World Cup 2014 TV Schedule: Who to watch Sunday, June 29
Netherlands vs. Mexico and Costa Rica vs. Greece are today’s two round of 16 matches.
Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa reaches to grab a ball during a training session in Santos, Brazil on Thursday, June 26, 2014.
Eduardo Verdugo
The top-scoring Dutch take on a powerful defensive team with Mexico in today’s match to watch.
The Netherlands plays Mexico noon EST at Estádio Castelão in Fortaleza in northeastern Brazil. Both teams come into this match strong. The Netherlands won all three of their group matches and is currently the highest scoring team in the tournament. Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa has only allowed one goal in the Cup so far and will be a key player to watch during this line-up.
Ochoa is ready for the challenge. He told the Associated Press, “We respect (the Netherlands) as we do with all of the other teams, but we know that they are among the favorites to win the Cup and that does not scare us, it motivates us. If we can beat them we will go very far.”
Mexico has never before advanced past the round of 16 and neither team has ever won the Cup. The winner of the Netherlands-Mexico match will play the winner of today’s other game.
Costa Rica faces Greece at 4 p.m. EST at Arena Pernambuco in Recife. With two wins and one draw, Costa Rica comes into this line-up with the slight advantage. Costa Rica has only allowed one goal so far, surprising most watchers with its success in the tournament and making Greece look like the underdog in this match-up.
“We were the Cinderella and now we are favorites,” Costa Rica defender Michael Umana told the Associated Press. “That’s respect and we earned it.”
Neither of the teams has ever moved onto the quarterfinals in the World Cup. With one win, one draw, and one loss, Greece has had a mixed start in the tournament. Greece coach Fernando Santos told the AP:
“Our tactics have been the same in all the games: To stay tight in defense to contain the opponents and stay dangerous in attack. The mistaken perception is to think that every team should play like Brazil or Barcelona, but they have the characteristics to play that way...But we are Greece.”
Both matches will be shown on ESPN and if you aren’t close to a TV, you can watch on the Univision website or download the free Univision mobile app.