World Cup Daily: No Messi magic and Mexico in Mariachi mayhem
Published:We got our first glimpse of Lionel Messi in Brazil yesterday while Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini’s respective home nations Switzerland and France secured important wins…which was great.
In the Headlines
Admir Mehmedi and Haris Seferovic may have been the goalscorers in Switzerland’s 2-1 win over Ecuador but the real hero was Valon Behrami for his goal-saving tackle and ability to overcome a hefty challenge in the build-up to their 93rd-minute winner.
France overcame a few crunching challenges from Honduras in a 3-0 win that also saw the first use of goal-line technology – a welcome development given that every goal scored appears to get the goal-line treatment in Brazil.
That didn’t’ stop Honduras manager Luis Suarez expressing confusion.
“If the technology sends a clear message, then I don’t understand how the system can say it’s a goal first and then: ‘No goal.’ What is the truth?” he asked the BBC.
The truth is that Honduras were appalling Luis.
Finally, Argentina put in an underwhelming performance in a 2-1 win over Bosnia which was a notable for two things – Messi scored a good goal and Vedad Ibisevic made history with his late strike for the Balkans nation their first ever World Cup goal.
The England Camp
Roy Hodgson has come out on the offensive, shocking the English press and Liverpool fans the world over with his proclamation that Uruguay’s Luis Suarez might not be as great as everyone thinks.
The Rooney debate rumbled on for what feels like a 10th day, with Alan Shearer and Jamie Carragher the latest former England players to offer their two pennies’ worth on the issue.
Elsewhere, Daniel Sturridge posted pictures of himself ironing while watching the NBA Finals.
Injury List
Luis Suarez looks set to be fit for the South American’s encounter with England (yay!). Any plans Vicente Del Bosque may have had to drop Iker Casillas could be scrapped after David de Gea was ruled out of the group stage with a leg injury.
Brazil are also facing a nervous wait to see if Hulk will be back in time for their game with Mexico after the Zenit St Petersburg man picked up a knock in training.
Fan Watch
The Selecao’s next opponents certainly seem in high spirits, with El Tricolor supporters serenading their national team with Mariachi-inspired singing and dancing outside their hotel over the weekend.
Several players appeared on balconies to join in, in what became a mutual love-in for all involved ahead of their big test against Brazil. England take note.
And in Other News
Lionel Messi may be one of the world’s best players and fresh from scoring a memorable goal in an otherwise forgettable game against Bosnia but the Barca man won’t be particularly popular with one young mascot after snubbing his offer of a handshake. The cheek!
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