Even the most cold-hearted soccer-hater (I’m looking at you, Anthony Stalter) might catch a little World Cup fever after watching this compilation of reaction shots to Landon Donovan’s game-winning goal against Algeria.
Category: World Cup (Page 6 of 7)
Just minutes away from elimination, Landon Donovan saved the United States’ World Cup hopes with a thrilling last-minute goal off a rebound to beat Algeria 1-0 on Wednesday. The win means that the U.S. will advance to the second round of the World Cup.
From ESPN.com:
It gave the Americans first place in Group C. With just its fifth shutout in World Cup play, the United States (1-0-2) won a group for the first time since 1930 and will face the runner-up in Group D this weekend.
After his U.S. record 44th international goal, Donovan joyously ran to the corner flag and his teammates ran down the touchline to mob him. Donovan was in tears when the game ended and the United States had moved into the second round.
As the final whistle sounded, the U.S. bench raced onto the field and piled on top of the players on the far sideline. At midfield, Steve Cherundolo and Jay DeMerit collapsed to the ground. They all bearhugged Donovan, who with his fourth World Cup goal tied Bert Patenaude (1930) as the American leader.
As the team returned to the sideline, goalkeeper Tim Howard bounced up and down in elation. Benny Feilhaber took a water bottle and sprayed his teammates, champagne-like.
“We’re not done yet,” Donovan said. “We believe, man. We’re alive, baby.”
What an unbelievable, thrilling ride it has been so far for the U.S. soccer team. Their win today makes the tie against England that much more important and the controversy versus Slovenia a distant memory.
Do yourself a favor and check out the highlights of the win today against Algeria. The U.S. had so many opportunities to score throughout the game and at one point, it appeared as though the ball would never find the back of the net. Both teams played incredibly well – especially both goalies, who each put on a clinic today.
ESPN’s coverage of the World Cup has so far been incredible. Instead of just using unknown (to rest of the world) American soccer pundits, the Worldwide Leader has brought in a slew of international journalists to add expert insight.
Following the incident where Nicolas Anelka berated his coach during France’s loss to Mexico, French sports journalist Erik Bielderman told ESPN’s Bob Ley exactly what was said. And I mean exactly.
Ley’s reaction is classic.
FIFA’s referee committee evaluated the performance of Koman Coulibaly, who centered the U.S.-Slovenia match, and gave him an unfavorable rating. This not only spells the likely end for Coulibaly’s time at the World Cup, but his entire crew as well.
From Yahoo! Sports:
The committee evaluated Coulibaly’s performance on a series of factors, including his condition, positioning and decision-making, said the source, who is close to senior figures on the committee.
While the official’s fitness and movement were solid, FIFA referee chiefs were concerned about several of Coulibaly’s decisions and the way he appeared to lose control of a highly physical contest.
The assignments for the final round of group matches have yet to be assigned, but given Coulibaly’s rating, there is virtually no chance he will get to referee any more matches in the tournament. However, he could still be used as a fourth official.
To be clear, the fourth official simply assists the referee at all times, helping keep track of substitutions and other forms of logging.
It’s unfortunate that Coulibaly’s crew is also effected by the situation, but I guess it goes hand in hand with many of FIFA’s bewildering rules.
After Nicolas Anelka told coach manager Raymond Domenech “Go f*** yourself” during France’s defeat to Mexico on Thursday, he refused to apologize, despite the wishes of FFF president Jean-Pierre Escalettes. In due course, Anelka was dismissed from his squad. Now it appears as though the veteran striker would just rather retire from the sport altogether.
From Goal.com:
Multiple reports suggested that Anelka had reacted angrily to Domenech’s questioning of his first half performance and that led to him being taken off at the interval. It had been reported that Anelka launched an obscenity-laden tirade at the coach.
Anelka was also absent from training on Saturday which fuelled rumours that his World Cup was over and that was later confirmed by the French Football Federation (FFF)
But now it seems Anelka has stepped away from the national side for good.
It further compounds a disastrous few days for France, who seem destined to be knocked out of the World Cup and need a win against South Africa in their final game to stand any chance of progressing.
This World Cup has been a complete disaster for France. Remember, this is the team, led by Zinedine Zidane, that made the final in 2006. Now France sits with a meager single point in their pool, and likely won’t advance to the knockout stage.
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