World Cup Day Six: Open Thread

This World Cup just keeps getting better, doesn't it? The snooze fest that was Iran and Nigeria was bookended by two remarkably entertaining matches. Germany started off day five by positively humiliating Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal, thanks in part to Thomas Müller's hat trick, while the United States scored a late header to break a two match World Cup losing streak to Ghana.

With 44 goals through 14 matches, if this World Cup can't convert neutral observers, nothing will. Day six features the opening salvos of Group H, while Mexico and Brazil face-off in Group A's second set of fixtures. With more enticing talent on the pitch, the goals are sure to follow.

The Matches

Any Romans, past or present, on duty?

The only current member of the Giallorossi is Brazil's backup right back Maicon, who did not feature in Brazil's opener against Croatia and, given Dani Alves' solid performance last week, he probably won't see the pitch this afternoon either.

Any potential transfer targets or former adversaries to pique my interest?

Brazil features former Laziale, Hernanes and Inter keeper Julio Caesar, who is at once a former adversary and transfer target, Algeria has Napoli fullback Faouzi Ghoulam among their numbers, while Belgium plays host to Napoli starlet Dries Mertens.

The land of Jonas' birth also features several silly season targets, past and present, including Thomas Vermaelen, Toby Alderweireld, Romelu Lukaku, Jan Vertonghen and everyones favorite shot-in-the-dark, Eden Hazard. Beyond that handful of Belgians, the only other former transfer target that springs to mind is Russian playmaker Alan Dzagoev, who was connected with a move to the capital the past few summers.

Hard to say which of them is the most realistic capture, as so much of it will depend on what ultimately happens with Mehdi Benatia, but they're all talented players, so Roma can't really veer to off course with any of them.

Where to watch

Once again ESPN is carrying all three matches in ‘Murica, while LiveSoccerTV has all the international listings you can dream of, or you can try and score one of those seats on the beach at Copacabana.