Day 14 in 100 words or less We are told that over 90 per cent of the population is naturally right-footed. Francisco Lindor Indians Jersey . Brazil 2014 has only been alive for two weeks and it has already laughed in the faces of many trends and on Day 14, it added another one. A tournament that has seen left-footed geniuses like Arjen Robben and James Rodriguez rise above the rest, added two more left-footed playmakers to the list of stars at this World Cup on Wednesday. Xherdan Shaqiri, who patiently waited for his showcase to get out of Bayern Munich, netted a hat-trick, while Lionel Messi delivered a complete performance for the first time. Argentina 3-2 Nigeria Lionel Messi was very good at the World Cup in 2010, but he didnt score a goal and Argentina went home early. For the next four years, we were told he wasnt good at all in South Africa. For the first two games in Brazil, Messi scored two brilliant goals that proved to be the difference. We were told he was finally delivering on the biggest stage. Except he wasnt. He was, in fact, average for long periods of the game and wasnt as good as he was in South Africa. And then came game number three. Unlike Brazil, still sputtering along in third-gear, Argentina upped their game on Wednesday, delivering a far better performance than their previous efforts at this World Cup. This was helped, of course, by a complete performance from Messi. He scored early, dragging three men towards him, allowing space for Angel Di Maria to run into, before following up and smashing the ball into the roof of the net. It was far from game over, though. Argentina have flaws, more of which we will look at soon. Nigeria fought back to 1-1 and then Messi delivered the best free kick of the World Cup so far, looping the ball over the wall and into the corner of the net. Four goals in three games. At 3-2, he was removed for a rest and it was a break he deserved. Argentina were the real winners of the December draw; their group was perfect for them, full of close but winnable games and that theme continues for them going forward. A date with Switzerland follows and then, likely, Belgium, Ghana or USA in the quarterfinals and, possibly, Netherlands in the last four. All of their South American cousins are in the opposite half, as are Germany, should they win their group. It is quite possible that Argentina will line up inside the Maracana on July 13 without being seriously tested by a legitimate contender at this World Cup. That gives them an opportunity to continue to roll, but will they be good enough by then to cover for their weaknesses? The cohesion of their front three was a mild improvement from games one and two, though Sergio Aguero left the game injured and that might help them going forward because he and Gonzalo Higuain havent been at their best alongside Messi. Although a concern, that isnt the biggest issue for Argentina. Their back four are very unreliable, happy to play deep to stop any pace coming behind them. This, though, is an issue to be exploited by top teams. The midfield three of Fernando Gago, Javier Mascherano and Di Maria desperately need to connect with the front three for the system to work. Gagos movement created Messis first goal in Brazil and Di Marias combinations with Messi were much better on Wednesday. This means the midfield three push forward and leave space in behind. On the first goal conceded, scored by Ahmed Musa, midfielder Michael Babatunde sprinted into space between the lines… Once Musa got into the danger zone, the centre-backs had been split and he was one-on-one with the full back Pablo Zabaleta, before curling the ball into the net. At 2-1, the same thing happened again in the second half. Look at the space in between the lines…. The ball is played into Emmanuel Emenike, both centre-backs are dragged towards him and Musa sprints into the space between the lines. It is an imperfect storm for Argentinas two greatest weaknesses If we look at how they conceded their other goal in this tournament, again from open play, against Bosnia-Herzegovina, it is a familiar story. When the team has to defend, there is a tremendous pressure on seven players to defend properly. Once again, they didnt do that properly. Here, you can see a back four with the midfield three and, the eventual goalscorer Vedab Ibisevic, operating between the lines… Ibisevic makes an intelligent run and, like Musa, allows his teammate to run into the space in between the lines, which forced a centre-back out once again…. Once hes in, he scores easily. Argentina should be the favourites to win the World Cup at this stage. Their best player is on form and the draw has opened up for them but, when not in possession, they look like a broken team and one that could be exposed. It just might be later, rather than sooner, at this World Cup. Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-1 Iran Both teams saw their World Cups officially end in another excellent game in Brazil. Not much will be remembered from the game, except for another fine left-footed strike by Edin Dzeko, a man who clearly deserved to be a goal-scorer in this tournament after harshly having one ruled out for offside against Nigeria. Switzerland 3-0 Honduras Honduras achieved something quite remarkable as their World Cup ended. They beat Cameroon for being the worst team in this tournament with another poor performance. Switzerland, however, did exactly what they needed to do, winning a game by a margin that would have forced Ecuador to win by more than just a goal. Xherdan Shaqiri was the star but he owes a toast to Josip Drmic, who was magnificent playing just ahead of him. Shaqiris goals were exquisite, but Drmics movement and vision contributed to two and the pairs relationship will delight Ottmar Hitzfeld as they head into their next game against Argentina. If any pair can exploit the space in between the lines, it might be these two. The great coach, who retires after this tournament, said he didnt even think it could have been his last game. Honduras will do that to you. Argentina will be a different foe, for sure, but what a glorious challenge it will be for the veteran leader. France 0-0 Ecuador Ecuador became the only South American team to not make the last 16 after a goalless draw in Rio. Goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez was excellent, captain Antonio Valencia was sent off and striker Enner Valencia was a menace once again. However, it seemed the moment they conceded the late winner to Switzerland that it would cost them qualification and so it proved the case for Reinaldo Ruedas side. France, meanwhile, should have scored at least three but didnt get any. Didier Deschamps made a number of changes heading into the match and, much like Chile, Costa Rica and Colombia, it was tough to analyze much from a team already (virtually) through to the next round through two games. What we do know is France have a deep squad, with an in-form star striker, and will be big favourites against Nigeria. How they respond when they go behind in a game may be their biggest test going forward. Man of the Day Nominees Lionel Messi – It feels right when one of the worlds finest players performs like that at a World Cup. Angel Di Maria – A player who is so important to their system, the Real Madrid man was much better today than in the past two matches. Ahmed Musa – Two brilliantly taken goals made the game closer than some thought it would be. Xherdan Shaqiri – It has been the tournament of left-footed wizards and the Bayern Munich man delivered when his country needed him most. Alexander Dominguez – Many Ecuadorian players leave Brazil with their heads held high, including their goalkeeper who put on a clinic at the Maracana. The winner… Lionel Messi – Who else? Again... What comes next? USA vs. Germany and Portugal vs. Ghana (12pm et /9am pt), South Korea vs. Belgium and Algeria vs Russia (4pm et/1pm pt) Burning question for tomorrow Will Fabio Capello let go of the handbrake and allow his creative players to attempt to take his team into the next round? Key stat of Day 14 Lionel Messi scored in all three group games for Argentina. The first player to do that since Omar Corbatta in 1958. Phil Maton Jersey . Pillar is batting .305 with 17 extra-base hits, 19 RBI and five stolen bases in 34 games for Buffalo this season. The right-handed hitter had an International League high, 18-game hitting streak this season and currently owns an IL high 26-game on base streak. A. J. Cole Jersey . Halak, 28, split his eighth NHL seasons between the St. Louis Blues, Buffalo Sabres and Washington Capitals, compiling a 29-13-7 record in 52 games. https://www.cheapindiansonline.com/ . Once again, the third baseman delivered in a big spot. Ramirez kept up his torrid hitting with a two-run homer to help back Wily Peraltas solid start, and the Brewers extended their winning streak to seven with a 4-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night.SURREY, B.C. - B.C. Lions general manager Wally Buono never saw it coming.Head coach Mike Benevides called the performance very, very disturbing.A little more than 24 hours after the Montreal Alouettes embarrassed the Lions 50-17 in the CFLs East Division semifinal, Buono and Benevides met the media on Monday to begin the autopsy on a season that started with the promise of another Grey Cup in their backyard and ended with a resounding thud.Was I in a state of shock (Sunday)? Yes, said Buono, choosing his words carefully. Would I ever would have imagined that would have occurred? No.What did I learn about our football club? I learned the fact that were not good enough and I learned the fact we have to do something about