World Cup, 6/21

Hey everyone. Another cloudless, 96-degree day in the Alabama capitol. Today is the solstice, too, which is difficult for me. Beginning tomorrow, the days start getting shorter as we tumble toward winter. I hate winter. I hate cold. I was born to live in Belize, Barbados, Trinidad. Can I cover Auburn from there?

OK. Soccer.
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LATE MATCHES
*Holland and Argentina, 0-0: Awful match. Truly awful. The teams had nothing to on the line because they're already through to the knock-out round. NED sat six major players to clear their yellow-card residue. Van Der Sar made a couple excellent saves to keep Holland in this one, though neither team played with much conviction.
Next up:
Holland (2-0-1) plays Portugal (3-0-0) on Sunday at 2 p.m. (ESPN)
Argentina (2-0-1) plays Mexico (1-1-1) on Saturday at 2 p.m. (ABC)

These kids think Maradona is the Material Girl.
(AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

*Ivory Coast def. Serbia, 3-2: Very entertaining. Serbia moved ahead 2-0 at the half. Ivory Coast caught up on a consummated corner kick and a PK. Kalou scored on a second PK at 88', setting off a wild celebration in the stands. What a finish. The team's keeper couldn't watch the final PK; he was too nervous.
Next up:
Ivory Coast (1-2-0) is eliminated.
Serbia & Montenegro (0-3-0) is eliminated.

IVC keeper Boubacar Barry prays for a win.
(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
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EARLY MATCHES
*Portugal def. Mexico, 2-1: POR moved ahead by two on a goal by Maniche and a PK from Simao. Then Mexico scored about 10' later on a sweet corner. Mexico missed a second-half PK and later missed a good chance on a set piece. No matter -- Mexico advances anyway. Maybe MEX can get Borgetti back. That's the only way they can be a factor.
Next up:
Portugal (3-0-0) plays Holland (2-0-1) on Sunday, 2 p.m. (ESPN)
Mexico (1-1-1) plays Argentina (3-0-0) on Saturday, 2 p.m. (ABC)

Maniche gets his moment in the sun, though the stadium is domed today.
(AP Photo/Claudio Cruz)

*Iran and Angola, 1-1: I didn't watch much of this one because I was fixated on the Portugal match. Angola was ahead, then lost the lead on a well-played corner fairly late in the match.
Next up:
Angola (0-1-2) is eliminated.
Iran (0-2-1) is eliminated.
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On Univision, the commentators get excited for some yellow cards by bellowing "AMARILLO" ... which, as I have learned, is Spanish for "yellow".

I think it's hysterical. The pic below is great for a few reasons.
a.) Tim De Cler, the guy getting the card, forearmed the "injured" guy on a header. Totally guilty.
b.) Cocu, to De Cler's left, looks in incredulously. Like he doesn't know what happened.
c.) Riquelme, to De Cler's right, knows his teammate isn't hurt and is barely interested.

Amarillo for you, big boy.
(AP Photo/Michael Probst)