FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010

Diego Forlan wins Golden Ball

2010-07-16T08:00:00.001-07:00

Following Spain's 2010 World Cup final triumph over the Netherlands, Uruguay striker Diego Forlan picked up the Golden Ball award while young Germany forward Thomas Mueller took the Best Young Player accolade as well as the Golden Boot.

Atletico Madrid attacker Forlan proved to be one of the star performers in South Africa, beating off competition from the likes of Wesley Sneijder and Spain hitman David Villa to be crowned the tournament's best player - as voted for by the media.

Forlan was, however, pipped to the post when it came to the Golden Boot, with Thomas Mueller's five goals and three assists for Germany edging him ahead of Silver Boot winner Villa and Holland playmaker Sneijder who picked up the bronze award.

Mueller also claimed the Best Young Player gong for his impressive performances in South Africa, beating both Ghana's Andre Ayew and Mexico's Giovanni Dos Santos to claim the prize.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who made a string of impressive saves in Spain's 1-0 final victory over the Netherlands, claimed the Golden Glove while Vicente del Bosque's side were again recognised with the Fair Play Award.

Spain the FIFA World Cup Champions

2010-07-16T07:59:00.000-07:00

Spain are champions of the world after Andres Iniesta's goal deep into extra-time gave them victory over Netherlands in the 2010 World Cup final at Soccer City following a goalless first 117 minutes.
Iniesta netted as Spain broke to punish 10-man Holland after John Heitinga's sending-off seven minutes earlier.
Both sides lined up as expected: Netherlands continued with the first 11 which has been Bert van Marwijk’s choice lineup since Arjen Robben’s return from injury, while Vicente Del Bosque favoured Barcelona’s Pedro over Liverpool’s Fernando Torres just as he had for the semi-final victory over Germany.
At the national anthems were belted out there were signs of nerves on the faces of players on each side; everyone concerned knowing that they could make history for their country by claiming the title of world champions for the first time.

The opening few minutes were notable mainly for the inability of either side to really string a significant series of passes together as every player looked to get a calming first touch of the ball. But in the fifth minute Spain created a real opportunity for themselves as they started to stamp their authority on proceedings.

Xavi sent a free-kick in from the right to find Sergio Ramos, who had gained half a yard on Robin van Persie, but the right-back’s header came from an awkward height and allowed Maarten Stekelenburg to make a full-length parry to keep the scores level.

Holland’s first shot at goal came when Dirk Kuyt scuffed a 30-yard effort after Sergio Busquets had failed to control a simple square pass, and the Liverpool wide man’s effort was easily gathered by Iker Casillas.

In the 11th minute Spain created a second decent opportunity, and again it was full-back Ramos who was the Johnny on the spot. Having run at Giovanni van Bronckhorst, he took a step to the right and saw a gap open up, but his right-footed effort was well blocked by Joris Mathijsen.

From the resulting corner Xabi Alonso swung in a delicious far post ball for David Villa, but the striker’s volleyed effort hit the side-netting when he’d have hoped to do better.

The game was beginning to get a little scrappy as the Netherlands looked to find a way to earn more possession. Van Persie was the first player to enter referee Howard Webb’s notebook when he brought down Joan Capdevila with a nasty looking challenge, and moments later he was followed by Carles Puyol, booked for a tackle from behind on Arjen Robben.

Wesley Sneijder fired in a dangerous free-kick, but Casillas managed to collect before the ball took a potentially nasty bounce. Winger Robben was temporarily the centre of attention as within minutes he was running at Capdevila, eventually winning a corner as Alonso came in to cover.

The near-inevitable Mark van Bommel booking arrived in the 22nd minute, when he was late arriving for the ball and went right through Andres Iniesta. Seconds later it was 2-2 on the yellow card count after Ramos was slightly late sliding in on Kuyt wide on the Holland left.

Whilst Spain were still enjoying most of the possession, suddenly the Netherlands were managing to earn more territorial advantage, breaking up the rhythm of la Furia Roja’s passing temporarily. They did so by foul means rather than fair when Nigel de Jong’s high boot caught Alonso flush on the chest after the Real Madrid midfielder had nicked away a bouncing ball. The Oranje midfielder may have thought himself lucky only to become the fifth player cautioned, rather than the first man into the showers.

There was a much more pleasing piece of sportsmanship shown by the Dutch a few moments later. Iker Casillas had thrown the ball out after he’d collided with Puyol, allowing the Barcelona defender to receive treatment, but upon arrival of the long pass from a Dutchman at the restart, the keeper misread the flight and palm the ball away for a corner. However, van Persie simply rolled the ball in from the flag to spare the Real Madrid man’s blushes and allow Spain to rebuild from the back.

The next Dutch corner nearly had a very different ending. Robben played the ball in low to the edge of the area, from where van Bommel played a cross to the far post for Mathijsen, but the centre-back could only respond with a complete air shot.

Breaking up the other end, Spain could have had an opener when Pedro’s quickfire shot from range sailed just wide with Stekelenburg still to set himself.

Sneijder almost became the sixth name in the book when he caught Busquets just before the break as the game continued to flatter rather than thrill, but referee Webb saw fit to give the Inter midfielder a final warning.

On the stroke of half-time the Dutch created one of the best chances of the game so far when Robben cut inside to drill a low left foot shot which Casillas got down to and pushed wide.

Spain appeared to come out after the interval with a little bit more fire in their bellies as they looked to repeat their second half efforts against Germany. Within three minutes they’d forged an opening when Puyol got his head to a right wing corner and Capdevila failed to get anywhere near enough on his right foot effort and the ball ran harmlessly away.

The Dutch responded when Van Persie’s backheel sent Gregory van der Wiel in behind the Spanish defence, but his cross was met by no Oranje jerseys, though a nervous looking Casillas may have got a slight touch before the ball ran out and a goal kick was given.

Dutch skipper Van Bronckhorst was next in the book for pulling back Ramos as he went for a return pass in a dangerous position. From the set piece Xavi curled the ball just wide of the near post, but Stekelenburg had it well covered.

John Heitinga soon became the fifth Dutchman to have his name taken when he clattered into David Villa after Ramos had broken up a Holland attack and sent the forward on the run down the left.

Iniesta was perhaps lucky not to join them as the game once again threatened to deteriorate, his foul on Sneijder giving Robben the chance to swing in a free-kick towards Heitinga. The defender sent a header just across the face of goal, but had been flagged offside in any case.

Mathijsen did well to head away from a Capdevila cross as a game of football finally started to break out amongst the scrappy challenges.

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque made the first change of the final on the hour by introducing Jesus Navas for the ineffective Pedro.

Suddenly, the best chance of the final was handed to Robben by a delicious through ball by Sneijder and a bad misjudgement on the part of Gerard Pique. The Bayern Munich winger found himself one-on-one with Casillas, but after delaying once too often, his shot sent the keeper the wrong way, but was blocked by Casillas’ boot.

Capdevila joined the ever-increasing list of numbers in Howard Webb’s notebook but again the Netherlands failed to make the most of the resulting free-kick as they continued to get half-chances to show up the favourites.

Substitute Navas did superbly to run at van Bronckhorst and make space to cross for David Villa, but after Heitinga had slipped to open a really shooting opportunity for the Spaniard the centre-back recovered magnificently to block the shot that followed.

Dirk Kuyt was replaced after a hard-working performance in favour of speedy winger Eljero Elia as Van Marwijk looked to keep Spain guessing at the back.

Heitinga conceded a further free-kick, which Villa could only tun over, before Sneijder got a second final warning from Howard Webb as the referee looked to save his ink with just 15 minutes separating the World Cup decider from extra-time.

After an excellent exchange between Villa and Xavi, the former had a left foot shot well blocked by Heitinga, but from the corner Sergio Ramos was guilty of wasting a magnificent chance to settle the contest as he headed over from eight yards when completely unmarked.

There was a real flashpoint in the 78th minute when Van Bommel caught Iniesta as he retrieved the ball, but the Spanish midfielder decided to take his own retribution by lashing out at the Bayern Munich man. Again, Webb decided that leniency was the correct course of action and Iniesta got away with only a lecture.

Iniesta then came extremely close to opening the deadlock when he jinked past Heitinga inside the box, but Wesley Sneijder of all people was sweeping up behind the defence and made a magnificent last-ditch challenge to save the Dutch.

In the 83rd minute it was Holland’s Robben who could have struck as he left Puyol and Pique in his wake before Casillas smothered the ball. The Bayern Munich winger exaggerated his contact with the keeper having shrugged off a near rugby tackle from Puyol, but all he succeeded in doing was earning a yellow card for his fall and subsequent penalty claims.

Spain’s second substitution saw Alonso replaced by Cesc Fabregas in an attacking change with just three minutes of normal time remaining.

Wesley Sneijder looked to steal a glorious victory on the stroke of full-time, but his ambitious 45 yard effort went harmlessly wide and the game went into extra time.

Within two minutes of the extra 30 minutes resuming, Spain thought they should have had a penalty when Heitinga and Xavi collided, but it looked as though the midfielder made contact with the Dutchman rather than the other way around.

The European champions then forced a real save out of Stekelenburg for the first time since the early moments of normal time as Fabregas broke clear, but the big goalkeeper did superbly to block his right foot shot.

Within seconds they were nearly behind when Casillas came for a corner and collided with Fabregas, leaving Mathijsen to beat Ramos in the air but miss the open goal.

It then took a magnificent piece of defending from van Bronckhorst to keep the scores level as the game became more stretched. Fabregas sent Iniesta through, but the Dutch skipper did brilliantly to send the Barca man onto his wrong foot and then snuff out the danger, winning a goal kick to boot.

Bert van Marwijk decided to increase the attacking intentions of his team by bringing on Rafael van der Vaart for defensive midfielder De Jong.

In a now very open game, Jesus Navas’ shot deflected off Van Bronckhorst and found the side-netting before the Netherlands cleared the corner with relative ease.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst was then substituted into retirement, replaced by Edson Braafheid.

After spending over an hour warming up, Fernando Torres was finally introduced at the beginning of the second period of extra-time, surprisingly enough for the tournament’s joint top scorer David Villa in a like for like switch.

Elia went on his first attack at Ramos and beat the full-back with ease, but couldn’t reach his overhit touch before getting a cross in as the Netherlands continued to look the more worried by the prospect of penalty kicks.

After so many yellow cards it appeared only a matter of time before a red would follow and with only 11 minutes remaining it finally came, though it did seem a little harsh on John Heitinga when he became the fifth player to be dismissed in a World Cup final.

The Dutch defender laid a hand on the shoulder of Andres Iniesta as the Barcelona man broke forward and Howard Webb saw fit to send off Heitinga for a second offence.

Moments later the 10 men were hit with another yellow when van der Wiel took down the self same Iniesta.

Many Spain players asked for Holland to be reduced to nine when Robben turned in a left foot effort long after the whistle had gone for offside, but Webb, not for the first time tonight, showed leniency towards a man walking the tightrope.

With five minutes left a Wesley Sneijder free-kick was clearly met with a heavy deflection off Fabregas in the wall, but the referee’s rough night continued when he failed to spot the touch and gave a goal kick. There was then an apparent foul on Elia on the edge of the area overlooked as Holland looked for a winner.

And the decision was to be vital as Spain broke to the other end of the pitch and scored a 116th minute winner. With the 10-man Dutch stretched, the Furia Roja used the extra man as Andres Iniesta got on the end of a Fabregas pass at the far post to drill across Stekelenburg into the back of the net. He removed his shirt to reveal a message to former Espanyol defender Dani Jarque, who died of a heart attack last year.

Spain's only bad news of the night came when Torres pulled up with an apparent hamstring injury in the second minute of injury time, but he'll be taking a World Cup winner's medal to the treatment table with him.

Germany takes third place

2010-07-16T07:49:00.000-07:00

Germany have grabbed third place at the 2010 World Cup, claiming the bronze medal position after a fine 3-2 win over Uruguay.

Die Mannschaft impressed early and moved ahead thanks to a predatory strike from Thomas Mueller but Edinson Cavani had tied the scores by the interval. The Celeste turned the game on its head when Diego Forlan’s well-taken volley found the net but their lead was also short lived, with Marcell Jansen levelling matters. Sami Khedira won the game with a header in the twilight of a fine fixture.

Traditionally the third place playoff is one of the most exciting games of the World Cup, and both sides showed early enterprise in Nelson Mandela Bay.

As early as the third minute Thomas Mueller would have the ball in the Uruguayan net, poking home from 18 yards, though his goal was disallowed for an earlier infringement committed by Cacau, who had been drafted into the team to replace the flu-ridden Miroslav Klose.

Moments later a rash challenge by another newcomer to the Europeans’ starting XI, Dennis Aogo, was lucky to escape with only a caution when he clattered into Diego Perez high and late, leaving the Uruguayan hardman to receive treatment.

Diego Forlan was typically the first man in sky blue to threaten, sending a free kick a foot to the right of Hans-Joerg Butt’s goal.

But it was Germany who were making most of the early running, forcing Jorge Fucile and Diego Lugano into some desperate clearances. The South American defence was very nearly breached on ten minutes when a deep corner from Mesut Oezil was firmly headed against the bar by Arne Friedrich, with Fernando Muslera beaten. Mueller could not wrestle home the rebound.

The Bayern Munich man had better luck soon afterwards. A thunderous long range drive from Bastian Schweinsteiger was poorly dealt with by the Uruguayan custodian, who spilled the ball out into the middle of the box. Mueller reacted when others did not, giving himself a simple tap in from ten yards.

Die Mannschaft were at this stage creating regular inroads into the Celeste’s defence but wouldn’t even enjoy the lead for ten minutes.

Forlan had already worried the German rearguard with a blocked back post header from a deflected cross by the time Cavani drew the sides level. Perez superbly picked the pocket of Schweinsteiger in the centre of the park, setting in motion a break that saw the Europeans outnumbered from the outset. Luis Suarez, booed relentlessly by the South African crowd, rolled a well-weighted pass to the Palmero striker, who took a touch before stretching to prod the ball by Butt and into the net.

The closing stages of the opening period, which were played out under heavy rain, did not bring the drama of the opening moments, though Uruguay might have grabbed the lead four minutes before the break. Forlan’s clever reverse pass released Suarez but the Ajax striker dragged his shot wide from a somewhat awkward angle.

Right on the stroke of half-time, Cacau nearly latched onto a deflected Mueller pass, though Fucile covered superbly across to avert the danger.

Within three minutes of the restart Suarez had another disappointing miss. Cavani’s initial foray into the box was blocked by Butt, who could not hold the ball on the slick surface. From a tight angle, the forward recuperated possession and laid a pass back to his Amsterdam-based colleague. Still admittedly faced with a tight angle, the unpopular striker saw the flying goalkeeper touch his shot wide.

The wind was nevertheless in the Uruguayans’ sails and the South Americans would soon have the advantage. Arevalo Rios found himself uncharacteristically far forward down the right and lobbed a waist-high pass back towards the edge of the box, from where Forlan showed stunning poise to volley home a terrific goal with his right foot.

Germany had posed no serious threat after the interval until they levelled up on 55 minutes. Jerome Boateng’s cross from deep on the right side was badly missed by the out-of-sorts Muslera, allowing Jansen to unconventionally knock the ball into the empty net with his head.

From the ashes of these two quick fire goals grew a superb open game. Oezil dallied too long when well placed in the Uruguay box, but up at the other end the Celeste were causing Germany real issues.

A Suarez block had to be averted by a smart challenge. Undeterred, the Ajax man tried an effort from distance that was spectacularly blocked by Butt, who soon had to be sharp from his goal line to thwart the Golden Boot chasing Forlan.

Stefan Kiessling was introduced by Joachim Loew to add some attacking flair at the expense of Cacau. The Bayer Leverkusen man’s clever turn in the box with quarter of an hour brought with it a scoring chance, though his drive was straight at Muslera, who batted the ball uncomfortably clear.

Loew’s side were looking the more likely side to snatch third place, and they did just that with nine minutes remaining. Another deep Oezil corner was allowed to bounce about the six yard box. Khedira ultimately got the decisive touch, sending a clever header looping over Muslera and into the top corner of the net.

The latter stages of the game were typically fraught. Uruguay pushed men forward in increasing numbers, allowing Germany to counter with purpose. Boateng had a firm shot saved well by Muslera, before a fluid counter ended with Kiessling scooping the ball over from close range.

In additional time, Suarez won a free kick on the edge of the Germany box. Forlan hovered, but the magic was not there as he blasted against the bar.

Over the course of this campaign, both Germany and Uruguay can look back at their achievements with some pride, yet die Mannschaft’s attacking brand of football has really captured the imagination and for their enterprise over the course of the last month they deserve third.

Spain in the World Cup Final for the first time

2010-07-07T13:45:00.000-07:00

Spain are through to face Holland in the World Cup final after a power-header from defender Carles Puyol was enough for the European champions to end the hopes of Joachim Loew’s Germany.
Both teams made one change from their regular line-up: Piotr Trochowski replaced the suspended Thomas Mueller for the Germans while out-of-form Fernando Torres was dropped in favour of Pedro Rodriguez in the Spanish side.

Germany kicked off but immediately and happily surrendered possession as they invited Spain to attack. The cagey opening was halted by an intruder streaking onto the pitch but it was the European champions who carved out the first real chance of the game on six minutes.

Pedro slipped in a sublime through ball to David Villa, who just managed to get a touch to it but it wasn’t enough to trouble an alert Manuel Neuer.

La Furia Roja continued to camp out inside the German half as Bastian Schweinsteiger and Mesut Oezil provided glimpses of threat on the counter-attack for Die Mannschaft. But it was the Spaniards again who had the next chance after 13 minutes. From a short corner, Andres Iniesta drilled in a cross from the right flank and Carles Puyol stooped low to send a bullet header just over the bar.

Straight to the other end, an Oezil corner forced Iker Casillas to flap the ball nervously away as Joachim Loew’s side started to enjoy a bit more of composure and possession on the ball. Spain regained control as quickly as they gave it away, although they failed to create any meaningful goalscoring chances.

In fact, the next opportunity didn’t arrive until the half-hour mark and even then, Xabi Alonso’s 25-yard screamer flew wide of Neuer’s left post. Trochowski then showed how it was done when his left-footed pile driver from a similar distance forced Casillas to make a brilliant sprawling save.

Oezil managed to create more panic in the Spain box when he shimmed past two defenders but hesitated when he prepared to pull the trigger as Puyol pinched the ball off him. Vicente del Bosque’s troops finished the half the stronger with Sergio Ramos, Iniesta and Pedro creating openings, but it was Oezil who had a penalty shout turned down right before the whistle after a challenge from Ramos.

Neither coaches made any changes of personnel at the break but it was Germany who looked the more adventurous side in the start of the second period. And it was suddenly Spain who were playing on the counter attack. Pedro bombarded 50 yards down the right wing beating a number of German defenders before pulling the ball back to Xabi Alonso, who could only fire wide despite a clean view on goal.

Seconds later, Xabi rattles in another humdinger just outside the box after being teed up by Xavi, but again his effort flashed marginally wide.

La Roja should have taken the lead on 57 minutes when they were presented with a double chance. First, Pedro’s shot on the edge of the box was parried away by Neuer. From the follow up, Iniesta’s pull-back into the middle bounced too far in front of Villa at the back post. Pedro then dragged his shot wide before Miroslav Klose pummelled an ambitious volley well over at the other end after a poor clearance from Sergio Ramos.

The flurry of chances sparked the game to life and on 63 minutes, Xabi Alonso curled in a cross to an over-lapping Ramos, who went down under a challenge from Lukas Podolski right infront of goal but the referee only pointed to a goal-kick. Five minutes later, Villa charged past Marcell Jansen on the right channel but his fierce drive from a tight angle was saved by Neuer.

Germany then came close when Toni Kroos connected with Podolski’s cross but his soft half volley at the far post was blocked by Casillas. The Nationalelf were on the ascendency but on 72 minutes, they were stung when Spain rocketed into the lead. Xavi swung in a corner and Carles Puyol steamed in unmarked to thump an unstoppable header past Neuer into the top corner.

The Germans immediately started pushing forward and it was Spain’s turn to hit their opponents on the counter. With ten minutes to go, La Roja should have wrapped up the semi-final when Pedro was put clean through on goal but opted to dribble his way past Arne Friedrich instead of going for goal or squaring to an unattended Fernando Torres.

Torres himself then had a chance two minutes from the end but Friedrich robbed the ball off him just as he was about to pull the trigger. Spain were enjoying a nice spell of keep-ball possession inside the German half as the clock ticked down and it was enough for them to hold on for another 1-0 win, but one that secures them a passage into the final of the 2010 World Cup.

Netherlands took a place in the World Cup Final

2010-07-06T14:44:00.000-07:00

At full-time in Cape Town, the first of two semi-final clashes has ended 3-2 to the Netherlands. Gio van Bronckhorst's early long-ranger was cancelled out just before half-time by a similar effort from Uruguay's hero Diego Forlan. Second half goals from Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder and a late strike from Maxi Pereira made for a truly enthralling encounter.

The South Americans were, of course, without the services of hand-ball hero/villain Luis Suarez and left-back Jorge Fucile through suspension. Nicolas Lodeiro would also miss out after injuring his foot against Ghana, while a knock picked up against Ghana meant Diego Lugano wouldn't start. The Dutch had to play without right-back Gregory van der Wiel and holding midfielder Nigel de Jong.

The first chance came after Wesley Sneijder swung the ball into the box, having picked it up after Arjen Robben's first attempt came off of Martin Caceres. Muslera's punch wasn't convincing, and the ball landed at the feet of Dirk Kuyt, about 15 yards from the back post. The Liverpool forward took a touch and struck straight for goal, but his shot sailed over the bar.

Both sides enjoyed some of the ball in the first 15 minutes, but it was certainly the Dutch who looked the more dangerous side with it. While Uruguay were adjudged to be offside on a few occasions and trying a couple shots from distance, pressure from the Oranje was causing the Celeste to look a little uncertain in their defending.

And the pressure would pay off. Sneijder passed the ball to his skipper, Gio van Brockhorst, who was skipping up from left-back. Who knows what possessed the captain to have a pop from 30-odd yards, but his sweetly struck shot drifted beautifully past Muslera, smacking off the inside of the woodwork before eventually ending up in the top corner of the Uruguayan goal. Holland had the advantage.

Caceres then became the villain just before the half-hour mark. His dangerous acrobatics on the edge of the area saw his boot come of the face of Demy de Zeeuw as he tried an audacious overhead kick. The Barca-owned full-back was shown a yellow card by the Uzbekistanian referee for dangerous play while de Zeeuw sent a search party out for his teeth.

Edinson Cavani, who was failing to really get himself into the game, found himself with the ball deep inside the Dutch box. The Palermo forward held onto the ball far too long, leaving an unmarked Alvaro Pereira fuming in the centre. Pereira was afforded a second chance through with just over five minutes left in the first half, but his tame shot was aimed straight at Stekelenberg.

Just as it looked as though the South Americans were destined for a plane home, none other than Diego Forlan stepped up to produce another little piece of Celeste magic. The Uruguayan talisman found the ball in a central position, at a similar distance to van Bronckhorst's goal – and the outcome was the same. Beating Skekelenburg, the stinging shot shook the top corner of the net and Oscar Tabarez's men found themselves back in the game just before half time.

Probably a little worse for wear, Demy de Zeeuw was hooked at half time and replaced by a more attacking figure in Real Madrid's Rafael van der Vaart. Immediately the Dutch made it clear that they wanted an early second-half goal as they shot down the left. Some tense build-up would come to an abrupt end, though, as the linesman's flag rose for offside.

The Netherlands were soon to suffer a scare of their own, however, as a pass played in for Cavani prompted Stekelenburg to run out and meet the ball. The Ajax 'keeper misjudged the distance though, and Cavani was able to chip the ball over the goalie before hitting the ground from the challenge. Pereira was there to lap up the loose ball and strike towards goal, but van Bronckhorst added to his heroic reputation by heading the ball away from the otherwise empty goal.

There was certainly no clear winner in terms of game dictation midway through the second half. Pressure from Uruguay won a free kick in a similar position to where Forlan buried a dead ball against Ghana. The set-piece forced a wonderful save from Stekelenburg though, who was all too happy to receive the praises of his teammates. At the other end, Holland were carving out plenty of chances of their own.

It was only a matter of time before one of the sides took one of their many chances, and it was Wesley Sneijder who did so for the Dutch as he has done so often already. A strike from outside of the box seemed too fast for anyone to do anything about, and the ball rocketed low and hard into the bottom right corner of Muslera's goal. There was a hint of controversy though as van Persie, who did swipe at the ball in vain, seemed to be in an offside position. The linesman let it stand though, and the Dutch went ahead again.

Just minutes later the Oranje struck again. A well worked piece of play saw Dirk Kuyt stretch the South American defence as he took off down the left. A perfectly weighted cross met the head of an onrushing Robben, whose simple nod was enough to put the ball past Muslera once more and take the score to 3-1.

In a game that really looked like it could have gone either way before the third goal was scored, the cushion of a brace truly handed the reins of the game over to the Dutch. They began to see the final few minutes of the game out in an incredibly relaxed fashion, and with the talismanic Forlan being subbed off for Sebastian Abreu, the match was all but over for their opponents.

In the first minute of an added three, Maxi Pereira clawed one back for the Celeste. Belting the ball goalwards after a Uruguayan free-kick hung around the box, the Benfica defender's left-footed shot went past Stekelenburg and into the Dutch goalkeeper's net. It was not enough for the South Americans though, as the referee blew the whistle for full-time soon afterwards, allowing the Netherlands safe passage into the 2010 World Cup final.

Spain 1-0 Paraguay

2010-07-03T13:31:00.000-07:00

Spain edged past Paraguay on a cool, damp evening in Johannesburg. After either side missed a penalty early in the second half, David Villa netted a late winner for the Spaniards, who for the first time, have advanced to the semifinals.

Having scraped by Japan in penalties just four days ago, Paraguay entered tonight's match fatigued and in need of a few changes. Coach Geraldo Martino swapped six members of his previous starting XI, notably replacing forwards Roque Santa Cruz, Edgar Benitez, and Lucas Barrios with Nelson Valdez and Oscar Cardozo, who started as attackers in a 4-4-2 formation.

Vicente Del Bosque's Spain also narrowly qualified for the quarter-finals, but the coach opted to retain the entire starting line-up that featured in a 1-0 win over Portugal. Despite having a good run-out in the second half, Fernando Llorente failed to earn a starting role ahead of faltering striker Fernando Torres.

From the opening kick-off, Paraguay pressed their opponents high up the pitch. Jonathan Santana first tested Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas after 50 seconds, but his shot was rather weak and lacked enough accuracy to beat the Real Madrid man.

Paraguay played with a downright frenetic work rate, and for the most part, kept la Furia Roja from playing in the centre of the park. Strikers Torres, and in particular, David Villa, were forced to play out wide in order to receive service.

Much of the opening half hour was marked by poor distribution, poorer individual defending, and even worse finishing. The normally precise distributors Gerard Pique and Xabi Alonso were uncharacteristically wayward in their passing, and Paraguayan midfielders Cristian Riveros and Paulo da Silva made a pair of howlers.

Eventually, Del Bosque's men settled into their smooth passing game, and while the likes of Torres and Villa were able to beat their markers on the flanks, they had no options available in the penalty area. Their best chance of the first half was a looping volley from Xavi that missed over the bar.

To their benefit, the Spaniards were able to keep the opponents on their heels. After Santana's initial effort, Paraguay managed to break forward only once, but Claudio Morel's cross was just too strong to fall to Santana's head.

Five minutes before the half-time break, Paraguay should have taken the lead. Following a cross from the right side, Nelson Valdez chested the ball down and finished well, but was ruled offside. Replays showed that the Dortmund forward was kept onside by Pique, but the whistle came to Spain's rescue.

Highlights Paraguay vs Spain

Perry | MySpace Video
At the end of the first half, Paraguay were surely disappointed not to have taken the lead, but could be pleased with the result. Spain, by contrast, were surely let down by their lack of clear chances on goal.

At the start of the second half, play resumed as it had ended in the first half. No changes were made, and the relentless defensive work of Paraguay forced giveaways.
Del Bosque responded by bringing in Cesc Fabregas in place of Torres, in an attempt to pack the midfield. Seconds later, referee Carlos Batres made a game-changing decision. Following a corner kick, the referee awarded Paraguay a penalty after Pique dragged down Cardozo. The Paraguayan striker stepped up to the spot, but had his kick saved by Casillas in the lower-right corner of goal.
Moments later, Villa was played through on goal, and earned a penalty as Antolin Alcaraz pulled him down. Xabi Alonso netted from the spot kick, but the referee signaled a re-take due to encroachment. On take two, goalkeeper Justo Villar parried to his left and appeared to foul Cesc Fabregas before Sergio Ramos' follow-up was cleared off the line.
Towards the end of regulation, Spain finally began to attack with width, but appeared more sluggish than before. The game seemed destined for extra time before, all of a sudden, Villa netted his fifth goal of the tournament. Andres Iniesta burst to the edge of the penalty area before teeing up substitute Pedro, whose shot beat Villar, but clanged off the left post. Villa was first to the rebound, and curled his follow-up off the inside of the right post.
Paraguay were uninterested in exiting the tournament without a fight. Striker Lucas Barrios came off the bench to inject a sense of urgnecy into the Paraguayan attack, and with two minutes left, the Dortmund striker fired a blast that Casillas could only bobble. Substitute Roque Santa Cruz was first to the ball, but Casillas heroically blocked his effort.
At the other end, Villa had a chance to put the game to rest, but Villar made a terrific save to preserve a chance for Paraguay, but it was all in vain. Spain maintained possession exceptionally throughout injury time, and advanced to the semifinals for the first time in their history.

Germany 4-0 Argentina

2010-07-03T09:25:00.000-07:00

Germany hammered Argentina in the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup on a gorgeous afternoon in Cape Town. Thomas Mueller opened the scoring for die Mannschaft after just three minutes, and Germany took second half goals from Miroslav Klose (68, 89), and Arne Friedrich (74) to round off their comprehensive victory.

Following emphatic wins in the Round of 16, coaches Diego Maradona and Joachim Loew named unchanged lineups. There had been fitness concerns for Argentine forward Lionel Messi and German winger Lukas Podolski, but the pair were declared ready to play from the start.

For Argentina, Gabriel Heinze and Javier Mascherano entered the game just a yellow card away from missing out on a possible semifinal berth. The Germans had to be more careful, with Arne Friedrich, Sami Khedira, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mesut Oezil, Thomas Mueller, Philipp Lahm, and substitute Cacau all set to earn suspensions in the event of a booking.

Argentina kicked off the match and were faced by a high-intesity, pressing German machine that could not have started the match better. After just three minutes, Lukas Podolski won a free kick from Nicolas Otamendi. Schweinsteiger delivered a gorgeous cross to Mueller, who beat Otamendi to the ball and nodded home the opening goal, his fourth of the tournament.

After the opener, Argentina found it difficult to move fluently forward. The entire German team dropped back to deny their opponents space to pass, and were quick to exploit a rather exposed Argentine defence. With Mascherano the only buffer for his team's centre halves, the Germans created and used space in the centre of the park.

After spending the majority of the opening ten minutes on their heels, the Argentines settled in. Their pace and runs up front were difficult to cover, and Messi, Carlos Tevez, and Gonzalo Higuain linked well in the build-up.

Still, the Germans seemed to always have the ability to recover and make the necessary, last-minute intervention. In the opening half hour, the best chance the Albicelestes created was a through ball from Messi that goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was able to collect just ahead of Tevez.

While Argentina had trouble creating goal-scoring opportunities, the Germans were next to threaten to score. In the 24th minute, Mueller pounced on a deflected ball, and burst into the penalty area before squaring for Miroslav Klose, who looped his first-time effort over the bar. Six minutes later, Podolski unleashed a long-ranged effort that flashed just wide of the right post.

Late in the first half, Argentina finally began to look a threat in front of goal. Angel di Maria, who began the game as a left winger, found space to attack on the right side, but had his low shot saved by Neuer. Not long thereafter, Higuain had a similar effort stopped.

After 36 minutes, Maradona's men thought they had equalised, but the play was called back. After Mueller was carded for a hand ball, Higuain slotted home from a through ball from the ensuing freekick, but was adjudged to have done so from an offside position.

The game began to stretch in the final moments of the first half, and while Messi regularly found the ball at the top of the German penalty area, he was always closed down and never had a clear view of goal. Mueller had a chance to double the Germans' advantage late in the half, but had his close-ranged effort blocked.

At the end of a rousing first half, Germany entered the tunnel with a well-deserved, albeit slim, advantage. Argentina looked good in spells, but needed much more in order to advance to the semifinals.

[Goora&Real] Argentina vs Germany

Goora&Real | MySpace Video
The second half began with both teams unchanged, and Argentina pinning their oponents back in their own half. Di Maria struck a scorcher wide of the left post early on, but it did not take long for play to stretch over the length of the pitch.

As in the first half, Messi found himself having to drop very deep to retrieve the ball, and Germany used a very high offside trap. Argentina managed to breach their opponents' back line on multiple occasions, but a timely intervention from Per Mertesacker's face denied Tevez a shot on goal.

Towards the hour mark, the game shifted into a new gear. Back and forth the teams sprinted, but neither could create a clear goal-scoring opportunity. The sheer pace left both sides visibly fatigued, but favoured the seemingly fitter Germans, who bested their opponents in transition.

Whereas Argentina often had to settle for shots from outside the box, the Germans showed enough mettle to double their advantage. Once again, the impressive Mueller was at the centre of the play. As he appeared to be felled by Martin Demichelis, the 20-year old attacker managed to turn and pass through to the wide-open Podolski. With just goalkeeper Sergio Romero to beat, the Koeln striker squared for Klose, who tapped his 13th World Cup goal into an open net.

After going two goals behind, Maradona had to roll the dice, and opted to bring on attacking midfielder Javier Pastore to replace Otamendi, who by the time of his substitution, was on his final warning.

Unfortunately for the Albicelestes, they had no time to develop a comeback before Germany struck yet again. After a short corner kick, Schweinsteiger was given a free path to the byline, wherefrom he centered to Friedrich, who scored his first international goal with a tap-in.

With the score at 3-0 and a quarter hour left, the game was effectively ended as a contest. Argentina sought a consolation goal, but were fatigued and had to be more concerned with the prospect of giving up a fourth goal. Loew brought on substitutes Toni Kroos and Piotr Trochowski to protect the card-bearing Mueller and Khedira, and still, the Germans were able to use team defending to thwart their opponents.

As icing on the cake, Klose completed his brace in the 89th minute, finishing coolly from Oezil's cross.

The final result sends Argentina home on a bitter note, while Germany head into their semi-finals task without the suspended Mueller, but with a massive confidence boost.