it.As was the case throughout much of 2014, B.C.s offence was unable to get anything going against Montreal, which will take on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the East final on Sunday.I was just so confident that we were going to go out and really play well and win a tough, close game on the road, said Buono. This is devastating. If its not devastating then you werent committed, you werent 100 per cent in.Kevin Glenn, who started 18 of the clubs 19 games this season in place of the injured Travis Lulay, was completely ineffective against the Alouettes, throwing for just 64 yards and two interceptions before getting the hook.When you have that kind of loss theres going to be a lot said and a lot of attention, and rightly so, said Benevides. To lose in that manner is very, very disturbing and certainly disappointing and all the adjectives you could come up with.In his three years as head coach of the Lions, Benevides has a record of 33 wins and 21 losses, but is 0 for 3 in playoff games. He was promoted from defensive co-ordinator to head coach after Buono moved into the front office on a full-time basis following the Lions Grey Cup victory in 2011.When asked if Benevides would be back in 2015, Buono responded with: Are any of us going to be back?Benevides said job security wasnt a concern, but added the 9-9 record and the crossover playoff spot wasnt good enough.Theres no doubt this business is about winning and Im clearly aware where thats at, he said. When I look at it, my goal is always to find a way to improve and get better and thats still where my focus is. But Im clearly aware of where were at — very disappointed.The Lions dealt with a number of injuries on offence throughout 2014. Lulay played just one game, running back Andrew Harris and wide receiver Courtney Taylor were lost for the season, and the offensive line was beat up for long stretches.Despite those losses and a defence that had played well for much of the season, but also gave up 70 points and more than 1,000 yards over the last two weeks of the regular seasson, Buono said he was already making plans to face Hamilton with a shot at the Grey Cup on the line. Carlos Baerga Indians Jersey. nstead, the players will meet on Tuesday for a final time before cleaning out their lockers.That team should have been good enough to execute better (against Montreal), said Buono. That team should have been good enough to be able to have a very competitive game. At the end of it ... they didnt.I think they were well prepared. Montreal didnt surprise me. They didnt surprise me in what they did, they just executed it better.The Lions will have to make a decision on what to do with Lulay and whether or not it can count on him to be healthy after he re-injured his surgically repaired shoulder in his only start of the season.The quarterback position of any team is critical, said Buono. Travis is the kind of guy that I believe you should be willing to not make a quick decision (with).B.C. finished fifth in total offence with 353.1 yards per game, but was just seventh in the passing attack (232.4 yards per game) and fourth in rushing (102.1 yards per game)Glenn — who was acquired from the Ottawa Redblacks at the draft as an insurance policy — finished second in the CFL behind Ricky Ray with 3,918 passing yards to go along with 17 touchdowns.But he also threw 17 interceptions — plus two more in the playoff debacle — and never really looked comfortable, often making critical mistakes in the red zone.Im disappointed for (Glenn) because I have a tremendous amount of respect for him, Benevides said of the impending free agent. Kevins been a soldier for 14 years. Hes won a lot of football games.Hes a heck of a warrior — a character guy.The Lions had point totals of 17, 16, 16, 9, 7, 7, 6 and 3 during the regular season, going just 1-7 in those games, which has led to questions about first-year offensive co-ordinator Khari Jones job security.Neither Benevides or Buono elaborate on the future of any players or coaches on Monday.I feel good about our roster, said Benevides. Its like anything else, its a matter of getting the group together, working hard in the off-season and coming up with a vision of who we need to be.We overcame some challenges and other ones we did not.A former player and coach, Buono said the blowout loss in Montreal didnt hurt more than any other, even with the Grey Cup set for B.C. Place Stadium in less than two weeks, a game the Lions will now watch like everyone else.The hollowness, the emptiness always feels the same, he said. This is my 42nd year in the Canadian Football League and Ive had seven happy endings.The game was very, very disappointing. I dont think the score is relative to the disappointment. I guess the score is relative to the embarrassment, to the anger, but not to the disappointment. ' ' '