Brazil failed to use their home advantage after they only managed to a scoreless draw against Mexico last Wednesday morning (Malaysia time). Despite being favorites to win the tournament, the host country’s team found themselves equal partners to the less illustrious Mexicans which also had the lions share of chances on goal.
In Group H, start studded Belgium scored in the last ten minutes to ensure they secure their first win in the tournament. Algeria stunned the Belgians with the lead in the tenth minute through a penalty kick which was nicely converted by Sofiane Feghouli, before Marouane Fellaini leveled the score in the 70th minute. Ten minutes later, Dries Mertens scored the winning goal to ensure Belgium top Group H as Russia and the Korea Republic ended their first game of the tournament with a 1-1 stalemate. The single goal for Korea were scored by Lee Keunho in the 68th minute, while Alexander Kerzhakov leveled the game for Russia eight minutes later.
The Netherlands on the other hand had to work hard to defeat a hardworking Australian side with five goals put on show at Estádio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre. The exciting game saw the Dutchmen lead through a blazing kick by Arjen Robben in the 20th minute. The joy was however short-lived as Tim Cahill stunned the crowd Ducth with a perfect volley from outside the box a minute later. In the 54th minute, it was Australia ‘s turn to take the lead when Mile Jedinak put one away via a penalty kick which was given for handball. The Dutch orange army however pegged the game again with a superb finish from Robin van Persie in the 58th minute. As the game progressed to a certain draw, Memphis Depay put in the winning goal for the Netherlands to be the first team to enter the next round of the tournament.
The most shocking result of the day came from Estádio Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro with World Cup champions Spain booted out of the tournament after only playing two games. The Spaniards lost 2-0 to Chile with Eduardo Vargas and Charles Aránguiz shocking the football world in the 20th and 43rd minute. To add Spains humiliation was also the fact that they are the first team to be booted out of the 2014 World Cup.
In another game Mario Mandžukić scored a double against Cameroon, helping his Croatian team trash the African side 4-0 in the Group A. Ivica Olić opened the scoreline in the 11th minute prior to that, before Ivan Perišić doubled the lead in the 48th. Mario Mandžukić then nailed off the victory for Croatia in the 61st and 73rd minute, putting his side with some hope of advancing to the next stages of the Rio World Cup.
Photo by USANews
