WC Review: Uruguay/Mexico & Argentina/South Korea

First things first. France. Are expectedly out of the World Cup, but what a way to go. Without a whimper, but with the loudest crashes in probably all World Cup history. Bottom of an imminently winnable group, yes, but the whole disgraceful exit made it infinitely worse. I'm just glad we've seen the last of time. Bonne chance to all French supporters out there.

The sending off of Gourcuff was admittedly harsh, and served yet again to highlight the woeful overall standards of refereeing. How on earth it was a straight red when you see similar challenges day-in-day-out go unpunished is beyond. That said, France were already starting to look their mediocrest best by then, and having gone 1-0 down, looked absolutely beat.

So good riddance.

As far as the Mexico-Uruguay match, it did not end in the draw that everyone thought would happen, but the result was still the same. Both through. And rightly so, on the overall performances from the hosts and France.

Mexico will now face Argentina, who ran out expected 2-0 winners over Greece, and Uruguay take on South Korea, who despite a few scares, managed to draw 2-2 with Nigeria. I think I was fortunate to have sat through the game. Nigeria again looked again in the early stages, just as they did against Greece. Then, implosion again and they go 2-1 down. Even then, Yakubu had the miss of the World Cup in missing a tap in from all of 5 yards max. Hilarious.

All in all, I'd say the right 4 four teams have gotten through, but apart from Argentina, not the most convincing 4. Argentina should emerge from all 4 with relative ease.

You know, when it comes to France, you really have to wonder what people in, around and associated with the camp must be thinking. I mean, let's take the Arsenal team. You have Gael there, Diaby, Sagna, and elsewhere, you have Bent Nick, RVP, Eboue, Song all looking in and wondering what the hell is going on...I can just imagine the texting and SMS-ing go on...

RVP-Gael Clichy, 22 Jun 10, 11:01 am

yo, G, congrats on startg. but WTF is goin on with u guys man? its a f-ing joke. get real.

Gael Clichy-RVP, 22 Jun 10, 11.02am

f me. dunno. its pat, gallas, evn th. merde. gotta go. they chkg our phones now. all this leakg u know? gd luck, since i wont see u till london. :)

RVP-Gael Clichy, 22 Jun 10, 11:03am

thx. gd luck 2. best to abou.

RVP-Gael Clichy, 22 Jun 10, 7:12pm

oh shit. u guys suck! see u in trg.

Gael Clichy-RVP, 22 Jun 10, 7.13pm

yes, i know. but did u c? @ least i wore a shirt that fit! not like all of dem.

RVP-Gael Clichy, 22 Jun 10, 7.15pm

ya, i saw. u d coolest. no doubt. stay cool. c ya later.

Gael Clichy-RVP, 22 Jun 10, 7.16pm

thx. c u soon. hope boss signs some1 soon.

RVP-Gael Clichy, 22 Jun 10, 7.16pm

damn if we know, right? ;) c ya.

Anyway...

Tomorrow's D-Day then, eh? England. I can't wait. If they get through, you can bet your bottom dollar the media and the players are going to go ballistic again about their chances of winning it. If they don't, it's going to be all self-loathing. Just hilarious. Whatever it is, it's going to be fun. In the meantime, USA! USA! USA! USA!