WORLD CUP SIDELIGHTS: Quarterfinal trivia
CEBU, Philippines - We are nearing the climax and it’s now down to the last eight. We will see Germany battle France at midnight on Saturday followed by the Brazil-Colombia match at 4am. On Sunday, Argentina goes up against Belgium at midnight then at 4 a.m., Costa Rica and the Netherlands kick each other. Winners move on to the semis.
***
The most goals ever scored in a quarterfinals was a combined 12 in an Austria-Switzerland match during the 1954 World Cup. Austria won, 7-5.
It was during the 1966 World Cup where the most goals by a single player was scored. Eusebio of Portugal did it in their 5-3 win over North Korea. And, nope, Kim Jung-il did not score NoKor’s 3 goals.
Tied for most in tournament quarterfinals history was the 9 kicks needed to settle the shootout. Spain versus Belgium in 1986 and Romania versus Sweden in 1994. Belgium and Sweden won.
***
After investigating and handing down their decisions on Uruguayan bite star Luis Suarez, FIFA is now setting their sights on Brazil’s Neymar for reasons so bizarre it makes you undecided whether to laugh or cry.
The subject of the investigation is, hold your breath, Neymar’s underwear. Yes, underwear. The athlete in question, after their 4-1 demolition of Cameroon, was seen walking around the pitch shirtless with his underwear showing.
FIFA is checking if Neymar had broken the rules of marketing at the World Cup since the underwear he wore was not official team or FIFA issue. My goodness freaking gracious. As per World Cup rules, a player is prohibited to wear clothing that expresses views on religion, politics and in this particular case, brands not sanctioned by FIFA.
Lupo, the brand of Neymar’s underwear, as an offshoot, enjoyed brisk sales, never mind the almost $200 price tag. What he actually wore was a swimming trunk whose design was inspired by the Brazilian flag. (FREEMAN)
- Latest
