Round of 16

This was a very tough weekend for Latin American soccer. First, Mexico vs Argentina, which in my opinion, was one the best games of this World Cup so far. The game was dynamic, fast, had technique and goals, not many faults, tireless players and overtime. What else could we ask? Maybe Mexico to win, but Maxi’s goal was just unbelievable. Argentina took their sweet time most of the game, Riquemel didn’t do his job, but Maxi played beautifully. Then, we had a game we had never seen before, Ecuador vs England. I didn’t actually watch it, but I have watched the highlights over and over. It’s currently being rebroadcasted through Univision, but it’s just too painful to watch. Ecuador played hard and England just lucked out with Beckham’s free-kick. That’s what the man does, so I’ve heard anyways. He’s not that great, but the guy can free-kick, it’s really too bad for us.

I did go through some scenarios in my head in the case Ecuador would win. For example, I would gloat over their win for four years just to annoy my English friends and colleagues, it would have been something to behold. Just the fact it was a possibility, it’s enough for me to do some of that anyways. English rejoice while it lasts, Portugal has a dream. Secondly, if Ecuador would have won, the entire country would have gone nuts. The coach would have been made president and the team his cabinet. It would have been the first futbocracy. Anyways, there’s always the next one. In the meantime, we have enough to keep representing Latin America in the cup. It hasn’t happened since Sweden ’58 that a non-European team has won the cup in Europe, but either Argentina or Brazil can take it all, I really hope so.

Good Outcomes:

• Argentina beats Mexico
• Portugal beats Netherlands

Bad Outcomes:

• England beats Ecuador
• Argentina beats Mexico
• Ghana beats US