For four years, the long-awaited 2014 World Cup continues, with a total of 32 national teams competing. "Eurofootball.com" provides various news about the championship every day until the end of the tournament.
The news includes predicted line-ups, player and coach comments, various photos, news from Brazilian cities, and the most interesting World Cup facts.
On Monday, three matches will be played in the World Cup in Brazil. In Group G, an intriguing match awaits between the teams of Germany and Portugal (7 pm), and a match between Ghana and the USA (1 am). Meanwhile, in the group, Asian representatives from Iran will compete with Nigerian footballers.
Predicted starting line-ups:
Portugal: Rui Patricio; Joao Pereira, Pepe, Bruno Alves, Coentrao; Meireles, Veloso, Moutinho; Nani, Almeida, Ronaldo.
Germany: Neuer; Boateng, Mertesacker, Hummels, Howedes; Lahm, Kroos, Gotze, Ozil, Podolski; Muller.
USA: Howard; Beasley, Besler, Cameron, Johnson; Beckerman, Jones; Dempsey, Bradley, Bedoya; Altidore.
Ghana: Dauda; Asamoah, Boye, Mensah, Afful; Essien, Rabiu; Muntari, Prince-Boateng, A Ayew; Gyan.
Iran: Davari; Beitashour, Montazeri, Hosseini, Beikzadeh; Nekounam, Teymourian, Heydari, Dejagah, Shojaei; Ghoochannejhad.
Nigeria: Enyeama; Ambrose, Oboabona, Omeruo, Echiejile; Onazi, Obi Mikel, Moses, Musa; Odemwingie, Emenike.
Today, the "Maracana" stadium celebrates its birthday, where the first match was played on June 16, 1950. Back then, the teams of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro's stars met in this football sanctuary. After eight days, the first World Cup match was held at the "Maracana" stadium, where the hosts Brazil defeated Mexico with a score of 4-0. It is in this stadium that Brazilian Zico has scored 333 goals representing the "Flamengo" club and the national team (Guardian.com photo).
England's striker Wayne Rooney, when asked if he has a guaranteed spot in the starting line-up for the match against Uruguay, responded: "I never felt this way before, I don't know how you can say that. Why should my place be guaranteed?"
"I work hard to get into the starting line-up, and I never said that it was guaranteed. I don't expect to play. The coach has many options to choose from. We have many young and talented players who are also excelling in training, and no matter who the coach chooses, we will all respect it," the Englishman said.
Uruguay's forward, Luis Suarez, remembered the championship that took place in South Africa. In the quarterfinals against Ghana, the forward, acting as a goalkeeper, saved the opponent's shot with his hands, for which he received a red card, but Asamoah Gyan missed the penalty kick, and in the penalty shootout, Uruguay reached the semifinals of the tournament.
"I didn't do anything wrong. I sacrificed myself in the World Cup semifinal so that my team-mates could participate there. Every player can be a 'villain', but we are used to it. Sometimes I am one of them," said L. Suarez. (AFP photo).
The octopus is becoming more famous worldwide. He has correctly predicted the results of the World Cup four times already, and in today's match between Germans and Portuguese, he predicts the victory of the latter. (Twitter.com photo).
In the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lionel Messi scored his second goal in the World Cup. The first was scored on June 16, 2006.
Prior to the meeting between Argentina and Bosnia and Herzegovina at the "Maracana" stadium, about 200 people protested against the FIFA organization. Pepper spray and tear gas were used to disperse the unrest. One Chilean journalist was injured. (Guardian.com photo).
