I can’t see Portugal beating Ghana. Not if Ghana play the same kind of pacy game they did against Germany and employ gegenpressing until the 70th minute (which was an incredible endurance act in that weather, one I’m not sure can be repeated). Portugal will be constantly losing the ball, chasing the counter, and getting frustrated. They have never looked good in this tournament save for the last 20 seconds of that match and possibly the first 5 minutes.
The Portuguese forward played just as much time as the three white-shirted bastards who laid down. He had enough energy after 95 minutes to get past them.
I will admit that it was one hell of a crossing pass.
Varela was a sub who came on in the 69th minute..
No, he did not. He was a sub.
Moreover, Ronaldo was/is clearly injured and barely seemed to move most of the game. Perhaps that’s why he had that little extra left to beat his man and make a perfect cross. It was effectively indefensible.
Today may have been a blessing in disguise for the USA. The lower half of the knockout draw is much, much easier than the top half. No Brazil, Netherlands, or France before the finals. Belgium would likely be the first opponent and they haven’t been all that impressive. It might be Argentina in the quarters, but they haven’t been looking like world beaters either.
Sadly no more group stage for me as they’ll be done when I get home at five. Crap. Was really enjoying it.
Because in order to tie on goal differential, Portugal has to score a minimum of 4 goals. Since they are currently behind the US by 2 goals, tying on goal differential mathematically favors Portugal.
Really a heartbreaker for the US, but 4 points from those games feels about right for their level of play. They could easily have won today, but they could easily have drawn against Ghana.
Any scenario where the US fails to advance now would probably mean they’re justified in going out - either Portugal beats Ghana while the US implodes, or Ghana draws Germany and beats Portugal where the US loses and draws.
Germany is significantly better than the US, but not soooo much that they can guide the game as they want. The US also has incentive to take a win if they can get it. If Germany plays for a draw and the US catches them by surprise, they could lose. The chances of them getting knocked out of the group on goal differential are very low but not completely out of the question. They also probably prefer to play Russia or Algeria over Belgium. The US should not expect a friendly-style game from the Germans. I also expect Ghana to win over Portugal, so this is going to be very, very close.
The last-second goal was really harsh but it seemed to me the 2nd US goal was offside, not on the final pass but on the earlier pass down the right side. I can’t find a replay though.
Is it me or has this world cup had an unusually large number of high-scoring,exciting games early on (Group [G]ermany has been outstanding in this regard). Hope the trend continues till the end.
This World Cup is averaging about 2.9 goals per game. If they maintain this record, it will be the highest-scoring tournament since 1970.
Of course, the number of high-scoring games should decline as we enter the knockout rounds.
About the offside rule, couldn’t it lead to the defense simply pulling its players back a little whenever there is a scoring chance? Why wouldn’t that work as a defensive tactic?
Do you mean forward? In order to force the offense into an offside position? That is a tactic.
If you mean back towards their goal im not sure I understand.
I also thought Dempsey was in an offside position while watching it live, but they eventually showed the replay with the fancy offside graphics and he was, in fact, onside.
This is a defensive tactic; it’s called playing a “high line.” Unfortunately, it can leave you very vulnerable to well-timed runs. If you keep a high line, you have a ton of open space in front of goal with no defenders. Time the pass correctly and you’re one on one with the keeper.
I just had a horrifying thought… it’s all too possible that, despite the fact that WE BEAT THEM, we will once again be eliminated by Ghana 
Sounds like the offside trap. It can work but as the link suggests it requires careful execution.
And for those that can remember the 90s, it was used in “The Full Monty” (then referred to as the Arsenal Offside Trap, as the Arse was famous for using it back then) and used to help the guys to dance in formation.
Hmm, it is close. These images are at the moment the pass is made. The player who receives the pass is at top left.
Remember, it’s any part of the body except the arms that can be offside. I’d say he’s just onside, if you follow the lines on the grass.
Don’t even say that in jest.
One meaningful game today–Mexico v Croatia, the winner moves on. Yes, I know that technically Brazil v Cameroon could be meaningful, but realistically I can’t see that as anything but about a 5-0 Brazil win. The Netherlands v Chile are playing to avoid Brazil in the next round, and Spain v Australia is for nothing but pride.