World Cup Preview: Knockout Rounds
Depending on how you see the group stages unfolding the knockout stages could be altered. We're sticking with our guts and seeding our preview based on our bold claims. Of course our claims aren't very bold, we're big fans of top-tied European and South American schooled players. If we ignore a few confused coaches, Domenech & Maradona, so be it. Regardless of how the groups sort themselves out, 2 top contenders with little World Cup success, Spain and England, will have brutal roads to the championship game.
Second Round
France v South Korea
Pure talent vs pure discipline. No matter who wins here, they'll be falling in the next round. Still, we've stuck with France this long based on pure potential. Despite their bumbling coach they open up South Korea's defense and find a way to win without using their hands.
Winner: France
England v Serbia
If England had a choice they'd probably want to meet the Germans here instead of the brick wall defense of Serbia. With club teammate Nemanja Vidic giving away his tendencies, Wayne Rooney is forced to change his steamrolling mentality. His expert passing and cool head prevail.
Winner: England
Netherlands v Paraguay
As long as the Dutch can top their group they should get a winnable 2nd round match. Paraguay has enough talent to survive the group, but they will struggle to respond offensively if the Netherlands gets ahead.
Winner: Netherlands
Brazil v Chile
More than likely the 5-time champs will open against South American rival Chile. They met twice in qualifying and Brazil won by a combined score of 7-2. Nothing will change here.
Winner: Brazil
Argentina v Uruguay
Another South American rematch places the final 2 teams in from CONMEBOL qualifying against each other. Argentina bested Uruguay in home-away qualifying matches. Lionel Messi proves to mobile for Uruguay's heavy hitters to line up.
Winner: Argentina
Germany v United States
Landon Donovan has something to prove to Germany. Perhaps it's wishful thinking, but the Germans' already injured squad will be exhausted by their exceptionally difficult group stage. The U.S. can stop technical play (see Spain) but struggle against creative attacking flair (see Brazil, Netherlands). The U.S. Sneaks past and Tim Howard becomes a senator in 2012.
Winner: United States (I'll go see a doctor and get that checked out)
Italy v Cameroon
The more we think about it, the more we regret picking Cameroon to advance to the knockouts. Will Samuel Eto'o's antics wear on his locker room? While supremely talented and experienced, but picking the Indomitable Lions against a Marcelo Lippi team would be foolish.
Winner: Italy
Spain v Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe meet up with a few of their club teammates. Ronaldo will be the best player on the pitch, but he won't be enough. Spain's too smart to risk giving away any close free kicks. Especially when their back four, and precise passing can relegate Portugal to a 1-man team.
Winner: Spain
Quarterfinals
England v France
Rooney goes back to steamrolling and runs through the French D like he runs through Arsenal's (half of them play for Arsenal anyway). Hugo Lloris does his best, but he can stop what he can't reach.
Winner: England
Brazil v Netherlands
It's tempting to pick the Dutch here, but Brazil's new strategy of playing defense will stymie their opponents. Dunga has changed the mindset of the Canariho, and the Netherlands will not be able to stop the Brazil forwards on a counter-attack.
Winner: Brazil
Argentina v United States
Remember when we said that the U.S. struggles against attacking flair? Maradona starts 4 forwards and defeats America 6-2 as he continues to blur the lines of sanity.
Winner: Argentina
Spain v Italy
This matchup of traditional European powers would be epic. The Italians are always World Cup contenders, the Spanish are historically disappointing. The winds finally change as the aging Italian side is worn down by the constantly shifting, possessive form of Spain.
Winner: Spain
Semifinals
England v Brazil
With key defender and captain Rio Ferdinand on the roster, England could survive this match. But without him the Three Lions' weakness in goal will be exposed by the Brazilian attack. England will find themselves unable to fend off the Brazilian counter-attacks.
Winner: Brazil
Argentina v Spain
Maradona's magic will be attributed to a “luck of the draw” after this match. When his squad needs a manager to make quick tactical shifts against a stronger side, Maradona will be unable to out think Vincete del Bosque. Lionel Messi's Barcelona teammates will prove a complete team always trumps a dominant offense.
Winner: Spain
Third Place Game
Argentina v England
Ah the battle for the Falklands. This looks like a perfect set up for Argentina, a potent offense against a questionable goaltender with a top defender out. However, England is stronger at midfield, and even without Rio Ferdinand they still are superior to Argentina's backline. Possibly a high-scoring affair with the Three Lions getting their first top 3 spot in 44 years.
Winner: England
Final
Brazil v Spain
This is the dream matchup. Two sides guided by technical coaches, with players waiting to show their flair for attack. More Barcelona teammates battling each other, as Daniel Alves challenges the majority of his club's starting lineup. But the Real Madrid factor may be the key here. It all comes back to the Galacticos, just like in our UEFA Champion's Final Preview. Real Madrid have not experienced the run of success they had under Vincente del Bosque since he was fired by Fiorentino Perez. After Madrid exiles met for the Champion's League title, this wold continue the run of bad karma experienced by the “richest club in the world”. Brazil's counter-attack will never get a chance to break, as the Spanish maintain control of the ball. It will be a midfield battle in which Spain will find the way to advance.
Winner: Spain
Good breakdown of every group. I must say that you're F'n crazy to pick the Americans to beat Germany. The U.S. has often played "disciplined" which can also lead to one of two things 1. Boring a good team into falling asleep on a well timed run 2. Probably in England and Germany's case, it can lead to trying the same crap over and over and allowing the other team to control the game. The U.S. will need to get creative to beat Either of those teams. Germany is injury ridden and so is England but I would argue that they are better at every position with the exception of Goal Keeping. Much like the winter olympics and Ryan Miller, Howard maybe the key to both games.
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I think it's crazy too, I just felt like everything else was too chalk. Except France, South Korea, and not having Serbia over Germany.
Also I do feel that Germany will win their group but play poorly after due to the wear of going against Serbia, Ghana and Australia. I think when it's all said and done that will be the real "Group of Death" and Germany will pay the price for it. Also America will have two easier games after England, so they should be in better shape.
Additionally Donovan has a chip on his shoulder because he want to prove to Germans that his style of play is better (and he wasn't a failure), Germany is hobbled and has no real "play maker" and no goalie, and if Dempsey can do that thing he does when he's in the zone I think the U.S. could pull it off.
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I have always loved soccer, and Brazil vs Spain would surely be an awesome match to watch. I really couldn't begin to take a guess as to who would come out on top.
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