Good morning everybody. Today is the day the participants for the Olympic men's soccer gold medal match will be determined. One of the spots has already been clinched. The second spot will be fought for between the two teams considered the best in the tournament.
Lionel Messi and Argentina faces Ronaldinho and Brazil in today's marquee match-up. Can Argentina's attack break down a Brazil defense that hasn't allowed a goal in the tournament? Can Brazil's offense get going after a flat performance in the quarterfinals?
If you want to watch the match, the best place to do so (especially if you are stuck at work) is the NBC Olympic website. I will be providing the running text commentary along with the streaming video on the NBC Olympic website so be sure to have two windows open on your computer, one for the video and one for SBI, where you can discuss the action. Yes, the game is on TV and can be seen on MSNBC.
If you will be watching the match (and how won't you be?) please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below. (You can also feel free to discuss the Nigeria-Belgium semifinal here as well).
Enjoy the match.
Ives Galarcep is an American soccer columnist for ESPNsoccernet.com and creator of SoccerByIves.net.
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Is this game on TV?
Posted by: Rob Usry | August 19, 2008 at 08:06 AM
Of course. It's online, as well.
Posted by: RK | August 19, 2008 at 08:30 AM
With Nigeria assured of at least silver, it's hard not to think about what could have been for the U.S. team.
Posted by: Jamie Z. | August 19, 2008 at 08:44 AM
This is gonna be a great match. Anderson son son.
Posted by: Rob Usry | August 19, 2008 at 08:58 AM
Ives, instead of typing the PBP, could you just say it? The silence is deafening...
Posted by: RK | August 19, 2008 at 09:02 AM
It's live on MSNBC, Rob.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | August 19, 2008 at 09:02 AM
Thanks Manic I asked before Ives edited it. But thanks anyways.
Posted by: Rob Usry | August 19, 2008 at 09:05 AM
Watching the game while at work thankfully I have a laptop and a Privacy screen should be entertaining !!!
Posted by: George | August 19, 2008 at 09:06 AM
Within 6 minutes Balboa has already said "that's the beauty of..." 4 times and told us that he "talked about that earlier" twice.
Posted by: nate | August 19, 2008 at 09:10 AM
Oh how did Brazil miss that...
Posted by: RK | August 19, 2008 at 09:12 AM
Commercial? You gotta be kidding.
Posted by: Rob Usry | August 19, 2008 at 09:15 AM
Rafinha's service's are off.
Posted by: Isaac | August 19, 2008 at 09:20 AM
Rafinha is really nervous out there. his first touch ended a great sequence from brazil
Posted by: Isaac | August 19, 2008 at 09:25 AM
is it raining there, or did messi just put some water on his head?
Posted by: Dan Karell | August 19, 2008 at 09:30 AM
Online link please?
Posted by: Mike | August 19, 2008 at 09:35 AM
The coaches need to make a statement to the players that as evenly matched as these two teams are, With the chances they've made, to go into the half at 0-0 is pretty dissapointing. Brazil has had NO shots on goal and Argentina just two. I really dont wanna see this game go to penalties.
Posted by: Isaac | August 19, 2008 at 09:52 AM
The link is in the article/blog.
Posted by: RK | August 19, 2008 at 09:53 AM
Good first half. About the first game, all I have to say is WOW!!! Woke up early for this and was not letdown. Nigeria put a world class beatdown on Belgium. 4-1 was the final but Nigeria couldve scored twice that. Overpowered, outran, outpassed, outshot, and outscored Belgium, who clearly looked like they peaked with that Italy win. A lot to ask of them, espcially since Nigeria was a medal favorite coming into this. Whoever wins this game with ARG-BRA, they will have they're hands full with Nigeria in the final
Posted by: doug | August 19, 2008 at 09:53 AM
"Mascherano has put Diego in the Witness Protection Program this half."
Nice, Ives. There are plenty MIA for Brazil...
