These are the matches that should make the opening round of the 2014 World Cup one of the greatest in history!
As KickOff.com explored in a recent editorial, a number of the groups can be considered Groups of Death, while each of Africa’s sides will have to face their battles – both internal and external – in order to progress.
This feature takes a look at the five biggest matches of the group stage, profiling the fixtures that will captivate the watching world, provide huge doses of drama and suspense, and generate a massive audience across the globe.
Holland vs Spain
On June 13, Group B will commence with a match between 2010’s finalists, Spain and Holland. Never before have the two sides that contested the previous Final met in the first round of fixtures.
Considering the star names on show whenever these two sides meet, fans are likely to be in for something special. The recent history adds another dimension to the battle and, for the Dutch, provides an immediate opportunity for revenge.
Chile are also in this group and will be strong and unforgiving opponents, whichever side fails to win this opening battle will likely need to beat the Chileans to progress.
Similarly, whichever team loses the initiative here can at best hope, realistically, for second place in the Group Stage – that would mean a likely Last 16 tie with Brazil, the presumed winners of Group A. This is a fate that both sides would be keen to avoid.
Italy vs England
England’s last foray to an international tournament ended with defeat to Italy, and the Three Lions will hope that their next sojourn doesn’t begin in a similar fashion.
Roy Hodgson’s men were defeated, on penalties, by the Azzuri at Euro 2012, and have an immediate opportunity to make amends in their opening Group D match.
The presence of Uruguay in the group means that neither of these two sides can afford to slip up in this opening fixture. The pair will have aspirations of making at least the quarter-finals, but revision might be necessary if things get off to a bad start.
For Hodgson, this battle will be the ultimate test to demonstrate how he has managed to improve the side since their capitulation at Euro 2012. The conditions in Manaus will surely favour Italy and their possession-based game though, so don’t be surprised to see England huff, puff and ultimately run out of steam.
Germany vs Portugal
For everyone on the outside of the Group of Death, the contests between Germany, Portugal, Ghana and the United States should make for intriguing viewing.
For those on the inside, however, the draw could not have gone much worse and all four sides will already be plotting, intently, their means of survival.
The opening bout, between Portugal and Germany, ought to set the tone for the rest of the group. It is an elite international fixture between two of the world’s most star-studded sides, both of whom know they can ill-afford to get off to a bad start.
Portugal, in particular, know the perils of a disastrous opening match to a major tournament. They lost their first fixture on home soil at Euro 2004, did so again at Euro 2012, and struggled to get off the mark in 2010.
No finer example exists than their ugly campaign at the 2002 World Cup. They conceded three goals within 36 minutes against the United States in Suwon and never recovered.
The presence of Cristiano Ronaldo should ensure that things do not begin so perilously this time around.
Nigeria vs Argentina
In Group F, Nigeria and Argentina will get the chance to revisit one of the world’s rare intercontinental rivalries. While few sides would relish the prospect of going toe-to-toe with Messi & co., the Super Eagles will have no fear heading into this bout.
The two have met three times before at a World Cup, in 1994, 2002 and 2010, while there is also an extensive history between them at Under-21 level and at the Olympics.
Nigeria’s record against the Albicelestes in these fixtures is, however, dire – they have been defeated on every occasion. Their other World Cup game against South American opposition also ended in defeat, against Paraguay in 1998.
Nigeria are a different prospect these days, however, and Africa’s champions will not be concerned about another battle with one of South America’s giants.
Ideally, for Stephen Keshi and his troops, the group will be settled by then and qualification will already be guaranteed ahead of that final clash with the Argentines.
If it is not, then the Super Eagles’ poor record against South Americans will need to improve … quickly!
Germany vs Ghana
When Germany and Ghana meet on June 21 it will be a crucial fixture in the World Cup’s Group of Death, where every goal and every point won or lost will have a bearing on the end result.
It is a match that should have numerous sub-plots and a handful of interesting individual match-ups.
The two are not strangers and indeed have recent experience of mutual competition at the high table. In South Africa, at the 2010 World Cup, the pair were drawn in Group D and managed to escape from a tricky-looking group containing Australia and Serbia.
Both will be hoping for a similar return this time around, but will be aware that the United States and Portugal are tougher opponents than those they bested three years ago.
Their meeting in Brazil will be their second fixture in Group G, a win could put either side into the Last 16, while defeat could have the opposite effect – this will likely be an intense encounter.
It will also be personal, there is an extensive Ghanaian diaspora in Germany and a long history of Ghanaian players enjoying success in the Bundesliga. A number of the current squad have played (or play) in the German top flight.
The likely presence of both Boateng brothers will also add an extra level of intrigue to the fixture.
