I have rated all World Cup teams in both qualifying and the final round. This logarithmic formula is calculated by using won-loss records, while also dividing a tie in both the win department and the loss department. In addition, I calculate goals for and goals against while also placing a higher value in the World Cup Finals. Here are the results entering the quarter-final phase.
1.0 Netherlands
.760 Spain
.699 Germany
.495 England [eliminated]
.485 Brazil
.477 Ivory Coast [eliminated]
.464 Portugal [eliminated]
.363 New Zealand [eliminated]
.334 Japan [eliminated]
.333 Australia [eliminated]
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Spain 1- 0 Portugal
BBC
European champions Spain survived a stern test from Portugal to book their place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup through David Villa's goal.
Two years to the day since they beat Germany to triumph at Euro 2008, Vicente del Bosque's side showed their slick brand of passing football is still just as effective by edging out their well-drilled Iberian rivals.
Spain had to survive a succession of missed chances by the Portuguese in the first half but, once Villa broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute with his fourth goal of the tournament, they rarely looked threatened.
Portugal, semi-finalists in Germany four years ago, had Ricardo Costa sent off for an off-the-ball clash with Joan Capdevila before the end but by then their fate already looked sealed.
The only concern for Spain, who play Paraguay in the last eight, is the continuing lack of form shown by striker Fernando Torres, who seems to still be feeling the after-effects of the knee operation he had in April.
Torres did play his part in a bright start by Spain, cutting into the area and testing Eduardo with a curling shot, but he quickly faded and it was actually Portugal who had the best openings before half-time.
Villa had also brought a fine save out of Eduardo early on, while Xavi fired a first-time shot over from a corner but, after surviving those scares, Carlos Queiroz's side not only found a way of keeping Spain at arms length, they also began to threaten at the other end.
Twice Cristiano Ronaldo tried his luck from long range with free-kicks, and on the second occasion Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas could not hold on to the ball and Gerard Pique had to mop up.
Casillas looked jittery again when he parried a pile-driver by Tiago and had to race to beat Hugo Almeida to the ball, which was dropping towards the net.
Almeida somehow missed the target after rising to meet Simao's inviting deep cross, while Tiago wasted another good opening when he nodded wide from Fabio Coentrao's driven centre.
That should have acted as a warning for Spain, but they were caught on the break again early in the second half and were lucky to escape when Almeida's cross span off Carlos Puyol and looped just beyond the far post.
Portugual failed to seriously test Casillas again after that, but it still took the introduction of striker Fernando Llorente, who came off the bench for the ineffective Torres just before the hour mark, to spark Spain into life.
Within seconds, Llorente met a Sergio Ramos cross with a diving header that flew straight at Eduardo, who was relieved when Villa bent a shot round his post from the outside of the box soon afterwards.
You sensed the Spanish knew this was their moment and, in their next attack, Xavi's clever backheel played in Villa, who had his first shot saved but lifted the rebound into the roof of the net.
Del Bosque's men grew in confidence after taking the lead and, with Ronaldo anonymous, Portugal seemed short on ideas of how they could find an equaliser.
Spain should have added to their lead before the end, with Eduardo saving from Ramos and Villa, while the impressive Llorente headed wide.
But one goal was enough for them to secure victory and they look in good shape to go past the last eight, which is as far as they have progressed at a World Cup since they finished fourth in Brazil in 1950.
European champions Spain survived a stern test from Portugal to book their place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup through David Villa's goal.
Two years to the day since they beat Germany to triumph at Euro 2008, Vicente del Bosque's side showed their slick brand of passing football is still just as effective by edging out their well-drilled Iberian rivals.
Spain had to survive a succession of missed chances by the Portuguese in the first half but, once Villa broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute with his fourth goal of the tournament, they rarely looked threatened.
Portugal, semi-finalists in Germany four years ago, had Ricardo Costa sent off for an off-the-ball clash with Joan Capdevila before the end but by then their fate already looked sealed.
The only concern for Spain, who play Paraguay in the last eight, is the continuing lack of form shown by striker Fernando Torres, who seems to still be feeling the after-effects of the knee operation he had in April.
Torres did play his part in a bright start by Spain, cutting into the area and testing Eduardo with a curling shot, but he quickly faded and it was actually Portugal who had the best openings before half-time.
Villa had also brought a fine save out of Eduardo early on, while Xavi fired a first-time shot over from a corner but, after surviving those scares, Carlos Queiroz's side not only found a way of keeping Spain at arms length, they also began to threaten at the other end.
Twice Cristiano Ronaldo tried his luck from long range with free-kicks, and on the second occasion Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas could not hold on to the ball and Gerard Pique had to mop up.
Casillas looked jittery again when he parried a pile-driver by Tiago and had to race to beat Hugo Almeida to the ball, which was dropping towards the net.
Almeida somehow missed the target after rising to meet Simao's inviting deep cross, while Tiago wasted another good opening when he nodded wide from Fabio Coentrao's driven centre.
That should have acted as a warning for Spain, but they were caught on the break again early in the second half and were lucky to escape when Almeida's cross span off Carlos Puyol and looped just beyond the far post.
Portugual failed to seriously test Casillas again after that, but it still took the introduction of striker Fernando Llorente, who came off the bench for the ineffective Torres just before the hour mark, to spark Spain into life.
Within seconds, Llorente met a Sergio Ramos cross with a diving header that flew straight at Eduardo, who was relieved when Villa bent a shot round his post from the outside of the box soon afterwards.
You sensed the Spanish knew this was their moment and, in their next attack, Xavi's clever backheel played in Villa, who had his first shot saved but lifted the rebound into the roof of the net.
Del Bosque's men grew in confidence after taking the lead and, with Ronaldo anonymous, Portugal seemed short on ideas of how they could find an equaliser.
Spain should have added to their lead before the end, with Eduardo saving from Ramos and Villa, while the impressive Llorente headed wide.
But one goal was enough for them to secure victory and they look in good shape to go past the last eight, which is as far as they have progressed at a World Cup since they finished fourth in Brazil in 1950.
Paraguay 0 - 0 Japan [Paraguay wins with PK]
BBC
Paraguay won the first penalty shoot-out of the 2010 World Cup to reach the last eight for the first time and clinch a quarter-final place against either Spain or Portugal.
Coach Gerardo Martino's men scored all five of their penalties after a disappointing match had finished goalless at the end of extra-time.
But Paraguay's joy was Japan's agony as Yuichi Komano's spot-kick brushed the crossbar and flew over as the Blue Samurai's tournament came to an agonising end.
As with their opponents, Japan were bidding to reach the quarter-finals for the first time and came closest to scoring during a game of few chances when Daisuke Matsui smashed a long-range strike against the crossbar in the first half.
Japan coach Takeshi Okada had targeted a semi-final place before the tournament. But, in a game during which neither side really gambled on scoring a winner, it is Okada's team that ultimately paid for their lack of ambition.
Their defeat ended Asia's participation in the tournament, but Tuesday's result in Pretoria ensured that there will be four South American sides in the last eight.
Martin's Paraguay have conceded only once in their four games in South Africa and were defensively solid against a Japan team that had previously looked dangerous on the counter attack.
Okada's men aimed two long-distance strikes towards the Paraguay goal in the opening minutes but the tie soon deteriorated into a scrappy, edgy contest.
The Blue Samurai, unchanged for their fourth straight World Cup match, sat deep and attempted to snuff out the opposition, while their opponents conceded a series of niggling fouls every time Japan looked to strike on the counter.
There was one scintillating minute in an otherwise forgettable opening half.
It started when a deft turn from Lucas Barrios briefly left two Japan defenders foundering but his strike with the outside of his right boot was saved.
Seconds later Matsui, whose impressive tournament had a disappointing end when he was withdrawn shortly after the restart, crashed his long-range effort against Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar's crossbar.
Matsui later turned provider for Honda, who opted to strike first time but missed from 20 yards when he clearly had the space to take an initial touch.
Roque Santa Cruz, deployed on the right by Martino, ought to have tested Japan keeper Eiji Kawashima after a corner dropped invitingly but the striker missed from close to the penalty spot as a largely soporific half ended goalless.
There was not much of an upsurge in entertainment after the restart.
Yuji Nakazawa blocked an Edgar Benitez strike and Sunderland-bound Christian Riveros headed wide after a superb near-post run.
A Yuto Nagatomo strike took a deflection off Carlos Bonet, while one effort from the unfortunate right-back Komano spoke volumes about the lack of attacking quality at vital moments.
Komano found an advanced position but his shot from a wide angle was so far wide that the subsequent throw-in took place almost 18 yards from the byeline.
Neither team had been able to mount a sustained spell of pressure but Paraguay did enjoy a brief period in the ascendancy shortly after the start of extra-time.
Kawashima saved a disappointing header from Barrios, who was unmarked, and smothered a shot from substitute Nelson Valdez after his sharp turn finally picked a hole in the Japan defence.
Villar saved a low strike from Honda that appeared to be going wide and there was one moment when there appeared to be space inside the Paraguay box but any prospects of Japan capitalising were undermined by an awful cross from substitute Keiji Tamada.
There was a certain inevitability about the penalty shoot-out that eventually took place. Neither keeper came particularly close to making a save but Komano's miss proved decisive.
Paraguay won the first penalty shoot-out of the 2010 World Cup to reach the last eight for the first time and clinch a quarter-final place against either Spain or Portugal.
Coach Gerardo Martino's men scored all five of their penalties after a disappointing match had finished goalless at the end of extra-time.
But Paraguay's joy was Japan's agony as Yuichi Komano's spot-kick brushed the crossbar and flew over as the Blue Samurai's tournament came to an agonising end.
As with their opponents, Japan were bidding to reach the quarter-finals for the first time and came closest to scoring during a game of few chances when Daisuke Matsui smashed a long-range strike against the crossbar in the first half.
Japan coach Takeshi Okada had targeted a semi-final place before the tournament. But, in a game during which neither side really gambled on scoring a winner, it is Okada's team that ultimately paid for their lack of ambition.
Their defeat ended Asia's participation in the tournament, but Tuesday's result in Pretoria ensured that there will be four South American sides in the last eight.
Martin's Paraguay have conceded only once in their four games in South Africa and were defensively solid against a Japan team that had previously looked dangerous on the counter attack.
Okada's men aimed two long-distance strikes towards the Paraguay goal in the opening minutes but the tie soon deteriorated into a scrappy, edgy contest.
The Blue Samurai, unchanged for their fourth straight World Cup match, sat deep and attempted to snuff out the opposition, while their opponents conceded a series of niggling fouls every time Japan looked to strike on the counter.
There was one scintillating minute in an otherwise forgettable opening half.
It started when a deft turn from Lucas Barrios briefly left two Japan defenders foundering but his strike with the outside of his right boot was saved.
Seconds later Matsui, whose impressive tournament had a disappointing end when he was withdrawn shortly after the restart, crashed his long-range effort against Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar's crossbar.
Matsui later turned provider for Honda, who opted to strike first time but missed from 20 yards when he clearly had the space to take an initial touch.
Roque Santa Cruz, deployed on the right by Martino, ought to have tested Japan keeper Eiji Kawashima after a corner dropped invitingly but the striker missed from close to the penalty spot as a largely soporific half ended goalless.
There was not much of an upsurge in entertainment after the restart.
Yuji Nakazawa blocked an Edgar Benitez strike and Sunderland-bound Christian Riveros headed wide after a superb near-post run.
A Yuto Nagatomo strike took a deflection off Carlos Bonet, while one effort from the unfortunate right-back Komano spoke volumes about the lack of attacking quality at vital moments.
Komano found an advanced position but his shot from a wide angle was so far wide that the subsequent throw-in took place almost 18 yards from the byeline.
Neither team had been able to mount a sustained spell of pressure but Paraguay did enjoy a brief period in the ascendancy shortly after the start of extra-time.
Kawashima saved a disappointing header from Barrios, who was unmarked, and smothered a shot from substitute Nelson Valdez after his sharp turn finally picked a hole in the Japan defence.
Villar saved a low strike from Honda that appeared to be going wide and there was one moment when there appeared to be space inside the Paraguay box but any prospects of Japan capitalising were undermined by an awful cross from substitute Keiji Tamada.
There was a certain inevitability about the penalty shoot-out that eventually took place. Neither keeper came particularly close to making a save but Komano's miss proved decisive.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Now Can We Have Instant Replay?
Wall Street Journal
We know what the proper and sporting thing to say here is. Great game, Germany. You really stuck it to England in Sunday's World Cup match, you clearly had the fitter team, you dominated the pitch and deserved to win. Bravo, Deutschland. Fantastic hair, too.
Did you see this madness? You have to have seen it by now! It's going to be replayed so often for the next four years they might as well print it on the £5 note. It's made England so mad that it has stopped insisting that its torpid and underachieving national team walk home from South Africa.
OK, kidding about that last part. England's still seething at its boys. Wayne Rooney probably wishes he played soccer for France.
But at least there's now a big video controversy to distract the angry mob. Down 2-1 in the first half of Sunday's round-of-16 match to dreaded rival Germany, England's Frank Lampard lifted a shot that hit the crossbar and appeared to land behind the German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer—and the white line.
It was bizarre. We were all supposed to awkwardly ignore Mr. Lampard's equalizer, like a guest who'd arrived at a formal dinner party not wearing any pants. Germany went on to dominate the second half and win efficiently and decisively, 4-1.
And then it happened again, just hours later. In the first half of the contest between Argentina and Mexico, referees missed a blatant offside call against Argentina in allowing a Carlos Tévez header goal that made it 1-0. Argentina wound up winning, 3-1.
If you're mannerly, scared or a high-ranking FIFA official, you need to keep telling yourself that England and Mexico weren't going anywhere, anyway, that even if Mr. Lampard's goal had been allowed or Mr. Tévez's had been denied, the complexion of the game wouldn't have dramatically changed, and the outcome would have been identical.
Probably true—but totally lame. We've officially reached our limit with a balky game that continues to deny basic modernity. If Larry King can become pals with Ryan Seacrest, then any sport can embrace some instant replay.
We thought the replay debate would end for good after a baseball umpire's ghastly call stole a perfect game to Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga. But this World Cup is making backward baseball look like "Blade Runner."
Who is left to defend the lack of replay in modern sport? Basically, it's down to The Romantics, The Slippery Slopers and the Laughably Impatient. Here's a rundown of each holdout camp:
The Romantics: Ruminative counterintuitive-ists, often literary, inclined to dress in tweed and grow unkempt facial hair. Insist that controversy is part of sport, that arguments over officiating mistakes actually boost fan passion and fuel mystique. See cosmic significance in England's getting stiffed on a call Sunday, 44 years after Englishman Geoff Hurst's controversial goal against Germany in 1966. Enjoy writing long and pretentious comments on Internet message boards, or starting loud, boorish disputes with strangers in airport bars.
The Slippery Slopers: Luddite Cassandras. Worry that any introduction of replay technology will send us spiraling downward to the point where all games will eventually played by soulless robots, just like pro golf. Argue that as soon as you start reviewing goals, you'll start reviewing offsides, then yellow cards, and then Diego Maradona's suits, and pretty soon you're wrestling Mr. Maradona on the floor at a press conference, and he's actually still very strong, but at least he smells like flowers and chocolate-chip cookies.
The Laughably Impatient: Always in a hurry. Come on! They have stuff to do. They have absolutely no time for any instant replay, for any official who wants to pause the clock and make things right. They watch TV standing up, feed themselves nachos intravenously and never even use the restroom. They want this World Cup game to be over right now, so they can go and spend 90 minutes reading ESPN.com and another 30 scouring vuvuzelas on eBay.
What do all of these anti-replay-ites have in common? They are not Frank Lampard. They don't play for Mexico. They may work for FIFA. They are happy to stand in the way of accuracy because they're stubborn. It's not petty or whiny to say that mistakes are overshadowing this World Cup. Instead of golden goals, we're getting too many garbled ones.
Early Cancellation
When Landon Donovan scored in stoppage time against Algeria on Wednesday to send the U.S. into the knockout round, we thought it would finally do away with the "Soccer is Boring" critics in this country, and at least briefly quiet the skeptics who love to dismiss the home team as second-rate. But now, here the cranks come again, after the U.S. dropped a 2-1 extra-time match to Ghana on Saturday. This is silly. The U.S. didn't get bounced because it lacked skill or heart. The Americans got bounced because they dangerously kept treating their matches like the prosecutors on "Law & Order": They didn't pay attention to the first half of the show. And like "Law & Order," they got cancelled and will be missed.
We know what the proper and sporting thing to say here is. Great game, Germany. You really stuck it to England in Sunday's World Cup match, you clearly had the fitter team, you dominated the pitch and deserved to win. Bravo, Deutschland. Fantastic hair, too.
