deadspinguest
Live Blog: Switzerland Vs. Korea Republic
The tightest of all the groups, Group G has three teams all with legitimate chances at making it into the next round. But these are the only two who control their proverbial destiny. The winner here automatically wins the Group and advances to play Ukraine next Monday. A draw means all kinds of ch...
Live Blog: France Vs. Togo
Ah, France. The French might have won the whole business two World Cups ago, but right now, they're looking like they could be in serious trouble. They need a win here, obviously, and then they have to either win convincingly or hope the Switzerland-Korea game doesn't end up in a draw. That's what...
Live Blog: Spain Vs. Saudi Arabia
It is not entirely outside of the realm of possibility that Saudi Arabia could somehow sneak into the next round; they would need a (huge) upset win here and then ... well, they'd need a lot to happen. Meanwhile, Spain is already cruising into the Round of 16 and is (mostly) assured of the top seed ...
Live Blog: Ukraine Vs. Tunisia
This one's a potentially pivotal game; Ukraine is into the second round with a win, but Tunisia could end up in the same boat. A win could push them in as well, assuming Saudi Arabia doesn't shock Spain. But Ukraine has to be happy to be here; remember, they were hammered 4-0 in the first round....
Live Blog: Brazil Vs. Japan
It's impossible not to have a good time watching Brazil, and not just because of the ladies, yeahhh. So far, the Brazilians haven't played that beautiful game we've all expected of them, but it's early, and Ronaldo hasn't lost all his weight yet. Give him time....
Live Blog: Australia Vs. Croatia
This game is deceptively underbilled; it's pretty huge, actually. If Australia earns a tie or a win, the Socceroos will advance to the next round; a win for Croatia does the same for them, barring something crazy from Japan against Brazil. It's rare that this round of games end up with two teams pla...
Live Blog: United States Vs. Ghana
Well, here we go: It's the game that will let us know whether we're gonna have a rollicking drunk Tuesday 11 a.m. party next week, or whether ... well, whether the United States will be playing during said drunkenness. As you know, the United States needs an Italian win and a win here, both of whi...
Live Blog: Italy Vs. Czech Republic
It's always important to have villains in international sports — because what's global goodwill except for an excuse for everybody to hold hands and smell of patchouli? — and last Saturday, Italy played the role right good. Now, of course, We Are All Italians. The United States needs to win its game...
Live Blog: Argentina Vs. Netherlands
This is, from almost all accounts, the most entertaining game of the day; two teams who both will be in the next round but are playing for the No. 1 spot or the No. 2. A win or a draw gives Argentina the nod, and a Netherlands win does it for the Dutch/ Netherlanders/ Hollandaise....
Live Blog: Serbia & Montenegro Vs. Cote d'Ivoire
OK, so fine: This is another one of those games that doesn't mean anything. The Poland-Costa Rica game yesterday was supposedly "meaningless" too, and that didn't stop it from being perhaps the most entertaining game of the day....
Live Blog: Portugal Vs. Mexico
It's bright and early today, perfect for a particularly rocking soccer game. (Match. Pitch. Whatever.) This one, similar to the Germany-Ecuador game yesterday, could be for the top seed in the next round, though Mexico hasn't nailed down their spot just yet....
Live Blog: Iran Vs. Angola
You might be sitting there at your computer, saying silly things like, "Why would I need a live blog of a game between Angola and Iran? Isn't there an excellent Mexico vs. Portugal game right next door?...
Live Blog: England Vs. Sweden
More fun with America Sr.: The English - with a lead from Mr. Waxed Head Wayne Rooney - are already into the second round, but they need to a draw or a win to secure the top seed coming out of Group B. A win by Sweden here gives them the top seed, and a draw guarantees them a spot in the second roun...
Live Blog: Paraguay Vs. Trinidad & Tobago
Paraguay has been a big disappointment, losing two games 1-0 and already having been eliminated. Meanwhile, the plucky Trinidadians — Toboggans? — look unlikely to make the next round; they need a convincing victory and a blowout loss by Sweden against England. But that's more than perhaps they ex...
Live Blog: Germany Vs. Ecuador
Ecuador has been one of the more pleasant stories of the tournament, upsetting Poland and cruising past Costa Rica in their first two games. This is, obviously, the real test, with the Ecuadorians facing host Germany. The winner takes the top seed out of Group A, and if there's a draw, it's good n...
Live Blog: Spain Vs. Tunisia
You probably can't tell from that picture, but the guy in it is a Spain fan who is inexplicably wearing a Spider-man costume. (Oh, by the way: Can any comic book fan out there explain why the hyphen is in there? It's really annoying.) We can't, for the likes of us, figure out what Spain's soccer t...
Live Blog: Ukraine Vs. Saudi Arabia
People tend to like us to find "sexy" pictures of soccer "babe" fans, wearing little "clothing" and painting their "faces." But, try as we might, we were unable to find any sexy photos of Saudi Arabia fans. (We also had trouble with Iran and, unusually, Brazil. Odd.) We apologize....
Live Blog: Switzerland Vs. Togo
So you know, folks: Togo is not out of this yet. You think you can count on Togo, but you can't: You just can't....
Live Blog: Mexico vs. Angola
Since our attentions are usually more focused on the World Cup than, say, any other aspect of soccer, we always forget that Mexico is the United States' main rival; they kind of hate each other. How happy Mexico must be now, then, since they're just one win away from the Final 16, while the United S...
Live Blog: Netherlands vs. Cote d'Ivoire
You have no idea how much fun our dad used to have with us as a kid, trying to convince us that "the Dutch," Holland and the Netherlands were different places. He would set us up in front of people and make us talk about the differences in the people. That was kind of mean, now that we think about i...