netherlands vs mexico

           Transformed Mexico Chase History

Eight months ago Mexico looked set for one of the greatest humiliations in the country's football history. Now they are riding a Latin American wave at the World Cup. (Fixtures)

A disastrous qualification campaign put them on the brink of elimination. However, as they ended a 2-1 defeat away to Costa Rica in their final CONCACAF qualifier, they received a lifeline from the unlikeliest of sources.

Two goals in stoppage time by the already qualified United States away to Panama handed the Mexicans a second chance through a playoff against New Zealand despite having won just twice in 10 qualifiers.

Now Mexico can reach the World Cup quarter-finals on foreign soil for the first time with victory over the Netherlands on Sunday. The Mexicans have already come through a tough group against World Cup favourites Brazil, Croatia and Cameroon.

Much of the turnaround is thanks to Miguel Herrera. The 46-year-old coach became Mexico's fourth boss of the qualifying campaign when he took over for the two-match playoff against New Zealand. His controversial decision to use only home-based players was emphatically rewarded with a 9-3 aggregate win.

Since then Herrera has blended in Mexico's stars from foreign leagues such as Giovani dos Santos, Javier Hernandez and goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who shone as he kept Neymar and company at bay in a 0-0 draw with Brazil in Fortaleza.

The squad in Brazil also contains 10 of the under-23 side that won the 2012 London Olympics gold beating a Brazil side containing Neymar and Hulk in the final. Rafael Marquez provides the experience as he set a record by captaining his country at a fourth World Cup.

So impressive has Herrera's leadership of the team been that the Mexican football federation wants to extend his contract until the 2018 World Cup no matter the outcome against the Dutch.

"I am delighted that people now talk about how he is as a person, but also his work," Marquez said of Herrera.

"For me it would be great if he continued, but right now we need to stay focused on what is coming up," added the former Barcelona defender. (In Pics: Many colours of FIFA World Cup)

Mexico have conceded just one goal in three games in Brazil, but Marquez is aware of the challenge posed by the Dutch who have scored more than anyone else in the competition with 10 goals from their three group games.

"It will be very difficult, but we have not sat back and tried to keep the score at 0-0 against any team we have faced so far."

Yet, in a World Cup dominated by the Americas at the expense of traditional European powers, Mexico may never have a better chance to go to the last eight and beyond.

The elimination of world champions Spain, England and Italy has opened up the draw massively for Mexico with a potential quarter-final against Costa Rica or Greece an enticing prospect for Herrera's history chasers.

Brazil vs Chile

Tough Match Ends Tie  , Results come From Shoot Out

Very interesting match had no result till extra time , the result of match comes with help of shoot out
both team play very well , Brazil is favourate  but Chile also response very well . Both team till extra  time  1- 1. first goal from Brazil side in 18 min. done by David Luiz , and from chile side by Alexis Sanchez in 32 min

brazil won the match in shoot out by 3 - 2

Brazil vs. Chile, 2014 World Cup previe

                   The favorites meet the dark horses as knockouts begin

World Cup hosts Brazil went into the tournament as favorites, but have looked a little out of sorts so far. It there's one team to take advantage, it's on-form Chile.

The group stages are over, and now it's time for the do-or-die sudden death of the knockouts to begin. The round of 16 gets underway on Saturday, with tournament hosts Brazil taking on Chile in Belo Horizonte in what promises to be a fantastic game. Brazil look like they're really yet to click into top gear, having stuttered en route to topping a fairly simple Group A, and if anyone can take advantage of their vulnerability .

Chile were billed as a team to watch ahead of the tournament, but there were always questions over how they'd be able to replicate coach Jorge Sampaoli's attacking style on the world stage. They answered them emphatically by progressing through a tough group pretty comfortably, despite suffering a defeat to the Netherlands in their last game. They're a fearless, attack-minded unit, and shouldn't be intimidated by the heat of the home fans.

Team news

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari should have a full-strength squad available, though we could still see changes with the Seleção having been pretty average throughout the World Cup so far. The most likely change is Fernandinho in for the unspectacular Paulinho in the midfield pivot, though striker Fred is another player whose performances have been poor so far. However, Scolari's a coach who doesn't particularly like to change his preferred lineup, so it's perfectly possible they'll stay unchanged.

Chile too could stay unchanged, though it's likely that coach Sampaoli will reintroduce Arturo Vidal to their midfield after he was left out of their lineup against the Netherlands while still not at full fitness. If he does drop to the bench, Felipe Gutiérrez is likely to take his place.