Did you see this madness? You have to have seen it by now! It's going to be replayed so often for the next four years they might as well print it on the £5 note. It's made England so mad that it has stopped insisting that its torpid and underachieving national team walk home from South Africa.
OK, kidding about that last part. England's still seething at its boys. Wayne Rooney probably wishes he played soccer for France.
But at least there's now a big video controversy to distract the angry mob. Down 2-1 in the first half of Sunday's round-of-16 match to dreaded rival Germany, England's Frank Lampard lifted a shot that hit the crossbar and appeared to land behind the German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer—and the white line.
It was bizarre. We were all supposed to awkwardly ignore Mr. Lampard's equalizer, like a guest who'd arrived at a formal dinner party not wearing any pants. Germany went on to dominate the second half and win efficiently and decisively, 4-1.
And then it happened again, just hours later. In the first half of the contest between Argentina and Mexico, referees missed a blatant offside call against Argentina in allowing a Carlos Tévez header goal that made it 1-0. Argentina wound up winning, 3-1.
If you're mannerly, scared or a high-ranking FIFA official, you need to keep telling yourself that England and Mexico weren't going anywhere, anyway, that even if Mr. Lampard's goal had been allowed or Mr. Tévez's had been denied, the complexion of the game wouldn't have dramatically changed, and the outcome would have been identical.
Probably true—but totally lame. We've officially reached our limit with a balky game that continues to deny basic modernity. If Larry King can become pals with Ryan Seacrest, then any sport can embrace some instant replay.
We thought the replay debate would end for good after a baseball umpire's ghastly call stole a perfect game to Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga. But this World Cup is making backward baseball look like "Blade Runner."
Who is left to defend the lack of replay in modern sport? Basically, it's down to The Romantics, The Slippery Slopers and the Laughably Impatient. Here's a rundown of each holdout camp:
The Romantics: Ruminative counterintuitive-ists, often literary, inclined to dress in tweed and grow unkempt facial hair. Insist that controversy is part of sport, that arguments over officiating mistakes actually boost fan passion and fuel mystique. See cosmic significance in England's getting stiffed on a call Sunday, 44 years after Englishman Geoff Hurst's controversial goal against Germany in 1966. Enjoy writing long and pretentious comments on Internet message boards, or starting loud, boorish disputes with strangers in airport bars.
The Slippery Slopers: Luddite Cassandras. Worry that any introduction of replay technology will send us spiraling downward to the point where all games will eventually played by soulless robots, just like pro golf. Argue that as soon as you start reviewing goals, you'll start reviewing offsides, then yellow cards, and then Diego Maradona's suits, and pretty soon you're wrestling Mr. Maradona on the floor at a press conference, and he's actually still very strong, but at least he smells like flowers and chocolate-chip cookies.
The Laughably Impatient: Always in a hurry. Come on! They have stuff to do. They have absolutely no time for any instant replay, for any official who wants to pause the clock and make things right. They watch TV standing up, feed themselves nachos intravenously and never even use the restroom. They want this World Cup game to be over right now, so they can go and spend 90 minutes reading ESPN.com and another 30 scouring vuvuzelas on eBay.
What do all of these anti-replay-ites have in common? They are not Frank Lampard. They don't play for Mexico. They may work for FIFA. They are happy to stand in the way of accuracy because they're stubborn. It's not petty or whiny to say that mistakes are overshadowing this World Cup. Instead of golden goals, we're getting too many garbled ones.
Early Cancellation
When Landon Donovan scored in stoppage time against Algeria on Wednesday to send the U.S. into the knockout round, we thought it would finally do away with the "Soccer is Boring" critics in this country, and at least briefly quiet the skeptics who love to dismiss the home team as second-rate. But now, here the cranks come again, after the U.S. dropped a 2-1 extra-time match to Ghana on Saturday. This is silly. The U.S. didn't get bounced because it lacked skill or heart. The Americans got bounced because they dangerously kept treating their matches like the prosecutors on "Law & Order": They didn't pay attention to the first half of the show. And like "Law & Order," they got cancelled and will be missed.
Argentina 3 - 1 Mexico
BBC
Argentina disposed of Mexico to seal a quarter-final tie against Germany - but Diego Maradona's side were aided by another terrible decision on a day of controversy at the World Cup.
Just as England had been incensed earlier on Sunday when a Frank Lampard shot that clearly crossed the goal-line was not awarded in their match against Germany, so Mexico had the right to feel aggrieved by another example of awful officiating.
Javier Aguirre's side probably edged an engrossing opening phase to the contest, but they never recovered after Carlos Tevez headed Argentina in front despite being yards offside when the ball was played to him by Lionel Messi.
It was a decision that prompted the Mexican side to surround the linesman in the aftermath of the goal being awarded and led to a melee as the referee tried to leave the field at the break.
Mexico's prospects of clawing their way back into the contest faded after Ricardo Osorio gifted possession to Gonzalo Higuain, who slotted home his fourth goal of the competition to give Argentina breathing space by the break.
And Tevez's sensational second-half strike ensured that Maradona's team continued their excellent form in South Africa with their fourth straight win of the tournament.
They can now focus on gaining a measure of revenge on Germany, who knocked them out of the 2006 World Cup at the quarter-final stage after a penalty shoot-out.
But the match will doubtless leave a bitter taste in the mouth for Mexico, who pulled a goal back through Javier Hernandez.
El Tri were intent on avenging their defeat against Argentina in 2006 but have now bowed out of the last five World Cups at the round of 16 stage.
Until Argentina took a grip on the tie by scoring twice in eight first-half minutes it had been a fascinating contest between two sides that were obviously comfortable in possession.
There were some wonderful passages of play as both sides enjoyed periods when they probed their opponent's defensive structure with crisp passing and intelligent movement.
Carlos Salcido crashed a long-range effort against the crossbar and Andres Guardado shot narrowly wide as Mexico found space in front of an Argentina backline that many believe to be a possible weak link in an otherwise gifted side.
There had been relatively little to alarm the Mexican side when Tevez struck his controversial opener, which came after his initial effort had been smothered by Oscar Perez and Messi hooked the rebound back into the box.
The goal clearly rattled the Mexicans, particularly after they saw a replay on the big screen inside Soccer City and surrounded the guilty linesman in angry protest.
Several Argentine players, waiting for the restart, joined the fray, perhaps fearing the goal would be ruled out - and there was confusion inside the ground but Tevez's headed finish stood.
Mexico only had themselves to blame for the Albiceleste's second after Osorio, under no immediate pressure, scuffed a pass close to the edge of his penalty area, allowing Higuain to snatch the ball before rounding Perez and slotting home.
Higuain should probably have sealed Argentina's place in the last eight before the break but headed wide from six yards, while Mexico's Manchester United-bound Javier Hernandez was inches from connecting with a cross in injury time.
The Tevez goal was clearly still a source of frustration and several Mexicans surrounded Italian referee Roberto Rosetti and his team as they made their way from the field.
Within seconds players from both teams, plus the ever-involved Maradona, had formed a scrum that threatened to boil over.
Poor officiating and sloppy play had nothing to do with the decisive third goal, which came shortly after the restart when Tevez rifled the ball into the top corner with an unstoppable long-range effort.
Mexico might have thrown in the towel but continued to press, with Hernandez heading wide again and Gabriel Heinze clearing off the line from substitute Guillermo Franco.
They did pull one back when the previously profligate Hernandez turned beautifully to lose the flat-footed Martin DeMichelis before burying a shot beyond Sergio Romero.
Messi, who had a quiet second half, almost scored his first of the tournament late on after a mazy run but his shot was well saved.
Argentina disposed of Mexico to seal a quarter-final tie against Germany - but Diego Maradona's side were aided by another terrible decision on a day of controversy at the World Cup.
Just as England had been incensed earlier on Sunday when a Frank Lampard shot that clearly crossed the goal-line was not awarded in their match against Germany, so Mexico had the right to feel aggrieved by another example of awful officiating.
Javier Aguirre's side probably edged an engrossing opening phase to the contest, but they never recovered after Carlos Tevez headed Argentina in front despite being yards offside when the ball was played to him by Lionel Messi.
It was a decision that prompted the Mexican side to surround the linesman in the aftermath of the goal being awarded and led to a melee as the referee tried to leave the field at the break.
Mexico's prospects of clawing their way back into the contest faded after Ricardo Osorio gifted possession to Gonzalo Higuain, who slotted home his fourth goal of the competition to give Argentina breathing space by the break.
And Tevez's sensational second-half strike ensured that Maradona's team continued their excellent form in South Africa with their fourth straight win of the tournament.
They can now focus on gaining a measure of revenge on Germany, who knocked them out of the 2006 World Cup at the quarter-final stage after a penalty shoot-out.
But the match will doubtless leave a bitter taste in the mouth for Mexico, who pulled a goal back through Javier Hernandez.
El Tri were intent on avenging their defeat against Argentina in 2006 but have now bowed out of the last five World Cups at the round of 16 stage.
Until Argentina took a grip on the tie by scoring twice in eight first-half minutes it had been a fascinating contest between two sides that were obviously comfortable in possession.
There were some wonderful passages of play as both sides enjoyed periods when they probed their opponent's defensive structure with crisp passing and intelligent movement.
Carlos Salcido crashed a long-range effort against the crossbar and Andres Guardado shot narrowly wide as Mexico found space in front of an Argentina backline that many believe to be a possible weak link in an otherwise gifted side.
There had been relatively little to alarm the Mexican side when Tevez struck his controversial opener, which came after his initial effort had been smothered by Oscar Perez and Messi hooked the rebound back into the box.
The goal clearly rattled the Mexicans, particularly after they saw a replay on the big screen inside Soccer City and surrounded the guilty linesman in angry protest.
Several Argentine players, waiting for the restart, joined the fray, perhaps fearing the goal would be ruled out - and there was confusion inside the ground but Tevez's headed finish stood.
Mexico only had themselves to blame for the Albiceleste's second after Osorio, under no immediate pressure, scuffed a pass close to the edge of his penalty area, allowing Higuain to snatch the ball before rounding Perez and slotting home.
Higuain should probably have sealed Argentina's place in the last eight before the break but headed wide from six yards, while Mexico's Manchester United-bound Javier Hernandez was inches from connecting with a cross in injury time.
The Tevez goal was clearly still a source of frustration and several Mexicans surrounded Italian referee Roberto Rosetti and his team as they made their way from the field.
Within seconds players from both teams, plus the ever-involved Maradona, had formed a scrum that threatened to boil over.
Poor officiating and sloppy play had nothing to do with the decisive third goal, which came shortly after the restart when Tevez rifled the ball into the top corner with an unstoppable long-range effort.
Mexico might have thrown in the towel but continued to press, with Hernandez heading wide again and Gabriel Heinze clearing off the line from substitute Guillermo Franco.
They did pull one back when the previously profligate Hernandez turned beautifully to lose the flat-footed Martin DeMichelis before burying a shot beyond Sergio Romero.
Messi, who had a quiet second half, almost scored his first of the tournament late on after a mazy run but his shot was well saved.
Germany 4 - England 1
BBC
England's World Cup ended in a mixture of humiliation and controversy as they were thrashed by Germany in Bloemfontein.
Germany's deserved win and convincing victory margin will be overshadowed forever in the minds of Fabio Capello and his squad by a moment they believe robbed them of the hope of reaching the last eight.
Matthew Upson had thrown England a lifeline just before half-time after a vastly superior Germany had taken a stranglehold on the game with goals from Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski.
But moments after Upson's header, in a grim echo of Geoff Hurst goal that helped England to victory over West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final, Frank Lampard's superb lofted finish landed feet over the line behind German keeper Manuel Neuer, an incident obvious to almost everyone inside the Free State Stadium.
Capello was leading the England celebrations in his technical area, only to be stunned as Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda and his officials waved play on.
England's players and coaching team, including David Beckham, led vehement protests as the teams went off at half-time, but all to no avail and Germany made the most of their reprieve.
The Germans will feel a measure of justice has been restored 44 years on, but this was of no consolation to the modern-day England as insult was added to injury by Joachim Loew's gifted young side.
Lampard struck the bar as England dominated the early stages of the second half, but stunning counter-attacks saw Thomas Mueller score twice in the space of three minutes midway through the second half to send Germany into the last eight.
England, with some justification, will bemoan their luck but nothing must disguise the manner in which they were outclassed by Germany in stages of this game and also what has been an ultimately bitterly disappointing World Cup campaign in South Africa.
The brief hope of revival offered by victory against Slovenia that saw England advance to the knockout phase was snuffed out emphatically here by their old World Cup adversaries as they suffered their heaviest defeat at a major championship.
England paid the price for sloppy defending that gifted Germany goals - with central defenders John Terry and Upson having their immobility exposed in embarrassing fashion.
Wayne Rooney will return home having had minimal impact on the World Cup, and Capello himself must examine how England can move forward after being handed this painful lesson by Germany.
Capello chose to keep faith with Upson - but the defender was the central figure in a moment of defending that was almost indescribably bad as Germany took the lead after 20 minutes.
Germany keeper Neuer's long clearance was routine, but both Upson and Terry were caught out of position, with the West Ham defender compounding his misjudgement by being brushed aside for Klose to stab home.
England keeper David James, who had earlier saved well from Mesut Ozil, prevented England from falling further behind with a crucial block from Klose as he raced clear, but it was only a temporary reprieve as Germany extended their lead 12 minutes later.
Again England were all at sea defensively, with Podolski left with time and space to score from an angle after Klose and Mueller carved them wide open.
England needed a swift response to at least have some hope of mounting a revival, and it came from Upson as he made amends for his earlier error. He beat the flailing Neuer to Steven Gerrard's cross to head into an unguarded net.
Then came the moment of huge controversy that will haunt England and Capello for years to come. Even from high in the stands at the Free State Stadium, it was clear Lampard's audacious chip had travelled well over the line behind Neuer, but as Capello celebrated, England were stunned to find play waved on.
Lampard's ill-luck continued as England made a purposeful start the second half. He fired in a free-kick from 25 yards, but it rebounded off the bar with the static Neuer beaten.
The danger was always that Germany would strike on the counter attack, and they did to deadly effect as Mueller reopened their two-goal advantage after 67 minutes.
From and England free-kick Gareth Barry lost possession on the edge of Germany's area, allowing them to sweep to the other end for Mueller to fire past James from Bastian Schweinsteiger's pass.
And it was all over three minutes later, with Barry at fault again. He failed to deal with a clearance near the touchline, letting in Ozil to provide Mueller with a simple finish.
England had nothing left to offer and their World Cup campaign ended with a whimper - although they will complain bitterly about the moment they will feel had a decisive effect on the outcome of the game.
England's World Cup ended in a mixture of humiliation and controversy as they were thrashed by Germany in Bloemfontein.
Germany's deserved win and convincing victory margin will be overshadowed forever in the minds of Fabio Capello and his squad by a moment they believe robbed them of the hope of reaching the last eight.
Matthew Upson had thrown England a lifeline just before half-time after a vastly superior Germany had taken a stranglehold on the game with goals from Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski.
But moments after Upson's header, in a grim echo of Geoff Hurst goal that helped England to victory over West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final, Frank Lampard's superb lofted finish landed feet over the line behind German keeper Manuel Neuer, an incident obvious to almost everyone inside the Free State Stadium.
Capello was leading the England celebrations in his technical area, only to be stunned as Uruguayan referee Jorge Larrionda and his officials waved play on.
England's players and coaching team, including David Beckham, led vehement protests as the teams went off at half-time, but all to no avail and Germany made the most of their reprieve.
The Germans will feel a measure of justice has been restored 44 years on, but this was of no consolation to the modern-day England as insult was added to injury by Joachim Loew's gifted young side.
Lampard struck the bar as England dominated the early stages of the second half, but stunning counter-attacks saw Thomas Mueller score twice in the space of three minutes midway through the second half to send Germany into the last eight.
England, with some justification, will bemoan their luck but nothing must disguise the manner in which they were outclassed by Germany in stages of this game and also what has been an ultimately bitterly disappointing World Cup campaign in South Africa.
The brief hope of revival offered by victory against Slovenia that saw England advance to the knockout phase was snuffed out emphatically here by their old World Cup adversaries as they suffered their heaviest defeat at a major championship.
England paid the price for sloppy defending that gifted Germany goals - with central defenders John Terry and Upson having their immobility exposed in embarrassing fashion.
Wayne Rooney will return home having had minimal impact on the World Cup, and Capello himself must examine how England can move forward after being handed this painful lesson by Germany.
Capello chose to keep faith with Upson - but the defender was the central figure in a moment of defending that was almost indescribably bad as Germany took the lead after 20 minutes.
