July 2: World Cup Diary... Magic Moment

Magic Moment

The joy when Costa Rica clinched glory in their penalty shootout against Greece. Can’t begrudge the nation their moment in the spotlight.

What the favela?!

Mauricio Pinilla has a new tattoo of his miss against Brazil on his arm with the words ‘One centimetre from glory’. Both must have been painful.

Beach bum

Robin van Persie complained the heat and humidity was the reason for his poor performance against Mexico. Same for everyone, Robin! 

They said what?

“We had two or three players more interested in being remembered as the man to score a historic goal for Greece.” — Greece manager Fernando Santos blames glory-hunting players for exit to Costa Rica.

Stat attack

25 - Before yesterday’s matches this was the number of goals scored by players from  off the bench. 

50,000 - extra Costa Rica kits have been sold since they have won their opening game against Uruguay. They’ve fast become the champion underdogs.

100 - caps for Nigeria’s Joseph Yobo — the first African to reach that landmark — before retiring from international football.

Quarter-finals line-up

Friday

France v Germany 1pm; Brazil v Colombia 5pm.

Saturday

Argentina v Belgium 1pm; Holland v Costa Rica 5pm.