The Legend Leo Messi

Lionel Messi scored his first World Cup goal at the 2006 World Cup, at the age of 18, in a 6-0 against Serbia-Montenegro. It was the only goal he scored in that tournament, but today, 20 years and one week later, Messi has made history by scoring both goals in Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Austria. 

With 18 goals, he is now the most scoring player in World Cup history, two goals ahead of Miroslav Klose and Ronaldo Nazarinho. And we will probably see more goals from the Argentinean magician/legend, as Argentina is looking to win the group with one match to go against Jordan. 

We all witnessed history today.

Greatest World Cup matches: Brazil-Germany (2002)

Germany and Brazil are unquestionably the two greatest footballing nations in the world, but as one of the greatest paradoxes of world cup history, it remained a fact that the two nations had never faced one another in the most prestigious competition in the world. It seemed as if there was a curse on them facing one another, since every time it was about to happen, either would be eliminated.
It was thus a true historical event when the two nations finally faced one another in nothing else but the first world cup final of the new millennium, as well as the first world cup to take place in Asia. Brazil were undoubtedly favourites against a German team that in spite of its history had not been rated very high, and their presence in the world cup final was a surprise.
In the first round the Germans had started by crushing Saudi Arabia in a resounding 8-0, only to be followed with a 1-1 tie with the Republic of Ireland, who had only managed to equalize in the last minute. Still, a 2-0 victory over Cameroon in their last first round match, had given the Germans the first spot.
The following three matches were three narrow 1-0 wins against Paraguay, USA and the South Corean hosts which saw Germany make it to the final. Their star had undoubtedly been Bayer Leverkusen’s Michael Ballack, a classic strong German midfielder with extraordinary power, who had scored the winning goals against both the USA and South Corea. However, Ballack was out of the final due to a suspension, something that seriously weakened the German side.
Brazil on the other hand had looked more and more like finalists during the tournament, although they had not been highly rated before, due to one of the worse qualifying campaigns in their history. However, when the tournament started, the team grew: in the first round they scored three victories against Turkey, China and Costa Rica. In the last-16 they defeated Belgium 2-0 while seeing off the strong English side 2-1 in the quarterfinal. Finally, in the semifinal the Brazilians defeated the surprising Turks 1-0, to make it to their seventh world cup final. Brazil’s stars had been many, but three had crucially carried the team: FC Barcelona’s Rivaldo was the midfield playmaker, Paris St. Germain’s Ronaldinho was a magician on midfield, and Inter’s Ronaldo who had at that point scored five goals in the tournament. Of course, these were complemented by the experienced right back from Real Madrid, Roberto Carlos, Bayer Leverkusen’s strong defender Lucio and AS Roma’s Cafú, who was also the captain of the team (and who became the first and so far only footballer to have played in three consecutive World Cup finals).
69,000 spectators at Yokohama World Cup stadium and billions all over the world were to watch a historical final that nevertheless didn’t reach the heights of the two countries’ football history.
It was widely expected that Germany, underestimated and without their star player, would pull back and defend, but instead, the Germans opened the match with good passing and refreshing attacking football that seemed to take the Brazilians by surprise. The absence of Ballack was not felt as his team-mate from Bayer Leverkusen, Bernd Schneider took over the midfield.
Still, with space to play, the Brazilians slowly worked themselves into the match, and Ronaldo had some big chances where he should have scored. Right before halftime the young Kleberson from Atlético Paranaense, who had been one of the revelations of the tournament hit the crossbar.
Still, as the teams went to halftime with a goalless draw, one had the feeling that the match could still go to either side.
Germany again started the second half by attacking, and had two big chances, first when Bayern Munich’s Jens Jeremies’s header was saved on the goal line by a defender, and then Bayer Leverkusen’s Oliver Neuville had a shot on the post.
It still looked like the match could go to either side when, halfway into the second half Ronaldo finally scored, after his misses in the first half: Rivaldo shot on goal, and Oliver Kahn, who had otherwise not committed one mistake the entire tournament, was unable to hold the ball, which fell right to the feet of Ronaldo, who did not forgive the mistake.
Ronaldo’s second goal 12 minutes later was much more elegant: Kleberson cam through on the right hand side and passed the ball to Rivaldo on the edge of the German penalty box. Instead of shooting, Rivaldo jumped over the ball, that continued to Ronaldo, coming from behind. In full control Ronaldo coolly placed the ball outside Oliver Kahn’s range.
The match ended 2-0 for Brazil, which was deserved, but Germany had played an excellent match.
Brazil, and Ronaldo in particular, had exorcised their horrible performance from the 1998 final against France, to take their fifth world cup title.

