With serious allegations of corruption monopolizing the news cycle leading into the World Cup, the last thing FIFA needed following the opening match of Brazil 2014 was for the global headlines to be dominated by the awarding of a mystery penalty which would alter the course of the contest. Javier Mas

With serious allegations of corruption monopolizing the news cycle leading into the World Cup, the last thing FIFA needed following the opening match of Brazil 2014 was for the global headlines to be dominated by the awarding of a mystery penalty which would alter the course of the contest. Javier Mascherano Jersey . Too bad the refs vanishing spray, which was first introduced in tournament play at 2011s Copa América, is only effective on the grass. We were all left wondering when the football would finally be the focus. All those questions were answered by the Dutch dominance of the World Cup holders yesterday. In the second half alone, Spain conceded twice as many goals as they did through seven matches en route to a first World Cup triumph in South Africa four-years ago. Then for an encore, Chile and Australia played out a highly spirited encounter. Jorge Sampaolis team were very convincing, and certainly would have won over many new admirers, that one of South Americas less glamorous nations, would be the one which punches well above its weight class at Brazil 2014. With Groups C and D taking to the pitch Day 3 provides us with the only quadruple header of the tournament. Where armchair enthusiasts the world over are treated to the prospect of four matches over the course of 11 hours. Todays headliner without question is the rumble in the jungle, as the aptly named Arena da Amazonia plays host to Italy v England. With four World Cup triumphs already to their name, a record which is only bettered by Brazils five, if Italy is the preening peacock of European football, then England is its Hippopotamus. Rare, if ever, has the land of St. George got their heads above the waterline during World Cups. Quite coincidentally the last time that happened was at Italia 90, which was also the last time the two nations met at a World Cup. Courtesy of Toto Schillacis late penalty, Italy prevailed 2-1 in the third-place playoff match. Through the entire history of World Cup quite remarkably, that meeting represents the only time the two nations have met at the tournament proper. They have though met in qualifying twice. The most recent time was for France 1998. Zolas superb strike at Wembley in February 1997 was the difference maker. The return fixture in Rome saw England claim a famous scoreless draw and with it top spot in the group. The iconic image of England captain Paul Inces head swathed in a bloodied bandage typified Englands approach on the day. One which had the current England manager Roy Hodgson assisting Glen Hoddle, officially in the role of interpreter. Hodgson was Inter Milans head coach at the time. When the World Cup Draw took place in Zurich early last December Manaus was chosen as the venue. The Arena da Amazonia, built at a cost of $300M has been in the news for all the wrong reasons as four workers have died during its construction. Brazilian football legend come politician Romario has been outspoken in his criticism. Pictures emerging on Thursday of a sub-standard surface the latest setback for a stadium which will host four group stage games. With Buffon set to miss out due to an ankle injury which occurred in training yesterday, combined with Montolivo fracturing a leg May 31st, the psychological edge certainly goes to England. Not that Prandellis team will need extra motivation this evening - but the only European nation to retain a World Cup [1934, 1938] is still smarting from its inability to emerge from a weak group in South Africa. A tournament they went into as defending champions. With soaring heat and intense humidity factoring, for England to stand any chance they will have to overcome the Achilles heel which has dogged them through the ages. Chasing shadows in the pursuit of a ball they surrender more casually than Andrea Pirlo completes successful passes. Based on statistical evidence and World Cup history, losing your first group stage game almost guarantees elimination. Although Prandelli nor Hodgson would admit it, if the game finishes as it did in Rome back in fall 1997 neither of them will be too upset. Noel.Butler@BellMedia.ca @TheSoccerNoel on Twitter TSN Radio is an official licensed radio broadcaster of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ Brazil. Check www.tsn.ca/radio for the broadcast schedule in your home town. Munir El Haddadi Jersey .Patterson marked his anniversary by proving his worth — once again.Lou Williams poured in 26 points, and Patterson drained two huge three-pointers late in the fourth quarter, as the Raptors topped the Denver Nuggets 112-107 in overtime Monday. Nelson Semedo Jersey . Felix Pie had an RBI double earlier in the inning, as Baltimore rallied for three runs to overcome a 3-2 deficit. J.J. Hardy had two hits and Matt Wieters chipped in with an RBI double for the Orioles, who pushed their winning streak to three games.HOMESTEAD, Fla. - NASCAR chairman Brian France said Friday no disciplinary action will be taken against Kurt Busch while police in Delaware investigate a claim of domestic assault made by the drivers former girlfriend.Patricia Driscoll has filed court documents asking a judge to order Busch to stay away from her and not contact her, and she claims Busch verbally and physically abused her, smashing her head against a wall three times. The allegations involve an incident inside his motorhome at a race at Dover International Speedway in September a week after the couple broke up.Busch has not been charged and has continued to drive for Stewart-Haas Racing. He qualified second for Sundays season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Busch did not take questions Friday night about the assault claim.We are watching that case carefully, France said. Its under review by law enforcement and others, and they have not made a decision on that regarding Kurt. So until they make some judgments on that investigation, it wouldnt be right of us to just intervene before theyve even gotten the investigation completed. So thats our position. Well respect their process. Its in their hands.Stewart-Haas executive vice-president Joe Custer said the team was also awaiting word from the authorities.We have spoken to Kurt in depth regarding this matter and he has vehemently denied that it happened and assures us there is no truth to it whatsoever, Custer said. At this point in time we are taking Kurt at his word and his status with the team is unchanged.France said he was sensitive to the focus on domestic violence in a year in which the NFL in pparticular has been under scrutiny for its handling of cases involving former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice and other players. Aleix Vidal Jersey. The NFL has toughened its policy on domestic violence, requiring a six-game suspension without pay for a first offence.U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier of California sent a letter to NASCAR President Mike Helton and Stewart-Haas asking for Buschs suspension. She also called for a NASCAR policy of suspending drivers accused of domestic violence until criminal proceedings end or there is a clear lack of evidence.Your response to these serious allegations has been totally inadequate, Speier wrote.France said there are no changes planned to NASCARs domestic dispute policy.If charges are filed, that will change our equation, and we will look at that, France said. We realize the heightened awareness of this important topic, and our policies will reflect that as we go down. Theyll reflect how serious it is.Speier also took aim at the handling of driver Travis Kvapils arrest last year. Kvapil continued to race after he was arrested on charges of misdemeanour assault and false imprisonment against his wife.Unfortunately, NASCAR was equally passive in handling Kvapils arrest, she wrote.NASCAR did not take disciplinary action against Tony Stewart while a grand jury considered and ultimately decided against charges for the Aug. 9 accident that killed sprint car driver Kevin Ward Jr.We dont think, for an event that wasnt even ours, that we would somehow come out and extract punishment from him, for something that authorities investigated very carefully, by the way, France said. Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '