Thrilling World Cup football & shock defeats

With shock upsets for Spain and Uruguay, what other exciting prospects can we look forward to?

This past week has been a highly-eventful one for football on the world stage. The opening games of the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup have seen some of the biggest shock defeats in a World Cup, including the biggest loss ever for a defending world champion.

Here are some of the biggest jaw-droppers from last week, as well as games to look forward to in the upcoming days.

Brazil’s Samba has Begun

For the first time in World Cup history, the opening goal of the tournament was an own goal.

Nonetheless, the samba boys of the host nation managed to recover to celebrate a 3-1 victory over Croatia. The dance has truly begun.

Dutch destroy Reigning Champions

Many football fans have been doubting that Spain’s aging squad can hold on to its title of world champions but no one could have predicted a 5-1 thrashing by the Netherlands.

The “Clash of the Titans” has resulted in an embarrassing shock defeat for Spain to its 2010 World Cup runner-up rivals the Netherlands. To say the Dutch destroyed the Spaniards would be an understatement.

Clash of the Titans II

Many would have watched European powerhouses Germany and Portugal go head to head.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal getting mauled 4-0 by the German juggernaut was certainly not what most had expected.

Uruguay vs England, 20 Jun

After Uruguay’s embarrassing defeat to Costa Rica in their opening game of the tournament, it takes on England who suffered a similar fate at the hands of Italy. Who will recover first and score their first points of the tournament?

This match-up promises to be action-packed for all 90 minutes, with both teams out to battle for victory.

Italy vs Costa Rica, 21 Jun

Can the Italians score another win against potential dark horses, lively Costa Rica? Costa Rica had stunned the world in trouncing Uruguay in its opening game.

Will the Azzuri prevail and let their Italian magic flow? Or will their backline that is devoid of legends let them down?

Switzerland vs France, 21 Jun

Both Switzerland and France won their opening games. Which team will be able to keep up its winning streak? On paper, France has a much stronger team with stars such as Karim Benzema, who scored a brace in the opening game for Les Bleus.

One week into the tournament, champions have fallen and challengers have risen. Are you sure you’ve picked the right team to win the World Cup?