Uruguay 1-1 Ghana (4-2 Pens)

2010-07-03T09:21:00.000-07:00

Uruguay progressed to the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup by beating Ghana in a penalty shoot-out. Asamoah Gyan had a chance to be the hero for the Black Stars in the final minute of the second half of extra-time but sent his spot-kick crashing off the crossbar after Luis Suarez was shown a red card for using his hands to stop Stephen Appiah's header off the goal-line.
Gyan's miss set up a tense penalty shoot-out where Sebastian Abreu's cheeky chip sent Uruguay into the semi-finals after both John Mensah and Dominic Adiyiah missed from 12-yards away.
Sulley Muntari gave the Africans a well worked lead late in the first half, but Diego Forlan equalised soon after the break with a wonderfully struck free-kick from just outside the area.
Three of Uruguay's back four went into the game with yellow cards. Ghana, meanwhile, were without midfielder Andre Ayew and Udinese defender Jonathan Mensah. Anthony Annan and Isaac Vorsah both entered the clash with cautions from previous games.
Ghana got kicked off proceedings, shooting right to left, but it was Uruguay who started to put the passes together in the first few minutes of the game. A speculative long-ball from Jorge Fucile nearly found Luis Suarez, but the little striker was ruled offside. A dangerous cross and two corner kicks then peppered Richard Kingson's goal, but the Black Stars did well to defend.
The first Ghana chance came when Uruguayan defender Mauricio Victorino conceded a foul on Asamoah Gyan just before the 10 minute mark. However, despite a decent delivery from Inter's Sulley Muntari, the final ball wasn't enough to trouble Fernando Muslera and Uruguay were soon on the prowl again.
Suarez found himself with space to run at the Black Stars after poor control in the centre of the pitch by Annan gifted him the ball. He cut inside from the left, but his goal-bound strike was well stopped by the capable hands of Kingson. Uruguay were certainly looking like the side most likely to score at this point
A wonderful delivery from yet another Diego Forlan corner saw the ball come off the head of Edinson Cavani, before bouncing off John Mensah, and finally smacking Kingson right on the forehead. It was a well worked set piece that could have given the South Americans a deserved advantage, but the big 'keeper's face saved the day.
Ghana finally perked up after 20 minutes, putting some passes together and eventually winning a set-piece in the final third. Muntari stood over the ball for a second time, delivering expertly, but none of the Black Stars registered enough interest, leaving the ball to fly past the back post and out for a goal kick.

Annan lost the ball once again midway through the first half, gifting Diego Forlan a free shot from just outside the area. The shot was high and wide of the mark, but it served to highlight a possible weak spot in the Ghanaian defence. Uruguay then took a quick throw in on the left and Suarez was able to roll Vorsah and let one fly. Again, Kingson made a wonderful save to keep the scores level.
Vorsah quickly made up for his mistake at the other end, finding enough space on a Ghanaian corner to direct the ball almost into the top corner of Muslera's net. It was not to be though, as the headed attempt went just wide of the post.
The Africans sustained the burst of pressure they had just created with Kevin-Prince Boateng rounding his way towards the box, beating man after man, before squaring the ball to Gyan. It was a great pass, but the ball bobbled as it reached the striker, meaning he could only direct it past the post.
Having picked up a knock earlier in the game, Uruguay skipper Diego Lugano was forced to come off. Andres Scotti replaced the Fenerbahce defender during a troublesome time for the Uruguayans – Ghana were continuing to push forward in numbers. More alarmingly, Fucile lay on the ground with his eyes shut after an awkward fall in a challenge with Samuel Inkoom. He eventually got back to his feet, but the Celeste were well and truly rocked at the back.
After a flurry of attempts harangued Muslera's goal, including an ambitious but close overhead kick attempt from Boateng, a venomous, swerving, long range shot from Sulley Muntari caught the goalie off guard giving Ghana the lead at half time. At the break, it was 1-0 for Ghana.

Uruguay looked to recover quickly from the late first-half goal, with Forlan whipping the ball into the box for an onrushing Cavani. The Palermo striker looked to be fouled just on the edge of the box, but the referee waved play on, much to the attacker's disbelief. Soon after, Ajax's Nicolas Lodeiro, who replaced Alvaro Fernandez at the break, seemed to block a Muntari free kick with his hands. Again though, the ref motioned to get on with it.
Some great work from Fucile down the left won the South Americans a free kick on the edge of Ghana's box after John Pantsil scythed down the left-back. Diego Forlan opted to strike straight at goal and the speed of the shot saw it move in the air, fooling Kingson and finally ending up in the top corner. Uruguay were back in the game.
Boateng kept his head up after the goal, almost offering an instant reply as he played in Gyan. The striker seemed to take a little longer than he perhaps should have with the shot, but he troubled Muslera nonetheless. A good save from the Lazio goalie saw the ball out for a harmless corner kick.
Kingson was almost made to feel like the second Ghanaian left ruing a mistake as his handling of an easy take gave away a free corner. However Forlan's delivery was uncharacteristically poor this time, and the 'keeper breathed a sigh of relief.
It wasn't long until he was under pressure from Forlan again though, as the clever forward broke forward before squaring the ball to Suarez at the back post. It was an extremely tight angle, even for the most seasoned striker, but the 23-year-old held his head in his hands, clearly unhappy with his attempt.
There was then a decent penalty shout as Boateng went down the box after some muscling from Arevalo Rios and Maxi Pereira. The referee, for the third time, was still having none of it, unwilling to give anything other than a stonewall spot-kick. Ghana soon won a free kick from 25-yards to make up for it, but Gyan's strike was off-target.

Shots at both ends meant the game was explosive throughout the second period. Inkoom was hooked for the more experienced Stephen Appiah just as Forlan was allowed to strike another set piece at goal. The strike was a good one, forcing Kingson to scramble, but it only shaved the outside of the goal netting. Sebastian Abreu then took to the pitch in place of Cavani, heading straight to the front of the attacking line in a bold move by coach Oscar Tabarez.
Forlan almost added a second to his tally as the game edged into the last 10 minutes. A well timed ball in from the right found the Atletico Madrid striker, and he managed to get a foot to it. However, the touch from his heavily outstretched leg wasn't enough to tame the pass, and Kingson was able to wipe the sweat from his brow once more.
Muntari was hooked with minutes to go, A.C. Milan's Dominic Adiyiah taking to the stage in his place. With three minutes of injury time to play, both sides were scrambling to find that late goal that would avoid extra time. However, it was not to be, as the teams were too hurried in their actions to really create anything dangerous enough to trouble the 'keepers. After 90 minutes, the scores were even.

Ghana were the first to threaten as the first half of extra time commenced, winning an early corner. It didn't end well for Mensah though, as he was booked for dissent after claiming the referee should have done more about Fucile's heavy-handed defending of the set-piece.
Kwadwo Asamoah took it upon himself to rocket one towards goal from distance, and it was on target until it began to rise, but it would end up in the stands behind Muslera's goal.
Gyan looked like he might be in with a chance after Rios made a mistake in his own box to gift the striker the ball. The rest of the Uruguayan backline managed to get back and rescue their chances of a long overdue quarter-final though.
At the other end, Pantsil looked to have fouled Abreu in the box. To most it looked like a penalty kick, but the referee's positioning dictated that he would wave for the lofty striker to get back on his feet.
Ghana threatened again in the second half of extra time through a decent set-piece delivery from Pantsil. The initial attack was a bit scrappy, but the Ghanaians kept the ball well. The build-up saw the ball come back into Muslera's box and Gyan managed to get a decent header away, however the striker's nod went wide of the mark.
It was becoming increasingly more evident that the players were getting tired, both sides making silly mistakes through fatigue. It's worth mentioning that Ghana had already been through extra time against the USA on their path to this fixture.
A great ball in from the right saw Forlan free at the back post, but he foolishly opted to go for the strike with his left foot, forcing the ball wide of its intended target.
Ghana then began to push hard again. Appiah found space on the right to cross for Gyan who took the ball down well considering the pace on the pass. He turned his marker, but could only poke the ball towards Muslera who made a decent save.
A late flurry from Ghana saw a great flurry of chances heading straight for the net. A double goal-line clearance meant the chances were kept out, but Suarez's second defence of the goal mouth was with his hands, prompting a penalty kick and a sending off.
It should have been curtains for Uruguay at that point, but Asamoah Gyan, who had already scored twice from the spot for Ghana, hit the bar with his penalty. The ball flicked over the bar and the ref blew his whistle. Penalties lay in store...
Diego Forlan stepped up first for Uruguay. It was a cool finish, sending Kingson the wrong way and leading by example. Asamoah Gyan, who had just missed a penalty, then stepped up to match Forlan's strike. An absolutely perfect spot-kick, right into the top corner saw the scores tied.
Victorino was the second of the South Americans to shoot from the spot. Another expertly struck set-piece meant it was 2-1, but a similar strike from Stephen Appiah bought it level once again.
Scotti was next in line. It was low and central, but it was hard enough to beat Kingson. John Mensah was the Black Star to next take the long walk. The defender stood over the ball arrogantly, not taking much of a run up at all. After taking one step towards the ball, he struck it tamely and Muslera made an easy low save.
Pressure evidently got to Maxi Pereira, as the full-back raced towards his penalty, skying the ball way over the bar having put too much power in the strike. Adiyiah failed to take advantage of the gift from Pereira, sidefooting the ball slow and low, easy enough for Muslera to make another save.
It was up to now Kingson to save the Black Stars. Abreu took to the box, sauntering up the ball in cool fashion, chipping the ball straight down the middle as he watched Kingson flop to his left.
After a penalty shoot-out and a hugely exciting match, Uruguay have progressed to the semi-finals of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Netherlands 2-1 Brazil

2010-07-03T09:20:00.000-07:00

Brazil have been eliminated from the World Cup after being unable to defend an early lead against Netherlands. The Dutch came back after falling 1-0 behind at half-time 1-0 to record a 2-1 win and progress to the semi-finals.

The Netherlands sprung the first attack of the afternoon as Dirk Kuyt floated in a ball from the left in search of Robin Van Persie but there was no problem for the Brazil defence to smother this threat.

Brazil then appeared to open the score after only eight minutes of play when Luis Fabiano set up Robinho, who calmly slotted home. However, the linesman had his flag up and the goal was deservedly disallowed.

The Selecao then did pick up the lead in the 10th minute. Felipe Melo found Robinho with a superb pass through the centre of the pitch and the Santos star calmly placed the ball past Maarten Stekelenburg to make it 1-0 for Brazil.

Oranje immediately tried to level the score and came close via Dirk Kuyt. The Liverpool attacker cut inside from the right before unleashing a low shot, but Julio Cesar deflected it wide for a corner kick.

The South Americans continued to dominate play and could have doubled their lead halfway the first half. Dani Alves found Juan with a good cross from the right and the centre back didn't hesitate to unleash a powerful shot, which went only just over the bar.

Kaka then opted to test the Dutch goalie at the half hour mark with a placed shot from 20 yards out. Stekelenburg pulled off an excellent save to deny the Real Madrid star though.

The referee awarded Oranje a free kick in a dangerous position about ten minutes before the half-time whistle. Wesley Sneijder stepped up to take it, but his shot was too weak to trouble Julio Cesar.

Netherlands then did seem to trouble the Brazilian defence minutes before the interval after a good attack down the right via Wesley Sneijder and Gregory van der Wiel. However, the latter's cross as eventually cleared by the South Americans' defence.

Maicon then nearly made it two for Brazil in the dying seconds of the first half. However, his powerful shot after an impressive run down the right ended up in the side-netting.

www.footnball.com- Netherlands vs Brazil Highlights

Christiano | MySpace Video
Netherlands started the second half with attacking intentions and the Europeans levelled the score in the 50th minute. Wesley Sneijder sent in a dangerous cross from the right and midfielder Felipe Melo headed the ball in his own net after shot stopper Julio Cesar missed his clearance.

The Dutch only just escaped falling behind again after 65 minutes of play. Ooijer failed to clear a cross from the right, deflecting the ball into the path of Kaka. The attacking midfielder aimed his placed shot just wide of the Dutch goal though.

Oranje then somewhat surprisingly took the lead in the 67th minute. Robben sent in a great corner kick for Kuyt, who flicked the ball on for Sneijder and the unmarked Inter star headed home from close range.

Things went from bad to worse for the Selecao only minutes after the 2-1. Robben went past Felipe Melo and the Juventus midfielder cynically fouled the winger before kicking out at him again after the referee's whistle, leaving the ref no other option but to show Melo the red card.

Holland launched a breakaway about ten minutes before the final whistle after some good work from Sneijder. However, the final pass for Kuyt was just too hard and Julio Cesar picked up the loose ball.

Brazil then looked dangerous after a series of corner kicks with five more minutes to go, but an excellent goalline clearance from Kuyt prevented the equalizer.

Sneijder should have put the match to bed in the 84th minute after a quick counter attack. However, the tricky midfielder failed to beat the Brazilian goalie after being set up by Robin van Persie.

Spain 1-0 Portugal

2010-06-30T13:36:00.000-07:00

Spain defeated Portugal 1-0 at the Green Point Stadium in Cape Town on Tuesday night to qualify for the quarter-finals of the World Cup. A second half strike from David Villa was enough for the European champions to see off the challenge of their Iberian rivals in the last-16 encounter. Portugal's Ricardo Costa was sent off late in the game.

Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso recovered from an ankle problem to start against Portugal on Tuesday night. Coach Vicente del Bosque maintained his faith in striker Fernando Torres despite the Liverpool hitman failing to shine in the World Cup so far.

Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz deployed Pepe in a midfield role in front of the back four and Cristiano Ronaldo and Simao on the wings. Hugo Almeida was the central striker for the Euro 2004 finalists.

It was Spain who started the brighter of the two sides as they had their first shot on goal as early as the second minute.

Gerard Pique instigated the move on the right side as he played Xavi in the middle of the park. The Barcelona maestro spread the ball wide to Sergio Ramos, who then played in Torres but the Liverpool hitman’s shot on goal was palmed away by Portugal goalkeeper Eduardo.
A minute later David Villa attempted a long-range effort from a narrow angle on the left but once again Eduardo stood up to the challenge.

Villa tried to repeat his trick in the seventh minute when he collected a Xavi pass on the left, cut inside and took a low right-footed shot on the Portugal goal. But once again the newly signed Barcelona striker was thwarted by Eduardo.

Portugal had failed to make any meaningful forays into the Spanish half but on 10 minutes star player Cristiano Ronaldo did attempt to create an opening. The Real Madrid player ran down the right and floated in a cross, which, though, was too far away for Almeida.

Spain continued to dominate possession and territory with Portugal restricted to hopeful crosses. In the 19th minute la Furia Roja had their opponents in a fix when Ramos released Torres on the right and he swung in a quick cross. However, there was no one in a red shirt to head home the pass.

A couple of minutes later Portugal had their first shot on target and could have actually taken the lead. Tiago was afforded too much time and space on the ball outside the Spain penalty box and took a stinging shot on goal. Casillas could only push it upwards and barely scrambled the ball away as Almeida rushed in to head it home.

The Group H winners propelled themselves into another attack in the 24th minute when a marching Ramos passed the ball to Andres Iniesta just outside the box. But the midfielder’s through ball aimed to find Villa went out of play.

However, Portugal could have taken the lead against the run of play in the 28th minute when Ronaldo’s straightforward free kick was wobbled over by Casillas before being finally put to safety.

A minute later Villa went for a cross-shot from the left but saw the ball end on the roof of the Portugal net. Moments afterwards Xavi went for goal himself from around 20 yards but couldn’t keep his shot on target.

Spain kept on trying to breach the Portugal citadel but could not find the opening goal of the game. However, in the 39th minute it was Queiroz's side who could have taken the lead when Raul Meireles crafted a wonderfully floated ball into the Spain penalty area only for Almeida to head the ball wide despite outjumping Joan Capdevila.

Portugal had two quick chances after that. Simao was almost sent through on goal on a quick counter but Casillas came out of his area to clear the danger. Moments later Fabio Coentrao delivered a dangerous cross into the area that Tiago fiercely headed towards Casillas’s goal but couldn’t find the target.

In the dying seconds, Torres had a chance but he was foiled by Portugal centre-back Ricardo Carvalho.

Spain started the second half in attacking mode as Torres tried to march along the left side. However, he was tackled by Coentrao.

On 52 minutes Ramos galloped down the right and delivered a ball towards Xabi Alonso, who was however beaten to the header by Tiago. The move continued, though, as Xavi tried to find Torres only to see the ball reach Eduardo.

Portugal then launched a counter-attack as Almeida whipped in a cross that was almost put into his own net by Carles Puyol as he protruded his knee to block the cross.

It became end-to-end action after that as Ramos and Xavi tried to play a one-two but failed. At the other end Casillas was forced to punch out a ball.

Just before the hour mark Spain coach Vicente del Bosque brought on Fernando Llorente in place of Fernando Torres and the change almost paid instant dividends. Ramos swung in a brilliant cross from the right that Llorente stooped to head into the Portugal net, but his header went straight to Eduardo.

Spain were the side imposing the most pressure at this point of time and the World Cup favourites eventually scored in the 63rd minute. A neat interplay among the Spanish players in tight spaces saw David Villa receive the ball on the left side of the box. His first attempt on the Portugal goal was blocked by Eduardo but the former Valencia striker made no mistake from the rebound.

La Furia Roja were clearly the side looking more likely to score the second goal of the night as Xavi and Capdevila both ventured forward. Indeed, the Spaniards could have netted in the 70th minute when right-back Ramos cut inside from the right and took an attempt on the Portugal goal with his left foot. Eduardo did just enough to parry it away.

Villa, who had earlier scored his fourth goal of the World Cup in South Africa, could have added to his tally on 77 minutes when he went for an audacious 30-yard attempt on goal that Eduardo once again punched away.

Spain continued to suffocate Portugal of space and possession. Things turned from bad to worse for the Portuguese when Ricardo Costa was sent off for elbowing Capdevila in the face on 88 minutes. Deep into injury time Portugal came close to stealing the equaliser but the Spanish defenders stood strong as Spain deservedly reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

Paraguay 5-3 Japan after penalties shootout

2010-06-29T10:22:00.000-07:00

he first penalty shoot-out of the 2010 World Cup has seen Paraguay progress at the expense of Japan after a tense but ultimately tepid encounter in Pretoria.

There were few genuine chances over the course of the bland encounter. La Albirroja had the better of the play but struggled to create chances against a well disciplined Samurai Blue defence, while the Japanese were frequently found wanting for real imagination in attack. Lucas Barrios had a promising opening midway through the first half, which was quickly followed by a Daisuke Matsui shot off the bar at the opposite end of the field.

Extra-time was only equally tense, so it took penalties to decide the outcome in favour of la Albirroja.

Contrary to prior expectations, the game actually started out with a nice tempo. Both sides pushed on purposefully, but neither seriously threatened to score. Yuichi Komano drove meaningfully forward from his right-back role in the Japanese defence but fired wide from an ambitious range.

Roque Santa Cruz offered some kind of riposte from the South Americans, firing a dangerous high cross along the line of the six yard box that was narrowly too long for Edgar Benitez, who had taken Nelson Valdez’s spot in the starting XI.

This promising opening would not last the duration of the fixture, which quickly nosedived into the kind of tactical affair that few neutrals would relish. The pressing of Japan in the middle of the field was commendable, but only on a handful of occasions would either defence look like being punctured.

Paraguay were bossing the ball but largely lacked imagination in the final third. A cute pass gave Lucas Barrios the chance to spin away from the defence on the edge of the box, which was a skill he executed brilliantly, but faced with Eiji Kawashima, the Borussia Dortmund forward was thwarted.

Matsui quickly offered a reply, quickly reacting to a loose ball 25 yards out to bend and dip a fine effort against the top of the Paraguayan crossbar.

Set pieces had been tipped to pose the Japanese real problems, though the delivery of Claudio Morel was questionable in the early stages. When he did finally get a corner right, the ball dropped kindly to Santa Cruz, who smacked his shot marginally wide of goal.

Six minutes before the interval a strong break down the right from Matsui, who was arguably the best player on the park in the first half, created a clean shooting chance for Keisuke Honda. From the edge of the penalty box, the CSKA Moscow player slashed his shot just wide, though Justo Villar was scrambling desperately.

There were few signs in the early stages of the second half that things would improve. Nestor Ortigoza dallied a little too long when seemingly well placed to allow Yuto Nagatomo to make a good block, while similar hesitancy would also cost Benitez when usefully positioned.

Cristian Riveros’ influence would rise and it would be the midfielder who had the first meaningful Paraguayan effort on goal after the restart, thumping a header straight at Kawashima.

By this stage Nagatomo had already had a shot deflected into the gloves of Villar and soon afterwards Tulio would head wide from a corner kick.

During this brief period there was real life about the game, but once again it would deteriorate into an uninspiring slugfest. Edgar Barreto tried a desperate shot from distance after 75 minutes but it was easily stopped by Kawashima, who might have had an issue with the awkwardly bouncing ball.

There was life in the latter stages of the game, but neither side looked capable of finding a breakthrough against their cautious opponents. Extra-time was therefore the logical outcome.

The first five minutes of the additional period followed the same script as the original ninety, though Kengo Nakamura had an ambitious shot deflected wide for the Samurai Blue before the South Americans regained their dominance.

Barrios was thwarted by Kawashima, who would make an even better block from Valdez moments later after the forward had spun effectively at the edge of the box.

Once again this hopeful start proved to be little more than a false dawn as the fear of losing outweighed the desire to claim victory. Set pieces provided the likelier route to goal, but neither goalkeeper was tested in the closing 20 minutes of the additional half-hour

The best moment came through a Keiji Tamada break down the left. Though his initial spurt was arrested, a clever flick from Shinji Okazaki had the veteran through on goal, though his attempted pass from a difficult angle couldn’t pick out a team-mate.
After all of the first five penalties had been scored, Komano sent his kick against the top of the bar. Paraguay were thereafter flawless from the spot and progressed to the last eight of the competition for the first time.

Brazil 3-0 Chile

2010-06-28T16:06:00.000-07:00

Two goals in the first half from Juan and Luis Fabiano gave Brazil a comfortable 2-0 lead over Chile in the last-16 clash, before Robinho sealed the win in style with a second half strike as the Selecao set up a tantalising quarter-final showdown with the Netherlands.

South American pride and bragging rights were at stake as both Chile and Brazil looked to avoid becoming the first nation from the continent to be knocked out of the 2010 World Cup.

Chile showed all the initiative in the opening exchanges as they pinned back Brazil, who were happy to absorb the pressure and pounce on the break.

Indeed, it was the Selecao who had the first real chance after four minutes when Robinho released Luis Fabiano through on goal in a counter-attack, but the Sevilla striker dragged his shot wide across goal.

Dunga’s men quickly wrestled control of the game after that and on eight minutes, Gilberto Silva unleashed a piledriver from 25 yards out, which Claudio Bravo was forced to dive at full stretch to palm the ball away. Kaka then fired wired from the ensuing corner as Chile suddenly found themselves chasing shadows.

But La Roja finally carved out their first shot at goal on 12 minutes when Humberto Suazo fired his half-volley straight at Julio Cesar after he got in between two defenders to meet Alexis Sanchez’s through pass.

It didn’t take long for the frantic pace of the early minutes of the game to dissipate and chances started to dry up as both teams settled into a normal rhythm. In fact, the fans at Ellis Park had to wait until the 34th minute before they were up on their feet. And it was the Brazilian half of the crowd that were celebrating as the Canarinha took the lead when Juan thumped a bullet header into the top corner from Maicon’s corner.

Just three minutes later, it became 2-0. Robinho squared the ball to the middle to Kaka, who touched it on to Luis Fabiano and the striker coolly rounded the on-rushing Bravo before slotting the ball into the empty net.

Five minutes from the break, Michel Bastos galloped down the left channel and drilled in a low drive which flashed just wide, before Fabiano came close to a second but he hammered his header over from 12-yards out from a Maicon cross.

Brazil continued to look the more threatening side as Chile struggled to hang on for the half-time whistle.

A desperate Marcelo Bielsa made two changes at the break in a bid to haul his Chile side back into the contest. Rodrigo Tello came on for Pablo Contreras while Jorge Valdivia replaced Mark Gonzalez, but it was the Selecao who came out firing again when Dani Alves’ free kick all the way on the left channel just floated over the bar.

La Roja managed to string together a number of half-decent attacks, but it was their final ball into the opposition box that let them down. That only resulted in Brazil taking advantage of the gaps at the back to launch counter-attacks. And that was precisely how they five-time world champions made it 3-0.

Ramires made an interception in the halfway line, darted forward all the way to the edge of the area before teeing up Robinho to curl a wonderful side-footed shot past a hapless Bravo. Minutes later, Dani Alves let rip a 30-yard rocket which swerved agonisingly wide.

Chile, to their credit, didn’t let their heads drop as they fought valiantly for a consolation goal. Valdivia came closest on 65 minutes when he flicked up an Alexis Sanchez squared ball and pummelled in a volley which flew just over.

Another lightning break for Brazil almost resulted in a fourth goal when Robinho chased down a through ball and arrowed in a low drive across goal but Bravo got down well to swat it away.

Straight to the other end, Julio Cesar was forced to make his first save of the game when he dived full stretch to deny a superb shot from Humberto Suazo. Minutes later, Suazo’s volley right off the ground dipped over Julio Cesar but it could only clip the top of the bar.

Jean Beausejour and Valdivia had the last clear-cut chances of the game for Chile when they both pulled their shots wide but Brazil’s commanding lead never looked in danger as they went on to secure an impressive 3-0 win and a date with the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.

Netherlands 2-1 Slovakia

2010-06-28T16:04:00.000-07:00

The Dutch always seemed to hold this match in their hands, particularly after grabbing the initiative thanks to a trademark strike from Arjen Robben. Bert van Marwijk’s Oranje maintained their steady if unspectacular level for much of the remainder of the match, though the Repre enjoyed some threatening moments in the second half. In the dying stages of the match, Wesley Sneijder pounced on a glaring goalkeeping error to put the Dutch into the quarter-finals, though a late Robert Vittek penalty would take some of the shine from the result.

Long range shots from either side were very much the order of the day in the opening few minutes. Slovakia made their presence felt with strong efforts from Vladimir Weiss and Marek Hamsik but it was the Netherlands who ultimately took a hold on the match, despite the initial exchanges being finely balanced.

Wesley Sneijder was heavily involved for the Dutch, as his been his custom in the competition to date. His first contribution was a shot from distance that went over the top, and that was matched by Dirk Kuyt soon afterwards, though the Liverpool man dragged his ambitious strike from range wide.

There could be little doubt that the Oranje were beginning to get into their stride, even if some of their passing was a little sloppy at times. Better opportunities started to be created by Bert van Marwijk’s side, but Robin van Persie wasted a good headed chance from just outside the six yard box and Sneijder finished tamely after being rolled in by the Arsenal forward.

It was Robben, making his first start of the World Cup after injury, who broke the deadlock. Sneijder was the architect, launching a fine long pass for the Bayern Munich winger to scamper onto down the left. As he has done so many times this season, the Dutchman gathered possession 30 yards from goal, advanced to the corner of the box, cut inside and slid a low left-footed shot into the corner of the net.

Prior to the break the Netherlands seemed to ease their effort somewhat, simply content to keep their opponents at an arm’s length. Van Persie tried to inject some life into the Dutch attack after the Oranje had withstood several Slovakian set-plays but the striker’s somewhat mundane right-footed shot from 25 yards was comfortably fielded by Jan Mucha.

A couple of minutes before the half-time interval, Van Persie slid a firm shot by the near post after good work by Mark van Bommel getting down the right.

Having drifted in and out of the game in the first half, it was Robben who tried to make a significant early impact in the second. The Bayern Munich forward again jinked inside onto his left foot at the edge of the box but this time his low drive was superbly blocked by Mucha down to his right.

Moments later the goalkeeper produced an arguably better block. After the corner kick resulting from Robben’s shot had broken down, the 26-year-old broke into the left side of the box before delivering an intelligent centre that was turned goalwards by Joris Mathijsen. The big defender connected with the ball well, but Mucha spread himself well to block with his face.

On the rare occasions the Slovakians pushed forward meaningfully, the Dutch tended to counter their attacks forcefully. A swift break down the right was led by Robben, who picked out Sneijder on the opposite side of the pitch, though the Inter man’s shot was blocked by a retreating defender.

Midway through the second period, Maarten Stekelenburg in the Netherlands goal was suddenly employed after being a spectator for much of the previous 65 minutes. Miroslav Stoch had a fierce strike from the edge of the box brilliantly turned over the top by the Ajax goalkeeper. Robert Vittek seemingly had the freedom of the box seconds later, but after breaking the offside trap he was thwarted by the custodian.

Stirred into action, the Oranje began to push their way forward once again, with Kuyt having a long range effort parried by the post with little over quarter of an hour remaining.

Slovakia certainly did allow their levels to drop, though Vittek was again found wanting in front of goal when he pivoted to shoot over from the edge of the box after a fortunate ricochet fell at his feet.

The Netherlands had rarely looked like adding to their tally, but when Mucha badly misjudged a quickly taken free kick from Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Kuyt was able to take his time and calmly pick out Sneijder on the penalty spot. With a whole goal to aim at, the Inter player didn’t waste his chance.

Play was spread in the remaining seconds, and Slovakia pulled a goal back with the very last kick - Vittek converting a penalty kick deep into stoppage time.

There can be few doubts the classier side progressed, but it is a source of debate whether it’s good for the Dutch to have progress to the quarter-finals without hitting their best level. Meanwhile, Slovakia can return home with their heads high after a World Cup debut to remember.

Argentina 3-1 Mexico

2010-06-27T13:44:00.000-07:00

Argentina will face Germany in the World Cup quarter-finals after the South Americans overcame Mexico 3-1 in Johannesburg tonight.

Carlos Tevez headed home controversially after 26 minutes, appearing to do so from an offside position, before Gonzalo Higuain struck a second. Tevez hit a beautiful third in the second half before Javier Hernandez netted a consolation.

As expected, Juan Sebastian Veron and Jonas Gutierrez missed out as Diego Maradona switched largely back to the side which had started Argentina’s campaign rather than the rotated set-up of their last group game against Greece. With Walter Samuel injured, Nicolas Otamendi, Nicolas Burdisso and Maxi Rodriguez retained their spots. There were three changes for Mexico, as Efrain Juarez, Adolfo Bautista and Hernandez replaced Guillermo Franco, Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Hector Moreno, meaning a switch to centre-back for skipper Rafael Marquez.

After a largely Argentina dominated opening, Mexico had two great efforts in no time at all. First, Carlos Salcido cut inside and unleashed a speculative effort from 35 yards out which had Sergio Romero scrambling back to flick onto the bar. Before the Albiceleste could draw breath, Giovani dos Santos made a break down the right before pulling the ball back for Jose Guardado, whose left foot shot from 20 yards swung just wide of the far post with Romero beaten.

Although the South Americans slotted straight back into their smooth passing play, it was Mexico who once again forced the next decent opening, with Bautista and Hernandez combining well before the latter fired just wide.

El Tri were not having it all their own way though, as they were left resorting to kicks rather than tackles on Lionel Messi at times as they showed an early inability as to come to terms with the diminutive attacker’s threat. The No. 10 could even be found 30 yards from his own goal battling for the ball as he looked to find space wherever he could get it.

Eventually Messi was able to have a huge influence as Argentina took a highly controversial lead. He and Carlos Tevez ran in tandem at the heart of the Mexico defence and the Manchester City forward was able to squeeze the ball through for Messi to go one on one with Oscar Perez. After the keeper was able to foil him, Messi chipped the ball towards goal before Tevez, who appeared to be a metre or so offside, flicked home a header beyond two retreating defenders.

It momentarily appeared as though the strike was to be ruled out as referee Roberto Rosetti consulted his assistant at length, but despite protests from the Mexican players the goal was allowed to stand.

Within just seven minutes the Albiceleste rubbed salt into the open wounds by adding a second. Ricardo Osorio took his eye off a simple pass at the back, and the loose ball was pounced upon by Gonzalo Higuain, who charged forward before coolly rounding Perez and slotting into the empty net.

After their endeavour in the early stages and the injustice of the first goal, Mexico might have considered themselves unfortunate, but they now had to face up to the reality of chasing two goals.

It could so easily have been three after Messi’s throw was flicked on by Higuain and Tevez went on the rampage towards the Mexico goal, but el Tri managed to block his effort and then cleared Maxi Rodriguez’s cross soon after.

A further chance was wasted as Argentina really began to turn the screw. Otamendi did superbly to reach the bye-line before crossing for Higuain, who was unable to get enough contact onto his header and glanced wide from five yards.

There was a scuffle between the two sets of players as they went in at the break and when they all came back out Mexico did so without Bautista, who was replaced by Pablo Barrera.

After an initial period of cat and mouse at the start of the second half the result was put beyond doubt by a moment of Argentine magic.

Forced onto his left foot with seemingly nothing on, Carlos Tevez ducked back onto his right, getting a break off a Mexican defender as he did so, before unleashing an unstoppable effort from 25 yards.

It was a killer blow for el Tri, a side who could quite rightly have claimed to be Argentina’s equal for long spells in the game. They were left reduced to aiming speculative efforts at Sergio Romero, with Guardado closest to catching out the AZ goalkeeper.

Guardado was then replaced by Guillermo Franco as Javier Aguirre tried to come up with something that would get his team back into the running. Within seconds they’d fashioned an opportunity, but Hernandez could only head over from close range when unmarked.

With question marks over officiating continuing today, there was another flashpoint when Mexico appeared to have pulled a goal back when Pablo Barrera knocked the ball beyond Romero but Gabriel Heinze raced back to clear. Initially the ball seemed to have crossed the line, but video replays were in short supply.

But within seconds Mexico had their lifeline as Javier Hernandez beautifully turned a static Martin Demichelis before firing a neat left foot finish high into the net at Romero’s near post.

Far from signalling a late Mexican rally, the goal seemed to just fire up the Albiceleste further, as they continued to knock the ball around with ease, knowing that continued possession would make it very difficult for el Tri to regain any more ground on the scoreboard.

There was one opportunity for Mexico as a dangerous cross was swung over from the left but Gabriel Heinze superbly flung himself at the ball to clear at the far post ahead of Marquez.

Messi could have finally got his World Cup account ticking in stoppage time when unleashing a superb left foot strike, but Perez did well to tip over. But it was too little too late for the keeper as Mexico crashed out.

Germany 4-1 England

2010-06-27T09:11:00.000-07:00

England have been knocked out of World Cup 2010 after losing 4-1 to Germany in their last 16 clash in Bloemfontein.

Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski benefited from poor defending in the first half to give the Germans a 2-0 lead before Matthew Upson headed past Manuel Neuer to pull a goal back for the Three Lions. Frank Lampard then saw his superb chip from the edge of the area cross the line but a goal was wrongly not given by referee Jorge Larrionda.

Fabio Capello’s side began the second half well but were undone by two German counter attacks as Thomas Mueller fired home twice to send England out of the tournament.

Germany made just one change from their 1-0 win over Ghana on Wednesday. Miroslav Klose returned from suspension to lead the line, replacing the injured Cacau, while Jerome Boateng and Bastian Schweinsteiger started despite concerns over their fitness.

Despite hinting in his pre-match press conference that he may make one change, Fabio Capello stuck with the same starting line-up in successive matches for the first time during his reign as England boss, with Matthew Upson keeping his place at centre-back ahead of Jamie Carragher and Ledley King.

Oezil has been one of the stars of the World Cup so far, and he had the game’s first major chance. The Werder Bremen playmaker managed to race in front of Ashley Cole to latch onto a looping pass forward before trying to beat James at his near post with a sharp right-footed strike at goal, but the England 'keeper made himself big and turned the ball away.

Capello has been criticised for persistently selecting Gerrard to play on the left side of midfield, but he was at the heart of England’s attacks early on. He continued to come deep to receive the ball, dictate the tempo of the game and look to pick out Rooney and Defoe, who was almost found one-on-one with Neuer before the keeper raced out of his goal to claim the ball.

There were very little opportunities for either side in the opening 20 minutes but Khedira and Lampard both had half-chances to open the scoring. Khedira cut inside from the right past Barry and attempted an ambitious left-footed shot but it flew high and wide before Lampard was presented with a free-kick 25 yards out, but could only smash the ball into the wall.

England had conceded just one goal in the tournament before the game, but that tally was doubled on 20 minutes. Neuer’s long goal-kick downfield caused unnecessary problems for England’s defence and neither Terry or Upson attacked the ball, leaving Klose to shrug off the challenge of Upson before sliding the ball into the bottom right-hand corner past the onrushing James.

Barry looked to get his side straight back into the game a couple of minutes after going behind. The Manchester City midfielder received a pass 25 yards out from goal and tested the palms of Neuer, who was able to catch the ball under pressure from Gerrard and Rooney looking to convert the follow up.

Poor defending from England was the tale of the first half and they were undone again minutes later. Klose played a terrific chip down the right wing to find Muller who benefited from slack defending once again to pick out the unmarked Podolski at the far post. The Cologne forward then fired the ball left-footed underneath James into the far corner.

Upson played a part in both of Germany’s goals but managed to pull a goal back for Capello’s men moments later. Gerrard was found in space on the edge of the area following a short corner to deliver a right-footed cross into the box and Upson climbed above everybody to head past a stranded Neuer into an empty net.

Goal-line technology has been the talk of football for years now and England should have benefited from it on 37 minutes. Lampard was left with plenty of space on the edge of the area to superbly chip the ball over Neuer, who had come off his line. The ball struck the crossbar and clearly crossed the line but the referee wrongly decided not to allow the goal, meaning the Germans reached half-time with their lead intact.

Lampard should have had a goal allowed in the first half, and he came close to equalising for England after 53 minutes. The Three Lions won a free-kick around 25 yards out and Lampard smashed the ball over the three-man wall, rattling the crossbar once again - only the ball bounced back into play this time.

Shocking defending from England proved to their downfall in the first half, but it was Germany who almost gifted Capello’s side a goal as the hour mark approached. Lahm’s short back-pass presented Defoe with a chance to go through on goal but Neuer rushed out of his area to smash the ball away.

Both sides were then given opportunities to add to their tallies. Mueller skipped past Terry far too easily before trying to find the bottom right-hand corner with precision but the shot took a deflection off Ashley Cole and sailed wide of the post. Rooney then picked out Milner unmarked on the right side of the German area but his snapshot was blocked by new Manchester City recruit Boateng.

England were the better team in the opening 20 minutes of the second half but Fabio Capello decided to change things. Fans favourite Joe Cole replaced Milner on the right wing and looked sharp on arrival, earning cheers from the Three Lions faithful with his first few touches.

Lampard had another chance from a free-kick shortly after, but, this time, the result was not what England were hoping for. His shot at goal was blocked by the wall and Germany quickly broke on the counter attack with Schweinsteiger. The Bayern Munich man raced forward and played in Mueller in space on the right-hand side of the area who beat James at his near post with a fierce strike.

Just a couple of minutes after Mueller’s goal, he was at it again. Another counter attack saw Oezil break with pace down the left wing, and after skipping past Barry with ease, he rolled the ball across the face of goal for Mueller to tap home from close range.

Changes were then made from both managers. Fabio Capello brought on Heskey for Defoe, while Joachim Loew was able to rest players and bring on Gomez and Trochowski for Klose and two-goal hero Mueller.

Germany were able to keep possession with ease for the next five minutes before Gerrard had a chance to pull a goal back. After a neat passing move, the England skipper picked up the ball on the edge of the area and jinked past a defender before firing towards the far corner and forcing Neuer into a decent save.

Wright Phillips was brought on late on for Johnson, who seemed to be struggling with a knock, but England couldn’t find a way back as they suffered their worst ever World Cup final defeat.

USA 1-2 Ghana

2010-06-27T06:13:00.000-07:00

Asamoah Gyan has rifled Ghana into the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup after striking early in the first half of extra-time. The game was locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes when a Landon Donavon penalty cancelled out Kevin-Prince Boateng’s opening goal.

With a quarter-final showdown with Uruguay awaiting either nation, both teams went on an early charge to find the go-ahead goal in what was an open, free-flowing contest.

It was Clint Dempsey who had the first shot on target for the US after four minutes when he rifled in an ambitious 25-yard shot straight to Richard Kingson. But 60 seconds further up the field, Ghana surged into the lead against the run of play.

Ricardo Clark lost possession for the Americans right on the halfway line and Kevin-Prince Boateng darted forward almost unchallenged before drilling a low shot right on the edge of the area into the bottom corner past Tim Howard.

Ghana immediately grew in confidence as they completely dominated proceedings after the goal. Andre Ayew and Samuel Inkoom were constantly presented with acres of space down both wings on numerous occasions as the US struggled to close down their opponents.

The Black Stars had their next chance on 18 minutes when Asamoah Gyan curled in a freekick from 20 yards out but Tim Howard was equal to the task with a clean punch.

The USA finally caused some real panic in the opposition goal on 22 minutes when Landon Donovan released Michael Bradley through on goal down the left channel, but his cross-cum-shot was easily saved by Kingson.

The Stars And Stripes continued to struggle to find any meaningful rhythm and coach Bob Bradley was forced to make a tactical change just half an hour into the match as Maurice Edu came on for Ricardo Clark.

The change seemed to work a treat as the US carved out their best chance of the game just four minutes later. Dempsey slipped in a through ball to Robbie Findley who tried to stroke it in at the near post, but Kingson made a superb kick-save.

Straight to the other end, Ghana had an identical chance. Jay DeMeritt allowed a long clearance from the back to bounce over him and Kwadwo Asamoah latched onto it, but his low drive was smothered by Howard at his near post.

Asamoah then blazed wildly over after being teed up by a clever backheel from Boateng but Ghana were still able to head into the break with the advantage.

The US, sensing a need to change the complexion of the game, sent on Benny Feilhaber to replace Robbie Findley for the start of the second half and just two minutes in, the substitute almost equalised for the Americans.

Landon Donavon’s pull-back from the right trickled to Jozy Altidore, who laid it off for Feilhaber to attempt a toe-poke right infront of goal, but Kingson spread himself wide and successfully swatted the shot away.

Boateng and Gyan then had two attempts at goal fly just wide for the Ghanaians as both teams started trading blows from one end to the other. And right on the hour mark, the Americans were given a lifeline when Jonathan Mensah brought down Dempsey and the referee pointed to the spot.

Donavan stepped up and coolly slotted his penalty in off the post, sending Kingson the wrong way as USA restored parity.

Six minutes later, they were presented with a chance to take the lead. Donovan released Altidore with a lovely through pass but Kingson was quick off his line to make a superb sliding tackle. With 15 minutes left on the clock, the US should have given taken the lead. A slick build-up passing move saw Altidore release Bradley clean through on goal but he could only shoot low and meekly at Kingson. Moments later, Altidore had a glorious chance himself when he wrestled John Mensah off the ball inside the box but off-balance, he could only pull his shot agonisingly wide. The Black Stars suddenly looked out of steam and out of ideas as they pummelled multiple crosses into the box which was unable to be finished off. They did look the more dangerous side, however, as the Americans looked the more cautious as the game approached the end of regulation time and neither managed to find a winning goal. The first period of extra-time saw the Africans picking up where they left off after 90 minutes and they were rewarded for their adventure just three minutes in. Ayew’s speculative lobbed clearance found Gyan, who stayed firm despite Carlos Bocanegra’s shoulder charge before rifling in a stinging half-volley past Howard from 12 yards out. Shortly after, Feilhaber cannoned in a shot which just bounced wide after going through a crowd of defenders before Edu’s glancing header from a corner just flashed marginally off the mark. Ghana wisely retreated at the start of the second period of extra-time as a place in the quarter-finals beckoned. Chances were understandably few and far between as the legs started to go but to the credit of both teams, neither stopped running and the Africans even ventured forward occasionally to find a third goal. Herculez Gomez pulled a shot narrowly wide for the Americans late on and DeMeritt's overhead attempt just sailed over but there would be no more last minute heroics by the Stars And Stripes as the Black Stars hung on to claim a 2-1 victory to secure a berth in the quarter-finals to face Uruguay.

Uruguay 2-1 South Korea

2010-06-27T06:11:00.000-07:00

Uruguay will enjoy their first World Cup quarter-final in 40 years after defeating South Korea 2-1 on a wet early evening in Port Elizabeth.

Having survived a fright in the opening five minutes when the Taegeuk Warriors hit the post, the Celeste moved into the ascendancy courtesy of Luis Suarez.

After opening the scoring, Uruguay dropped deeper and invited pressure. Ultimately the South Koreans found a deserved equaliser via a scrappy goal from Lee Chung-Yong, but a stunner from Suarez with 80 minutes on the clock proved decisive.

Both sides started the game brightly, looking to push forward when in possession. It was the South Koreans who were a little more adept in the early stages though, and after only five minutes came six inches from taking the lead.

Hovering over a free-kick on the left side of the box, Park Chu-Young delivered a fine shot up and over the wall, only to watch the ball rebound off the post and away from danger.

Diego Forlan quickly replied with a relatively tame effort that was direct at Jung Sung-Ryong, though the Atletico Madrid striker would moments later have a significant hand in the opening goal.

Having hared onto a clever cross-field pass from the active Edison Cavani, Forlan created space to roll a low delivery across the face of the six-yard box. Almost in slow motion, the defence and goalkeeper left the ball for each other, but Suarez wasn’t having any of the niceties, slamming unchecked into the net from an awkward angle at the back post.

Early defensive nerves on either side seemed to be dissipated by the opening goal, and though both sides passed the ball about in a largely cohesive manner, their play started to break down in the final third.

Suarez was denied a clear run on goal when Lee Jung-Soo coughed up possession as the last man and was lucky to see the assistant referee’s flag raise when the decision was marginal.

Park Chu-Young remained the main threat but his radar was marginally out when he tried his luck from 25-yards. His drive drifted by the post with Fernando Muslera scrambling a little.

South Korea were largely on the front foot, but they didn’t have the guile to break down the South Americans, with the decision making of Lee Chung-Yong especially questionable. Cha Du-Ri had a speculative effort as he advanced from his right-back position, but his strike dipped viciously over the bar.

On the break Uruguay looked a threat, though they were employing a rather sedate tempo to much of their play. Suarez nodded a Forlan free-kick into the arms of Jung Sung-Ryong when he probably should have been a little more forceful as he had escaped all hints of marking.

Great play from Maxi Pereira might have resulted in his penalty as his shot after a great piece of skill seemed to be blocked inadvertently by the arms of Ki Sung-Yong.

After the interval the flow of the game became more obviously towards the Uruguayan goal. The full-backs became increasingly involved in an attacking capacity, with a cross from Lee Young-Pyon smuggled behind at the near post by Diego Lugano after a clear Park Chu-Young dummy.

The Monaco striker had an opportunity to strike at goal himself around five minutes later as a ball bounced invitingly for the forward inside the box. Faced with a difficult angle, he elected to go for power, blasting the ball over the top.

Fernando Muslera finally had a shot to save just before the half hour mark. Cha Du-Ri delivered well from the right but Park Ji-Sung’s header lacked the venom to test the goalkeeper, despite being sent towards the corner of the net.

When offered his first serious test, Muslera wasn’t up to scratch. A free-kick into the box from the left was only half headed clear by Mauricio Victorino. The custodian crucially dallied under the high ball, allowing Lee Chung-Yong a rather routine equalising header from six-yards.

The Bolton Wanderers player wasted a great chance to make it 2-1 only moments later. Park Ji-Sung released a deft reverse pass to the 21-year-old, who shot straight at Muslera.

Uruguay now decided to show more attacking intent and twice in quick succession Suarez broke the offside trap. On the first occasion he was denied by the South Korean goalkeeper after trying his luck from a tight angle, but on the second occasion he elected to have a head straight at goal when he easily had time to control on his chest deep inside the box.

With ten minutes remaining, the Ajax forward scored a stunning goal to push the Celeste to the verge of the quarter-finals. A corner from Forlan looked too long, but the Asians failed to clear properly and the ball broke to Suarez, who cut inside and from the left hand corner of the box bent a sumptuous shot into the far corner.

It was a goal fit to win any game, but Uruguay had to survive a major scare late on when Lee Dong-Gook was released. The striker had a clean sight of goal but scuffed his shot, allowing Muslera to get enough on the ball to prevent it crossing the line before the defence cleared up.

Uruguay’s defensive approach might have been punished on another day, but Oscar Tabarez’s side will take their place in the last eight at the expense of a somewhat under-rated Korean unit. The Celeste will face either the USA or Ghana and will believe a berth in the semi-finals is a real possibility.

Spain 2-1 Chile

2010-06-26T03:16:00.000-07:00

Spain netted twice in the first half through David Villa and Andres Iniesta against ten men Chile to secure passage to the last-16.
Vicente del Bosque’s side needed a victory to guarantee passage to the knockout phase while Chile only needed a draw to go through as group winners. But both sides started with a typically attacking formation and it was the Europeans who had the first look at goal after just three minutes when Xavi’s free-kick found Fernando Torres, who stayed onside but couldn’t keep his effort down.

Just a minute later, a long ball from Joan Capdevila bounced over Gonzalo Jara and allowed Torres to sneak in behind but El Nino’s shot blazed over after taking a deflection.

La Furia continued to dominate the early exchanges as they camped out inside the Chilean half but the South Americans sprang their first attack on nine minutes when Jean Beausejour’s pull-back found Mark Gonzales but he ballooned his shot high and wide after losing his footing.

Marco Estrada then tested Iker Casillas with a stinging shot from 20-yards out, before Alexis Sanchez attempted an audacious chip from the right channel which Casillas had to flap away with uncertainty. Marcelo Bielsa’s men were now in control of proceedings as Spain were forced into making sloppy passing errors.

Chances were few and far between despite the vibrant start as both teams battled for possession in midfield. But a moment of recklessness from Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo handed Spain the lead on 24 minutes. The shot-stopper came a long way out to intercept Xabi Alonso’s long ball from the back, but his poor sliding clearance sailed straight to David Villa, who dinked a sensational chip into the back of the net from 30-yards out.

Chile came charging forward immediately to look for a quick reply but it was the European champions who had the next big chance when Gerard Pique’s header from a Xavi’s corner looped just over the bar. La Roja then launched a rapid-fire counter-attack as Beausejour burst clean through on goal but his shot was blocked by a back-pedalling Pique.

As the Chileans continued to push forward, they left gaps at the back and Spain duly pounced when they made it 2-0 on 36 minutes. Iniesta spread the ball out to the left for Villa, who pulled it back to his new Barcelona team-mate and the midfielder coolly side-footed his shot from the edge of the area into the bottom corner. In the build-up to the goal, Estrada tripped Torres on the edge of the box and he was subsequently sent off by the referee for a second yellow card.

With a comfortable lead and an extra man advantage, the Spaniards were able to impose themselves and control the rest of the half comfortably, although Xabi Alonso had to limp off injured.

Bielsa made two changes at the break, sending in forward Esteban Paredes and midfielder Rodrigo Millar, while Xabi Alonso returned to the pitch after shrugging off his ankle blow.

And the change immediately paid off for Chile as they pulled a goal back two minutes into the restart. Millar was unchallenged on the edge of the box as he checked onto his right foot and curled in a shot which took a wicked deflection off Pique to wrong-foot Casillas.

Spain looked rattled as the South Americans showed more urgency by pressing forward. Del Bosque decided to withdraw an anonymous and unfit Torres for Cesc Fabregas and La Furia immediately restore control in midfield.

Fabregas twice slotted in a sumptuous pass to Villa, but ‘El Guaje’ just couldn’t control to get a shot in. Xavi then dinked a superb through ball to Villa, but Waldo Ponce just got ahead of the Spain striker to smother the danger.

More careless defending by La Roja constantly allowed the Spanish Armada room to exploit but despite some delicious passing build-up, the likes of Villa, Sergio Ramos, Iniesta and Xavi failed to trouble Bravo in goal.

Chile’s fiery spirit started to wane as Spain were allowed to coast to the finish line with their usual possession football. Two offside calls against the South Americans were the only occasions the fans at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium were up on their feet as neither side over-committed having ensured qualification to the second round with this result. Fabregas had the last chance of the game after being teed up by Sergio Ramos’ cut-back but the Arsenal skipper miscued right infront of goal.

The victory is enough for Spain to top Group H and set up a tantalising showdown with Portugal in the last-16. Chile, despite the loss, will also advance to the knockout round by finishing second after Switzerland could only draw 0-0 with Honduras in the other game, but Bielsa’s side will have to face-off against continental neighbours, Brazil.

Switzerland 0-0 Honduras

2010-06-26T02:51:00.000-07:00

A World Cup that started so brightly for Switzerland has come to a tame end as Ottmar Hitzfeld's side failed to find a way past an industrious Honduras, who probably deserved all three points on their second half showing at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.

The pattern of the game proved unfamiliar territory for Hitzfeld's side at this World Cup, dictating the pace of the game instead of sitting and opting to hit the opposition on the counterattack.

Indeed as they upped their attacking effort in the second half, the Swiss were fortunate not to succumb to a sucker punch from Reinaldo Rueda's plucky outfit who frustratingly lacked the finishing touch to find their first goal of the finals despite some excellent attacking play, particularly in the second half.

The Swiss dominated a largely forgettable first half and captain Gokhan Inler, the heartbeat of Hitzfeld's team and the fulcrum of their creative impetus in midfield, could have provided them with a lead ten minutes in after a neat one-two with Tranquillo Barnetta presented him with a chance on the edge of the box but he dragged his effort wide of Noel Valladares left hand upright.

While the Swiss were in control they failed to seize the initiative early on and when Stephan Lichsteiner found himself in space inside the Honduras rearguard his excellent low cross into the penalty box went unrewarded as no team-mate was within ten yards of what would surely have been a simple tap-in.

Barnetta switched wings to great effect and regularly had los Catrachos on the back foot and provided Eren Derdiyok with a wonderful opportunity to head the Swiss in front but his downward header at the back post was marginally wide.

As the half evolved the Central American outfit grew in confidence as they continued to frustrate and although much of their counterattacking endeavour was halted by the assistant referee's offside flag, there were signs that the pace of their attack could trouble the Swiss.

Blaise Nkufo finished the half with two glorious chances to head Switzerland in front. Firstly with three minutes remaining he bizarrely opted to chest Derdiyok's well delivered back post cross and then another back post delivery gave him a free header which he failed to put on target.

After the interval the game opened up considerably as both sides showed an improved attacking intent yet, crucially, the quality in the final third was still lacking as neither 'keeper was really stretched.

Hitzfeld signalled Switzerland's intent with the introduction of mercurial veteran Hakan Yakin at the interval and he made an immediate difference as the Honduran's failed to deal with his dribbling ability without conceding free-kicks.

Switzerland's attacking policy left space at the for their opponent to exploit yet the Honduran's failed to take advantage of a number of gilt-edged counterattacking chances as they produced the better quality in attack in the latter stages.

David Suazo had a glorious chance to give Honduras a lead but somehow managed to direct his eight yard header off target with the goal at his mercy after a marvellous cross from Edgar Alvarez.

Then midway through the half Suazo returned the favour playing Alvarez in and from 15 yards, the 30-year-old did everything right but Diego Benaglio tipped over with a stunning close range reflex save.

Both sides went in search of the goal that would surely have won it leaving acres of space at the back and although the Hondurans did roll the ball home Alvarez had frustratingly and needlessly strayed into offside position.

Switzerland continued to probe but without really troubling Valladares and then in the dying minutes substitute Danilo Turcios produced a glaring close range gaffe failing to get even the slightest touch on a ball that would have given his side a deserved three points.

In the end a disappointing early exit for the Swiss after beating Spain in the opener and they join Honduras on their way home from South Africa while Spain and Chile fulfil Group H expectations.

Portugal 0-0 Brazil

2010-06-26T02:49:00.000-07:00

Portugal held Brazil to a 0-0 draw in Durban to ensure both sides qualified from Group G in the World Cup.

It was a largely scrappy game, with the best chance falling to Portugal's Raul Meireles on the hour mark, who had his effort tipped wide by Julio Cesar.

As expected, Brazil made changes to their side in light of their already-assured place in the last 16. Dani Alves, Julio Baptista and Nilmar came in for Elano, Robinho and the suspended Kaka. Portugal made four changes, bringing in Danny, Duda, Costa and the fit-again Pepe.

Brazil attacked from the start, forcing a corner within the opening moments and seeing more of the possession than the Portuguese. But the early stages were beset by mistakes as the game lacked any real fluency.

Dani Alves had one effort from 25 yards which just went wide, while Portugal could have had the lead in the 18th minute. Raul Meireles made good progress down the left and crossed inch perfectly for Tiago, whose volley from outside the box flew just wide of goal.

Luis Fabiano was the first player to enter referee Benito Archundia’s notebook when he was booked for a late foul on Pepe. The same player was then brought down by Felipe Melo, but he escaped with a warning from the man in the middle.

A second yellow card followed in controversial circumstances, as Juan clearly raised his arm to stop a high ball reaching the path of Cristiano Ronaldo. The referee saw fit to show leniency rather than send of the defender, whilst also booking Duda for his protestations.

Suddenly, some end-to-end action followed as Nilmar’s left-foot shot was superbly parried onto the woodwork by Eduardo, before Portugal broke and Tiago fell to the ground after an apparent push in the back. Rather than award a penalty though, the referee penalised the Atletico Madrid midfielder for a dive and showed him a yellow card.

A Ronaldo free-kick flew well over the bar as Portugal started to cause Dunga’s sides further trouble down the middle.

Nilmar had another effort which he sent just wide as Brazil continued to threaten on the break and then Pepe became the latest man into the referee’s bad books when he committed a late tackle in midfield, before a Ronaldo pot-shot from 25 yards was easily collected by Julio Cesar.

Felipe Melo again fouled Pepe and this time received a booking, before getting a dressing down from team-mate Gilberto Silva for his cocky behaviour towards the referee on receiving his caution. Within seconds the midfielder was replaced by Josue in an attempt by Dunga to keep his side up to 11 men.

Neither coach made further changes at the break, and it was Portugal who threatened first in the second half as Ronaldo broke clear down the left, but his awkward low cross was easily cut out by Lucio. But when he ran at the Brazil skipper a second time moments later it took a diving header from Juan to bail out the big number three after Ronaldo had managed to get a cross in behind him.

Simao was introduced into the fray at the expense of Duda as Queiroz looked to get more width out of his side.

The five-time winners continued to try to work the ball around Portugal and a decent passing move led to Dani Alves crossing from the right for Luis Fabiano, but the striker had to arch backwards to get a header on target, making it easy for Eduardo to collect.

Substitute Simao then countered that effort with a speculative long-range strike which Julio Cesar collected at the second attempt as the game continued to lack the spark which many had expected to see.

It very nearly arrived on the hour mark when Ronaldo got free of Lucio on the right, and the defender’s cover tackle ran perfectly for Raul Meireles, but he chose to shoot with the outside of his right foot and Julio Cesar was able to tip the ball wide. The keeper picked up a heavy knock to his back as the two collided and had to be given treatment on the pitch before continuing.

When the corner finally came in, Ricardo Carvalho’s header was dealt with by two Brazilian defenders.

Danny appeared well set to test Julio Cesar as he found himself clear down the Portugal right, but a very late flag foiled him. The replays also suggested it was an erroneous flag.

Still the majority of shots seemed to be coming from long range, with Dani Alves attempting another speculative effort which failed to make Eduardo work — and one had to begin wondering whether the two sides would begin to settle for what was a mutually beneficial scoreline.

Ronaldo failed to reach a low cross at one end, whilst Fabiano overhit a ball looking for Dani Alves for the other as the game increasingly threatened to peter out. An excellent tackle by Carvalho foiled Julio Baptista just 20 yards from goal, but injured both players in the process before Michel Bastos brought down Simao, but Portugal wasted the free-kick.

Ronaldo thought he should have had another free-kick when he was brought down by Gilberto Silva, but the ball had already fallen Portugal’s way, only to be wasted by a high shot from Simao.

Brazil coach Dunga appeared to still be waving his men forward when they were on the ball, but for the most part the players seemed content to stroke the ball around as the clock ran down.

They did carve out an opening in the second minute of stoppages though as Ramires unleashed a stinging effort that Eduardo kept out with a brilliant one-handed leap.

North Korea 0-3 Cote d' Ivoire

2010-06-26T02:45:00.000-07:00

Cote d' Ivoire have been eliminated from the World Cup as they failed to achieve the eight-goal swing against North Korea that would have put Portugal under threat, winning only 3-0.

The first half was entirely monopolised by the Elephants, but despite creating a stream of chances, they would only strike twice, with goals from Yaya Toure and Koffi Romaric. Such profligacy would be regretted after the break, as the Africans weren’t nearly so sharp and would only add to their tally late on from substitute Salomon Kalou.

Needing an avalanche of goals to stand any chance of going through, Cote d' Ivoire threatened on at least four occasions in the opening ten minutes. Less than 60 seconds were on the clock when Kader Keita raced onto a fine through pass from Yaya Toure but saw his shot blocked by Ri Myong-Guk.

The whirlwind start became a veritable tempest around the ten minute mark. A Koffi Romaric free kick was uncomfortably held by the Chollima goalkeeper before Gervinho rolled a square ball right along the goal line. Didier Drogba thumped a header into the net after 11 minutes but had his effort correctly disallowed for a marginal offside, moments before Gervinho span to shoot into the arms of Ri Myong-Guk.

A breakthrough was coming, and it arrived on 12 minutes when Yaya Toure cleverly planted a placed shot from the outside of the box into the very corner of the net.

The deluge of shots continued. Romaric’s shot-cum-cross moments later hit the post with a drive from the edge of the box, and the same player was on hand to make it 2-0 with less than 20 minutes played. Drogba showed exemplary control to pull down a difficult cross, turning away from his marker in one fluid movement. The Chelsea forward unleashed a thunderbolt that cannoned off the underside of the bar and bounced kindly back for the Sevilla midfielder to head home.

Hong Yong-Jo nearly pulled a goal back with a free kick that wrong-footed Boubacar Barry, but to the Ivorian goalkeeper’s relief, the effort dropped wide of his goal.

Just for a short period the Ivoirians were resisted, but there was always an underlying threat from the Africans, who were maintaining possession easily. Keita sent a fierce reminder of the Elephants’ threat by sending a stunning volley just by the top corner of the net and eight minutes before the interval a Gervinho toe-poke skimmed the far post when the Lille player should really have scored from a very good position.

Kolo Toure and Gervinho would complete the half with good efforts, though neither was a massive threat to their Asian opponents.

There was no relenting in the Elephants’ pressure after the break, initially at least. In the first five minutes after the restart the Ivorians again crawled all over the North Korean defence but, despite creating a couple of good situations, could not find a third goal that would have given the team some real momentum.

Drogba had the best chance in the early moments of the second half, but his diving header to connect with a loose ball in the box missed the top corner from six yards.

Increasingly the Ivorians’ play became fraught, and as a result the chances dried up. North Korea coincidentally increased in confidence and became a threat on the break, with Jong Tae-Se shooting on sight.

World Cup progression was growing an increasingly distant prospect for the Africans, and that was reflected in their attacks. Romaric had a powerful drive from distance well pushed away and substitute Kalou shot straight at Ri Myong-Guk, but the realisation of elimination was dawning on the green and white clad side.

Kalou had another wonderful chance 18 minutes from time, but he shot well over the top from close range after finding good space in the box.

An afternoon that had promised much at one stage was petering out in a disappointing fashion for the Africans. Their attacks were by now limp and their decision making poor.

At the other end of the field, great play from Pak Nam-Chol released Jong Tae-Se in the box. The North Korean could only prod at Boubacar Barry and the rebound wouldn’t fall kindly for the striker.

Cote d' Ivoire were swiftly breaking to add a third goal. Boka broke impressively down the left side and delivered a delicious early centre that was turned home by Kalou.

Aruna Dindane thought he had added a fourth on 85 minutes, but his scrambled finish after a Drogba free kick was disallowed due to offside, as the African side continued to push forward relentlessly to the death.

In the event, Portugal’s tie against Brazil would have eliminated Cote d' Ivoire no matter their tally, perhaps softening the blow of all the first half opportunities that were squandered in a game that really could have been a rout.

Denmark 1-3 Japan

2010-06-24T14:08:00.000-07:00

A stunning brace of free kicks and a well-worked team goal gave Japan a richly deserved victory over Denmark as they progressed to the knockout stages for the first time outside their home country.

They join South Korea in the last sixteen with Asia securing two places in the second round also for the first time outside of the continent, the last time being in 2002.

The Samurai Blues landed their first knockout blow just after the quarter-hour. From 35 yards out on the right hand side of the pitch, Keisuke Honda fizzed the ball over the wall and impossibly beyond Sorensen. Though the keeper could be faulted for his footwork, it would be an injustice to take anything away from the CSKA star whose technique was reminiscent of the former Lyon midfielder Juninho Pernambucano.

When Japan won a free kick on the half-hour, everyone expected Honda to try and repeat the trick. However this is a real cohesive unit without stars and Asian Player of the Year Yaushito Endo stepped up and curled the ball beautifully into the net beyond a despairing Sorensen.

There had been a few butterflies for the Japanese fans early on when Simon Poulsen's cross took a deflection and fooled the Japanese defence, however Jon-Dahl Tomasson missed his attempt at an acrobatic volley and the ball skipped behind for a corner.

Then out of nothing, the East Asian side almost produced a goal. Yoshito Okubo delivered a wicked ball into the box, which enticed Sorensen from his goal. Daisuke Matsui attacked the pass but could only flick the ball against a somewhat fortunate Danish goalkeeper. Captain Makoto Hasebe then fired wide from a smart through ball with Agger caught hopelessly out of position.

In the second half, Endo almost made it three goals from free-kicks. Sensing a Danish keeper devoid of confidence, he tested out the Stoke keeper who was leaden-footed and lazily tipped the ball onto the post.

Tomasson took it upon himself to attempt to haul the Danes back into the game. Latching on to a rare Bendtner flick-on , the ball ran away from the Feyenoord striker by which time Kawashima was able to smother the angle and parry the ball behind.

The Danes looked more likely to salvage their World Cup once Christian Eriksen had been introduced. After a bright start, he showed excellent technique volleying narrowly over from well outside the area. However his sharp running was not enough and was indeed wasted against the backdrop of a neanderthal Danish style of football that is surely outdated at this level.

Tomasson was presented with a good chance to get on the scoresheet but after enduring a frustrating 70 minutes, he completely scuffed his shot and the opportunity evaporated. His fellow striker Soren Larsen looked the most likely to score and he rattled the crossbar with a terrific left-foot volley.

The Danes received an undeserved lifeline when Hasebe pushed Agger over in the box. Tomasson stepped up to equal the Danish goalscoring record and was fortunate to score the rebound after Kawashima saved a poor spot kick. Just as Denmark had a glimpse of hope, a moment of brilliance from Honda when he left Rommedahl for dead set up substitute Shinji Okazaki who tapped the ball into the empty net.

Cameroon 1-2 Netherlands

2010-06-24T14:06:00.000-07:00

Netherlands recorded a 2-1 win against Cameroon and progress to the next round of the World Cup with nine points from three games, while the Africans go home with zero points.

The first chance of the match was for Cameroon after about five minutes of play. The Dutch defence allowed Aurelien Chedjou too much space about 25 yards out and the defender opted to try his luck with a powerful long range shot. Maarten Stekelenburg was alert though and picked up the shot with ease.

The Dutch then finally created a good chance halfway the first half. Rafael van der Vaart found Robin van Persie in the centre of the pitch and the Arsenal striker controlled the ball well. However, his shot was too weak to trouble the Cameroonian goalie.

Oranje came close again only minutes later. Van der Vaart found Sneijder inside the area with a brilliant back-heel, but the Inter star hesitated too long and his shot was blocked by a defender.

The referee had no other choice but to award Netherlands a free kick after Stephane M'Bia climbed all over Van der Vaart at the edge of the box. The Real Madrid playmaker stepped up to take it himself, but his low shot past the wall was saved by Hamidou.

The Netherlands then cut through the Cameroon defence without doing anything particularly special down the right. Nevertheless, Dirk Kuyt tugged his shot across goal as he tried to score on the turn.

Holland broke the deadlock after 36 minutes of play. Van Persie exchanged a one-two with Van der Vaart deep in Cameroon's half and the Arsenal striker coolly slotted home with a low shot at the far post.

Geremi caused the Dutch defence all kinds of trouble with a dangerous cross from the right minutes before the interval. Heitinga missed the header, allowing Samuel Eto'o to control the ball. However, the prolific hitman's first touch let him down and Stekelenburg picked up the loose ball.

Again Eto'o was close to levelling the score after a superb through pass from Landry N'Guemo, but Stekelenburg was once again alert and rushed off his line to intercept the pass.

Netherlands came close to doubling their lead minutes after the break. A great angled pass from Sneijder found Van Persie in a dangerous position. The Arsenal star unleashed a shot from 20 yards out, but Hamidou saved the right footed shot with ease.

Wonderful play from Eto'o led to a chance for the Africans at the hour mark. From nothing he accelerated through a couple of challenges, bulldozed his way by one more in the box but had his shot blocked behind by a defender. The resulting corner found N'Guemo, but he midfielder aimed his shot wide of the target.

