2014 FIFA World Cup: Mexico, Netherlands, Chile win in openers
Yesterday in one sentence: World Cup officiating is probably going to be brutal and will ruin the tournament for some, no matter how deserved Brazil’s 3-1 win was.
In today’s 2014 World Cup match-ups, Mexico defeated Cameroon 1-0, Netherlands beat Spain 5-1 and Chile beat Australia 3-1.
All eyes are on the Spain-Netherlands game, a rematch of the 2010 final. Spain has only reloaded since then, while the Dutch find themselves in something of a transitional phase.
MORE COVERAGE: More World Cup photos | Meet the U.S. team | Schedule | Standings
- Mexican football fans cheer for their team as they wait for the start of a Group A football match between Mexico and Cameroon at the Dunas Arena in Natal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. (Yuri Cortez/AFP/Getty Images)
- A Mexican football fan kisses a replica of the FIFA World Cup trophy before the start of a Group A football match between Mexico and Cameroon at the Dunas Arena in Natal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. (Yuri Cortez/AFP/Getty Images)
- Mexican football fans wait for the start of a Group A football match between Mexico and Cameroon under pouring rain at the Dunas Arena in Natal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. (Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images)
- Goalkeeper Tim Howard of the United States speaks with the media at the Hotel Tivoli Sao Paulo Mofarrej on June 13, 2014 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
- Stadium workers sweep rain water off the field toward a drain before the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group A match between Mexico and Cameroon at Estadio das Dunas on June 13, 2014 in Natal, Brazil. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
- Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o gestures in the rain during their 2014 World Cup Group A soccer match against Mexico at the Dunas arena in Natal June 13, 2014. (Jorge Silva/Reuters)
- Cameroon’s Eric-Maxim Choupo Moting reacts after missing a chance at scoring a goal against Mexico during their 2014 World Cup Group A soccer match at the Dunas arena in Natal June 13, 2014. (Jorge Silva/Reuters)
- Colombia’s defender and captain Mario Alberto Yepes (C) gathers with teammates during a training session at Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte on June 13, 2014, on the eve of their 2014 FIFA World Cup Group C football match Colombia vs Greece. (Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images)
- Mexico’s forward Giovani Dos Santos (front C) celebrates with teammates before his second goal was disallowed during the Group A football match between Mexico and Cameroon at the Dunas Arena in Natal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. (Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images)
- Giovani dos Santos of Mexico reacts after his goal was disallowed due to an offsides call in the first half during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group A match between Mexico and Cameroon at Estadio das Dunas on June 13, 2014 in Natal, Brazil. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
- Mexico’s players celebrate their goal against Cameroon during their 2014 World Cup Group A soccer match at the Dunas arena in Natal June 13, 2014. (Jorge Silva/Reuters)
- Cameroon’s Stephane Mbia (L) and Mexico’s Hector Moreno lie on the ground as they fight for the ball during their 2014 World Cup Group A soccer match at the Dunas arena in Natal June 13, 2014. (Toru Hanai/Reuters)
- Mexico’s defender Paul Aguilar (R) challenges Cameroon’s midfielder Stephane Mbia during the Group A football match between Mexico and Cameroon at the Dunas Arena in Natal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. (Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images)
- Cameroon’s forward and captain Samuel Eto’o (L) fights for the ball with Mexico’s midfielder Hector Herrera during a Group A football match between Mexico and Cameroon at the Dunas Arena in Natal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. (Christophe Simon/AFP/Getty Images)
- Oribe Peralta of Mexico shoots and scores a goal past Charles Itandje of Cameroon in the second half during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group A match between Mexico and Cameroon at Estadio das Dunas on June 13, 2014 in Natal, Brazil. (Photo by Miguel Tovar/Getty Images)
- Spanish supporters dance before a Group B football match between Spain and the Netherlands outside the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. (Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/Getty Images)
- Mexico’s midfielder Hector Herrera reacts after falling during the Group A football match between Mexico and Cameroon at the Dunas Arena in Natal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. (Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images)
- Mounted policemen guard the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador before a Group B football match between Spain and the Netherlands during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. (Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/Getty Images)
- Greece’s midfielder Panagiotis Kone (C) warms up with his teammates during a training session at Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte on June 13, 2014, on the eve of their Group C FIFA World Cup football match against Colombia. (Eitan Abramovich/AFP/Getty Images)
- Policemen guard the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador before a Group B football match between Spain and the Netherlands during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. (Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/Getty Images)
- Cameroon’s forward Benjamin Moukandjo (C) fights for the ball with Mexico’s midfielder Jose Juan Vazquez and Mexico’s midfielder Hector Herrera (R) during a Group A football match between Mexico and Cameroon at the Dunas Arena in Natal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. (Pierre-Philippe Marcou/AFP/Getty Images)