Match Stats:

• 30th June, 2002, Yokohama World Cup Stadium
• Attendance: 69,029
• Referee: Pierluigi Collina (Italy)

Brazil-Germany 2-0
Goals:1-0 Ronaldo (68), 2-0 Ronaldo (79)

Teams:
Brazil: Marcos, Cafu, Lucio, Roque Junior, Edmilson, Roberto Carlos, Gilberto Silva, Rivaldo, Kleberson, Ronaldinho (Juninho), Ronaldo (Denilson)
Germany: Kahn, Linke, Ramelow, Neuville, Hamann, Jeremies (Asamoah), Schneider, Metzelder, Frings, Klose (Bierhoff), Bode (Ziege)

Greatest World Cup matches: France-Brazil (1998)

France had always been a reluctantly great footballing nation. With great teams, from their 1958 bronze winners to their legendary squad from the 1980s, the title of champions of the world had nevertheless eluded them, in spite of the huge amount of enormously talented players that were being produced in the excellent youth academies of the countries. Although the 80’s team had retired, new stars were there to take over in the 1990s: Eric Cantona, Jean-Pierre Papin and Yuri Djorkaeff were only a few of the many stars. France had nevertheless been unable to capitalize on this talent: France did not qualify to the world cups of 1990 and 1994, and at the 1992 European Championship they had fallen in the first round to the underrated Danes. However, the French were committed to build a new team to do well in the World Cup at home in 1998. Gerald Houllier had been fired after the debacle at not qualifying for the 1994 World Cup, and his place was taken over by Aimé Jacquet, who started building up a new team around the young star Zinedine Zidane. He did not select some of the major French stars like Jean-Pierre Papin, Eric Cantona and David Ginola for the 1996 European Championship, where the French with a defensive style made it to the semifinals. Although the team was heavily criticised for being too defensive, it soon became obvious that it was a very solid and stable team, and when the world cup started, the French entered as one of the favourites.
And indeed, the Blue and multiethnic team swept all opposition aside in the first round: three victories against South Africa, Saudi Arabia and Denmark saw France through to the last-16. The following two matches were more difficult: first, France faced Paraguay, a solid and defensive team centered around the legendary goalkeeper José Luís Chilavert. France won a hard-fought victory 1-0 after extra time.
In the quarterfinal the French hosts played Italy in one of the classics of international football. Another hard-fought match where France won on penalty kicks after a goalless draw.
In the semifinal France played the sensational Croatians, who were playing their first World Cup and had made it to the semifinals. In another difficult match France won 2-1 on two goals by the Parma defender Lilian Thuram – the only two international goals of his career.
Thus, France was ready for its first World Cup final ever, at home in Paris, and ready to face the defending Brazilian world champions.
Brazil had as always entered the tournament as heavy favourites for the title. But it was obvious from the start that the team was less stable than the 1994 team, although with a stronger attacking force that included the veteran Bebeto, FC Barcelona’s offensive midfielder Rivaldo, and the the Inter striker Ronaldo, who at the time was the best player in the world, already having been awarded the FIFA world player of the year award in 1996 and 1997.
The Brazilian team opened with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Scotland, before going on to defeat Morocco 3-0. Although they had qualified for the next round before their last match against Norway, their 1-2 defeat showed them as vulnerable. The last-16 match against Chile was won with 4-1, but the quarterfinal again showed the Brazilians in trouble against European teams that gave the Brazilians little space and punished defensive mistakes. Still, Brazil managed to win 3-2 against Denmark, before facing the Netherlands in the semifinal. Again in a difficult match, Brazil managed 1-1 after extra time, and won on penalty kicks.
Although not playing brilliantly, Brazil had nevertheless made it to the World Cup final, but was to play one of the worse matches in their history against a French side whose outstanding players were highly motivated, riding on a wave of intense national excitement, that came to its full expression during the national anthem being played in a full Saint Denis stadium in Paris.
While the French were being pushed forward, Brazil was having problems before the match: there were rumours surging about Ronaldo, who was said to have had a breakdown only hours before the match, and should not have been able to play (other Brazilian players later said that they feared for Ronaldo’s life). However, the rumours also said that Ronaldo had been forced on the pitch by his and the Brazilian team’s main sponsor, Nike, who obviously also denied it all.
This was indeed the culmination of the commercialization of the world cup that had been going on since the 1980’s, had reached a pinnacle at USA 1994, and was now firmly established: All the rumours about Ronaldo were perhaps more a symptom of the fact that the World Cup no longer belongs to the fans or the teams, but now belongs to the sponsors.
This final was to see Adidas (France) against Nike (Brazil).
France started the final in complete dominance, offensively, and putting pressure on the Brazilians. Captain Didier Deschamps had a good long range effort, and after only four minutes the Auxerre striker Stephane Guivarch had a great chance when he was played open by a splendid Zinedina Zidane pass, but missed. Brazil was quite anonymous against the overwhelming French attacks, although Ronaldo had a creeping shot and Rivaldo an excellent header, that were both saved well by the charismatic and confident French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez from AS Monaco.
Finally, in the 27the minute the French pressure bore fruit: Real Madrid’s Roberto Carlos gave away a corner-kick (and got himself a yellow card on the way for kicking the corner-flag in frustration) that was taken by Arsenal’s Emmanuel Petit. He kicked it towards the near post where Zinedine Zidane got in front of Leonardo and headed hard into goal.
1-0 to Brazil by the Algerian-descended Zinedine Zidane from Juventus, who had been the best player of the tournament, but had until then not scored a goal.
France continued the pressure after the goal, and at the end of the first half Zinedine Zidane scored for the second time, something that had not happened in a World Cup final since Mario Kempes for Argentina in 1978.
France was leading 2-0 at half-time and had been far superior to the Brazilians.
In the second half the pressure was on the Brazilians, and coach Mario Zagallo put in the offensive Denilson for Leonardo. The French on the other hand, could pull back and threaten the Brazilians on counter-attacks. Within the first fifteen minutes of the second half the Brazilians had two good chances, one to Ronaldo and another one to Bebeto, who was given a free chance by a Barthez blunder, but his shot was cleared by Marcel Desailly.
On the other side, Guivarch had a huge chance for a third for France, but shot over the goal, and was soon replaced by Cristophe Dugarry.
Soon, Brazil was given new hope when Marcel Desailly, who had been one of France’s and the world’s best defenders during the tournament, was given his second yellow card for a challenge on Cafú. Down to ten men, Aimé Jacquet replaced Yoiri Djorkaeff with the more defensive Patrick Vieira, and explicitly played in counter-attacks. The Brazilians were nevertheless still unable to threat the French goal and instead, in the dying minutes of the match Emanuel Petit scored after a good French counter-attack, thereby sealing the French victory.
France, one of the greatest footballing nations never to win, had finally taken the World Cup title in their first final ever.
And Adidas was victorious as well...
This was one of the world cup finals with the greatest qualitative difference between the two sides ever; France was simply far superior on all aspects of the game, while it was probably one of the poorest matches a Brazilian side has ever played.

Match Stats:

• 12th July, 1998 Saint Denis, Paris
• Attendance: 80,000
• Referee: Said Belqola (Morocco)

France-Brazil 3-0
Goals: 1-0 Zidane (27), 2-0 Zidane (45), 3-0 Petit (90)

Teams:
France: Barthez, Lizarazu, Leboeuf, Desailly (RC, 68), Thuram, Djorkaeff (Veira), Deschamps, Zidane, Petit, Karembeu, (Boghossian), Guivarch (Dugarry)
Brazil: Taffarel, Cafu, Aldair, J. Baiano, R. Carlos, C. Sampaio (Edmundo), Dunga, Rivaldo, Leonardo (Denilson), Bebeto, Ronaldo