Jean Makoun then really should have levelled the score after great work from Aboubakar. The youngster went by several opponents before setting up the Olympique Lyon star, but Stekelenburg pulled off a superb save to deny Makoun.

Eto'o did score the equalizer in the 66th minute. The referee pointed to the spot after Van der Vaart touched the ball with his arm inside the area and Eto'o calmly slotted home from twelve yards.

A great delivery from Van der Vaart invited Nigel de Jong to attack it minutes after the equalizer, but he couldn't connect properly with the ball, which went out for a goal kick.

Netherlands got a free kick in a dangerous position about ten minutes before the final whistle. Sneijder whipped in a low cross, but Rigobert Song cleared it for a corner before Klaas-Jan Huntelaar got to it.

Oranje were not giving up that easy though and Huntelaar restored his side's lead in the 84th minute. Sneijder found Arjen Robben with an intelligent through pass and the Bayern Munich star hit the upright with a placed shot. The rebound fell to Huntelaar and the Milan hitman calmly slotted home.

Oranje should have had a penalty of their own in the dying minutes of the match. Robben's through ball picked out Huntelaar, who's the victim of a clumsy challenge from Mbia. The referee waved play on though.

Slovakia 3-2 Italy

2010-06-24T14:04:00.000-07:00

World champions Italy suffered an embarrassing exit at the first hurdle thanks to Slovakia's pulsating 3-2 World Cup Group F victory at Ellis Park.

Robert Vittek struck either side of the break before Antonio Di Natale's goal gave Italy hope. Kamil Kopunek made the game safe for Slovakia in the 89th minute, before a further consolation from Fabio Quagliarella.
The 2006 winners knew before the game that a win would definitely be enough for them to progress to the next round, while a draw may prove just enough. Slovakia needed nothing less than a win, and would need to do so by a couple of goals if New Zealand beat Paraguay.

Italy made two changes as expected, bringing in Gennaro Gattuso and Di Natale for Claudio Marchisio and Alberto Gilardino. Slovakia made twice as many changes, with Radoslav Zabavnik, Juraj Kucka, Miroslav Stoch and Erik Jendrisek replacing Kornel Sakata, Jan Kozak, Stanislav Sestak and Vladimir Weiss after the defeat to Paraguay.

One of the new starters, Di Natale, was clearly looking to make an immediate impact as he attempted a speculative lob from distance inside the first 20 seconds, but it failed to trouble Jan Mucha in the Slovakia goal.

There was a glorious opportunity for Marek Hamsik to give Slovakia the lead in the sixth minute when Robert Vittek flicked the ball backwards into the Napoli star’s path, but he scuffed his left foot volleyed attempt wide of Federico Marchetti’s goal from 12 yards.

It was a rather nervy start to the game, with stakes extremely high for both countries. There was little in the way of creative midfield play in the opening exchanges, as the two sides looked to hassle and harry each other into a crucial early mistake.

The first yellow card was always going to be chalked up reasonably early, and Zdeno Strba was the recipient for a foul on the spinning Gattuso. Moments later Simone Pepe attempted to catch out Mucha from distance, ignoring the back post run of Di Natale in the process, but the keeper managed to get down and smother than swinging Jabulani ball.
As Italy were beginning to get into their stride, Slovakia continued to cause problems with long passes into the channels, with Jendrisek causing Giorgio Chiellini to concede a corner. But when the set piece was delivered from the right, just cleared Hamsik at the back post.

Martin Skrtel then made a magnificent run through the middle of the Azzurri engine room, before eventually being denied by Gattuso inside the Italy box when he’d just been unable to tee himself up on his left foot.

But Slovakia’s period of pressure came to fruition on 25 minutes when Daniele De Rossi gave the ball away too easily in midfield and the ball was quickly fed to Robert Vittek, who slid a perfect right foot shot low to Marchetti’s right to give the eastern Europeans a surprise lead.

The tension in the world champions’ camp was suddenly right on the surface, with several quick concessions of the ball allowing Slovakia to settle over the next few minutes after the delirium of taking the lead. Fabio Cannavaro was cautioned by referee Howard Webb as Italy continued to find only frustration under the now pressing circumstances they found themselves in.

It could so easily have been 2-0 on 35 minutes when Strba unleashed a thunderbolt from over 30 yards which Marchetti had to tip two-handed around the post. After the corner had come to nothing, Italy broke well, but Vincenzo Iaquinta just failed to get on the end of a promising throughball and it was allowed to run harmlessly out of play.

Iaquinta did then connect with a header which could have brought the Azzurri level, but it was deflected just over the bar and the resulting corner was easily dealt with.

Strba received a nasty looking deep gash on the shin when he and Gattuso had a coming together late in the half. Coach Vladimir Weiss was ready to bring on Kamil Kopunek in his place until he was strapped up and courageously made the decision to continue.

There was almost further trouble for Italy when Kucka struck a superb volley just wide of Marchetti’s near post, but Italy held on to a single-goal deficit at the break.

Not for the first time in this tournament, Marcello Lippi needed to make half-time changes in a bid to get his side back into the game. On came Cristian Maggio and Fabio Quagliarella for Gattuso and the lively Domenico Criscito.

Despite their poor first half showing, Italy were still only one goal from potential qualification for the last 16, and Pepe’s cross gave Iaquinta half a chance to put them back in second spot, but he could only graze a glancing header wide.

The struggles were continuing in the early stages of the second half, with Slovakia looking more than comfortable until Maggio played a neat ball through to Di Natale, but his scuffed shot on the turn went aimlessly wide.

This prompted a final change for the champions, with the fit-again Andrea Pirlo replacing the ineffective Riccardo Montolivo.

The Slovaks continued to look dangerous on the break, with Italy appearing weak at the back whenever attacked and Kucka and Vittek both had half-chances to double the advantage.

At the other end, a weak shot from 20 yards by Di Natale, after Gianluca Zambrotta had done well down the left, was about the best the Nazionale could offer.

Slovakia broke again on 65 minutes when Miroslav Stoch went chasing onto a superb throughball, but Maggio chased back well to cut out the danger and Stoch was penalised for a foul.

Immediately Italy should have been level. Pepe and Pirlo made smart work down the right, and when the ball escaped Mucha, Quagliarella fire in a right foot shot which was superbly blocked by the retreating Skrtel right on the goal line.

Once more Slovakia proved a threat on the break though after that lucky escape, and Stoch cut inside Maggio to send in a shot from 20 yards, but it was always swinging wide of Marchetti’s goal. Giorgio Chiellini then had to be alert to cover the onrushing Hamsik. And after Cannavaro had averted the danger from the first corner, Slovakia struck again.

The second corner was half cleared, but when Hamsik delivered low from the right nobody in blue reacted as quickly as Vittek, who calmly slotted home his second at the near post with Chiellini left in his wake and Marchetti slow to cover his near post.

With just 17 minutes remaining, it was game over for Italy. The players’ faces told the story as they came to terms with an Azzurri exit at the first hurdle for the first time in 36 years.

Slovakia’s supporters were in buoyant mood by now, and their side continued to cause Italy problems. However, the Azzurri hit back with just nine minutes remaining.

An excellent one-two involving Quagliarella and Iaquinta saw Mucha parry the Napoli man’s shot straight into the path of Antonio Di Natale, who had the easiest of tasks to side-foot home.

The lifeline sparked a momentary melee in the back of the Slovakia net, with Mucha twice striking Quagliarella in the face, though the Italy forward did rather theatrically fall to the floor.

When play eventually restarted there was finally some real urgency in Italy’s play. Di Natale had a shot from 20 yards blocked, before he collected Pepe’s cross to tee up Quagliarella to slot home from 10 yards, but the referee’s assistant’s flag was up. Replays suggested the decision was very close.

Slovakia then made the game safe after more sloppy defending in the 89th minute. De Rossi failed to track the onrushing Kamil Kopunek from a simple throw-in and the substitute had the easiest of tasks in chipping the advancing Marchetti to confirm Italy’s misery.

The Azzurri struck back again though in the first minute of stoppages, Quagliarella chipping the ball into the top corner from 25 yards in a fine moment of individual skill.

But it wasn’t to be enough as the champions were eliminated; Pepe ultimately missing a late chance to save his side.

Paraguay 0-0 New Zealand

2010-06-24T14:02:00.000-07:00

A goalless draw with New Zealand was enough to seal Paraguay’s path to the round of 16; but while they undoubtedly showed the most endeavour, Gerardo Martino’s side never really got going.

It was all a bit flat from the South Americans while Kiwis coach Ricki Herbert was clearly happy for his side to go as long as they can without conceding before taking stock of events elsewhere in the closing moments.

Martino’s Group F leader’s Paraguay knew that a result over the World Cup’s surprise package New Zealand would secure their position as group winners, and the draw means they avoid the prospect of facing the Netherlands in the second round.

Martino went with three out-and-out strikers in his side’s victory over Slovakia following criticism that he was too conservative in their opener with Italy and, despite the impressive left-back Claudio Morel Rodriguez and midfielder Enrique Vera rushing from deep, Paraguay struggled to find their rhythm in the early stages.

The age-old gap between the front three and the midfield was again causing a problem. Their first half-chance arrived from a set-piece after 13 minutes but Denis Caniza couldn’t control his volley and his shot sailed harmlessly wide of Mark Paston’s goal.

Caniza hit another speculative volley moments later, with similar results, but was finding his range and almost opened the scoring after 20 minutes but narrowly missed the top corner of Paston’s goal from outside the box; the skipper hit another 30-yarder after half an hour that swerved just over, leaving many wondering whether he had chucked a few bob on himself to open the scoring.

For New Zealand, two surprise draws with Slovakia and Italy meant Ricki Herbert’s All Whites would seal a sensational round-of-16 berth for themselves if they could get the bag their first win of the tournament. A draw could also take them through, if they drew scoring more goals than Italy did in a draw with Slovakia.

Herbert elected to stick with the eleven that earned a heroic, and well deserved, point against Italy at the weekend and set out their stall to contain their opponents from the off. With impressive teenager Chris Woods remaining on the bench, former AFC Wimbledon striker Shane Smeltz retained his place up front showed bright sparks in the early stages, cutting inside from the left, he fired an early tester at Justo Villar but could only send his shot high into the stands.

Martino then showed his fury with holding midfielder Victor Caceres, as he picked up a yellow card after ten minutes for a tackle from behind on Roroy Fallon. Scraping his studs down the back of the Plymouth striker’s ankle, it was as cynical as it was stupid and means he will now miss his side’s second round clash.

Despite banging in 38 goals for Benfica this season, Oscar Cardozo came into the tournament as Paraguay’s fourth choice striker following the naturalisation of Argentinian Lucas Barrios; but he got the nod today, as Barrios dropped to the bench after failing to find the net in La Albirroja’s first two matches.

With midfielder Christian Riveros failing to impose himself on the match, Paraguay offered their front men little service in the first-half and Cardozo’s only glimpse of goal came from a speculative long range effort five minutes before half-time.

Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz also retained his place in the starting line-up but offered as little as Cardozo in the first period. His only meaningful contribution came in the form of a booking for a late tackle just before the break as his increasing frustration got the better of him.

In the absence of the infamously unavailable Salvador Cabanas, Nelson Valdez shouldered the responsibility of plugging the gap and showed intent when he skipped around three defenders before his cross evaded Cardozo and Roque Santa Cruz after quarter of an hour. His first half-chance arrived on the half-hour mark, striking a low shot from 25-yards. Though while it had purpose, it was straight at Paston and caused the Kiwi ‘keeper little trouble.

While Ryan Nelson and co. had defended resolutely against Slovakia and the Italians, they were yet to be tested with any real dynamism from their opponents; Martino’s decision to drop Barrios in favour of two big centre-forwards in Cardozo and Santa Cruz seemed untimely, as the Kiwis were rarely tested at the back.

Paraguay’s first real chance came from a corner on the hour mark. Taken short, Caniza clipped the ball across for Riveros to head straight at Paston from 10 yards, before New Zealand frantically scrambled the ball wide for a corner.

Martino was becoming visibly frustrated with his side’s insipid display and re-introduced Barrios five minutes later along with the super-sub of their qualification campaign, Edgar Benitez. Cardozo and Valdez departed and the subs made an instant impact, combining with Santa Cruz before Barrios’ shot flashed wide. It was the first time the Paraguayans had pushed the New Zealand defence onto the back-foot and the Kiwis were visibly unsettled by the pace with which their opponents broke.

Barrios should have won the game for his side after Benitez worked enough space for himself inside the box to curl a shot for the far corner; but Paston got down well to save and, first to the rebound, Barrios should have tucked the ball into the empty net but seemed to get it caught under his feet, giving Paston enough time to smother his weak effort.

he two subs again combined with ten minutes left when Benitez crossed for Barrios to head wide at the far post.

Woods did eventually arrive for the Kiwis and it was he who came closest to grabbing the goal that would take them through. Playing right on the shoulder of Julio Cesar Caceres, there was brief moment of excitement for the minnows as the youngster broke free of his marker to come within inch es of converting a Smeltz cross; however, the offside flag quickly restored the gloom.

Most disappointingly, the Kiwis, fully aware that victory would take them through to the second round, never really showed any endeavour. Even in the closing stages, only Woods really seemed interested in pushing forward. However, Herbert will be proud of his men, bank clerks and all. They can take pride in not only remaining unbeaten, but finishing above the world champions.

For Martino, things will have to improve if his side wish to make the quarter-finals for the first time in their history.

Ghana 0-1 Germany

2010-06-23T15:46:00.000-07:00

Germany will face Fabio Capello's England in the last 16 of the 2010 World Cup, after narrowly defeating Ghana 1-0 in Johannesburg, thanks to a Mesut Oezil's wonder strike.

The European side played a very aggressive attacking nature, allowing the Ghanaians to respond with swift counterattacks. Neither side managed to score before the half, but playmaker Mesut Oezil struck on the hour mark to lift the Germans to victory and a first place finish in Group D. Following Australia's defeat of Serbia, Ghana took second.

Having lost to Serbia in their second group match, the Germans faced a must-win scenario against Ghana. Nonetheless, coach Joachim Loew opted not to take a more aggressive stance than in previous matches, preferring his 4-2-3-1 shape rather over a multi-striker system. For the Germans, Cacau replaced suspended striker Miroslav Klose Loew replaced unimpressive left back Holger Badstuber with Jerome Boateng.

Ghana, by contrast, needed just a single point to advance to the Round of 16, and coach Milovan Rajevac chose his starting line-up accordingly. The Serbia native retained his conservative 4-2-3-1 formation, and made just one change to his starting XI: John Mensah replaced Lee Addy, joining his namesake, Jonathan Mensah, in central defence.

Ghana kicked off the match and took a direct path for goal, but Asamoah Ayew mis-hit his strike, which looped off target. That would prove to be a rare venture forward for the Black Stars, who played like group leaders: tentative in attack, and content to defend their point.

Early in the game, Germany controlled the lion's share of possession, with holding midfielder Sami Khedira and playmaker Mesut Oezil freely moving forward to join Cacau. Ghana were superbly organized in their defence, however, and the Germans found it extremely difficult to earn clear chances. Cacau often drifted wide, and with Ghana playing deep and Germany lacking a true center forward in the penalty area, were starved for scoring opportunities.

The Ghanaians used their pace to counterattack their overcommitting opponents, and instead it was they who earned the better chances on goal. The Ghanaian midfield was superbly industrious, and Gyan, Kevin-Prince Boateng, and Kwadwo Asamoah all did very well pressure the Germans deep and force counterattacks.

Only a heavy touch by Asamoah Gyan, misplaced ball from Kevin-Prince Boateng, solid defending from Arne Friedrich and aggressive goalkeeping from Manuel Neuer prevented the Black Stars from taking an early lead.

Germany were nearly gifted an own goal inside ten minutes, but goalkeeper Richard Kingson reacted quickly to parry Lukas Podolski's deflected cross out for a corner. In the 25th minute, the increasingly influential Mesut Oezil was played through on goal, but the 21-year old was unable to finish as Kingson made a comfortable save.

Moments later, Ghana should have had a goal following a corner. Andre Ayew headed the set piece past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, but Germany skipper Philipp Lahm cleared the shot off the goal line.

Midway through the first half, Ghana found their feet in midfield, and began to attack Germany more willingly, but like their opponents, were unable to make the final ball to produce a goal.

At the break, Loew was left to ponder his options to produce a goal, whereas Rajevac could be content with the result, though perhaps slightly disappointed his team could not have netted the opener.

As the second half began, the two sides took to the pitch unchanged, and Germany resumed their uncompromising attacking style, while Ghana defended and looked stellar on the break. The first five minutes of the second half were played almost entirely in Ghana's defending half, but the Africans were first to create a clear scoring opportunity. Asamoah was first to a through ball, but Neuer was quick off his line and blocked the midfielder's effort.

In the second half, Lahm into a permanent midfield position, and Friedrich, Per Mertesacker, and Jerome Boateng formed a three-man defence. The Germans looked strong on the right channel, but as was the case earlier, never had a reliable target in the penalty box.

As events would unfold, such a player was unnecessary. On the hour mark, Oezil finally broke his scoring duck with a gorgeous volley from the edge of the D. His shot sliced just enough to beat Kingson at the left post, sending the Germans temporarily atop their group.

Ghana responded immediately with a strong spell in attack. Ayew first delivered an exquisite cross to Tagoe, but the attacker's close-ranged header was cleared off the line by Jerome Boateng. Next, Gyan played a perfect back-heel to set up Ayew, but Lahm intervened at the last moment to deflect the resulting shot over the bar.

The Germans eventually solidified at the back as Lahm moved back into his normal role on the right side of defence. Finally able to drop back to a less aggressive stance, the Europeans looked much more stable at the back, and like Ghana before, looked to score on the counterattack.

Ghana earned a good spell of possession, but were unable to get behind their opponents' back line. Despite being dangerously close to crashing out of the tournament, the Ghanaians seemed to lose their desire to score. It was a thin line that Ghana toed between facing the United States in the Round of 16 and finishing third in their group.

In the end, that gamble paid off. Both sides played to a rather lacklustre conclusion, with Germany finishing first, and Ghana second in group D. The two teams now advance to the Round of 16 to face England and the United States, respectively.

Australia 2-1 Serbia

2010-06-23T15:44:00.000-07:00

Australia's World Cup dream has come to an end, despite beating Serbia 2-1 in Nelspruit. Both teams are out of the tournament following Germany's 1-0 win against Ghana.

The Europeans dominated play in the first half, but failed to convert one of the chances they created. Australia then took over the initiative after the break and eventually cruised to a 2-1 victory.

Serbia started the match the better side of the two and Milos Krasic came close to opening the score after only six minutes of play. The tricky winger went by his opponent down the right wing before firing in a powerful shot at the near post. Mark Schwarzer was alert though and tapped the ball wide for a corner kick.

Again Krasic should have broken the deadlock after a quick counter attack through the centre. Nikola Zigic reached Krasic inside the area and the CSKA Moscow star got past the Australian goalie, but eventually blasted the ball wide from a narrow angle.

Beli Orlovi continued to dominate and holding midfielder Zdravko Kuzmanovic opted to test Schwarzer with a shot from inside the area after an intelligent run forward without the ball. Nevertheless, his shot sailed wide at the far post.

Chelsea star Branislav Ivanovic surprised the Australian defence halfway the first half when he burst into the Socceroos' area and unleashed a powerful shot from six yards out, only to see Schwarzer pull off a magnificent save to keep the score level.

Australia created their first good chance minutes after the half hour mark. Mark Bresciano floated in a perfect cross from the left and Tim Cahill beat his marker to the ball before heading the ball just wide.

Kuzmanovic got some time and space to send in a cross from the right wing and the Stuttgart starlet found Zigic at the penalty spot with his precise pass. However, the former Valencia star aimed his header wide of the Australian target.

The first good chance of the second half was for Beli Orlovi. Jovanovic found Zigic inside the Australian box, but the towering striker aimed too high and blasted the ball over the bar.

A cleared set piece ended up in the feet of Jason Culina at 25-yards out and the former PSV star tried his luck with an ambitious long range strike, which went just wide of the target.

Bresciano then almost opened the score at the hour mark. The attacking midfielder unleashed a ferocious long range strike from a free kick, but Stojkovic deflected the ball wide for a corner kick.

Again Bresciano tested Stojkovic with a powerful shot from the edge of the area, but the Serbian goalkeeper made a superb save to deny the gifted midfielder.

The Socceroos took the lead after 69 minutes of play. An outstanding cross from the right found the head of the jumping Tim Cahill and the Everton star found the net with a superb trademark header.

Substiture Brett Holman doubled the Socceroos' lead only minutes after the opener. The AZ star picked up a loose ball in midfield before starting a surging run from midfield. The Serbian defence allowed Holman too much space and the attacking midfielder fired home from 25 yards out.

The Serbians didn't give up though and pegged one back in the 84th minute. Schwarzer failed to hold on to Zoran Tosic's long range strike and Ajax star Marko Pantelic was alert to tap home the rebound.

Pantelic then thought to have drawn things level again, but goal was disallowed for offside. Kennedy then got the chance to restore Australia's two-goal difference after great work, but the towering striker placed the ball just wide of the Serbian goal.

Slovenia 0-1 England

2010-06-23T12:29:00.000-07:00

England are through to the last 16 of the 2010 World Cup after beating Slovenia 1-0 in their crucial Group C clash in Port Elizabeth.

Jermain Defoe scored for the Three Lions after converting James Milner’s terrific cross, as Fabio Capello’s men progressed to the knock-out stages of the tournament.

Slovenia were able to name an unchanged side from their 2-2 draw with the USA. Marko Suler recovered from a knock to start alongside Bostjan Cesar at centre-back, while Zlatko Dedic had to settle for a place on the bench as Zlatan Ljubijankic partnered Milivoje Novakovic once again in attack.

Meanwhile, Fabio Capello made three changes from Friday’s dismal draw against Algeria, with Jermain Defoe, James Milner and Matthew Upson coming into the starting line-up in the place Emile Heskey, Aaron Lennon and the suspended Jamie Carragher.

England began the game nervously, being put under pressure from the Slovenians right from the first whistle. Ljubijankic wouldn’t leave Upson alone as he was forced to clear the ball straight to the opposition deep inside his own half, before Johnson was lucky to escape without a booking after bringing Kirm down to the ground with a late challenge.

The first chance of the game went the way of Slovenia through their best player of the World Cup so far, Birsa. The tricky winger cut inside past Upson from the right and was left with too much time to shoot at goal, but fortunately for England, he was unable to recreate his wonderful goal against the USA, as the ball flew into James’ arms.

Rooney’s display in the draw with Algeria - as well as his post-match comments about England fans - drew criticism from the press, and he made his first impact in the match in the 10th minute. He received a great cross-field pass from Johnson on the left wing before curling an inviting cross towards Gerrard at the far post, but Cesar was there to header the ball out of play.

Lampard was given licence to get forward by Capello early on and he had two chances to take the lead in a matter on minutes. The Chelsea midfielder tried his luck with a free-kick from 30 yards but the effort was comfortable for Samir Handanovic to deal with before he made a late run into the area to latch onto Rooney’s reverse pass but he failed to get on the end of it.

England continued to get forward and create chances, and had three opportunities to score in quick succession. Rooney won a corner after his powerful strike from just inside the area was pushed wide of the post by Samir Handanovic before Terry headed just wide of the goal from close range. Johnson then had a chance from 25 yards out and opted to shoot instead of passing, but could only fire straight at the goalkeeper.

Following Johnson’s chance, Slovenia quickly raced down the other end of the pitch and could have created a goalscoring opportunity had it not been for Terry. Ljubijankic shaped to shoot after arriving in the penalty area, but was stopped in his tracks by the former Three Lions skipper, who put in an excellent block to divert the ball out for a corner.

Defoe was a surprise selection ahead of the game for England and he gave Fabio Capello’s men the lead. Milner received a pass on the right wing and curled a superb cross into the six-yard box and Defoe managed to steal a yard in front of Suler to stab the ball home from close range.

Just five minutes after providing the assist for Defoe, Milner was at it again - only this time, the Tottenham Hotspur striker couldn’t quite convert the chance. Milner delivered another great cross into the area and Samir Handanovic crept just in front of Defoe to palm the ball away to Lampard, who, from the edge of the area, could only fire over.

Defoe was causing havoc again moments later, spinning past his marker on the edge of the area before forcing another save out of Samir Handanovic. The ball then fell to Gerrard, who played a neat one-two with Rooney, before striking towards the bottom right-hand corner, but the goalkeeper saved his side once again.

Johnson was lucky not to pick up a booking early on in the first half with a late challenge but, this time, he was the victim. The Liverpool full-back raced down the right before being brought to ground by Jokic, who picked up a yellow card, earning him a one-match ban.

Slovenia rarely threatened in the first half but had a chance to equalise with minutes left before the break. Birsa swung a looping left-footed free-kick deep into the area and James managed to punch the ball away ahead of Novakovic, and the Slovenia striker was ruled offside in any case.

Defoe was England’s main attacking threat in the first half and came close to grabbing his second just a minute into the second. Rooney’s quickly-taken corner almost caught Samir Handanovic out at his near post, and he could only palm the ball straight to Lampard on the edge of the area, who drilled the ball into the path of Defoe, but he flicked the ball wide of the post from close range.

While Johnson avoided a booking early on in the game, he couldn't make a similar escape early on in the second half. The full-back raced forward once again and cut inside from the right towards the edge of the area, and as he looked to skip past Jokic, he was caught and fell to ground - only to be booked by referee Wolfgang Stark for diving.

England’s first two displays in Group C failed to produce any free-flowing, exiting football, but Fabio Capello’s men started to show what they can do. Ashley Cole and Lampard were involved in some neat passing on the left before the latter played a clever pass into the area to Rooney, who squared the ball to Defoe to pass the ball into an open goal — but Rooney was correctly ruled offside by the referee.

While Ashley Cole and Lampard worked the ball well down the left, Gerrard and Rooney went one better, but still couldn’t find a second. The pair played a number of one-twos between them on the edge of the area before eventually being closed down by the Slovenia defence, who promptly cleared.

Terry had an opportunity from a corner in the first half and came close to scoring with another header in the second. The Chelsea captain was there at the far post to power a header towards the bottom right-hand corner, but Samir Handanovic pulled off a good save by pushing the ball around the post.

Rooney looked a different player from the display he put in against Algeria on Friday and he would have doubled England’s lead had it not been for the Slovenian goalkeeper once again. Samir Handanovic was on hand to pull off another save by tipping the ball onto the post after Rooney had scuffed his shot when one-on-one.

Birsa failed to make much of an impact on the game, but had a chance to grab a goal for his side in the 65th minute. The Auxerre winger wasn’t picked up after checking inside from the right and again had time to pick his shot, but could only find the grateful arms of James in the England goal.

England were still the better team, but were almost caught out at the back after Gareth Barry gave the ball away in attack. Kirm clipped a cross into Novakovic from the left wing and it took a courageous block from Terry to clear the ball before Dedic’s follow up struck the ankle of Johnson and cannoned wide of James’ left-hand post.

Rooney looked to be struggling with a slight knock in the second half, so Joe Cole was finally given his chance to play at this summer’s World Cup, and he was a straight replacement for Rooney, playing just behind Defoe in attack.

Slovenia’s Birsa was involved in the game again with ten minutes remaining, but for the wrong reasons this time. The winger flicked the ball up onto the arm of Barry and claimed the Manchester City midfielder had deliberately handled the ball, and when the referee didn’t award a free-kick, he kicked the ball away and picked up a yellow card.

With five minutes remaining, Fabio Capello made his second change, bringing on Heskey for Defoe, and just a minute later, Joe Cole had a chance to make it 2-0. The free agent latched onto a long ball downfield, but could only smash the ball wide of the goal from an awkward angle.

Frustration grew for England in the closing stages as they knew conceding a goal was knock them out of the World Cup, and Upson put in a match-winning block in stoppage time to save the game for Capello’s men and see them through to the last 16.

USA 1-0 Algeria

2010-06-23T12:23:00.000-07:00

The USA have qualifed for the knockout stages of the World Cup in the most dramatic circumstances, defeating Algeria 1-0.

There were plenty of chances throughout and both sides hit the woodwork, but it seemed that neither side would find a crucial winner. But deep into injury time, Landon Donovan popped up to strike a historic goal.

Algeria may not have shown much intent against England, but they were quickly onto the front foot against the Americans. Straight from kick-off a long ball forward picked out Rafik Djebbour, whose knockdown found Karim Matmour but the striker volleyed spectacularly over.

Djebbour had the best of the early chances, pouncing on another long ball forward that was hopelessly missed by Jay DeMerit. With time at the edge of the edge of the box, the AEK Athens man chested the ball down but volleyed against the bar. Immediately play swept up the other end of the field but Rais M'Bolhi saved Herculez Gomez’s ambitious strike.

In the early stages of the match, the States were limited, lacking incision in the final third of the pitch. Les Fennecs were rather more direct, shooting at every opportunity, though too often feebly.

With 20 minutes played, finally the USA created a clear chance. A strong break down the centre of the field from Michael Bradley was strongly arrested by a fine challenge but the ball broke kindly to Gomez, whose initially shot was blocked by M’Bolhi. The rebound fell kindly for the striker, whose shot-come-cross was tapped home by Clint Dempsey, whose effort was wrongly disallowed for offside.

Penetrative play became increasing rare as the half wore on. The Stars and Stripes enjoyed the better of the possession and territory, but it was the North Africans who were looking more purposeful when attacking.

Ten minutes before the interval, the USA would create another wonderful chance. Landon Donovan had flashed in and out of the game in the early stages but released a terrific pass to Bradley. The midfielder’s first touch was excellent but Madjid Bougherra’s presence was enough to take some of the sting from the shot, which was saved.

Moments later Jose Altidore had one of the misses of the World Cup. Another strong run from Bradley allowed the coach’s son to pick out Donovan, who eliminated the goalkeeper with a little dink. From no more than six yards, the Villarreal forward lashed over the top with only a couple of defenders to beat on the line.

Efforts from range were very much the order of the day, and strikes from Karim Matmour and Dempsey were both denied by saves prior to the interval.

Rabah Saadane’s side came out after the interval with intent, but they lacked the creativity to really create a string of chances. Matmour was caught offside when seemingly through on goal before Rafik Halliche headed off-target.

The USA nearly struck the opening goal totally against the run of play. Altidore’s pace carried him clear of Bougherra down the left hand side, allowing the attacker to pick out Dempsey on the edge of the area. With time to spare the midfielder took aim, but shot against the inside of the post and then sliced wide of an open goal from a tight angle when the ball had the good grace to bounce back to him.

Play switched quickly from end-to-end, but both defences were a credit to their side, with a sliding clearance from Carlos Bocanegra from a Belhadj cross especially impressive. Algeria goalkeeper M’Bolhi then blocked a dangerous cut-back from substitute Benny Feilhaber as the game grew increasingly stretched and frantic.

Halfway through the second period, the Stars and Stripes missed a glorious chance. Steve Cherundolo’s centre was thumped goalward by Edson Buddle, though M’Bolhi was well positioned to make a block. Play quickly shifted to the opposite penalty box, but Ziani dragged his shot wide.

Algeria still offered a meaningful threat on the counter, with Yebda shooting over and Abdelkader Ghezzal firing into the arms of Howard.

The USA were still doing much of the pressing, but their star men were being kept quiet. Bradley stuck a free kick sweetly but it was straight at M’Bolhi, who punched clear. A similar chance was smacked wildly over by Dempsey and Buddle wasted an opportunity when played in behind the Algerian defence by a long punt.

A goal seemed that it wasn’t arriving, but as play became broken in stoppage time, the USA countered at an exposed Algerian defence down the right. Though an initial shot was blocked by the custodian, Donovan followed up to smash low into the net.

For a long period of the game, it seemed the USA lacked the quality in front of goal to book a place in the last 16, but the Stars and Stripes’ record scorer came up trumps with their World Cup hopes preparing to die.

Argentina 2-0 Greece

2010-06-22T14:41:00.000-07:00

Greece have been eliminated in the group stages of the World Cup after losing the match against Argentina. The Europeans finish third in their group, while Argentina progress to the knock-out rounds as group winner.

Otto Rehhagel's man were dominated for the majority of the match and tried to hit Argentina on the counter attack. The Albiceleste proved to be too strong though and eventually cruised to a comfortable win.

Argentina started the match the better side of the two, but the Greek were responsible for the first dangerous situation of the game. Georgios Samaras beat Martin Demichelis to a long ball and looked favoured to dribble past his marker. However, the Bayern Munich defender recovered to slide tackle the ball away before Samaras could get a shot in.

Sergio Aguero then almost opened the score for the South Americans after eighteen minutes of play. The Atletico Madrid man exploded past the Greek defence after a pass from Sebastian Veron before unleashing a great shot that forced a save from the goalkeeper.

The following corner than led to a chance for Veron to demonstrate his shooting skills and he veteran defender almost found the net with a superb long range strike. Nevertheless, Alexandros Tzorvas pulled off an excellent save to tap the ball over the crossbar.

Greece midfielder Giorgios Karagounis then tried to reach Samaras with a great long pass, but the Celtic star failed to control the ball and the chance went begging. Minutes later, another long ball went to Samaras, but Demichelis made a fine challenge to thwart danger.

Aguero again caused the Greece defence all kinds of trouble at the half hour mark. Milito crossed from the right byline, finding the Atleti man at the far post. An exceptional block by Loukas Vyntra denied the young forward though.

Romero was called into action minutes before the interval after a free-kick from Greece. Karagounis curled in a free kick from the right that looked dangerous, but the AZ 'keeper rushed off his line to collect the cross.

Maxi Rodriguez almost opened the score seconds before the half-time break when the Greek defence allowed him too much space inside the area. Tzorvas saved the winger's shot from close range though.

The loose ball was then picked up by the Argentinians again and Messi eventually won possession at the edge of the box. The Barcelona star tried his luck with a placed shot, but Tzorvas was once again on hand to deny the tricky forward.

Greece started the second half brilliantly and Samaras almost gifted his side the lead minutes after the break. Demichelis had slipped, leaving Samaras with a one-on-one against Burdisso. Samaras' initial shot was deflected, but he reached the ball first fired from a tight angle, and missed wide of the far post.

With the Argentinian attack struggling to make an impact. Clemente Rodriguez opted to take matters into his own hands. The full-back cut inside from the left before unleashing a low shot that only just went wide.

Again Samaras troubled the Argentinian defence at the hour mark. The Celtic striker decided to try his luck with an ambitious shot from 20 yards out, but his attempt sailed wide and high.

The referee had no choice but to award the Albiceleste a free kick after 69 minutes of play and Messi almost surprised Tzorvas with a great long range strike. However, the Greece goalie was alert and tapped the ball wide.

The following corner led to a huge chance for Argentina, as Bolatti smacked it with power from close range. Tzorvas somehow managed to catch it though.

Bayern Munich star Demichelis finally broke the deadlock in the 79th minute after a corner kick. His first attempt was blocked by teammate Milito, but the error prone defender didn't waste any time to fire home the rebound from close range.

Messi then finally showed a flash of brilliance with five more minutes to go. The Barcelona star went by two opponents before beating the Greek glovesman with a good shot, only to see his shot hit the upright.

Veteran striker Palermo added his name to the score sheet in the dying seconds of the game. Tzorvas was able to save Messi's shot from twenty yards out, but Palermo was alert to slot home the rebound.

Nigeria 2-2 South Korea

2010-06-22T14:39:00.000-07:00

At full-time in Durban Stadium, Nigeria finished on level terms with South Korea after Kalu Uche's opener on 12 minutes was negated by a Lee Jung-Soo header just minutes before the break, and Park Chu-Young's early second half goal was cancelled out by a Yakubu penalty. South Korea have progressed to the next stage, finishing second in the table behind Argentina.
Nigeria came in to the match knowing that they needed a win, whereas South Korea, who were in second place leading into the match, knew that a draw would probably see them through unless Greece could get a positive result against a rampant Argentina side.
South Korea's Lee Chung-Yong and Yeom Ki-Hun both had yellow cards from previous games, Odiah had one for Nigeria and of course Sani Kaita was suspended after being sent off for lashing out against Greece in their previous game.
The first chance of the game came when Cho Yong-Hyung played in a slick ball to Lee Chung-Yong at the front post. The midfielder reacted well, but he could only scoop the ball past the front post. It looked like he injured himself in the process, but after some treatment on the sidelines he was able to get back to his feet and continue.
Yakubu started to threaten for the Nigerians, but he couldn't find a way through. Running at defenders make them think twice about closing down and dropping off instead providing some good early pressure. Yakubu popped up again when Kanu did well to hold the ball up and play it into the Everton striker, but he couldn't control the ball well enough and lost out.
Almeria's Kalu Uche then broke the deadlock in an emphatic fashion after 12 minutes. Odiah easily passed two Koreans on the right flank, and he should have been dispossessed, before he swung the ball in for a lurking Uche, who cut in front of his man and poked the ball into the net.
South Korea got their chance to reply when Yeom Ki-Hun stood over a free-kick in a dangerous area on the right. It was a good delivery but, lacking in height, the ball went back out to safety with easy Uche soon reared his head again at the other end, but opting to shoot instead of crossing proved a poor idea as his shot went well over the bar.
Then, inexplicably, Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who had been truly world class in his previous games, was booked after a challenge outside of his box on Park Ji-Sung. The 'keeper held on to the Manchester United player's shirt as he tried to clear the ball and a free-kick was awarded. The set-piece was well delivered and took a few deflections towards goal, but the Africans somehow managed to keep the ball out of their net.
Uche, who had been annoying the Koreans the entire game up until this point, then hit the post on 35 minutes. A devilish strike from range really rattled the woodwork, leaving Jung Sung-Ryong stranded, but no one was there to nudge the rebound into the empty net for the African side.
Chinedu Obasi was the first person to receive a yellow after some dangerous play down the left flank. Ki Sung-Yong swung in the free-kick and Lee Jung-Soo was able to run in unmarked at the back post to nod the ball in to bring the scores back to level pegging. The referee called it after 2 minutes of added time and the teams went in with a goal each.

Uwa Elderson Echiejile replaced Joseph Yobo at the break. The Braga defender is only 22, but the pace of the Korean forwards did seem to be getting the better of Yobo's older legs.
Danny Shittu conceded a foul outside of his own box in a dangerous area for the Asians on the pitch - and dangerous it was. Park Chu-Young stood over the ball and bent it expertly around the wall, beating a wrong-footed Enyeama in the process. It was a dream start to the second half for South Korea as they took the lead for the first time in the game.
Chu-Young, having just scored, was then afforded another chance from a set-piece, this time for a good 30 yards out. He struck the Jabulani sweetly and with venom, but the attempt went just wide of the right post, seemingly temporarily drowning out the noise of the vuvuzelas as it rattled the advertising boards.
Lee Young-Pyo moved forward from left-back to have a pop-shot, but he should have continued to build as his poor strike was too weak to trouble Enyeama. Yeom Ki-Hun, who had been wonderful throughout then made way for a defensive midfielder in the form of Kim Nam-Il in the boss' attempt to shore things up.
Then we had the miss of the World Cup so far. Ayila made a wonderful run down the left before squaring the ball into an unmarked Yakubu who was standing in front of an open goal. No easier chance could have been presented to the Yak, but he somehow managed to put his effort wide from 6 yards. It was truly a sight to behold.
However, it wasn't long before Yakubu had a chance to make up for his mistakes, and South Korea Huh Jung-Moo would begin to regret ever sending on Kim Nam-Il. The overexcited defensive midfielder would find himself in the book after scything down Obasi in the box. The Nigerian crowd fell silent as Yakubu was designated the task of the taking the penalty, but the big striker calmly slotted past Jung Sung-Ryong to bring the scores level once again.
Park Ji-Sung wrong-footed Echiejile before cutting inside and shooting, but his powerful shot shook the outside of the net. Soon after, Obafemi Martins was played onside by Chinedu Obasi with only the 'keeper to beat. Once again though, the Nigerians lacked teeth as his deft chip rolled past the post with Jung Sung-Ryong sprawled outside his 6-yard box.
Yet another chance fell to Martins as a cross came in from the right. The Wolfsburg striker failed to control the lofty ball properly s it neared the ground, and once more the Super Eagles were left ruing wasted opportunities due to a lack of sharpness at the front.
Obinna then struck twice in as many minutes in a last-gasp attempt to snatch the win for the Africans. He first made space before shooting just inside the area and seeing his attempt go just wide. He struck again soon after only to see his more powerful long-range shot suffer the same fate, which really seemed to sum up Nigeria's entire attack line for the duration.
With Argentina winning 2-0 against Greece elsewhere in South Africa, it would have taken just one more goal from the Nigerians to seal a place in the last 16. It was not to be though as the referee called it after 93 minutes, allowing the South Koreans safe passage to the next stage with the Albiceleste, while the Super Eagles join must the Greeks on the plane home.

Uruguay 1-0 Mexico

2010-06-22T12:34:00.000-07:00

A Luis Suarez close-range header just before half-time ensured that Uruguay and Mexico happily did not ensure a repeat of the West German-Austrian arrangement that eliminated Algeria in 1982.

At least for as long as South Africa were a danger, the Uruguayans were positive and lively and came up against a Mexian side who consistently pressed for a goal throughout.

Suarez had the best early chance when he escaped the clutches of Hector Moreno after Francisco Rodriguez misjudged a long ball but the Ajax striker uncharacteristically shot wide of the target. Mexico almost responded instantly when Giovani Dos Santos whipped a left-footed ball into the area, which just about evaded the leap of Cuauhtemoc Blanco.

El Tri were at times sloppy at the back with Rodriguez and Moreno at times chancing their arm playing in a nonchalant manner, a risky ploy against Uruguay's front three. Diego Forlan introduced himself into the game with a free kick enticing the diminuitive keeper Oscar Perez six yards from his goal, but the effort was punched away by the veteran.

Blanco's perfectly weighted ball to Guillermo Franco gave Mexico their first decent opportunity, however the recently released striker let the ball run too far and it skipped out of play. Mauricio Victorino was left unmarked at the near post just beyond the six yard box but his flicked header failed to trouble Perez.

In a frantic passage of play, Alvaro Pereira then wasted an excellent chance to break the deadlock but provoked an angry reaction from Forlan when he greedily shot when the Atletico striker was better placed. Andres Guardado then hit the underside of the bar with a snapshot from thirty yards and soon after Perez palmed a Forlan cross away.

Dos Santos who was bright throughout, looked to have a glorious run on goal but hesitant on his right side, he allowed Fucile to get back and produce a timely sliding challenge. Uruguay then broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time when a superb Edinson Cavani cross was met by Suarez at the far post and the Ajax hitman made no mistake from close range with Perez helpless.

After the interval, and with both sides' prospects still in the balance, Uruguay almost doubled their lead from another Forlan free kick which was met by Diego Lugano. Oscar Perez was the Mexican hero again as he managed to pull off an important reaction to save to keep his side in the game.

Not wishing to rely on the French doing enough against South Africa, Mexico showed no signs of letting up, even if their approach did have the hallmarks of a side who were panicking. Substitute Javier Hernandez almost made an instant impact when he played in Dos Santos, but the Spurs attacker was denied by another vital challenge by the excellent Fucile.

Maza Rodriguez was then guilty of one of the tournament's most glaring misses when he somehow contrived to head Pablo Barrera's cross wide with the goal at his mercy.

As the prospect of an early exit loomed larger, Mexico laid siege to the Uruguayan goal and continued to press for a goal despite receiving the news that France had got a goal back against South Africa.

The Mexicans were helped in their quest for a goal by the Uruguayans shift to a five-man defence with the introduction of substitute Andres Scotti. However, as has been cited against them, they lacked the cutting edge to break down the solid defence of the South Americans.

Nonetheless, both sides celebrated at the final whistle in the knowledge they won't be on the next plane home.

South Africa 2-1 France

2010-06-22T12:32:00.000-07:00

South Africa seemed on course for miraculous progress to the knockout stages of the World Cup but ultimately missed out despite a 2-1 victory over France.

Bongani Khumalo gave Bafana Bafana the lead against the run of play, and when Yoann Gourcuff was harshly dismissed midway through the first period the hosts smelled history. The impressive Katlego Mphela struck before the break, but chances were missed and when Florent Malouda pulled a goal back for their guests, the Rainbow Nation’s dream was effectively ended.

France started the match not cutting the kind of shape that one might expect of a team in disarray, though they were hardly playing with the fizz that might be anticipated of such a star-studded unit.
A clever pass from Yoann Gourcuff, one of six new faces in les Bleus’ starting XI, created an early chance for another newcomer, Andre-Pierre Gignac, though the Toulouse striker finished tamely when well placed in the box after just three minutes. The Europeans continued to push on, but the best they could manage in their early spell was a headed flick from Djibril Cisse from the edge of the penalty box.

With the passing of the 15 minute mark, Bafana Bafana started to push away from their penalty box and offer some threat of their own. Having not truly threatened in the early stages, the World Cup hosts grabbed the advantage when Hugo Lloris got nowhere near a corner kick, allowing Khumalo to out-jump Abou Diaby to head home.

Although Gignac quickly offered a shot over the bar as a reply from the French, South Africa looked at ease with their lead and were then given a big helping hand by Colombian referee Oscar Ruiz. Gourcuff leapt for a high ball in the South Africa penalty box and innocuously hit MacBeth Sibaya in the face. Though there was undoubtedly contact, it seemed clear that there was no intent in the midfielder’s action.

Given the circumstances, it was little surprise France grew a little ragged against a fantastically hungry home side. With the crowd right behind their favourites, South Africa found a second goal before the break. Siphiwe Tshabalala worked his way in down the left impressively, and when he fired into a dangerous area, Mphela scrambled the ball over the line.

Bernard Parker soon had the ball in Lloris’ net once again, but he was correctly ruled offside.

A Franck Ribery free kick at the other end of the field forced Moeneeb Josephs to turn the bouncing ball over his crossbar, though William Gallas might have struck had he made contact with the accurate centre.

Bafana were dominating, and they nearly had a precious third goal when Mphela’s angled drive was touched wide for a corner kick.

Needing goals, it was little surprise to see South Africa bright and breezy after the half-time interval. Bernard Parker shot into the midriff of Lloris before a terrific pass from Siphiwe Tshabalala released Mphela. With his first touch, the Mamelodi Sundowns striker swept the ball over Lloris but against the outside of the post.

Just before the hour mark, Mphela tried his luck from range, but Lloris dived to his right to make a commendable save.

France were not totally impotent. Ribery shot over when he should have instead passed to substitute Thierry Henry, who replaced Cisse, who himself had a snapshot go narrowly over just after the interval.

Such forays were rare, whereas the sight of Mphela running purposefully at the French defence was not. The striker snuck in down the right channel next, but Lloris made the block when the angle was very much against the Bafana attacker.

Against the run of play, Malouda stuck a dagger in South Africa’s challenge, silencing even the vuvuzelas. Good play in the heart of the midfield from Abou Diaby released Ribery down the right channel, and the Bayern Munich man defeated the advancing Josephs with a neat square pass to his Chelsea-based team-mate, who simply couldn’t miss.

This goal seemed to take the sting out of the game, though both coaches were still attempting to shape their sides into increasingly attacking formations. Bafana’s attacks lacked the purpose they once boasted and there would be no late miracle, with Tshabalala superbly denied by Lloris.

South Africa exit the tournament as the first host nation to fail to progress by the group stages, but at least they leave with their heads held high, which certainly cannot be said of Raymond Domenech’s men.

Spain 2-0 Honduras

2010-06-21T13:50:00.000-07:00

David Villa missed a second-half penalty as Spain cruised to a 2-0 win over Honduras in their Group H World Cup 2010 clash, throwing away the chance for a hat-trick.

After a disappointing result against the Swiss it was unfortunate for the Central Americans to have to suffer the come back of Pele's pick for the tournament. However in the second half they did grow in confidence but never looked like really putting Casillas under pressure.

David Villa found the net after just sevenn minutes and Spain continued to strive for more. La Furia Roja had numerous opportunities but it wasn't till the second half when they doubled their lead through Villa again.

The main suprise from the Spanish camp was the exclusion of Andres Iniesta from the midfield. Top of the cards however was the inclusion of striker Fernando Torres to the line up. Within one minute of kick off, the Liverpool stiker showed a classy flick, something that fans in Spain and Liverpool have been missing.

Spain began in a 4-4-2 diamond formation with Xavi sitting in behind the forwards, seemingly allowing extra width to La Furia Roja. Jesus Navas finding space early on but his cross was too close to the Honduras keeper, Valladares.

Spain as expected started much the brighter and were inches from the lead after just six minutes. David Villa controlled and turned, still it least 30-yards from goal, the forward fizzed his shot smacking the crossbar and dropping just wide and the onrushing Xavi.

Pressure was mounting on the Honduran goal and there was a real expectation of when rather than if. A corner was neatly worked by Alonso and Xavi and dropped inbetween three Spanish defenders and was dealt bravely with by Valladares. Alonso again was the architect of the next wave. The Real midfielder picked out Villa wide on the left but this time his effort was rash and raced well wide.

Casillas was finally called in to some decisive action after 15 minutes. The keeper unconvincingly cleared a cross with a slide tackle but Wilson Palacios could not control his shot for Honduras.

All was forgotten quickly as La Furia Roja finally broke the deadlock on 17 minutes. David Villa tormenting the Honduran defence once more. The striker turned back inside Chavez from the left and guided his shot into the top corner despite a small touch from the keeper. A much deserved lead and fantastic entertainment.

Spain still looked a little nervous at the back while handling Martinez and Suazo and were just about getting the job done.

A second goal for Spain was a longer pair of legs away, as Xavi lept to meet a Jesus Navas cross and it merely skimmed of his hair to safety. The link up play from the Spanish midfield was a delight to watch at times and Navas and Ramos in particular were having much joy down the right flank. Sergio Ramos running rings round the back line of Honduras and finding Torres at the far post but he couldn't get his header on target. A second chance fell almost immediately to the frontman, running into the box and turning inside the last defender but his touch was a little heavy and he fired high into the stand. It wasn't to be Torres' night thus far.

Villa almost doubled his tally with five minutes left of the first half, again Navas down the right supplying a low cross into the striker who just couldn't direct his effort on goal.

The Spanish held their nerves against a Honduras corner in the final minute of the half to take a 1-0 lead into the second half.

Honduras made an attacking change at the beginning of the second half, introducing Georgie Welcome for Espinoza in search of an equaliser.

Honduras started with a bit of enthusiasm but is was to be deja vu for the central Americans. Spain broke quickly as Xavi laid the ball wide and a fine cut back from Navas allowed Villa time to take a touch and apply the finish. His shot took a deflection of Chavez, which was enough to take it beyond the keeper.

Another quick attack by Spain led by Xavi once more, receiving the ball from a nice roll back by Torres but Xavi's pass was just a little too heavy for Capdevila on the left and his cross was headed behind for a corner.

With an hour on the clock Jesus Navas was brought down inside the area by Izaguirre and the referee pointed straight to the spot. Possibly still with Fernando Torres' appeal in the first half still in his mind. David Villa stepped up on his hat-trick but slid his effort just wide of the right post. The disappointment was evident from all.

David Suazo almost gave the Hondurans an instant response but didn't get his foot round the ball from the edge of the area.

It was end to end action, the introduction of Cesc Fabregas for Xavi almost was inspired. The Arsenal captain broke the offside trap racing clear, rounded the goalkeeper but saw his effort cleared from the line.The resulting corners saw a deflected Navas header almost wrong foot Valladares but the keeper kept his cool and held on.

Honduras continued to search for a goal, Nunez however wasn't able to keep the Jubulani ball down as his free kick sailed over.

As Spain tried to cool the tempo of the match down, Honduras managed to control the ball better than the first half but chances were still coming for La Furia Roja. Villa had one attempt blocked down and then very nearly connected with a fired cross by Juan Mata, who replaced Torres.

Villa again found himself in space in the middle, Jesus Navas supplying a fine low cross from the right. The Barca frontman took a touch instead of shooting first time and eventually saw his shot blocked infront of goal.

Spain continued to trick and torment in to stoppage time but in the end will more than settle for the three points. They now go into the vital game with Chile on Friday with some confidence and minutes under the belt of Torres. A fine performance in what was a outstanding game for more than an hour. The Hondurans can't be disappointed after tonight and can hold their heads high.

Chile 1-0 Switzerland

2010-06-21T11:35:00.000-07:00

Just as they did in their win over Honduras, Chile lined up in an aggressive 3-3-1-3 formation. Humberto Suazo earned his first start of the tournament in attack, and Gonzalo Jara slotted in on the left.

Fresh off their shocking 1-0 upset of Spain, Switzerland entered today's match with heads full of steam. Ottmar Hitzfeld welcomed back star striker Alexander Frei and right winger Valon Behrami, and although Philippe Senderos was unable to start due to injury. In place of the centre half, Steve von Bergen got the nod.

The match got off to a rather slow start, with the Chileans passing quite well, but lacking a quality option in the penalty area. The Swiss did well to win nearly equal possession as their South American opponents, but were much more focused on defensive duties than looking for a goal.

In the 10th minute, the Chilean attack began to show its teeth. Arturo Vidal first tested goalkeeper Diego Benaglio with a nasty, dipping effort from 20 yards, but was denied by a good punch save. The rebound fell to Carlos Carmona, who blasted a low drive that Benaglio again did well to parry. Shortly thereafter, Alexis Sanchez beat Reto Ziegler on the right flank and pulled back for Suazo, but the fit-again forward failed to properly connect.

Swiss wingers Behrami and Gelson Fernandes were silenced for the majority of the first half, leaving Frei and Blaise Nkufo all alone up front. Despite their minimal commitment to attack, the Europeans were nearly gifted a goal when Mauricio Isla played a loose back pass to Claudio Bravo. The goalkeeper had to be quick off his line to reach the ball ahead of Nkufo, but managed to clear.

If there was any question of Hitzfeld's strategy, that was eliminated in the 30th minute, when Behrami was sent off under controversial circumstances. On the right flank, the winger attempted to free himself from Vidal, who was pulling his shirt. Behrami's arm was high as he flailed it backwards, and it connected with Vidal's neck. After a few moments of pondering, referee Khalil Al Ghamdi showed Behrami the red card, leaving the Swiss with a veritable mountain to climb.

After the red carding, Chile were emboldened, and used their numerical advantage by spreading the ball all over the pitch. Only last-ditch defending around the penalty area saved the Swiss. Perhaps the best opportunity of the half came for Chile as Sanchez took down Jean Beausejour's cross with exquisite skill, but fired directly into Benaglio's arms.

Towards the end of the half, Hitzfeld replaced Frei, who was playing out of position on the right flank, with natural winger Tranquillo Barnetta. The Bayer Leverkusen man added a bit more stability for the Swiss, but Chile remained threatening.

For all their passing quality and dominance in possession, the South Americans were not quite able to break through before the half, and had to settle for a scoreless draw at the interval.

After the half, Chile made a pair of substitutions: for Vidal and Suazo, Jorge Valdivia and Mark Gonzalez entered the fray. As they had in the first half, the Chileans took every chance to move forward.

It took just four minutes for the South Americans to put the ball into the net; following a free kick, Sanchez was picked out at the edge of the penalty area, and fired a low drive into the net. The ball took a deflection along the way, however, and the goal was waived off for offside.

Chile pressed and pressed, and Sanchez used his impressive touch to cause the Swiss trouble where Suazo previously did not. The Udinese man received the ball inside the penalty area on a number of occasions, but was denied by Von Bergen and Stephane Grichting. Despite having played very well throughout the match, the latter defender made a real howler in the 55th minute, allowing the ball to leave his feet and fall for Sanchez. The attacker dribbled towards goal, but Benaglio did well to block his shot.

The Swiss eventually recovered from the Chilean onslaught, and defended well. By the 68th minute, they surpassed Italy's record of minutes in the World Cup without conceding a goal.

That record would not extend much further, however. Following an exquisite through ball from Valdivia, substitute Esteban Paredes rounded Benaglio and crossed from the right byline. Mark Gonzalez was wide open at the far post, and headed home from close range to put Chile ahead with the first World Cup goal scored against Switzerland since 1994.

Entering the final quarter hour, Chile were well in position to take three points, having very little Swiss attack against which to defend. In the 84th minute, Paredes had a chance to put the match away after beating Lichsteiner on the wing. With just Benaglio to beat, the Colo Colo man fired over the bar.

With the Swiss throwing in the kitchen sink in attack, Paredes had another chance to end the match as a competition, but after putting the ball on his left foot, fired just wide of the right post.

Chile's wastefulness in attack nearly cost them dearly. In injury time, substitute Eren Derdiyok found the ball at his feet 13 yards from goal, but side-footed the ball wide.

Three minutes into added time, the referee blew his whistle for the final time, and Chile claimed a crucial three points, putting them in first place in their group, three points ahead of the Swiss, and six points ahead of both Spain and Honduras, who play later on Monday.

Portugal 7-0 North Korea

2010-06-21T11:32:00.000-07:00

There was to be no repeat of the scare Portugal suffered at the hands of North Korea in the 1966 World Cup on Monday lunchtime, as the Seleccao moved past the Asian nation 7-0.

For 45 minutes, the Chollima genuinely had their opponents worried, though they would fall behind to a fine Raul Meireles goal. When Simao struck a second, the floodgates quickly opened. Hugo Almeida and Tiago added goals as Portugal threatened with every attack. Liedson added the fifth with time running out, before Cristiano Ronaldo and Tiago also found the net.

Having drawn confidence from their opening encounter against Brazil, North Korea played this encounter with a distinctly more optimistic flavour. The Asian side featured a more attacking setup, and that would allow them to be a very meaningful attacking threat in the first half.

Before the Koreans started to really exert serious pressure, they first had to withstand some worrying moments from the Portuguese. It took Cristiano Ronaldo only two minutes to fire a deflected shot at goal, before centre-back Ricardo Carvalho mustered a couple of very good efforts. The Chelsea man spun to shoot over from inside the box after an exciting break forward and then hammered a header against the post from a corner kick.

North Korea were certainly not content to defence, attacking with intent for long periods. Cha Jong-Hyok was especially impressive, powering a spectacular shot narrowly wide of goal from fully 30 yards out before Jong Tae-Se couldn’t control a clever through ball off a skiddy wet surface.

Hong Yong-Jo’s angled drive forced Eduardo into a diving block, and Portugal had a let-off when the ball dropped just too high for Pak Nam-Chol to direct into the net with his head.

The Seleccao, who were looking a little ragged at the back, were playing offensively only in bursts. After surviving a difficult period, Carlos Queiroz’s side enjoyed a few strikes from range before grabbing the opening goal somewhat against the run of play.

Tiago, who was drafted into the starting XI after Portugal’s flat showing against Cote d’Ivoire, conceived a wonderful through pass to central midfield colleague Raul Meireles, who flashed a first time drive into the net.

Ten minutes before the break, a Tiago cutback was inadequately dealt with by the Asians’ defence, but Meireles couldn’t turn the ball into the net when it broke kindly to him.

Ronaldo struggled to get into the match but a strong shot from the edge of the area three minutes prior to the interval reminded the fans he was still on the field.

Portugal were quickly onto the front foot after the break. Tiago had a shot turned over the top by Ri Myong-Guk, who didn’t cover himself in glory moments later by nearly spilling a routing Ronaldo drive to the feet of Almeida.

At the other end, Jong Tae-Se had a low free kick easily saved by Eduardo.

It was the Seleccao who were making much of the running, and Coentrao nearly rolled in Almeida, though the striker was well covered and couldn’t direct the near post centre into the net.

Moments later, the Portuguese did have their second. Almeida and Meireles combined brilliantly on the edge of the box before a neat pass from the midfielder released Simao, who slipped a shot through the goalkeeper’s legs.

Now rampant, it was soon 3-0 in favour of the Europeans. Coentrao made another impressive surge down the left hand side of the park and picked out a wonderful cross for Almeida to head high into the net.

Before an hour was played, the Seleccao had added yet another. Again it was the left hand side of the park that Portugal exposed wonderfully. Ronaldo finally made a telling contribution to the game, breaking the offside trap down the channel before cutting a pass back to Tiago on the edge of the box. The midfielder side-footed home, though Ri Myong-Guk might have done more to repel the shot.

Another great Ronaldo cross picked out Meireles at the far post within a few minutes, but he blasted past the upright when well positioned ten yards from goal. Coentrao then dinked over after being released by the suddenly threatening Real Madrid star.

On 70 minutes, finally the world got to see a trademark Ronaldo run and shot, but his swerving, dipping strike from well out flew over the goalkeeper but cracked the top of the crossbar.

To the credit of the Chollima, they maintained an attacking stance, but this left them exposed at the back. After a flawless defensive performance against Brazil only a few days ago, their rearguard looked far shakier on this occasion, and when Ji Yun-Nam totally miss-kicked in his own box, substitute Liedson fired home with virtually his first touch.

A combination of poor play from Pak Chol-Jin and some luck resulted in Ronaldo getting a lucky break to round the custodian and side-foot into an empty net with a couple of minutes remaining, before Tiago’s late header completed a rout that reflected somewhat unfairly on the North Koreas.

Victory for Portugal ultimately came about easily, and such was the margin of their victory that it will take a monumental swing against the Seleccao on the final day of Group G action if they are to fail to make the last 16.

Brazil 3-1 Cote d' Ivoire

2010-06-21T11:29:00.000-07:00

Brazil's Luis Fabiano got back amongst the goals as he recorded a brace to set his side up for a 3-1 win over Cote d' Ivoire in Group G of the World Cup. Kaka was sent off late on as a controversial affair reached its tempestuous climax.

Fabiano hit goals either side of half-time, though the second had a hint of handball about it, before Elano wrapped up the win. Didier Drogba’s header proved only a consolation for the Elephants.

As expected, Drogba was recalled to the starting line-up by Cote d' Ivoire coach Sven-Goran Eriksson after having come on as a substitute against Portugal. Brazil were again able to field their one to 11, Dunga deciding not to tinker with the line-up which overcame North Korea.

Brazil could well have had the lead within the first minute as an Cote d' Ivoire attack was broken down and Robinho broke straight through the middle before firing a 30-yard strike just over the bar.

Cote d’Ivoire’s first half-chance came when Salomon Kalou attempted to thread a pass through the Selecao’s backline for Drogba, but he just put too much weight on his effort and Julio Cesar beat the Elephants’ striker to the ball.

The Chelsea frontman looked set to cause Brazil trouble when he stood over a 13th-minute free-kick, but he blasted his 25-yard effort well over the bar. But it wasn’t long before he’d earned his side another set piece after tangling with Lucio. Emmanuel Eboue swung a well-placed dead ball and Julio Cesar had to be on his toes to punch clear ahead of two green shirts.

At this stage it was the Africans who were on top, with Brazil looking to rein back a rare spell of possession. Full-back Maicon decided to take the bull by the horns by going on a rampaging run down the right which earned Brazil a corner.

When the ball came in Gilberto Silva had his shot from the edge of the area blocked and the rebound fell to Robinho, but again he couldn’t keep his shot down as his left foot effort failed to test Boubacar Barry.

But this only proved to be the catalyst to a period of pressure from Brazil which would lead to the opening goal on 26 minutes.

Robinho picked up the ball in midfield and fed Luis Fabiano, whose first-time flick freed Kaka. The Real Madrid man did well to keep hold of possession under pressure before returning the pass to Luis Fabiano, who strode forward and fired emphatically into the roof of the net at Barry’s near post.

The breakthrough was just what Brazil needed to take control of the game, and for several minutes afterwards Cote d' Ivoire did well to so much as get out of their own half as the Selecao began to dominate possession and territory for the first time. It became a lesson in keep-ball for a few minutes as the Samba stars stroked the ball around with ease.

On the rare occasions that the Elephants did progress, they appeared to be constantly being foiled by Felipe Melo in midfield. This prompted a couple of longer range efforts, the best of which saw Julio Cesar smother the ball well from a Kalou strike.

Eboue was the next to try his luck from range, his 20-yard shot taking a flick off Juan before going wide of the near post, but the referee and his assistants failed to spot the deflection and gave a goal kick.

It was probably a deserved lead which Brazil took into the interval, though Ivorian journalist Gio was righly disappointed when speaking to Goal.com’s Peter Pedroncelli inside Soccer City at half-time. “It is a pity we could not capitalise on the good early pressure we had. If we had scored early on we would probably be two or three goals up by now,” he said.
Brazil came out for the second half with an extra spring in their step and within just five minutes Luis Fabiano added a controversial second goal.

With two defenders to beat, Luis Fabiano appeared to take the ball down with the top of his arm, before flicking it up with his right foot, then once more connecting with the top of his arm. With no whistle forthcoming, the striker was able to drill home the bouncing ball with his left foot, though Barry may feel he could have gotten more on the ball as he could only get his fingers to the strike.

It was a real sucker punch for Cote d' Ivoire, but they weren’t about to give up, and just two minutes later Drogba worked himself into space, from where he was able to get a header in on goal. But his effort ran along the face of goal with Julio Cesar scrambling across.

Kalou then tried to put in substitute Gervinho – a replacement for the ineffective Aruna Dindane – but his pass was just too long as Cote d’Ivoire began to play with a hint more urgency, but just after the hour mark Brazil put the game to bed.

Kaka did superbly to get to the bye-line on the left, drawing Kolo Toure in doing so, before cutting back into the centre, where Elano timed his run to perfection and slotted home coolly with his left foot.

It was practically Elano’s last touch of the game, as he picked up an injury soon after had to be stretchered off the pitch. He was replaced by Dani Alves, whilst Sven-Goran Eriksson used the break in play to introduce Kader Keita for Kalou.

Maicon very nearly added a fourth when he nutmegged Yaya Toure before slashing a low shot just wide at the near post. It was an example of the kind of casual football which the Selecao were now demonstrating in most areas of the pitch.

Cote d’Ivoire were reduced to the odd break at this point, but it was from one such moment that they reduced the deficit.

Gervinho went on a magnificent run from his own half, but had his shot blocked. But he continued to chase down the loose ball and wait for support. When the ball was finally crossed back into the area, Drogba arrived unmarked to head past the motionless Julio Cesar.

It was a real fillip for the ‘home’ crowd, most of whom had come to cheer on their African brothers.

But just as the game looked set to come alive once more, a highly tempestuous end came about instead. After an original confrontation between Keita and Kaka, Check Tiote was then booked for a bad challenge on Luis Fabiano.

Then came the real flashpoint with just three minutes remaining as Keita ran into Kaka in back play before throwing himself to the floor. As recriminations were sent back and forth between the two sets of players, there was a great amount of pushing and shoving before the referee regained control. When order was restored he eventually showed Kaka a second yellow card and the subsequent red, but Brazil managed to hold out and record their second successive win.

Italy 1-1 New Zealand

2010-06-21T11:24:00.000-07:00

Italy and New Zealand finished 1-1 in Nelspruit as the champions were held to a shock draw by the minnows.

Interestingly, both coaches Marcello Lippi and Ricki Herbert did not make any changes to their outfield starting XI from the first matches in Group F although, the champions did switch from a 4-2-3-1 formation to a more comfortable 4-4-2 and Federico Marchetti replaced the injured Gianluigi Buffon as goalkeeper.

New Zealand remarkably took the lead on seven minutes. A set piece was floated in by Simon Elliott and Smeltz pounced from close range after Fabio Cannavaro failed to clear the ball. There was potentially an offside, as Winston Reid had flicked on the free-kick, but the goal stood after the ball came off the Italian captain.

Rory Fallon picked up an early booking after tangling with Cannavaro and putting a hand in his face, soon after Giorgio Chiellini missed his side's first real chance prodding well wide from a good position.

It was Gianluca Zambrotta who then tested his luck from long range and wasn't far away from finding the top corner with 20 minutes gone. The Azzurri were growing in confidence and Riccardo Montolivo's low drive from 25 yards hit the post.

Tommy Smith tried to defend Daniele De Rossi in the area, getting a hold of his jersey, and the Roma star went to ground easily to earn a spot-kick, which Iaquinta converted leaving goalkeeper Mark Paston with no chance.

Towards the end of the half, the Azzurri had plenty of possession and were patient when trying to carve out chances, but New Zealand continued to sit deep and hold them at bay as the initial 45 minutes ended 1-1, although Paston had to get a hand to De Rossi's powerful effort.

Lippi made two changes at the start of the second-half in order to add some bite to their attack, Antonio Di Natale and Mauro Camoranesi entered for Gilardino and Simone Pepe. It was Serie A's topscorer this past season that made an immediate impact, as his volley from a tight angle was saved by the goalkeeper.

Herbert's men were pinned back futher and further, but held their shape well as they looked to keep out the Europeans, who struggled to find a breakthrough by the hour mark. So Lippi made his final substitution, bringing on Giampaolo Pazzini for his World Cup debut with Claudio Marchisio making way. On the opposite side, teenager Chris Wood replaced the ineffective Fallon.

On a rare opportunity for New Zealand, midfielder Ivan Vicelich hit a vicious strike from just outside the area, but it whizzed just wide of the post. Montolivo responded with a dipping effort, but Paston made a fantastic stop to keep out the Italians with 20 minutes left.

La Nazionale went on a swift counter, but Nelsen cleared the ball from inside the six yard box as his side went closer to a precious point against the 2006 World Cup winners. Waves of attack came from the four-time champions, but Di Natale's shot did not trouble the 'keeper once he escaped the intentions of the opponent's defence.

