World Cup 2014 – Scout Notes – Matchday 3, Day 1

Neymar scores twice as Brazil hammer Cameroon by four goals to one. Mexico qualify as Group A runners-up after easing past Croatia, Memphis Depay climbs off the bench to score for Holland once again, while Spain end their defence of the title with an easy win over Australia, as David Villa, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata all get amongst the goals:

Neymar at the Double
The hosts qualified as Group A winners with a convincing 4-1 win over Cameroon. Phil Scolari kept faith in 10 of the XI that played out a goalless draw against Mexico, bring in fit-again Hulk for Ramires on the right of the front three, and Brazil once again had Neymar to thank as the Barcelona front man scored twice for the second time in three appearances. Oscar’s Fantasy owners were provided with an assist, whilst the much-maligned Fred finally opened his account for the tournament. With just one clean sheet over the group stages, Scolari’s side have hardly convinced at the back, though David Luiz and Marcelo both served up assist to underline their attacking potential.

Matip Breaks Cameroon Duck
Despite changing three of the defensive quartet that conceded four against Croatia last time around, the Africans were once again taken apart at the back. Samuel Eto’o missed out once again through injury and there’s no doubt his absence has been sorely felt –without a point over their three matches, Cameroon had a sole Joel Matip goal against the Brazilians to show for their toils over the group stages.

In the FIFA McDonald’s game, Nicolas N’Koulou (nine), Stephane Mbia (seven), Henri Bedimo and Enoh Eyong, with five apiece, were Cameroon’s top performers for recovered balls. Luiz Gustavo led the way for Brazil with eight, while Dani Alves (six), David Luiz and Oscar (five) also impressed.

Mexico Finally Concede
One of only two sides to register back-to-back clean sheets in their opening couple of fixtures, Miguel Herrera’s men almost made it three last night. A late Ivan Perisic goal denied Rafael Marquez and co yet another shut-out, though the Mexico skipper atoned for his lack of defensive returns by notching the opener before Andres Guardado and Javier Hernandez added further goals in a 3-1 win. Unchanged from the side that drew with Brazil, Herrera’s 5-3-2 formation has proven a formidable barrier for their group opponents and whilst a showdown with Holland in the last 16 will deter many from investing, it may also place question marks over the wisdom of captaining the likes of Robin Van Persie or Arjen Robben for the first round of the knockouts.

Perisic Nets Again as Croatia Bow Out
Niko Kovac made just one change from the side that swept past Cameroon in Matchday 2. This saw Danijel Pranjic shifted into the double-pivot alongside Ivan Rakitic, with Luka Modric pushed further forward behind Mario Mandzukic as Sammir dropped out of the XI. New Barcelona signing Rakitic earned his first returns of the tournament in last night’s loss after supplying an assist for Ivan Perisic’s consolation – the latter added to his goal against Cameroon to end the campaign as a decent differential, though there’s no doubt Kovac’s side have proven major disappointments for Fantasy managers over the group stages after being soundly beaten in two of their three fixtures.

In the FIFA McDonald’s game, Dejan Lovren and Rakitic were head and shoulders above any team-mates for recovered balls, with nine and eight respectively. Three of the Mexico back five also stood out –Paul Aguilar (eight), Franco Rodriguez (seven) and Marquez, with five.

Dutch Subs Helps Sink Chile
Louis Van Gaal continued with a 3-4-1-2 formation in the absence of suspended skipper Robin Van Persie. The Holland boss made a trio of changes from the 3-2 over Australia, bringing in Jeremain Lens alongside Arjen Robben up top and drafting in Dirk Kuyt and Georgino Wijnaldum for Bruno Martins Indi and Jonathan de Guzman, with Daley Blind shifting to the back-three to accomdate Kuyt on the left of midfield. Robben added to his previous haul of three goals by providing an assist, while Leroy Fer and Memphis Depay climbed off the bench to grab the goals that saw Van Gaal’s side top Group B with a 100% record. Having avoided Brazil in the last 16, the Dutch now square up to against Mexico next weekend and with a favourable draw until the semi-finals, look set for further investment as Fantasy managers use unlimited transfers to freshen up their squads ahead of the knockout stages.

Sampaoli’s Side Fail to Make a Breakthrough
Unsurprisingly, Jorge Sampaoli retained the same 3-4-1-2 formation that saw off Spain in Matchday 2. The only alteration to the personnel saw Arturo Vidal drop out for Charles Aranguiz behind the front two but despite dominating the game with 68% possession, the South Americans were poor in the final third and mustered just a single effort on target from a total of eight attempts. With an upcoming clash against Brazil now on their agenda, owners of the likes of Alexis Sanchez may be thinking twice over holding the Barcelona man, though the hosts dodgy defence could easily afford their opponents enough chances to cause a major shock next time around.

In the FIFA McDonald’s game, Daley Blind and Nigel de Jong’s seven recovered balls were joint-top for the Dutch, with Dirk Kuyt next best on five. For Chile, Gary Medel led the way with ten of his side’s total of 28 – indeed, he was the only player to manage more than four.

Spain Find Their Form
The defending champions head home having swept aside Australia in their final group clash. Vicente del Bosque made sweeping changes to the side that lost against Chile, though Sergio Ramos and Jordi Alba owners were treated to a clean sheet after keeping their places – along with Xabi Alonso and Andre Iniesta – in the starting XI. With Diego Costa benched, David Villa and Fernando Torres notched a goal apiece before substitute Juan Mata slotted home the third. With most Fantasy games now offering us unlimited transfers prior to the knockout stages, a mass exodus of Spain’s premium-priced assets is now underway.

Aussies Struggle Without Cahill
With Tim Cahill suspended, Australia offered next to nothing in attack and failed to register a single attempt on target. The former Everton man – who had scored in each of the first two games – was replaced by Adam Taggart up front and without their talisman on board, Ange Postecoglou’s side turned in the most disappointing display of their campaign.

In the FIFA McDonald’s game, Spain led the way for recovered balls by 64-47. Alba registered an incredible 16, while Juanfran and Xabi Alonso (both eight), Raul Albiol (seven), Santi Cazorla, Ramos and Iniesta (five) also stood out. Mile Jedinak’s nine was top for Australia, with Matt McKay (eight), Matthew Spiranovic’s seven and Ryan McGowan (five) next best.