In yesterday’s third place game, Germany beat Spain 3-2. It was a good match, but I was too tired after to think about writing a recap. I also had a ton of errands to run and, oddly, had several phone calls. So, I didn’t write anything about the match.

There was a small bit of controversy earlier today as several members of Nelson Mandela’s family claimed that FIFA were pressuring Mandela to attend the game and ceremonies afterward. Mandela, 91, has been in a frail condition the past few months and his 13 year old granddaughter was killed by a drunk driver the night before the start of the World Cup. Mandela, however,  said he wanted to attend the closing ceremonies and then return home to watch the match on TV.

If you want, you can read my poor prediction of today’s game over at KNEB.  I suck at predicting, so never bet on a game because of something I said.

In the first five minutes of the game, Spain had several obvious dives. I understand that diving is part of the game, but it’s really disgraceful that you have to do it in a World Cup final match. Your team is supposed to be one of two best in the world at that moment and relying on cheap tricks diminishes the game.

After twenty-five minutes, the Dutch continued to play overly aggressive football, with several yellow cards handed out. The Spaniards, on the other hand, seemed to fall over from the slightest breeze if it meant they could get a foul out of it.

In the 28th minute, The Netherlands’ Nigel De Jong ninja kicked Spain’s Xavi Alonso in the chest. He should have been handed a red card, but was only given a yellow. At this point, the World Cup final had turned into a very dirty and dangerous game. Despite all this, the first half was rather boring. There was a lot of back and forth with the ball and very little of Spain keeping possession. Neither team were dominant in the first half, though The Netherlands led in yellow cards and fouls. At the half, the score remained 0-0 and Spain kept its record of not conceding a goal in the first half of this World Cup.

The yellow cards and fouls continued into the second half. Both teams finally started to settle down in the 65th minute and play some real football. There was some nice passing and a few shots on goal, but, after 90 minutes, there were still no goals.

The players for both sides look tired, but extra time needed to be played. Both teams hoped that 30 more minutes of play would lead to a goal, but neither side had ever scored in extra time before. At the half, Fernando Torres came in for David Villa. The first half of extra time saw some great playing, unfortunately, it was not to last in the second half of extra time. In the 109th minute, John Heitinga of the Netherlands received a second yellow, triggering a red card and he was sent off. The Dutch were out of control the entire match.

Spain finally scored in 116th minute with a goal by Andreas Iniesta, who was subsequently booked for taking his shirt off in celebration. I highly doubt he cares. Gerard Pique and goalkeeper Iker Casillas of Spain broke down in tears when Iniesta scored the goal. Spain held on for the 1-0 victory and take home the cup.

It was an ugly match and, though I originally wanted The Netherlands to win, they didn’t deserve it with their constant dirty play. The Dutch had many chances to score and only have themselves to blame for the way they played. The Netherlands got what they deserved and the right team won. There were many exciting games this World Cup. It’s a shame this wasn’t one of them.

The best moment of the entire match was watching Iker Casillas lift the World Cup for Spain.

Some other quick notes: Germany’s Thomas Müller gets the Golden Boot for most goals in the tournament. The 20-year old has also been named Hyundai Best Young Player of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. I believe the ref in this game gave out the most yellow cards ever. I lost count after nine. I watched 56 of 64 matches. South Africa put on a great World Cup.

See you all in four years when the World Cup is played in Brazil. Everyone should watch the cup then, especially since you won’t have to get up at 5am, like I did this year because of time zone differences.

It didn’t get much better in the second half. I felt like I was watching a tennis match without the grunting. There were a couple of bright spots, but I mostly found myself trying to stay awake. Seriously, the winner goes to the final. These two teams should have been playing better.

Spain finally scored in the minute and 1-0 was the final score. I guess Paul the Octopus was right.

Since neither Spain nor The Netherlands have ever won a cup, history will be made on Sunday.

I must admit, I wasn’t too interested in the game, even with the controversial second goal. I felt that The Netherlands would have an easy win, especially since Suarez had to sit out this match due to a red card.

Going for goal: Holland’s Wesley Sneijder shoots to score his side’s second goal against Uruguay

A 3-2 match should have been more exciting, but I just couldn’t get into this game. The last time the Dutch were in the finals was 1978 where they lost to Argentina. Their only other appearance in the finals was in 1974 where they also lost to West Germany.

Miroslav Klose taps the ball in for the second goal against Argentina.

In the second half, Germany walked all over Argentina. Miroslave Klose scored in the 68th and 89th minute. Arne Friedrich also scored in the 74th minute. Germany played brilliantly today and got the much-deserved 4-0 win.

It was pretty cool seeing Angela Merkel celebrate the goals.

Since I was so excited for the first match and wanted Germany to win, Paraguay v. Spain can’t possibly be as entertaining. Oh wait, is it half time already? Boooring! Pick up the pace guys. This game sucks so far.

For five minutes, things got exciting. First, Paraguay was given a penalty kick. Oscar Cardozo’s attempt was saved, leaving the game at 0-0. A few seconds later, Spain got a penalty kick. Xabi Alonso’s kick went in, but it didn’t count because Spain encroached into the penalty area. So, the kick had to be made again.  It too was saved and we went back to more boring football. It’s the first time since 1930 that two penalty kicks have been saved in the same game (Argentina v. Mexico). The score remained 0-0.

Around the 70th minute, I started thinking that I’d rather have all my teeth yanked out with no Novocaine than continue watching this painful match. Yet, I held out hope that it might get better. The refs in this World Cup disallow goals more often than I change my underwear.