Italian supporters had their head in hands as Wood's shot flashed across the face of goal and missed by inches as space began to open up for them on the counter.

Camoranesi hit a brilliant shot from 30 yards, but Paston once again provided the crucial save with just minutes remaining.

The final whistle blew with Italy and New Zealand both on two points and knowing that a win for either side would guarantee them passage into the knockout stages on the final matchday of the group stage.

Slovakia 0-2 Paraguay

2010-06-20T08:58:00.000-07:00

Paraguay have moved top of Group F and appear well on course for World Cup progression after beating Slovakia 2-0.

The opening half was controlled impressively by the Albirroja, though only Enrique Vera could find the net. Half-time seemed to half the South Americans’ momentum, but Slovakia barely stretched their opponents. Cristian Riveros secured the victory with five minutes remaining.

Having done well to pick up a point against Italy in their opening game, Paraguay showed plenty of early intent. In the opening couple of minutes the South Americans twice threatened, with a ball whizzed across goal by Lucas Barrios and then a deflected Roque Santa Cruz shot that Jan Mucha had to tip away from his top corner.

Slovakia were showing very little attacking intent, but their defence was standing pretty firm, allowing the Paraguayans only fleeting glimpses of goal. Paulo da Silva nearly got his head decisively to a wicked free kick before Martin Skrtel sacrificed possession in a bad area, beginning a sequence of events that ended with Riveros driving straight at Mucha.

Barrios and Nelson Valdez both shot off-target as la Albirroja increased their pressure.

Before the half-hour mark, the South Americans would deservedly grab the lead. Barrios linked superbly with his team-mates at times, but his deft pass to Vera was met by an equally astute finish from the midfielder, who timed his run superbly before bending the ball round Mucha with the outside of his boot under intense pressure.

After breaking the deadlock, the Paraguayan defence started having to work. Marek Hamsik nearly found Stanislav Sestak through on goal, and moments before Robert Vittek had just failed to connect with an early centre.

Santa Cruz replied at the other end of the field, though his chance largely came about due to sloppy Slovak play. A quick free kick yards outside of their own penalty box was taken short to Zdeno Strba, who quickly coughed up possession to Vera. The midfielder released the Manchester City player, who failed to beat Mucha.

There was a shift of emphasis on the Slovakian game after the interval. With only Italy left to play in this section, three points were vital in this game and their more attacking second half stance reflected this. Coach Vladimir Weiss was still somewhat loathe to commit his side in a gung-ho fashion, so the early stage of the second period were largely played in the centre of the field.

Indeed, neither goalkeeper was remotely threatened in the opening 15 minutes of the second period as the Europeans were pressing their opponents far more effectively, causing disruption in the centre of the park.

The first real chance of a stodgy second half didn’t arrive until the 71st minute. A neat one-touch interchange down the Paraguayan left resulted in Santa Cruz galloping down the left touchline, from where he centred to Vera. Seeking his second goal, the midfielder headed downwards just painfully past the left hand post of Mucha’s goal.

Substitute Aureliano Torres chanced his arm from distance, but his shot rose a foot too high as the game started to petered out in a tame fashion.

With five minutes remaining, Paraguay locked down the three points. A free kick to the back post left the Slovakia defence scrambling, and when the ball broke to Riveros at the edge of the box, he drove firmly home.

In stoppage time, Justo Villar turned over a strong Vittek drive, leaving the Repre needing an unlikely victory over Italy in their final group game in order to have any hope of progression.

Cameroon 1-2 Denmark

2010-06-19T19:08:00.000-07:00

Cameroon's hopes of progressing from Group E have been extinguished after suffering a 2-1 defeat against Denmark.

Despite taking the lead through Samuel Eto'o, the Indomitable Lions failed to hang on as Nicklas Bendtner and Dennis Rommedahl struck either side of the break as the Scandinavians rallied to secure three precious points.
Cameroon and Denmark desperately needed a result to stay in the race to qualify for the last 16 after both teams lost their opening group game.

It was the Indomitable Lions who had more to prove after their dismally lacklustre display against Japan and they came racing out of the blocks with an early assault on the Danish goal, with Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Samuel Eto’o, playing through the centre this time rather than out on the right flank, firing in warning shots.

But it was Denmark who created the first real chance of the game on six minutes when Rommedahl latched onto a brilliant through ball by Christian Poulsen, but he blazed his shot over the bar from 12 yards out.

The Danes were immediately made to pay for that miss when the Lions roared into the lead on 10 minutes. A slack pass by Poulsen right on the edge of his own box allowed Pierre Webo to pounce as he charged down the left wing and squared the ball to Eto’o, who simply could not miss with a rasping low shot past the on-rushing Thomas Sorensen.

Two minutes later, Achille Emana saw a ferocious thunderbolt from 20 yards out scream just wide of Sorensen’s right post, before Jesper Gronkjaer followed suit at the other end as his low curling effort was deflected wide.

Denmark began to assert themselves from the 20-minute mark onwards, and Jon Dahl Tomasson almost got to the end of a clever through pass from Lars Jacobsen but Souleymanou Hamidou was quick off his line to smother the ball.

The frantic tempo of the opening phases of the game dissipated soon after and Emana’s shot, which sailed well over on the half-hour mark, was the only opening either side could manage. But completely against the run of play, Denmark drew levelled in the 33rd minute.

Rommedahl charged down the right wing to meet a stunning 50-yard long ball from Simon Kjaer before squaring it deliciously into the middle for Nicklas Bendtner who slid forward and stabbed it into the back of the net.

With five minutes left in the half, a flurry of shocking defensive errors almost produced a number of goals.

First, a mistake by Alex Song allowed Rommedahl to charge into the box but his tame shot was kept out by Hamidou. Tomasson picked up the rebound and his attempt was blocked by the back-tracking Song. Straight to the other end, a sloppy Danish clearance saw Emana teeing up Eto’o, but the Inter striker’s sidefooted effort pinged back off the foot of the post.

Minutes later, Emana burst forward between two defenders but his toe-poke shot was swatted away by Sorensen as the pulsating first half ended 1-1.

Both coaches made a change during the break. Paul Le Guen sent in Jean Il Makoun to replace Eyong Enoh while Morten Olsen took out Martin Jorgensen for Daniel Jensen.

Barely a minute into the restart, Stephane M’Bia forced a superb finger-tip save out of Sorensen with a bullet header from a corner. Jensen then had to make a crucial last-ditch tackle to prevent Assou-Ekotto from tapping in a loose ball from close range.

Denmark responded straight away with Kjaer’s thumping half volley from the edge of the box which flew marginally over the bar, although Hamidou would have had it covered.

Right on the hour mark, Denmark raced into the lead again completely out of the blue. Bendtner’s cross-field pass found Rommedahl, who easily checked past Makoun onto his left foot and curled a lovely shot into the bottom corner past Hamidou.

Two minutes after that, Webo almost equalised for Cameroon when he rose high to meet a cross but his glancing header just flashed wide. Makoun then blazed over after good build-up play between Emana and Eto’o.

With 20 mintues to go, Olsen’s XI should have buried the game. Poulsen’s ball over the top was cushioned down by Rommedahl for Tomasson, but the captain’s shot was parried away by Hamidou from point-blank range.

Cameroon came close again on 77 minutes when Emana was released clean through on goal, but his powerful low drive was pushed away brilliantly by Sorensen.

The African Lions started pressing forward in numbers in the closing stages as their 2010 World Cup campaign hung dangerously in the balance. Mahamadou Idrissou almost became the hero for his country five minutes from time but he could only head over from five yards out.

Le Guen’s men failed to find the equaliser despite incessant pressure as Denmark held on for their first win of the 2010 World Cup but crucially, the African side are out.

Cameroon are rooted to the bottom of the group with zero points. Denmark and Japan are now locked on three points apiece and with both sides meeting each other in the final group game, the Lions’ best possible finish is third place.

Rooney apologises to fans

2010-06-19T11:33:00.000-07:00

Wayne Rooney has apologised to supporters for his outburst following England's disappointing 0-0 draw with Algeria.

In a Football Association statement the Manchester United player said he was sorry for criticising fans who booed the Three Lions' lackluster performance on Friday night.

As he left the pitch the striker turned to a TV camera that was tracking his movements and rounded on his tormentors, declaring: "Nice to see your own fans booing you. Loyal supporters."

After reflecting on his conduct overnight, Rooney admitted he had gone over the top.

"Last night, on reflection I said things in the heat of the moment that came out of frustration of both our performance and the result," Rooney said in the statement.

"For my part I apologise for any offence caused by my actions at the end of the game.

"I am as passionate about the England team as anyone.

"The most important thing now is to regroup be positive and work towards winning the game on Wednesday. To do this the players will need the support of the fans more than ever."

Ghana 1-1 Australia

2010-06-19T11:31:00.000-07:00

Ghana were held to a 1-1 draw by ten-man Australia, leaving the World Cup hopes of both sides in the balance.

The Socceroos started the game in a positive manner, taking the lead through Brett Holman, but the match would soon turn sour for the Antipodeans when Harry Kewell was dismissed for handball on the line.

Asamoah Gyan converted the resultant penalty, but the Black Stars failed to really assert themselves in the concluding hour.

After being trounced 4-0 in their opening game against Germany, Australia began solidly, steadying themselves after their rocky start to the tournament. Kewell was denied an early penalty when he seemed to have been tripped by Lee Addy, but genuine goal scoring chances were non-existent.

A positive run from Carl Valeri on ten minutes drew a foul from Antony Annan, which presented the Socceroos with a free-kick in a promising position.

Richard Kingson, who had earlier collided with Addy, got his body behind Mark Bresciano’s drive but fumbled it loose into the middle of the goal, where Holman pounced to push the Antipodeans into the ascendancy.

Ghana made steady progress in finding a levelling goal but didn’t look especially menacing immediately after falling behind. Andre Ayew and Gyan both had shots deflected past by Lucas Neill blocks.

Then the game turned. Ayew showed good tenacity to break into the box down the right before cutting a pass back to Jonathan Mensah on the penalty spot.

The Free State Stars centre-back, who was winning only his third cap, fired a strong shot at goal, though his effort was blocked by the upper part of Kewell’s right arm. Having been stationed on the line, the Galatasaray player, who has been heavily criticised in the Australian press, was dismissed. Gyan sent Mark Schwarzer the wrong way from the resultant penalty.

Prince Tagoe and Gyan both snapped shots off target soon after, as the Black Stars really sought to press home their advantage, but some of the momentum was lost as Australia were able to retain possession for significant spells under little pressure.

Kevin-Prince Boateng made a couple of good forays in the dying stages of the first period. Two minutes before the break the midfielder drove a low shot towards Schwarzer’s far post, but the shot-stopper got down superbly to turn away. Bizarrely, referee Roberto Rosetti awarded a goal kick.

The Black Stars were quite clearly intent on making a quick start after the break. Kwadwo Asamoah had a shot fly wide within 60 seconds of the restart and soon after Schwarzer was forced to push away an 18-yard curler from Gyan.

This impetus soon faded, with Ghana playing the game at a strangely slow tempo. They were still controlling the match and were showing no fear in shooting from range, though none of their ambitious efforts remotely tested the experienced Australian custodian.

Australia’s attacking threat was extremely limited, but substitute Scott Chipperfield had a golden chance to regain the advantage. Luke Wilkshire made a strong run down the right before delivering to the back post, where the winger steamed onto the ball unmarked only to head over.

Guile was frequently lacking in much of Ghana’s build-up play. A deft pass from Asamoah to Gyan was very much the exception, but the chance was wasted by the Stade Rennais striker, who sent his first time drive from the edge of the penalty box just wide.

The inability of the Africans to piece together a string of meaningful attacks gave the Socceroos the confidence to push additional players forward to worry the inexperienced Ghana rearguard.

A well-worked move unlocked the Black Stars’ defence, but Wilkshire lacked the composure in front of goal to beat Kingson. Josh Kennedy couldn’t get sufficient hold of the follow-up to defy the goalkeeper.

Instead of Ghana finishing the match the stronger of the sides, it was in fact Australia who looked likelier to find the net in the closing stages. Several dangerous crosses were slung into the Africans’ box, but after a couple of hairy moments, Milovan Rajevac’s side survived.

Jonathan Mensah put a header wide as the Black Stars missed a late chance to pinch all three points. Schwarzer then turned over a fierce stoppage-time shot from Quincy Owusu-Abeyie.

With just one point, the Socceroos need to defeat Serbia in their final game to stand a chance of reaching the last 16, while Ghana need at least a draw against Germany to book their place in the latter stages of the competition.

'Swearing' Anelka sent home

2010-06-19T09:01:00.000-07:00

France and Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has been sent home from the World Cup.

Rumours were rife of an alleged bust up with manager Raymond Domenech during half-time of Les Blues 2-0 defeat to Mexico on Thursday.

The French Football Federation (FFF) have now confirmed that Anelka is on his way home, with his position in the squad having become untenable.

"The decision (to remove Anelka) has just been taken," FFF vice president Noel Le Graet told French radio station RTL on Saturday.

Anelka was reportedly angry at Domenech for criticisms of his positional play in the first half of the Group A clash with Mexico.

The striker is said to have then sworn at the outgoing-French boss, who then immediately subbed the Chelsea forward for Andre-Pierre Gignac.

Netherlands 1-0 Japan

2010-06-19T08:55:00.001-07:00

Netherlands and Japan both failed to impress in the first-half, with neither side able to break the deadlock, until the Dutch took the lead shortly after the interval and held on to go top of Group E.

The Oranje have now collected six points from their two games and are sitting in pole position to qualify for the next round.

Japan have three points from two matches and need a result in their final group game if they are to survive the first round stage.

Oranje started the match the better side and got their first chance after eight minutes. The referee had no choice but to award the Dutch a free-kick in a dangerous position after a foul on Arsenal striker Robin van Persie. Wesley Sneijder stepped up to take it, but his shot sailed over the bar.

Dirk Kuyt then tried his luck with an acrobatic bicycle kick after a cross from the left, but his attempt was blocked by the Japanese defence before being hacked to safety.

The Asians then made a foray into Dutch territory in the 15th minute. Defender Yuji Nakazawa created some space down the left and tried his luck from 25-yards, only to see his shot bounce wide of the far post.

Holland struggled to break through the Japanese defence, but full-back Gregory van der Wiel still managed to get a shot in halfway through the first-half. His attempt was eventually blocked though and led to nothing.

Japan won a free-kick deep in Dutch territory around the half-hour mark and Yasuhito Endo sent in a good cross for Keisuke Honda. The attacking midfielder put his free header way over the bar though.

Another free-kick from Endo minutes later led to a chance for Tulio, but the powerful centre-back aimed wide and the chance went begging.

Daisuke Matsui unleashed a shot from the edge of the box only moments later, but Dutch gloveman Maarten Stekelenburg collected the shot with ease.

The Japanese shot-stopper was called into action for the first time only seconds before the half-time whistle went. Rafael van der Vaart opted to test the Asian goalie with a long range strike, but his shot was to weak to trouble Seigo Narazaki.

Netherlands started the second half with attacking intent and created a good chance only one minute after the interval. Mark van Bommel found Van Persie with a lovely pass, but the Arsenal star failed to get his volley on target.

The Dutch did open the score after 53 minutes of play though. The Japanese defence failed to clear the ball and Sneijder fired home a loose ball from the edge of the area, although the 'keeper should have done better.

Japan were clearly not giving up after the opener and Yoshito Okubo almost restored parity. However, his low shot went only inches wide of the Dutch goal.

Okobu found Yuichi Komano streaking up the right flank in the 70th minute and his low cross caused the Dutch defence all kinds of trouble. Van der Wiel intercepted the cross though before Honda could make contact.

Oranje got a chance to hit Japan on the counter-attack after Nakamura gave the ball away cheaply. Holland attacked in numbers but Van Bommel's pass to Van Persie was poor and it led to nothing.

Holland missed a golden opportunity to put the match to bed five minutes before the final whistle. Afellay went one-on-one with the goalkeeper after a superb pass, but the PSV star was denied by an excellent save from Narazaki.

Again Afellay got a huge chance only minutes later after a brilliant through pass from Huntelaar. However, the versatile midfielder's finish was again under-par and the Japan gloveman saved his shot.

Japan nearly equalised in the dying seconds of the game, as Okazaki pounced on a loose ball inside the Dutch penalty area. He sent his shot just over the bar from a very dangerous position though.

England 0-0 Algeria

2010-06-18T13:35:00.000-07:00

Princes William and Harry could provide little inspiration for England, as an uncertain first half played its way out goallessly in Cape Town this evening.

The opening exchanges looked a little rushed and revealed little apart from that once again the Jabulani ball might cause problems, with Algerian keeper Rais M'Bholi reaching behind his head to collect a towering, if aimless, cross which seemed to balloon over him unexpectedly.

Ryad Boudebouz led a raid down the right for the Algerians, but the match was a cagey affair by and large, with good, if at times a little fraught, defending frustrating the early thrusts from both sides.

Final ball delivery from both open play and set-piece was terrible, continuing the theme of much of the tournament so far.

Jamie Carragher looked lively and just about quick enough at the heart of the defence though, whilst Gareth Barry's ability to calm things down in midfield was already apparent in the otherwise fragmented early minutes.

David James faced his first test on 11 minutes, when a poor clearance from Glen Johnson just about got rid of the danger after another high cross, this time from Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra, swirled high over his head. His punch was okay, and James looked typically insouciant afterwards, but it made English hearts race a little faster all the same.

He was forced into action once again, when Carragher nervily glanced a cross back to him. Communication looked to be hampered by the anxiety that seemed to be growing in the Three Lions' ranks, although Carrager looked decisive when called into action.

Barry's defensive qualities were shown again when he made a crucial challenge to deflect a Bougherra corner away from Hassan Yebda in the six-yard box.

James confidently claimed the resulting corner and seemed to grow in confidence from then, his early nerves settling.

Steven Gerrard swapped wings with Aaron Lennon on 24 minutes, as Fabio Capello's animation in the dugout increased, with things not quite clicking for England in attack, the fans' enthusiasm rarely matched by the players' movement or quality.

Lampard almost combined with Rooney on the edge of the Algerian area after half an hour, with England gradually looking more fluent, at least in parts.

Lampard it was who properly tested M'Bholi for the first time on 32 minutes, when a cross from Lennon, now back on the right, fell to him just inside the area. The Algerian held the snap shot well.

England continued to labour manfully, but lacked the kind of calmness that can produce inspiration. Barry forced M'Bholi to make another save, and Rooney started to look like he was beginning to bubble, but it was unthreatening stuff generally as the half petered out.

The second half continued in much the same vein, with neither side showing any real sign that the interval was likely to improve things.

Algeria won a couple of free kicks in England's half, but they were blocked by the wall without ever looking anything like troubling James.

Heseky's bungled attempt at a cross from the right summed things up perfectly as far as England were concerned: purposeless, inept and nervous.

At least Carragher looked to be keeping his head, relatively speaking, at the back as Algeria looked to threaten on the counterattack.

Ziani gave the ball away on 54 minutes on the edge of his own box, but Gerrard couldn't convert the chance that was awkwardly worked.

Even Rooney's touch and control began to fall victim to what looked to be mounting and increasingly clueless anxiety in the England ranks, for all Steven Gerrard's anxious expressions and

Carragher was booked in the 57th minute for a foul on Hassan Yebda, who almost rolled the Liverpool man on the edge of the box. He will now miss England's concluding group game against Slovenia.

Aaron Lennon managed to chip in a cross from the left that almost found Rooney's head, before Capello moved to change things just after the hour, bringing Shaun Wright-Phillips on for the Tottenham Hotspur winger. There was no change of shape.

John Terry produced what could have been a game-changing blunder on 63 minutes, woefully underhitting a back pass, to which James had to react smartly and smash away. England really were looking like a team that was beating itself by this stage, with Algeria having to do little to exert additional pressure on Capello's team.

Gerrard and Heskey combined well on the right of the Algerian penalty area on 70 minutes. Gerrard then forced a save with a header from the resulting corner, as Jermain Defoe warmed up on the sidelines.

The Spurs striker replaced Heskey on 73 minutes, but there was no alteration of England's formation, with Gerrard still playing from the left.

His first opportunity came as a result of Gerrard surging into the centre of midfield to make the play, but the Three Lions were still nervously inept in their execution, almost as bad as Algeria were.

Both sides seemed to have settled for a draw by the time Peter Crouch replaced Gareth Barry on 83 minutes, England's shape remaining 4-4-2 with Rooney switching to the left flank.

The fact that the jeers of the England fans managed to drown out the ubiquitous drone of the vuvuzela is perhaps the most eloquent comment that can be provided on this game.

England must now beat to Slovenia to reach the second round. To do so they will have to be much better than this.

Slovenia 2-2 USA

2010-06-18T13:29:00.000-07:00

Slovenia were denied a place in the last 16 of the World Cup by a fine USA comeback. Having slumped to a 2-0 deficit at the interval, Bob Bradley’s men responded superbly after the break to earn a 2-2 draw.
It was Slovenia who showed better in the first half, deservedly leading thanks to goals from Valter Birsa and Milivoje Novakovic, but Landon Donovan’s powerful shot from a tough angle pulled the Stars and Stripes back into the game just after the restart

The expectation in the early stages of the game was that the Europeans would sit back and simply soak up pressure, but that wasn’t the case. Matjaz Kek’s outfit looked the livelier side are a stodgy, disjointed start to the match.

Zlatan Ljubijankic headed a free kick over the American goal before a cross from Birsa nearly picked out Milivoje Novakovic. Slowly the pressure was building, yet there seemed to be little danger when Birsa gathered possession 25 yards from goal and smacked a swerving drive past the impassive Tim Howard.

Though Jose Altidore, Robbie Findlay and Landon Donovan injected moments of pace into the USA’s offence, these were all too fleeting. Samir Handanovic in the Slovenian goal would enjoy a relatively easy start. The goalkeeper had to crane his neck to see a Michael Bradley drive fly over and he spectacularly punched away a dangerous free kick but was otherwise unemployed.

Slovenia weren’t looking especially likely to add to their tally, though a Birsa free kick did force Howard to crumple to his right in order to make a routine save. At the same time, they were entirely comfortable, with the midfield dominant and able to keep possession under surprisingly little pressure. Neither enterprising nor defensive, the Europeans seemed to have the game in their grasp.

Ten minutes before the interval, Altidore would charge down the right on one of his positive runs. The Villarreal forward would a foul from Bostjan Cesar. From the resultant free kick, Francisco Torres, who until that point had been unimpressive, drove a dangerous shot at goal that was pushed away by Handanovic.

In the ensuing minutes, the North Americans twice went close. Jay DeMerit had a head loop wide, while Bojan Jokic and Miso Brecko twice made crucial interceptions when it seemed that the USA, who were suddenly finding room and rhythm, must score.

On the counterattack, Slovenia doubled their advantage three minutes before the break. Ljubijankic cut the American defence in two with a through ball to Novakovic, who finished neatly.
>
A double change by US coach Bob Bradley reaped an instant reward. Donovan pounced on an error from Cesar and advanced into the box down the right channel before lashing the ball high into the net from an outrageously tight angle.

Playing with more pace and fluidity, the Stars and Stripes were looking purposeful, but the well organised Slovenian defence marshalled the Americans well. Altidore seemed to get away from Marko Suler but didn’t have the confidence to really drive in on goal when it seemed that he would have a great chance of scoring, while the Europeans looked to have some teeth in their breaks.

Midway through the second period, Altidore was cynically brought down at the edge of the box by Suler. Though Donavan’s free kick was mediocre, in the ensuing melee Altidore fired a powerful shot at goal that would surely have found the net had it been directed anywhere but the midriff of Handanovic.

The Slovenian defence was stoic, preventing the States from working clean shooting opportunities. A hopeful Altidore shot that drifted well wide from an improbable position on the corner of the box rather summed up the American effort.

Bradley had an altogether more presentable effort, but his drive from 25-yards was saved comfortably.

Literally seconds later, the coach’s son had the ball in the Slovenian net. A high ball forward was knocked down by Altidore to Bradley, who timed his run into the box brilliantly. Despite leaning back and stretching desperately to reach the ball, the Borussia Moenchengladbach midfielder powered the ball high into the net.

With the momentum firmly with them, the USA then seemed to have the game won when Maurice Edu thumped home a Donovan free kick from close range, but the goal was controversially disallowed for a seemingly non-existent foul – the only mistake Malian referee Koman Coulibaly made during the game.

Slovenia showed their resilience would couple of good late efforts, but Howard pushed away a firmly struck Aleksander Radosavljevic drive to ensure his side’s comeback wasn’t to naught.

With two Group C matches played, Slovenia now have four points, while the USA have just two and will surely need to beat Algeria on Matchday 3 to progress.

Germany 0-1 Serbia

2010-06-18T13:26:00.000-07:00

Lukas Podolski's penalty miss capped a miserable game for Germany as Miroslav Klose's controverisal red card led to a stunning 1-0 World Cup 2010 Group D defeat to Serbia.

After emphatically winning their World Cup opener against Australia, Germany lined up exactly as they had in their previous encounter. Miroslav Klose, who was on target in that match, retained his starting role in attack, supported by Mesut Ozil, Thomas Mueller, and Lukas Podolski.

The opening round was less pleasant for Serbia, who lost 1-0 to Ghana. Radomir Antic made three changes to his previous starting lineup: In central defense, Neven Subotic replaced the suspended Aleksandar Lukovic; in holding midfield, Zdravko Kuzmanovic started ahead of Nenad Milijas; and Milos Ninkovic started on the right wing in place of previous striker Marko Pantelic. Nikola Zigic started alone up front in a 4-5-1 formation.

From the opening kickoff, Serbia played a high-intensity, tight marking system that afforded the Germans very little time on the ball, forcing hurried passing. To their credit, the Serbs started off well moving forward, although Zigic appeared isolated in the penalty box.

After a cagey start, the Germans found their passing rhyth, and Lukas Podolski nearly punctuated a good attacking sequence with a thundrous volley after Nemanja Vidic cleared Philipp Lahm's cross. The German winger sliced his shot just a hair wide of the left post.

The Serbs responded just moments later as the impressive Milos Krasic crossed to Ninkovic, who had a free volley at the ede of the 18-yard box, but missed over the bar.

Opportunities on goal came at a real premium from both sides. Ozil and Mueller, who were brilliant against Australia, were stymied by Kuzmanovic and Kolarov. Meanwhile, Krasic looked bright for Serbia, but his indirect style, coupled with the isolation of Zigic, resulted in the Serbs ultimately creating very little in terms of goal scoring.

If the game needed a goal, referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco appeared ready to have his part in forcing one. The Spanish referee was very unforgiving in the opening minutes, issuing four bookings within the opening 22 minutes.

It took half an hour for Germany to put the ball into the net, but as he struck, Klose was flagged offside. Bastian Schweinsteiger was just a moment late in his delivery as his Bayern Munich teammate began his run.

Two minutes later, Krasic stormed towards the penalty area before being upended by Lahm, who may have prevented a goal at the expense of yet another booking which was probably the first foul truly worthy of a yellow card.

The referee's liberal interpretation of the rules for carding was always going to have its effect on the match, and surely enough, it took just 37 minutes for Klose to be sent off. Chasing Dejan Stankovic in his attacking half, the veteran striker was sent off after committing a foul.

It took just seconds for Serbia to capitalize on their numerical advantage. After Krasic beat Holger Badstuber to the right byline and crossed, Zigic headed down for Milan Jovanovic, who struck home from close range to put the Serbs ahead.

Germany had a chance to respond just before the break, but were ultimately denied. After a corner was mis-cleared, Sami Khedira's volley struck the underside of the crossbar, and Mueller's overhead volley was cleared off the line.

Serbia entered the break in full control of their destiny, though somewhat rattled after nearly conceding the equalizer. Germany, on the other hand, entered the locker room with their work cut out for them.

At the start of the second half, the two sides took to the pitch unchanged. Podolski made clear his intent by flashing a shot wide of the right post. The Koeln striker, and Germany as a whole, came out much better after the break, with Ozil finally probing the Serbian defense with his trademark through balls.

For all their good attacking movement, the Germans lacked venom in front of goal. That reality was accentuated in the 60th minute, after Germany finally caught a break. Like Kuzmanovic in the previous match, Vidic was penalized for taking a cross down off his outstretched arm. Podolski stepped up to take the penalty kick, but Vladimir Stojkovic guessed correctly, and saved to his left.

The penalty miss seemed to take the wind out of Germany's sails, and also forced Loew to push his team forward. The Serbs had an excellent chance to put the game away in the 67th minute, when Krasic first beat Badstuber before setting up Jovanovic, whose shot struck the left post.

As full time approached, the Germans threw in the kitchen sink, replacing Ozil, Mueller, and Badstuber with Cacau, Marko Marin, and Mario Gomez. Serbia were well organized in defense, leaving their opponents with very little space to use, and absolutely no chance to counterattack.

Instead, Serbia had the better chances to score next. First, Krasic set up Zigic to head off the top of the post, then substitute Gojko Kacar volleyed over the bar after Zigic teed him up.

The result of today's match leaves Germany and Serbia tied on points in Group D with three apiece. Germany are slightly ahead, with a +3 goal differential, while Serbia are at 0 after winning and losing 1-0 in their first two matches. Depending on the result of today's match between Ghana and Australia, we may be set to see a thrilling conclusion to Group D. As the results stand, Germany and Serbia both need to win their respective matches to have a chance of winning their group.

France 0-2 Mexico

2010-06-17T14:01:00.000-07:00

France stand on the brink of spectacular World Cup elimination after being defeated 2-0 by Mexico.

Both sides showed enterprise in the opening half of the game, but Mexico looked the likelier side to strike prior to the break. El Tri did find the net midway through the second period, substitute Javier Hernandez registering the opening goal. A Cuauhtemoc Blanco hammered a second nail into the France coffin.

If les Bleus were somewhat lacklustre in their opening fixture, Mexico were vigorous for much of their bow, and it would be the North Americans who set the tone in a lively opening. The tone was set just a couple of minutes into the game, when Giovani dos Santos hit the post, though had the ball found the net it would have been disallowed due to the assistant referee’s flag.

Contrary to many of the World Cup’s early games, this was an exciting end-to-end affair with a plethora of shots at either end. Les Bleus were doing their best to make the play, but el Tri offered a real threat on the break, with the pace of Carlos Vela and Dos Santos really testing the French rearguard. On one occasion Vela did beat a ragged back line, but he blazed over from a difficult angle in the left channel.

Guillermo Franco also offered a threat, teasing Eric Abidal on the edge of the box but struck over.

Though France were looking bright, they had few genuine early efforts. Franck Ribery, playing in a floating role behind lone striker Nicolas Anelka, had a skimming low shot scooped up by diminutive goalkeeper Oscar Perez and also rifled a cross along the six yard box after a clever set-play.

Arsenal duo Bacary Sagna and William Gallas rarely looked comfortable in the France rearguard, and both were made to look pedestrian as Carlos Salcido got forward to good effect only to be denied by Hugo Lloris.

This early flow of opportunities was eventually stemmed, with the match following a pattern of France attacking to little purpose and Mexico countering in a threatening manner. Five minutes before the interval, Dos Santos held off Patrice Evra at the edge of the penalty box but dragged his effort wide.

Anelka had a late swing from the edge of the penalty box, but Francisco Rodriguez took the sting out of the shot, leaving the score blank at the half-time whistle.

Though Mexico looked sharp after the break, it was France who enjoyed the better efforts on goal in the early stages of the second period. Good play down the left involving Evra and Ribery culminated in a drive from Malouda that had to be seen over the bar by Perez. Moments later Ribery’s firm drive was parried wide by the custodian.

Inert offensively, France were punished after the hour mark. Rafael Marquez picked out a wonderful pass over the top that was matched by the perfect timing of Javier Hernandez’s run. The soon-to-be Manchester United forward rounded Lloris as the defence stood statuesque, before rolling the ball into the net with composure that belied his age.

Chances in front of the Mexico goal were infrequent. Andre-Pierre Gignac, a half-time substitute to replace the ineffective Anelka, blazed over from the edge of the area as les Bleus again proved impotent as they seemed to haemorrhage confidence as time progressed.

Mexico were by now bossing possession, and when a direct run from Pablo Barrera into the box frightened Abidal, the Barcelona man made a rash slide and got nowhere near the ball, pulling down the UNAM flier. From the penalty spot, Blanco placed his shot into the side-netting, dealing another hammer-blow to French hopes of World Cup progression.

Even in the dying stages, France looked directionless, with Mexico, who had never previously defeated Raymond Domenech’s side, looking the likelier outfit to alter the score.

With Mexico and Uruguay only needing to draw to seal their spot in the last 16, the odds are heavily stacked against les Bleus still being in the competition in a week’s time.

Greece 2-1 Nigeria

2010-06-17T13:57:00.000-07:00

A Vincent Enyeama spill allowed Greece to grab a 2-1 victory against 10-men Nigeria to keep their dream of qualifying for the World Cup 2010 second round alive.

Kalu Uche's free kick put Nigeria ahead, but after Sani Kaita's red card for a kick on Vasilis Torosidis, Dimitrios Salpingidis soon equalised. Torosidis then rubbed salt in Kaita's wounds by striking a 71st minute winner.

Knowing that a loss would earn either side an early flight out of South Africa, Greece and Nigeria aimed for victory in Bloemfontein by taking a very cautious approach to proceedings early on.

With neither side willing to concede, it appeared neither Greece or Nigeria were keen on taking any risks in the opening minutes. A conservative approach by both sides limited attacking play in the early going to speculative efforts by both sides, the most notable attempt a long-distance effort from Kostas Katsouranis as the Panathinaikos midfielder unsuccessfully tried to catch Vincent Enyeama off his line.
But while one ‘keeper was up to the test, the other, Greece’s Alexandros Tzorvas, didn’t appear to be on his game as Nigeria shocked the Greeks with an early goal. A seemingly harmless free-kick opportunity for the Super Eagles turned lethal for the Greeks when Tzorvas, who anticipated a deflection from Peter Odemwingie, leaped in the opposite direction the ball was heading and Uche’s effort went in untouched.

The Greeks, in need of a response, found it hard to conjure up their first-ever World Cup goal as the Nigerians looked content to defend their early lead. Nevertheless, Greece’s fortunes appeared to be changing when Sani Kaita was dismissed for an undisciplined kick at the thigh of Vasilis Torosidis.

A straight red card for Kaita left Nigeria with just about an hour left on the clock at the Free State Stadium.

The Greeks looked to pounce on the opportunity and it didn’t take long for Greece coach Otto Rehhagel to adjust his tactics as Sokratis Papastathopoulos, a holding midfielder in Greece’s original plans, made way for a third striker in Giorgos Samaras.