Germany keeper Neuer's long clearance was routine, but both Upson and Terry were caught out of position, with the West Ham defender compounding his misjudgement by being brushed aside for Klose to stab home.
England keeper David James, who had earlier saved well from Mesut Ozil, prevented England from falling further behind with a crucial block from Klose as he raced clear, but it was only a temporary reprieve as Germany extended their lead 12 minutes later.
Again England were all at sea defensively, with Podolski left with time and space to score from an angle after Klose and Mueller carved them wide open.
England needed a swift response to at least have some hope of mounting a revival, and it came from Upson as he made amends for his earlier error. He beat the flailing Neuer to Steven Gerrard's cross to head into an unguarded net.
Then came the moment of huge controversy that will haunt England and Capello for years to come. Even from high in the stands at the Free State Stadium, it was clear Lampard's audacious chip had travelled well over the line behind Neuer, but as Capello celebrated, England were stunned to find play waved on.
Lampard's ill-luck continued as England made a purposeful start the second half. He fired in a free-kick from 25 yards, but it rebounded off the bar with the static Neuer beaten.
The danger was always that Germany would strike on the counter attack, and they did to deadly effect as Mueller reopened their two-goal advantage after 67 minutes.
From and England free-kick Gareth Barry lost possession on the edge of Germany's area, allowing them to sweep to the other end for Mueller to fire past James from Bastian Schweinsteiger's pass.
And it was all over three minutes later, with Barry at fault again. He failed to deal with a clearance near the touchline, letting in Ozil to provide Mueller with a simple finish.
England had nothing left to offer and their World Cup campaign ended with a whimper - although they will complain bitterly about the moment they will feel had a decisive effect on the outcome of the game.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
USA 1- 2 Ghana [extra time]
BBC
Ghana became only the third African side to reach the quarter-final stage at a World Cup after Asamoah Gyan smashed home an extra-time winner to knock out the USA.
The Black Stars, the only remaining African team in the tournament, have emulated Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002, and will play Uruguay at Soccer City on 2 July.
Ghana, who defeated the USA 2-1 in a crucial group match at the 2006 World Cup, appeared to have the measure of Bob Bradley's team after Kevin-Prince Boateng gave them an early lead in Rustenburg with a low strike.
But the Americans came back strongly after the break and equalised through a Landon Donovan penalty.
They seemed the most likely winners of a contest that had seen Ghana lose the drive and purpose that characterised their first-half play.
Ghana had not scored twice in a match in 2010 and both their previous goals in South Africa had come from the penalty spot, but they were the superior team in extra-time and survived some nervous final moments to seal a famous win.
Milovan Rajevac's team, playing a 4-2-3-1 system and showing incredible strength and desire, dominated the opening half to the extent that US midfielder Ricardo Clark was substituted after just 30 minutes.
The Black Stars goal after five minutes was partly the fault of the unfortunate Clark, who had his pocket picked by Boateng deep in his own half.
The Portsmouth midfielder, who made several telling runs from deep positions before fading after the break, closed in on goal before delivering a low left-foot strike from 18 yards that Tim Howard might feel he ought to have saved.
The US, who won their group, continued to create problems of their own making, with Jay DeMerit allowing a long kick downfield from Richard Kingson to reach Kwadwo Asamoah, whose low strike was brilliantly saved by Howard.
Former US president Bill Clinton watched from the stands as Ghana, sporting a distinct red and yellow striped strip, smothered their opposition, who struggled to retain possession.
But Michael Bradley did get in behind once during the opening half, while a mistake by the uncertain Jonathan Mensah resulted in Clint Dempsey playing in Robbie Findlay, but the striker's shot was well saved.
Coach Bradley had been decisive in his withdrawal of Clark and replaced striker Findley with midfield Benny Feilhaber at the break, pushing Dempsey into a more advanced position.
It was a decision that almost paid instant dividends when the substitute was played through, but a heavy first touch allowed Kingson to advance from his goal and block Feilhaber's subsequent shot.
Donovan's equaliser from the spot went in off the post after Jonathan Mensah ended Dempsey's surging run into the box with a late and clumsy challenge.
Ghana had gone completely off the boil and might have fallen behind when a ball over the top caught out their high line of defence but Kingson, who had an excellent game, was again quickly off his line to deny Jozy Altidore and, later, a low strike from Bradley.
Altidore tussled with John Mensah as Ghana struggled to deal with a long ball - and despite going to ground the US striker almost scored with a low strike.
The Americans profligacy was punished in the third minute of extra-time when Gyan showed strength and composure to control a long ball forward with his chest and bury his strike from a wide angle despite the close proximity of two defenders.
Ghana became only the third African side to reach the quarter-final stage at a World Cup after Asamoah Gyan smashed home an extra-time winner to knock out the USA.
The Black Stars, the only remaining African team in the tournament, have emulated Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002, and will play Uruguay at Soccer City on 2 July.
Ghana, who defeated the USA 2-1 in a crucial group match at the 2006 World Cup, appeared to have the measure of Bob Bradley's team after Kevin-Prince Boateng gave them an early lead in Rustenburg with a low strike.
But the Americans came back strongly after the break and equalised through a Landon Donovan penalty.
They seemed the most likely winners of a contest that had seen Ghana lose the drive and purpose that characterised their first-half play.
Ghana had not scored twice in a match in 2010 and both their previous goals in South Africa had come from the penalty spot, but they were the superior team in extra-time and survived some nervous final moments to seal a famous win.
Milovan Rajevac's team, playing a 4-2-3-1 system and showing incredible strength and desire, dominated the opening half to the extent that US midfielder Ricardo Clark was substituted after just 30 minutes.
The Black Stars goal after five minutes was partly the fault of the unfortunate Clark, who had his pocket picked by Boateng deep in his own half.
The Portsmouth midfielder, who made several telling runs from deep positions before fading after the break, closed in on goal before delivering a low left-foot strike from 18 yards that Tim Howard might feel he ought to have saved.
The US, who won their group, continued to create problems of their own making, with Jay DeMerit allowing a long kick downfield from Richard Kingson to reach Kwadwo Asamoah, whose low strike was brilliantly saved by Howard.
Former US president Bill Clinton watched from the stands as Ghana, sporting a distinct red and yellow striped strip, smothered their opposition, who struggled to retain possession.
But Michael Bradley did get in behind once during the opening half, while a mistake by the uncertain Jonathan Mensah resulted in Clint Dempsey playing in Robbie Findlay, but the striker's shot was well saved.
Coach Bradley had been decisive in his withdrawal of Clark and replaced striker Findley with midfield Benny Feilhaber at the break, pushing Dempsey into a more advanced position.
It was a decision that almost paid instant dividends when the substitute was played through, but a heavy first touch allowed Kingson to advance from his goal and block Feilhaber's subsequent shot.
Donovan's equaliser from the spot went in off the post after Jonathan Mensah ended Dempsey's surging run into the box with a late and clumsy challenge.
Ghana had gone completely off the boil and might have fallen behind when a ball over the top caught out their high line of defence but Kingson, who had an excellent game, was again quickly off his line to deny Jozy Altidore and, later, a low strike from Bradley.
Altidore tussled with John Mensah as Ghana struggled to deal with a long ball - and despite going to ground the US striker almost scored with a low strike.
The Americans profligacy was punished in the third minute of extra-time when Gyan showed strength and composure to control a long ball forward with his chest and bury his strike from a wide angle despite the close proximity of two defenders.
Uruguay 2 - 1 South Korea
BBC
Striker Luis Suarez scored a spectacular winner to earn Uruguay a place in the World Cup quarters-finals at the expense of South Korea.
It will be the first time since 1970 the two-time winners have reached the last eight, although they will feel fortunate to have ended their barren run having spent long periods of the game defending at the rain-drenched Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The South Koreans, who reached the semi-finals in 2002, were effervescent in their attacking third but flaky in defence, and that was exposed as early as the eighth minute.
Atletico Madrid's Diego Forlan was fed on the left and played a low ball across the six-yard area which was misjudged by keeper Jung Sung-Ryong and his statuesque defence but not by Suarez at the far post, who calmly slotted in for his second goal of the competition.
But apart from a penalty appeal when Alvaro Pereira's shot appeared to be blocked by the arm of Ki Sung-Yueng, it was the South Koreans who looked most likely to score for the remainder of the match as Uruguay set up camp in their own half.
Many of South Korea's good chances fell to star striker Park Chu-Young who was feverishly looking to add to his goal against Nigeria in the group stages.
And it could have been Uruguay chasing the game as early as the fifth minute had his free-kick curled three inches to the left rather than rattle Fernando Muslera's right-hand post.
The Monaco forward also went close with a fizzing 25-yard effort that swerved two yards wide before smashing a half-volley over the bar from inside the area after the break, when he should have made the Uruguay number one at least flinch.
But the South Koreans' luck finally changed for the better on 68 minutes when, from a free-kick, Bolton's Lee Chung-Yong pounced on Mauricio Victorino's attempted headed clearance, to nod in from eight yards.
It was the first goal Uruguay had conceded in the tournament and they came close to conceding a second when Lee Chung-Yong failed to put any venom into his shot inside the area after he was beautifully played in by captain Park Ji-Sung.
With the rain now teeming down inside the Port Elizabeth venue, it appeared that a mistake rather than a piece of skill would win the game - but the quality of 23-year-old Suarez ensured that the match would be remembered for something out of the top drawer.
With 10 minutes remaining, the potent Ajax forward lurked on the fringes of the 18-yard area as a corner was swung in from the right. He cut in from the left before curling in as sweet-a-strike as any in the tournament so far to leave keeper Jung Sung-Ryong rooted as the ball clipped the post on its way in.
The South Koreans pressed and should have taken the game into extra-time, but substitute Lee Dong-Gook's weak shot squirmed under the wet jersey of Muslera before it was comfortably cleared.
Uruguay will now play Ghana in the last eight after the Black Stars beat second round opponents the United States 2-1 after extra-time.
Striker Luis Suarez scored a spectacular winner to earn Uruguay a place in the World Cup quarters-finals at the expense of South Korea.
It will be the first time since 1970 the two-time winners have reached the last eight, although they will feel fortunate to have ended their barren run having spent long periods of the game defending at the rain-drenched Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The South Koreans, who reached the semi-finals in 2002, were effervescent in their attacking third but flaky in defence, and that was exposed as early as the eighth minute.
Atletico Madrid's Diego Forlan was fed on the left and played a low ball across the six-yard area which was misjudged by keeper Jung Sung-Ryong and his statuesque defence but not by Suarez at the far post, who calmly slotted in for his second goal of the competition.
But apart from a penalty appeal when Alvaro Pereira's shot appeared to be blocked by the arm of Ki Sung-Yueng, it was the South Koreans who looked most likely to score for the remainder of the match as Uruguay set up camp in their own half.
Many of South Korea's good chances fell to star striker Park Chu-Young who was feverishly looking to add to his goal against Nigeria in the group stages.
And it could have been Uruguay chasing the game as early as the fifth minute had his free-kick curled three inches to the left rather than rattle Fernando Muslera's right-hand post.
The Monaco forward also went close with a fizzing 25-yard effort that swerved two yards wide before smashing a half-volley over the bar from inside the area after the break, when he should have made the Uruguay number one at least flinch.
But the South Koreans' luck finally changed for the better on 68 minutes when, from a free-kick, Bolton's Lee Chung-Yong pounced on Mauricio Victorino's attempted headed clearance, to nod in from eight yards.
It was the first goal Uruguay had conceded in the tournament and they came close to conceding a second when Lee Chung-Yong failed to put any venom into his shot inside the area after he was beautifully played in by captain Park Ji-Sung.
With the rain now teeming down inside the Port Elizabeth venue, it appeared that a mistake rather than a piece of skill would win the game - but the quality of 23-year-old Suarez ensured that the match would be remembered for something out of the top drawer.
With 10 minutes remaining, the potent Ajax forward lurked on the fringes of the 18-yard area as a corner was swung in from the right. He cut in from the left before curling in as sweet-a-strike as any in the tournament so far to leave keeper Jung Sung-Ryong rooted as the ball clipped the post on its way in.
The South Koreans pressed and should have taken the game into extra-time, but substitute Lee Dong-Gook's weak shot squirmed under the wet jersey of Muslera before it was comfortably cleared.
Uruguay will now play Ghana in the last eight after the Black Stars beat second round opponents the United States 2-1 after extra-time.
Friday, June 25, 2010
World Cup Ratings
I have rated all World Cup teams in both qualifying and the final round. This logarithmic formula is calculated by using won-loss records, while also dividing a tie in both the win department and the loss department. In addition, I calculate goals for and goals against while also placing a higher value in the World Cup Finals. Here are the results entering the round of sixteen knock out phase.
1.08 Netherlands
.760 Chile
.690 England
.689 Germany
.547 Portugal
.477 Ivory Coast
.445 Brazil
.382 Japan
.363 New Zealand
.333 Australia
1.08 Netherlands
.760 Chile
.690 England
.689 Germany
.547 Portugal
.477 Ivory Coast
.445 Brazil
.382 Japan
.363 New Zealand
.333 Australia
Switzerland 0 - 0 Hondorus
BBC
Switzerland crashed out of the World Cup after a desperately disappointing display against Honduras.
Needing a two-goal win to guarantee a place in the last 16, the Swiss lacked a cutting edge and were unable to break down the stubborn central Americans, who wasted several chances to sneak a victory on the break in a hectic finale.
For Ottmar Hitzfeld's Swiss, the euphoria of their opening victory over pre-tournament favourites Spain seemed a distant memory as wave after wave of attacks fizzled out or ended with a wayward shot.
As it was, Spain's victory over Chile pushed the Swiss into third place in Group H, while Honduras joined Algeria in exiting the 2010 World Cup without scoring a goal.
Honduras were bright and energetic from the kick-off in Bloemfontein but, after taking time to settle, the Swiss emerged as the more likely side to break the deadlock.
Playmaker Tranquillo Barnetta was at the heart of everything that was good about Switzerland, teeing up Gokhan Inler for a shot that drifted wide and testing Honduras goalkeeper Noel Valladares with a long-ranger.
Despite their need for goals, the Swiss seemed reluctant to commit bodies forward and their attacks often broke down around the box.
Just before half-time, Eren Derdiyok delivered a superb cross to the far post but striker Blaise Nkufo could not adjust his body shape in order to fashion a finish.
The Swiss brought on Hakan Yakin at half-time but his first contribution was a long-range shot which almost hit the corner flag.
Switzerland's increasing need to attack began to leave spaces at the back and Honduras almost took full advantage.
Edgar Alvarez hooked over a cross for David Suazo, who could only plant his header wide, and then Alvarez himself drew a superb one-handed save from Swiss goalkeeper Diego Benaglio.
At the other end, Valladares was also earning his corn, although his saves to deny Barnetta, Derdiyok and Yakin were more routine than spectacular.
Hitzfeld made his final throw of the dice with the introduction of record goalscorer Alexander Frei, but for all their huff and puff, the breakthrough never came.
And Swiss fans were left to reflect on a campaign which had promised so much, but ended up delivering very little.
Switzerland crashed out of the World Cup after a desperately disappointing display against Honduras.
Needing a two-goal win to guarantee a place in the last 16, the Swiss lacked a cutting edge and were unable to break down the stubborn central Americans, who wasted several chances to sneak a victory on the break in a hectic finale.
For Ottmar Hitzfeld's Swiss, the euphoria of their opening victory over pre-tournament favourites Spain seemed a distant memory as wave after wave of attacks fizzled out or ended with a wayward shot.
As it was, Spain's victory over Chile pushed the Swiss into third place in Group H, while Honduras joined Algeria in exiting the 2010 World Cup without scoring a goal.
Honduras were bright and energetic from the kick-off in Bloemfontein but, after taking time to settle, the Swiss emerged as the more likely side to break the deadlock.
Playmaker Tranquillo Barnetta was at the heart of everything that was good about Switzerland, teeing up Gokhan Inler for a shot that drifted wide and testing Honduras goalkeeper Noel Valladares with a long-ranger.
Despite their need for goals, the Swiss seemed reluctant to commit bodies forward and their attacks often broke down around the box.
Just before half-time, Eren Derdiyok delivered a superb cross to the far post but striker Blaise Nkufo could not adjust his body shape in order to fashion a finish.
The Swiss brought on Hakan Yakin at half-time but his first contribution was a long-range shot which almost hit the corner flag.
Switzerland's increasing need to attack began to leave spaces at the back and Honduras almost took full advantage.
Edgar Alvarez hooked over a cross for David Suazo, who could only plant his header wide, and then Alvarez himself drew a superb one-handed save from Swiss goalkeeper Diego Benaglio.
At the other end, Valladares was also earning his corn, although his saves to deny Barnetta, Derdiyok and Yakin were more routine than spectacular.
