Neymar, newbies and the Gnawing in Natal. And Beer

From sublime strikes to Suarez bites, the first round of the World Cup of soccer has seen it all.

Favorites like Italy, England and defending champion Spain have gone down to defeat while lesser lights such as Costa Rica, Chile, Greece and Algeria have shown the world that other nations can play the beautiful game as well.

As to Beer Nation, three of the four great world beer powers in the tournament advanced with little trouble (Germany, Belgium and the United States) with only England on their way home to their bitters and stouts, not to mention the bitter shouts of recrimination they will hear from the press.

But I don’t want to pile on England; there were many far more compelling stories from the first round.

The Rise of CONCACAF

Respect has been a long time coming for North America and its pals in soccer but maybe now, after three of the four CONCACAF representatives are through to the Round of 16, we can get some love. Los Ticos of Costa Rica, shocking both Uruguay and Italy, became the first team to qualify; the Americans played well enough to advance in Group D; and Mexico surprised a lot of people to qualify out of a tough Group A, highlighted by an all-world performance by keeper Guillermo Ochoa in drawing with mighty Brazil.

Magnificent Goals

It started with Robin Van Persie’s diving header in the Dutch team’s 5-1 dismantling of Spain, but by the time the game was over he got goal-of-the-tournament competition from teammate Arjen Robben. Australia’s Tim Cahill’s gorgeous strike off the bar against the Dutch in the following match deserves consideration as well. Brazil’s Neymar; Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Chile’s Jorge Valdivia; Wilfred Bony of Ivory Coast; and Haris Seferovic of Switzerland also scored cracker goals.

Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez has been muzzled for at least four months

What can anyone say about this man? His debut at the tournament came in the second game and he almost single-handedly broke the hearts of the English with two fabulous goals. Then, in the win-or-go-go-home final match against Italy, he delivered the bite seen ‘round the world on Giorgio Chiellini’s shoulder. The bite was missed by the officials and on the subsequent corner Uruguay scored, eliminating the Italians. Suarez has since been banned from all world football for four months as well as a nine game national team ban, which is of little consolation to Italy.

Officiating

I hate to bring the referees into any World Cup highlight reel; especially this one as we have been treated to some magnificent football. But Fred’s dive in the box in the tournament’s opening match between Brazil and Croatia cannot go unmentioned. What was worse was the phantom call in the final minute of extra time that gifted Greece a spot in the final 16; as was the aforementioned non-call on Suarez in the match which eliminated Italy.

Messi,  Neymar and Muller

The World Cup is the time when superstars shine and Lionel Messi of Argentina and Neymar of Brazil have taken their respective teams on their backs with some brilliant performances. Add in Thomas Muller’s deadly strikes for Germany – he was the 2010 Golden Boot winner – and you have your early goal scoring leaders with four apiece.

More Predictions

Don’t bet the farm on this, as I went just nine of 16 in picking the first round winners. But I’ll give it a go anyway.

Brazil vs Chile. Should be a great game but with the home crowd, Neymar and some decent beer on their side, the Brazilians can’t lose.

Brazilian fans love their football. And we love Brazilian fans

Colombia vs Uruguay. Another South American derby, this one will go to Colombia as they are playing better football and, well, karma’s a bitch.

Netherlands vs Mexico. Both nations produce plenty of beer but the Dutch make better beer and they are also the better team.

Costa Rica vs Greece. Two minnows enjoying their last game before swimming with the sharks. Los Ticos!

France vs Nigeria. The French have been one of the surprises of this tournament thus far. They win.

Germany vs Algeria. Taking the beer out of the equation, the Germans are simply the superior squad. The Algerians have done well to get to this point but their run ends here.

Argentina vs Switzerland. Messi against the Swiss. No contest.

Belgium vs United States. One beer superpower goes down here. I’m betting it’s the USA.

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I made my first visit to Toronto’s famed Indie Ale House and while there was no Cockpuncher IIPA in the bottle shop, they did have Instigator, their signature IPA. Very impressive. Pours a cloudy orange and packs a pungent punch in the nose with citrus hops and then bam! Right in the kisser with a bitter finish of tropical fruit and pine. Really smooth – almost creamy – and it boasts an intoxicating aroma. Awesome label too.

Kaaad Spring IPA is out of Amager Brewing of Denmark. First Danish beer I’ve had and it was a good one. There’s some pine and resin on the tongue but mostly west coast hops, with citrus, grapefruit and mango prominent. Just enough of a bitter finish to make this an awesome beer. Rate Beer agrees: it scored a 98.

Go Beer!