Clint Dempsey got Team USA's World Cup off to a stunning start with his lightning fast goal in the U.S.' opening match against Ghana. With a dazzling bit of footwork, Dempsey danced around a stunned Ghana defense to score just 29 seconds after the starting whistle. It was the fastest goal scored this World Cup and the fifth-fastest in tournament history. Dempsey is also the first USA player to score at three World Cups.
Things weren't looking good for the Netherlands in the first half of its opening match against Spain, the team that had beat the Dutch in the final of the 2010 World Cup. An early penalty had put Spain 1-0 up. But in the closing minute of the first half, Dutch player Daley Blind sent a Hail Mary volley deep into Spanish territory. Striker Robin van Persie threw himself at the ball, heading it in mid-air over and above Spanish keeper Iker Casillas. It was the header heard around the world. Within minutes, mock-ups depicting van Persie as Superman hit the Internet. The Netherlands went on to win 5-1.
One of the ugliest fouls in this World Cup was also one of the most pointless. Croatia forward Mario Mandzukic was no where near the ball when Cameroon midfielder Alex Song came charging in behind him, driving his elbow down into Mandzukic's back. The ref gave Song a red card, expelling him from the game. Croatia was leading 1-0 and finished the match 4-0, helped by two later goals by Madzukic. FIFA handed Song a three-match ban and a $22,000 fine.
Fred's dive in Brazil's opening match against Croatia is considered one of the most dramatic performances of the 2014 World Cup, but it still landed Dejan Lovren with a yellow card. The penalty was perceived by many as the first miscarriage of justice — and "proof" that FIFA and the refs work in favor of the host nation.
Spain came into the 2014 World Cup as defending champions and two-time European Cup winners, widely praised as the best soccer squad of the last decade. Spain's opening match against the Netherlands started well, with a successfully-converted penalty by Spanish star Xabi Alonso. Then it all went terribly wrong. A dazzling diving goal by Dutch striker Robin Van Persie opened the flood gates for a goal fest. A loss against Chile followed and Spain, suddenly, was on its way home.
Even before the World Cup, the press had dubbed Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez "the cannibal" for his penchant to bite opponents. So there was something almost inevitable about the scene during Italy vs. Uruguay when Suarez, apparently unprovoked, bit into the shoulder of Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini. The act went unpunished during the match, which Uruguay won, but soccer governing body FIFA gave Suarez a four-month ban, ending his World Cup. Chiellini, even the gentleman, called the ruling "excessive."
It was a long time coming! Striker Wayne Rooney has been his England's great World Cup hope since his first cap in 2003 at the tender age of 17. But despite consecutive appearances on soccer's biggest stage – at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups – Rooney failed to find the target. His World Cup goal-less streak became a national obsession. After several near misses in Brazil, it looked like the streak would continue. But in the 75th minute of Uruguay v England, Rooney finally knocked one home. It didn't matter. England lost the match and was knocked out of the tournament.
Brazil, hot off its 3-1 defeat of Croatia in its opening match, was looking to breeze into the second round with a win against less-favored Mexico. Mexico, particularly goalie Guillermo Ochoa, had other ideas. He made remarkable save after remarkable save, blocking close-range shots from Brazilian star Neymar, Paulinho and Thiago Silva. The performance earned him the man of the match award and made Ochoa an overnight online superstar.
Few gave tiny Costa Rica (population 4.5 million) much chance in Group D, because of the supposed prowess of competing squads Italy, England and Uruguay. But the Costa Ricans proved them all wrong, blowing by Uruguay 3-1, beating Italy 1-0 and drawing with England 0-0 to finish the first round undefeated and top of the "Group of Death."
Three champions with a total of six World Cups – Spain, England and Italy – were knocked out after the first round of matches, upending bookie predictions and sending television ratings tumbling in the soccer-mad European nations. While many had predicted an early exit for England, few had a first-round ouster for favored contenders Italy and Spain.
Many fans assumed the match was over when Portugal's Varela headed in a goal with just seconds to go injury time to tie 2-2 vs. the U.S. Fortunately the Americans still managed to advance to the knockout round even with a loss to Germany in the next match, ironically with the help of a goal from Cristiano Ronaldo that meant Portugal beat Ghana.