(Results of the day: Argentina 4- 1 South Korea, Greece 2-1 Nigeria, France 0-2 Mexico)
Day 7 was an action-packed day for any football viewer, covering all the possible aspects of the game – goals, cards, first ever win for a team in WC finals (Greece), brilliant attacking football (Argentina), absolutely worthless football (France) and lots of emotions. It was raining goals on Thursday. However, a team considered to be one of the best in the World failed to score even once. France are all set for a repeat of their 2002 World Cup exit in the first round. It seems, they are yet to realize that Zizou has retired and won’t come back for any sort of miracle, – even if he does it’d probably be for Algeria now as they seem to have a coach who is not a crack-head. Celebrations must have begun in the streets of Dublin as Les Blues look all set to return home.
Conquest of the day: Greece
Unrivaled Greek joy!
Greece looked awful against South Korea, and had to try a different approach in this game to gain a result. At first, it looked as if we were going to be in for more of the same. Then Nigeria decided to shoot themselves in the foot and the game’s momentum changed for good. Greece changed gears and went on to record their first win in the World Cup finals.
Hero of the day: Gonzalo Higuain(Argentina)
Maradona’s new love – Higuain
Almost left out of Argentina’s squad as manager Diego Maradona was unsure of his quality, the Real Madrid striker, El Pipita, proved his international pedigree with a hat-trick against South Korea.
Villain of the day: Sami Kaita(Nigeria)
Kaita saw red!
To say that Kaita’s madness hurt his team, will be an understatement. He really caused them some major grief. Even if Greece would have made a half-time adjustment, their response would not have been this severe with 11-on-11. Kaita has changed the whole dynamics of the group.
Goal of the Day: Lionel Messi/ Gonzalo Higuain (Argentina)
Higuain waits for a tap-in as Messi mesmerises!
Well, the Messiah didn’t score a goal yesterday, but came as close to scoring one when he bewitched and bemused the Korean defenders before striking an angled shot that hit the post and Gonzalo Higuain tucked in the rebound to complete his hat-trick.
Historic Moment Of The Day – Javier Hernandez(Mexico)
One for the Guinness Book of World Records. Mexico’s Javier Hernandez matched the feat of his grandfather in scoring a goal in the World Cup. But also, the 22-year-old slotted his goal against exactly the same opposition – France – as grandpa had done, back in 1954. To complete the trinity, Hernandez’s father also played for Mexico, in the 1986 World Cup.
Quote of the Day – Diego Maradona(Argentina)
“I love women… so people don’t think I’ve turned over”
Maradona affirms his sexuality after reporters picked up on his constant hugging and kissing on the cheek of his players.
Trivia of the day:
(1) Greece won 2-1 against 10-man Nigeria in a thrilling encounter on Thursday, to record their first ever victory and first ever goal at the World Cup finals.
(2) A drought that stretched back to 1930 was finally broken. Mexico had never beaten France in an international match before their breakthrough last night.
Bonus: Why did the Spanish armada sink?
Spain have found an interesting scapegoat!
A journalist in Spain – who has been named the sexiest reporter in the world – is being blamed by the local media for their inexplicable loss to Switzerland. The theory goes that Sara Carbonero – who also happens to be goalkeeper Iker Casillas’ girlfriend – proved too distracting as she was on the field before and during the match.