Now boasting an attacking trident, the Greeks showed life going forward, a far reality in their clash with South Korea just five days ago. But the Greeks showed new colours as they piled bodies forward and very nearly equalized through Theofanis Gekas, but Enyeama showed his brilliance as he denied the newly-signed Eintracht Frankfurt striker Greece’s first-ever goal in a World Cup.

The long wait of 16 years without a goal was soon put an end by Dimitrios Salpingidis though as the Panathinaikos striker had luck on his side when his effort took a deflection off Lukman Haruna and into the far corner of the Nigerian net.

The goal came just in time for Greece as the voodoo that haunted the Galanoleuki since their first World Cup appearance in 1994 was finally put to rest. Still, Greece needed another goal in the second half as a draw wasn’t a result that the Greeks could necessarily afford.

Realising what was required, the Greeks came out gunning in the second frame, restricting the Nigerians to their own half and leaving the crowd on the edge of their seats. Giorgos Karagounis very nearly sent the Greek contingent in the stands into pandemonium when his header came within inches of beating Enyeama.

Greece continued to press and Gekas surely forced the best out of Enyeama when his header for the far post was denied by the outstretched arm of Enyeama.

Meanwhile, Nigeria nearly turned the tables on the Greeks as Yakubu, whose evening was ruined with his side’s shift to defensive tactics, was sent on a break and the Everton man was only denied by a fine save from Alexandros Tzorvas.

Greece took confidence from their ‘keeper’s heroics as Tzorvas’ save was rewarded with a second goal for Greece through Vasilis Torosidis. A grounded effort from Alexandros Tziolis was saved by Enyeama but Olympiacos defender Torosidis was there for the rebound and tucked a finish into the bottom corner of the Nigeria goal on 71 minutes.

In the lead and in control, Rehhagel opted to give Sotiris Ninis his first bit of action as the Panathinaikos starlet made way for Gekas, who despite not scoring, certainly gave a worthy effort for the Pirate Ship.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s progress was handcuffed by the Super Eagles lack in numbers as Lars Lagerback’s men could only rely on set-pieces to challenge the Greeks in the dying moments.

But, like pillars, the Greek defense stood strong to oversee a historic evening in Bloemfontein as the Greeks not only scored their first-ever goals in a World Cup final tournament, but also earned their first ever World Cup win to put themselves in the vying to progress to the round of 16.

Argentina 4-1 South Korea

2010-06-17T13:54:00.000-07:00

Gonzalo Higuain calmed Argentina's nerves as his hat-trick swept the nation towards second round qualification with a 4-1 win against South Korea

It took an unfortunate own goal from Park Chu-young to give Argentina the lead, and with the momentum, Gonzalo Higuain soon made it two. For periods of the first half Argentina played some wonderful football, and would have fully deserved their two-goal advantage at the interval, only for Martin Demichelis to make a huge error, allowing Lee Chung-yong to reduce the arrears.

Largely unflustered, Argentina countered their exposed opponents late in the day, with Higuain rounding off two fluid moves.

Starting on the front foot, the Argentines cut an impressive force in the early stages of the encounter. Angel Di Maria was making good headway frequently down the left, while Lionel Messi was causing menace for the Asian outfit too. It was Di Maria who was first to arrow an effort towards goal, but his shot was well over the top. Gonzalo Higuain soon followed suit when he shot haplessly high from an acute angle.

Despite an upbeat beginning, the South Americans hadn’t really posed a massive threat on goal when they finally took the lead. A free kick was rolled short and ultimately delivered into the box, where the ball was missed by a couple of heads at the near post only to clatter off Park Chu-young and into the net.

Ki Sung-Yong responded quickly with a shot from an unlikely distance that had Sergio Romero briefly worried, but the Celtic midfielder’s effort flew a couple of feet over.

This proved a rare foray as Argentina continued to push in a forceful manner. Just before the half hour mark Carlos Tevez fizzed a fine drive marginally off target.

Higuain would ultimately be the man to double the Albiceletes’ advantage, converting with his head from six yards after Messi and Maxi Rodriguez had combined to play a corner short.

For a period the floodgates threatened to open as Jung Sung-ryong had to react sharply at his near post before watching a simply sumptuous piece of play by Messi conclude with a clipped shot that drifted by his left upright.

Immediately before the break, Martín Demichelis gifted South Korea an unexpected route back into the match, dallying in possession and allowing Lee Chung-yong to pinch the ball from his toe before advancing to clip by Romero.

Half-time gave Diego Maradona’s side the opportunity to compose themselves after the unexpected blow. Messi had a shot blocked within seconds of the restart, though better was to quickly arrive.

A wonderful move down the left on 52 minutes resulted in Di Maria picking out Higuain at the near post, but the Real Madrid forward was denied by a fine save from Jung Sung-ryong, who saved in less convincing style from Tevez only seconds later.

Park Chu-young reminded Argentina that the Koreans were very much in touch when he swept a free kick into the side-netting of Romero’s goal. Lee Chung-yong soon released a clever pass to Yeom Ki-hun, which would have become an assist had the midfielder’s effort squeezed inside the near post as opposed to brushing the side netting, fooling some fans that it had found the target.

Argentina were losing their moment, but Messi’s driven long range free kick, which was designed ideally to get a head flick, beat everyone before being claimed by the South Korean custodian, who needed to dive to his left.

Just as the Taegeuk Warriors seemed to be getting a foothold in the game, they were struck a fatal blow with quarter of an hour to play. A slick Argentine counter was led by Messi down the left, and though the Barcelona striker had his first effort kicked away by the goalkeeper and saw his follow-up from a tight angle hit the post, the ball bounced kindly for Higuain, who tapped home from close range to seal the point.

Less than five minutes later, Higuain had completed a memorable hat-trick. Again Argentina were allowed to break, and again the decisive play came down the left side. Messi chipped a deft pass to substitute Sergio Aguero in the box, and 'El Kun’ intelligently lifted his head to see a string of forwards queuing at the far post hungry for a goal.

The Atletico Madrid forward obliged with a simple chip to the far post, where Higuain had the relatively easy task of tucking the ball back across the goalkeeper and into the far corner of the net.

Late in the day a weaving run from Aguero nearly resulted in a stunning goal from a tight angle, but Argentina had to settle for four goals.

Maradona’s side are now all but through, needing only Nigeria to take something from Greece later on Thursday to secure their passage into the last 16.

South Africa 0-3 Uruguay

2010-06-16T14:00:00.001-07:00

On National Youth Day in South Africa, it was an experienced old-head in Diego Forlan whose virtuoso display, culminating in a brace, left South Africa clinging onto their World Cup hopes by the skin of their teeth.

The hosts endured another disappointing opening half however this time they could not do enough to remain level at the break as a much more confident and high quality Uruguayan side controlled the game.

Uruguay first prised an opening when Forlan and Luis Suarez linked up however the angle was too tight for the latter and he sliced his effort harmlessly wide. Oscar Tabarez clearly sent his side out to make a more concerted effort to be positive in the knowledge that a win will all but see Uruguay in the round of sixteen.

South Africa for their part were more wasteful in the opening exchanges with the understandably confident winger Siphiwe Tshabalalala guilty of getting a little too carried away with his shooting prowess. Lacking in the fluency they had found as the Mexican game had wore on, set-pieces offered a chance to endanger the Uruguayan goal however Bafana Bafana failed to capitalise.

Ajax star Luis Suarez gave a glimpse of his ability in tight spaces when he turned on a sixpence to outfox Bongani Khumalo before unleashing a stinging shot which stung the palms of Itumeleng Khune in the home goal.

La Celeste took the lead halfway through the first half when Diego Forlan smashed the ball past Khune with the aid of a deflection via the upper body of the unfortunate Aaron Mokoena who was desperately trying to close the dangerman down. However Khune had a point when berating his defence for allowing Forlan enough room, given the striker's deadly ability from distance.

Uruguay continued to have the upper hand and Suarez fired into the side net from a tight angle. South Africa created few chances but Teko Modise did cross in for Katiego Mphela who nodded wide under not inconsiderable pressure from Diego Godin.

After the break, South Africa came under more pressure. After a Mokoena slip, Edinson Cavani found Luis Suarez in the box but the solid leftback Tsepo Masilela just about snuffed out the danger. Suarez tortured Khumalo throughout and looked to claim a penalty when pulled down by the centreback on the edge of the box. Refusing to bow to Uruguayan pressure, Massimo Busacca showed why he is one of the best officials in the world as replays indicated that the initial contact was outside the area.

The hosts were largely penned back in their own half though Mphela did give the vuvuzela blowers reason to burst into chorus when he flicked a near post header just wide with Fernando Muslera committed. That was to be as good as it got for the toothless South Africans.

Things went from bad to worse for the hosts when they had keeper Khune dismissed for bringing down Luis Suarez with a trailing left foot which left Busacca no other option. Replacement goalie Moneeb Josephs faced Forlan however he was powerless to stop a simply unsavable penalty. The icing on the cake came with seconds remaining when Alvaro Pereira nodded in from a pinpoint Luis Suarez cross.

Spain 0-1 Switzerland

2010-06-16T11:57:00.000-07:00

A scrambled Gelson Fernandes goal handed Switzerland a shock 1-0 victory against World Cup 2010 favourites Spain in Group H.

It was a grim defensive performance by the Swiss, who were magnificent around their own goal throughout and hit their opponents with a classic sucker-punch through Gelson Fernandes in the second half. La Furia Roja were not without a threat, but Xabi Alonso’s thumping shot off the bar was as close as they got.

There was plenty of style in the Spanish play in the early stages, with the ball pinged first time from boot to boot and flank to flank, though they were definitely lacking any significant penetration in the early stages of the game. Indeed, a positive David Villa break into the box following a swift counterattack was the only real point of interest from a Roja point of view in the opening 15 minutes.

The Swiss defence was standing impressively resolute but offered nothing from an offensive point of view aside from a promising break into the box in the opening seconds of the match.

Spain, meanwhile, continued to show patience. David Silva and Andres Iniesta both had fairly tame shots saved by Diego Benaglio, while Sergio Ramos, who bombed forward regularly down the right in his characteristic style, dodged away from Reto Ziegler but sliced into the side-netting from a tight angle when there were better options open in the centre.

When a set play quickly broke down, an incisive pass from Iniesta found Gerard Pique in room 12 yards from goal. Having taken a neat first touch, the big centre-back, who displayed proficiency in such situations in the Champions League against Inter, found Benaglio too great an obstacle to beat.

On a rare Swiss foray forward, Ziegler had an opportunity to strike at goal from a free kick. Iker Casillas dived comfortably to his left to make the block, holding the ball at the second attempt.

Iniesta wriggled clear of the defence to latch onto a clever pass from Silva, but he was controversially adjudged to have been fouled by Stephane Grichting, who was unfortunate to be booked for his part in the affair. Villa’s free kick was fierce but never threatened to beat the wall and won only a corner.

More Spanish pressure was forthcoming, but aside from an Iniesta shot off target and a wasted effort from Villa when he got free down the left, la Furia Roja were kept at an arm’s length prior to half-time.

After the interval there was additional intent from Spain. Alonso was the most prominent of those in red shirts who had efforts in the opening ten minutes of the second period, which was characterised by a series of short corners that created intense pressure on the Swiss goal.

Something had to give, but incredibly it gave in front of the Spanish goal. Eren Derdiyok showed great tenacity when chasing a hopeful ball forward, gained a fortuitous bounce and touched the ball round the advancing Casillas. What followed was a brief but mad scramble six yards from the line that left Pique bloodied, but the goal stood as Fernandes push the ball into the empty net.

In the minutes following the goal, Jesus Navas and Fernando Torres were introduced, giving La Furia Roja an even more attacking dynamic. Benaglio was quickly from his line to thwart Xavi, Iniesta bent a shot tantalisingly wide of the post and Torres also went close as the European champions sought a quick leveller.

With 20 minutes remaining, a Spanish short corner was rolled out to Alonso, who unleashed a stunning shot that cracked off the face of the crossbar.

Navas had looked exceptionally lively down the right since his introduction, and drew and error from Ziegler as he burst purposefully into the box. The diminutive winger prodded towards goal but his shot lacked venom.

Switzerland nearly nicked a second goal on the break when Blaise Nkufo combined with Derdiyok. The forward neatly stepped inside one challenge as he broke into the box, but his clever outside of the foot finish hit the post after leaving Casillas flat-footed.

Otherwise the pressure on the Swiss goal in the closing stages of the match was intense, yet the defence, which was brilliantly marshalled by Stephane Grichting throughout, held firm for a famous victory.

This was the most unlikely of successes for the Schweizer Nati, who had been in miserable form prior to this encounter. Spain, who were by no means poor, suffered just their second defeat in 49 matches and will doubtless have to field questions once again about their ‘World Cup bottle’.

Honduras 0-1 Chile

2010-06-16T11:54:00.000-07:00

Chile played some of the finest football of the tournament so far to open their World Cup with a convincing 1-0 win against plucky outsiders Honduras.

Playing with an enterprising spirit, the South Americans imposed themselves on the game from the beginning, as is the style of their Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa.

La Roja's first meaningful chance arrived after Wilson Palacios welcomed Jorge Valdivia to the game to concede an early free-kick, however Matias Fernande’s effort landed just over the bar with keeper Noel Valladares scrambling.

Valladares had another nervous moment when Arturo Vidal, striding forward, tried his luck with a speculative right foot shot which leapt out of the keeper's hands with the veteran relieved to find no onrushing opponents.

Honduras' record scorer Carlos Pavon was handed his first meaningful opportunity after excellent play from Edgar Alvarez down the right hand side however he failed to appreciate the time available to him and he meekly shot wide.

Alexis Sanchez exhibited his pace throughout the first half and his latching on to a mammoth throw from keeper Claudio Bravo created a chance for Jorge Valdivia whose goalbound shot was diverted over the bar thanks to a courageous block from the skipper Guevarra.

Despite the aesthetically pleasing football on show from the Chileans, the game was slightly marred by some questionable decisions from Eddy Maillet, it was an entertaining affair and few were surprised to see Chile take the lead.

The delightfully named Jean Beausejour scored only his second goal for Chile after Mauricio Isla got beyond Matias Fernandez who played in the Udinese man. The rightback's cutback was guided into the net after Sergio Mendoza inadvertently played the ball against Beausejour for a well deserved opening goal.

Chile held their lead at half-time though only after Claudio Bravo comfortably tipped over a free kick from Ramon Nunez.

Honduras switched to 4-4-2 for the second half and it almost paid immediate dividends as the pacy Alvarez moved alongside Pavon. It prompted Bielsa to sacrifice midfielder Rodrigo Millar for West Brom leftback Gonzalo Jara.

Sanchez then beat two men and slid the ball through to Beausejour who was denied by an excellent last-ditch sliding lunge from Maynor Figueroa. The Chile flyer almost got his name on the scoresheet when an electric burst of pace took him into the penalty box but he skewed his shot wide.

Chile somehow failed to score the second goal they deserved, coming closest when centreback Waldo Ponce somehow failed to score from inside the six-yard box, with Valladares pulling off a superb acrobatic stop.

Chile had the ball in the net a second time thanks to Valdivia, however Alexis Sanchez was rightly adjudged to have been offside whilst being fortunate to escape a booking for handball. They continued to press throughout and though they failed to extend their lead, La Roja never looked in danger of not taking all three points and may well be a side to watch in this tournament.

Brazil 2-1 Korea DPR

2010-06-15T13:35:00.000-07:00

Brazil's quest for yet another World Cup crown began in somewhat uncertain style, though they still managed to battle to a 2-1 victory over North Korea.

The first period was dominated by the Selecao, but the Asians were not totally impotent on the break. Nevertheless, come half-time there was no score. Maicon opened the scoring from an outrageously acute angle before Elano added a lovely second. Ji Yun-Nam scored a late consolation to worry Brazil, though ultimately it was not enough to plunder a hugely unlikely point.

If the five-time world champions had any thoughts that North Korea would prove easy pickings, these were quickly dispelled as the Asian side showed themselves to be proficient in the early stages of the match. Despite the red clad side making a decent impression in the opening stages of the game, ironically the Selecao still managed to look dangerous.

Robinho showed grace, balance and speed down the left early, but Kaka wasted the pass the winger presented to him inside the box. The Santos loanee, however, ploughed on undeterred, shooting well wide when presented with a decent scoring chance at the edge of the box only minutes after Elano had gone a little closer from a similar range.

As North Korea settled, the Brazilian efforts grew increasingly desperate as they considered a solution to the problem presented by 11 opponents packing their own penalty box. Selecao full-backs Michel Bastos and Maicon both had strikes from ambitious range, though Ri Myong-Guk, who would also hold a tame Kaka effort, had few problems dealing with the shots.

But the Asians weren’t simply restricted to a defensive briefing, with Jong Tae-Se leading the line with real gusto. A strong burst past two or three challenges by the Kawasaki Frontale man stretched the Brazil defence, though his running came to naught, while shots from Cha Jong-Hyok and Ri Kwang-Chon passed wide of goal.

Brazil were becoming increasingly restricted. A clever Robinho burst into the box ended in the effervescent forward hitting a low shot that proved to be regulation fodder for the goalkeeper, but the player still contracted to Manchester City soon setup Bastos for another pot shot at goal, only for the left-sided player’s effort to be deflected over.

Immediately before half-time the Selecao stepped up their pressure, but committed defending from the North Koreans prevented Dunga’s side opening the scoring and setting up a fascinating second period.

The early stages of the second half mirrored the closing moments of the first. Michel Bastos fired a free kick past Ri Myong-Guk’s right hand post, and a shot from Robinho followed a similar path seconds later.

Ten minutes after the restart, the Selecao would finally have their goal, albeit in somewhat fortuitous circumstances. A strong break from the Brazilians ended with Maicon charging into the box on an overlapping run. A yard from the byline and well outside the six yard box, the right-back fizzed the ball across the face of goal, beating the goalkeeper at his near post. If the Inter man meant to strike, it was a great finish, though a quick glance up to pick out a team-mate just before he pulled the trigger perhaps suggested he was aiming for a hard, low cross, which was to be anticipated from such a position.

With a goal in their back pockets, the South Americans set about trying to find another. Michel Bastos had a fizzing shot fail to find the net before Luis Fabiano chested a pass down in the box before firing hopelessly over.

Inevitably, the second goal came largely thanks to the influence of Robinho, who gathered the ball in a pocket of space 30 yards from goal before playing a sumptuous angled defence splitting pass to Elano that was begging to be placed in the net. The Galatasaray man obliged, side-footing accurately into the corner.

Any tension in Brazil’s play had largely gone. Kaka had a tame shot on target saved, Robinho slashed wide from distance and substitute Nilmar had a firm strike from distance blocked as the Selecao clicked through the gears.

North Korea did have a late opportunity through Jong Tae-Se, but Juan recovered well when it seemed the forward might thump home after being set free of the defence. Incredibly, the huge underdogs did find a late consolation, Ji Yun-Nam finishing strongly from close range.

Though there was no leveller from the Asians, they have given Portugal and Ivory Coast a great deal of food for thought.

Cote d'Ivoire 0-0 Portugal

2010-06-15T12:36:00.000-07:00

Portugal and Cote d'Ivoire played out a dull as ditchwater scoreless draw in their World Cup Group G encounter.
Despite a plethora of world-class talent, the sight of two well-drilled and organised sides led by pragmatic coaches did not provide for the kind of spectacle the South Africans have been expecting since being awarded the tournament. The distinct lack of action on the pitch was in sharp contrast to the intense anticipation that had surrounded the game off it.

A continent held its breath before receiving the unfortunate but admittedly inevitable news that Cote d'Ivoire's captain and talisman Didier Drogba would only be fit enough to sit on the bench. However despite the setback, the Ivorians began confidently and looked composed on the ball.

Much attention was fixed on the world's most expensive player, Cristiano Ronaldo, after a disappointing Euro 2008. He showed both sides to his character in the first half, getting Didier Zokora a yellow card with a dive then rifling a magnificent right foot thunderbolt which cannoned against the post — much to the relief of the helpless Boubacar Barry in goal.

Ironically, Ronaldo was later booked when Demel did appear to fell the former Manchester United attacker.

Thereafter the match threatened to descend into a rather ill-tempered affair with a number of rash challenges on both sides. Clear-cut chances were few and far between as both sides lacked fluency. Ronaldo aside, all Portugal could muster were a couple of through balls which managed to elude Danny and Lièdson respectively.

The West Africans had a half-chance when FC Twente's Cheik Tiote broke through midfield, however he failed to test Eduardo in the Portuguese goal. There was another sign of enouragement when Gervinho fortuitously squeezed between Pedro Mendes and Ricardo Carvalho, however Paolo Ferreira came across to avert the danger.

In the second period, Gervinho flashed a shot across goal from a tight angle which won a corner as the Ivory Coast tried to start the first half on the front foot. It was Gervinho again who dinked a cross into the centre looking for Dindane who couldn't reach the ball despite flinging himself in its direction.

With no breakthrough forthcoming, Sven Goran Eriksson decided to lift the spirits of the crowd and hopefully his side with the introduction of Didier Drogba midway through the second half. However his introduction failed to have the desired impact and the game petered out to a tame draw in one of the games to forget so far in this tournament.

Drogba had a chance to give his side an undeserved win in stoppage time, however he was only able to force the ball across goal where no teammate was waiting.

World Cup favourites Brazil are awaiting both these sides, they will need to show more urgency in the second period if they are to gain the upper hand in terms of qualification for the last sixteen.

New Zealand 1-1 Slovakia

2010-06-15T12:32:00.000-07:00

A last-gasp Winston Reid header grabbed New Zealand a 1-1 draw and their first ever World Cup point against a shell-shocked Slovakia.

Slovakia thought they had done just enough to win after Robert Vittek had given them the lead early in the second half, with an excellent back post header from a superb Vladimir Weiss cross from the right. But in a match in which the Kiwis had more than held their own, they will feel they richly deserved their point as every member of the side played above themselves.

As with most games in this tournament, it was a pedestrian start on a bright but chilly day in Rustenburg. The Kiwis refused to buckle under the intensity of the occasion and played resolutely throughout the opening 45 minutes. Indeed, the All Whites had the best of the first half, threatening the Slovakian goal early on when Chris Killen got on the end of a Simon Elliott free-kick. Unfortunately for the underdogs, his tame header was straight at Jan Mucha — though to his credit, Martin Skrtel did just enough to impede the tall Middlesbrough striker.
Slovakia struggled to create many chances in the first half and were surprised by both New Zealand's back three and their resolute determination. Their best moments came, unsurprisingly, from Vladimir Weiss, who was the first to test Paston early on after some neat trickery down the right hand side.

The Manchester City winger was instrumental in the Slovaks' best opportunity when he played in Sestak who fired wide. Marek Hamsik also began to come into the game as the half progressed, with the increasingly frustrated Slovakians looking to involve their star man in every move. The Napoli midfielder forced a smart save from Mark Paston just before the break.

There were some nervous moments for the Kiwis as Paston struggled from corners on occasions. Ricki Herbert's heart skipped a beat when the keeper lost his balance attempting to clear the ball upfield however he recovered well to deny Robert Vittek and limit the danger to the corner. Kiwi topscorer Shane Smeltz had been largely anonymous, however he stung the palms of Everton-bound Jan Mucha eight minutes before the break with a smart left foot volley which was tipped into the side netting.

Towards the end of the first half, the Slovaks began to pile on the pressure and though the sides were level at the break, a goal was on the cards. The central Europeans shook off the cobwebs of their below par opening half when the took the lead less than five minutes after the break thanks to Ankaragucu striker Robert Vittek.

The former Lille frontman received a huge confidence boost when he headed a superb Weiss cross in at the far post beyond Paston. New Zealand may have felt a touch aggrieved, however, as replays indicated that Sestak may have been marginally offside — however the assistant referee gave the benefit of any doubt to the attacking side.

New Zealand steadfastly refused to roll over and they dusted themselves down after the goal, knocking the ball about with ease though also without any real penetration. They created few notable opportunities in the second half, other than a volley from Fallon which sailed high over the crossbar and a golden chance which fell to topscorer Shane Smeltz — who somehow contrived to direct his header well wide of the target.

However with seconds remaining, Smeltz atoned for his previous aberration with the cross for Winston Reid's last gasp equaliser. It was a fitting end to what had been an admirable performance from a defender who had only committed himself to play for the All Whites in March, having previously represented Denmark.

Earlier in the second half, the right-sided centreback denied Robert Vittek the chance to double the lead and surely put New Zealand to bed with a magnificent sliding challenge.

All in all, a great sporting moment for New Zealand which symbolised the beauty of a truly global World Cup.

Italy 1-1 Paraguay

2010-06-14T13:44:00.000-07:00

Holders Italy opened their 2010 FIFA World Cup™ campaign with a 1-1 draw against Paraguay in Group F on a rainy evening at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town.

Antolin Alcaraz shocked the Gemany 2006 champions in the 39th minute to open the scoring, while Italy’s Daniel De Rossi took advantage of some unconvincing goalkeeping by veteran Justo Villar to equalise just after the hour mark. New Zealand and Slovakia play the group’s other opening match tomorrow in Rustenburg.

The two teams were well-organised in the early stages despite the difficult conditions and neither could fashion a chance of note in the opening of the match. In the 22nd minute, however, the South Americans showed they would be dangerous on the break, finding Aureliano Torres all alone on the edge of the box. But the defender failed to hit his shot cleanly and Gianluigi Buffon let it run wide as Italian supporters held their breath.

Italy threatened shortly after as young midfielder Claudio Marchisio swung in a nicely flighted corner, but Cristian Riveros was first to it, stretching smartly to clear over his own crossbar with striker Vincenzo Iaquinta lurking.

Paraguay were again quickest from a dead ball situation six minutes before the break to open the scoring. Torres sent in a lovely free-kick, and defender Alcatraz cut in front of Daniel De Rossi and rose higher than Italian captain Fabio Cannavaro to thump a header past the stranded Buffon.

At half-time the Squadra Azzurri got more bad news as Buffon retired hurt for Federico Marchetti, who won just his sixth cap between the sticks. But the four-time FIFA World Cup winners began stronger after the restart, and an unmarked Simone Pepe might have scored at the far post from Gianluca Zambrotta’s cross, but he could not connect with an ambitious overhead kick.

Pepe had another chance in the same spot just minutes later, but Villar caught it just in front of the charging Italian. However, the keeper was keft completely stranded in the 63rd minute when he came out to collect Pepe’s corner, only to miss the ball and watch helplessly as De Rossi flicked it simply into the empty net.

The momentum swung solidly in Italy’s favour after that, but Villar came up strongly for the South Americans. First, he claimed the ball well in front of Iaquinta from a similar looking corner to the one he missed, and then in the 80th minute, he held Pepe’s low shot in front of the eager Italian attack. And he continued his redemption three minutes later, as he saved to his right to claimRiccardo Montolivo’s long but skipping shot.

Japan 1-0 Cameroon

2010-06-14T13:41:00.000-07:00

Japan recorded their first FIFA World Cup™ win on foreign soil after Keisuke Honda's 39th-minute strike proved enough to down Cameroon at the Free State Stadium.

Honda's decisive contribution was handsome reward for Japan coach Takeshi Okada's gamble to deploy the CSKA Moscow midfielder in a central attacking role in an attempt to remedy his team's lack of goals. The Japanese, without a clean sheet in their warm-up matches, then frustrated Cameroon at the other end, surviving a late scare when the woodwork denied Stephane Mbia.

With the victory – their first in an opening game – Japan joined the Netherlands on three points at the top of Group E, while Cameroon's second match against Denmark, the day's other losers, assumes do-or-die dimensions.

The match began with a surprise in the Cameroon starting lineup with Mbia asked to fill in at right-back, his usual holding role in the middle going to Joel Matip. It was Cameroon's left-back Benoit Assou who was busier, though, with most of Japan's forward movement coming down their right side through Daisuke Matsui.

The Grenoble-based midfielder was the creator of Honda's winning goal when, after several crosses that came to nothing, he finally got his angles right and swung over a high ball which evaded the Cameroon defenders and fell at the far post to Honda. The CSKA Moscow man needed one touch to control the ball before steering it coolly past Hamidou Souleymanou.

Ironically Honda's strike came just moments after Cameroon had a shooting chance at the other end, when Eric Choupo Moting played a ball back to Enyong Enah but his low effort from the edge of the box went straight at Eiji Kawashima. There had been little end product up to then from the west Africans, despite their greater share of possession.

Samuel Eto'o, Cameroon's captain, had a quiet half, although the couple of occasions he did get on the ball brought the promise something might happen. The constant noise inside the stadium rose several notches when the Inter Milan forward delivered an early scare for Japan's defence after eight minutes, freeing Pierre Webo on the right side of the penalty box but his intended cutback to Choupo Moting was cleared.

Eto'o produced a flash of brilliance shortly after the restart when he span away from three blue shirts by the corner flag and teed up Choupo Moting for a shot that sailed over the far post. Cameroon were pushing Japan back and as night began to fall, and the temperature with it, coach Paul Le Guen looked to increase the pressure by sending on a fourth forward, Achille Emana, in place of Matip in the 63rd minute.

Webo got through but was offside, another Cameroon forward – Mahamadou Idrissou – entered the fray but still Japan absorbed the pressure. Indeed they might have had a second when Makoto Hasebe drew a low save from Souleymanou; substitute Shiniji Okazaki put the follow-up against the post but was offside. At the other end Mbia drove a shot against the crossbar but Japan – eight years to the day since their last FIFA World Cup victory – held on.

Netherlands 2-0 Denmark

2010-06-14T13:38:00.000-07:00

A Daniel Agger own goal and Dirk Kuyt’s late winner earned the Netherlands a deserved 2-0 win over Denmark at Johannesburg’s Soccer City as the Dutch took an early lead in Group E and stretched their long unbeaten run.

Oranje coach Bert van Marwijk had sprung a pre-match surprise with the inclusion of Arjen Robben as a substitute and the early stages could certainly have done with the Bayern Munich winger’s pace and trickery. With Soccer City bathed in afternoon sunshine, the players took some time to establish the expected tempo, and the best efforts of a tight opening 20 minutes came through two hugely ambitious and off-target free-kicks from Wesley Sneijder and Thomas Enevoldsen.

Neither side were doing themselves justice at this stage but, of the two, it was the Netherlands who were displaying the greater attacking intent, with Rafael van der Vaart proving a lively deputy for the sidelined Robben. Twice in as many minutes midway through the half, the Real Madrid midfielder turned neatly on the edge of the box to fashion scoring opportunities, but on each occasion was unable to find the target.

Thomas Sorensen, fit again after suffering a dislocated elbow, endured a heart-stopping moment shortly after when he fumbled a tame-looking Dirk Kuyt shot only to recover the ball at the second attempt. The Dutch would have been worthy of a goal at this stage, but their failure to convert territorial dominance into goals threatened to cost them dearly as half-time approached.

The warning signs had been there when, with 28 minutes played, Nicklas Bendtner found space at the back post to head wastefully wide from a measured Dennis Rommedahl cross. Rommedahl himself tried his luck soon after, firing straight at Maarten Stekelenburg at the end of a lightning Danish break, while Thomas Kahlenberg provided the best effort of the half with a flashing left-foot shot that forced a terrific save from the Dutch No1.

However, it is not for nothing that Van Marwijk’s side came into this match on a record 19-match unbeaten sequence, and they took a deserved lead within a minute of the second half commencing. Robin van Persie was the goal’s architect, beating Sorensen to a through ball before curling over an inviting cross which Simon Poulsen, in his attempts to clear, headed across goal, but crucially against the back of Agger and into the net.

The Danes nearly self-destructed again four minutes later when a misplaced pass allowed Van Persie a clear sight of goal, but the Arsenal forward hesitated and Sorensen smothered bravely. Van der Vaart then came close an early contender for goal of the tournament with an audacious flick matched only in quality by Sorensen’s agile save, while Sneijder rattled the crossbar with a deflected 25-yard shot.

The Dutch were not to be denied, however, and their continued superiority was rewarded with five minutes remaining when Dirk Kuyt slotted home from close range after substitute Eljero Elia’s initial effort had struck the post. The bounce of the ball had again favoured the Oranje, but there could be no Danish complaints about a result that is sure to enhance their Group E rivals’ standing as genuine FIFA World Cup™ contenders.

Germany 4-0 Australia

2010-06-13T13:47:00.000-07:00

Just hours after Ghana set the pace in Group D with their 1-0 win over Serbia, Germany and Australia looked to keep up with the Black Stars as they kicked off in Durban.

Germany coach Joachim Loew made one change to the line-up that featured in last week's 3-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina: on the right flank, Thomas Mueller replaced Piotr Trochowski. Miroslav Klose, who has taken heavy criticism in recent weeks, got the nod as Loew's lone striker, pipping the in-form Cacau.

For Australia, Pim Verbeek made somewhat of a surprise selection in the striker position. With Harry Kewell unfit, it at first seemed that Joshua Kennedy was a shoe-in for the role up top. However, Verbeek opted to use Everton midfielder Tim Cahill in attack, with Brett Emerton, Richard Garcia, and Jason Culina as support.

Australia took no time to get started, and should have gone a goal ahead within three minutes. Following a corner, Cahill's header was blocked by Germany captain Philipp Lahm, and Garcia's follow-up was also deflected away from goal.

It wasn't long before Germany found their feet. After Mesut Ozil nearly played Lukas Podolski through on goal, the young playmaker found Klose breaking away from Vincenzo Grella. The Bayern Munich striker raced to the edge of the penalty area, but Mark Schwarzer made a good save to deny him.

Moments later, Ozil slipped a clever ball through to Mueller, who pulled back for Podolski. The Koeln man fired with his first touch, blasting in off Schwarzer's hand to put the Germans ahead.

After a spell during which the Germans held the ball well but had trouble timing their runs, the Aussies nearly drew level. Emerton's cross found Culina's head at the back post, but the Gold Coast United man nodded over the bar. Moments later, Wilkshire found Emerton with a fine through ball before Garcia cleverly created space for himself to shoot. The striker's last touch was lacking, however, and the ball flew well over the bar.

The Germans would soon punish their opponents for poor finishing. The catalyst, Ozil, first played a fine ball that resulted in Klose missing a wide-open shot from the centre of the penalty area. Then, Lahm sent an inch-perfect cross to Klose that fooled Schwarzer. The goalkeeper raced off his line, but failed to collect the ball as Klose emphatically headed home his 11th World Cup goal.

With the score reading 2-0, Germany were well in control, but continued to pressure the Australian goal. Their use of width stretched the Socceroos' defence, and their variety of attacking options kept the Aussies on their heels. Ozil failed to convert on a pair of one-on-one opportunities with Schwarzer, and Sami Khedira nearly added a goal of his own after receiving another well-taken cross from Lahm.

