Is it a pity? They aren’t exactly playing inspired football right now.
I guess it’s a pity in the sense that the Africans won’t have an African team to cheer, but they haven’t been hurt by an especially bad refereeing decision, just their own play.
:smack: How can I have forgotten the infamous case of Algeria in 1982? The whipping boys in this case were Chile, beaten by Algeria, West Germany and Austria. Algeria also beat West Germany, but lost to Austria and went home thanks to the notorious 1-0 [del]collusion[/del] game between West Germany and Austria, the “shame of Gijon”, that sometimes comes up in threads around World Cup time.
Scotland likewise lost out in 1974 despite two wins (cannon fodder was Zaire that time).
Sorry, my bad. In my defense, in Dutch this is how we spell Chile. Just let my mother tongue (father actually) shine through.
Yep, this piles the pressure on Spain. They should be fine though, but Chile (!!) will do their best to get something out of the game, just to avoid Brazil.
I’m still hopeful for Nigeria, any win with Argentina winning will see them through. I’m interested in Ghana - Germany, both will need to go for the win and it could be a classic. Still expect the Germans to win, they looked quite good after going down to 10 the other day.
Whoops, probably be a real good idea for Portugal to remove any ships from the Korean peninsula.
Declan
It was a win and two draws - we drew 0-0 with Brazil, and 1-1 with Yugoslavia. Scotland beat Zaire 2-0, but Yugoslavia narrowly pipped us on goal difference by scoring 9 jammy goals against them. Scotland were the only unbeaten side in the 1974 World Cup, trivia fans.
Well it’s a special pity that the first African-hosted world cup may see a knock-out round without an African team. And while the African teams haven’t set the tournament on fire I don’t think they have been terrible either and there will probably be a few teams in the final 16 who have played no better than Ghana or Ivory Coast. I do think the latter were a bit unlucky with that second goal by Brazil. Though they lost by two it would have been a different game if it had remained 1-0 for some more time.
Oh right, that was a draw-with-each-other scenario. Damn, out-triviaed on my favourite subject.
Oops yah. Although I like fachverwirrt’s suggestion of on-pitch Scrabble the best.
Ohhhhhhhh that was a lovely goal by David Villa.
Nice opening goal for the Spanish.
What the f*ck else do we have to do to get more goals? Christ on a stick! A freakin’ monologue and a one goal lead! Hit a post, bogus offside call on Torres and a Honduran handball in the area not called – certainly not helping either.
Vamos coño! A por ellos!
I’m already starting to feel bad for Chile. Am I mistaken?
Why?
Chile need to beat Spain or tie with them in order to move on, because if they lose, Switzerland will probably manage to beat Honduras and move on to the last 16 on goal differential. And if they don’t lose, Switzerland will probably manage to beat Honduras and move on to the last 16 because they have more points than Spain.
Spain beats Honduras, Spain beats Chile, Switzerland beats Honduras, Chile loses on goal differential (or total goals scored, take your pick).
Edit: Superfluous comma
I realize that Chile might not make it through, but there in about as good a position as they could hope right now. Any draws guarantee Chile to go through (although that’s unlikely in the Spain-Honduras match). If they lose 1-0 and Switzerland wins 1-0 then it goes to a coin flip.
They’re not out of it by any stretch of the imagination, and they, as they say, “control their destiny”.
Actually, come to think of it, 1-0 Spain and 1-0 Switzerland puts Chile through on head-to-head goals.
2-0 Spain now.
And just to show that the bad calls aren’t going all one way, Cesc Fabregas nearly scored from a way, way, way offside position. Spain actually had two players offside on that chance.
Nope. Fabregas was clearly onside at the point of release, Navas was offside on the upper corner of the screen – but not involved in the play.
Good call. Watch it again if you don’t believe me.
Anyway, a lot more like it though we still need Torre’s in match-shape. The 2-0 scoreline certainly flatters Honduras.
Wot? 
Spain is currently second in the group by virtue of goal differential. Spain 2-1, 3 points, Switzerland 1-1, 3 points.
Yeah, no bias there
Anyway, Spain looked back on its feet a bit more…the shot in the arm they needed, I would think.