A good day to you fine people and welcome to the Gillette Boot Room for Day 14 of the 2014 World Cup!
Ed, pale, Avi, welcome back!
I think Nigeria should qualify even with a loss today, but they'll have to keep the score down.
Are you ready for another day of drama? Let’s face it; Day 14 will have to be pretty special to live up to the chaos of yesterday.
Luis Suarez is currently being investigated by FIFA for an apparent bite on Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini – but what will really stick in the craw for the Azzurri is that Diego Godin’s late winner gave Uruguay a 1-0 win to go through to the knockout stages of the tournament at their expense. We’ve lost the mighty beard of Andrea Pirlo from international football, while Cesare Prandelli also resigned – and that was just for starters.
Colombia sealed top spot in Group C with a scintillating 4-1 victory over Japan to set themselves up at realistic contenders for the competition, while Greece qualified by the skin of their teeth with a 92nd-minute penalty from Georgios Samaras to break Ivory Coast hearts with a 2-1 win. Oh, and England also played out a 0-0 draw with Costa Rica – but to be honest, nobody really cares about the Three Lions any more (sniff).
All of those to you, Jim.
Day, they certainly do if they play like they did against Argentina.
Zach, I'm fine thanks - still trying to recover after yesterday!
saeed, Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Iran is on ESPN, while Nigeria vs. Argentina is being shown on ESPN2.
Rugger, Morty - I hope we're just talking about the football today, but who knows?
The first of our double-headers today will decide Group F, as Argentina can claim top spot with a point against Nigeria. A draw will also send the Super Eagles through, with Iran looking for improbable progress – they haven’t scored a goal yet in Brazil, but will need a win against Bosnia-Herzegovina – already eliminated – to leapfrog Nigeria.
Then we’re off to Group E, where France need a point against Ecuador to be sure of qualification and top spot. Switzerland can join Les Bleus in the knockout stages if they better Ecuador’s result with a tie against Honduras, who need a near-miracle to progress.
pale, the later games are Honduras vs. Switzerland and Ecuador vs. France.
Gooner, welcome back! Good job yesterday - I'd say so!
