Portugal 2, USA 2
Both teams had a chance to win it, and both teams likely walked off the field feeling that this was a missed opportunity.
The United States, fresh off it's win against Ghana last week, could have clinched a berth in the elimination round with a win, while Portugal was just trying to avoid being eliminated after only two games, having suffered a demoralizing 4-0 loss to Germany in their first game.
Statistically, the game was quite even between the two teams, iwith no hugely significant differences to choose from.
Portugal drew first blood in the 5th minute with a goal by Nani, getting them off to a very solid start early on, and shaking the nerves of another possibly huge letdown like they had in Germany.
And from that point on to well into the second half, it seemed (at least to me) like Portugal was just trying to sit on the lead, content that it would be enough.
It wasn't.
True, it took a long time, but Jermaine Jones was able to kick a rocket into the corner of the net to get the US on the board in the 64th minute. And suddenly, just like, that, the game was tied at 1-1!
Portugal began to step it up again, taking their intensity up a notch or two after that.
Yet, it was the United States, not Portugal, that managed to get the all-important next goal in the 81st minute, providing the US with the first lead of the game, as Clint Dempsey, playing with a mask that rather restricted his breathing in the already hot and stuffy Amazon air in order to protect the broken nose that he had sustained in the last game, was able to convert a beautiful chance. Suddenly, it looked like the United States was on the verge of a huge and historic win!
That was the way that it stayed as regular time ended, and the game with into extra time. Indeed, the US managed to hold off Portugal, and looked to have secured the win, and a ticket to the elimination round, until the very last moment, when Portugal's Silvestre Varela snuck one past American goalkeeper Tim Howard with just seconds left to play, salvaging at least the tie for Portugal.
Both teams kept their hopes alive with the result. The United States will advance with either a win or a tie against Germany (Germany would also advance with either a win or tie). Portugal needs some help, needing to win against Ghana, and needing either the US or Germany to lose against one another, and then win the goal differential battle. Ghana also would need to beat Portugal, and need Germany to lose.
Algeria 4, South Korea 2
In a tournament that has been chock full of upsets and surprises thus far, this game fit right in.
I was, admittedly, expecting South Korea to hand Algeria yet another defeat.
But Algeria broke a scoreless tie in the 26th minute when Islam Slimani got the first of two goals that Algeria earned in a span of two or so minutes, grabbing a 2-0 lead. The second goal was a header by Rafik Halliche from very close range, to give Algeria a sudden, and rather shocking, 2-0 lead!
It did not even take Algeria long to nab yet another goal to go up 3-0 by the half when Abdelmoumene Djabou nailed yet another shot past South Korean goalkeeper Jung Sung-Ryong.
Algeria had a commanding 3-0 lead as the teams halted play for the half. Commentators were saying, probably with a fair degree of accuracy, that those fifteen minutes with three goals by the Algerian side were probably the greatest fifteen minutes in the soccer history of that nation.
South Korea tried to battle back, and in fact, did a little bit, in the second half. Son Heung-Min, with an assist by Ki Sung-Yueng, was able to finally get one past Algerian goalkeeper Rais M'Bolhi. It was a relatively quick goal, and seemed to get South Korea back in the game.
At least, that is, until Algeria's Yacine Brahimi, assisted by a pass from Sofiane Feghouli, was able to get one right to the center of the box in a direct line to the center of the back of the goal. Algeria was up 4-1, with a comfortable three goal margin once again.
Give credit where credit is due, however. South Korea never quite. Assisted by a pass from Lee Keun-Ho, South Korea's Koo Ja-Cheol was able to bury one into Algeria's goal from very close in the 72nd minute, to close the margin to 4-2.
South Korea pressed very hard, and had some nice opportunities and close calls the rest of the way. But they were unable to get any more goals on a day when they were continually flustered and frustrated by a very motivated and well prepared Algerian side, that earned itself a tremendous victory on this night!
Belgium 1, Russia 0
Things just do not seem to be going Russia's way for this World Cup. They keep coming close to their objective, but ultimately, fall short.
Such was the case last week, then they seemed to outplay the South Korean side for much of the game (just barely), only to watch stunned when South Korea suddenly scored a goal, assisted by Russian keeper 's big mistake.
Then yesterday, the Russians had some wonderful scoring opportunities to almost put Belgium on the ropes earlier in the game, but the game remained deadlocked in a scoreless draw.
And just as it was looking like that was the way that this game would end, the Belgians suddenly exploded into life with a sudden goal from Divock Origi off an assist from Eden Hazard following a lightning-paced fast break, giving Belgium a 1-0 lead, with very little time left for Russia to work to get a goal of their own.
Divock Origi is stilla teenager, and one of the youngest men to ever score in a World Cup. It was also the second game in a row where Belgium managed to score a decisive goal very late in the game to clinch the win.
And this win also clinched an appearance in the elimination round for the Belgians, while leaving Russia with a very tough and complicated route to the elimination round themselves, as they next have to take on the inspired Algerian side.
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