Pelé and his drug problem

Pelé was a great footballer. Besides this, he was uncontroversial, nice, friendly and in control, all great qualities in a person.
Just now, in an interview in Brazil, Pelé has critiziced players such as Robinho, Ronaldo and Maradona for being bad role models for youngsters, due to apparent associations with drugs.
Pelé has a problem, just as everyone who keeps going about sportsmen as "examples". Firstly, Mr. Maradona has suffered his things, and to keep getting back at him for his mistakes is basically just petty gossip; Maradona is now Argentine national coach and has moved beyond his addiction; he does not hide his mistakes, and should instead be admired for being a man that got himself together.
As to Msrs. Robinho and Ronaldo I cannot understand that this is not slander: has anything been proven? But not withstanding this, what is Pelé expecting? Everyone is different, and these young lads want to live their life, make the mistakes we all make, and learn from it. The examples for youngsters should lie with the parents, and not with some footballer! If kids take drugs "because Maradona did it", not only the kids have a problem, but more so the parents and even society at large. I loved Maradona when I was a kid, even when all his drug-problems came out - but it never made me want to try drugs!
I don't understand where Pelé wants to go with this, but it is nonsensical slander and takes attention away from the real drug-problems in the world.

Nipita versus Mazua

In my realization that football may be my way into the communities in the north of Mozambique, I accepted the invitation to drive 80 kilometers to the very small and poor community of Nipita (40 kilometers off Alua, on the Pemba-Namialo road, towards Memba. But that probably means nothing to anyone reading this…), on a national holiday, when the local lads were facing their counterparts of Mazua.

On a very uneven pitch of blood-red dirt, under a burning hot sun, the teams stood facing each other, a bit later than anticipated… Nipita, the home team, in old Benfica shirts, and Mazua, in a variation of Brazilian national team shirts: on their starting lineup I counted three Robinho’s, three Ronaldinho’s and four Ronaldo’s.

No wonder that the whole thing was confusing for the home-side Nipita’s defense…

Many players wore no shoes, but that seemed to make no difference as the game started with Nipita feverishly attacking the visiting side, and disappointingly not getting ahead on some huge chances. The home-spectators were grabbing their heads!

But as football often is with (the real) Ronaldo & Co.: on one single counterattack the Nipita defense was open wide, and Ronaldo surely made a goal (I decided to call this guy long-panted Ronaldo, since he was the more prominent of only two guys in long pants in the heat – the other was also a Ronaldo… Long-panted Ronaldo was also the best player of the match). The home audience protested loudly to the referee, some saying the ball had gone behind the wooden post marking the goal. But the referee was adamant, and correctly gave the goal to the visitors.

Here I saw that in spite of the differences, the poverty, lack of education, etc., all people in the world can agree that the referee sucks. Someone shouted (in Portuguese, although most people speak Makua): “take that analphabet referee off the pitch!!!”, which I found very amusing considering that 80 percent of the population in the area cannot read or write.

At least people demand something of their referees.

I have no idea if it was the pressure from the spectators, but after mere 20 minutes into the first half, and the away team being up 1 to 0, the referee called for half-time (!?). Protests then took on huge effect, as numerous people ran on the pitch, and all were discussing with the referee, who after a somewhat confusing circumstances was substituted for a new referee.

I think FIFA should learn from this: “let us change the referee when he sucks”.

The new referee continued where the first had left off, and after only a few minutes gave a completely non-existant penalty for the home-team.

This was when I realized that the away-team also had some fans among the spectators; the pitch was invaded by dissatisfied fans. After a heated argument with a spectator in a Kaká shirt (there were no player’s in Kaká shirts on the Mazua team), the referee then changed his mind to the home-spectators huge disappointment, although they remained completely calm - probably because there had been no shadow of a penalty at all.

I think referees elsewhere, too proud to change their minds, should learn from this.

A few minutes after all this happened, Mazua went ahead with a second goal, after a deadly run down the right side by long-panted Ronaldo.

