June 25 Games

From Javier....

Slovakia shocked reining champions Italy out of the World Cup (3-2). The Italians did not seem to get in the game until about minute 70 but once in seemed to be able to score with ease. The Italian second goal by Quagliarella was masterful. Pepe missed a last second equalizer that probably kept him all up night.

New Zealand left the World Cup undefeated. Not bad for a team that features amateurs. In Group E Japan is the companion of Netherlands to the next round.

Today's games:


What a game. Portugal will go for victory to avoid Spain (I hope) in next round. The Brazilians will like to show their mother country a thing or two. Should be very open play. Ivory Coast will need to score about 10 goals against North Korea for Portugal to not pass in case of their defeat.











If I was the Ivory Coast manager I would have made his players see the Spain - Malta match of 1983
I mean, you might as well go for it, what is it to lose. If Brazil beats Portugal you will feel stupid if you did not try.












Ayy, my heart trembles. Spain will be playing with a very offensive line-up, only victory can do. I hope ghosts of World Cup pasts wait for another day.








Sweet revenge. The conservative Swiss having to score goals against a wall of 10 defenders. Hah! Take some of your own medicine.















Simulator estimated probabilities of reaching second round:

Brazil: 100.0%
Portugal: 99.6%
Ivory Coast: 0.4%
North Korea: 0.0%
Spain: 71.9%
Chile: 70.6%
Switzerland: 57.0%
Honduras: 0.5%