- Fans wave a flag before the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Spain and Netherlands at Arena Fonte Nova on June 13, 2014 in Salvador, Brazil. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
- Spain’s supporters wait for the start of a Group B football match between Spain and the Netherlands at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. (Emmanuel Duand/AFP/Getty Images)
- General view before the Group B football match between Spain and the Netherlands at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. (Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/Getty Images)
- Mexican soccer fans react while watching the 2014 World Cup soccer match between Mexico and Cameroon as it was broadcasted on a large screen at Zocalo square in downtown Mexico City, June 13, 2014. (Tomas Bravo/Reuters)
- Diego Costa of Spain is fouled by Stefan de Vrij of the Netherlands and awarded a penalty in the first half during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Spain and Netherlands at Arena Fonte Nova on June 13, 2014 in Salvador, Brazil. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
- Spain’s midfielder Xabi Alonso (front) celebrates after scoring a penalty during a Group B football match between Spain and the Netherlands at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. (Damien Meyer/AFP/Getty Images)
- Spain’s midfielder Xabi Alonso (L) scores a penalty during a Group B football match between Spain and the Netherlands at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. (Damien Meyer/AFP/Getty Images)
- Netherlands’ forward Robin van Persie (L) vies with Spain’s defender Sergio Ramos (R) during a Group B football match between Spain and the Netherlands at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. (Emmanuel Duand/AFP/Getty Images)
- Greece’s Konstantinos Mitroglou heads the ball during a training session at Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte June 13, 2014. The Greek squad will face Colombia in their first 2014 World Cup match in Belo Horizonte on Saturday. (Sergio Perez/Reuters)
- Spain’s Diego Costa lies on the pitch after being fouled by Stefan de Vrij of the Netherlands (R) during their 2014 World Cup Group B soccer match at the Fonte Nova arena in Salvador June 13, 2014. (Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters)
- Iker Casillas of Spain reacts after allowing the Netherlands fourth goal to Robin van Persie during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Spain and Netherlands at Arena Fonte Nova on June 13, 2014 in Salvador, Brazil. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
- Stefan de Vrij of the Netherlands deflects the ball in for the teams third goal as Iker Casillas of Spain and Robin van Persie of the Netherlands collide in the air during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Spain and Netherlands at Arena Fonte Nova on June 13, 2014 in Salvador, Brazil. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
- Arjen Robben of the Netherlands controls the ball for scoring the second goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Spain and Netherlands at Arena Fonte Nova on June 13, 2014 in Salvador, Brazil. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
- Robin van Persie of the Netherlands shoots and scores his second goal and teams fourth against Gerard Pique of Spain during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Spain and Netherlands at Arena Fonte Nova on June 13, 2014 in Salvador, Brazil. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
- David Silva of Spain scores a goal but it is disallowed during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Spain and Netherlands at Arena Fonte Nova on June 13, 2014 in Salvador, Brazil. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
- Netherlands’ forward Robin van Persie scores during a Group B football match between Spain and the Netherlands at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. (Lluis Gene/AFP/Getty Images)
- Spain’s goalkeeper Iker Casillas reacts during a Group B football match between Spain and the Netherlands at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. (Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/Getty Images)
- A Chilean football fan cheers for his team before the start of the Group B football match between Chile and Australia at the Pantanal Arena in Cuiaba during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. (Martin Bernetti/AFP/Getty Images)
- Chilean football fans cheer for their team before the start of the Group B football match between Chile and Australia at the Pantanal Arena in Cuiaba during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. (Martin Bernetti/AFP/Getty Images)
- Spain’s goalkeeper Iker Casillas (C) and teammates Cesar Azpilicueta (R) and Fernando Torres react after a goal scored by Stefan de Vrij of the Netherlands (not pictured) during their 2014 World Cup Group B match at the Fonte Nova arena in Salvador June 13, 2014. (Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters)
- Stefan de Vrij of the Netherlands (R) scores against Spain during their 2014 World Cup Group B soccer match at the Fonte Nova arena in Salvador June 13, 2014. (Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters)
- Jorge Valdivia of Chile (obscured) shoots and scores his teams second goal against goalkeeper Mathew Ryan of Australia during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Chile and Australia at Arena Pantanal on June 13, 2014 in Cuiaba, Brazil. (Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
- Chile fans cheer during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Chile and Australia at Arena Pantanal on June 13, 2014 in Cuiaba, Brazil. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
