FIFA’s stone age, stone wall mentality over video technology was exposed to the world today with match changing decisions shown to be wrong, with FIFA shackled by their own rules and unable to do the sensible thing.
The beaches were half empty here in Tenerife and hopes were high but the England players had learnt nothing from the previous games. It’s a good young Germany side, playing decent football, good luck to them.
Germany 4, England 1
Ozil made his presence felt in the first minute as he broke with Podolsky down the left, Upson and Barry just about dealt with that but there was worse to come. Ozil then popped up on the right and tore Cole apart before James cleared with his legs. Either Terry, Upson or both must have some hygiene problems because they couldn’t put enough distance between themselves. Rooney was playing deep again and looked to be back in depressed mood. Barry did manage a good shot that Neuer smothered.
Germany’s first goal was a gift, a long goal kick down the middle and Klose strolled between Upson and Terry to give James nothing to do but bawl at his defence. Klose could have quickly added another goal, again James was alert and used his feet well. The second goal was another example of poor defending, Muller put a good ball in and Podolski had plenty of time to tuck it in the net. England were reeling but they hit back with Gerards tempting cross met perfectly by Upsons leaping header. Then came that moment of high controversy, Lampard produced a great shot that clearly went well over the line, but the ref waved for no goal. Everyone in the stadium could see it was a goal, the watching Mick Jagger knew it, even Stevie Wonder would have known it.
Coming out for the second half seething and fired up, England still had a chance, Neuer look dodgy in goal and Lampard had him well beaten with a free kick that hit the bar. Rooney set up Defoe but Neuer just managed to deny him. Germany had plenty more to offer especially on the break, Lampards free kick was swallowed by the defensive wall and they were off up field, the England defence were on holiday and Schweinsteiger’s fine pass to Mueller gave him time to finish with ease. Then from another break Barry was skinned at the half way line by Ozil who casually crossed for Mueller to round off the rout.
Argentina 3, Mexico 1
Both teams set off at an electric pace Salcido of Mexico hit the crossbar and De Santos shot narrowly wide. Argentina soon came into the game with Messi dazzling again with his skills beating three players before his shot was plucked from under the bar by Perez. Then the moment of controversy, Messi unlocked the Mexico defence but his shot was blocked by the keeper, he reacted well and chipped the rebound to Tevez who scored from an offside position, the goalie and linesman gave the goal. As the Mexicans complained the giant stadium screen showed the replay and everyone could see the proof-it was offside, but the officials couldn’t change their decision. Argentina were boosted by that and turned the screw. Osorio casually passed the ball into space in front of his Mexican defence and Hiquain nipped in and scored a simple goal.
Mexico never gave up and came out for the second half ready to give it their all. Argentina had other ideas and Tevez put the game beyond reach with a top corner torpedo from long range. Still Mexico pushed forward, Salcido fored from range tsting the keeper and Hernandez headed over from a corner. Then Hernandez got his reward from the edge of the goal area, dragging the ball wide and picking his spot perfectly to make it 3-1. Messi could have added another for Argentina at the death but Perez pulled off a super save.
Argentina march on and the fireworks are already popping here in Tenerife among the large South American community.
