Wow!
Well, my first pick is already history as Portugal beat England in a wild match. England scored in the first few minutes of the game to go up 1-0 and dominated most of the first half. Then in the second half they seemed to just sit back on defense to hold their lead (it was like watching some of Duke's NCAA tournament games when they've tried to nurse a lead). Sure enough, with only 5-10 minutes left in the match, Portugal tied it up 1-1. England appeared to score the go-ahead goal with almost no time remaining, but they were called for interfering with the goalkeeper.
So, with the game tied 1-1 after 90 minutes, it went to extra time. No scoring during the first 15 minutes, and onto the second period of extra time. 5 minutes later, Portugal scores on a brilliant shot to go up 2-1. Game to Portugal, right? Wrong! There's no sudden death--England have about 10 minutes to try to tie it up again. Sure enough, about 5 minutes later they score off a corner kick to tie it up 2-2. The crowd has been wild the entire game, and at this point they are going absolutely insane--Portugal is playing at home, and England has a huge crowd of supporters who were louder than the locals for much of the game.
So, after 120 minutes it goes to penalty kicks. England up first with David Beckham...who lofts it way over the net! If Portugal makes all their shots, they win. Portugal's first shooter scores. Then England. Then Portugal. Then England. The third Portugese shooter blows it and, like Beckham, boots it high! So it's even at 2-2 after 3 shots each. England scores. Portugal scores. England scores, so all the pressure is on Portugal--if they miss this, England wins. But they make it, so it's 4-4 and now it's basically sudden death. England scores, pressure on Portugal who match. England's seventh man shoots but Portugal's keeper guesses correctly and saves it! All Portugal has to do is score and they win. They send their goalkeeper to take the shot--he makes it and Portugal win in dramatic fashion.
I'm just glad I have no ties to either team--if I did, my adrenaline would be pumping so hard I wouldn't sleep tonight...
So, with the game tied 1-1 after 90 minutes, it went to extra time. No scoring during the first 15 minutes, and onto the second period of extra time. 5 minutes later, Portugal scores on a brilliant shot to go up 2-1. Game to Portugal, right? Wrong! There's no sudden death--England have about 10 minutes to try to tie it up again. Sure enough, about 5 minutes later they score off a corner kick to tie it up 2-2. The crowd has been wild the entire game, and at this point they are going absolutely insane--Portugal is playing at home, and England has a huge crowd of supporters who were louder than the locals for much of the game.
So, after 120 minutes it goes to penalty kicks. England up first with David Beckham...who lofts it way over the net! If Portugal makes all their shots, they win. Portugal's first shooter scores. Then England. Then Portugal. Then England. The third Portugese shooter blows it and, like Beckham, boots it high! So it's even at 2-2 after 3 shots each. England scores. Portugal scores. England scores, so all the pressure is on Portugal--if they miss this, England wins. But they make it, so it's 4-4 and now it's basically sudden death. England scores, pressure on Portugal who match. England's seventh man shoots but Portugal's keeper guesses correctly and saves it! All Portugal has to do is score and they win. They send their goalkeeper to take the shot--he makes it and Portugal win in dramatic fashion.
I'm just glad I have no ties to either team--if I did, my adrenaline would be pumping so hard I wouldn't sleep tonight...
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