Here is a round up of Day Two of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
MEXICO 1 CAMEROON 0
Mexico dominated from start to finish as they earned a 1-0 victory off Oribe Peralta’s second half goal. The score could have been even more flattering for El Tri as Giovani Dos Santos saw two goals negated due to a pair of suspect offside calls in the first half. Cameroon’s best chance came in stoppage time as Benjamin Moukandjo launched a quick header that forced a diving save from Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa.
NETHERLANDS 5 SPAIN 1
Spain started their World Cup defense in the worst way possible with a 5-1 defeat to The Netherlands in a rematch of the 2010 FIFA World Cup final. A penalty kick goal from Xabi Alonso put Spain ahead early, but five unanswered goals from the Netherlands powered by braces by Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie as well as a finish by Stefan de Vrij. The loss by the Spanish was the worst defeat by a defending champion in an ensuing World Cup.
CHILE 3 AUSTRALIA 1
Australia made life difficult for World Cup dark horse Chile, but they were unable to complete a comeback as Chile defeated the Socceroos 3-1. Chile pulled ahead after just 12 minutes when Alexi Sanchez tallied from close range. La Roja doubled their lead just two minutes later when Sanchez found Jorge Valdivia alone near the top of the box, allowing him to launch a shot into the Australian net. The Socceroos cut the lead in half off a strong header by Tim Cahill in the 35th minute, but despite pressuring for an equalizer throughout the match, Chile pulled away with a goal in stoppage time from Jean Beausejour.
The World Cup returns with four matches on Saturday. The action begins at 9:00 a.m. PT with Colombia vs. Greece before continuing with Uruguay vs. Costa Rica at 12:00 p.m. PT. The final two matches of the evening will see England take on Italy at 3:00 p.m. before Japan and Ivory Coast face off in the nightcap at 6:00 p.m. PT.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
