With the 2014 FIFA World Cup underway, the eyes of people all over the world look towards Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
So what does this 20th World Cup have in store for soccer fans this time around? More importantly, when it's all said and done a month from now, who will hoist the most coveted trophy in the world, bringing pride and joy to their country?
Unfortunately for United States soccer fans the group draw did not go as well as one would have hoped. In group G, with the Yankees of the United States are Germany, Portugal, and the squad that eliminated the U.S. in the 2010 World Cup- Ghana. The German side, ranked number two in the world according to the latest FIFA world rankings, is a powerhouse on the world soccer stage. The Germans have reached the semi-final in each of their last three world cup appearances. In 2002, the team marched all the way to the final in South Korea. Where they faced arguably the best Brazilian side ever to take the field, but fell just short of glory suffering a 2-0 defeat. Still, the Germans remain a favorite to win this years tournament.
Portugal is an entirely different monster attacking with the pace and skill to rival any team in the world. Not to mention that they have the 2014 Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, who has become a house hold name all over the world. Any team who posses the best player in the world can expect great things, and the Real Madrid superstar has performed beautifully in previous world cup matches. The Portuguese are currently ranked number four in the FIFA world rankings and will surely be a tough out in this years edition of the world cup.
All bold predictions aside the clear favorites to hoist the trophy in July are the reigning world cup champions, Spain, and the host nation Brazil. Spain has proved to be nearly unbeatable in international play over the past 6 years, winning both Euro 2008, and 2012, as well as the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. The Spanish possess both the depth and silverware to uphold their title as the best team on Earth. Yet the fact still remains that no European nation has won the world cup when hosted in America, advantage Brazil.
Brazil is undoubtedly the flashiest team in the tournament. The host team proved that they are out to win it all on Thursday with a come from behind win over Croatia. In fact all four goals in the 3-1 victory were scored by Brazilian players, due to Marcelo's unfortunate own goal to open up the scoring, Neymar Jr. made his world cup debut for his country and did not disappoint the Brazilian faithful netting two goals in the win. A world cup victory on home soil would culminate perfectly the love story that exists between Brazil and the "beautiful game".
Argentina, the continental rivals of the host team, hope to spoil this picture perfect ending for Brazil. The team holds an attacking force in: Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria, Ezequiel Lavezzi, and Gonzalo Higuain that may be impossible to to smother. The prospect of stopping this front seems nearly impossible, making this blitzkrieg line up an instant favorite to hoist the cup in July.
The 2014 FIFA World Cup will be one of the most fantastic tournaments of the century so far. So many teams have the talent to win it all. The real question that the world should be asking is, can anyone beat the Spanish? The Netherlands proved the Spaniards mortal on Friday with a 5-1 win over the reigning world champions. Still, European giants stand atop the soccer world, and it would seem that they do not plan on giving up their crown any time soon
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