Brad

I think that’s a case of the Warriors making sure the Lakers didn’t get him. If LeBron thinks they’re going to be better than Houston or SF, he has another think coming.

I thought they were impressive in beating Panama and Tunisia, obviously not great competition, but they beat them handily. Today, they had to dig deep against a very determined opponent. To me, that was impressive. I think they can beat Brasil.

What a shame. Yes, Asian teams are at a definitive disadvantage when it comes to height. This will eat at them for a long time. Belgium have shown they are the best team so far in the tournament.

Belgium are showing their mettle.

Belgium is in deep you know what

I missed the first 20 minutes but they seemed fairly even. Another disappointment for Mexico. They can’t get past the group of 16. However, had they shown up in the last group game, they might have faced Switzerland, certainly a less daunting task.

A Mexico win wouldn’t surprise me but I don’t think it will happen.

I think there are some players like that who feel some anxiety when facing a team who have beaten him before. Conversely, there are some players who feel very confident against other teams. I remember McCarver used to say hitting is contagious. I suppose losing can be too.

Price and the Yankees are like oil and water; they don't mix, from the Boston perspective. He should never start against them again.

I was a Latin American Studies major and then a master's candidate so I'm returning to my "roots."

Marca ran a poll to see what readers thought and other than Isco most players received the equivalent of Cs or D. The Coach received a D; he was put in an impossible position. More than half thought the decision to replace Lopetegui was the reason they were eliminated. Voted as the worst of Spain were the goalie and the inability to create scoring chances. Defense came in a distant third.

The mood is somber here too. I thought we might be getting Denmark-Russia in the quarters. Glad for Modric.

He was smart to ask for deferred comp.

More action in this match than 120 of the prior one.

It's a bitter pill but they didn't really play well in the World Cup, except for the first match. I feel bad for Iniesta. What a way to go out, especially when they dominated the game. Not a bloody goal was scored from the field in this match. The PK loss to South Korea in 2002 was more disappointing but this one is close behind.

What a disappointment

They don’t even have a Plan A.

I think the Russians will try to take this to penalties. That is the only way they will have things equal.

It's not an impressive display; possession without much attack. They need to put Iniesta in.

Iniesta is on the bench today. Spain needs to make a statement today.

Orgiastic joy no doubt

Based on today’s matches, I can’t see how Uruguay beats France. Portugal had two thirds of the possession. Uruguay can’t win like that against France. What was even more curious was only one yellow card. Many more could have been called.

This is a very unusual match. All the stats heavily favor Portugal. They should be winning but are not

What was the reaction in Madrid to Argentina losing?