Hitzfeld made his final throw of the dice with the introduction of record goalscorer Alexander Frei, but for all their huff and puff, the breakthrough never came.
And Swiss fans were left to reflect on a campaign which had promised so much, but ended up delivering very little.
Chile 1 - Spain 2
BBC
Spain's unquestionable class was just enough to edge them past a talented but ill-disciplined Chile team who deservedly joined them in qualifying for the World Cup's knockout stages.
The European champions have still not clicked in South Africa - and the South Americans gave them a real fright before being controversially reduced to 10 men just before half-time in Pretoria.
But flashes of individual brilliance from striker David Villa and fit-again midfielder Andres Iniesta booked them a last 16 clash against Portugal on Tuesday as they eventually ran out Group H winners.
Chile, who suffered seven red cards in qualifying, must face continental rivals Brazil on Monday without their strongest team after three of their key players were lost to suspension in a first half they threatened to take charge of with admirable invention before losing their heads.
After a shock 1-0 defeat to Switzerland in their opening match, Spain vowed they would not sacrifice the rich attacking instincts for a win-at-all costs philosophy.
Needing three points to guarantee progression, they started this match on the front foot - but Fernando Torres spurned two half-chances and the Liverpool striker clearly looked like a man still feeling his way back after injury.
But Vicente Del Bosque's team were soon being cut open as Chile, who some observers consider to be a South American version of Spain, attacked them with short incisive passes and constant movement off the ball in support of their team-mates.
They could have taken a 10th-minute lead after a brilliant move saw Jean Beausejour - a winger who plays for Club America in the Mexico - execute a clever one-two with Jorge Valdivia, but Mark Gonzalez failed to connect properly with his low cross.
Not dominating possession for once, Spain looked riled but while Chile worked overtime to establish the upper hand they lost their discipline - both Gary Medel and Waldo Ponce were rightly booked for nasty tackles and will miss the match against Brazil.
Firmly against the run of play, Spain's first goal came fortuitously.
Gerard Pique over-hit a long pass out of defence - which the out-of-sorts Torres was never likely to reach - but Chilean goalkeeper and captain Claudio Bravo foolishly raced out of his penalty area to clear unsuccessfully into the path of Villa.
Lurking near the left touchline as the ball squirmed towards him, Barcelona's new £35m signing instantly guided it over Bravo into the net - with his weaker left foot - from all of 40 yards.
Undaunted, the ever-threatening Beausejour raced away from Spain's back-line as he nearly created a dangerous one-on-one with Iker Casillas - but Gerard Pique sped back to make a crucial block.
Clever Iniesta, who has struggled for fitness in the past three months, then gave Spain what looked like some breathing space with a typically classy second goal, executing snappy give-and-go exchanges with first Torres then Villa before coolly guiding the ball into Bravo's far corner with breathtaking simplicity.
The biggest flashpoint moment of the match occurred in the build up to that goal, as Torres went down following his pass after what looked like an accidental trip from behind by Marco Estrada.
Referee Marco Rodriguez obviously saw differently as he gave Estrada his marching orders for a second yellow card offence.
Only when Chile were down to 10 men did Iniesta and Xavi starts dictating the flow of the match with the cute passing triangles they execute for Barcelona week-in week-out.
Recognising this, their Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa made two changes at half-time - and three minutes after the interval substitute Rodrigo Millar, who replaced Gonzalez, put the South Americans firmly back in to the match.
Finding space for himself among a posse of defenders outside the box, his snapshot took a wicked deflection of Pique to loop high past a flailing Casillas.
Chile now needed just one more goal to put themselves back in the frame to finish top, but Spain had just enough about them to take advantage of the extra man.
With Torres clearly struggling, on came Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas in his place as they tweaked their formation to leave Villa at the spearhead of their attack.
Although he thrived off the responsibility and set about terrorising the manful Chile defence with real adventure and wit, clear chances were at a premium as the match became more squeezed with both teams eyeing greater challenges ahead; namely a place in the quarter-finals.
Spain's unquestionable class was just enough to edge them past a talented but ill-disciplined Chile team who deservedly joined them in qualifying for the World Cup's knockout stages.
The European champions have still not clicked in South Africa - and the South Americans gave them a real fright before being controversially reduced to 10 men just before half-time in Pretoria.
But flashes of individual brilliance from striker David Villa and fit-again midfielder Andres Iniesta booked them a last 16 clash against Portugal on Tuesday as they eventually ran out Group H winners.
Chile, who suffered seven red cards in qualifying, must face continental rivals Brazil on Monday without their strongest team after three of their key players were lost to suspension in a first half they threatened to take charge of with admirable invention before losing their heads.
After a shock 1-0 defeat to Switzerland in their opening match, Spain vowed they would not sacrifice the rich attacking instincts for a win-at-all costs philosophy.
Needing three points to guarantee progression, they started this match on the front foot - but Fernando Torres spurned two half-chances and the Liverpool striker clearly looked like a man still feeling his way back after injury.
But Vicente Del Bosque's team were soon being cut open as Chile, who some observers consider to be a South American version of Spain, attacked them with short incisive passes and constant movement off the ball in support of their team-mates.
They could have taken a 10th-minute lead after a brilliant move saw Jean Beausejour - a winger who plays for Club America in the Mexico - execute a clever one-two with Jorge Valdivia, but Mark Gonzalez failed to connect properly with his low cross.
Not dominating possession for once, Spain looked riled but while Chile worked overtime to establish the upper hand they lost their discipline - both Gary Medel and Waldo Ponce were rightly booked for nasty tackles and will miss the match against Brazil.
Firmly against the run of play, Spain's first goal came fortuitously.
Gerard Pique over-hit a long pass out of defence - which the out-of-sorts Torres was never likely to reach - but Chilean goalkeeper and captain Claudio Bravo foolishly raced out of his penalty area to clear unsuccessfully into the path of Villa.
Lurking near the left touchline as the ball squirmed towards him, Barcelona's new £35m signing instantly guided it over Bravo into the net - with his weaker left foot - from all of 40 yards.
Undaunted, the ever-threatening Beausejour raced away from Spain's back-line as he nearly created a dangerous one-on-one with Iker Casillas - but Gerard Pique sped back to make a crucial block.
Clever Iniesta, who has struggled for fitness in the past three months, then gave Spain what looked like some breathing space with a typically classy second goal, executing snappy give-and-go exchanges with first Torres then Villa before coolly guiding the ball into Bravo's far corner with breathtaking simplicity.
The biggest flashpoint moment of the match occurred in the build up to that goal, as Torres went down following his pass after what looked like an accidental trip from behind by Marco Estrada.
Referee Marco Rodriguez obviously saw differently as he gave Estrada his marching orders for a second yellow card offence.
Only when Chile were down to 10 men did Iniesta and Xavi starts dictating the flow of the match with the cute passing triangles they execute for Barcelona week-in week-out.
Recognising this, their Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa made two changes at half-time - and three minutes after the interval substitute Rodrigo Millar, who replaced Gonzalez, put the South Americans firmly back in to the match.
Finding space for himself among a posse of defenders outside the box, his snapshot took a wicked deflection of Pique to loop high past a flailing Casillas.
Chile now needed just one more goal to put themselves back in the frame to finish top, but Spain had just enough about them to take advantage of the extra man.
With Torres clearly struggling, on came Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas in his place as they tweaked their formation to leave Villa at the spearhead of their attack.
Although he thrived off the responsibility and set about terrorising the manful Chile defence with real adventure and wit, clear chances were at a premium as the match became more squeezed with both teams eyeing greater challenges ahead; namely a place in the quarter-finals.
Japan’s Soccer Cheer: Boost or Bust?
Wall Street Journal
Japanese soccer fans celebrate at Tokyo’s Shibuya shopping district, Friday. Will the cheers help the economy? Discounted shoes, hamburgers and more beer — this morning’s Japanese victory in the World Cup has provided companies around the country with a trampoline for selling more goods to customers newly enthused with the national soccer team.
But economists have mixed views on whether Japan’s longer-than-anticipated World Cup run can really inflate consumer spending, and the economy as a whole.
As retailers and consumer goods makers cut prices to try to cash in on the Blue Samurai’s success, Yasuo Yamamoto of Mizuho Research Institute noted that any World Cup effect “probably won’t be observable in figures such as the consumer price index” because the volume of money involved in World Cup merchandise is small compared to the overall Japanese economy.
But others are a bit more optimistic. Katsuhiro Miyamoto, Economics Professor at Kansai University, said he believes the historic 3-1 victory – propelling Japan into the last 16 of the tournament — may have a significant economic effect because of its element of surprise.
Whether a real boost materializes, companies here are wasting no time in trying to reel in the World Cup yen.
FamilyMart, a major convenience store chain operator, plans to place posters in stores from Saturday to let people know FamilyMart is rooting for the Japanese team – and maybe consumer can do so too if they just spend a little more. “Our voices reached the national soccer team,” the posters read. “Go for it – to an even higher place!!”
Elsewhere, Adidas Japan, where its employees wore Samurai Blue uniforms yesterday to work, has been selling special t-shirts that commemorate Japan’s participation in the final stages of the tournament since Friday morning, while shoe retailer ABC-Mart Friday sold special bright Samurai Blue Adidas shoes at a 30% discount to mark the occasion.
At long-time team sponsor Kirin Beer, officials said they expect more retailers to call them to take advantage of its Samurai Blue marketing campaign, and hope to sell more beer than the last World Cup.
And McDonalds Japan started giving online coupons to customers who sign up to a special program that entitle them to buy Quarter-pounder cheeseburgers for 200 yen, nearly half the usual price.
The question on economists’ minds, though, is exactly how long will the feelgood factor last. Japan takes on Paraguay at 11pm local time June 29 for a place in the quarter-finals.
Economics professor Masaru Takagi, of Meiji University in Tokyo, said that while he doubted one single positive result could have a significant result, the victory over Denmark had made people believe that the Japanese team may be “capable of doing something”. Prof. Takagi has calculated that if, as team coach Takeshi Okada has predicted, Japan does succeed in making it through to the semi-finals of the World Cup – a feat viewed as unlikely by most soccer experts — there could be economic benefits of about 50 billion yen for Japan.
But Prof. Takagi is among those that think coach Okada’s target is just a little too far out of reach.
Japanese soccer fans celebrate at Tokyo’s Shibuya shopping district, Friday. Will the cheers help the economy? Discounted shoes, hamburgers and more beer — this morning’s Japanese victory in the World Cup has provided companies around the country with a trampoline for selling more goods to customers newly enthused with the national soccer team.
But economists have mixed views on whether Japan’s longer-than-anticipated World Cup run can really inflate consumer spending, and the economy as a whole.
As retailers and consumer goods makers cut prices to try to cash in on the Blue Samurai’s success, Yasuo Yamamoto of Mizuho Research Institute noted that any World Cup effect “probably won’t be observable in figures such as the consumer price index” because the volume of money involved in World Cup merchandise is small compared to the overall Japanese economy.
But others are a bit more optimistic. Katsuhiro Miyamoto, Economics Professor at Kansai University, said he believes the historic 3-1 victory – propelling Japan into the last 16 of the tournament — may have a significant economic effect because of its element of surprise.
Whether a real boost materializes, companies here are wasting no time in trying to reel in the World Cup yen.
FamilyMart, a major convenience store chain operator, plans to place posters in stores from Saturday to let people know FamilyMart is rooting for the Japanese team – and maybe consumer can do so too if they just spend a little more. “Our voices reached the national soccer team,” the posters read. “Go for it – to an even higher place!!”
Elsewhere, Adidas Japan, where its employees wore Samurai Blue uniforms yesterday to work, has been selling special t-shirts that commemorate Japan’s participation in the final stages of the tournament since Friday morning, while shoe retailer ABC-Mart Friday sold special bright Samurai Blue Adidas shoes at a 30% discount to mark the occasion.
At long-time team sponsor Kirin Beer, officials said they expect more retailers to call them to take advantage of its Samurai Blue marketing campaign, and hope to sell more beer than the last World Cup.
And McDonalds Japan started giving online coupons to customers who sign up to a special program that entitle them to buy Quarter-pounder cheeseburgers for 200 yen, nearly half the usual price.
The question on economists’ minds, though, is exactly how long will the feelgood factor last. Japan takes on Paraguay at 11pm local time June 29 for a place in the quarter-finals.
Economics professor Masaru Takagi, of Meiji University in Tokyo, said that while he doubted one single positive result could have a significant result, the victory over Denmark had made people believe that the Japanese team may be “capable of doing something”. Prof. Takagi has calculated that if, as team coach Takeshi Okada has predicted, Japan does succeed in making it through to the semi-finals of the World Cup – a feat viewed as unlikely by most soccer experts — there could be economic benefits of about 50 billion yen for Japan.
But Prof. Takagi is among those that think coach Okada’s target is just a little too far out of reach.
North Korea 0 - Ivory Coast 3
BBC
There were no miracles for Ivory Coast in Nelspruit as the west Africans were knocked out of the World Cup despite comfortably beating a defensively-frail North Korea.
The Elephants' hopes of progressing to the second round in South Africa always appeared slim as they needed to not only emphatically beat their opponents to make up an enormous goal deficit, but also hope that Portugal lost to Brazil in the other fixture in Group G.
Ivory Coast coach Sven-Goran Eriksson scored two early goals through Yaya Toure and Romaric but the eight-goal deluge that was most likely needed did not materialise, even though North Korea were more than obliging in defence - just as they had been during their 7-0 demolition by Portugal.
Salamon Kalou came off the bench to add a third goal but in the end the scoreline did not matter a jot as it was Portugal who progressed in second spot thanks to a goalless draw with group winners Brazil.
North Korea coach Kim Jong-hun had regarded this game as an opportunity for his team to restore some pride, but his players still seemed shell-shocked after conceding six goals in the second half against Portugal on Monday.
The Koreans granted Ivory Coast the freedom to surge forward at will and, in truth, Eriksson's men should have led by more than two goals at the break.
The Elephants started with intent as Toure's beautiful pass set the surging Kader Keita free in the box only for goalkeeper Ri-Myong-Guk's outstretched legs to prevent a goal in the opening minute.
Didier Drogba then had a header ruled out for offside, the Chelsea striker wagged his finger in protest but replays proved referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco was correct.
More chances were wasted - Gervinho being the prime culprit - before Toure finally gave Ivory Coast a deserved lead with a well-placed side-footed effort into the corner from the edge of the box.
A mere six minutes later and the Elephants doubled their advantage as the alert Romaric headed home Drogba's fierce volley, which had kindly rebounded off the crossbar.
The Elephants continued to trample over their opponents after the break but they also seemed determined to squander goalscoring opportunities.
Drogba, Ivory Coast's standard-bearer and all-time leading scorer, was the prime culprit as he headed wide from six yards and then failed to make contact with a perfect cross from Arthur Boka on the left. Gervinho and substitute Kalou were just as culpable.
North Korea defended a little more stoically in the second half and could have halved the deficit when Jong Tae-Se had the best opportunity of the match with Toure's brother Kolo blocking his goalbound effort.
Almost immediately, the Elephants whizzed up the field and the impressive Boka produced another fine cross from the left which Kalou side-footed in from six yards.
Substitute Aruna Dindane had an effort ruled out for offside in the closing stages but by then, as far as Ivory Coast's World Cup hopes were concerned, it was all a little irrelevant.
There were no miracles for Ivory Coast in Nelspruit as the west Africans were knocked out of the World Cup despite comfortably beating a defensively-frail North Korea.
The Elephants' hopes of progressing to the second round in South Africa always appeared slim as they needed to not only emphatically beat their opponents to make up an enormous goal deficit, but also hope that Portugal lost to Brazil in the other fixture in Group G.
Ivory Coast coach Sven-Goran Eriksson scored two early goals through Yaya Toure and Romaric but the eight-goal deluge that was most likely needed did not materialise, even though North Korea were more than obliging in defence - just as they had been during their 7-0 demolition by Portugal.
Salamon Kalou came off the bench to add a third goal but in the end the scoreline did not matter a jot as it was Portugal who progressed in second spot thanks to a goalless draw with group winners Brazil.
North Korea coach Kim Jong-hun had regarded this game as an opportunity for his team to restore some pride, but his players still seemed shell-shocked after conceding six goals in the second half against Portugal on Monday.
The Koreans granted Ivory Coast the freedom to surge forward at will and, in truth, Eriksson's men should have led by more than two goals at the break.
The Elephants started with intent as Toure's beautiful pass set the surging Kader Keita free in the box only for goalkeeper Ri-Myong-Guk's outstretched legs to prevent a goal in the opening minute.
