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World Cup - Goalline technology helps France ease past Honduras

23:38 | Labels: Brazil, FIFA World Cup 2014 Theme Song, Fifa World Cup 2014 Theme Song Mp3 Download, football formats, Football Skills, Word Cup Players, World Cup - Goalline technology helps France ease past Honduras

France kicked off their World Cup campaign with an impressive 3-0 win over Honduras in what was an ill-tempered affair in Porto Alegre.
Karim Benzema capped an impressive performance with a finish high into the net, completing the scoring for France against a physical Honduras side, who had to play the second half with 10 men following Wilson Palacios’s sending off.
Didier Deschamps’ side started brightly but suffered a scare when Paul Pogba and Palacios tangled in the opening half hour. Pogba was perhaps fortunate to remain on the pitch, seeing only yellow for lashing out at Palacios following a late challenge from the Honduras midfielder.
But Pogba found the breakthrough for France, winning a penalty kick off Palacios, who was shown a second booking for barging into the Juventus man. Benzema made no mistake in converting the spot kick, sending Noel Valladares the wrong way.
France doubled the lead in confusing circumstances after the break, with Benzema appearing hitting the post before Valladares carried the ball over the line. Goalline technology indicted that Benzema’s shot hadn’t crossed the line, before clarifying that Valladares mistake had, despite protests from the aggrieved Honduran players.
However, Benzema finally bagged the goal his performance deserved, firing high into the net from a tight angle to complete the scoring after a Mathieu Debuchy effort from range had fallen at his feet.

KEY EVENTS
14’ WOODWORK – Valbuena plays another freekick from the right side into the Honduras penalty area, with the ball bouncing out to Matuidi 10 yards out. His shot is flicked onto the bar and over by keeper Valladares. Great save!
22’ CROSSBAR – Off the bar again! Evra hooks a deep cross into the box, hanging the ball up in the air. Griezmann gets over it and powers a header towards goal. He beats the keeper but his effort rattles back off the crossbar!
29’ LUCKY BOY – Pogba gets away with it, perhaps by virtue of Palacios's shocking initial tackle. The France midfielder is showing the stud marks he has left on his leg. Even still, Pogba can't be lashing out like that.

42’ PENALTY! – Palacios sees a second booking for barging into Pogba in the box. Benzema has to wait an age to take the spot kick, but in the end sends Valladares the wrong way from 12 yards to put his team ahead before the break.
49’ CONFUSION! GOAL! – This is incredible! Benzema hits the post with a shot across the face of goal, which then looks to have been carried over the line by the keeper. The graphic showed on the big screen in the stadium that the ball hadn't crossed the line when it hit the post. Then when it is carried over the line by the keeper it showed that it was a goal. Confusion reigned in the stadium, but the correct decision looks to have been made. In the end.
55’ CHANCE – Griezmann works his way to the byline before drilling a cross into the six-yard box for Benzema. However, the Real Madrid striker fires his shot straight at the keeper. Either side and it surely would have been a goal.
64’ SIDE NETTING – So close to being a third goal! Evra fizzes a low pass into the near post where Sissoko has made a run, but his shot ends up in the side netting. Just for a second it looked like France had scored another.
72’ GOAL – There's no doubt about this one! Debuchy's drive from outside the box is blocked and falls at the feet at Benzema, who blasts high into the net from a tight angle.

KEY STATS
France have won their first World Cup match since the 2006 semi-final (v Portugal). They had drawn two and lost two since then.
Karim Benzema is the first France player to score two goals in a single World Cup game since Zinedine Zidane scored a brace in the 1998 final.
Benzema had three more shots (incl. blocked) in the game (7) than the entire Honduras side (4).
Three of France’s last six goals in the World Cup have come from the penalty spot.
Honduras are without a World Cup goal in 479 minutes of action. Their last goal came in 1982 (v Northern Ireland).
Only Germany and Italy (both four) have benefited from more own goals in World Cup history than France (three).
Honduras only conceded one more foul in the match than France (14-13).
Honduras have won none of their seven matches at World Cup finals (D3 L4).
France finished with more than 70% possession for the first time in a World Cup match since 1966 (71.1%).
Similarly that was Honduras’ worst return of possession in a single match at World Cup finals (28.9%).
(Opta)

TALKING POINT

Is this the most exciting French side since 1998?: France tends to alternate good World Cups with bad World Cups. 1998’S triumph was followed up by a group stage exit in 2002. In 2006 they reached the final, only to exit the 2010 tournament in disgrace. Such a pattern would suggest France will go far this summer, and indeed young players like Griezmann, Pogba and Varane make this the most exciting French team since 1998. But can they deliver in the same way?

