ZFR: And here is another team. Costarica trying for the draw, when it's actually useless for them. If they drew it would have meant they might still not qualify even if they beat Switzerland! Why then the dramatic falling down and time wasting instead of trying all the harder to score???
(as an example: Serbia beats Switzerland which is not unlikely, and then Brazil who after 2 draws have nothing to lose beat Serbia, who with 6 points and a guaranteed first place put their B-team. Costarica's draw with Brazil would have been useless: they can beat Switzerland 8-0 but are still out).
Don't get me wrong, I understand playing defensively and aiming for draw can be a valid strategy. But only if that draw is actually useful to you! Not when that draw is only marginally better than a loss.
I mean, don't they have anyone who can do basic calculations and think forward a bit?
I think at this point many teams just park the bus when they play against a rival that they perceive as very superior, hoping to block any of their attacks and pray that they will surprise them in a counter-attack. Which is extremely risky, as seen in Spain vs Iran and today in Costa Rica vs Brazil.
What I will never stand is teams deliberately wasting time. Granted, they all do it in the final minutes when they're winning... But making it an integral part of their strategy throught the whole game is unsportmanlike and embarrassing. And on top of that, all the diving...