Didier Drogba then had a header ruled out for offside, the Chelsea striker wagged his finger in protest but replays proved referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco was correct.
More chances were wasted - Gervinho being the prime culprit - before Toure finally gave Ivory Coast a deserved lead with a well-placed side-footed effort into the corner from the edge of the box.
A mere six minutes later and the Elephants doubled their advantage as the alert Romaric headed home Drogba's fierce volley, which had kindly rebounded off the crossbar.
The Elephants continued to trample over their opponents after the break but they also seemed determined to squander goalscoring opportunities.
Drogba, Ivory Coast's standard-bearer and all-time leading scorer, was the prime culprit as he headed wide from six yards and then failed to make contact with a perfect cross from Arthur Boka on the left. Gervinho and substitute Kalou were just as culpable.
North Korea defended a little more stoically in the second half and could have halved the deficit when Jong Tae-Se had the best opportunity of the match with Toure's brother Kolo blocking his goalbound effort.
Almost immediately, the Elephants whizzed up the field and the impressive Boka produced another fine cross from the left which Kalou side-footed in from six yards.
Substitute Aruna Dindane had an effort ruled out for offside in the closing stages but by then, as far as Ivory Coast's World Cup hopes were concerned, it was all a little irrelevant.
Portugal 0 - 0 Brazil
BBC
Portugal played out an extremely uneventful goalless draw which saw both sides qualify for the last 16.
What was perceived as arguably the potential standout game of the group stages failed to deliver on its promise as Portugal's desire to secure the point that would definitely seal what was already likely qualification from Group G limited any free-flowing football from either side.
Unsurprisingly, the already qualified Brazil were the more positive of the two sides but were only able to fashion a handful of chances, the best of which fell to striker Nilmar but was superbly saved by goalkeeper Eduardo.
The draw means the South Americans finish top of the group and will look forward to the second phase with confidence, even though this could present them with an earlier-than-expected clash with the closest rivals for their world number one status, Spain.
Portugal's 7-0 thrashing of North Korea in their previous match ensured that despite this defeat, and the Ivory Coast's 3-0 victory over the North Koreans in the group's other game, they progressed to the knockout stages in South Africa as runners-up.
Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz made four changes to the team from Monday with Pepe and Ricardo Costa coming into defence, and Danny and Duda in midfield.
Having overwhelmed their opponents four days ago, Queiroz's men reverted to a more conservative style designed to stifle their opponents and its efficiency resulted in an anti-climactic and fractious game where the number of bookings outweighed clear-cut chances.
Portugal defender Pepe and Brazil midfielder Felipe Melo were both booked during a running battle, which resulted in the latter being substituted just before half-time, seemingly for his own protection.
Brazil defender Juan was one of five other players booked but it could have been worse when he handled 40 yards from goal from a long ball seeking to release Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo clear down the right.
Ronaldo, operating in a lone attacking role was Portugal's chief threat but this primarily constituted a series of long-range efforts from 40 yards-plus which even for a player of Ronaldo's quality were wildly optimistic.
When the Real Madrid man was allowed to run at goal he twice met with strong challenges from Lucio, the first of which was a superb block from a shot on the left, but the second, from a similarly aggressive run on the right, inadvertently deflected the ball across goal to Raul Meireles only for the midfielder to shoot wide.
Ironically, the last time Portugal had been beaten prior to this match was a 6-2 thumping by Brazil in November 2008 but a repeat of that scoreline was never on the cards between two sides with one eye already on the next round.
To this end, Brazil rested Robinho, bringing in Nilmar up front to partner Luis Fabiano, who scored a hat-trick in that 6-2 win and bagged a brace in their previous group game against the Ivory Coast.
The attacking duo were central to all of Brazil's best attacking play.
They combined on the half hour with Fabiano crossing for Nilmar at the back post, who looked certain to score only for Eduardo to produce a superb point blank save to push the ball on to the post and deny him.
Shortly after, Fabiano found space at the back post by headed wide from a deep right-wing cross from the marauding Maicon.
With the game seemingly petering out to provide a satisfactory share of the spoils for each side, Brazil substitute Ramires broke from the script and struck a shot from 25 yards in injury-time which took a deflection and was goalbound until Eduardo intervened with a good one-handed save to preserve Portugal's 100% clean-sheet record in the tournament.
Portugal played out an extremely uneventful goalless draw which saw both sides qualify for the last 16.
What was perceived as arguably the potential standout game of the group stages failed to deliver on its promise as Portugal's desire to secure the point that would definitely seal what was already likely qualification from Group G limited any free-flowing football from either side.
Unsurprisingly, the already qualified Brazil were the more positive of the two sides but were only able to fashion a handful of chances, the best of which fell to striker Nilmar but was superbly saved by goalkeeper Eduardo.
The draw means the South Americans finish top of the group and will look forward to the second phase with confidence, even though this could present them with an earlier-than-expected clash with the closest rivals for their world number one status, Spain.
Portugal's 7-0 thrashing of North Korea in their previous match ensured that despite this defeat, and the Ivory Coast's 3-0 victory over the North Koreans in the group's other game, they progressed to the knockout stages in South Africa as runners-up.
Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz made four changes to the team from Monday with Pepe and Ricardo Costa coming into defence, and Danny and Duda in midfield.
Having overwhelmed their opponents four days ago, Queiroz's men reverted to a more conservative style designed to stifle their opponents and its efficiency resulted in an anti-climactic and fractious game where the number of bookings outweighed clear-cut chances.
Portugal defender Pepe and Brazil midfielder Felipe Melo were both booked during a running battle, which resulted in the latter being substituted just before half-time, seemingly for his own protection.
Brazil defender Juan was one of five other players booked but it could have been worse when he handled 40 yards from goal from a long ball seeking to release Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo clear down the right.
Ronaldo, operating in a lone attacking role was Portugal's chief threat but this primarily constituted a series of long-range efforts from 40 yards-plus which even for a player of Ronaldo's quality were wildly optimistic.
When the Real Madrid man was allowed to run at goal he twice met with strong challenges from Lucio, the first of which was a superb block from a shot on the left, but the second, from a similarly aggressive run on the right, inadvertently deflected the ball across goal to Raul Meireles only for the midfielder to shoot wide.
Ironically, the last time Portugal had been beaten prior to this match was a 6-2 thumping by Brazil in November 2008 but a repeat of that scoreline was never on the cards between two sides with one eye already on the next round.
To this end, Brazil rested Robinho, bringing in Nilmar up front to partner Luis Fabiano, who scored a hat-trick in that 6-2 win and bagged a brace in their previous group game against the Ivory Coast.
The attacking duo were central to all of Brazil's best attacking play.
They combined on the half hour with Fabiano crossing for Nilmar at the back post, who looked certain to score only for Eduardo to produce a superb point blank save to push the ball on to the post and deny him.
Shortly after, Fabiano found space at the back post by headed wide from a deep right-wing cross from the marauding Maicon.
With the game seemingly petering out to provide a satisfactory share of the spoils for each side, Brazil substitute Ramires broke from the script and struck a shot from 25 yards in injury-time which took a deflection and was goalbound until Eduardo intervened with a good one-handed save to preserve Portugal's 100% clean-sheet record in the tournament.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Cameroon 1 - Netherlands 2
BBC
By Chris Bevan, Cape TownKlaas Jan Huntelaar's late goal ensured Netherlands progressed to the last 16 of the World Cup with a 100% winning record in Group E.
Coach Bert van Marwijk's Dutch side, who will face Slovakia on Monday for a place in the quarter-finals, had to work harder than expected for the points against a spirited Cameroon side, who were already eliminated after losing their first two matches. Arjen Robben came off the bench to help give Van Marwijk's men their third win so far in South Africa.
Huntelaar fired home the rebound after Robben, who has had to wait to make his first appearance of the tournament because of injury, hit the post with a 20-yard drive.
Cameroon had gone behind when Robin van Persie finished off a neat move but levelled through Samuel Eto'o's penalty and will probably feel they deserved something from the game.
The African side enjoyed most of the early pressure and Aurelien Chedjou saw his snap-shot fly straight at goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg after he exchanged passes with Samuel Eto'o on the edge of the area.
Jean Makoun also sent a flicked header spinning over the bar from Benoit Assou-Ekotto's driven cross, but the Dutch were never really opened up at the back despite having defending to do.
Slowly but surely, Van Marwijk's men began to impose themselves on the game and they threatened for the first time when Giovanni Van Bronckhorst fed Van Persie but the Arsenal striker fired straight at Hamidou Souleymanou.
By now, Rafael van der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder were linking up well and, although Makoun headed over again at the other end, the Dutch were dominating possession and enjoying most of the openings too.
Dirk Kuyt should have done better when Khalid Boulahrouz found him in space in the area, only to fire his shot across the face of goal.
But Liverpool's Kuyt made amends when he started the move that saw his side take the lead after 21 minutes. He advanced to the edge of the area and slipped the ball to Van Persie, who exchanged passes with Van der Vaart before burying a low shot through the legs of Souleymanou.
Van Persie continued to look dangerous after the interval, bringing a diving save from Souleymanou after sprinting on to a long clearance.
But Cameroon were clearly keen to end their World Cup on a high note and responded strongly, with only an instinctive stop by Stekelenburg denying Makoun after he beat the offside trap.
Paul Le Guen's side did not have to wait long for an equaliser, however, as referee Pablo Pozo had no choice but to point to the spot after Geremi's free-kick clearly struck Van der Vaart's arm - and Eto'o stepped up to score his second goal of the tournament.
The Dutch had more defending to do in the closing stages but they weathered the storm and hit back to win the game with a devastating counter-attack.
Robben cut in from the right before sending a rasping shot against the post, and the ball bounced back perfectly into Huntelaar's path for him to fire into an empty net.
By Chris Bevan, Cape TownKlaas Jan Huntelaar's late goal ensured Netherlands progressed to the last 16 of the World Cup with a 100% winning record in Group E.
Coach Bert van Marwijk's Dutch side, who will face Slovakia on Monday for a place in the quarter-finals, had to work harder than expected for the points against a spirited Cameroon side, who were already eliminated after losing their first two matches. Arjen Robben came off the bench to help give Van Marwijk's men their third win so far in South Africa.
Huntelaar fired home the rebound after Robben, who has had to wait to make his first appearance of the tournament because of injury, hit the post with a 20-yard drive.
Cameroon had gone behind when Robin van Persie finished off a neat move but levelled through Samuel Eto'o's penalty and will probably feel they deserved something from the game.
The African side enjoyed most of the early pressure and Aurelien Chedjou saw his snap-shot fly straight at goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg after he exchanged passes with Samuel Eto'o on the edge of the area.
Jean Makoun also sent a flicked header spinning over the bar from Benoit Assou-Ekotto's driven cross, but the Dutch were never really opened up at the back despite having defending to do.
Slowly but surely, Van Marwijk's men began to impose themselves on the game and they threatened for the first time when Giovanni Van Bronckhorst fed Van Persie but the Arsenal striker fired straight at Hamidou Souleymanou.
By now, Rafael van der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder were linking up well and, although Makoun headed over again at the other end, the Dutch were dominating possession and enjoying most of the openings too.
Dirk Kuyt should have done better when Khalid Boulahrouz found him in space in the area, only to fire his shot across the face of goal.
But Liverpool's Kuyt made amends when he started the move that saw his side take the lead after 21 minutes. He advanced to the edge of the area and slipped the ball to Van Persie, who exchanged passes with Van der Vaart before burying a low shot through the legs of Souleymanou.
Van Persie continued to look dangerous after the interval, bringing a diving save from Souleymanou after sprinting on to a long clearance.
But Cameroon were clearly keen to end their World Cup on a high note and responded strongly, with only an instinctive stop by Stekelenburg denying Makoun after he beat the offside trap.
Paul Le Guen's side did not have to wait long for an equaliser, however, as referee Pablo Pozo had no choice but to point to the spot after Geremi's free-kick clearly struck Van der Vaart's arm - and Eto'o stepped up to score his second goal of the tournament.
The Dutch had more defending to do in the closing stages but they weathered the storm and hit back to win the game with a devastating counter-attack.
Robben cut in from the right before sending a rasping shot against the post, and the ball bounced back perfectly into Huntelaar's path for him to fire into an empty net.
Denmark 1 - Japan 3
BBC
Japan scored two stunning first-half free-kicks to secure a well-deserved win over Denmark and set up a meeting with Paraguay in the last 16 of the World Cup.
Keisuke Honda smashed his effort into the far corner before Yasuhito Endo, who also hit a post in the second half, curled a fine strike around the wall.
Jon Dahl Tomasson, who missed several earlier chances, followed up his own penalty to pull one back for Denmark after 81 minutes.
But Honda teed up Shinji Okazaki to seal a famous victory for Japan, which ensured they finished runners-up to Netherlands in Group E and reached the second round for only the second time in their history.
It was a performance of confidence and authority from the Japanese which seemed to come from nowhere. Takeshi Okada's side had lost five of their previous six games and only scored nine goals in 12 World Cup matches.
But after a tentative start in Rustenburg, they took the game to the Danes, sparking into life with two efforts in as many minutes. First Daisuke Matsui's clever flick struck the legs of Denmark goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, and moments later Makoto Hasebe raced into the box but fired narrowly wide.
Denmark went close through Tomasson before a Japan free-kick 30 yards from goal brought about one of the goals of the tournament.
From a straight run-up, in a style reminiscent of Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo, Honda smashed the ball over the wall and watched it swerve past Sorensen into the far corner.
When Japan won another free-kick shortly afterwards, the Danes were clearly expecting another piledriver from Honda, but instead they watched in horror as Endo's exquisite strike curled around the wall and past the outstretched arms of Sorensen.
While the Danish keeper's positioning could have been better in both cases, Japan's strikes were precise and superbly-executed, making a mockery of the difficulty players have been having with the much-maligned Jabulani ball.
In the space of 13 minutes, the Asian side had doubled the number of free-kick goals we had witnessed in the previous 42 matches at this tournament in South Africa.
Denmark looked stunned by the goals, while an energised Japan kept pouring forward with Endo stinging Sorensen's palms in the closing stages of the first half.
Early in the second, Japan almost scored from yet another set-piece, with Endo's floated strike from 40 yards slipping bizarrely through Sorensen's palms and striking the face of an upright.
While the Denmark keeper appeared all at sea, his opposite number Eiji Kawashima looked confident and commanding, diving at the feet of Tomasson to smother the striker's effort and pushing aside Jakob Poulsen's long-range shot.
Substitute Christian Eriksen fired narrowly over and Soren Larson volleyed against the bar before Danish pressure finally yielded a penalty in the 82nd minute when Daniel Agger was bundled over by Hasebe.
Tomasson's initial shot was easily saved by Kawashima but the ball rolled straight back to the striker, whose scuffed effort only just found the net to bring up his record-equalling 52nd goal in a Danish shirt.
Japan restored their two-goal advantage from a brisk counter attack, with Honda dancing his way into the area and committing Sorensen, before pulling the ball back for Okazaki to tap into the empty net.
Japan scored two stunning first-half free-kicks to secure a well-deserved win over Denmark and set up a meeting with Paraguay in the last 16 of the World Cup.
Keisuke Honda smashed his effort into the far corner before Yasuhito Endo, who also hit a post in the second half, curled a fine strike around the wall.
Jon Dahl Tomasson, who missed several earlier chances, followed up his own penalty to pull one back for Denmark after 81 minutes.
But Honda teed up Shinji Okazaki to seal a famous victory for Japan, which ensured they finished runners-up to Netherlands in Group E and reached the second round for only the second time in their history.
It was a performance of confidence and authority from the Japanese which seemed to come from nowhere. Takeshi Okada's side had lost five of their previous six games and only scored nine goals in 12 World Cup matches.
But after a tentative start in Rustenburg, they took the game to the Danes, sparking into life with two efforts in as many minutes. First Daisuke Matsui's clever flick struck the legs of Denmark goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen, and moments later Makoto Hasebe raced into the box but fired narrowly wide.
Denmark went close through Tomasson before a Japan free-kick 30 yards from goal brought about one of the goals of the tournament.
From a straight run-up, in a style reminiscent of Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo, Honda smashed the ball over the wall and watched it swerve past Sorensen into the far corner.
When Japan won another free-kick shortly afterwards, the Danes were clearly expecting another piledriver from Honda, but instead they watched in horror as Endo's exquisite strike curled around the wall and past the outstretched arms of Sorensen.
While the Danish keeper's positioning could have been better in both cases, Japan's strikes were precise and superbly-executed, making a mockery of the difficulty players have been having with the much-maligned Jabulani ball.
In the space of 13 minutes, the Asian side had doubled the number of free-kick goals we had witnessed in the previous 42 matches at this tournament in South Africa.
