No Number Two Made It Through
Both of today’s games were scoreless ties at the end of 90 minutes and ended when the team with the best conditioning finally got through the defense of the other team in Extra Time.
The Final Results:
Argentina 1-0 Switzerland
Belgium 2-1 US
The first game looked like it was destined for a shootout when Argentina finally found the goal with only 2 minutes left in Extra Time. Several attempts by the Swiss to equalize were just slightly off, but a ‘a miss is as good as a mile’. Both teams gave the effort everything they had and Argentina had more.
In the other game, US goalie Tim Howard entered the World Cup record books with the most saves in a single game, 16. Unfortunately, Belgium made 18 shots on target.
Belgium scored two minutes into the Extra Time and a second 11 minutes later. US substitute Julian Green playing in his first World Cup game netted the ball the first time it came his way, but that was the end of scoring.
In this World Cup conditioning, the ability to play in the heat for extended periods seems to be the most important element.
