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It may have felt during the second half of yesterday's USA win over Ghana, but tomorrow did eventually come, and here we are on Day 6 of the 2014 World Cup. Day 5 saw one implosion, one match never get started, and one dose of AMERICA. Let's see what today has in store.
Belgium vs. Algeria
Kickoff Time: 12 noon EDT
Venue: Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte
TV/Streaming: ESPN and Univision if you prefer your television more traditional. WatchESPN and Univision online if you're one of those cord-cutting types.
Cliff's Notes: Belgium have been tabbed as the dark horse for this tournament by so many pundits over the last year and change that anything short of a quarterfinal appearance will be a severe disappointment. Lucky for them, they're clearly the big fish in Group H, one of the weakest in the tournament, and they'll get to ease into things against arguably the weakest team in the group. Algeria, meanwhile, if Jack Sargeant is to be believed, may not be the minnows I'm portraying them to be.
Who Should I Root For? If you like making the cognoscenti look like fools, then root for Algeria. If you like waffles, Belgium.
Brazil vs. Mexico
Kickoff Time: 3pm EDT
Venue: Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza
TV/Streaming: ESPN and WatchESPN for you English speakers, and Univision both on the airwaves and online for any Hispanophones.
Cliff's Notes: The winner of this one will reach 6 points and essentially clinch advancement to the knockout stage. Brazil never really looked convincing despite the scoreline in their 3-1 win over Croatia, while El Tri endured two wrongly disallowed goals en route to a 1-0 win over Cameroon in their first game. Mexico historically have overperformed against a Seleção, but it's tough to bet against Brazil on their own soil. For more, check out SB Nation's Mexico-Brazil preview.
Who Should I Root For? You could be the bigger person and root for Mexico and the betterment of CONCACAF (who, by the way, are a combined 3-1 thus far). But I won't be. Go Brazil!
Russia vs. Korea Republic
Kickoff Time: 6pm EDT
Venue: Estadio Pantanal, Cuiaba
TV/Streaming: Exactly the same as the first two matches of the day. Basically, put the TV or computer onto ESPN (or Univision) at noon, and throw away the remote. Well, figuratively - B&RU cannot be held responsible for any damage you cause to your remote control.
Cliff's Notes: Of these two Group H rivals, you'd think the European empire would have the stronger World Cup history, but you'd be wrong, as South Korea finished third in the 2002 edition of the tournament, which, of course, they co-hosted. That said, this version of the Taeguk Warriors is a good deal weaker than that 2002 side, while Russia won their UEFA qualifying group ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.
Who Should I Root For? South Korea, for sure. Unless you like shirtless megalomaniacal dictators who like to capture innocent peninsulas or breaking the nearly century-long history of Americans rooting against Russia.
Welcome to your open thread for the day. This is your place for any and all pre-game, in-game, inter-game and post-game conversation and commentary. Please enjoy responsibly.