Denmark looked stunned by the goals, while an energised Japan kept pouring forward with Endo stinging Sorensen's palms in the closing stages of the first half.
Early in the second, Japan almost scored from yet another set-piece, with Endo's floated strike from 40 yards slipping bizarrely through Sorensen's palms and striking the face of an upright.
While the Denmark keeper appeared all at sea, his opposite number Eiji Kawashima looked confident and commanding, diving at the feet of Tomasson to smother the striker's effort and pushing aside Jakob Poulsen's long-range shot.
Substitute Christian Eriksen fired narrowly over and Soren Larson volleyed against the bar before Danish pressure finally yielded a penalty in the 82nd minute when Daniel Agger was bundled over by Hasebe.
Tomasson's initial shot was easily saved by Kawashima but the ball rolled straight back to the striker, whose scuffed effort only just found the net to bring up his record-equalling 52nd goal in a Danish shirt.
Japan restored their two-goal advantage from a brisk counter attack, with Honda dancing his way into the area and committing Sorensen, before pulling the ball back for Okazaki to tap into the empty net.
Slovokia 3 - 2 Italy
BBC
Reigning champions Italy were sensationally knocked out of the World Cup by a Slovakia side that clinched a place in the last 16 with victory in a match of incredible drama and tension.
In arguably the best game of the tournament so far, Robert Vittek scored a goal in each half to seemingly end the Azzurri's hopes of defending the trophy they won in Germany in 2006.
But Antonio Di Natale pulled it back to 2-1 with nine minutes remaining, leaving the Italians needing to score again to claim the point that would have seen them scrape through from Group F.
And they thought it had come through substitute Fabio Quagliarella, only for the offside flag to agonisingly deny them.
Italy's hopes of advancing were then seemingly extinguished once and for all when Slovakia substitute Kamil Kopunek exploited defensive hesitation, running onto a throw-in before lifting the ball brilliantly beyond advancing goalkeeper Federico Marchetti with one minute of normal time remaining.
Even then, there was time for Quagliarella to score with a superb injury-time strike and Simone Pepe to scuff a far-post volley as Italy staged a last-ditch attempt to remain in the finals in South Africa.
It was a result that saw Slovakia claim second place behind group winners Paraguay - and ensured the campaign is already a resounding success for coach Vladimir Weiss and his team.
But the 2010 World Cup will be remembered as a disaster for Italy, who finished bottom of their group having failed to qualify from the opening stage of the competition for the first time since 1974.
Italy drew with Paraguay and New Zealand before losing to Slovakia, who are ranked 34th in the world, and could have no complaints about the result at Ellis Park after their opponents approached the game with more craft and invention.
The Azzurri conceded just twice in their triumphant campaign four years ago but their central defensive pairing of veteran Fabio Cannavaro and Giorgio Chiellini were opened up numerous times.
Napoli's Marek Hamsik should really have scored for Slovakia after six minutes when he found himself completely unmarked 16 yards from goal, only to mis-cue his volley.
However, there was much to admire in the precision of Slovakia's opening goal after Daniele De Rossi's awful pass gifted possession to Juraj Kucka.
Sparta Prague forward Kucka quickly assessed the situation before playing a superb disguised pass to Vittek, whose accurate low strike from the edge of the area eluded Marchetti.
Italy striker Vincenzo Iaquinta fired wide from a tight angle in reply, while Riccardo Montolivo thrashed a shot over the crossbar in the final attack of a very frustrating opening half for his side.
It could have been an even worse first 45 minutes for the Azzurri as skipper Cannavaro, playing what turned out to be his final game for his country, was perhaps fortunate to escape a booking for a lunge on Hamsik minutes after he had received a caution.
Italy coach Marcello Lippi had seen enough and brought on Christian Maggio and Quagliarella for Domenicio Criscito and Gennaro Gattuso at the break.
And after only 10 minutes of the second half, he played his final card by introducing AC Milan playmaker Andrea Pirlo, so important in 2006, but unable to play any part in their first two matches because of a calf injury.
Italy were effectively playing with a front four, although Pepe and Quagliarella dropped back from their wide positions when Slovakia were in possession.
The tactical switch undoubtedly opened up the game and shortly after Martin Skrtel's sensational, if slightly fortunate, goal-line clearance after a firm strike from Quagliarella, Slovakia doubled their lead.
Chiellini headed a corner clear but as he looked around to adjust his position the alert Vittek made a near-post run that allowed him to steal a march on the Italian and convert Hamsik's low cross.
The contest was by now an end-to-end encounter, and it became heated with some ugly scenes following Di Natale's close-range goal.
Slovakia keeper Jan Mucha tussled with Quagliarella as they both tried to retrieve the ball from the back of the net and after Kucka came to his team-mate's defence, both the Italian and Mucha ended up on the floor.
The goal gave Italy renewed hope but they could not pull themselves level in a thrilling finish which ended with the final whistle which prompted mass celebrations among the Slovakia players.
Reigning champions Italy were sensationally knocked out of the World Cup by a Slovakia side that clinched a place in the last 16 with victory in a match of incredible drama and tension.
In arguably the best game of the tournament so far, Robert Vittek scored a goal in each half to seemingly end the Azzurri's hopes of defending the trophy they won in Germany in 2006.
But Antonio Di Natale pulled it back to 2-1 with nine minutes remaining, leaving the Italians needing to score again to claim the point that would have seen them scrape through from Group F.
And they thought it had come through substitute Fabio Quagliarella, only for the offside flag to agonisingly deny them.
Italy's hopes of advancing were then seemingly extinguished once and for all when Slovakia substitute Kamil Kopunek exploited defensive hesitation, running onto a throw-in before lifting the ball brilliantly beyond advancing goalkeeper Federico Marchetti with one minute of normal time remaining.
Even then, there was time for Quagliarella to score with a superb injury-time strike and Simone Pepe to scuff a far-post volley as Italy staged a last-ditch attempt to remain in the finals in South Africa.
It was a result that saw Slovakia claim second place behind group winners Paraguay - and ensured the campaign is already a resounding success for coach Vladimir Weiss and his team.
But the 2010 World Cup will be remembered as a disaster for Italy, who finished bottom of their group having failed to qualify from the opening stage of the competition for the first time since 1974.
Italy drew with Paraguay and New Zealand before losing to Slovakia, who are ranked 34th in the world, and could have no complaints about the result at Ellis Park after their opponents approached the game with more craft and invention.
The Azzurri conceded just twice in their triumphant campaign four years ago but their central defensive pairing of veteran Fabio Cannavaro and Giorgio Chiellini were opened up numerous times.
Napoli's Marek Hamsik should really have scored for Slovakia after six minutes when he found himself completely unmarked 16 yards from goal, only to mis-cue his volley.
However, there was much to admire in the precision of Slovakia's opening goal after Daniele De Rossi's awful pass gifted possession to Juraj Kucka.
Sparta Prague forward Kucka quickly assessed the situation before playing a superb disguised pass to Vittek, whose accurate low strike from the edge of the area eluded Marchetti.
Italy striker Vincenzo Iaquinta fired wide from a tight angle in reply, while Riccardo Montolivo thrashed a shot over the crossbar in the final attack of a very frustrating opening half for his side.
It could have been an even worse first 45 minutes for the Azzurri as skipper Cannavaro, playing what turned out to be his final game for his country, was perhaps fortunate to escape a booking for a lunge on Hamsik minutes after he had received a caution.
Italy coach Marcello Lippi had seen enough and brought on Christian Maggio and Quagliarella for Domenicio Criscito and Gennaro Gattuso at the break.
And after only 10 minutes of the second half, he played his final card by introducing AC Milan playmaker Andrea Pirlo, so important in 2006, but unable to play any part in their first two matches because of a calf injury.
Italy were effectively playing with a front four, although Pepe and Quagliarella dropped back from their wide positions when Slovakia were in possession.
The tactical switch undoubtedly opened up the game and shortly after Martin Skrtel's sensational, if slightly fortunate, goal-line clearance after a firm strike from Quagliarella, Slovakia doubled their lead.
Chiellini headed a corner clear but as he looked around to adjust his position the alert Vittek made a near-post run that allowed him to steal a march on the Italian and convert Hamsik's low cross.
The contest was by now an end-to-end encounter, and it became heated with some ugly scenes following Di Natale's close-range goal.
Slovakia keeper Jan Mucha tussled with Quagliarella as they both tried to retrieve the ball from the back of the net and after Kucka came to his team-mate's defence, both the Italian and Mucha ended up on the floor.
The goal gave Italy renewed hope but they could not pull themselves level in a thrilling finish which ended with the final whistle which prompted mass celebrations among the Slovakia players.
Paraguay 0 - 0 New Zealand
BBC
By Saj ChowdhuryParaguay secured their place in the second round of the World Cup after an uneventful draw against New Zealand ensured they finished top of Group F.
Gerardo Martino's South Americans will now face the runners-up of Group E, while Slovakia, who stunned world champions Italy 3-2 will face the winners of that group.
At the start of the 90 minutes, New Zealand, ranked 77 in the world, also had the chance of reaching the last 16 but wasted their golden opportunity by failing to trouble Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar even once in the match.
Shots on target could be counted one hand and the best of those came in the second half with Manchester City forward Roque Santa Cruz stinging the hands of All Whites keeper Mark Paston with a 25-yard free-kick.
The former Bradford and Walsall keeper also had to dive low to get a hand to substitute Edgar Benitez's goalbound drive and also push away a header from Cristian Riveros.
The New Zealand keeper probably welcomed the exercise after he was largely inactive in the first half, crouching down just once to prevent Nelson Valdez's 25-yard shot from trickling in.
Other opportunities fell to captain Denis Caniza, who went into the game with only one goal in 97 appearances for the national side. Unsurprisingly, only two of his four long-range efforts caused small concern for Paston.
New Zealand will rue not having made the most of their chance to cause a World Cup sensation.
But three draws from three matches and finishing one place above 2006 tournament winners Italy means the All Whites travel back east from Polokwane with both pride intact and reputation enhanced.
By Saj ChowdhuryParaguay secured their place in the second round of the World Cup after an uneventful draw against New Zealand ensured they finished top of Group F.
Gerardo Martino's South Americans will now face the runners-up of Group E, while Slovakia, who stunned world champions Italy 3-2 will face the winners of that group.
At the start of the 90 minutes, New Zealand, ranked 77 in the world, also had the chance of reaching the last 16 but wasted their golden opportunity by failing to trouble Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar even once in the match.
Shots on target could be counted one hand and the best of those came in the second half with Manchester City forward Roque Santa Cruz stinging the hands of All Whites keeper Mark Paston with a 25-yard free-kick.
The former Bradford and Walsall keeper also had to dive low to get a hand to substitute Edgar Benitez's goalbound drive and also push away a header from Cristian Riveros.
The New Zealand keeper probably welcomed the exercise after he was largely inactive in the first half, crouching down just once to prevent Nelson Valdez's 25-yard shot from trickling in.
Other opportunities fell to captain Denis Caniza, who went into the game with only one goal in 97 appearances for the national side. Unsurprisingly, only two of his four long-range efforts caused small concern for Paston.
New Zealand will rue not having made the most of their chance to cause a World Cup sensation.
But three draws from three matches and finishing one place above 2006 tournament winners Italy means the All Whites travel back east from Polokwane with both pride intact and reputation enhanced.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Slovenia 0 - England 1
England finally made their presence felt at the World Cup by securing the win they needed over Slovenia to reach the last 16, and a clash with arch-rivals Germany on Sunday.
Jermain Defoe's close-range strike midway through the first half was enough to give Fabio Capello's side the three points they required to avoid an early departure from South Africa and finish second behind the United States in Group C.
And after the misery of Friday's draw against Algeria in Cape Town and the controversy surrounding former captain John Terry's comments about the mood in the camp, Capello will have been delighted to see England produce a hugely improved performance under pressure.
The only serious flaw in England's display was their failure to finish off Slovenia after dominating proceedings.
Slovenia keeper Samir Handanovic kept England at bay with fine saves from Defoe and Steven Gerrard - then blocked Terry's header before turning Wayne Rooney's shot on to a post after the break.
That led to a needlessly anxious final phase in a game England should have won comfortably.
The delighted reaction of Capello's players, who gathered in a celebratory huddle at the final whistle told the story - in sharp contrast to the reaction of the Slovenians, who were in despair as news filtered through of Landon Donovan's late winner for the United States against Algeria.
England's only mission was to secure the win. Now Capello and his players will hope they can make their mark in South Africa after a faltering start to their campaign.
They needed to make amends for the lifeless performance against Algeria that left them fighting to survive the group phase, and after a nervous opening Capello's changes took effect.
Defoe's goal-poaching instincts are in sharp contrast to the honest-but-blunt efforts of Emile Heskey, who he replaced in the starting line-up, and the value of such a marksman was illustrated as the Tottenham striker gave England the lead after 22 minutes.
He reacted sharply to James Milner's cross from close range, and even though Handanovic got hands on the ball, the effort carried too much power.
England, buoyed by the confidence the goal had given them, went in search of the crucial second and almost got it in a period of intense pressure that followed Defoe's strike.
Frank Lampard could not turn a loose ball in after Handanovic failed to hold Milner's cross, but the keeper then did well to deny Defoe and England captain Gerrard in quick succession.
Slovenia had given glimpses of the talent that had taken them to the top of the group after two games with Valter Birsa testing David James, but England had assumed control after the opening exchanges.
Defoe should have doubled England's advantage moments after the break, but he shot wide from only eight yards after Gareth Barry returned Handanovic's punch into the box.
England were completely on top, and only a moment of over-elaboration between Rooney and Gerrard cost them an opening they had created superbly.
The only concern about England's display was the failure to reflect their supremacy in the scoreline, with Handanovic blocking Terry's header from a Barry corner and then getting fingertips to Rooney's effort to divert it on to the woodwork from Lampard's incisive pass.
And this was giving Slovenia encouragement in a game they should have been out of, as was shown when Terry and Glen Johnson blocked from Milijove Novakovic before Birsa shot wide.
It was the signal for Capello to make a change, removing Rooney - who had been limping slightly - for Joe Cole.
And as Slovenia pushed in the closing stages, James was well protected as they closed out a victory that eased the pressure on Capello and his players.
Now their attention will turn to the clash against old adversaries Germany, who beat Ghana to finish top of Group D.
Ghana 0 - 1 Germany
BBC
Germany set up a World Cup last-16 contest with England as Mesut Ozil's stunning strike proved enough to earn victory over Ghana, who also qualified from Group D.
Ozil settled an entertaining affair in the second half with a wonderful, dipping volley from outside the box to ensure it would be the Germans who face Fabio Capello's men in Bloemfontein on Sunday.
In a game that swung from end-to-end, at breakneck speed at times, Ghana wasted some fine chances, but the African side go through as group runners-up, thanks to Australia's surprise victory over Serbia, and they will now face USA in Rustenburg on Saturday.
Going into the game Ghana only needed a point to be sure of progressing, but they came up against a German team desperate to put their shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of Serbia in their last match behind them.
Knowing a win would set up a clash with old rivals England, Germany played with great tempo and after Cacau shot at Richard Kingson, Lucas Podolski went close with a deflected volley that flew narrowly wide of the target.
But Ghana weathered the early storm and eventually asserted their own style on proceedings. They were content to let Germany have a lot of the ball and hit them on the break when they won it back and their pace soon began to cause problems.
Asamoah Gyan should have done better with a shot that was superbly blocked by the tireless Bastain Schweinsteiger before Kevin-Prince Boateng played in Gyan, only for the striker's touch to let him down at the crucial moment.
After Ozil rolled a tame shot at Kingson from the right-hand side of the Ghana box it was the Africans who twice went close again when Gyan's goal-bound header from a corner was cleared off the line by Philipp Lahm and then Boateng glanced across the face of goal from Andre Ayew's centre.
Germany knew raced out of the blocks after the interval, aware that Serbia and Australia were goalless at the break and a Serbia goal could send Germany out.
After Asamoah spurned a rare Ghana break into the Germany half by shooting at Manuel Neuer, Ozil produced his match-winning moment.
The gifted playmaker had endured a frustrating evening up to that point, but when the ball fell to him just outside the penalty area, he set himself up and then crashed a glorious left-footed effort past Kingson's fruitless dive.
Now Ghana had most to lose and they tried to hit back immediately as Prince Tagoe's goalbound header at the far post drew a superb block from Jerome Boateng - the German defender who was playing against his brother, Kevin, in a first for the World Cup.
Ghana continued to press and Gyan's backheel exquisitely set up Ayew only for Lahm to get in a last-ditch goal-saving challenge, and Germany eased through the closing stages without looking unduly troubled.
