8 of 16 Set

Now that each team has played two group games, half of the final sixteen is set. Here they are:

Spain
Brazil
Portugal
Netherlands
Argentina
England
Ecuador
Germany

Hrm. One of those countries doesn’t usually fit with the others.

I think Ecuador’s presence on that list is pretty damn impressive. All of those teams have six points, but only Spain and Argentina have a better goal differential that La Tricolor.

As announcer Tommy Smyth said today, one swallow doesn’t make a summer. But it’s still a nice accomplishment.

The good news is, Suarez isn’t content with qualifying or even with winning the group. He wants to advance, and doesn’t care who he has to beat o do it.