I’m really looking forward to this one, which is the most interesting matchup of the first round of the Knockout Stage. Holland should win, but Mexico is playing very hard for Herrara and the Mexican keeper was easily the best in the Group Stage. A very good test for the Oranje if they are to flatter themselves with the idea that they are serious contenders for the title.
Costa Rica v Greece should actually be worth watching. Greece is, as always, an old, untalented, defensive-minded team, but they have a crazy ability to give much better teams a difficult time. Costa Rica was the shock winners of a group that literally no one gave them a chance to win, so one has to consider them the favorite here.
HOLLAND 2 MEXICO 1: Ugh. Great game and down to the wire, but even so, ugh. I was supporting Holland, but seeing Robben dive three times in the box, and on the third one draw the penalty that won the game, was truly ugly. Ochoa was awesome, but there was no stopping the cannon blast from Wesley Schneider that tied the game in the 88th minute.
FIFA is really going to have to give serious thought to replay on penalties.