There's nothing like a neighbourly challenge.

David Villa tested his shooting boots in the third minute. A couple of minutes later, he stretched his running legs.

Then we were treated to the usual hands on hips from Cristiano Ronaldo, when a free-kick wasn't given to him.

Iker Casillas flapped at a Tiago shot in the 20th minute but instantly redeemed himself by palming the ball away from Hugo Almeida's head.

Casillas looked suspect again, eight minutes later, when he shovelled at a Ronaldo free-kick.

Argentina's Hector Baldassi just shook his head and left Ronaldo sitting on the floor again in the 35th minute. Ronaldo stayed on his feet four minutes later, by not running into players on purpose. Instead, when the run came to a dead-end, he just laid the ball back.

Casillas raced off his line shortly before the break, to make sure the deadlock wasn't broken. If it keeps on like this, we could be in for a long evening.

Half-time: 0:0

Nothing too inspiring at the start of the second-half.

Third-time lucky for Casillas, as he watched a potential Spain own-goal just bobble past his post; Almeida's low cross taking something of a looping deflection off a defender.

Just a minute after coming on for Fernando Torres, Fernando Llorente should have scored with a free header.

Spain looked more lively and after a series of combination passes around the Portugal area, David Villa scored at the second attempt. The arrival of Llorente has added the much-needed strength to the Spanish front line.

After a run down the right, Sergio Ramos came close to adding a second for Spain seven minutes later. Then it was Villa's turn to try a long shot on the left.

With four minutes to go, Llorente glanced a header wide and then a couple of minutes later his over-acting earned Ricardo Costa a red card. The man who came on and started putting it about amongst the Portuguese defenders was seen rolling around like a baby.

Oh the pain.

Spain 1 Portugal 0

Paraguay have the chance to make it four South American teams in the quarter-finals; and maybe even the semi-finals.

It took twenty minutes for the game to come to life: first Lucas Barrios turned nicely for Paraguay and forced Eiji Kawashima to save with his foot; then, at the other end, Paraguay's Justo Villar looked stretched as Daisuke Matsui curled the ball onto the bar with some power.

Keisuke Honda seemed a little upset with himself shortly before the break, but a goal would have been more than Japan deserved; taking into account their overall performance during the first forty minutes.

Paraguay didn't deserve anything either. Maybe neither side really wanted to be thrashed by Spain or Portugal in the quarter-final.

Half-time: 0:0

The most exciting thing happened on the hour, when Paraguay made a substitution; Nelson Valdez on for Edgar Benitez.

Things almost livened up some ten minutes before extra-time would be played; but, as with the previous 80 minutes, the releasing pass from both teams just had no pace on it.

The vuvuzelas increased in volume when the 90th minute ticked in. Sadly, even if the quality of play were to improve ten fold, ten times nothing is still nothing.

Thankfully, this will all be over in half an hour and then we can get back to the real World Cup.

Into Extra Time.

If the players of Spain and Portugal were watching this, they probably all fell asleep.

As a thank-you for not being the last Paraguayan player to be substituted, Lucas Barrios headed goalwards in the 4th minute of extra-time, but much too comfortable for Kawashima.

Then Nelson Valdez tried to get the final touch past Kawashima, before the game needed penalties.

In the ninth minute of extra-time, Keisuke Honda's free-kick was going wide but Villar wanted to come into the game, so hit it away for fun.

All the action happened in extra-time, as Edgar Barreto was next up; to flick the ball over the Japanese crossbar.

So, from the fear of playing Spain or Portugal to the fear of not playing at all. Two teams with fifteen minutes to do something, or continue with nothing.

Tense, nervous and lacking ambition - Paraguay and Japan did very little to entertain the fans, although Japan did excite theirs for a split second.

Paraguay 0 Japan 0 - After Extra Time. (5:3 pens)

Penalties:
Paraguay started first.

1:0 Edgar Barreto - Took a deep breath and scored.
1:1 Yasuhito Endo - Raised his fist after sending Villar the wrong way.
2:1 Lucas Barrios - Looked casual but only just out of reach.
2:2 Makoto Hasebe - Scored and kissed the stars.
3:2 Cristian Riveros - Easily taken.
3:2 Yuichi Komano - Hit hard and high; onto the crossbar.
4:2 Nelson Valdez - Crashed the ball home, then fell to his knees.
4:3 Keisuke Honda - Calmly side-footed.
5:3 Oscar Cardozo - No sense of pressure, so slow and cool.

Paraguay reach the quarter-finals for the first time in their history.

