Well, who saw that coming? Not even that bloke painted orange wearing the Red Guard style hat would surely have had that score at 500/1. Spain 1 Netherlands 5 in a cracking game that astonishingly could have produced another five or six goals for Holland and another two or three for Spain. It's kick-started the World Cup anyway. What with me dribbling over the football and the Mrs drooling over Thierry Henry, it was a good - if damp - night.
Elsewhere, Mexico rightly beat Cameroon with a winner from Orib Peralta after the Mexican's were incorrectly denied two clear goals for offside. This issue with the poor officiating is going to end up like Frank Lampard's non-goal against Germany in the 2010 tournament; one day there is going to be such a collective outpouring of disbelief over a decision, FIFA will be forced to act.
Still, that goal-line technology thing is great - great to see how clear it was of the line when the ball is nestling beside the back stanchion. "We paid a lot for this technology so we're gonna make sure you see it" a FIFA official didn't say this evening. And that white paint! I love the way Bruno Martins Indi complained when his sponsored boots were given a white strip when he only moved nine yards away. I think refs should employ a spray can for sending off's too. I look forward to seeing John Terry trooping off with a big red splodge on his blue shirt.
The later game between Chile and Australia was a cracker too! Fun seeing the Twitter comments coming up as the Aussies fell two behind after only 15 minutes and it looked as if it was going to be a long night for the men in yellow, but Cahill's superb header really made a game of it and Chile can consider themselves lucky to run out 3-1 winners, although they probably deserved the victory with their striking options.
Interesting how the third goal was scored by a Chilean who plies his trade in Wigan. Whoever thought we'd live so long, eh?
The later game between Chile and Australia was a cracker too! Fun seeing the Twitter comments coming up as the Aussies fell two behind after only 15 minutes and it looked as if it was going to be a long night for the men in yellow, but Cahill's superb header really made a game of it and Chile can consider themselves lucky to run out 3-1 winners, although they probably deserved the victory with their striking options.
Interesting how the third goal was scored by a Chilean who plies his trade in Wigan. Whoever thought we'd live so long, eh?
World Cup Heroes # 2
Sir Alf Ramsey
Of course, he managed England to World Cup glory in 1966 - but forget that! Listen to him speak and then remember he came from Dagenham.
What is also interesting is that - far from having a fabulous blueprint for his 'wingless wonders' - Alf tried three wingers in the group games of the tournament proper, dropping and reinstating Alan Ball along the way; a current England manager would be pilloried for that.
His best striker, Jimmy Greaves was injured early on, but he found himself in the quarter-final, Geoff Hurst scored against Argentina, Alf labelled the Argentinians 'Animals' and a legend was born.
Today I shall mostly be drinking...
'Desperados' Tequila Cerveza - a faux Mexican beer brewed in Holland - and a can of Foster's
Today I shall mostly be eating...
Sizzling Prawn Fajitas, Dutch Gouda
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