As the World Cup Turns…

Fellow Bracketeers:

The heartbreaks (and stunners) are starting to unfold as we progress through the Group stage.  And two of the brackets are now busted, with little hope of winning.

Germany Clobbers Portugal 4-0 and USA Sqeaks by Ghana

On Monday, Germany clobbered Portugal 4 to nil, as the venerable Ronaldo was unable to materialize any goals. Team USA then squeaked by Ghana as some random randy placed a header in the back of the net, with only a few minutes left to spare.

Portugal’s goalkeeper Rui Patricio fails to save Germany’s forward Thomas Mueller’s penalty during the Group G football match between Germany and Portugal at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador. AFP PHOTO / PATRIK STOLLARZPATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images

John Brooks of the United States scores his team’s second goal on a header past Adam Kwarasey of Ghana during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group G match between Ghana and the United States at Estadio das Dunas on June 16, 2014 in Natal, Brazil. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Series Stunner

The series stunner occurred on Tuesday: Mexico tied Brazil, or perhaps I should say the Mexican goalie tied Brazil. But this is all overshadowed by the Spain v Chile game.  Similar to last time, I will not speak of it out of courtesy to our fellow friends and colleagues who are Spain devotees.

Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa sensationally kept Brazil at bay to earn Mexico a 0-0 in World Cup Group A in Fortaleza on Tuesday Foto: Getty Images

From left, Spanish players Pedro, Cesar Azpilicueta, Javi Martinez and Sergio Ramos react after Chile scored to take a 2-0 lead Foto: Courtesy of CNN

Games to watch:

We’ll see if Uruguay can redeem itself during the England match at 3pm today  (late entry — Uruguay was up 2-1 at the time of this posting). And likewise, if Costa Rica can prove their upset wasn’t a fluke, as they take on Italy tomorrow. Lastly, the game we’ll all be watching this weekend, USA v. Portugal.  This will determine which team will progress (presuming Germany manhandles Ghana on Saturday) and if the unthinkable will occur – USA progresses.  There are reports that Ronaldo is suffering from a debilitating knee injury, which could be the great equalizer…  should be interesting.

One of soccer’s most respected knee surgeons told Cristiano Ronaldo that continuing to play on his injured knee is career-threatening, according to El Confidential

Till next time…   game on.