the semis in 2014, started with real intent. They looked hot and it didn’t take long to grab the lead – Philippe Coutinho with the most Coutinho-like goal you’ll see curling the ball beautifully in the corner from distance.
Switzerland had no answer to Brazil’s quality. But then, something changed. Something spurred them on and they were the better side going into halftime.
In the second half, Brazil seemingly empathised with their opponents and felt their efforts deserved at least one goal. So accordingly, they refused to mark Steven Zuber from a corner who headed in from four yards and kindly accepted the Brazilian gift.
Marcelo really was not at the races today and he wasn’t alone in that Brazil team. Neymar was marked out the game for large parts and his performance was summed up by one run where he ran off the pitch and a free-kick that he took which hit the wall.
Great point for Switzerland, as for Brazil I have them in the office sweepstake so they better bloody sort this crap out.
Serbia edge out Costa Rica
Costa Rica 1-0 Serbia
You know that saying ‘save the best till last?’ Well we don’t like it. We want our cake before we have to eat our vegetables. So from now on we are not going to report the games in chronological order, we are simply going to shove the dull match at the bottom.
It wasn’t a terrible match. Costa Rica pushed and had a few openings but Serbia probably deserved the 1-0 win. It came from the boot of Aleksander Kolarov who curled a gorgeous free-kick into the corner of the net. Neymar and Messi, take note.
Boot of the day – Nike Mercurial Vapor XII Elite
Nike Mercurial Vapour XII Elite football boots
The Nike Vapor Elites are the boot of both Coutinho and Kolarov. Clearly it’s one for the curlers!
Goal of the day – Aleksander Kolarov
Although Coutinho’s goal was indeed magical, Kolarov’s was exquisite. And magical.
Player of the day – Hirving Lozano
Lozano was instrumental in pushing Mexico over the line and getting them that historic win against the Germans, and he may prove vital for his nation in the later stages.
Moment of the day – Germany’s defence getting roasted
Germany’s defence got sliced open like a fish getting gutted, on so, so many occasions. It was satisfying to watch. Like when that student at school who is always getting praised by teachers and never gets told off finally gets in trouble and it feels like the world suddenly has balance.
Germany is usually so efficient. So structured. A well-oiled machine. To see is dissected and penetrated with such ease really was a great watch. If the world’s best can look so poor then it makes England’s shambolic last decade of tournaments a bit more bearable – not by much though. I mean we still lost 2-1 to Iceland and failed to even get out of our group at the last World Cup.
The World Cup Boot Battle: Day 4
Points Awarded
Costa Rica v Serbia
Aleksander Kolarov +6 (Nike) – The Serb got the important goal and also kept a clean sheet.
Branislav Ivanovic +2 (Nike) – A clean sheet for the former Chelsea man gets Nike two points.
Dusko Tosic +2 (Adidas) – Clean sheet.
Nikola Milenkovic +2 (Puma) – Clean sheet.
Vladimir Stojkovic +3 (Adidas) – Clean sheet for the keeper.
Sergej Milinkovic +4 (Adidas) – MOTM in the game for Serbia.
Brazil v Switzerland
Philippe Coutinho +4 (Nike) – Scored a beauty, well worth his four points.
Xherdan Shaqiri +2 (Nike) – Assisted the equaliser with a good cross from the corner.
Ronald Zubar +4 (Nike) – Headed in from Shaqiri’s corner.
Valon Behrami +4 (Nike) – Great performance, deserved of MOTM.
Germany v Mexico
Guillermo Ochoa +3 (Nike) – Kept Germany out for 90 minutes… Enough said.
Hector Moreno +2 (Adidas) – Clean sheet.
Hugo Ayala +2 (Adidas) – Clean sheet.
Carlos Salcedo +2 (Nike) – Clean sheet.
Jesus Gallardo +2 (Nike) – Clean sheet.
Hirving Lozano +8 (Nike) – MOTM and scored the winnner!
Javier Hernandez +2 (Adidas) – Assisted Lozano’s goal.
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 |
After today’s matches Nike race ahead even further with yet more MOTM victors.
Tomorrow’s World Cup matches
Sweden v South Korea 13:00 (GMT)
Belgium v Panama 16:00 (GMT)
Tunisia v England 19:00 (GMT)
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