Posted by: RK | August 19, 2008 at 09:54 AM
OK Guys. Who gets the goal and in what minute? Im going with DiMaria in th 65th
Posted by: doug | August 19, 2008 at 09:59 AM
Just think... no red card in the first 5 minutes and the US could easiy have been in Nigeria's shoes right now going for a gold medal... US Soccer really needed this too....
Posted by: Andy in Atlanta | August 19, 2008 at 10:01 AM
Kobe Bryant sighting at the game on Telemundo
Posted by: doug | August 19, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Riquelme in the 70 on a penalty.
Posted by: Gringo | August 19, 2008 at 10:02 AM
BRazil and Argentina should come out really energized and I'm looking forward to this next half.
Posted by: Isaac | August 19, 2008 at 10:02 AM
U think US wouldve gotten past Ivory Coast? Maybe, but we will never know and that sucks
Posted by: doug | August 19, 2008 at 10:02 AM
First player subbed off? Rafael Sobis
Posted by: doug | August 19, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Sweet...Scorps!
Posted by: Betinho | August 19, 2008 at 10:03 AM
They let their WCQ end 0-0. They legally are not allowed to let this do the same.
Posted by: Jacob | August 19, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Andy, stop it. I'm finally able to watch soccer again. Please don't make me turn this off.
Posted by: Betinho | August 19, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Aguero on the 79th minute
Posted by: LUIS | August 19, 2008 at 10:06 AM
That was on...
Posted by: RK | August 19, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Where is the guy that was calling everything like subs and scores in the US-Holland game? He had names right and was off by no more than two minutes every stinkin time.
Posted by: Jacob | August 19, 2008 at 10:09 AM
I'll say it before the replay proves me wrong, that looked like handball.
Posted by: Jacob | August 19, 2008 at 10:11 AM
or on the 51st minute. but atleast I
called it right
Posted by: LUIS | August 19, 2008 at 10:12 AM
GOAL ARGENTINA!
Posted by: Isaac | August 19, 2008 at 10:12 AM
What a cross!
Posted by: RK | August 19, 2008 at 10:12 AM
That's the right ball -- bullet the ball in there and see what happens (ala Orozco/Jozy for the US games ago). I love that type of cross.
Posted by: RK | August 19, 2008 at 10:13 AM
I thought it went off his arm too at first glance.
Posted by: ManicMessiah | August 19, 2008 at 10:13 AM
uh oh now things are hotting up
Posted by: Isaac | August 19, 2008 at 10:14 AM
and on the 57th minute
Posted by: LUIS | August 19, 2008 at 10:17 AM
GOAL ARGENTINA AGAIN!
Posted by: Isaac | August 19, 2008 at 10:17 AM
for those of you watching on MSNBC turn on Telemundo and watch commercial free. Gotta sucks you missed that goal
Posted by: doug | August 19, 2008 at 10:17 AM
GOAL WHILE AT COMMERCIAL - THAT IS TERRIBLE!
Posted by: MK | August 19, 2008 at 10:17 AM
NBC NETWORKS, PIECES OF @#^%$#@
Missed a goal on a @#$@#$ commercial break.
Posted by: Bill | August 19, 2008 at 10:17 AM
No offsides?
Messi was just playing with them...
Posted by: RK | August 19, 2008 at 10:17 AM
that was all Messi
Posted by: Betinho | August 19, 2008 at 10:17 AM
SECOND goal for Sergio Aguero. Wonderfully worked set play by the Argies.
Posted by: Isaac | August 19, 2008 at 10:18 AM
Commercials?!?!?!
Posted by: Betinho | August 19, 2008 at 10:18 AM
On comes Pato. Not a fan of the way he plays, but he does provide the things Brazil seems to be missing.
Posted by: Jacob | August 19, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Hernanes off Neves on. No brainer here, except I wouldve taken off Diego who will next be seen in In Plain Sight on USA (thanks Ives for the witness protectin pun)
Posted by: doug | August 19, 2008 at 10:20 AM
The question now is will Dunga get canned for this clunker against Argentina?
