More than 60 matches have been played in the 2014 World Cup. Some were enthralling enough to leave the viewership breathless. The other was Greece’s scoreless draw with Japan during the group stages. Undoubtedly, that match served as the inspiration for Ann Coulter’s anti-soccer rant.
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There was, however, enough World Cup action to entertain even the most casual fan. Below are the top five worth reliving.
WATCH: Power Ranking Top 5 Goals of 2014 World Cup
5. Switzerland 2-5 France
You like goals? How about seven of them, with two coming just sixty seconds apart? Unlike Brazil’s 7-1 embarrassment to Germany, actual football was played during France’s demolition of Switzerland. After a disappointing 2010 World Cup campaign, Les Bleus redeemed themselves in spectacular fashion. Their 5-2 victory served as the exclamation point for their return to the elite level of international play.
4. Brazil 0-0 Mexico
Not all scoreless draws are created equal. While Greece and Japan played 90 coma-inducing minutes, Brazil and Mexico did just the opposite during the group stages. The match served as Guillermo Ochoa’s coming out party, seeing the goalkeeper finish with six spectacular saves.
3. Netherlands 2-1 Mexico
It wasn’t all peachy for Mexico in Brazil. After a world-class opener from Giovani Dos Santos, just two minutes separated El Tri from a berth in the quarterfinals. They wouldn’t hold. An equalizer from Wesley Sneijder was followed by a penalty that will haunt Mexican dreams for centuries to come. It took five minutes for it all to become undone for CONCACAF’s elite.
2. Australia 2-3 Netherlands
All the ingredients were there in the Netherlands 3-2 victory over Australia. If its goals you desire, there were five—one of which was named the Sports World News Goal of the Tournament. Tim Cahill’s spectacular volley will forever live in the pantheons of World Cup highlight reels. Add an underdog narrative and a tactical shift from Netherlands head coach Louis Van Gaal, and it’s all there to enjoy.
1. United States 2-2 Portugal
Facing the blistering heat of Manaus, the United States and Portugal played 90 minutes of inspired football. Jurgen Klinsmann kept the U.S. out of its defensive shell long enough to see his men play the game the way it was meant to be played. Their reward: A 2-1 lead into the dying seconds of the match. An automatic berth to the Round of 16 was there. Then, Cristiano Ronaldo happened. The reigning Ballon d’Or winner sent one final reminder to the world. Varela headed it home.
Which was the best match of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil? Leave a comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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