Photo of the Day
Hair artist and master barber Rob Ferrel (L), known as “Rob the Original”, cuts the likeness of Argentine soccer player Lionel Messi on the head of customer Vincent Hernandez, ahead of tomorrow’s World Cup match between Argentina and Switzerland at his barbershop in San Antonio, Texas, June 30, 2014. (Reuters)
First van Persie, Now Robben
In just under two weeks, we’ll have a 2014 World Cup winner. But halfway through the competition, we already have a winner for the best tournament memes: the Netherlands..
First, it was Robin van Persie’s spectacular header that generated images of the “Flying Dutchman” sailing past Rio’s Corcovado statue, flying with a cape on his back, and gliding alongside an airplane, among others.
But after Arjen Robben’s dive in yesterday’s match against Mexico – in which he faked being fouled – there’s a whole new set of memes featuring a different flying Dutchman:
But, as it turns out, this isn’t Robben’s first dive. So naturally, there aren’t just memes for this match:
So what are all of these memes based on? See for yourself:
Germany (2-1) Algeria
UPDATE: Despite their previous efforts to keep from being eliminated, the Algerians couldn’t this time, falling to Germany 2-1 and falling out of the tournament. Germany, meanwhile, will go on to play France on Friday.
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After Nigeria lost to France earlier in the day, all of Africa’s hopes hang on Algeria’s shoulders. In their way: Germany, a powerhouse team that will be difficult to beat. Can Algeria keep Africa in the hunt for the Cup? Or will the continent be eliminated? Find out at 4 PM ET (8 PM UTC).
For play-by-play, minute-by-minute coverage of every ball touch, throw-in, direct kick, indirect kick, yellow card, red card, corner kick, goal kick and every other possible football feat in every World Cup match, tap into VOA’s multilingual, multinational analysis.
Click here to follow the action live, or follow along on Facebook, or on Twitter with #WorldCupVOA.
And for even more exclusive VOA coverage with a special focus on Africa’s national teams, check out VOA’s Francophone blog.
USA-Belgium
(this post has been updated)
US striker Jozy Altidore, who badly injured his left hamstring during the team’s opening match against Ghana, has been cleared to play in tomorrow’s knockout-round game against Belgium.
The U.S. Soccer Federation made the announcement on its official Twitter feed:
#AreYouReady for #USAvBEL? @JozyAltidore is Ready and available for @J_Klinsmann and the #USMNT tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/kKQvsyO1Xx
— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) June 30, 2014
This is VERY good news for the U.S. squad, which has had to rely on stalwart Clint Dempsey to anchor the attacking line. (He’s scored two of the US’ four goals made in the three opening round matches). And that hole has shown clearly as coach Jurgen Klinsmann has turned to the likes of midfielders like Jermaine Jones, Graham Zusi and Alejandro Bedoya to both move the ball from the back and make attacking runs at the net.
Jones, who spent part of his childhood playing in Germany, distinguished himself with a brilliant, side-net goal against Portugal. Substitute John Brooks’ head goal against Ghana was also key, but Altidore’s absence clearly left the US without upfront firepower, speed and strength. Germany felt little to no threat from the US attack on Sunday.
Assuming Klinsmann starts Altidore Tuesday, look for a 1-5-4 formation, with Altidore pushing forward and Dempsey playing in the role of attacking midfielder, with Bradley, Jones, Beckerman and Zusi (or Bedoya) filling out the rest of the midfield.
Klinsmann will also be hoping that his inexperienced defense has finally started to coalesce as a singular unit that can avoid getting caught napping like they did in the second Portugal goal and the Germany goal.
France vs. Nigeria
UPDATE: The good news for Nigeria is that they were able to score in this match. The bad news is that it was an own goal. Although Nigeria leaves the Cup after a 2-0 loss to France, Africa’s French-heavy team continues on.
Previous post:
Nigeria hopes to keep Africa’s World Cup dreams alive when they face France today at 12 PM ET (4 PM UTC). But even if Nigeria loses, Africa still wins – more than three-quarters of France’s teeam come from Africa.
For play-by-play, minute-by-minute coverage of every ball touch, throw-in, direct kick, indirect kick, yellow card, red card, corner kick, goal kick and every other possible football feat in every World Cup match, tap into VOA’s multilingual, multinational analysis.
Click here to follow the action live, or follow along on Facebook, or on Twitter with #WorldCupVOA.
And for even more exclusive VOA coverage with a special focus on Africa’s national teams, check out VOA’s Francophone blog.