United Nations

Germany - Curacao 7-1

Some noise has been made about the expanded format and 48 teams instead of 32. Logistical challenges aside, I think the more the merrier. It's only when facing off teams you don't normally play that the best games happen. As such, I salute Curacao's participation to this World Cup, a country with a smaller population than some gigs I've been to.

Easy prey for Germany? Sure. But what must it mean for a country that size not only to play on this biggest football stage of all, not only to be able to play against Germany, but also to hold their own and score against Germany? And yes, the German gamne was methodical and calculated whereas luck contributed some to Curacao's goal. But also, the hydration (ads) break completely killed their momentum. Add to that a soft penalty and then try and recover two goal in front of Germany. It was never gonna happen.

Biggest loss of the tournament so far, yet Curacao have plenty to be proud of.

Netherlands - Japan 2-2

If you thought Netherlands vs Japan was a done deal, you might've missed Japan beating Spain and Germany at the last World Cup. I myself have misspoken in the opening post saying Netherlands will breeze through the group. It's true, the Dutch always bring good teams, but this one feels somehow a lesser team than usual. Definetly not the potential of the 1974 or 2010 finalists, not to mention the 1988 Euro winner.

They still dominated the game, and their goals have looked a lot better built than the Japanese ones, but halfway through the first half I found myself cheering for Japan. They were amazing, relentless and persistent. Similar in a way to South Korea's game, but with more maturity in their game. They can score a goal or two, and they're not afraid of any opposition. 

They will probably stumble against Tunisia, but that's a different matter.

Ivory Coast - Ecuador 1-0

Look, no two ways about it. I thought Ecuador was the better team and they deserved to win. I know I should be happy for Amad, and I am, I really am. But I can only imagine how heartbreaking his last minute goal must've been for the hearty Ecuadorian fans. A draw would've been a lot more equitable, and would have turned the group into who can get something from Germany rather than who can pile more onto Curacao. Can Ecuador stumble Germany? Last game, and probably not a lot at stake for the Germans, but I still doubt they'll leave it without a win. 

Two other important questions after this game: how old is Enner Valencia? (he's 36), and why the hell would you not start Amad for Ivory Coast?

Sweden - Tunisia 5-1

Ah, the 3 am game... I had planned to take a quick nap between the Ecuador game and this one, btu somehow I ended up waking up at half time, with the score 2-1 for Sweden. And I fell back asleep before the end, so I only saw some of the second half. I remember the third goal well, and the fourtha  bit hazy.

I thought Tunisia isn't playing too badly, and I was certainly glad to see Hannibal leading the line for Tunisia and having a couple of chances. I hope he scores at least one at this tournament. Always liked the kid, and I think United let him go a bit too easily. 

But with ballers like Isak and Gyokeres on the other side, hard for poor Tunisia to hold the floodgates. Life is gonna be really tough for them now, neither Netherlands nor Japan are gonna be easy games. Maybe book those flights back early?