World Cup recap day 1 & 2 (Brazil V Croatia, Mexico V Cameroon, Spain V Netherlands, Chile V Australia)

Game 1: Brazil 3 - Croatia 1

Recap: for a country that is favored to win the World Cup, this was not a very impressive performance from Brazil, despite what it looks like in the final score. Neymar is certainly skilled, especially with the ball in space, and Oscar also looked good on the wing, but the rest of the team did not show much. Neymar's first goal was a miss hit that probably should have been stopped by the keeper, the second came of a penalty kick that was undeserved and again should have been saved, and the third goal came off a break in the final few minutes after Croatia was pushing their entire team forward. Outside of some good luck and bad calls, Brazil really did not create the chances you expect from this type of talent.

Maybe I'm a curmudgeon, but I don't care for celebrating like Brazil does off pretty unimpressive goals.

Mostly Brazil looked uninterested in defending. Croatia featured inferior athletes (read SLOW) at every position, and they still found lots of space up the sidelines. The Cro-Ats were able to whip crosses into the box, and honestly should have had more goals than they did.

Play of the game: Unfortunately, has to be Fred's dive in the box. This is how Brazil won the game, and in no way should have been called. Fred (which by the way is like the most vanilla Brazilian single name ever) was going to take that dive before the ball even got there, and everyone knew it. The worst thing about this for me is that this guy, Fred, had zero impact on the game otherwise, no shots, no passes, nothing. As a huge soccer fan, for this to happen in the opening game should be an embarrassment for FIFA.

Best player: Neymar-the two goals are what the headline will be, but his movement in space and niftyness with the ball and his passing will be Brazil's main weapon in this world cup. Brazil's group is a joke, and they will win it even if they swapped out Gatorade for Caipirinhas.  Neymar is going to need some help from his teammates though if the team wants to make a splash after the group stage.

Caipirinha: Basically Rum, sugar, limes ice. Caipirniha/world cup viewing party, anyone? 

Game 2: Mexico 1 - 0 Cameroon.

Recap: Game was played in a monsoon, but Oh boy the story of this one is officiating, yet again. Mexico scored two goals in the first half of this game that were disallowed due to offsides. Both of which looked pretty good to me. The big question still has to be here, on the worlds biggest stage for the sport, how does FIFA continue to get this kind of thing wrong?

Not much of a threat from Cameroon. They started by pulling 10 men behind the ball for the entire game. That type of ball is fine in qualifying, but you're not going to win much in the World Cup that way.

Future outlook-Neither of these teams should really be in the World Cup. Cameroon's goal keeper stood on his head against Tunisia in qualifiers and Mexico's qualification involved a tie and a last gasp playoff against New Zeland. Same to say neither of these teams is going to win a World Cup, but somebody else has to go through in Brazil's group. I like Mexico getting out of the group, like the passion, like the perseverance.

Best Player: Giovanni Dos Santos, Mexico. Santos scored two goals in this game that were disassallowed. Created several other chances, really looks in good form. Superior touch, speed and vision make Gio Mexico's most gifted player, bar none.

Maybe not the best player, but best hair? This guy. Benoît Assou-Ekotto

 Game 3 Netherlands 5 - 1 Spain

Recap: Can you say statement game? Netherlands lost the last world cup to Spain by a score of 1-0 in what was one of the most boring games you will ever see. This game? Not so much. Featuring some of the best goals you will likely see all tournament- this game would make a believer out of non soccer fans. Both sides came out a little tentative, with Spain getting the early chances. Van Persie spectacular header brought things even at half time, and as the teams came out after the half the rout was on. Everybody in the world knows Robbyn is going to start on his right and cut back in on his left. Know why? It's pretty hard to stop.

Best Player: Robin Van Persie. This one's close, because Robbyn was also ON FIRE. Van Persie was a wrecking ball all game. Every time he touched the ball he looked like he was going to score, and often did. If there was any question (there wasn't) this is one of the best players in the world.

Play of the game: one of the prettiest headers I've ever seen. Absolutely world class.