Mexico Advances Over Croatia: Herrera Smash...

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

Mexico has had to do it the hard way for this trip to Brazil. It all started with having to qualify against New Zealand in a home-and-home just to even get in the door.

And the surprise of the tournament- outside of Costa Rica (or CONCACAF in general)- has been El Tri.

They took care of business earlier today- beating Croatia to move to the Knockout stages


But the sight of the day was current head coach Miguel Herrera and his reaction on the sidelines as his team's fate was incrementally sealed...
((HT: Goooooal's Vine))


And here...


But just think if the two calls in the second half that were not called for Mexico led to a loss...

All hell would have broken loose and the stadium would not be standing.

Costa Rica Knocks Off Italy, England Knocked Out

((HT: ESPN/FIFA))

Italy looks like they're another squad that might be in transition (or in need of transition) after the Forza Azzuri's 1-0 loss to Costa Rica Friday. The result puts Italy in an interesting place heading into their third match and knocks England out before their third- against Costa Rica before the knockout stages.

Here's the highlights


The Ticos haven't made the Round of 16 since 1990, but it will be interesting to see how they respond to life in the next round.

And the larger question may be the future of Prandelli and his Italian squad.

Orr-Parros Scrap Ends Badly (UPDATED)

((HT: NHL on CBC))

The Montreal Canadiens brought in George Parros for muscle and he ended up squaring off against Colton Orr, for what seems like the elevendy billonth time on the ice.

The guys know each other. They know the styles...
Just sometimes it doesn't end well...
Like tonight...

This was their first scrap...


But the rematch ended this way at 2:34 of the third...


Parros was taken to hospital for further examination, and the Canadiens announced following the game that he was alert and conscious. It was part of 115 total minutes of penalties on the night...

WEDNESDAY UPDATE: Parros was diagnosed with a concussion, and thankfully, that's it...

Christine Simpson anchors postgame coverage
((HT: Sportsnet))


Here's CBC's take with Ron McLean anchoring. It's a good healthy debate on player safety and the role of fighting in the NHL. ((HT: CBC Sports))

A Saturday Night Knockout In MMA, Belfort On A Roll

((HT: UFC on Fox))

The HQ will be the first to admit that we don't get MMA...
We don't watch UFC, but we understand it's place and how many of you do...

With that out of the way, Vitor Belfort scored a pretty scary knockout in the MMA event in Brazil last night...
Here... we'll show you...


Belfort has now registered two good knockouts in a row with the Luke Rockhold KO following his last win over Michael Bisping in January...

Whatever that means...

Someone tell us about this so we can understand context...