WORLD CUP TODAY: MONDAY, JUNE 16
You may not be aware of this fact, so please read these words carefully to avoid the repercussions of shock: the United States begins its 2014 World Cup this evening with a match against Ghana.
Before we get to the Group of Death, how about a hand for Sunday’s competitors? Switzerland used a stoppage-time goal to complete its comeback over Ecuador, France took advantage of some typical Honduras physicality to win 3-0 over its 10-man CONCACAF foes, and Lionel Messi was Lionel Messi to lead Argentina past Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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MATCH 13: GERMANY VS. PORTUGAL
Location: Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador
Time: Noon ET
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Cheater’s guide: Much of the match -- and Portugal’s tournament -- rides on the health of Cristiano Ronaldo, arguably the best player in the world. Even if Germany tasked with facing a healthy CR7, the Portuguese will have deal with perhaps the deepest team in the entire tournament. Germany has a history of winning, while Portugal has been inconsistent at best but did manage a 4th place finish in 2006.
What they’re saying:
Portugal coach Paulo Bento on Cristiano Ronaldo: “Having the best player in the world in our squad does not make it mandatory for us to win the World Cup. I have said this before to the people of Portugal. There have been times when we have had the world’s best player and not even qualified for the World Cup.”
History:
Portugal has only beaten Germany once in their last 10 match-ups, the win coming in the 2000 European Championships. Overall, Germany boasts the advantage at 9W-5D-3L.
Premier League players:
Germany: Per Mertesacker (Arsenal), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Andre Schurrle (Chelsea), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal),
Portugal: Nani (Manchester United)
RELATED: World Cup news, analysis from Soccerly
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Iranian national team poses for a picture during the AFC Asian Cup 2015 qualification soccer match between the Lebanese and Iran national teams, in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013. Foreground from left, Amirhossein Sadeghi, Hossein Mahini, Reza Ghoochannejhad Nournia, Ashkan Dejagah, Alireza Jahan Bakhsh, Masoud Shojaei; background from left, Mehrdad Beitashour, Reza Haghighi, Jalal Hosseini, Mohammed Davari and Javad Nekonam. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein) AP
Location: Arena da Baixada, Curitiba
Time: 3pm ET
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Cheater’s guide: Some are looking at this match as a breather in between the two intense Group G matches, but Nigeria will look to pick up three points to put some heat on Bosnia and Herzegovina in the perceived battle for second place in Group F. A win for Iran would be a major moment for the nation, whose only World Cup win is their 1998 win over the United States.
What they’re saying:
Nigeria head coach Stephen Keshi: “For the Iran game we have to be focused. We have to concentrate and do our job. We’re not going to take Iran lightly because they’re not going to take us lightly. So we have to go out with everything that we have. This squad is probably a year-plus old, it’s a new team. Most of the players are young.
“In two years’ time we can be much better. I pray that Vincent Enyeama, [Joseph] Yobo and [John] Obi Mikel will bring all their experience. Youth is good, but if we can combine youth and experience that will be great for us.”
History:
Nigeria beat Iran 1-0 in a January 1998 friendly.
Premier League players:
Iran: None
Nigeria: John Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Victor Moses (Chelsea), Peter Odemwingie (Stoke City)
Major League Soccer players:
Iran: Steven Beitashour (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Nigeria: None
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The “Black stars” Ghana national football team players warm up during a training session, on February 5, 2013 in Nelspruit, on the eve of their 2013 African Cup of Nations semi-final match against Burkina Faso. AFP PHOTO / ISSOUF SANOGO (Photo credit should read ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images
Location: Arena das Dunas, Natal
Time: 6pm ET
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Cheater’s guide: If the US has “dos a cero” against Mexico, Ghana has “2-1" against the United States. The Americans look to kick off their World Cup by exorcising previous tournament demons in a “must-win” if progressing to the knockout rounds is going to happen. Ghana is confident of making it three tournaments in-a-row against the USMNT.
What they’re saying:
United States attacker Clint Dempsey: “Ghana is a good team. They’ve done well in the past two World Cups, but at the same time, anytime you come to a World Cup, it’s always a fresh slate. You need to prove to the rest of the world that you’re a quality side and that you’re developing the game in your home country and moving in the right direction.
“I think our preparation has been very good. We’re excited about the opportunity to play against Ghana, which is a top team. But at the same time, if we play with the best of our ability, we have the quality to go far in this tournament, and that’s what we’re focused on.”
History:
Ghana has defeated the United States in two matches, both at the World Cup and both by 2-1 score lines.
Premier League players:
Ghana: None
United States: Jozy Altidore (Sunderland), Tim Howard (Everton), Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City)
Major League Soccer players:
Ghana: None
United States: Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders), Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy), Matt Besler (Sporting KC), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Graham Zusi (Sporting KC), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)