Famous for Romance on the Eiffel Tower, How Far Can France Go?

This lot are not to be taken lightly
(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

In what was, in my opinion, the biggest shock of the tournament thus far, Costa Rica shut out the Italians. And it was not by any luck. They truly came, and deservedly grabbed the three points, dumping England out in the process. Truth be told though, Italy were never at the races, as Cesare Prandelli may have left the horses in the stable.

Pirlo was hardly given an inch in this game
(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

Pirlo was not given the chance to stamp his mark on the game, with credit going to the Costa Ricans high-pressing approach, denying the maestro time and space on the ball to make things work. Andrea Pirlo makes this Italian team tick, he feeds Balotelli with sumptuous balls, of which any striker would die for.

Bryan Ruiz heading in off the crossbar. Kudos to goal line
technology.
(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

Defensively though, he can be a liability. Often seen jogging back rather than harrying opposing players, Italy can be a man light without the ball. All of this leads to the most tight final game in any of the groups, as Prandelli leads his team to face Luis Suarez and Co.

Costa Rica though, could very well hammer the final nail in England's World Cup coffin, and top a group which arguably not a single person gave them a chance of even getting a point.

Speaking of French and their romance, these guys are more robust and Mona Lisa-like. I say that because with Mona Lisa, you either love or hate her. It's identical with the French. There are no 'in-between's' with this lot, without their talisman in Franck Ribery, many perceived them to not offer much.

With the quartet of Cabaye, Sissoko, Matuidi and Valbuena,
they'll be a match for anyone
(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

However, they look to have gotten ahead of even the Dutch, I think, as the second-best European team behind the buccaneering Germans. Benzema had a goal ruled out as he curled a shot past the beleaguered Swiss keeper Benaglio, but saw the referee call time on the match. It was 5, it could have been 8, the Swiss were home before late.

They've got a good crop of young players in the Swiss side, but tactical indiscipline led them to end up with a tennis score, not that Roger Federer will face that sort of beating at the hands of a French tennis player, I hope. Do not rule out the French football team though. Unlike England, they've got good football and fabulous caviar.

Tonight's matches. Argentina v Iran, Germany v Ghana and Nigeria v Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Argentina v Iran

Sabella might have to tweak his structure, to get the best out of his players.
(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

Alejandro Sabella's side should beat Iran, they just have to. If they don't, something is really wrong somewhere. Something.


They were not at their best against Bosnia in their opening match but managed to eke out a win. Being the favourites of many to actually go on and lift this trophy, much better play is needed, between now and then. Argentina cannot suffer from the 'Portugal syndrome', of over-relying on one player, at the expense of the good ones around that superstar.

Aguero has not been in the form he was in, playing for League Winners,
Manchester City.
(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

In Aguero, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Angel Di Maria, they have an excellent bunch of tactically intelligent, technically gifted, supremely fit players, with even Gonzalo Higuain to call upon. It is defensively though, which they have to alter slightly. Pablo Zabaleta and Javier Mascherano can do the job, but Ezequiel Garay has to step up and do his part too.

They can be shaken at the back.

My take: Argentina 5-1 Iran

Germany v Ghana

Ozil and Muller celebrating after scoring against Portugal
(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

Thomas Muller and Mesut Ozil are a match made in heaven. One is graceful, elegant, does his best to help his partner, while the other is about hard work, brawn, with tremendous power to finish off chances which come his way.

It will ride quite a bit on whether Ghana can test the Germans defensively, and do not be surprised if they do. In a clash which sees both Boateng brothers come head-to-head (Kevin-Prince plays for Ghana while Jerome lines up for Die Manschaaft), Germany will be forced to take the game to Ghana, as the Black Stars will almost certainly sit back.

I do not envision a thrashing of any sort here, with the Germans to be tested more than they were against Portugal, but to still come away with a win.

My take: Germany 3-1 Ghana

Nigeria v Bosnia & Herzegovina

The Nigerians were part of the first game to end in a draw in the World Cup this time around, as they did not offer much in the attacking department. That could have been attributed to a lack of guile, as this team is based solely on grit and pace up front, though to utilise that, a 'cowboy with a lasso' is needed to thread the eye of a needle.

Muhammad Besic vying for the ball with Maxi Rodriguez
(Pic Courtesy of FIFA.com)

This set of circumstances could favour Bosnia, as Ibisevic came very close to grabbing a draw against Argentina last week. Muhammad Besic is another to look out for, as he looks to be another 'cultured' player, in the mould of numerous Croats and Bosnians of the past. The craft of Bosnia could come up trumps, against the hard work of Nigeria.

My take: Nigeria 0-2 Bosnia & Herzegovina