World Cup Today -- Day 19

Mexico deserved better. Look, the USA and Mexico are arch-rivals but that Arjen Robben diving penalty kick was bullshit and everyone on the globe knows it. Even Robben said he dove in the game but earlier (which PROVES once again and finally in his own words, Arjen Robben is a professional diver who puts Cristiano Ronaldo to shame. Mexico deserves fair officiating as does any team. Who to blame? We all know Robben's a diver, let's focus on the referees whom, if they pulled out yellow cards for simulation against a diver early in the tournament, the diver would have to make a decision if the next dive might be worth sitting out a game on a second yellow in the next few games. Until the referees hold up yellow cards for diving, it's gonna continue. Look, if NFL referees never called defensive pass interference on pass plays those guys would grab, hold and molest any and all receivers. Officials are in charge of cleaning up the malfeasance on the pitch in Johnny's opinion. They're not doing it.

Brazil is whistling past the graveyard for now but the grim reaper is at the other end and he wears Columbia yellow.

Today's matches can be called Underdog Monday. We had South American Saturday so today is Underdog Monday. Looking to revel in the success of Costa Rica both Algeria and Nigeria hope to stand tall against powerhouses Germany and France. First off the goal scoring machine of France takes on Nigeria at noon EDT. We have high hopes of wild upsets and crazy bracket busters but, well, yeah. Johnny has looked at this game and no matter how the Rubik's Soccer Cube is moved it lands on 3-0 France. But wait, there is a second game, the Desert Foxes of Algeria, playing their best soccer in their nation's history against ruh ro, Germany. Johnny has looked at this game and no matter how the Rubik's Soccer Cube is moved it lands on 3-0 Germany.

So yes, today might be not the day to overload on the soccer if you have things to do. Massive upsets DO happen but today maybe not so much. We hope for competitive matches and lotsa golazos nonetheless.

France vs Nigeria noon
Germany vs Algeria 4pm

World Cup Today -- The Golazo

Johnny misplaced a day and the World Cup starts tomorrow, so the group previews for World Cup 2014 will be tomorrow for those scoring at home. Sorry about that for any -- oh look, a kitty!

Kicking off (heh) our first World Cup Today thread we thought we'd start with help in defining a word you're going to hear hopefully quite a bit -- Golazo (GO-laz-OOO). Yesterday we learned about the term howler and today we turn to the term Golazo! It shall refer to a simply exceptional effort to score a goal. Something with some special sauce on it. Here Netherlands captain Giovanni Van Bronckhorst shows you one:

They needn't be from distance but yes, something out of the ordinary, something that brings you off your couch. We'll let Alexis Sanchez (who will be playing for Chile) of FC Barcelona show you another:

So let's hope for plenty of golazo action this coming month.