World Cup Heartbreak for England and Brasil

England lost to Portugal on penalties 3-1 after both teams ended the match 0-0 after extra time. It was heartbreak for the England boys since they battled bravely throughout the game, and even with 10 men after Wayne Rooney was unjustly sent off for the foul on Ricardo Carvalho. Even with one man down, England kept Portugal at bay and were even better than them and there were several chances that could put them ahead, but alas it did not happen.

I am somewhat frustrated with the way Portugal played the game. There was a bit of unsportsmanship when kicking the ball out of play when a player gets injured. Also, the theatrics in getting fouled hits a nerve which makes me feel that Portugal got a cheap win for this quarterfinal match. One example had Maniche covering his face in pain after one of the England players stepped near it. Video replays showed no contact, and the Portugal player failed to get booked for his dive.

For Wayne Rooney, he got tangled with Carvalho and Armando Petit and appeared to stamp the Chelsea player's groin. Carvalho made his theatrical face in pain and Cristiano Ronaldo comes running to the Argentine referee Horacio Elizondo, demanding a red card. Rooney, with disgust on his face, after seeing his Manchester United face trying to get the ref to send him off, pushed him away. The referee then went ahead and gave the straight red to Rooney, which even brought Beckham to his feet in anger (he was injured earlier in the game and was taken off). I truly believed that the ref was urged on by the Portuguese players to send Rooney off, and a few of the tv replays suggest that Ronaldo "winked" at the Portugal bench after the red card was issued.

I have to wonder how Rooney and Ronaldo will put up with each other when the English Premier League resumes in August.

Despite being a man down, the England team showed much passion and heart and kept it together until the end of the second half and extra time. It is only unfortunate that Gerrard, Lampard, and Carragher got their penalty shots saved by Portugal's goalkeeper Ricardo.

I am quite proud of their performance in this World Cup, and hope much better progress in Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010 in South Africa. I hope that France will defeat Portugal in the semi-final.

* * * * *

As for Brasil, they lost 1-0 to France in this evening's other quarterfinal after England lost against Portugal. Thierry Henry's superb volley send the cup holders Brasil home. France combined defensive discipline and attacking play which rattled Brasil's usual dancing football.

It was quite a surprise win for France, and most of the fans in the bar in Vienna were rooting for the underdogs. It goes to show that Brasil are also vulnerable to the unexpected.

* * * * *

July 4 - Germany v Italy
July 5 - Portugal v France

July 8 - Loser (4th) v Loser (5th) for 3rd Place

July 9 - Winner (4th) v Winner (5th) for Final Victory