Segun Oluwaniyi

I cannot recall one extraordinary save from Neuer this tournament. Has been very solid and a big part of Germany's tactical deployment as a sweeper, but hardly worthy of the Golden Ball.

Watching this WC, I've come to the conclusion, that I must have made up the rule about the official needing to come from a different confederation than the teams playing in my head. Obviously, not the case for European teams.

Honestly, NUFC under Ashley is so frustrating because the foundations for success are clearly evident, yet we do not strive for success at all.

He was certainly class when smashing that free-kick past Given on that windy day to give Sunderland their first home victory over Newcastle for a quarter century. Not so much since.

Some of the European and North/Central American teams have stifled the excitement a bit with their negativity in the latter stages, but in general this is the most vibrant and interesting World Cup I can remember. Fwiw, I enjoyed 2010 more than 2006 and nearly as much as 2002.

van Gaal did a fantastic job with the team you guys had. Really impressed. Said it from the beginning though, the two best teams played on the same side of the bracket Aye, it's a pity France and Germany met on Q/F. France France were a hell of a lot better than the Netherlands have been this WC. How? They won twice and drew once against 2 rubbish teams and on decent one. Then struggled to beat our side (with assistance of refman), which every one around the world laughed at and said was an embarrassment after the first match, then were knocked out.

Robben was as quiet as Van Persie for the vast majority of the game. Both of them received absolutely nothing in terms of service. Their play going forward was broken. Robben tried to do something when he got it. Van Persie stood there offering f*** all Not difficult to spot the difference, no idea how Baba could put them into the same bracket. Yes he was better than the half-fit Van Persie who likely touched the ball less than ten times and Sneijder who kept whipping free kicks out of play, but it was easily his worst match of the tournament. What did he really create for anyone?

Robben was as quiet as Van Persie for the vast majority of the game. Both of them received absolutely nothing in terms of service. Their play going forward was broken.

Rubbish match. Perfect final. The world's best team against its best player. I much prefer this to watching a team that has been ahead for what five minutes in the knockouts and failed to score in 240 minutes. Credit to Netherlands for getting this far, but it seems they've done the absolute bare minimum to win in the last three games. I think Argentina will take this now. 2-1 with a goal from Messi of course.

Considering our lack of a set piece specialist after the departure of Cabaye, we might see Raylor more often than you think. Ryan Taylor from two years ago, sure. He is recovering from two consecutive serious knee injuries. I think this season will be entirely about career-rehabilitation in the hope of getting another contract in the lower leagues somehwere.

In what way is Holland's squad outside of Robben better than Argentina's outside of Messi? I hope Argentina take this. Messi deserves to be crowned.

I wonder at what point, Luiz will stop playing like a youth. I mean, he is older than Messi, but his style is still so juvenile.

Cameroon off the hook, that was probably the most shameful performance I have seen in my lifetime. Brazil seemed to collapse mentally after the second goal. The amount of space allowed Germany was just madness. The fans annoyed me as well. Your team chops seven goals and five in thirty minutes, and you jeer Fred of all people? What has the guy done to them?

Santon will go to right back before Ryan Taylor. I doubt Ryan Taylor will see any league action outside of the cup surrenders. Krul Santon Coloccini (Whichever of the three Big Boss prefers) Haidara/Dummet (Big Boss) Tiote Colback Sissoko De Jong Ameobi Gouffran Krul, Tiote and Sissoko will be reporting back late because of extended leave, world cup stuff. That makes no sense then. What would Chelsea's squad look like given 90 percent of their first team was at the World Cup? Well with 28 player or so on loan due back, better than our first team i reckon Fair point. Half of those are at the World Cup as well though.

Krul, Tiote and Sissoko will be reporting back late because of extended leave, world cup stuff. That makes no sense then. What would Chelsea's squad look like given 90 percent of their first team was at the World Cup?

Why are Santon, Krul, Haidara, Tiote, Sissoko, etc. suddenly unavailable?

Greg Seltzer says he's off to Roma. Will finish the MLS season at Seattle on loan, maybe spend next season on loan with another Italian side. http://www.noshortcorners.com/2014/07/oh-you-are-gonna-love-this.html I think he will get exposed defensively and positionally over the course of a long European season, but this is the best thing for his development. You cannot be a local champion forever. edit: 10 million for Origi seems quite low given that Lille are a fairly well financed CL club and he is coming off a World Cup.

Will people shrining Van Gaal give Wilmots the same credit for overcoming a US side that regularly finishes above Ticos in NA confederation and was even more negative? Especially given his team did not require penalties? Football is just a game of margins. I was talking to some people about our run in this tournament and it may have only been 1 or 2 decisions that separated them from an embarrassing, winless first round exit or an historic quarterfinal appearance. Netherlands have truly ridden their luck in the last two matches and come through very tight situations. It is hard to give the manager so much credit for this.

Out of the twelve matches, I would say that Colombia-Uruguay, Argentina-Belgium, and France-Germany are the only ones that have been uncompetitive and/or boring. The other nine have been competitive matches. I think we are finally reaching the point most people saw coming with the rise of the game in Asia, Africa, and the US along with the fall of the Soviet Union (and subsequent rise of several new, smaller nations with good football talent and history).Generally, all the teams from every confederation have been competitive and talented, with the noticeably embarrassing exceptions of Cameroon and South Korea. Every group was difficult.

It's a dive.

The easiest match Argentina have played this tournament. Every other team have given them a harsh challenge, but Belgium contributed absolutely nothing to the game. Much like France yesterday, it hardly seemed that they were making much of an effort, tbh. They had one shot on goal in the 75th or so minute, having been down since the eighth minute, with Hazard, Mertens, Mirallas, Origi, De Bruyne, and Lukaku all featuring for their team. Embarrassing. Also not really surprised Argentina's defence has improved as the tournament has gone on. Bigger teams just tend to concentrate more when they play bigger games. They were not really tested today, tbf.

I think Argentina will win this now. Attacking-wise, Brazil have not looked that well outside of Neymar. Of course, they have some extremely talented players that may step into the void, but this is so much to ask.

I never realised how little Colombia have accomplished in international football. Their record is essentially the same as Nigeria's. Always thought they had done more.

How much added time do you want for fifteen minutes of play? I mean, I'm still yelling about Matuidi's red card, but you should go outside and relax for your personal health.

Zuniga follows the Alex Song school of martial art. Knee to the spine?!