On to the semi-finals

My cable and internet connections are working again! This means that I could watch today's matches unencumbered and that FIFA's evil plans were thwarted.

In the first game, Argentina won against apathetic Belgium because Belgian players couldn't decide on whether they wanted to score a goal or not. Indecisiveness seems to be their national trait.

The second game was much more engaging. Recall that Netherlands was tricked by Mexico into having to play against mighty Costa Rica. However, Netherlands ended up winning in the penalty shootout after Louis van Gaal substituted the goalkeeper by one who is an expert in stopping penalty shots. For some inexplicable reason, journalists around the world are calling van Gaal a genius for making such an obvious decision.

A revolutionary concept: in the penalty shootout use a goalkeeper who is good at it.

What about the Bolão? Seppel is 1st, Serginho Matos 2nd, and Manfred and Sandy are tied at the 3rd place. Cabeça de Macaco is up one position again. The complete standings are here.

Ticotazo

Both games today had a CONCACAF team playing a European team.

The first game was Netherlands - Mexico. Mexico started out winning, but they changed their mind near the end and allowed the Netherlands to score two goals. Smart move, the prospects of facing the winner of Costa Rica vs Greece are scary. The Dutch didn't want to face them either, so they did everything in their power to avoid scoring any goals. In the end, they were tricked into scoring by the referee, Pedro Proenca, who called an inexistent penalty on Robben.

Mexican players drop to the ground and try to force the Dutch to finally score a goal

In the second game, mighty Costa Rica advanced after a penalty shoot-out. The Dutch are trembling in fear.

By the way, two smart Bolão participants predicted that Costa Rica would advance today. The updated standings are here.

God saved the Queen

Mario Balotelli demanded a kiss by the Queen in case Italy won against Costa Rica. In the end, Costa Rica won the game (and Cabeça de Macaco predicted the exact score). This result means that Costa Rica advanced to the second round and that England did not.

In the second game of the day, France won easily by scoring 5 goals against Switzerland. There could have been 6th, but the referee whistled to end the game only half-a-second before the ball went in. Again, Cabeça de Macaco scored some points.

The Swiss are famous for their impenetrable defense

The final game of the day was Honduras 1 - Ecuador 2. Cabeça de Macaco predicted the exact score! 

What about the standings? Is Cabeça de Macaco already 1st? Find out here.