Group E – Europe 2 – Latinos 0

After Group E’s opening games it was very much advantage France and Switzerland.

Ecuador may have led Switzerland for most of the first half in Brasilia but the Swiss replied after inspired second-half substitutions by Ottmar Hitzfeld – Mehmedi The Remedy – and scored the vital winning goal in injury time, just when Ecuador seemed content to settle for a point.

The France vs Honduras game reminded me of the song, Let’s Get Physical.

Getting close proved to be the downfall of Honduras.

Next up, Switzerland play France in Salvador on Friday, while Honduras (without Wilson Palacios) will meet Ecuador in Curitiba.

To keep the group interesting, we really need both games to end in a draw; though I’d be happy to see Honduras lose out on a chance to reach the knockout round.

2014 World Cup Preview – Group E

Like England’s group, Group E is a Latin America vs Europe affair; without an African or Asian team in sight.

If England’s recent draws against Ecuador and Honduras are anything to go by, France and Switzerland could find things closer than they’d like.

Switzerland might have beaten Spain, the eventual World Cup winners, last time around but they never really set the tournament alight.

Of course Franck Ribery will be missed, but France should have enough to get out of the group ahead of Switzerland and Ecuador; unless all four teams end up with three points.

This group does look that tight, but let’s hope I’m far from right on that score.