The World Cup 2014 is live with Brazil and Croatia in Group A on Monday and the schedule picks up from the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia at 4 pm ET on ESPN and the WatchESPN website with a live stream for the matchup as the two teams try to advance into the knockout stage and Neymar will be front and center as the host nation tries to finish things off.
Brazil still remains one if the favorites overall in the tournament along with Germany, Argentina and the Netherlands along with France and they also are the team expected to win in Group A. Brazil started off their tournament with a win against Croatia that was a bit controversial and then the team played to a draw with Mexico and now those two teams are looking to get out of the group stage and into the knockout round for the last 16 teams. Brazil came in as the heavy favorites to win at home and now they have the chance to get into the next stage and this comes after that draw with Mexico.
The United States will be kicking themselves if they don't advance, as they had the chance to be the first team out if the group of death but were stunned by a literal last second goal from Portugal. The US was down early after a misplayed ball by Geoff Cameron went to Nani and he put in a one on one shot with Tim Howard, but they responded later with a goal from Jermaine Jones. The team had an earlier chance from Michael Bradley with an open net with the goalie out of position, but a Portugal player threw up a knee to keep it out of the net.
Jones' goal was fantastic and that tied up the game 1-1 after he took a shot from outside the box that froze the goalie and went in on the right side. Later Jones picked up a yellow card, but he played very well and was one of the main reasons why the United States was in position to win. The team took the lead on another fantastic play from Graham Zusi and Clint Dempsey, as Zusi had the awareness to kick the ball straight across the goal at Dempsey and the shot was high enough that he was able to put it into the net right off of his chest for the stunning 2-1 lead.
The United States was not given much of a chance to get out of group g or to even win a game, but here they were with the lead late against Portugal with the chance to advance. Instead, during five minutes of extra time, Portugal got the benefit of a couple no whistles and then a long no whistle to end the game, giving them just enough time to set up a shot from Ronaldo into the middle and they converted for a goal. The Americans are still in good position to advance to the knockout round, as they need a point against Germany and that would be enough, but if they don't make it they will look back to that 30 second breakdown and wonder how they let that happen.