Key matchups

Neymar vs. Mauricio Isla and Francisco Silva - Neymar entered the World Cup carrying the weight of a nation on his shoulders, and so far, he's coped just fine. Neymar has been the shining light in a Brazil team that has been a little underwhelming thus far, producing moments of genius that could prove decisive in the knockout stages. His lively movement and brilliant trickery will no doubt be the focus of attention for Chile's wing-back Mauricio Isla and right centre-back Francisco Silva, and they may well have to double up on him to cut him out of the game.

Alexis Sánchez vs. Marcelo - There's no doubt that Alexis Sánchez is Chile's most dangerous attacking threat, with the winger having had a great World Cup so far. He's nominally a striker in their 3-4-1-2, though he spends most of his time drifting out to the right flank, where he can whip a dangerous cross into the box or skip inside and have a go himself. With Brazil left back Marcelo so attack-minded, Sánchez could take advantage of the space he leaves in behind on the counter.

Football time table for next round

                                         Super 16

Rnd 16

Qtr

Semi

28/06, 9:30 pm

BRA

CHI

29/06, 1:30 am

COL

URU

30/06, 9:30 pm

FRA

NGA

01/07, 1:30 am

GER

ALG

05/07

04/07

09/07

Final

Final - 14/07, 12:30 am

vs

3rd Place - 13/07, 1:30 am

vs

Rnd 16

Qtr

Semi

29/06, 9:30 pm

NED

MEX

30/06, 1:30 am

CRC

GRE

01/07, 9:30 pm

ARG

SUI

02/07, 1:30 am

BEL

USA

06/07

05/07

10/07

All times are in India Standard Time

Football points table

                                      POINTS TABLE

Group Standings

GROUP A
Team	M	W	L	D	Pts	Goal Diff
Brazil	3	2	0	1	7	5
Mexico	3	2	0	1	7	3
Croatia	3	1	2	0	3	4
Cameroon	3	0	3	0	0	-8

GROUP B
Team	M	W	L	D	Pts	Goal Diff
Netherlands	3	3	0	0	9	7
Chile	3	2	1	0	6	2
Spain	3	1	2	0	3	-3
Australia	3	0	3	0	0	-6

GROUP C
Team	M	W	L	D	Pts	Goal Diff
Colombia	3	3	0	0	9	7
Greece	3	1	1	1	4	-2
Ivory Coast	3	1	2	0	3	-1
Japan	3	0	2	1	0	-4

GROUP D
Team	M	W	L	D	Pts	Goal Diff
Costa Rica	3	2	0	1	7	3
Uruguay	3	2	1	0	6	0
Italy	3	1	2	0	3	-1
England	3	0	2	1	1	-2

GROUP E
Team	M	W	L	D	Pts	Goal Diff
France	3	2	0	1	7	6
Switzerland	3	2	1	0	6	1
Ecuador	3	1	1	1	4	0
Honduras	3	0	3	0	0	-7

GROUP F
Team	M	W	L	D	Pts	Goal Diff
Argentina	3	3	0	0	9	3
Nigeria	3	1	1	1	4	0
Bosnia-Herzegovina	3	1	2	0	3	0
Iran	3	0	2	1	1	-3

GROUP G
Team	M	W	D	L	Pts	Goal Diff
Germany	3	2	0	1	7	5
USA	3	1	1	1	4	0
Portugal	3	1	1	1	4	-3
Ghana	3	0	2	1	1	-3

GROUP H
Team	M	W	L	D	Pts	Goal Diff
Belgium	3	3	0	0	9	3
Algeria	3	1	1	1	4	1
Russia	3	0	1	2	2	-1
Korea Republic	3	0	2	1	1	-3

Korea republic vs Belgium

                     Korea Republic 0 - 1 Belgium

Belgium beat korea by 1 - 0 ,  Belgium already qualify for next round  , and Koreas journey ends in league round , both team play very well , but today luck is Belgium side and they win the match

Algeria v Russia

Islam Slimani's header ensures Algeria progress 32 years after the 'Disgrace in Gijon

There can never be justice for the shameful way Algeria were eliminated from the 1982 World Cup but, after the longest of waits, this felt like catharsis for an entire nation.

