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Regular-article-logo Sunday, 18 May 2025

Jogo Bonito

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TT Bureau Published 21.06.14, 12:00 AM

Goals. Drama. Goals. Acrobatics. Goals. Oh, did we mention goals? If the first week is any indication, football fanatics are in for a month of drool-worthy action. Not to mention this World Cup is being played in Samba Land. Just one round into the competition, we’re already gasping for breath. #AchheDin

Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa in action during the Brazil vs Mexico match

1. Goaaaal!

After the snooze-fest of South Africa in 2010, Brazil 2014 has been a goal fest and they’re coming in thick and fast. Forty-nine goals in the first round of 16 matches, which means 3.06 goals per match. Compare that to World Cup 2010, which saw only 25 goals in the first 16 matches. Some have come in through flying saucers called RVP, some through dramatic own goals and one from the divine left boot of Lionel Messi. Also, the stunning goalkeeping and saves have been celebrated as enthusiastically as the goals. Thus, little known Mexican Guillermo Ochoa has become an overnight superstar.

2. Attack is the best defence

Only two draws in the first round of 16 matches. The World Cup, thus far, has been a platform for some of the finest displays of attacking football and open games. The have-ball-will-attack approach has not just lit up the tournament but has kept us all glued to the television, even if it’s 5.30am and almost time to wake up. Happiness is watching your favourite player blaze down the flanks towards the goal... and slamming it past the keeper.

Pepe headbutts Germany’s Thomas Mueller

3. The shocks and surprises

You just know that this World Cup is going to be unpredictable when the first goal of the tournament is an own goal by Brazil. From defending champions Spain crashing out after losing to Netherlands and Chile to Uruguay being humbled by Costa Rica, the sighs and celebrations have waltzed hand in hand. Bosnia and Herzegovina, in their maiden Cup appearance, won hearts and gave mighty Argentina a scare.

The World Cup in Brazil is raw, unbridled entertainment

4. Drama galore

The drama off the pitch has been as delicious and frenzied as on it. If the tournament came alive with an impossible rainbow header by flying Dutchman Robin van Persie, France complained of a drone spying over their training ground. From a winning goal in the dying seconds by Switzerland to a cracker of a goal in the opening seconds by the USA and a shocking Pepe headbutt thrown in between, no match is over till the final whistle is blown. No Zlatan? No Gareth Bale? No Ribery? Ronaldo all but MIA? No problem.

5. It’s in Brazil, silly!

Let’s put it this way. Watching a World Cup being played in Brazil is like watching a rock concert in Woodstock or a Macbeth rendition at the Globe theatre. The world’s biggest football competition at the spiritual home of football can only translate into raw, unbridled entertainment. In Brazil they call it Jogo Bonito (the Beautiful Game). This World Cup in Brazil is showing us why.

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