In CONMEBOL qualifying, Brazil beat Chile (4:2) and (3:0) yet Chile finished second to Brazil.

One South American team will be going out tonight but there could be four in the semi-finals.

For the most part, we weren't given the first-half feast of football that many expected; until Juan headed in Maicon's corner from the right, on the 34th minute.

Luis Fabiano added Brazil's second just a few minutes later; after Robinho and Kaka worked together, while the FC Sevilla player prepared himself to spring the offside trap and round Claudio Bravo.

Half-time: 2:0

Chile started the second-half positively but found themselves continuously running into yellow shirt cul-de-sacs.

With almost an hour played, Ramires ran towards the Chile defence then laid the ball off for Robinho to make it three for Brazil.

The rest of the game was just a formality; although a booking for Ramires means that he will miss the quarter-final against Holland, in Port Elizabeth.

Brazil 3 Chile 0

Slovakia had already sent the world champions, Italy, home and were now seeking to do the same to Holland.

Slovakia started the game with confidence and fired the first warning shot across the Dutch bows in just the second minute of play, in Durban.

The first real Dutch threat came in the seventh minute, through a deflected header by Robin Van Persie.

Holland were at it again three minutes later; Van Persie unselfishly feeding Wesley Sneijder.

Arjen Robben then took Slovakia apart all alone; sprinting down the right onto a  Wesley Sneijder lob, then cutting in on his left behind Jan Durica and Miroslav Stoch, and shooting for goal past the sliding foot of the incoming Martin Skrtel.

That took the wind out of Slovakia's sails and they struggled to get back in the match; as the orange shirts could afford to position themselves deeper and block Slovakia's route to goal.

Half-time: 1:0

Slovakia might have wanted to get level early in the second-half but it was Jan Mucha who had to work twice in a minute to keep Holland out; Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie both looking to make things happen in and around the Slovakian penalty area with just five minutes of the new half played.

Maarten Stekelenburg had very little to do for Holland, then had to make two crucial saves in the space of a minute from Miroslav Stoch and Robert Vittek.

With seven minutes left to play, Slovakia lost the plot. Martin Skrtel conceded a needless free-kick and Jan Mucha came rushing off his line. Dirk Kuyt had plenty of time on the left of the area and just waited for Wesley Sneijder to come into osition in the middle; with an empty net at his mercy.

A consolation goal for Slovakia when Robert Vittek converted from the penalty spot with the last kick of the game; after Martin Jakubko invited Maarten Stekelenburg to catch his leg.

Holland 2 Slovakia 1

Another Latin American team will be joining Uruguay in the quarter-finals this evening.

Mexico almost opened the scoring in the eighth minute, when Carlos Salcido unleashed a cracking shot from the left that crashed off the crossbar.

A few minutes later, Lionel Messi tried to chip Oscar Perez at the other end.

Drama in the 25th minute when Lionel Messi sent Carlos Tevez through; Oscar Perez came out; the ball fell to Messi again, who chiped the ball forward to Tevez - clearly in an offside position. Tevez just headed the ball into the net and turned to celebrate; while Maradona jumped for joy on the touchline.

The Mexicans protested the goal, everyone ran over to the linesman, the referee joined in. Heated moments, huge mistake in the second game today but the score was already up on the scoreboard and Roberto Rosetti pointed to the centre-circle.

Argentina started to look as they were going to run riot and tear the Mexican defence apart, like Germany did to England; when Gonzalo Higuain notched up his fourth goal of the tournament.

The Mexicans, who had started so well, began to look as though their tournament was over.

Half-time: 2:0

Mexico started the second-half well but Carlos Tevez hurt them again with a beautiful strike from the edge of the area in the 52nd minute.

With less than twenty minutes to go, Javier Hernandez gave Mexico some hope when he pulled a goal back with a swift turn, a few quick steps and a shot into the roof of the net.

In the closing minutes, Lionel Messi was once again denied a goal, probably because the players he beat were along the outside edge of the box and he shot from too far out. Maradona might have dribbled in closer.

Argentina 3 Mexico 1

The World Cup Final came early for England and Germany; where the winner was guaranteed a meeting with Argentina or Mexico.

All in red, an unchanged England side looked for a repeat performance of their last group game, against Slovenia.

After an offside call on Wayne Rooney, Mesut Özil broke into the right side of the England penalty area and forced David James to close his legs, sharply.

Germany seemed to have more space for a while then Jermain Defoe and Frank Lampard worked together on the edge of the German area, for a free-kick.