MAN OF THE MATCH

Karim Benzema -

The Real Madrid striker can be a frustrating figure. For every astounding goal he scores, he tends to miss a sitter. But tonight Benzema carried the goalscoring burden for France, netting one and forcing another own goal. Many speculated before kick-off whether Olivier Giroud deserved a starting spot. On this basis, Deschamps made the right choice.

PLAYER RATINGS

France: Lloris 5, Debuchy 6, Varane 6, Sakho 5, Evra 6, Cabaye 5, Matuidi 6, Pogba 7 Griezmann 8, Valbuena 7, Benzema 8. Subs – Mavuba 5, Sissoko 7, Giroud 4.

Honduras: Valladares 4, Izaguirre 4, Figueroa 4, Bernardez 6, Beckeles 4, Najar 5, Palacios 3, Garrido 4, Espinoza 5, Costly 5, Bengtson 4. Subs – Chavez 4, Boniek Garcia 6, Claros 3.

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World Cup 2014 Top Players

01:06 | Labels: 2014, Brazil, Word cup dates, Word Cup Players, Word Cup Teams, World Cup 2014 top players, World Cup Latest Informations, World Cup News, world cup place, WorldCup 2014, WorldCup 2014 stadium

Top 10 Players In World Cup 2014

Lionel Messi - Argentina

Many call Messi one of the best soccer players of all time, and he’s only 26 years old. Despite immense success on world-beating Barcelona in the Spanish professional league and a host of trophies on his shelf, "The Atomic Flea" has never even made it past the quarterfinals of the World Cup. This go around may be his best chance, as Argentina’s squad is loaded with international stars all over the pitch, and Messi is at the top of his game and in full health after a hamstring injury last year. The only question is how well Argentina can play together behind their dynamo forward.

Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal

The most recent winner of FIFA's Ballon d'Or for being the best soccer player on the planet, Ronaldo has for now gotten the upper hand over the “Who’s the best?” debate that has been raging over him and Lionel Messi for the last several years. The Real Madrid star’s performance in the 2014 World Cup will go a long way towards quieting any remaining doubters, and Portugal’s national team will desperately need his other-worldly play if they’re going to stand a chance of making it out of this Cup's "Group of Death" that includes Germany, the U.S., and Ghana.

Even though the Portuguese have never made it past the Group of 16 since Ronaldo has played with the national side, the team’s 29-year-old star and captain is confident -- as always -- saying after he finished building a museum to himself in his birthplace of Madeira: "I have room for more trophies."

Neymar - Brazil

Brazilians will not accept bowing out of the World Cup at the quarterfinal stage like they have the last two World Cups when the tournament arrives on their home soil this summer. If they hope to take home their sixth World Cup trophy, Barcelona star Neymar’s slender frame will have to bear much of the burden. The 22-year-old, 5-foot-9-inch winger/forward may be one of many stars on this young team, but none of them make anywhere near the $20 million he does every year between salary and endorsements. The biggest knock against Neymar may be his size, but he has silenced many doubters after his move to Barcelona last year with lightning fast speed and acceleration, a top-class ability to finish off both feet, and the same doggedness on the pitch that his professional teammate Lionel Messi is known for.

Andres Iniesta - Spain

It may be a fool's errand to pick a single player from the defending champs, whose aging squad was arguably one of the best all-time World Cup teams in 2010. From Xavi Hernandez to Cesc Fabregas to Sergio Ramos, Spain’s deep roster has made them a favorite to repeat their South Africa triumph in Brazil. However, much of their hopes this time around will rest on the 29-year-old who scored the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final. The midfield wizard has made the FIFA XI squad the last five years in a row; even fellow superstar Xavi called him "Spain's most complete player."

While he hasn’t had the best season statistically for Barcelona, the midfielder who can see passing lanes that no one else can has shown few signs of aging. For Spain to win again, he better not start now.

Clint Dempsey - USA

"Captain America" is no small part of the reason the rest of the soccer world takes the U.S. men’s team seriously now. Last year, Dempsey gave up a decent professional run in the English Premier League to play a little closer to home for the Seattle Sounders of Major League Soccer, where the 31-year-old is consistently named among the league's best players. Some have fretted the move stateside would hurt his overall ability, but after completing a two-month loan to Fulham, he scored six goals in the first four games of the 2014 MLS season. The native Texan’s world-class ability to finish near the goal and score on crafty free kicks will be crucial if the Americans want to survive the so-called "Group of Death" against Germany, Portugal and Ghana, and make it out of the round of 16.