Fully 32 years since wins over Germany and Chile were rendered meaningless by the famous ‘Disgrace in Gijón’, when Austria and Germany played out a “rigged” 1-0 win to eliminate them, Algeria are in the last 16 of the World Cup.

It is the first time they have reached this stage and, should they continue to play with the attacking verve that has already seen them score six goals in the tournament, Germany’s expected path into the quarter-finals will be no formality. Another first is the elimination of Fabio Capello’sRussia from a World Cup without having registered a single win.

Capello himself has also overseen just one victory in seven matches in the competition with England and now Russia, a record that is already prompting questions about whether he should see out his contract with the hosts in 2018.

The decisive moment here was controversial, with Islam Slimani heading Algeria’s 60th-minute equaliser into an empty net after a laser pen had been shone at the Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev. It is doubtful whether the light was directly responsible for Akinfeev’s lapse but it certainly prompted Capello to go on the offensive. “He was blinded – that’s the truth,” said Capello.

World Cup Portugal vs. Ghana: World Cup 2014

               World Cup Portugal vs. Ghana: World Cup 2014 

Portugal finally win the match against Ghana , Prtugal win the match score of 2-1 ,but after winning the match they not goes to next round .Germany top Group G with 7 points out of the possible 9. USA accompany them to the Round of 16 with 4 points and a superior goal difference than Portugal, who also finished on 4 points

Portugal crash out despite 2-1 win over Ghana

GERMANY VS USA

                                          GERMANY WIN THE BATTLE

Very exited match ends on Germanys favour . Germany win the match 1-0 , but USA played very well .Only one goal from Germany done by Mueller . Both team qualify next round goes last 16 . Today Germany showed why every one say Germany had good defence .Best of luck both team

Russia vs. Algeria (Group H) match previev

                              Russia vs. Algeria (Group H)

Side: Russia have been compact and organized across the entire pitch, but they’ve also been unadventurous and it’s cost them points in each of their first two matches. Now, they sit on one point and are in desperate need of a win against a suddenly red hot Algeria. The Russians must change their tune if they want to defeat Algeria and continue on in the competition. They have the talent to use the wings in order to press men forward and put pressure on opposing defenses, and they should unleash this in their final group stage match. Offensively, Alexander Kokorin has the ability to score goals, but he’s only been presented one great chance and his header went sailing wide. The Algerians who have always been a defensive minded side broke out of their shell in the previous match and could be a team with too much confidence for their own good. If Russia can take advantage of the new found Algerian look in which they are no longer afraid to send multiple men forward, the Russians can easily steal the three points and book their trip to the Round of 16.

Before the tournament ever began Algeria claimed they were not the 2010 Desert Foxes that refused to come out of their own third. In the opening match, they scored first on a penalty and then sat back like it was 2010 all over again. Then, the offensive mindset sprung to life as Algeria lambasted South Korea and didn’t back down for the entire 90 minutes of the match. Amazingly, the new approach held the Koreans without a single shot in the whole first half. They went straight back to it in the second half and wound up scoring a fourth goal. Expect to see a side brimming with confidence come right at Russia from the opening kick. However, the Russian defense is a much different beast than what Algeria took on in South Korea. Tactically, the Russians are rarely even inches out of position, so it takes excellent combination play or multiple one-on-one wins to break them down. The Russians should afford Algeria the space to enter the final third, it’ll just be a question of how protective of the ball the Algerians are when they get in close. Usually games involving Algeria are billed as boring, not so much anymore. 

Total: The new look Desert Foxes are going to be eager to prove their effort against South Korea was not a one hit wonder. Sofiane Feghouli’s presence on the ball has been excellent thus far so expect the Russians to keep their eyes on him and attempt to make someone else beat them. The Algerian style might backfire against the team-oriented and almost formulaic Russians. Russia has yet to really show up to the World Cup but Fabio Capella’s side know it’s now or never. Algeria will control the ball early and will look to pressure the Russian defenders, but as long as they stay compact, Russia should have the ability to counter and could find acres of space along the wings when Algeria turns the ball over. The more aggressive side only needs the draw and the more calculated team must have a win, so the scenarios add up to a low scoring affair. 