The bare-footed left-hand defender of Nipita (although he was never there), had a hard time with long-panted Ronaldo, and at one point he was viciously tackled by the bare-footed defender. That was when I learned that the referee had no red or yellow cards. In any case, Mazua’s long-panted Ronaldo was accused of dragging out time, so a Nipita player kicked the ball away (?), way into the bush behind the pitch, and a horde of children were unable to find the ball, for which reason the match stopped for a while (someone did eventually find the official ball).

Unfortunately, as I didn’t want to drive home on the lousy back-roads after dark, I had to leave midway through the second half. However, I am sure there were no more goals, as especially Nipita, who had started with headless feverish attacks in the burning sun, seemed completely run down and barely able to run.

I would however would like to thank the people of Nipita, who I may be doubtful may ever read this (there is no electricity or phone coverage in Nipita), for this great match.

The passion of football is alive here, in an area so poor and isolated, as much as in any international capital of football.

Big guys beat the little guys

After the disappointment of seeing Ghana lose last night, I was having a beer at Duncan's Spot in Osu, when a loud Ghana fan came up to me and said: "The European teams are always favoured by the referees! That is why Brazil won!". I only wonder since when Brazil was in Europe....

Brazil's second goal was indeed off side. But in spite minor free-kick blunders, referee Lubos Michel is no explanation for Ghana's exit. Brazil was the better team, using two of their main assets, experience and pace, to defeat a charming but somewhat naive Ghana side. The Ghanaians blundered after 5 minutes, giving Ronaldo the chance to become the leading World Cup scorer of all time. This killed off the match. The Brazilians could after that moment stand back, let the Ghanaians play the ball around, get a few chances which they blew, and otherwise strike on their deadly counter-attacks. Brazil was never in danger of losing the match; they didn't even out-stretch themselves.

Ghana should still be proud. It is not often a World Cup debutant progresses to the second round, and a game against Brazil is always bound to end this way. Now Ghana has World Cup experience, and will hopefully make it to South Africa in 2010! Can't wait to see them there!

Thank you, Black Stars.

Ronaldo's 14th World Cup goal

Ronaldo has been highly criticized lately, and he is certainly not such a potent striker as he used to be. In spite of this, he can still score goals. In last night's Brazilan win against a rather tame Japanese side, Ronaldo scored two goals. With that, he has now scored 14 goals in World Cups (1998 and 2002 included), equalizing legendary Gerd Muller's 14 goal all-time record. With only one more goal, Ronaldo will place himself firmly on top of the all-time scorers list.

Well done Mr. Ronaldo!

The Rain in Spain

Valencia-Real Madrid was a truly disappointing match. 0-0 in Mestalla, in a match where both teams made many mistakes. Specially Ronaldo, who seems like an old worn out player these days. His penalty was simply pathetic, against a grand Canizares in the Valencia goal.

Valencia could have taken a vital step closer to Barcelona. Incidentally, the mighty Catalans lost 2-1 in Pamplona to 4th placed Osasuna. Although they are still 9 points ahead, there is still hope for Valencia to catch up to Barcelona, although they will have to play much better that they did against Real Madrid.

Real Madrid handled by Giants

Yesterday I watched "football". That is, not the "usual", but the American version. At a good barbecue, I was invited to watch American College football, the classic Ohio State against Michigan. I was happy to see Ohio win an exciting match. At the same time however, I was well aware of the clash going on in Spain. And as would be proper, I was getting periodic updates in my mobile.

Real Madrid against Barcelona is always a game that carries history with it beyond the football pitch. On top of that, both teams have always been at the top of Europe, and attract the best players in the World.

Last night's match in Santiago Barnabeu in Madrid was awaited as every year. But as seldomly before, Barcelona overran Real Madrid. Players such as Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos, Zidane Raul, seemed only like average players compared to the super display by Lionel Messi, Deco, Eto'o and in particular Ronaldinho. The Brazilian was simply spectacular. He was clapped off the pitch by Real Madrid's fans, something that has only happened before to Diego Maradona.

It is not often I have good things to say about Real Madrid fans. But their display of fairness last night shows that they are fans who foremost are appreciative of great football. As all who love great football, they had to surrender to Barcelona's display last night.

Real Madrid were truly given a football lesson to remember.