Daily Schmankerl: World Cup recaps; James is hurt; Boateng’s price tag is €30M (LOL); and MORE!

Heartbreak for Egypt as the fall to Uruguay (BavarianFootballWorks.com)

The Egyptians fought valiantly before conceding in the 89th minute to fall to Uruguay 1-0. It was a powerful header coming off a set piece from near the corner flag that Atletico Madrid’s José Giménez was able to hammer home for the winner.

It looked as if Egypt might escape the match with a precious point right up until the end. The Egyptians outworked Uruguay for much of the match as Uruguay looked uncharacteristically lethargic. Luis Suarez missed a golden chance, and Egyptian keeper Mohamed El-Shenawy parried away a rocket by Edinson Cavani, who hit the post on a late free kick. But it was not to be.

Egyptian talisman Mohamed Salah was left on the bench as an unused substitute as he continued recover from the shoulder injury that he sustained during the Champions League final. He was visibly saddened by the loss.

—Brian Kellogg

Morocco vs Iran: Own Goals are terrible... especially in the final minute (BavarianFootballWorks.com)

Morocco were the favorites going into their match with Iran but found themselves absolutely confounded by the Iranian defense. The match was a stalemate for 95 minutes. Neither side could find that breakthrough goal.

In the final minute of the game, disaster struck for Morocco. Just win it seemed like both teams were going to walk away from the match with a disappointing scoreless draw, Aziz Bouhaddouz headed an Iranian free kick into his own net.

After the match, Iranian forward Reza Ghoochannejhad posted the following on his Instagram as a message to Bouhaddouz.

@aziz_bouhaddouz I don’t know you personally but in life, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Don’t let this owngoal bring you down. We are all professional sportsmen and this is a part of football. I am so happy and proud of my team and my country, but wanted to wish you also all the best in your career. Reza.

Coming away from the easiest match of the group with zero points when you still have to play Spain and Portugal effectively ends any hope that Morocco had for getting out of this group.

—Phillip Quinn

Portugal and Spain part after a 3-3 goal-fest (BavarianFootballWorks.com)

So you’ve heard the age-old saying, “Never fire your manager 48 hours before the World Cup” before, right? No? You’re saying who would be dumb enough to do that?

Spain desperately needed a win to prove to themselves and the world that they could overcome the pressure and kick off the group stage right. They blew two leads and left with a draw.

CR7 deserves a lot of credit as he exploited Spain’s mistakes. Spain’s defense conceded a spot kick just four minutes into the match, which Ronaldo converted with ease. After Diego Costa scored his first international goal to tie the game, David “Best Keeper in the World” de Gea let in an absolute howler to allow Portugal to go up 2-1 at the half.

Two Spanish goals in quick succession allowed them to take back the lead. A 55th minute goal from Costa was followed by a wonderful 58th minute volley by Nacho Fernandez to give Spain the lead. But, sloppy play in the final 20 minutes led to a Cristiano Ronaldo set piece and just like that, Portugal denied the Spaniards three points by drawing 3-3.

Oh yeah, and Ronaldo scored a hat-trick.

— Jake Fenner

It would appear that Gerard Piqué was not on board with the calls benefiting Ronaldo and Portugal yesterday.

This will NEVER get old (and we know he’s great):

— Chuck Smith

James a doubt for Colombia due to muscle fatigue (WorldSoccerTalk.com)

In what would surely be crippling news for the Colombian team, James Rodriguez may be suffering through an ailment heading into Colombia’s game against Japan on Tuesday.

James Rodriguez — the top scorer at Brazil 2014 — remains a doubt for Colombia’s World Cup opener against Japan after missing training on Friday due to muscle fatigue. The Bayern Munich star helped steer Colombia to their best-ever finish at a World Cup four years ago before they were ousted in the quarter-finals by hosts Brazil. Expected to lead his nation’s challenge in Russia, James has been plagued by discomfort in his left calf since last week, when Jose Pekerman’s side left Milan following a 16-day spell in the Italian city.

This also isn’t the first time James has battled an injury like this.

James had a similar ailment in his left calf in February that sidelined him for three weeks following a Champions League clash with Besiktas. Colombia’s medical staff are understood to be battling to make sure he recovers in time, although reports suggest Pekerman, now Colombia’s longest-serving boss, is already considering River Plate playmaker Juan Quintero as a replacement. Although left-footed like James, Quintero’s inclusion could have ramifications for Pekerman’s tactical plans.

James is, well, kind of important for Colombia so we’re sure this is getting the full attention of the medial staff.

— Chuck Smith

Boateng for €30M? LOL (Gazzetta Di Parma)

WE’RE GOING OUT OF BUSINESS AND EVERYTHING MUST GO! YOU WANT JUAN BERNAT, HE’S ONLY FOR €15M! THIAGO, YOU’VE GOT HIM FOR €50M! JEROME BOATENG, HE CAN BE YOURS FOR JUST €30M! WE’VE GOT TO SELL! SELL! SELL! OUR PRICES ARE................INSANEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

There are no shortage of suitors for the German, such as Manchester United and City where Boateng would find Guardiola as a coach. For the central defender, 30 million are needed, just the amount that Chelsea would have offered for Rugani. But Juventus would like to set up a loan with a redemption obligation with Bayern, so as not to weigh the weight of the operation on the balance sheet of this market session.

Seriously, though, €30M? Come on. Even the DON would not come in here with that.

— Chuck Smith

German Humor (@fussballerrisch)

— John N, Dillon

So you want to win the World Cup? Xabi Alonso and Bixente Lizarazu tell you how (@FCBayernUS)

Either Xabi was talking after appearing the the legends at the Allianz Arena or maybe he just never took off that slick red Bavarian jacket Bayern Munich gave him.

— John N. Dillon

İlkay Gündoğan is not having a good month (@cfbayern)

Whether his car getting destroyed was coincidence or not, this has not been a banner month for the Manchester City man.

— Chuck Smith

German soccer players are just good at social media (@mterstegen1)

Marc-André ter Stegen joins the crowd of Germany’s social media masters.

— Chuck Smith