French Revolution in El Salvador

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A French whirlwind sweeps Switzerland in Salvador. Giroud, Matuidi, Valbuena, a shining Benzema and Sissoko did the 5 french goals. Dzemaili and Xhaka did the 2 swiss goals. 

Arsenal's Olivier Giroud broke the deadlock with a stunning header before Blaise Matuidi blasted the second 66 seconds later after poor goalkeeping.

Karim Benzema had a penalty saved before Mathieu Valbuena added a third.

Goals by Benzema and Moussa Sissoko made it 5-0 before late consolations from Blerim Dzemaili and Granit Xhaka.

France's dominance was every bit as emphatic as the scoreline at Arena Fonte Nova suggests.

France all but secured a place in the last 16 as three first-half goals against Switzerland helped them to an easy Group E win in Salvador. We can simply say 'La france est de retour!'

Spain humiliated and knocked out of World Cup (2 - 0)

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source: FIFA World Cup

source: FIFA World Cup

After a humbling 5-1 defeat by the Netherlands in their curtain-raiser, Chile stunned Spain 2-0 to secure a place in the knockout phase with a Group B game to spare and eliminate the FIFA World Cup™ holders. Eduardo Vargas and Charles Aranguiz sent the South Americans in at the break at a two-goal cushion, and though the Iberians tried relentlessly to get back into the game after the restart, they were unable to find a way past Claudio Bravo. - FIFA

"There are thousands of Chile fans pouring out of the stadium in full voice, one described to me today as the best of day of his life and they are absolutely overjoyed. Quite a contrast to the Spain fans, who are in a daze, struggling to understand how this team, who have played so well over the past six years, have crashed out.

"There is talk of an end of an era for Spain, but there will be a big night of partying ahead for these Chile fans." - Richard Conway (BBC)

Belgium 2 - 1 Algeria, 'Les Diables Rouges' destroyed the Algerian dream!

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Belgium 2-1 Algeria World Cup 2014 : Goals from Dries Mertens and Marouane Fellaini put Belgium ahead 

  • This is the second time in this World Cup where two alternate players scores in a match: Switzerland already did in it's debut.
  • Six of the last seven goals against Algeria in the World Cup have come in the second half. Tiredness!
  • Belgium has won only one of their 21 games they were under-scored in a match of a World Cup. Task!

Those noisy Algerian fans inside the Estadio Mineirao have lost Their Voices Suddenly, Belgium After That Showed Their lessen a great team of football. However, the Desert Foxes almost gives third. They are lucky to escape as Marouane Fellaini loses his footing just as he looks in September to stab in from close range.

"Algeria are deflated completely. They have worked Their socks off, They are trying to attack but now there is no organization.
"Dries Mertens has made all the difference With His play.'ve Ran at people and has put in some really good crosses." - Former England defend Danny Mills (BBC).

  • Dries Mertens gives Belgium the lead as Algeria fans and players look dispirited
  • Marouane Fellaini's header flies in, bringing relief to the Belgium support
  • Marouane Fellaini is brought on to help find an equaliser
  • Algeria take the lead from the penalty spot with a calm finish from Sofiane Feghouli
  • Eden Hazard starts for Belgium whilst Manchester United's Adnan Januzaj is on the bench
  • Clash in Estadio Mineirao opens up Group H action
  • Tournament dark horses Belgium big favourites to open up campaign with win
  • Algeria dreams to advance beyond group stage for first time in World Cup history 

Germany 4-0 Portugal - Ronaldo Where are you!?

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Michael Probst/Associated Press

Michael Probst/Associated Press

  • Thomas Muller hat-trick destroyed Portugal
  • Pepe given red card for headbutting Muller
  • Mats Hummels also scored for Germany with header
  • Heavyweight clash opened up Group G action in Salvador 

Germany's Thomas Muller plundered the first hat-trick of this goal-laden World Cup as Portugal crumbled in the early afternoon heat in Salvador. 

France 3-0 Honduras - La France est de retour!

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DENIS CHARLET / AFP

DENIS CHARLET / AFP

Straightforward stuff in the end. France take the win to go with their cuts and bruises. 

Important victory of France, who did not achieve a victory in the first game of a World Cup since France 98, when South Africa won 3-0 and, incidentally, ended up taking the tournament. Now we break down some of the key concepts and to consider over France in this World Cup.

England 1-2 Italy

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Great result for Italy. England face an uphill battle though and their match against Uruguay will define their World Cup. Lose and they're gone. They need a hero  - a Sterling or a Welbeck, someone to stand up and make a name for themselves in the way Michael Owen did in 1998. Interesting times for sure. 

They played well, but lost. Went for it, but lost. Had the best chance, but lost. We’ll live with that. Frankly, we’ll have to. - Dailymail

Netherlands thrash Spain (1-5)

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AFP

AFP

Two goals from Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben inspired Holland to a thumping 5-1 win over Group B rivals Spain. The Dutch produced a devastating display of counter-attacking football in a wonderful second-half display to leave Spain utterly shell-shocked - who had initially opened the scoring. Spain took the lead when Diego Costa was fouled in the box by Stefan De Vrij after 26 minutes, giving Xabi Alonso the chance to score and the Real Madrid midfielder duly obliged by converting the resulting penalty past a sprawling Jasper Cillessen. Just before half-time, the Ajax goalkeeper was to thank after making a superb save to deny David Silva’s neat chip - preventing Spain from doubling their lead..

"I'm speechless. Beforehand we were talking about Louis van Gaal and Johan Cruyff bringing total football to Barcelona and the Spanish squad but tonight the Dutch got their style back. They wanted it a bit more. I'm shocked.
"That was the final we wanted to see four years ago. The man of the match was Daley Blind. He actually did what his boss was asking him to a tee." - Thierry Henry (Former France and Arsenal striker)...

Robben completed Spain's misery with 10 minutes left, collecting Sneijder's pass and then reducing Casillas and his defenders to a floundering mess as he made room for an emphatic finish. Holland might have scored two more had they been more clinical, and Spain's Fernando Torres made a woeful blunder from close range, but their statement was already well made.