oooooOOOOOOoOOOOoooo-OPA!

URUGUAY 1, ITALY 0
I'm no fan of Italy's team, but in no way did they deserve the injustice that happened yesterday. They may have still deserved to lose, mind you, just not like that. A red card was issued for (what I would call) a yellow card offence. The culprit was Italy’s midfielder Claudio Marchisio, who clumsily made a studs-up tackle, but it was without malice and resulted in no harm. Unforunately this left Italy down a man for most of the second half, and they ultimately paid the price for that.


But what really has some people's knickers in a twist is Count Suarez and his chomp on Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini. Now THAT was a red card offence, and unfortunately an event that officials failed to witness. Uruguay's goal was scored moments after the non-call.

'Not quite Al Dente... I should stick to softer food.'

So Costa Rica wins the group, Uruguay move on (but may very well be ousted in their next match since Suarez will likely be suspended for exercising his chompers for yet a THIRD time), and Italy and England are BOTH out.

The world, she is topsy-turvy.


COSTA RICA 0, ENGLAND 0
The score says it all. A low-scoring match, but one competed by two skillful sides - one with skill and the other a surprising underdog full of pep and vinegar - and replete with end-to-end action, great passes, tackles, enthusiasm, controversy, and drama!

Croatia lost to France 2-1 in the semi-finals of the 1998 World Cup. Having already stunned Germany in the quarter-finals, Croatia then went on to beat the Dutch for third place, while France had their way with Brasil in the final 3-0, winning the World Cup for their first and only time.

As for Costa Rica and England yesterday?

'Dude! Can you do jumping jacks THIS high?'

 WHO CARES.

GREECE 2, IVORY COAST 1
All Ivory Coast had to do was hold on for the draw. Instead, incidental contact (barely noticeable on replays) sent Samaras to the pitch and the referee pointed to the SPOT. Samaras struck it well, and the keeper almost had it, but 2-1 was the final, and in extra time - that must really sting.

Georgios Samaras comforts Ivory Coast’s goalkeeper Boubacar Barry after eliminating Ivory Coast from the tournament with a penalty in the last few moments of extra time of the last match in the Group Stage where a draw was all Ivory Coast needed to advance. These two will undoubtedly go on to become best buds.

For Greece, this match represented a first. No, it wasn't the first time they scored more than once. Mind you, I have great difficulty recalling the last time they did. But no, it WAS the first time they have ever advanced out of the Group Stage, just as it would have been for Ivory Coast.

Now, say it with me... OPA!

COLOMBIA 4, JAPAN 1
Colombia turned on the afterburners, and Japan collapsed in the second half after playing Los Cafeteros close and holding a scoreline of 1-1 into past halftime. Japan just couldn't match Colombia man-for-man, and the end result was justified. No controversy in this one, the rankings held true.

THIS is why I'll miss Japan at the World Cup. Best fans, EVER.

Sayonara, Japan! Maybe next time.


MY LOST-WITHOUT-BOB PICKS OF THE DAY:
ARGENTINA 2, NIGERIA 0
BOSNIA/HERZEGOVINA 1, IRAN 0
SWITZERLAND 2, HONDURAS 0
FRANCE 3, ECUADOR 1

On the plus side, B/H and Iran are both OUT after today regardless of what happens in their match.

OOOOPA!