Spain finally scored in the 83rd minute. You had to laugh at the goal. The ball just did not want to go in. Pedro kicked the ball, but it hit the right post and bounced back out to David Villa. He kicked the ball. It hit the right post, bounced over and hit the left post and then bounced into the back of the net.

At the final whistle it was Spain 1-0 Paraguay. It’s the first time Spain has ever made it to the semifinals. Touching moment of the game in which I laughed: The Spanish players were consoling Paraguay’s Cardozo, who was bawling like a baby.

Brazil thought they had scored a goal, but they were clearly offside. It didn’t matter much because a couple of minutes later, Robinho scored a goal to put Brazil up 1-0. The Dutch had a chance to score around the the 30th minute, but the Brazilians shut them down. Three Dutchmen vs. nine Brazilians just doesn’t accomplish much. The first half was filled with far too many fouls and a flow to the game just never developed.

In stoppage time, Robben tried to get past seven Brazilians, but he just got no help from anyone else and couldn’t put the ball into the net. If the Dutch had been up in the box, they could have scored. They needed to talk halftime to discuss the fact that Van Persie and Robben can’t do everything. They also need to figure out that one man can’t do it all. It’s a team game.

In the second half, the Dutch scored in the 53rd minute with a goal that came out of nowhere by Felipe Melo of Brazil. It was absolutely beautiful. The second half was much more exciting. In the 68th minute, a corner kick by Arjen Robben was headed by Dirk Kuyt who headed the ball to Wesley Sneijder who put the ball in the back of the net with his own header. It was absolutely insane and I loved every minute of it.

Felipe Melo got a red card for intentionally stomping Robben. It was not a good day for Melo at all. The ref was right on top of everything today. The Dutch pull a gigantic upset and knock Brazil out of the World Cup with a 2-1 victory. Absolutely fantastic and I didn’t think it would happen. I had actually picked Brazil to win the cup.

Uruguay v. Ghana was next and I’m sticking with Ghana. They probably won’t win, but they’re my team today. Fucile had a terrible accident in the 42nd minute and fell to the ground. He lay on the ground, completely limp. Eyes closed, everyone thought he might be dead. It appeared as if he landed on his neck. I don’t know how Fucile isn’t dead, but he’s officially the badass of the match.

Uruguay subbed Lugano, their captain, in the 33rd minute. Just when everyone thought that it would be 0-0 at the end of the first half, Sulley Muntari scored two minutes into stoppage time with a beautiful kick that took a parabolic curve into the net, putting Ghana up 1-0 at the half. Everyone anxiously awaited the second half to see if Ghana could hold out and win.

Uruguay came back in the second half to even the score in the 55th minute with a masterful kick by Diego Forlán. As with the earlier game, there are far too much diving and fouling.

The match went to extra time and, just at the last moment, Luis Suarez got a red card and was sent off. This set up a penalty kick for Ghana and Asamoah Gyan could have won it, but he hit the crossbar. The match went to penalty kicks, where Argentina would prove victorious 4-2.

It was a dramatic game marred by the constant time wasting measures and missed opportunities from both teams. Unfortunately, Ghana are going home, but it was a great match to see.

Was the second half a nailbiter? No, not really. It was just as boring as the first half, so I went back to watching Joachim pick boogers and eat them again. I honestly thought that Paraguay would walk away easily with a win. With the threat of extra time, I thought to myself, “We don’t need thirty more minutes of this shit.” My threats were not heeded and we went on to extra time. The score is still 0-0 and I want to choke some football players right now.

Again, Paraguay and Japan do nothing. Sure there was a little more action, and the Japanese put forth some effort, but it wasn’t enough to score any goals. On to the penalty kicks. Finally, Paraguay wins on penalty kicks 5-3.

The second match of the day was Spain v. Portugal. Yeah, another snooze fest in the first half. Let’s see what the second half brings. David Villa finally scored for Spain in the 63rd minute. I don’t think I could have taken another game with extra time in another boring match. Spain wins 1-0.

Here is a picture of The Netherlands’ “sexiest” fan:

In the second match of the day, Brazil took on Chile. It proved to be one of the better matches of the World Cup so far. Brazil won 3-0, sending Chile home. Brazil will next face The Netherlands, which should prove to be another exciting game.

The first World Cup game today was Germany v. England. Miroslav Klose scored early and put Germany up 1-0 in the 20th minute. Germany scored again in the 32nd minute with a nice shot by Lukas Podolski. England came back in the 37th minute and scored a goal by Upson, followed by another goal in the 38th minute by Frank Lampard, that the ref said didn’t go in, but clearly did. At the half, Germany led 2-1.

In the second half, Germany scored again with Thomas Müller knocking the ball into the net in the 67th and 70th minutes, making it 4-1. Wayne Rooney was absolutely pathetic in this World Cup. He’s did nothing and there’s no good reason for him to be out there playing. He should have been benched for this game. England continued their terrible defense and Germany scored again, making it 4-1.

Although many think the final score should have been 4-2, it was 4-1. Either way. England didn’t do much and Germany won the day. It is the worst lost ever for England in a World Cup.

Unfortunately, the Brits will place the blame at the linesman and FIFA, even though England’s lack of basic defensive skills is what caused the loss. Rooney was terrible. Heskey was non-existant. There was no defense and just all around shitty play for England. Getting screwed out of a goal is one thing. Not playing to your potential is another. And that is why England are going home.

In the second game, Argentina soundly trounced Mexico 3-1, though there was one controversial goal for Argentina. The Argentinians were clearly offside, but the goal was allowed to stand. I fell asleep in the second half so I missed most of it.

Here are some amusing pictures of the goal that was not to be for England.  Click the photos to see them full size.

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