It’s Showtime…
…at the 2006 World Cup, as, in about five minutes, the round of 16 kicks off with Germany versus Sweden. The group play is fun, but now things get very serious, and at least 13 of the 16 teams remaining really deserve to be here. Also on tap today, what should be a very entertaining match between Argentina and Mexico, though Argentina should win – as should Germany…
UPDATE 10:04 a.m.: Amazingly, Germany scored in the 4th(!) minute to make it 1-0…
UPDATE 10:13 a.m.: Germany is, as they say, putting on a clinic; a score in the 12th minute makes it 2-0, and Germany thus far is playing the best soccer I’ve yet to see this year…
UPDATE 10:36 a.m.: Well, the subtext of this World Cup is the new FIFA rules and the absurd proliferation of yellow cards; again, the problem rears its ugly head with a player removed from the game for not one, but two, phantom fouls. Tough break for Sweden…
UPDATE 11:53 a.m.: Two goals was enough, but it wasn’t as if Germany quit trying; in the second half, two shots hit the crossbar, and the Swedish goalkeeper block 4 or 5 more…good effort by Germany, and now there are 15…
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