Germany vs Portugal

Germans began from where they left off in the previous world cup. Billed as the high profile fixture in this group it did live up to it with the number of goals produced. We have seen everything in this match from goals, attractive football, individual brilliance and of course the moment of madness from Pepe. This game was easy as it gets. Sometimes coaches don't want that to happen as they would want their team to be tested against full strength oppositions. Remember Van Gaal telling the same when the Dutch had a friendly match against Wales just before the start of the world cup.

Taking nothing away from the Germans, the match was over in the first half itself. All the thrill was blown away after the red card incident. I am not debating that the result would have been different had Pepe not been sent off but it played a part in making this a one sided match. I felt that Portugal would have created problems for Germany if they were playing with eleven men. Pepe can't argue the card because he was at fault. Irresponsible when you consider the experience he has but not unexpected behavior from him. End of discussion. Players must play for the team and it was stupid to behave like the way he did. Portugal were left with no other option than to limit the damage and Ronaldo was left stranded and frustrated. There was not much he could do when your teammate lets you down.

In the end it was Muller who stole the show. Three good goals on his way to first hat-trick of his career and showing good signs of yet again on his way to become the top scorer in the world cup. The red card in a way did not help people like us to exactly judge the team. They created so many opportunities to score goals but at the same time will be thinking about the wastefulness in front of the goal. This can be a cause of concern for them in the later stages of the tournament. They might not find themselves in a position similar to what they had against Portugal. Towards the final stages of the match Portugal did test the German back line but they were far from creating any real havoc.

Joachim Low must be proud of his boys performance but deep inside he mind be thinking what happened in the last world cup. They had a similar start last time around and Low will be hoping his team can continue this form right through the tournament. They started as one of the pre-tournament favorites and they are certainly living up to it. Germans have unfinished business and they mean it.

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Argentina vs Bosnia Herzegovina

One of the tournament favorites, boasting the services of the best player in the world in Lionel Messi along with some incredible talents like Aguero, Higuain, Di Maria much was expected from the boys in La Albiceleste.  With the talent available at disposal fans must be wondering what happened in the first half of this match. The answer from the coach was funny. He started with five at the back as a caution against the threat from the tall Bosnian players. Here is a coach who has enough players capable of scoring goals against any team but just did not trust the attacking quality available. I would never understand even if it was against Netherlands or Germany let alone a real surprise considering the fact Bosnia are playing their first world cup.

I am not underestimating Bosnia but it was evident throughout the match that Argentina struggled to impose themselves on their opponents.Much of that was down to the negative tactical setup by the Argentina coach. With five at the back they did not have control in midfield. Messi was playing far too deep for my liking. He was forced to come deep into their half because he was not getting enough support from midfield as Argentina were outnumbered in that area. The link up was not seen and each time Messi was on the ball there were two or three opposition players around him. He and Aguero was left alone most of the time. Bosnia played really well and was unlucky not to score in the first half. It was unthinkable that they had better shots on goal than their counterparts.

Things did improve in the second half once Gago came on. Messi took more control of the game and eventually paid off with what was an important goal not just for his team but personally as well. He is under so much pressure to perform for his team at this world cup after the disappointments of the last one. For that to happen and for Argentina to have any hope of going all the way in the tournament the coach must make sure that he makes use of Messi to the maximum. For that to happen the tactics must change in a way that he benefits from the players around him.

It is fair thinking from the coach they defend well as a team which was their shortcoming in South Africa. At the same time he should not forget or discount the firepower upfront that is more than capable of winning any football match. The coach was trying to win the match in his own half when the real action should have happened up front in the opposition box. Along with defensive stability it is goals that ultimately win any football matches and Argentina should concentrate more on that in the next couple of games before the knockout stage. Remember attack is the best form of defense. With so many good players Sabella must decided to attack. When you do that against your opposition you create mistakes from your opposite team and that's where you create opportunity. Maybe they might peak at the right time.

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England vs Italy

For the shocking scoreline between Netherlands and Spain this match too was up there with its unpredictability not for the scoreline but for the attacking play displayed by the two teams. This was expected to be the match that will see two cautious teams considering their past history.

Credit must be given to both the coaches for setting up their teams the way they did. England especially benefited by putting faith in youngsters. Before the start of the game there were calls from all corners asking Hodgson to start Frank Lampard in midfield. But with Gerrard a surety to start being the captain and the better player credit must be given to Hodgson for starting Henderson to partner Gerrard in the middle. With Sterling up front Henderson provides them that energy required in midfield. It was clearly evident from the match how much the team benefited as a whole. The pace of Sterling and Welbeck created trouble for the Italian defense but sadly they could not capitalize it to convert it as goals. It was real end to end stuff and pleasing stuff. It was sad that England could not get something out of the game.

Italy was equally impressive with their attacking display. Perhaps that was the surprise everyone felt during the game. The England equalizer was because of the lack in concentration in Italian defense. Perhaps they missed the experience of their captain in goal. Talking about goalkeeper Sirigu standing in for Buffon did his job well. As expected Pirlo was instrumental for them in midfield. They are now in a good position to go through this group.

England were disappointed with the result but I feel they should stay positive. If England can display the same attacking abilities going forward they can get some good results in the tournament. But the real problem lies elsewhere. With Italy and Costa Rica getting the result they were looking for in the first match it remains to be seen how those to play out when they face each other. The only thing I didn't like was England complain about their result against Italy. They must remember that it was not too long ago when they too have enjoyed days when their opposition created flurry of chances to win but they came out with victors by odd goal. You can't be sorry losers when you are at the receiving end.

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