USA (2-1) Belgium

United States of Altidore? (UPDATE: No Altidore & No Win)

By Andrew Palczewski |1 July, 20142 July, 2014

Live Match
	Belgium BEL	2 – 1	USA USA

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UPDATE: After being cleared to play, and after all of the hype, Jozy Altidore never took the field in the United States’ match with Belgium. Whether his absence had an impact is unknown. But what is known is that after a scoreless 90 minutes, Belgium was able to score twice. The US tried to mount a comeback, but was only able to get one goal. With their win, Belgium moves on to face Argentina in the quarterfinals.

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The big news for this match is that key US player Jozy Altidore has been cleared to play after straining his hamstring in the United States’ first match against Ghana. The timing couldn’t be better – the US faces a Belgian team that has yet to lose at the 2014 World Cup, so they’ll need to pull out all the stops to advance. But just before the match comes word that Altidore won’t be starting. Will he makes an appearance in the match? Will his presence alone make the difference? The match starts at 4 PM ET (8 PM UTC).

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France vs. Nigeria

Either Way, Africa Wins (UPDATE: France Advances)

By Andrew Palczewski |30 June, 201430 June, 2014


	France FRA	2 – 0	Nigeria NGA

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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.

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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.

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Costa Rica 1(5) - 1(3) Greece

The Unexpected Matchup (UPDATE: Costa Rica Wins Thriller)

By Andrew Palczewski |29 June, 201430 June, 2014

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Greece is hoping to take down Costa Rica.

UPDATE: Costa Rica’s improbable World Cup run continues with an improbable victory over Greece. Tied 1-1 after extra time, Costa Rica nailed all five of their penalty shots to give them the win over Greece, who only made three penalty shots. Costa Rica goes on to play Netherlands in the quarterfinals on Saturday, July 5.

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Few if any expected this Round of 16 match: Costa Rica was the surprise winner of Group B over favorites England and Italy, who were both eliminated. Greece was another surprise, emerging from group play ahead of powerful teams from Japan and Cote d’Ivoire. Both of these teams come into this match as tournament underdogs, but only one will emerge as a winner. See them face off at 4 PM ET (8 PM UTC).

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Netherlands (2-1) Mexico

Who Will Get Their First Loss? (UPDATE: Netherlands Stays Perfect)

By Andrew Palczewski |29 June, 201430 June, 2014

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UPDATE: Thanks to two late goals, Netherlands first snatched the lead, and then the win, from Mexico, extending their win streak at the 2014 World Cup to four. With their 2-1 victory, Netherlands continues to the quarterfinals, while Mexico is sent home.

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Netherlands and Mexico come into this match without a loss: while Netherlands has had a perfect World Cup so far, a strong Mexico team has two wins and one draw. By the end of 90 minutes, one team will have its streak grow by one – and one team will head home. Find out who at 12 PM ET (4 PM UTC).

comes into this match with a perfect World Cup record so far, and hopes to add another win on their march towards the final. But standing in their way is Mexico, a team that hasn

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Colombia (2-0) Uruguay

Does Suarez’s Ban Diminish Uruguay’s Bite? (UPDATE: Uruguay Loses)

By Andrew Palczewski |28 June, 201430 June, 2014


	Colombia COL	2 – 0	Uruguay URU

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Fans take pictures with a Luis Suarez poster in Rio.

UPDATE: Whether or not the Suarez controversy had any impact on Uruguay’s play is debatable. But what isn’t debatable is the final score: Colombia beats Uruguay, 2-0, and advances to face home town team Brazil in the quarterfinal.

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In the past week, Uruguay’s made headlines around the world, and not because they beat Italy and advanced to the knockout stage. After Luis Suarez bit Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini in their win Tuesday, the entire world’s attention has been trained on Suarez and his home country. It’s certain that Suarez won’t be playing in this match – he’s been banned by FIFA for nine matches and four months – but what’s less clear is if the negative attention will have an impact on his team. Find out at 4 PM ET (8 PM UTC).

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