- Marcelo Diaz of Chile goes up for a header against Mark Milligan (Center) and Tim Cahill of Australia during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Chile and Australia at Arena Pantanal on June 13, 2014 in Cuiaba, Brazil. (Stu Forster/Getty Images)
- Australian football team fans prepare to watch their teams match against Chile on the giant screen showing the match at the FIFA World Cup Fan Fest on Copacabana beach on June 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The match was played on the second day of the World Cup tournament. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
- Australian football team fans watch play against Chile on the giant screen showing the match at the FIFA World Cup Fan Fest on Copacabana beach on June 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The match was played on the second day of the World Cup tournament. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
- Felipe Gutierrez of Chile is challenged by Mile Jedinak of Australia during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Chile and Australia at Arena Pantanal on June 13, 2014 in Cuiaba, Brazil. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
- A frustrated Mathew Ryan of Australia reacts during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Chile and Australia at Arena Pantanal on June 13, 2014 in Cuiaba, Brazil. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
- Jean Beausejour of Chile (Right) celebrates scoring his teams third goal with teammates during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Chile and Australia at Arena Pantanal on June 13, 2014 in Cuiaba, Brazil. (Phil Walter/Getty Images)
- Tim Cahill (Left) and Mark Milligan of Australia embrace after being defeated by Chile 3-1 during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Chile and Australia at Arena Pantanal on June 13, 2014 in Cuiaba, Brazil. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
- Claudio Bravo of Chile reacts after defeating Australia 3-1 during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Chile and Australia at Arena Pantanal on June 13, 2014 in Cuiaba, Brazil. (Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
- Tim Cahill, from left, Mark Milligan and James Troisi of Australia wait to kickoff after allowing a third goal to Chile during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Chile and Australia at Arena Pantanal on June 13, 2014 in Cuiaba, Brazil. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
- Tim Cahill (Left) and Ben Halloran of Australia acknowledge the fans after being defeated by Chile 3-1 during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group B match between Chile and Australia at Arena Pantanal on June 13, 2014 in Cuiaba, Brazil. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
- Chile’s goalkeeper Claudio Bravo (Left) secures the ball on his goal line during a Group B football match between Chile and Australia at the Pantanal Arena in Cuiaba during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. (Martin Bernetti/Getty Images)
- Chile’s defender Mauricio Isla (Right) and Australia’s forward Tommy Oar vie for the ball during a Group B football match between Chile and Australia at the Pantanal Arena in Cuiaba during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. (Luis Acosta/Getty Images)
- Chile’s goalkeeper Claudio Bravo (Below) dives for the ball during a Group B football match between Chile and Australia at the Pantanal Arena in Cuiaba during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. (Martin Bernetti/Getty Images)
- Chile’s fans cheer for their team during a Group B football match between Chile and Australia at the Pantanal Arena in Cuiaba during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. (Martin Bernetti/Getty Images)
- Chile’s forward Alexis Sanchez (Left), Australia’s defender Jason Davidson (Center) and Australia’s forward Ben Halloran (Right) vie for the ball during a Group B football match between Chile and Australia at the Pantanal Arena in Cuiaba during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. (Luis Acosta/Getty Images)
- Australia’s forward Mathew Leckie (Right) and Chile’s defender Mauricio Isla vie for the ball during a Group B football match between Chile and Australia at the Pantanal Arena in Cuiaba during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. (Luis Acosta/Getty Images)
- Chile’s midfielder Jean Beausejour (Front Left) celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal during a Group B football match between Chile and Australia at the Pantanal Arena in Cuiaba during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 13, 2014. (Martin Bernetti/Getty Images)
- An Australian soccer fan embraces a flag as she watches the 2014 World Cup soccer match between Chile and Australia which was broadcast on a large screen at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. (Pilar Olivares/Reuters photo)
- An Australian soccer fan holds an inflatable kangaroo as he watches the 2014 World Cup soccer match between Chile and Australia which was broadcast on a large screen at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro June 13, 2014. (Pilar Olivares/Reuters photo)
- Chilean soccer fans watch the 2014 World Cup soccer match between Chile and Australia in their makeshift tent on the hills of Las Canas in Valparaiso city, northwest of Santiago June 13, 2014. The area was damaged and their homes destroyed in a fire that burned large swaths of predominantly low-income, wooden houses, in the hills in Valparaiso city in April. (Eliseo Fernandez/Reuters photo)
- Chile’s Eduardo Vargas (Left) reacts after failing to score a goal during their 2014 World Cup Group B soccer match against Australia at the Pantanal arena in Cuiaba. (Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters photo)
- Chile’s national soccer players celebrate a goal against Australia by teammate Jean Beausejour (covered) during their 2014 World Cup Group B soccer match at the Pantanal arena in Cuiaba June 13, 2014. (Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters photo)