Wayne Rooney - England

The nation that invented soccer hasn't won a World Cup since 1966, and they sure don't let their stars forget it. While Rooney may not be England’s best player, the 28-year-old is still one of the faces of soccer around the world, promoted heavily by both Nike and FIFA. The starting forward for the English national team has been one of the best players on a fading Manchester United squad that was the toast of the world not that long ago. Despite his continued top-flight play as his professional team crumbles, England's soccer fans fret continuously about whether Rooney and the England squad can make a real showing this time, after finishing 13th in South Africa in 2010. To survive an incredibly difficult group stage with Italy, Costa Rica and Uruguay, they're going to need his superlative ability to score goals, as well as his greatly improved passing and never-say-die hustle when the lights shine brightest.

Arjen Robben - The Netherlands

An argument can be made that Robin van Persie is more important to international powerhouse The Netherlands, but the "Oranje" won't come anywhere near replicating their 2010 final run without the continued inspired play of Robben. The 30-year-old winger has been on a tear for professional club Bayern Munich, where he's scored at least 55 goals since joining the team in 2009, and was a crucial reason they hoisted the Champions League trophy last year. He has shown a penchant for performing his best on the biggest stages, so watch for "The Flying Dutchman" to earn his nickname in Brazil by sprinting down the wing past defenders.

Mario Balotelli - Italy

The enigmatic 23-year-old of Ghanaian heritage has done a lot of questionable things off the soccer pitch, but no one doubts his ability on it. Balotelli can finish, pass and run with the best in the world, but has been maddeningly inconsistent since his debut on the world stage. While Italy may have bowed out at the group stage in 2010, it would not be wise to count out the four-time World Cup champions, especially if the A.C. Milan striker brings his A-game.

He hasn’t shown great form in Serie A this year; this past February, Balotelli was spotted crying on the bench after being taken off the pitch late in a loss to Napoli. Whether that’s a sign of his passion for the game or his immaturity is anyone's guess, but fans of "Gli Azzurri" sure hope it's the former. The Italians are going to need every bit of help they can get to survive this a harsh group stage, where they'll square off against England, Uruguay and Costa Rica.

Mesut Ozil - Germany

The German national team is among the few favorites to take home the World Cup trophy in Brazil, and their star attacking midfielder will likely be the key to their success. Currently at Arsenal, the 25-year-old has been compared, perhaps not unreasonably, to French soccer legend Zinedine Zidane for his finesse, precision and improvisational skills. Ozil suffered a hamstring injury earlier this year, but has returned to club action and will be looking to get back in form quickly. The Germans are in the "Group of Death" with the U.S., Portgual, and Ghana, but if Ozil is healthy and leading the charge, they should have no problems making a deep run in this World Cup.

Luis Suarez - Uruguay

The 27-year-old striker knows how to court controversy: he was red-carded for a blatant handball that denied a game-winning goal to Ghana in the 2010 World Cup; months later, he was suspended by his club team Ajax after biting an opponent; the next year, as a member of Liverpool, he was suspended for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra; and in 2013, he was suspended for biting an opponent (yes, again), this time Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic.
But there's another thing Suarez knows: how to score goals, and at that, he is undeniably skilled, netting an eye-popping 30 goals for Liverpool this season. Now he is leading a talented Uruguay team that finished fourth in 2010. And while Uruguay is in one of the toughest groups to start the tournament with England, Italy and Costa Rica, if Suarez can perform with even a fraction of the form he’s shown for Liverpool, it's the other three teams that may need to worry.

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World Cup 2014 Stadium

00:58 | Labels: 2014, Brazil, Word cup dates, Word Cup Players, Word Cup Teams, World Cup 2014 top players, World Cup Latest Informations, World Cup News, world cup place, WorldCup 2014, WorldCup 2014 stadium

World Cup 2014 Stadium

One of the most historic venues in Brazilian football and called home by Atletico Mineiro and Cruzeiro, both former national champions, the 58,259 capacity Estadio Mineirao has undergone a complete overhaul prior to hosting six matches at the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ - including one semi-final.
The modernisation project included the lowering of the pitch surface and improving stadium accessibility, among other issues, with sustainability principles at the core of all work carried out. Exemplifying this approach is the facility to capture and store up to 6,270,000 litres of rainwater, which can then be reused.
Located in the Pampulha neighbourhood of Belo Horizonte and inaugurated on 5 December 1965, the stadium belongs to the Minas Gerais state government. Going by the official name of the Estadio Governador Magalhaes Pinto, in footballing circles it is almost universally known as the Mineirão.
Boasting an enthusiastic and vibrant atmosphere on matchdays, whether it be O Galo (Atletico Mineiro) or A Raposa (Cruzeiro) that are playing at home, the Mineirão has also proved a worthy setting for Brazilian national team matches – including A Seleção’s clashes with arch-rivals Argentina in FIFA World Cup qualifying encounters in 2004 and 2008.
What is more, the stadium has been regularly graced over the years by attacking legends such as Ronaldo, Tostao, Reinaldo and Dario.

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