Switzerland

Argentina (1-0) Switzerland

Messi vs. Alpine Messi (UPDATE: The Real Messi Wins)

By Andrew Palczewski   |


here

The Alpine Messi.

UPDATE: The Alpine Messi kept even with his namesake and his team for most of their match, but a late goal – scored just a few minutes before the end of extra time – gave Argentina (and the real Messi) the edge, 1-0. Argentina will face the winner of the USA/Belgium match in the quarterfinals.

Previous post:

There’s no doubt that the marquee player in today’s Argentina/Switzerland matchup is Lionel Messi – not only is he one of the most well-known players in the game, he’s arguably one of all-time best. But Messi and Argentina will have some strong competition today…from Alpine Messi.

He may not be as well known, but Xherdan Shaqiri has earned his nickname with strong play, and the same stature (at 5′ 7″) as Messi. Can he help his team advance when they face off at 12 PM ET (4 PM UTC)? Or will his namesake get the best of him?

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.

France (0-0) Ecuador

Why Ecuador is Rooting for Honduras (UPDATE: France In, Ecuador Out)

By Andrew Palczewski   |


here

Ecuador needs some stellar play - and help from Honduras - to advance.

UPDATE: France and Ecuador played to a 0-0 draw, meaning France advances to the Round of 16. Ecuador, who needed to win or Honduras to beat Switzerland, got neither, and are heading home.

Previous post:

With two wins, France is all but through to the Round of 16 – there’s only a .2% chance that they won’t advance. Ecuador’s future is far less certain: if they beat France, they’re in. If they lose to France, they can still move forward – as long as Honduras beats Switzerland. There’s even one scenario where – if Honduras and France win – Honduras, Ecuador, and Switzerland could all tie for second place in Group E. With teams this close, this is sure to be an exciting end to Group E play. The action kicks off 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.

Switzerland (3-0) Honduras

Why the Swiss are Rooting for France (UPDATE: Swiss Win & Advance)

By Andrew Palczewski   |


here

France beat Switzerland 5-2. Now, the Swiss are counting on the French to win.

UPDATE: Switzerland secured it’s spot in the knockout stage with a 3-0 win over Honduras, who are out of the tournament.

Just as France is all but in to the Round of 16, Honduras is all but out – there’s a chance they could advance, but the scenario is very complicated, and the likelihood is slim. However, the prospect of advancing is much more realistic for Switzerland: if they beat or tie Honduras, and France beats Ecuador, they’re in. See if the Swiss can make it 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.

France (5-2) Switzerland

France vs. Switzerland: Swiss Say French are Favorites (UPDATE: And They Are)

By Andrew Palczewski   |


here

Switzerland during their first round win over Ecuador.

UPDATE: The Swiss were right: the French were clearly the favorites, walking away with a 5-2 victory and the top spot in Group E.

Previous post:

Who are the favorites to win the Group E match between France and Switzerland. Depends on who you ask.

As AFP reports:

Sixth-placed Switzerland are 11 places higher than France according to FIFA’s rankings, but insist those standings mean nothing.

“Favorites? You like that word in France, eh?” Switzerland central defender Steve von Bergen said. “It is France who are the favorites.”

Switzerland assistant coach Michel Pont, who celebrated his 60th birthday yesterday, said 1998 World Cup-winners France have the upper hand.

See who comes out on top at 3 PM ET (7 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.

Group E Is In The House!

Swiss Battle Ecuador

By Mike Eckel   |
here

 

Ecuador, which sits in the perennial shadow of the South American giants Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, had its qualifying run made easier by the automatic inclusion of Brazil in the tournament (by virtue of it being the host nation). But it still had to squeak by Uruguay to make it in.

Meanwhile, Switzerland’s  23-man squad had a strong push into the tournament, though as the BBC reports, its qualifying bracket (consisting of Iceland, Slovenia, Norway, Albania and Cyprus) wasn’t exactly top tier competition. The Beeb also notes that the diversity of the Swiss squad is an interesting counterpoint to the immigration debate roiling the country in recent months. Swiss boss Ottmar Hitzfield is quoted as saying: “Without immigrants, we would not have a team.”

The two Group E contenders face off at 12 p.m. USEDT (4 p.m. GMT) today in Brasilia.

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 watch it on Twitter at #WorldCupVOA.

And for even more exclusive VOA coverage with a special focus on Africa’s national teams, check out VOA’s Francophone blog.