Only in the dying moments of the first half did Australia manage to bring the ball back into their attacking third, but Garcia posed a very lonely figure in the penalty box.

The first half ended with Germany comfortably ahead as a dejected Australian side was left to figure out how to find their way back into the game.

After the break, Verbeek withdrew Grella in favour of the more attack-minded Brett Holman. Australia started well and had claims for a penalty after Garcia headed the ball off Per Mertesacker's arm. It would have been a harsh decision, but penalties have been awarded for less.

Within seven minutes, Holman nearly pulled a goal back for Australia. The substitute created space away from Friedrich and fired from 20 yards, but missed wide of the right post.

The Australians' momentum would soon run out, and their hopes of taking anything from the game were vanquished after 56 minutes, when Cahill was sent off for a poor foul on Bastian Schweinsteiger. The Everton midfielder tried to pull out of his challenge, but was late and connected with the German's ankle, which was enough to earn a straight red card.

Meanwhile, the Germans played for a third goal as Mueller, Khedira, Klose, and Podolski fired but could not quite beat Schwarzer.

Inside the final half hour, Verbeek swapped Garcia for Ukraine native Nikita Rukavytsa, but if anything, Australia could have used another defender. As the final quarter of the game approached, Podolski fed a through ball to Mueller, who wisely stopped his run to create space. The Bayern Munich attacker then struck a precise effort off the inside of the left post to make the score 3-0.

Even with a comfortable lead, Loew decided to keep attacking, and next substituted Cacau in place of Klose. With his first touch, the Stuttgart striker slotted in after Ozil slipped into a forward position and teed him up.

With a quarter hour left, Loew brought on striker Mario Gomez in place of Ozil, and the Germans' style of play switched to a strictly flank-based attack. Australia had their first bright spell since early in the first half, but as before, could not quite capitalise. Six minutes from full time, the Aussies had their first opportunity on goal since the third minute, but Rukavytsya was harried and fired weakly into goalkeeper Manuel Neuer's waiting arms.

With the result already decided, the match drew to a rather quiet close. Australia struggled to keep possession in their attacking half, and a comfortable Germany side played out the final minutes without throwing players forward as they previously had.

The result puts Germany atop Group D, ahead of Ghana on goal difference. After Serbia's loss earlier today, Australia still have a chance to advance to the knockout rounds, but have a mountain to climb.

Serbia 0–1 Ghana

2010-06-13T09:49:00.000-07:00

The opening game of World Cup Group D was dramatically won by Ghana, who scored a late penalty to punish a Serbia side whose lack of discipline was ultimately decisive.

Though the first half failed to produce any goals, there were chances at either end. Despite early intent from Serbia, it was the Black Stars who looked the more likely team to open the scoring. After the interval, the pattern of the game remained the same until Aleksandar Lukovic was dismissed for a second booking, inviting Ghana to really go for the jugular late on. And the Africans aimed the decisive blow from the penalty spot in the closing stages of the game when Asamoah Gyan thumped high into the net.

It was an inauspicious start for the Ghanaians, but they would soon enjoy efforts of their own through a spectacular long-range volley from Anthony Annan and a free kick hit wastefully over the top by Asamoah Gyan. With quarter of an hour gone, a fierce driven centre from Kwadwo Asamoah had to be blocked away from the six-yard box by Nikola Zigic following a corner kick, continuing the upbeat and open beginning in Pretoria.

The African side were the more threatening in the early stages, making hay down the left hand flank. Kevin-Price Boateng broke positively into that area of the field with 20 minutes on the clock before delivering right footed towards Gyan, who just failed to get a decisive touch to the ball.

By no means were Ghana dominating, despite their greater number of chances, but Serbia were allowing openings to pass them by, with the control of Pantelic particularly disappointing at crucial moments. Nevertheless, lanky forward Zigic was posing an unusual problem for the Black Stars’ defence, and after the Birmingham City man had drawn a free kick on the edge of the box, Aleksandar Kolarov bent an effort just wide.

Some of the game’s early effervescence had died by this stage, with the Black Stars quick to stifle Serbia by building two walls of four when they ceded possession. Aside from an awkward drive from Dejan Stankovic, which Kingson gathered at the second attempt, the more experienced Europeans were successfully tethered prior to the interval.

After the break, Jovanovic jinked his way into the box but chose poorly when faced with the option to shoot or pass. The Liverpool-bound attacker could have drilled across the front of the goal but instead slashed wide of the near post.

Typically, Ghana responded. Tagoe’s fine centre was headed wide by Ayew, who should have found the net unmarked six yards from the target, before the same player sliced past from outside the box after showing superb fighting spirit to battle through two challenges.

A long throw from John Pantsil was then attacked brilliantly by Asamoah Gyan, who rose above Nemanja Vidic to graze the post with a near post header. Moments later, Tagoe directed an Ayew cross wide.

Amidst this plethora of opportunities to the Ghanaians, Serbia also created their best opening. Pantelic gathered the ball on the left touchline before delivering perfectly to Zigic, who failed to make proper contact with the ball, allowing the opening to pass.

With quarter of an hour remaining, Aleksandar Lukovic, who had enjoyed a strong game in the heart of the defence, was guilty of a tug in the centre of the park while Ghana appeared to be going nowhere and was promptly shown a second yellow card, having been cautioned ten minutes after the restart.

Serbia understandably packed their defence thereafter, yet counter-intuitively looked dangerous all of a sudden. Danko Lazovic’s tenacity seemingly setup Pantelic for a simple finish from 12 yards, but the forward mishit his shot totally. Still, the ball fell kindly for Krasic, whose firm shot was not accurate enough to beat Kingson.

Vidic and Branislav Ivanovic would both send meaningful efforts off target in the following moments, but their defensive duties were of primary importance at this stage.

These efforts came from sporadic raids forwards by the Serbians, and their defence was under pressure from Ghana’s relentless attack. A moment of madness from Zdravko Kuzmanovic cost the Europeans as he inexplicably handled a long cross in the box. From the penalty spot, Gyan cracked a shot into the top left hand corner.

Kuzmanovic had a shot at immediate redemption but leaned back and shot hopelessly over from the edge of the penalty box, consigning Serbia to an opening game loss, though it could have been heavier as Gyan struck the post in stoppage time.

Algeria 0-1 Slovenia

2010-06-13T09:33:00.000-07:00

Slovenia claimed all three points in a tightly contested affair as Algeria goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi allowed a Robert Koren shot to slip through his gloves and into the net in what was the second goalkeeping error in the first round of Group C matches.

The two teams entered the pitch at the Peter Mokaba stadium knowing that three points would see either of them topping World Cup group C on Sunday night. The two unfancied teams had expectations heightened by the 1-1 stalemate between England and the USA on Saturday night.
Before the game, much of the talk had centred on Algeria manager Rabah Saadane’s decision to drop captain Yazid Mansouri to the bench for Algeria’s opening game of World Cup 2010.

The match kicked-off with the sun shining down on the crisp green turf of the Peter Mokabo stadium, with the earliest chance being a free-kick from Portsmouth’s Nadir Belhadj, a left-footed strike that swerved and dipped but was tipped over by Slovenia ‘keeper Samir Handanovic.

The earliest stages of the tie featured little quality with counter-attacking chances for both teams wasted due to passes being over-hit and finding their way to the opposition, meaning that any momentum was lost and few chances were created.

The willingness and technical ability of Nadir Belhadj provided the greatest source of acting impetus for the Algerian side, whereas Slovenia looked to create chances with short neat passing through creative midfielder Robert Koren.

The opening 20 minutes saw Algeria striker Rafik Djebbour’s frustrations mount. The lone striker system relied heavily on the running of Djebbour, however, the quality of delivery into the AEK Athens striker was poor, and therefore, much of his effort was in vain.

The half hour mark passed with the score at 0-0 as each team’s attacking play was cancelled out by the other’s organised defence as Algeria’s five-man midfield inhibited Slovenia’s short passing.

Algeria threatened with set pieces again as Karim Ziani whipped a right-footed free-kick into the area causing panic and confusion in the Slovenia defence until, eventually, the ball was fumbled out for an Algeria corner.

Rafik Halish had the greatest chance of the first 35 minutes from a corner. The centre-half had a free header in the Slovenia box, but headed wide of Handonovic’s left hand post, relieving the Slovenia defence of a short period of Algerian pressure.

Slovenian forward Walter Birsa played a neat one-two with midfielder Robert Koren, before unleashing a tremendous swerving strike at the Algeria goal. Algeria goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi was equal to the striker climbing high to tip the Jabulani out for a Slovenia corner.

The referee signalled the end of the first half with a shrill peep on the whistle as each team trudged of the pitch awaiting the managers’ team talks and the start of the second period.

The referee signalled the beginning of the second half as Algeria’s most famous son Zinedine Zidane was spotted in the crowd. Unfortunately, for Algeria, he opted to play for France.

The first significant action of the second period saw an Algeria cross fired in from the right, attempting to find the run of Djebbour but the striker was unable to control and a heavy first touch of the chest resulted in the ball rolling out of play for a Slovenia goal-kick.

Belhadj again threatened with a left footed delivery as Halish strained to reach the ball the Slovenia ‘keeper Handanovic, sporting a cap, plucked the ball out of the air and safely into his gloves. Another comfortable safe from Handanovic as Portsmouth loanee Hassan Yebda fired a shot in the direction of the Slovenia goal.

Substitute Abdelkader Ghezzal’s first impact on the game was to receive a yellow card from the referee for a tempestuous tug on Slovenian defender Bostjan Cesar.

Accurate short passing saw Milivoje Novakovic put through on goal but a commanding sliding challenge from Algeria defender Majid Bougherra inside the penalty area eliminated the threat from Slovenia and allowed the ball to be cleared by Halish.

Substitute Ghezzal was then promptly dismissed for attempting to control the ball with his hand inside the Slovenia penalty area. The striker received his second yellow card along with his marching orders to limit Algeria to 10 men and to ensure that the striker would play no part in their next fixture.

The match remained fairly uneventful after the dismissal but the chorus of vuvuzelas rang aloud to ensure a South African undertone was added to the affair.

Panic and miscommunication in the Slovenian defence ensued as Handanovic played a short pass to centre-back Marko Suler. The defender was slow to anticipate and Ziani stole the ball before being neutered by the relieved Handanovic.

The Algeria 'keeper Chaouchi then produced a mistake of his own from a fairly tame shot from Slovenian midfielder Robert Koren. Chaouchi contrived to allow the ball to slip through his gloves and into the corner of the net to give the Slovenians a narrow lead.

The remaining moments of the contest were played out with relative inactivity as the Chaouchi mistake seemed to have removed any fighting spirit from the Algerian players. Algeria did manage to strike some long balls into the Slovenia box but the defence remained resolute in guarding the goal.

The result leaves Slovenia top of Group C with England and the USA left to play. Algeria meanwhile langish at the bottom of the group with a slim chance of progressing.

England 1-1 USA

2010-06-12T14:48:00.000-07:00

England's opening World Cup Group C encounter against the USA finished 1-1 after a cut and thrust encounter inside the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.
Steven Gerrard opened the scoring after less than five minutes with a neat finish but a goalkeeping howler from Robert Green ensured the United States took a point away from the tie.
After endless speculation and hours of conjecture, England manager Fabio Capello's starting line-up and formation was revealed: a standard 4-4-2 formation with Green getting the nod ahead of David James and Joe Hart in goal.
In defence, Ledley King got the faith of the manager to fill injured Rio Ferdinand's boots, the Spurs stopper partnered John Terry, Ashley Cole and Glen Johnson in a familiar back four. Gerrard and Frank Lampard were selected in centre midfield, with James Milner the choice on the left and Aaron Lennon on the right. Emile Heskey partnered Wayne Rooney up front.

The United States opted for a familiar line-up. Jozy Altidore would fulfill striker's duties, with Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey providing support from the right and left wings respectively.

The game started in high tempo with England putting the USA under pressure immediately. The much maligned Emile Heskey proved a good early outlet for the Three Lions and his link-up play kept the United States back four occupied.

Less than five minutes on the clock and the positive start from Capello's men was to pay off.

A ball up to Rooney was mis-controlled by the Manchester United talisman but Heskey was there to pick up the loose ball. The targetman showed good vision to spot Gerrard breaking into the box and his reverse path was straight into his captain's path. The skipper fought off the attentions of defender DeMerit and slid the ball neatly past a despairing Tim Howard to give the Three Lions a dream start.

The Americans were shocked but, to their credit, after conceding they got their foot on the ball and started to create chances for themselves.

A spell of possession from them saw a corner awarded, and Oguchi Onyewu perhaps could have done better when he connected in the box from the set-piece, but his header flew high and wide over the goal.

Not long after and the USA had an even better chance. England weren't proficient with their ball retention and this allowed dangerman Donovan to drift down the left channel to deliver a dangerous ball across the six-yard box. Altidore seemed to arrive fractionally too late to connect though and a gilt-edged chance for the Americans went begging.

There was a real cut and thrust to the game at this point and straight down the other end England hit their opponents on the counter. A direct ball up to Rooney was controlled superbly and the striker dinked an excellent ball over the USA back-line to release Aaron Lennon down the right flank.

The speedy winger put on the burners and charged towards the bye-line. Rooney and Heskey were waiting in the middle for the cross but excellent defending by DeMerit stopped a dangerous ball from reaching its target and the USA were saved.

Milner, who had received a booking early in the game, was then brought off for Shaun Wright Phillips with only half an hour played, a clear sign that the stomach bug that had restricted the Aston Villa man's training during the week had taken its toll.

The USA were giving as good as they got though and good link-up play between Donovan and Robbie Findley saw them fashion a half-chance soon after, Donovan's curling drive on the edge of the box had the keeper scrambling, but the shot was just wide.

After that and the English goalkeeper was involved again, in an incident that he will soon want to forget.

A calamitous error from Green let the USA back into the game. A speculative shot from Dempsey should have been dealt with easily but the keeper let the ball slip from his clutches and roll over the goalline.

It was another disaster for a team that has had to deal with high-profile goalkeeping errors in the recent past, and England manager Capello looked aghast from the sidelines.

His squad had little time to recover from the blow of conceding as the half-time whistle was blown shortly after.

The second period and England again started on the front foot.

Lennon in particular was impressive and the diminutive winger set up two great chances that should have been converted.

The first saw the winger display his dangerous pace. A darting run saw him go around the outside of Bocanegra and cut promisingly into the box. A delicious ball was slid across the goalmouth but both Rooney and Heskey failed to connect with it when all it needed was a touch to send it past Howard. Donovan collected it instead and cleared from danger.

Next and not long after, Lennon sent Heskey through with a great ball that let the big striker through on goal. The Aston Villa targetman is not exactly known for his finishing and this showed, his drive was straight at Howard who managed to catch his shot in his chest.

England were building pressure but the USA had their moments of danger. A clumsy challenge by Gerrard to the right of England's goal could have been punished when the referee awarded the foul. However, Donovan's curling delivery was headed wide by Onyewu.

The game was becoming stretched now and their was more space for both sides. Lampard was allowed to drift into a dangerous area in front of the box and the midfielder unleashed a fierce drive that Howard had to beat over his goal.

It was back and forth and Green went some way to making up for his howler in the first half when he produced an excellent save to deny Dempsey, the goalkeeper managed to push the ball wide of goal.

But it was the Three Lions who were really starting to knock on the door for the next goal. Wright-Phillips was enjoying more space down the right now and a cleverly disguised pass from Rooney allowed the winger to test Howard with a shot at a tight angle, the keeper doing well to beat it away.

More pressure from England and it kept coming. A delightful cross from Gerrard then set up Heskey, but with the goalmouth begging, the striker headed over the bar from close range.

Crouch was then brought on as Capello went for the three points.

It was all England now as the USA looked visibly tired. A great counter-attacking move involving Lampard, Rooney and Lennon had the fans' heart in their mouths but as the final pass was played back across goal, Lampard couldn't make the connection after some great defending by DeMerit.

Argentina 1-0 Nigeria

2010-06-12T14:33:00.000-07:00

Argentina claimed a 1-0 win over Nigeria in World Cup Group B, but they could have had a lot more than Gabriel Heinze's sixth minute header to show for their superior creativity.

Heinze turned in a Juan Sebatian Veron corner to give his side a victory which could easily have been more convincing as the Albiceleste carved out a number of opportunities against the resilient Super Eagles outfit.
Argentina began as expected, with Jonas Gutierrez at right back and with a very attacking approach.

Within the first 60 seconds Lionel Messi very nearly sent Carlos Tevez free, but the striker was just unable to get the ball out from under his feet.

Nigeria struck back though, and they had their first chance when Gutierrez misread the flight of a cross and Chinedu Obasi skipped past him, but his shot was well wide of Sergio Romero’s goal.

It was a lightning start, and the Albiceleste should have had the lead when Messi danced past three challengers before squaring for Gonzalo Higuain, but the Real Madrid forward somehow managed to sidefoot wide when it seemed easier to score.

Messi then had a chance all of his own when Tevez played a neat pass into him and, with plenty of space, he delivered a delightful chip which Vincent Enyeama did well to push over.

But there was no relief for the Super Eagles as Argentina opened the scoring from the resulting corner.

Juan Sebastian Veron’s flag-kick was dragged in towards the penalty spot, where it was met by a strong header by athe stooping Gabriel Heinze which escaped the attentions of a Nigerian defender on the line to send the favourites ahead.

Despite the apparent early dominance of Diego Maradona’s men, a slip by Walter Samuel very nearly let Victor Obinna in to craft an equaliser, but the stopper got back to foil Obinna and concede a corner before apologising to his team-mates for the error.

Enyeama had to be on his toes once more when Veron played a magnificent long-range ball forward towards Messi, but the Nigeria No. 1 came out to claim the ball at the second attempt ahead of the No. 10.

Within moments though the Balon d’Or holder was again causing trouble, picking up another neat Tevez pass before taking on a man and curling a low left-footed effort towards the far post which Enyeama did well to palm away from danger.

Argentina continued to make chances, and Higuain had another good chance on 21 minutes, but his right foot shot was well blocked by the increasingly overworked Enyeama.

Soon after Samuel was left in space by Sani Kaita, but couldn’t guide his header on target.

Kaita almost more than made up for his mistake within minutes as Argentina struggled to clear Taye Taiwo’s long throw, but his right-foot volley from 20 yards didn’t trouble Romero.

The Super Eagles had an even better chance on 28 minutes as again Gutierrez made a misjudgement which allowed Obasi a sight of goal, but his dragged effort rolled agonisingly through the gap between the far post and the advancing Yakubu.

After a lull in proceedings it was once again Messi who brought the game to life, but again Enyeama was a match for him.

The diminutive Argentinian controlled perfectly, cut onto his left foot and unleashed a stinging, curling effort destined for the far corner, but Enyeama stretched superbly to push the ball away with his wrong hand.

It was a reasonably even beginning to the second half, but the Albiceleste could have doubled their lead when Higuain broke away.

Thankfully for Nigeria, Joseph Yobo had tracked his man all the way and made a fantastic last-ditch challenge.

Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback made the first two changes of the game, bringing on Obafemi Martins and Peter Odemwingie for Obinna and Obasi as he looked for fresh ideas in attack.

The changes seemed to have a positive effect, as the Super Eagles began to enjoy a period of possession, forcing three corners in quick succession.

But from the last of those, Tevez led a dangerous looking four-on-two break before feeding Messi, whose left foot shot went just wide of the far post.

Within seconds Higuain had a clear sight of goal, but was once again denied by Enyeama and on the break Odemwingie squandered a chance when he couldn’t get the ball out of his feet.

Taye Taiwo had possibly Nigeria’s best opening of the game on 71 minutes when he strode purposefully towards the Argentina penalty area and lashed a left foot effort just wide of the far post with Romero scrambling to get across.

As Odemwingie brought down Messi for an Argentina free-kick, on came Maxi Rodriguez to replace Veron and Kalu Uche for Taiwo.

When play eventually restarted Messi’s free-kick was a disappointing one, flying harmlessly high of the goal.

Haruna was then booked for an off-the-ball slash at Messi as Nigeria became frustrated by their inability to get back into the game.

They did have a chance moments later when Martins tried a spectacular 25 yard shot which Romero had some trouble keeping out before Odemwingie took too long getting a cross in from the loose ball.

Martins may have been better advised to play the winger in straight away, but he had made the keeper work nonetheless.

Diego Milito was then introduced by Maradona in place of Higuain, the Inter striker only getting 11 minutes to shine.

Argentina should then have wrapped up the game as Messi started and finished a delightful one-two with Maxi, but his shot was well parried by the marvellous Enyeama.

Nigeria broke from the resulting corner and Uche was guilty of missing an excellent chance as he tried to take a bouncing ball first time and could only side-foot over from the edge of the area.

Though the Super Eagles continued to keep Argentina honest at the back, the Albiceleste held out to give Diego Maradona a win on his debut as a coach at the World Cup.

South Korea 2-0 Greece

2010-06-12T14:30:00.000-07:00

South Korea made a positive start to their World Cup campaign, defeating a poor Greece side 2-0 in their opening Group B encounter.

Lee Jung-Soo pounced on some slack marking to knock the Asians ahead early in the first half, before a strike from Park Ji-Sung, who was the benefactor of a dire mistake from Loukas Vyntra early in the second half, made the game safe.

The Greeks, most known for their stifling tactics, made a positive start to the encounter, wasting a fine chance to score their first ever goal at a World Cup finals after just two minutes.

Giorgos Karagounis whipped over a corner from the Greece right, which the South Koreans failed to defend, the ball dropped invitingly to Vasilis Torosidis, who prodded off target from six yards having failed to sort his feet out.

South Korea may have made an inauspicious start to the game, but there were signs they were beginning to exert themselves onto proceedings, with a fierce drive from Cha Du-Ri blocked by a blue-shirted defender.

With seven minutes on the clock, the Asian powerhouse moved into the ascendancy. A free kick near the corner flag was arrowed into the box by Ki Sung-Yong and tapped home at the far post by Lee Jung-Soo, who had escaped Greece’s zonal marking system.

This was not expected to be a game of frequent chances, and so it proved for the remainder of the first half.

South Korea were proving dangerous, particularly when they were able to counter rare Greece attacks, with the strong running of Park Ji-Sung and Kim Jung-Woo causing issues for a rather sluggish looking Greek midfield.

On several occasions the Taegeuk Warriors threatened to sneak in behind their opponents, but on 27 minutes they finally sprung the trap, partly thanks to some poor defending from Avraam Papadopoulos.

Park Chu-Young was through, but the leg of Alexandros Tzorvas got enough on the ball to loop it over the top.

Just before the break, the Monaco forward was again given a sight of goal, but his shot from the edge of the ‘D’ rose comfortably over the top.

Otto Rehhagel responded at half-time by withdrawing captain Karagounis, but this had little effect on his turgid side.

Centre-back Vyntra, who had some horror moments in the first half, even cost his side a goal six minutes after the restart, presenting the ball to Park Ji-Sung when asked to deal with a routine pass from Giourkas Seitaridis.

The industrious midfielder held off the challenge of the recovering defender before skipping by a lunge from Papadopoulos and dispatching the ball into the net.

The German coach responded to this blow by making another couple of changes, though the Europeans remained inert offensively.

South Korea have built their reputation from being anything but inert, and a searching cross just after the hour mark from Cha Du-Ri picked out Park Chu-Young, who escaped his marker but directed his header inches over the top.

Theofanis Gekas hooked a rare chance for Greece over the bar from close range, acting as the catalyst for a spell of pressure from Rehhagel’s side, who were previously offering no persistent problems to their well-organised and unflinching opponents.

Dimitris Salpigidis headed tamely into the arms of Jung Sung-Ryong moments later, before Katsouranis then smacked a fine chance over the top.

Salpigidis then had a near post effort blocked wide by his marker.

For a period South Korea were genuinely rattled, but when they had started to look comfortable with ten minutes remaining, Gekas gave them a fierce wake-up call, pivoting 12 yards out to drive powerfully at goal.

Thankfully for Jung Sung-Ryong, the shot was down the middle of the goal, giving him the chance to tip the ball over.

This proved the last serious scare for Huh Jung-Moo’s side, who ended the match on the front foot.

Park Chu-Young remained threatening, while Kim Jung-Woo drove wide when well positioned inside the box.

Ultimately the final score flattered Greece if anything, and South Korea can now focus on their forthcoming fixture against Nigeria, which, if they win, will leave them perfectly positioned to reach the last 16 for a second time.

Uruguay 0-0 France

2010-06-12T01:18:00.000-07:00

France were held to a scoreless draw by Uruguay in their opening World Cup match in Cape Town, though les Bleus will perhaps feel that three points were available for them to claim.

After a goalless first half, the second period only sparked into life for moments, before Nicolas Lodeiro of the South Americans was dismissed ten minutes from the hand, having been shown a second yellow card.

The early stages of the match offered little, though both sides were offered large areas of space to attack into.

France would be the first team to take advantage of the acres of grass offered for their benefit. Abou Diaby, in the starting XI in place of Florent Malouda, spun cleverly in midfield before feeding Franck Ribery down the left channel. The Bayern Munich man delivered wickedly low towards the near post, where Sidney Govou didn’t get enough on the ball to force it on target.

Les Bleus were bright in the early stages. Diaby slashed a shot from distance wide, while a header from William Gallas following a Yoann Gourcuff corner smacked Luis Suarez on the midriff, blocking what might have been a dangerous effort. Moments later, the Girondins de Bordeaux playmaker centred once more, but Nicolas Anelka couldn’t steer his header down.

On the quarter hour mark, Uruguay showed their teeth for the first time. Diego Forlan’s movement on the edge of the box took him away from Gallas, and cutting in from the left flank, the Atletico Madrid striker whipped a powerful right-footed drive at goal that Hugo Lloris did well to beat away.
This proved to be something of a flash from the South Americans as France were quickly back on the offensive. Set-piece specialist Gourcuff, from an outrageously tight angle, cracked a shot towards Fernando Muslera’s top corner, though the goalkeeper was sharply across to parry wide.

Uruguay v France

Ron | MySpace Video
After this threatening moment, Raymond Domenech’s side would lose some of their initial momentum, though they would still look the likelier side going forward, yet without any meaningful penetration about their play. Anelka allowed good situations to be squandered by holding possession too long, while at the other end of the field Suarez were frequently caught needlessly offside, rendering the first half scoreless.

Both sides would create half chances in the stages immediately following the interval. Nacho Gonzalez shot wide for the Celeste before Anelka replied with a strike that was deflected wide. Forlan showed terrific control to pull down a long pass and unleash a shot at goal, though from a tight angle he could not threaten Lloris’ goal.

Les Bleus gradually started to impose themselves on the fixture, with Patrice Evra cutting an increasingly threatening figure down their left. One run carried him by several challenges only for Gourcuff’s shot to be blocked by Diego Godin.

Jeremy Toulalan is not known for his goal scoring abilities, yet the anchoring midfielder chanced his arm with the Jabulani from 40 yards. Though his skimming shot seemed to move dangerously, Muslera held well.

At no stage were France in total control, and an angled free kick from Forlan was well held by Lloris as the ball narrowly beat several heads clamouring to get a decisive touch.

This was a signal for Uruguay to get a handle on the game, which started to drift as the Celeste increasingly bossed the midfield. Indeed, the South Americans would have a golden chance to snatch the opening goal when a cross dropped invitingly to Forlan on the penalty spot, but the normally unerring striker snatched his shot wide.

By this stage of the game, Domenech had begun to shuffle his pack. Thierry Henry had replaced the ultimately ineffective Anelka, while the disappointing Gourcuff was withdrawn to make room for Florent Malouda, whose first meaningful contribution was to send a shot from distance a foot by the post.

With ten minutes remaining, Nicolas Lodeiro, who himself was only brought on from the bench, was shown a second yellow card for a late, high challenge on Bacary Sagna, handing the initiative to the Europeans.

Inevitably France pushed players forward, with Uruguay happy to sit back in numbers and cling on for a point. Henry, ironically, had a strong handball shot in the closing stages as he tried to scramble home, but the Celeste grimly hung on for a point.

South Africa 1-1 Mexico

2010-06-12T00:40:00.000-07:00

South Africa were denied a famous opening day win in World Cup Group A as Mexico's Rafael Marquez secured a late 1-1 draw after Siphiwe Tshabalala's stunning 53rd minute opener.
After a spectacular opening ceremony and welcoming messages from FIFA president Sepp Blatter and South African president Jacob Zuma, the 2010 World Cup kicked off to the excitable sound of the vuvuzelas brought to the game by a colourful capacity crowd at Soccer City in Johannesburg.

In the opening minutes the hosts were carved open as the adventurous Mexicans forced their way into the South Africa box and, when keeper Itumeleng Khune spilt a cross, Giovani dos Santos was superbly blocked by Aaron Mokoena as he looked set to tap into the empty net.

It was a real let off for the home side, but the South Americans continued to knock the ball about with freedom.

Steven Pienaar could well have become the first player booked in the tournament when he was penalised for a high foot on Rafael Marquez as they contested a bouncing ball, but the referee showed leniency. From the resulting move Mexico earned a corner and Guillermo Franco was allowed a free header, but he failed to keep his effort down and Bafana Bafana were again able to breathe a sigh of relief South Africa’s first move of real momentum was broken up when Siphiwe Tshabalala was held back by Carlos Salcido, earning the hosts a free-kick, but Pienaar’s 30-yard effort went well over the bar.

The first booking of the World Cup came when Efrain Juarez was penalised for handball and then failed to retreat when referee Ravshan Irmatov attempted to allow the home side to take the set piece. But within seconds Mexico were back on the attack and Giovani unleashed a fantastic left-footed shot which just cleared the bar with Khune scrambling across.

Within minutes Mexico were again attacking down the right, but Vela’s cross-shot went beyond the far post with no black shirts onrushing to pick up the scraps.

El Tri continued to press, and Bongani Khumalo was just about able to block a Giovani shot over the bar to concede a corner from which the game’s first big talking point emanated.

A dangerous corner kick was swung in, and with Khune coming into no-man’s land, the ball was flicked on to Vela at the back post, but his tap-in was fruitless as the offside flag was up due to the goalkeeper’s advanced position beyond the Mexico striker.

This still didn’t stop the men in black though, as Franco got a header in ahead of Khumalo but couldn’t guide it towards goal. Siboniso Gaxa was able to counter though, winning Bafana a corner which escaped the attention of Perez and just cleared Dikgacoi at the far post.

South Africa’s best chance came on 44 minutes when Tshabalala swung in a magnificent left-foot cross, but Mphela couldn’t quite grow enough to head home. Within a minute Dikgacoi was able to get his head to a deep cross, but couldn’t direct the ball on target.

After an even opening to the second half, Bafana scored a sensational opening goal.

With the Mexico backline stretched, the marauding Siphiwe Tshabalala strode onto the ball with real purpose on the left and unleashed a magnificent left-footed strike into the top right hand corner of the goal to send the home crowd into raptures.

Suddenly there was more belief about Bafana’s play, but also more purpose on display from the Mexicans, and it was they who could easily have struck the next goal as Giovani whipped in a fierce left foot shot which was sensationally tipped over the bar by Khune.

As Carlos Alberto Parreira’s charges bolstered their defence by bringing the midfield in tighter, Mexico continued to lack a cutting edge. And it could easily have been 2-0 when Teko Modise side-footed wide when unmarked with plenty of time to shoot.

Javier Aguirre introduced national legend Cuauhtemoc Blanco for Vela as he looked to provide his team with a greater threat close to goal.

Modise then went down under pressure from Francisco Rodriguez as he attempted to get a right-footed shot away on one of Bafana’s breakaways as the visitors continued to boss most of the possession.

After the introduction of Javi Hernandez for Franco, the game seemed to take on a wider feel as Mexico looked to stretch the play. But Bafana again looked dangerous on the break as Blanco’s heavy first touch gifted possession to Tshabalala and his cross-field pass found Modise in space, but his cross was overhit.

On 79 minutes, Mexico hit a deserved equaliser when a cross from the left was floated in and Mokoena kept three forwards onside, allowing Rafael Marquez time and space to fire a shot between the near post and goalkeeper Khune.

The goal took the sting out of the vuvuzela sound from the home crowd ever so slightly as their side were now handed the task of regaining the lead.

Khumalo was forced to make an excellent block on substitute Hernandez as El Tri found space in between the lines of Bafana defence in the closing 10 minutes, the hosts now holding on to the 1-1 scoreline to some extent.

But it was South Africa who came closest to win it in the closing seconds as Katlego Mphela broke through, but he couldn’t quite get the ball under control and his left-foot shot came cannoning back off the foot of the near post with Perez beaten.

Messi fears England threat

2010-05-29T05:18:00.000-07:00

Argentina forward Lionel Messi believes that England number among the leading contenders to lift the FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa. Many people's favourites for the tournament, which starts two weeks today, are Spain and Brazil, but the 22-year-old puts Fabio Capello's side in the same category.

"I think that right now, the strongest sides going into the World Cup are Spain, England and Brazil," he told CNN International. "They had a strong, easy qualifying and are very tough."

Messi was a little more coy about his own side's chances. "Hopefully, it will be my World Cup, Argentina's World Cup and that we hit the ground running and play up to people's expectations and win the World Cup," he said.

I think that right now, the strongest sides going into the World Cup are Spain, England and Brazil.Lionel Messi
Messi has had another stellar season with Barcelona, winning another La Liga title under Pep Guardiola and playing at a consistently high level which has seen him hailed as one of the greatest players in history. There is still a feeling in Argentina, however, that he does not reproduce that form at international level. Messi tries not to pay too much attention to that.

"People have an opinion and I respect it," he said. "I'm the first person who wants to do well with my national team and perform like I do with Barcelona. I know that this is a really good opportunity for me and I'm going to try to do it.

"They are different systems and different styles and everything. At Barcelona, Guardiola decided to use me more in the middle and that's when I had more touches on the ball and played more around the front of the area. And well, I've had the luck to be able to score more goals."

Messi said he and his Argentina team-mates were getting used to being coached by Diego Maradona, someone they idolised as youngsters. "At first, it was strange to have him as our coach," he said. "The truth is he was a little imposing. But afterwards, we started getting used to him and he's been our coach for a while, so now it's normal.

He's really close to the players, he's one of the guys, so there's no problem. Maradona has always been very nice to me.Lionel Messi on Argentina coach Diego Maradona
"Also, he's really close to the players, he's one of the guys, so there's no problem. Maradona has always been very nice to me. Even before he was our coach and I took my first steps as a professional. Now that I have him as a manager, he's even closer and gives me a lot more confidence than he did before."

Argentina are in Group B in South Africa, alongside Nigeria, Korea Republic and Greece. They open their campaign against Nigeria in Johannesburg on 12 June.