Belgium vs. South Korea (Group H) match previev

                          Belgium vs. South Korea (Group H)

Side: Belgium have six points and are through to the knockout stages, but they also have played mediocre soccer twice and haven’t lived up to their billing as a possible dark horse candidate to win the entire tournament. In their match with Russia, they basically invited the Russians to attack them and Russia wouldn’t do it. Both teams feared the counter attack and it made for a boring game that lacked chances. The Belgium defense was broken down just once when a long cross beat the central defenders and Russia should have scored. The Red Devils took just one shot that was on target in the entire match. Lucky for them, it was the one that Divock Origi scored on. They’ll probably use a few substations to gain some experience before the knockout rounds but they would be best suited to finally put together a team effort worthy of a group winner. They will face a wounded South Korea whose hopes rest on a win and a large goal differential reversal, so the Belgians should have their chances in the counter attack. As unimpressive as they’ve been, Belgium still have two wins, six points, and a guaranteed spot in the knockout stage, imagine what happens if they finally play well.

South Korea did not appear ready for the strength of the Algerians. Long balls over the top consistently put South Korea on edge and the Algerian strikers just out-muscled their way to multiple goals. The Koreans have seemed almost tentative in each of their first two matches and have to throw caution to the wind if they expect to last more than 90 more minutes in the tournament. They have the talent to play a quick sharp passing style of play that can expose even some of the best defenses, but they’ve continued to rely on long shots that have not been effective. Kim Shin-wook has to be a part of the starting 11 when Korea take the field against Belgium because he was single-handedly able to turn around the Taegeuk Warriors attack. Rather than shooting from far out, they turned to sending in long high balls to their tallest player and he did remarkably well. The ability to play over the defense relieved a lot of pressure on their defenders because they no longer had to send as many numbers forward to create offensive threats. However, the Belgium center defense is equipped with two defenders that measure well over six feet, so the strategy probably won’t be as effective in this match. 

Total: At some point in this tournament the Red Devils talent will unveil itself and begin producing goals. However, this may not be the spot for it to happen. In each of the first two matches South Korea has looked as if they will do anything to keep their opponents away from counter attacking. They’ve launched long shots, they’ve hit long crosses, and they refuse to send outside defenders forward on a regular basis. Belgium don’t need anything from the match so they will likely not force too many situations that could leave them exposed at the back. Therefore, the most likely style of play is something similar to the previous Belgium match. Lots of harmless passes through the midfield with very few real scoring chances. 

Portugal vs. Ghana (Group G) match previev

                                Portugal vs. Ghana (Group G)

Side: Portugal used the absolute last touch of the game to save their World Cup lives. However, after being dominated by Germany 4-0 in the opener they need some massive results to qualify for the next round. Against the U.S. they looked pretty good the first 20 minutes. After unwrapping the gift the U.S. defense presented them the Portuguese looked as if they could go two or three goals ahead. Then it all turned. Cristiano Ronaldo’s refusal to defend allowed the Americans plenty of space along the wings which they eventually utilized to the tune of an equalizer and go-ahead goal. However, Portugal stuck with it, Ronaldo’s brilliance came through, and they wound up with a tournament saving point. They should be much more compact at the back with the return of Pepe, but they still have no answers for the lack of Fábio Coentrão’s ability to stretch the wings. Portugal need to make up a five goal differential in 90 minutes so they will obviously have to attempt to play forward. They are thin on the attack, but they still have Ronaldo, so they are always a threat to score.

Ghana looked excellent in their second group stage against a somewhat sleepy looking Germany team. Ghana demanded a lot out of the Germans playing quick passes and owning the right wing. They took the game to the Germans in the 2nd half and were a bit unlucky they only got out of the game with a draw. Unless the Portuguese change their tactics, Ghana will run wild down the flanks the entire game. Ghana have to be careful of Portugal’s ability to counter however. The U.S. did well to make something out of every time Fabian Johnson abandoned his defensive position, Ghana’s Christian Atsu has played well against Germany but he was bad against the Americans. If he’s off, Ronaldo will be on the break all afternoon. 

Total: Desperation is the name of the game for two teams that must not only have a win but make up goal differential at the same time. Ghana has been on the front foot for just about their entire stay in Brazil while Portugal have just a free goal from the U.S. and a miraculous late one. The counter attack that Portugal is known for has yet to show through, but Ghana could be the perfect opponent to get it going. Portugal almost has to change it’s philosophy on the wing behind Ronaldo otherwise the Black Stars will make them pay more than the U.S. could. It’ll be interesting to see what happens if Portugal do not take an early lead or have the U.S. fall behind big quickly. Will they spend the entire 90 minutes trying to make up the huge goal differential or will they simply resign to trying to spoil Ghana’s chances.