Posted by: Randy | August 19, 2008 at 10:23 AM
I don't know spanish and don't get msnbc, what was the yellow for?
Posted by: Jacob | August 19, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Commercials during soccer games SUCK!
BUT . . .
If you're watching live online at http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/player.html?assetid=1351383&channelcode=sportfb you're not missing a thing and also NOT getting any of the commentary. Just pure, widescreen goodness.
Commercial free, Marcelo free and did I mention commercial free?
Posted by: curtis Spiteri | August 19, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Is anyone watching online and having problems? The first half was fine but now its buffering all the time.
Posted by: Jeremy | August 19, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Goal called offside on brazil
Posted by: Isaac | August 19, 2008 at 10:24 AM
If I'm Argentina, he clearly was offsides.
If I'm Brazil, he clearly was on.
If I'm anyone else, I'm leaning Brazil's way.
Posted by: Jacob | August 19, 2008 at 10:27 AM
@ Jeremy,
I'm not getting any problems watching online.
A number of things can contribute to your slow feed, but most likely due to high traffic volume on your provider's boradband space.
If you lived in Bucksnort, South Dakota like I do, you'd have all the broadband space you could get your virtual hands on!
Posted by: curtis Spiteri | August 19, 2008 at 10:29 AM
Crowd is solidly pro-Brazil. "Bā xī jiā yóu" literally is "Brazil add gas", in this context means "let's go Brazil". The Chinese need to some more cheers...
NBC Online feed is the best. No one talking over the action or crowd noise and best of all, Ives' commenting.
Posted by: Larry Y | August 19, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Gotta say, as much I don't like rooting for Brazil, I'ma have to root for Jo. He's trying so hard to be American he's wearing the Nelly band aid.
Posted by: Jacob | August 19, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Wheels. Are. Off.
PK won by Aguero.
Posted by: Jacob | August 19, 2008 at 10:33 AM
PENALTY ARGENTINA!
Posted by: Isaac | August 19, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Bronze looks like gold...kind of...
Posted by: Betinho | August 19, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Riquelme converts
Posted by: Isaac | August 19, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Lucas Red.
Posted by: Isaac | August 19, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Lucas hunted him down...
Posted by: RK | August 19, 2008 at 10:41 AM
another red card.
Posted by: Isaac | August 19, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Brazil going out in style!
Posted by: RK | August 19, 2008 at 10:44 AM
This ref is an idiot those werent red cards.
Posted by: CH | August 19, 2008 at 10:44 AM
brazil are screwed at this point. red on NEves
Posted by: Isaac | August 19, 2008 at 10:44 AM
there was no attempt at the ball at all. Brazilian babies...
Posted by: Betinho | August 19, 2008 at 10:44 AM
That was a dive...
Posted by: RK | August 19, 2008 at 10:44 AM
CH, I think Lucas was -- he hunted him down from 30 yards. You could see it coming.
Posted by: RK | August 19, 2008 at 10:45 AM
you mean fourth goal ives.....
Posted by: Isaac | August 19, 2008 at 10:45 AM
I kknow but judging by the fact he hardly touched him and mash made the most of it it shouldnt be a red
Posted by: Ch | August 19, 2008 at 10:47 AM
only one minute of added time?
Posted by: Isaac | August 19, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Thats it Argentina-Nigeria Final. Cant wait. go get em Argies!
Posted by: Isaac | August 19, 2008 at 10:51 AM
I really cant stand to see such a legend like Ronaldinho be so sad.....Its heart breaking almost. first the slump in form and now this....poor gaucho...
Posted by: Isaac | August 19, 2008 at 10:52 AM
I know Issac but he had his best game so hopefully hell continue improving for world cup qualifying
Posted by: CH | August 19, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Does this make Spanish and Argentina the favorite for the next World Cup?
Posted by: EnglishBrit | August 19, 2008 at 03:54 PM