We have now reached the halfway point in the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the groups are taking shape. Here is a round-up of the last three days, which have seen more shock results, a demolition derby, shocking playacting and a dignified exit for the proud hosts.
Sunday 20th June: Slovakia 0-2 Paraguay
Paraguay moved into pole position in Group F, with a comfortable 2-0 win over a laboured Slovakia side that seemed to be more than happy to play for a point. The Europeans only had one shot on target, which shows their major issue going forward. Paraguay’s goals came from Enrique Vera and a brilliant late strike from striker Carlos Riveros.
Sunday 20th June: Italy 1-1 New Zealand
The world champions stuttering start to their defence continued in Nelspruit, as they were embarrassingly held by Rickie Herbert’s spirited New Zealand side. The All Whites took a lead, when Shane Smeltz took advantage of a dodgy offside decision to put them into a surprising lead on seven minutes. The Azzuri equalised, through a Vincenzo Iaquinta penalty, after Daniele de Rossi was held back in the box by Tommy Smith. However, Marcelo Lippi’s men never looked like breaking through again, and now require a win against Slovakia on Thursday to ensure qualification for the last sixteen.
Sunday 20th June: Brazil 3-1 Ivory Coast
Sven Goran-Eriksson’s negative tactics backfired, as his Ivory Coast side were outclassed by the brilliant Brazilians in Soccer City. A tame first half came to life, when Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano lashed home an opener. Fabiano’s second, came through two questionable handballs, blindingly missed by the French referee. The third goal was a rollback to great Brazilian sides of the past, with Kaka’s dazzling skill and classy through ball playing in Elano for his second of the campaign. Elano was stretched off moments later, before an unfit Didier Drogba got his country’s first goal of the tournament, heading in with eight minutes remaining. The match soured in the closing stages, with Kaider Keita using the disgusting ‘playacting’ tactic to get Kaka sent off. The result ensured the Brazilians passage into the knockout stages.
Monday 21st June: Portugal 7-0 North Korea
Portugal ripped apart North Korea in Cape Town, recording the 4th biggest win in World Cup history and putting them on the brink of qualification for the knockout phase. Raul Meireles scored the only goal in the first half, but the Portuguese hit blistering form in the second half, scoring six goals without reply. Atletico Madrid’s Tiago scored twice, and there were also goals from Simao, a flying header from Hugo Almedia, substitute Lledson and Cristiano Ronaldo, who ended his two-year wait for an international strike.
Monday 21st June: Chile 1-0 Switzerland
A lively performance from Chile saw the South Americans overcome a stubborn Switzerland in Port Elizabeth and put them on the brink of qualifying for the knockout stages. Despite breaking a defensive record for the most amounts of minutes without conceding consecutively, the Swiss were on the backfoot from the 28th minute, when West Ham winger Valon Behrami was shown a straight red card for a deliberate elbow. Despite a host of chances, and a referee who would struggle to handle a game between secondary school children, Chile was restricted to the one goal, scored through a header by ex-Liverpool flop Mark Gonzalez.
Monday 21st June: Spain 2-0 Honduras
A dynamite double from new Barcelona signing David Villa helped put Spain back on track at Ellis Park, after their shock opening loss to Switzerland. In a performance that was dominant, but not one which will frighten the South American challengers, Spain never looked in trouble against a Honduras side, which don’t have many attacking weapons at the tournament. Villa’s two goals were both quality individual efforts, though he blotted his copybook with a missed penalty in the second half.
Tuesday 22nd June: France 1-2 South Africa
The hosts left their World Cup in the group stages on a high note, following a battling performance to overcome France, who as a team, have quite simply had a World Cup full of nightmares and catastrophes. This continued in Bloemfontein, as Yoann Gorcuff was given his marching orders for a flailing elbow midway through the first half. By then, Bafana Bafana roared two goals clear, courtesy of a header by Bongani Khumalo and a tap-in from Katlego Mphela. Sadly, they ran out of steam in the second half, and were eliminated on goal difference, with Florent Malouda’s consolation little more than a sobering statistic with Les Bleus.
Tuesday 22nd June: Mexico 0-1 Uruguay
Uruguay sealed top spot in Group A, courtesy of a Luis Suarez header in Rustenberg. A patchy game, which saw both teams clearly feeling nervous about progression, was only brightened up by the Ajax targetman’s crisp header on 23 minutes. Despite defeat, Mexico’s goal difference was enough to see the North Americans also progress to the knockout stages for the fifth consecutive finals.
Tuesday 22nd June: Greece 0-2 Argentina
Argentina continued their 100% record, seeing off a Greek side that seemed content to play for the draw, in a game they needed to win. Only requiring a draw to seal qualification and top spot, Argentina looked cagey, compared to previous outings, but were firmly on top and two goals in the last twelve minutes saw Maradona’s men get the deserved victory. They came in unlikely sources however, from Bayern Munich centre-back Martin Demichellis and 36-year old veteran striker Martin Palermo.
Tuesday 22nd June: Nigeria 2-2 South Korea
South Korea advanced into the knockout stages for the first time on foreign soil, after gritting out a share of the spoils with Nigeria. The Super Eagles made the perfect start, in a game they had to win to continue their interest alive, with Kalu Uche tapping in on twelve minutes. The Asians took firm control in Durban, with goals either side of half time, through Lee Jung-Soo and Park Chung-Yung, the latter being the first player to score a direct free kick at the finals. Yakubu’s glaring miss summed up the Africans faltering tournament, though the Everton marksman did make up for it, with a penalty after Chinedu Obasi was fouled in the penalty box. However, Korea held on to book a meeting with Uruguay on Saturday.
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