Even after the final whistle blew, there were some nervous moments for Ghana as they waited for the result from Nelspruit, but in the end they had done enough to secure Africa's first place in the next round.
Germany set up a World Cup last-16 contest with England as Mesut Ozil's stunning strike proved enough to earn victory over Ghana, who also qualified from Group D.
Ozil settled an entertaining affair in the second half with a wonderful, dipping volley from outside the box to ensure it would be the Germans who face Fabio Capello's men in Bloemfontein on Sunday.
In a game that swung from end-to-end, at breakneck speed at times, Ghana wasted some fine chances, but the African side go through as group runners-up, thanks to Australia's surprise victory over Serbia, and they will now face USA in Rustenburg on Saturday.
Going into the game Ghana only needed a point to be sure of progressing, but they came up against a German team desperate to put their shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of Serbia in their last match behind them.
Knowing a win would set up a clash with old rivals England, Germany played with great tempo and after Cacau shot at Richard Kingson, Lucas Podolski went close with a deflected volley that flew narrowly wide of the target.
But Ghana weathered the early storm and eventually asserted their own style on proceedings. They were content to let Germany have a lot of the ball and hit them on the break when they won it back and their pace soon began to cause problems.
Asamoah Gyan should have done better with a shot that was superbly blocked by the tireless Bastain Schweinsteiger before Kevin-Prince Boateng played in Gyan, only for the striker's touch to let him down at the crucial moment.
After Ozil rolled a tame shot at Kingson from the right-hand side of the Ghana box it was the Africans who twice went close again when Gyan's goal-bound header from a corner was cleared off the line by Philipp Lahm and then Boateng glanced across the face of goal from Andre Ayew's centre.
Germany knew raced out of the blocks after the interval, aware that Serbia and Australia were goalless at the break and a Serbia goal could send Germany out.
After Asamoah spurned a rare Ghana break into the Germany half by shooting at Manuel Neuer, Ozil produced his match-winning moment.
The gifted playmaker had endured a frustrating evening up to that point, but when the ball fell to him just outside the penalty area, he set himself up and then crashed a glorious left-footed effort past Kingson's fruitless dive.
Now Ghana had most to lose and they tried to hit back immediately as Prince Tagoe's goalbound header at the far post drew a superb block from Jerome Boateng - the German defender who was playing against his brother, Kevin, in a first for the World Cup.
Ghana continued to press and Gyan's backheel exquisitely set up Ayew only for Lahm to get in a last-ditch goal-saving challenge, and Germany eased through the closing stages without looking unduly troubled.
Even after the final whistle blew, there were some nervous moments for Ghana as they waited for the result from Nelspruit, but in the end they had done enough to secure Africa's first place in the next round.
Australia 2 - 1 Serbia
BBC
Australia produced a rousing second-half display to knock Serbia out of the World Cup - but it was not quite enough for the Socceroos to sensationally earn a place in the round of 16.
A Tim Cahill header and a searing long-range strike from substitute Brett Holman ensured that at one point Pim Verbeek's side were two goals away from snatching second place in Group D.
However, that berth was ultimately claimed by Ghana, who lost 1-0 to Germany to finish level on Australia with four points but who go through by virtue of their superior goal difference.
As the clock ticked down it seemed as though the momentum of the contest had swung firmly in the favour of the green and gold but their hopes of emulating their exploits in 2006 by progressing from their group were effectively ended when substitute Marko Pantelic pulled a goal back for Serbia after 84 minutes.
In the end it was a disappointing night for both sides, with the Socceroos left to rue the damage done to their campaign by the 4-0 thrashing they sustained in their opening game against Germany.
And in many ways it was even more agonising for Serbia, who finished the match one goal away from snatching second place away from Ghana.
A draw would have taken Serbia on to four points and above Ghana on goals scored.
That almost happened in the dying seconds of what ended up as an absorbing end-to-end contest but Pantelic smashed a cross from the right wide of the target.
Many people had tipped Serbia to be a surprise package in the tournament - a school of thought given further weight after they defeated Germany in their second game.
And in the first half at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit there seemed little doubt that they would win the contest after producing a performance of attacking intent against an off-colour Australia.
Milos Krasic operated on the right flank, directly in front of the bulk of the Australia supporters during an opening 45 minutes that saw them boo him every time he touched the ball.
They were incensed by what they thought was a blatant attempt to win an early penalty after the CSKA Moscow player went down in the Socceroos area as he tussled with Carl Valeri.
But it had little impact on Krasic's performance as Serbia, with swift, precise passing, kept their dogged opponents on the back foot.
Mark Schwarzer was clearly Australia's best player as he palmed an early Krasic strike around the post and made a sensational one-handed save to thwart Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic.
Raddy Antic's side occasionally had only themselves to blame for not taking the lead, as Krasic really should have found the net after collecting an inch-perfect threaded pass from Zdravko Kuzmanovic and rounding Schwarzer, but he shot over.
Australia, with their tall target man Josh Kennedy a peripheral figure, created precious little in the opening half; Cahill, returning after suspension, headed wide while Kennedy at least drew a save from Vladimir Stojkovic with a weak effort.
It looked as though Verbeek's tenure as Australia boss was going to end tamely but his side showed great spirit after the interval, even if opportunities initially remained at a premium.
Jason Culina shot wide from long range, while Marco Bresciano drew two saves from Stojkovic, the second of them a rasping effort from 20 yards.
However, the complexion of the contest changed irreversibly when Cahill brilliantly headed Australia in front from a right-wing cross.
Germany had taken the lead against Ghana by that stage - and when Holman's sensational long-range strike defeated Stojkovic the atmosphere generated by the considerable Australia following was sensational.
Serbia, who failed to reproduce their first-half form, pulled a goal back through Pantelic after a rare error from Schwarzer, who spilled a long-range strike from Zoran Tosic.
Antic's team wanted a penalty for a handball against Cahill but they only had themselves to blame for failing to score a second when Pantelic missed.
Australia produced a rousing second-half display to knock Serbia out of the World Cup - but it was not quite enough for the Socceroos to sensationally earn a place in the round of 16.
A Tim Cahill header and a searing long-range strike from substitute Brett Holman ensured that at one point Pim Verbeek's side were two goals away from snatching second place in Group D.
However, that berth was ultimately claimed by Ghana, who lost 1-0 to Germany to finish level on Australia with four points but who go through by virtue of their superior goal difference.
As the clock ticked down it seemed as though the momentum of the contest had swung firmly in the favour of the green and gold but their hopes of emulating their exploits in 2006 by progressing from their group were effectively ended when substitute Marko Pantelic pulled a goal back for Serbia after 84 minutes.
In the end it was a disappointing night for both sides, with the Socceroos left to rue the damage done to their campaign by the 4-0 thrashing they sustained in their opening game against Germany.
And in many ways it was even more agonising for Serbia, who finished the match one goal away from snatching second place away from Ghana.
A draw would have taken Serbia on to four points and above Ghana on goals scored.
That almost happened in the dying seconds of what ended up as an absorbing end-to-end contest but Pantelic smashed a cross from the right wide of the target.
Many people had tipped Serbia to be a surprise package in the tournament - a school of thought given further weight after they defeated Germany in their second game.
And in the first half at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit there seemed little doubt that they would win the contest after producing a performance of attacking intent against an off-colour Australia.
Milos Krasic operated on the right flank, directly in front of the bulk of the Australia supporters during an opening 45 minutes that saw them boo him every time he touched the ball.
They were incensed by what they thought was a blatant attempt to win an early penalty after the CSKA Moscow player went down in the Socceroos area as he tussled with Carl Valeri.
But it had little impact on Krasic's performance as Serbia, with swift, precise passing, kept their dogged opponents on the back foot.
Mark Schwarzer was clearly Australia's best player as he palmed an early Krasic strike around the post and made a sensational one-handed save to thwart Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic.
Raddy Antic's side occasionally had only themselves to blame for not taking the lead, as Krasic really should have found the net after collecting an inch-perfect threaded pass from Zdravko Kuzmanovic and rounding Schwarzer, but he shot over.
Australia, with their tall target man Josh Kennedy a peripheral figure, created precious little in the opening half; Cahill, returning after suspension, headed wide while Kennedy at least drew a save from Vladimir Stojkovic with a weak effort.
It looked as though Verbeek's tenure as Australia boss was going to end tamely but his side showed great spirit after the interval, even if opportunities initially remained at a premium.
Jason Culina shot wide from long range, while Marco Bresciano drew two saves from Stojkovic, the second of them a rasping effort from 20 yards.
However, the complexion of the contest changed irreversibly when Cahill brilliantly headed Australia in front from a right-wing cross.
Germany had taken the lead against Ghana by that stage - and when Holman's sensational long-range strike defeated Stojkovic the atmosphere generated by the considerable Australia following was sensational.
Serbia, who failed to reproduce their first-half form, pulled a goal back through Pantelic after a rare error from Schwarzer, who spilled a long-range strike from Zoran Tosic.
Antic's team wanted a penalty for a handball against Cahill but they only had themselves to blame for failing to score a second when Pantelic missed.
USA 1 - 0 Algeria
BBC
Landon Donovan's dramatic stoppage-time goal secured a narrow victory over Algeria and fired the United States into the last 16 of the World Cup as group winners.
The US were on the brink of going out of the competition when Donovan followed up a sharp save from goalkeeper Raid Ouheb M'bolhi in the 92nd minute to smash the ball home.
Until that moment it had been a story of inspired saves from M'bolhi, poor American finishing and a lineman's error, which denied Clint Dempsey a goal in the first half.
But Donovan's late intervention delivered a deserved victory, which pushed England into second place in Group C on goals scored following their 1-0 victory over Slovenia.
The Algerians, who would have been going out even with a draw, had captain Anther Yahia sent off after receiving a second yellow card in the dying moments.
The first meeting between the teams came alive after five minutes when an Algerian long ball was totally missed by Jay DeMerit on its way through to Rafik Djebbour, who chested it down before volleying against the bar.
Moments later, at the other end, a long-range strike from US striker Hercules Gomez was pushed aside by M'bolhi.
Watched by former US president Bill Clinton, the Americans became more dominant as the half wore on and should have taken the lead after 20 minutes when Dempsey's effort was harshly ruled out for offside.
First Donovan's shot was brilliantly saved by M'bolhi but when the ball rebounded to the attacker, he quickly squared it to Dempsey, who turned it into the net, only to see his celebrations thwarted by the linesman's flag.
Dempsey went close again before Jozy Altidore missed the clearest opening of the half, blazing wastefully over the bar from five yards.
Algeria, who qualified for the finals via a play-off victory over Egypt, showed plenty of promise in their build-up play, only for most of their attacks to fizzle out on the edge of the penalty area.
The second half began in a similar manner with the Americans on the front foot and once again it was Dempsey who could have broken the deadlock.
Fed by Altidore, his first effort crashed back off the post, and his second was slashed wildly wide with left foot.
Knowing that a victory would send them through, US coach Bob Bradley threw on attackers Edson Buddle and Benny Feilhaber, whose low shot was saved by the legs of M'bolhi.
With the Americans committed to attack, Algeria began to threaten on the break and Karim Ziani flashed a low shot wide when well-placed inside the box.
But just as the Americans appeared to be running out of steam, the winning goal finally arrived.
Altidore raced clear down the right and crossed for Dempsey, whose point-blank effort was parried by the goalkeeper. The loose ball rolled into the path of Donovan, who made no mistake from six yards to send the American players and fans into raptures.
Landon Donovan's dramatic stoppage-time goal secured a narrow victory over Algeria and fired the United States into the last 16 of the World Cup as group winners.
The US were on the brink of going out of the competition when Donovan followed up a sharp save from goalkeeper Raid Ouheb M'bolhi in the 92nd minute to smash the ball home.
Until that moment it had been a story of inspired saves from M'bolhi, poor American finishing and a lineman's error, which denied Clint Dempsey a goal in the first half.
But Donovan's late intervention delivered a deserved victory, which pushed England into second place in Group C on goals scored following their 1-0 victory over Slovenia.
The Algerians, who would have been going out even with a draw, had captain Anther Yahia sent off after receiving a second yellow card in the dying moments.
The first meeting between the teams came alive after five minutes when an Algerian long ball was totally missed by Jay DeMerit on its way through to Rafik Djebbour, who chested it down before volleying against the bar.
Moments later, at the other end, a long-range strike from US striker Hercules Gomez was pushed aside by M'bolhi.
Watched by former US president Bill Clinton, the Americans became more dominant as the half wore on and should have taken the lead after 20 minutes when Dempsey's effort was harshly ruled out for offside.
First Donovan's shot was brilliantly saved by M'bolhi but when the ball rebounded to the attacker, he quickly squared it to Dempsey, who turned it into the net, only to see his celebrations thwarted by the linesman's flag.
Dempsey went close again before Jozy Altidore missed the clearest opening of the half, blazing wastefully over the bar from five yards.
Algeria, who qualified for the finals via a play-off victory over Egypt, showed plenty of promise in their build-up play, only for most of their attacks to fizzle out on the edge of the penalty area.
The second half began in a similar manner with the Americans on the front foot and once again it was Dempsey who could have broken the deadlock.
Fed by Altidore, his first effort crashed back off the post, and his second was slashed wildly wide with left foot.
Knowing that a victory would send them through, US coach Bob Bradley threw on attackers Edson Buddle and Benny Feilhaber, whose low shot was saved by the legs of M'bolhi.
With the Americans committed to attack, Algeria began to threaten on the break and Karim Ziani flashed a low shot wide when well-placed inside the box.
But just as the Americans appeared to be running out of steam, the winning goal finally arrived.
Altidore raced clear down the right and crossed for Dempsey, whose point-blank effort was parried by the goalkeeper. The loose ball rolled into the path of Donovan, who made no mistake from six yards to send the American players and fans into raptures.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Cameroon 1 - 2 Denmark
BBC
Denmark came from behind to defeat Cameroon in a pulsating match that ensured the African team became the first to be knocked out of the 2010 World Cup.
It was a game in which both teams squandered numerous chances - but the Indomitable Lions were undoubtedly the most profligate, particularly after they fell behind and chased the goal that they so desperately needed.
Danish keeper Thomas Sorensen superbly denied Achille Emana, while substitute Vincent Aboubakar had a goal-bound effort blocked by Christian Poulsen in the closing stages as the atmosphere reached fever pitch at Loftus Versfeld.
Denmark have qualified from the group stage at all three previous World Cup appearances - and Morten Olsen's team will face Japan in their final game knowing a victory will take them into the next round.
And the result also ensured that the Netherlands - 1-0 winners over Japan earlier in the day - will qualify from Group E.
It did not look as though the experienced - if aging - Scandinavians would leave with three points after Cameroon tore into them in the opening minutes.
The African side had taken an early lead through Samuel Eto'o, who later hit the post, after a horrific error from Christian Poulsen.
But Nicklas Bendtner equalised from close range before veteran Dennis Rommedahl ghosted beyond substitute Jean Makoun after the break to leave Cameroon pointless after two games.
Cameroon were simply awful as they lost their opening match against Japan but in the minutes after kick-off on Saturday they looked strong, enthusiastic and focused.
There had been much talk of a rebellion against the tactics of coach Paul Le Guen, particularly after Eto'o played on the right and Alex Song was left out altogether against the Japanese.
But Song was restored to the Indomitable Lions midfield and had a fine game in a deep role, while Eto'o played in a more central position and took just 10 minutes to put his team in front.
Denmark, who lost to the Netherlands in their opening match, started nervously and gifted Eto'o his goal when Poulsen's awful square pass close to the edge of his own penalty area was intercepted by Pierre Webo.
He slipped the ball to an unmarked Eto'o and the Cameroon skipper had time to slot the ball beyond Thomas Sorensen from 14 yards.
Eto'o had already shot wide, while Emana went close with a rasping low strike shortly after the opener as Le Guen's team threatened to take a firm grip on the contest.
Denmark, with Jesper Gronkjaer, Jon Dahl Tomasson and Rommedahl playing behind Bendtner, simply could not keep hold of the ball during the opening 15 minutes, but they slowly edged their way back into the contest.
Rommedahl and Gronkjaer had both failed to hit the target with shots from wide positions but it would have been difficult for Bendtner to miss as he drew Denmark level after 32 minutes.
The unmarked Arsenal striker stabbed home Rommedahl's low cross from six yards but it was the sensational raking 60-yard cross-field pass from the impressive Simon Kjaer that really caught the eye - and caught Benoit Assou-Ekotto out of position.
Both teams might have scored again before the break as some atrocious defending ensured the game became an increasingly enjoyable spectacle.
Song blocked a goal-bound strike from Tomasson, while Eto'o struck the post with a drilled effort before Sorensen denied Emana after the Cameroon forward had been allowed to easily skip his way through the centre of the Danish defence.
