Greece vs Ivory Coast. I held my Greek flag over my head in disbelief and shock at what just happened. Here’s a guy I’d been cussing out for the past two hours – no, two weeks!!! – lining up to take a penalty that could launch Greece into the Round of 16 at the World Cup Finals – further than Greece has ever gone before.

I made it to my last stop for World Cup 2014 in Brazil, Fortaleza. A 5am flight from Natal on one hour of sleep was easily the worst leg of my trip, but so far Fortaleza has been a nice surprise. Meireles, the area of town we’re staying in, is modern and has a lively beach lined with bars and restaurants. Kind of like a mini Rio wannabe.

Greece vs Japan. Both teams were coming off a loss in their first game. Both teams needed a positive result.

It’s always nice to have two countries to support at the World Cup. Thanks to my friend Mike’s wheeling and dealing on his flight to Natal last night, he was able to secure two tickets to tonight’s USA vs Ghana game for face value. It would be my first time seeing the USA play in person since a World Cup 2010 qualifier in Chicago against Trinidad and Tobago.

Today I said goodbye to Belo Horizonte and headed to Natal, the site of Greece’s next game against Japan in World Cup 2014.

Greece vs Colombia. The setting was Belo Horizonte but the game might as well have been played in Bogotá.

On the shuttle to the stadium, Greek fans were outnumbered about 25 to 1. Inside Estádio Mineirão, it was worse. I was the only Greek fan in my entire section.

Nothing special to report today from World Cup 2014. I went to the colonial city of Ouro Preto about two hours from Belo Horizonte. Really amazing place.

This morning I went to the front desk of my hotel in Belo Horizonte to ask where the nearest laundromat was located. The receptionist drew a map and then explained in mixed Portuguese and English that it was closed today.

“Fechado (closed)? But it’s Thursday.”

He shrugged his shoulders and replied, “Brasil. Futebol.”