As England limped out of the World Cup in Belo Horizonte, they did so alongside good company, as Italy also joined them on the Eurobus home.
The England game was dour beyond belief. Costa Rica with nothing to gain, looked happy to knock the ball around and England looked like a team of strangers. Players like Smalling, Wilshere and Jones looked completely out of their depth. They have a long way to go to get anywhere the level of Costa Rica, let alone anyone else. The team fielded by Cost Rica, featured very few big name players, playing in big leagues – but they are definitely a team.
To save, England’s blushes, Italy conspired to take early leave from Brazil also – down to ten men, they succumbed to a header from Godin to lose the game 1-0. The game was soured by Mike Tyson’s best mate, Suarez, who took to biting again. Perhaps he is a vampire, perhaps he fancied Chiellini? Who knows, but chances are he is on his way home as well. Just rewards really, given what he did to Ghana four years ago.
In the evening games, apart Columbia, it was all to play for, and for parts of the evening they all had their chance. Columbia eventually won very easily against Japan – who were poor all tournament.
In the second game, Greece, who had to win the game, were drawing until the 92nd minute, until Samaris was clipped in the box. He duly swiped the ball home from the penalty spot to say a final goodbye to Drogba.
In our competition, Pete has regained the lead thanks to a majestic 2-1 prediction in the Greece game (alongside Ossie and Sam D). I have moved into third thanks to some top punts, but the overall round five leader is currently Gareth Luckwell. The big shifts in the table continue, and there is everything to play for.