The match continued to seesaw after the restart, with Sorenson tipping over a header from Stephane Mbia and Kjaer shooting inches over the crossbar.
But a swift Danish counter led to the game's next goal, with Rommedahl showing a burst of space to easily skip past substitute Jean Makoun before precisely slotting the ball across Hamidou Souleymanou and into the bottom corner.
Makoun had been covering for right-back Assou-Ekotto, who seconds earlier had been involved in a break almost led to a Cameroon goal.
Stung into action, the African side responded, with Webo heading wide and Makoun shooting over.
Denmark held their shape and showed a steel to preserve their lead but suffered a blow late on when Kjaer picked up a booking that means he will miss the match against Japan.
Even so, it was Olsen's team who were celebrating at the final whistle while Cameroon's only win since the 1990 World Cup remains a 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in 2002.
Ghana 1 - 1 Australia
BBC
Australia overcame the first-half dismissal of Harry Keo battle for a draw against Ghana that keeps their slim hopes of reaching the World Cup second round alive.
The Socceroos, hammered 4-0 by Germany in their opening Group D game, took an early lead through Brett Holman before former Liverpool forward Kewell was shown a straight red for a handball on the goal-line and Asamoah Gyan slotted home his second penalty of the tournament.
But an inexperienced Ghana side struggled against 10 men, showing limited imagination and resorting to shot after shot from long range.
And it was Australia who came closest to winning the match when Luke Wilkshire failed to beat Black Stars goalkeeper Richard Kingston when clean through on goal.
It was an impressive display from the Australians who had been lambasted by their national press after a meek opening performance and suffered the hammer blow of having a key man sent off for the second game in a row.
The Socceroos could still emulate their 2006 effort of reaching last 16 in South Africa if they defeat Serbia in their final game on Wednesday, while Ghana need only a point against the Germans to advance.
While injuries to captain John Mensah and Isaac Vorsah forced Ghana boss Milan Rajevac to field an inexperienced centre-back pairing of Lee Addy and Jonathan Mensah, under-fire Australia coach Pim Verbeek made four changes to the side that lost to Germany with Kewell called in to lead the attack.
And Kewell was immediately in the thick of the action, going down twice inside the area in the first 10 minutes but seeing both his penalty appeals turned down by Italian referee Roberto Rosetti.
The Socceroos had reason to thank the official shortly afterwards when he awarded the free-kick from which they took the lead.
Mark Bresciano's 30-yard strike bounced awkwardly in front of Kingston, but the keeper should have done more than just parrying the ball straight in front of him. Holman reacted quickest to clip the loose ball into the top corner.
Kingston has played more for his country than his club in the last four years and his sloppy work provided another page in the catalogue of goalkeeping gaffes at this World Cup.
Ghana, the only African team to win at the tournament so far, reacted with a series of pacy attacks and they did not have to wait long for their equaliser.
Andre Ayew showed great determination to work some space for himself on the byline and produce a measured cut-back to Mensah, whose powerful goalbound shot struck Kewell on the arm.
Kewell protested that the ball had hit his chest and implored the referee to watch the replay on the big screen but when the incident was shown again it entirely vindicated the decision to award a penalty and show the Australia frontman a red card.
Gyan sent Socceroos keeper Mark Schwarzer the wrong way from the spot.
The Black Stars initially made the most of their extra man, using the full width of the pitch to stretch Australia, and Rajevac's men could have gone ahead shortly before half-time.
Portsmouth's Kevin-Prince Boateng worked his way into the box and unleashed a right-footed shot that was brilliantly tipped around the post by Schwarzer, who had to be at his best once again shortly after the break to claw away a curler from Gyan.
Ghana seemed to lose their way as the game wore on, running out of ideas and firing speculative shots from distance which were often embarrassingly off target.
The Africans' profligacy seemed to awaken their opponents' senses to the possibility that they could still win the game and the Socceroos came close on two occasions.
First Scott Chipperfield headed over the bar, and then Wilkshire found acres of space in the box, but his shot was smothered by Kingston, who was on hand to gather Josh Kennedy's follow-up effort.
But Ghana ended the game the stronger side with Mensah heading over from Sulley Muntari's cross and Schwarzer pulling off a one-handed save to keep out Quincy Owusu-Abeyie's long-range strike.
Australia overcame the first-half dismissal of Harry Keo battle for a draw against Ghana that keeps their slim hopes of reaching the World Cup second round alive.
The Socceroos, hammered 4-0 by Germany in their opening Group D game, took an early lead through Brett Holman before former Liverpool forward Kewell was shown a straight red for a handball on the goal-line and Asamoah Gyan slotted home his second penalty of the tournament.
But an inexperienced Ghana side struggled against 10 men, showing limited imagination and resorting to shot after shot from long range.
And it was Australia who came closest to winning the match when Luke Wilkshire failed to beat Black Stars goalkeeper Richard Kingston when clean through on goal.
It was an impressive display from the Australians who had been lambasted by their national press after a meek opening performance and suffered the hammer blow of having a key man sent off for the second game in a row.
The Socceroos could still emulate their 2006 effort of reaching last 16 in South Africa if they defeat Serbia in their final game on Wednesday, while Ghana need only a point against the Germans to advance.
While injuries to captain John Mensah and Isaac Vorsah forced Ghana boss Milan Rajevac to field an inexperienced centre-back pairing of Lee Addy and Jonathan Mensah, under-fire Australia coach Pim Verbeek made four changes to the side that lost to Germany with Kewell called in to lead the attack.
And Kewell was immediately in the thick of the action, going down twice inside the area in the first 10 minutes but seeing both his penalty appeals turned down by Italian referee Roberto Rosetti.
The Socceroos had reason to thank the official shortly afterwards when he awarded the free-kick from which they took the lead.
Mark Bresciano's 30-yard strike bounced awkwardly in front of Kingston, but the keeper should have done more than just parrying the ball straight in front of him. Holman reacted quickest to clip the loose ball into the top corner.
Kingston has played more for his country than his club in the last four years and his sloppy work provided another page in the catalogue of goalkeeping gaffes at this World Cup.
Ghana, the only African team to win at the tournament so far, reacted with a series of pacy attacks and they did not have to wait long for their equaliser.
Andre Ayew showed great determination to work some space for himself on the byline and produce a measured cut-back to Mensah, whose powerful goalbound shot struck Kewell on the arm.
Kewell protested that the ball had hit his chest and implored the referee to watch the replay on the big screen but when the incident was shown again it entirely vindicated the decision to award a penalty and show the Australia frontman a red card.
Gyan sent Socceroos keeper Mark Schwarzer the wrong way from the spot.
The Black Stars initially made the most of their extra man, using the full width of the pitch to stretch Australia, and Rajevac's men could have gone ahead shortly before half-time.
Portsmouth's Kevin-Prince Boateng worked his way into the box and unleashed a right-footed shot that was brilliantly tipped around the post by Schwarzer, who had to be at his best once again shortly after the break to claw away a curler from Gyan.
Ghana seemed to lose their way as the game wore on, running out of ideas and firing speculative shots from distance which were often embarrassingly off target.
The Africans' profligacy seemed to awaken their opponents' senses to the possibility that they could still win the game and the Socceroos came close on two occasions.
First Scott Chipperfield headed over the bar, and then Wilkshire found acres of space in the box, but his shot was smothered by Kingston, who was on hand to gather Josh Kennedy's follow-up effort.
But Ghana ended the game the stronger side with Mensah heading over from Sulley Muntari's cross and Schwarzer pulling off a one-handed save to keep out Quincy Owusu-Abeyie's long-range strike.
Netherlands 1 - 0 Japan
BBC
The Netherlands put themselves on the brink of qualification for the last 16 with a hard-fought victory over an impressively stubborn Japan side in Durban.
Wesley Sneijder's powerful 52nd-minute winner from just outside the box proved the difference between two teams whose styles provided a fascinating contrast as the group E match wore on, with good chances falling to both sides just before the final whistle.
The Dutch will qualify for the knockout stages unless Cameroon can beat Denmark draw later on Saturday, and are still likely to go through should they not.
Japan came into the match off the back of their first World Cup win on foreign soil after beating Cameroon 1-0 on Monday.
And the afterglow of that historic achievement was evident in the admirable tactical nous they executed in the first half, as they stifled the Netherland's search for fluid creativity with regimental efficiency in front of near-full Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Now 21 matches unbeaten, the Netherlands started like a team full of quiet confidence as they kept possession well and used the width of Dirk Kuyt on the right and Rafael Van der Vaart on the left.
Inter Milan midfielder Sneijder had the first clear chance but, on this occasion, could not keep his long-range shot, from a free-kick, down - a common sight in South Africa as players struggle to tame the much-criticised Jabulani ball.
When they did break up the Netherland's passing, Grenoble midfielder Daisuke Matsui looked bright for Japan - instigating an incisive move on which saw eventually saw Yuto Nagatomo hit a stinging shot just wide.
The Asian side slowly began to frustrate the Dutch, who struggled to bring striker Robin Van Persie into the game and lacked a killer pass.
And by the end of the first half they had relative control, with towering Brazilian-born Tulio heading just wide before Matsui lashed a decent volley straight at Maarten Stekelenburg.
But the Dutch - who have never won the World Cup despite a rich pedigree of world-class footballers - took the second-half by the scruff of the neck, with van Persie breaking free on a couple of occasions.
After a period of concerted pressure as the ball ricocheted around the box in the 52nd minute, the Arsenal striker managed to nudge it into the path of Sneijder - one of Jose Mourinho's form players as Italian side Inter won the league, cup and Champions League treble this season.
Loitering just outside the penalty area, he lashed a powerful right-foot shot towards goal which Eiji Kawashima could only deflect into the net when he might have made a save.
That moment liberated both teams and no longer could containment tactics be the limit of Japan's ambitions.
They responded in kind, Van Persie finding himself hooking a dangerous cross from substitute Shunsuke Nakamura over his own crossbar from with the six-yard box.
Hamburg's Eljero Elia came on as a substitute for Van der Vaart and nearly recreated the impression he had from the bench in Netherland's first match, cleverly releasing Ibrahim Allelay for a one-on-one though his fellow substitute could not add a second with seven minutes remaining as Kawashima smothered his attempt.
Japan went close with seconds to spare but the ball just eluded Yuto Nagatomo from Keisuke Honda's curling cross.
Cameroon play Denmark at 1930 BST in the fourth group E match.
The Netherlands put themselves on the brink of qualification for the last 16 with a hard-fought victory over an impressively stubborn Japan side in Durban.
Wesley Sneijder's powerful 52nd-minute winner from just outside the box proved the difference between two teams whose styles provided a fascinating contrast as the group E match wore on, with good chances falling to both sides just before the final whistle.
The Dutch will qualify for the knockout stages unless Cameroon can beat Denmark draw later on Saturday, and are still likely to go through should they not.
Japan came into the match off the back of their first World Cup win on foreign soil after beating Cameroon 1-0 on Monday.
And the afterglow of that historic achievement was evident in the admirable tactical nous they executed in the first half, as they stifled the Netherland's search for fluid creativity with regimental efficiency in front of near-full Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Now 21 matches unbeaten, the Netherlands started like a team full of quiet confidence as they kept possession well and used the width of Dirk Kuyt on the right and Rafael Van der Vaart on the left.
Inter Milan midfielder Sneijder had the first clear chance but, on this occasion, could not keep his long-range shot, from a free-kick, down - a common sight in South Africa as players struggle to tame the much-criticised Jabulani ball.
When they did break up the Netherland's passing, Grenoble midfielder Daisuke Matsui looked bright for Japan - instigating an incisive move on which saw eventually saw Yuto Nagatomo hit a stinging shot just wide.
The Asian side slowly began to frustrate the Dutch, who struggled to bring striker Robin Van Persie into the game and lacked a killer pass.
And by the end of the first half they had relative control, with towering Brazilian-born Tulio heading just wide before Matsui lashed a decent volley straight at Maarten Stekelenburg.
But the Dutch - who have never won the World Cup despite a rich pedigree of world-class footballers - took the second-half by the scruff of the neck, with van Persie breaking free on a couple of occasions.
After a period of concerted pressure as the ball ricocheted around the box in the 52nd minute, the Arsenal striker managed to nudge it into the path of Sneijder - one of Jose Mourinho's form players as Italian side Inter won the league, cup and Champions League treble this season.
Loitering just outside the penalty area, he lashed a powerful right-foot shot towards goal which Eiji Kawashima could only deflect into the net when he might have made a save.
That moment liberated both teams and no longer could containment tactics be the limit of Japan's ambitions.
They responded in kind, Van Persie finding himself hooking a dangerous cross from substitute Shunsuke Nakamura over his own crossbar from with the six-yard box.
Hamburg's Eljero Elia came on as a substitute for Van der Vaart and nearly recreated the impression he had from the bench in Netherland's first match, cleverly releasing Ibrahim Allelay for a one-on-one though his fellow substitute could not add a second with seven minutes remaining as Kawashima smothered his attempt.
Japan went close with seconds to spare but the ball just eluded Yuto Nagatomo from Keisuke Honda's curling cross.
Cameroon play Denmark at 1930 BST in the fourth group E match.
Friday, June 18, 2010
World Cup 2010: US furious over disallowed goal
BBC
United States star Landon Donovan believes his side had a late goal "stolen" from them by the referee who oversaw their 2-2 draw with Slovenia.
The US went 2-0 down but fought back before Koman Coulibaly - taking charge of his first World Cup game - ruled out Maurice Edu's 85th-minute volley.
"I'm a little gutted," said Donoan. "I don't know how they stole the goal from us. I'm not sure what the call was."
Coach Bob Bradley said: "I still don't know why the goal was disallowed."
Bradley added: "This team still understands how to fight for 90 minutes. This is something we've seen time and time again.
"It is important to understand that the players put a lot of emotion into the game and now they want a fair outcome."
The US were two goals down at half-time but made a dramatic comeback, thanks to goals from Donovan and Michael Bradley - son of coach Bob - which kept alive their hopes of emerging from group C into the last 16.
I have to say I felt a little robbed there at the end, but we probably shouldn't have backed ourselves into a corner they way we did
The crucial incident occurred five minutes from the final whistle, when Donovan's free-kick was swung into the Slovenia area and Edu volleyed the ball into the net.
Edu ran off in celebration but the Malian referee blew for an apparent infringement as the players jostled for position in the penalty area.
The US, who drew 1-1 with England in their opening match of the tournament, protested furiously and were left questioning the decision after the game.
"It's too bad because I think that was a fair goal," said LA Galaxy midfielder Donovan. "I saw a good finish and a good goal. He wouldn't tell us what the call was.
"[But] I'm proud of our guys. My guess is there's not many teams in this tournament that could have done what we did."
The US, who now have two points from two games, play Algeria in Pretoria on Wednesday in their final group C match.
"We know we're good enough to play against a team like that," added Donovan.
"We can't keep putting ourselves in holes like that. We've got one more chance against Algeria, and we're still alive."
United States star Landon Donovan believes his side had a late goal "stolen" from them by the referee who oversaw their 2-2 draw with Slovenia.
The US went 2-0 down but fought back before Koman Coulibaly - taking charge of his first World Cup game - ruled out Maurice Edu's 85th-minute volley.
"I'm a little gutted," said Donoan. "I don't know how they stole the goal from us. I'm not sure what the call was."
Coach Bob Bradley said: "I still don't know why the goal was disallowed."
Bradley added: "This team still understands how to fight for 90 minutes. This is something we've seen time and time again.
"It is important to understand that the players put a lot of emotion into the game and now they want a fair outcome."
The US were two goals down at half-time but made a dramatic comeback, thanks to goals from Donovan and Michael Bradley - son of coach Bob - which kept alive their hopes of emerging from group C into the last 16.
I have to say I felt a little robbed there at the end, but we probably shouldn't have backed ourselves into a corner they way we did
The crucial incident occurred five minutes from the final whistle, when Donovan's free-kick was swung into the Slovenia area and Edu volleyed the ball into the net.
Edu ran off in celebration but the Malian referee blew for an apparent infringement as the players jostled for position in the penalty area.
The US, who drew 1-1 with England in their opening match of the tournament, protested furiously and were left questioning the decision after the game.
"It's too bad because I think that was a fair goal," said LA Galaxy midfielder Donovan. "I saw a good finish and a good goal. He wouldn't tell us what the call was.
"[But] I'm proud of our guys. My guess is there's not many teams in this tournament that could have done what we did."
The US, who now have two points from two games, play Algeria in Pretoria on Wednesday in their final group C match.
"We know we're good enough to play against a team like that," added Donovan.
"We can't keep putting ourselves in holes like that. We've got one more chance against Algeria, and we're still alive."
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