The mumbling started from the premiere, with the controversial … Fred’s nonexistent penalty with which Neimar made the 2-1 in the match Brazil – Croatia, opening the way for the final victory of the host 3-1 .
In the same group, also at the premiere, Mexico won Cameroon 1-0, although the score should have been be higher. The two canceled offside goals of the Mexicans brought “storm” of protest, but finally justice was attributed and quickly everything was forgotten.
Since the World Cup started until today, we’ve heard the whistle on nine shootouts. Apart from the first, which was transformed into goal, as mentioned above,( Neimar, against Croatia), no other effected the score of a match.
From the above rule … of course, could be excluded the shootout in which Giorgos Samaras sent Greece to the “16”, making it 2-1 against the Ivory Coast.
The paradox in this case of course, is that the penalty that won the ace of Celtic and of the Greek National team was challenged by … Greeks, and not by the Ivorians, who accepted it with good grace, while was actually been contact by the Greek striker with the opponent of defense.
Briefly, World Cup Shootout s so far are:
1. Neimar (Brazil-Croatia 3-1)
2. Alonso (Spain-Netherlands 1-5)
3. Mueller (Germany-Portugal 4-0)
4. Benzema (France-Honduras 3-0)
5. Cavani (Uruguay-Costa Rica 1-3)
6. Fegkouli (Algeria-Belgium 1-2)
7. Gentinak (Australia-Netherlands 2-3)
8. Kouadrado (Colombia-Japan 4-1)
9. Samaras (Greece-Ivory Coast 2-1)