Brazil wins 4-1 Over Cameroon
Neymar scored twice in the first half to lead Brazil to a 4-1 win over Cameroon on Monday, helping the hosts secure a spot in the second round of the World Cup.
Fred and Fernandinho added second-half goals for Brazil, which advanced from Group A.
Neymar opened the scoring off a low cross by midfielder Luiz Gustavo in the 17th minute, deftly side-footing the ball home from close range, then restored the lead with a low right-foot strike from the top of the penalty area in the 35th after a pass by left back Marcelo.
Midfielder Joel Matip had equalized for already eliminated Cameroon with a tap-in from inside the area in the 26th.
Fred found the net in the 49th and the substitute Fernandinho struck in the 84th.
Writing… Stay tuned post will be updated soon!
Netherlands Tops Group B After 2-0 Win Over Chile
Both the Netherlands and Chile entered the final match of group play knowing they were through to the knockout stage, but the Dutch are moving on as the champions of Group B thanks to 2-0 victory.
he Chileans had their chances, controlling much of the possession and play early in the first half, but after the 35th minute it felt very much like the Netherlands’ game.
The first goal didn’t come until the 76th minute, on a header by Leroy Fer. The Dutch offered a final exclamation point in stoppage time, when Arjen Robben raced up the left side and sent a cross to Memphis Depay.
The Dutch will get the second place finishers of Group A in the knockout round. Chile will likely get Brazil, unless Cameroon can give them trouble later today.
Spain pounds Australia, 3-0
So it wasn’t a complete loss.
Spain finally looked like the side everyone had expected to see, routing an overmatched Australian team in the two sides’ final match of the 2014 World Cup, 3-0.
In what was his final match as a member of the national team, David Villa opened the scoring in the first half, and Spain just wore down the Aussies from there. They added two more goals in the second half and missed on numerous other opportunities.
There were some nice moments for Australia, but, in general, they were far outclassed by a Spain side that won the 2010 World Cup and was expected to be a contender this year. It wasn’t meant to be, however, as Spain had a disastrous opener against Holland and followed that with a loss to Chile.
Spain finishes third in Group B, ahead of Australia but behind the Netherlands and Chile.
The opening goal of the 2014 World Cup was remarkable in itself, the first own-goal scored by a Brazilian in the history of the tournament. Ivica Olic received the ball on the Croatia left and ran unopposed into the Brazilian half. His low cross fizzed across goal and was turned in by Marcelo, who failed to readjust his feet in time. Ivan Perisic was ready to pounce if the Real Madrid man had not made the final touch.
Elie Chahine 