Looking at the scoreline football fans could be forgiven for thinking France hammered Honduras with a routine 3-0 win. But there was so much more to the story that unfolded in Porto Alegre, or was there? I'm not sure Jonathan Pearce could quite make his mind up!
Honduras did little to endear themselves with the neutral with their rather aggressive approach to the game. Wilson Palacios fouled Paul Pogba, who stupidly reacted and lashed out and both players were lucky to end up with just yellow cards. But Palacios' game ended before half-time as he pushed Pogba over in the box to concede a penalty. The clinical Karim Benzema opened the scoring but it is the second half were the game really came alive.
Benzema appeared to net his second goal of the game within just three minutes of the restart. The goal stood but only after France became the first international team ever to benefit from goal-line technology. Benzema's effort came off the far post and initially the GoalControl system ruled 'No Goal' but, when that message displayed on the big screen in the stadium, it sent a wave of confusion among the fans.
But that 'No Goal' ruling was only for the initial effort that hit a post. A second decision was then needed for what followed when the ball hit the Honduras' goalkeeper and rolled into the net. It clearly crossed the line, there was no question about that, but because of all the confusion Honduras' players and coaching staff were complaining to the officials.
If you think the players, coaching staff and fans were confused, spare a thought for Jonathan Pearce who appeared to have a meltdown during this historic moment. My first memory of Pearce is his eccentric celebration of a goal from Roberttoooooooooooooo Di Matteoooooooooooooooo! But this one will also live long in the memory, he didn't seem to have a clue what was going on! One minute it was no goal, the next it was given. Everyone else seemed to understand and even Martin Keown had to try and explain to his co-commentator what was going on. If that wasn't enough, Pearce then wrongly announced a goal that clearly hit the side-netting, he was having a mare! Maybe the heat was affecting his ability to think, he really wasn't having much luck and fans took to twitter to mock his antics. Some of them crossed the line...or did they!? We'll let Pearce decide....if he can handle that!
The game that followed may not have been as dramatic but it still had its memorable moments. Lionel Messi announced his arrival at the 2014 World Cup with an immense goal, but you wouldn't expect anything else from the Messiah who is undoubtedly one of the greatest ever players of my lifetime. That put Argentina 2-0 to the good but Bosnia-Herzegovina, who were playing in their first ever World Cup, refused to give up! Vedad Ibisevic scored with six minutes remaining to set up a tense finish. Argentina held on for the three points but Bosnia-Herzegovina can be proud of their efforts.
The following day's action began with two of the 'big' teams facing off against one another. After seeing Holland tear Spain apart 5-1 after expecting a close game, few would've thought Germany were going to hammer Portugal and that a rout was on the cards again. But a Thomas Muller hat-trick gave Germany the perfect start to their World Cup campaign as they won 4-0, leaving Cristiano Ronaldo, who is among the world's best players, wondering how on earth he was on the wrong end of such a drubbing. No doubt there would've been several neutrals out there pleased to see such a sight, even if it did mean a win for our big rivals Germany. Besides, if you are going to give penalty experts Germany a spot-kick inside the opening 15 minutes, it spells trouble! Muller, picked up where he left off from getting the Golden Boot in the 2010 World Cup, with a clinical hat-trick.
Portugal seemed to be all over the place. Pepe, who has a bit of a bad reputation at times, actually seemed slightly hard done by in my opinion. It was a silly thing to do but maybe a yellow would have been justified, instead his red card and the abysmal result leaves Portugal playing catch up and in need of a big win when they meet USA in their next match!
Just when we thought the 2014 World Cup couldn't get any more exciting and dramatic....it didn't! Iran and Nigeria took to the field and this summer's tournament saw its first 0-0 at the 13th time of asking (not sure who's asking, anybody?). Who says 13 is an unlucky number!? It could prove to be a valuable point for both sides.
Here's hoping the drab draw was a one off and that the tournament's excitement soon picks up again. With England vs Uruguay not too far away, it shouldn't take too long! It's a huge game and one we are capable of winning as nobody wants to be going home early from a World Cup in Brazil, so let's keep it going!
QUE SERA SERA!
EN-GER-LAND
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