From Frank Lampard's shot into the wall to a long goal-kick upfield by German goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer in the 20th minute and England went a goal behind; Miroslav Klose sprinting through Matthew Upson and John Terry to do the damage.

In the thirtieth minute, England defenders were at it once more; leaving too much space for Germany to move through and forcing David James to save again with his feet.

If the England defenders heard James, they didn't take much notice as they were split again two minutes later, when Thomas Müller had plenty of space to whip the ball across for Lukas Podolski to have time for a second touch, then drill the ball under David James, in off the post.

With ten minutes still to the break, England's ship seemed to be sinking fast and but for James at the helm it could have been four or five to Germany.

A short corner to Steven Gerrard in the 37th minute, allowed the England captain to loft the ball for West Ham's Matthew Upson to head England back into the game.

A minute later and England should have been level; Frank Lampard's shot hit the underside of the bar, landed over the line and bounced back onto the bar, only to be gathered by Manuel Neuer as it came back down.

Uruguayan referee, Jorge Larrionda either didn't see it or didn't want to see it. He certainly didn't give it. FIFA president Sepp Blatter was shown in the stands at the start of the match, but what a shame that the camera didn't pan to him when the ball crossed the line.

When the referee picked the ball up for the break, he was duly booed by the large England contingent.

Half-time: 2:1

Frank Lampard hit the bar again, from a free-kick eight minutes into the second-half, but this time Jabulani flew high into the sky.

England's central defensive jitteries continued and David James must have been starting to sound like a worn-out record.

England tried to expose the German defence; with Jermain Defoe looking for a chance, but Germany dealt with the movement far better.

England's threat at free-kick's was applaing, as all Frank Lampard could do once again was fire into the wall.

Germany poured forward again and again like water through a teabag. All too easily, Thomas Müller scored two goals within three minutes to avenge the Munich defeat of 2001 and give the English journalists plenty of ammunition to call their own shots.

Germany were by far the better team but England made it much too easy for them and should be made to walk home for their dismal display in South Africa.

Bloemfontein 2010 can go down in recent England's exit history with Gelsenkirchen 2006, Shizuoka 2002 and St Etienne 1998.

Germany 4 England 1

Ghana are Africa's last remaining team in the 2010 World Cup and hope to become the third African team to reach the quarter-finals; following in the football boots of Cameroon (Italy 1990) and Senegal (Korea-Japan 2002).

Inside five minutes, Ghana forced Team USA to try and come from behind again.

Ricardo Clark lost the ball around the halfway line allowing Kevin-Prince Boateng to take the ball and run the length of the pitch; eventually shooting the ball low, between a late-diving Tim Howard and his right post.

Ricardo Clark then picked up a yellow card for a hot-headed challenge; clearly frustrated for giving the goal away.

Another yellow card ten minutes later, this time for Steve Cherundolo on the edge of the US area, and Tim Howard redeemed himself by saving the Asamoah Gyan free-kick.

The volume of the vuvuzelas increased in the thirty-fifth minute, in appreciation of Richard Kingson's left-foot save from Robbie Findley.

Two minutes later and it was Tim Howard's turn to save from a fast approaching Kwadwo Asamoah.

Half-time: 0:1

Half-time substitute, Benny Feilhaber, was into the Ghanaian penalty area early; forcing Richard Kingson into a left-hand and foot combination save.

Team USA started the second-half brightly, picking holes in the Ghana defence on a number of occasions; but the United States lacked the final player to connect, or were denied by the ever alert Richard Kingson.

Just after the hour, United States were back in the game, after Jonathan Mensah fouled Clint Dempsey in the penalty area. Landon Donovan sent Kingson the wrong way but looked stunned for a second; when the ball hit the post, then the back of the net.

A minute after Asamoah Gyan tried to aim a glancing header into the USA top corner, the Americans looked composed going forward, smartly releasing Michael Bradley behind the Ghana back line. The bosses so probably shot too early and Kingson held the ball on the ground comfortably.

Jozy Altidore had a great chance to put the United States in front, with ten minutes to go; but, in stretching to beat the pursuing Mensah, scuffed the turf and skewed his shot.

Teams would normally be dragging out time with substitutions at such a late stage of the game, but with extra-time looming both managers still hard one option available to them.

Ghana had a chance to score with the last corner of the game but fluffed it and both teams would have another thirty minutes to try and get a result.

Into Extra Time.

Bob Bradley made his final substitution at the start of extra-time; looking for fresh legs up front, Herculez Gomez on for Jozy Altidore.

