World Champions Spain are out of the World Cup after only two matches, an event which signalled the end of an era. Plus, those Chilean lads are fairly patriotic…
End of an era
Spain have been the dominant force in world football for around six years now, winning back-to-back European Championships with a World Cup win sandwiched in between. Some people said they wouldn’t win it this time around, but I’m not sure anyone would have predicted their limp and lame exit after only two matche,s having suffered two comprehensive defeats to Holland and Chile.
The end of an era? Probably, and it was definitely a theme picked up by the Spanish newspapers today (pic below) and reported here.
Chile pride
Chile, of course, were sensational and we loved their passion and pride, especially with the singing of their national anthem. We don’t think there has been a more passionate rendition of an anthem anywhere ever in the history of ever as the one we saw last night in the Maracana. From the team to the thousands of fans in the stands, this was a spine-tingling moment.
The noise back in Santiago was pretty loud too as you can see in this video. Simple aerial shot of Santiago, but what you hear then, is the reaction to the second Chilean goal. Nice.
The meltdown of Cameroon
Cameroon came into the tournament with stories of players going on strike over money and generally in a bit of a mess, so it was no surprise to see them make an early exit from the tournament last night following their thrashing at the hands of Croatia.
Two of their most experienced players, Alex Song and Benoit Assou-Ekotto let their team and country down badly last night. Song, for his ridiculous elbow assault on Mandzukic, leading to his red card, and then Assou-Ekotto going postal with his head-butt on team-mate Benjamin Moukandjo. Expect imminent interest in Assou-Ekotto from one Alan Pardew…
JOEpan update
We’re pretty confident here in JOE (pic below) that JOEpan’s opening day defeat to Ivory Coast was merely a blip and we are sure that the lads will be flying tonight and the Greeks can expect a tragedy. (Not even sorry).
Shinji Kagawa was eventually substituted in the Ivory Coast game and later admitted “I lost a battle with myself”, adding: “I couldn’t get into a good rhythm and was beaten psychologically.” We’re pretty sure Kagawa and himself will have made up with each other and we expect him to lead the lads to victory and condemn the Greeks to an early exit. As they say in Tokyo….Hondalads!