But it was a long ball upfield by Andre Ayew that brought the breakthrough; Asamoah Gyan sprinting shoulder to shoulder with Carlos Bocanegra. Bocanegra tried to nudge Gyan of the ball; the Ghanaian stumbled slightly but ploughed on, to fire over Tim Howard before Jay DeMerit could get back to help.

It had been pleasing to see two teams play the game of football like men; not rolling around and trying to con the referee - until the second period of extra-time.

Hungary's Viktor Kassai has also played his part in deciding what has been fair challenges. Maybe the call on Andre Ayew for clipping heels was a close one.

It's all about nerves in the last ten minutes of extra-time, and some were starting to fray. The United States continued to push; there were still seconds on the clock and even Tim Howard came up to put himself about.

At the end of a great evening in Rustenburg, Ghana become the third African team to reach the quarter-finals and perhaps England can think themselves lucky that they didn't top the group and have to play them.

USA 1 Ghana 2

The South Koreans are a busy, fit side. Uruguay looked to calm them down and hope to catch them out at the back.

As was expected, South Korea charged forward at the start and exposed themselves at the back; Diego Forlan crossing low for Luis Suarez at the far post to knock the ball in, after Jung Sung-Ryong tried to dive to cut out the cross and didn't reach it.

Once in the lead, Uruguay were content to sit deeper and let South Korea come at them.

South Korea went in at the break thinking what might have been had Park Chu-Young's free-kick not hit the post in the fourth minute.

Park Chu-Young's free-kick just before half-time hit the wall, and Cha Du-Ri fired the rebound high.

Half-time: 1:0

South Korea came out in the second-half with Lee Young-Pyo getting more forward on the left; his low cross turned out for a corner.

South Korea continued to put the pressure on Uruguay, Park Ji-Sung's header quite comfortable for Fernando Muslera though.

Eventually the continued pressure paid off as a free-kick from the left was headed up in the air. As Muslera left his line, Lee Chung-Yong beat Edinson Cavani to the header and equalised for South Korea.

Lee Chung-Yong almost added a second a couple of minutes later.

Ten minutes from time, an Uruguayan corner was poorly dealt with by the South Korean defenders; giving Luis Suarez the chance to curl the ball in off the post from the outside left side of the penalty area.

Uruguay 2 South Korea 1

South Africa 2010 enters the Knockout Stage; where the team to win their next four matches (possibly after extra-time and penalties) will be crowned World Champions. The two teams who contested the World Cup Final at Germany 2006 - France and Italy - are already home.

Second Round

Saturday, 26th June

Uruguay vs South Korea
Port Elizabeth (Port Elizabeth Stadium) - 16.00

United States vs Ghana
Rustenburg (Royal Bafokeng Stadium) - 20.30

Sunday, 27th June

Germany vs England
Bloemfontein (Free State Stadium) - 16.00

Argentina vs Mexico
Johannesburg (Soccer City) - 20.30

Monday, 28th June

Holland vs Slovakia
Durban (Durban Stadium) - 16.00

Brazil vs Chile
Johannesburg (Ellis Park) - 20.30

Tuesday, 29th June

Paraguay vs Japan
Pretoria (Loftus Versfeld Stadium) - 16.00

Spain vs Portugal
Cape Town (Green Point Stadium) - 20.30

Having lost to a resilient Switzerland in their opening match, Spain couldn't afford to lose again. Even a draw would have been disastrous, if Switzerland were to beat Honduras in their last match.

If Spain lost, the World Cup tournament would have been over for the European Champions. David Villa didn't let that bother him as he thundered the ball off the crossbar in the seventh minute.

Sergio Ramos later had a penalty appeal turned down and then held his head in horror when he headed over the bar.

On fire from the start, David Villa allowed all of Spain to relax when he weaved in from the left, through two centre-backs and stretched past Osman Chavez; to fire into the top corner.

The 2008 European Champions had finally announced their arrival on the 2010 World stage.

Due to continued Spanish pressure, Honduras didn't really get a look in but did manage to keep the scoreline respectable.

Half-time: 1:0

Early in the second-half, David Villa produced another excellent strike from the edge of the area; although the up and under flight of Jabulani was probably helped on by the shin of Osman Chavez.

Then Sergio Ramos again tried desperately to get himself on the scoresheet. Maybe sometimes he just tries too hard.

Just after the hour, Emilio Izaguirre took the legs of Jesus Navas out from under him in the Honduran penalty area. David Villa stepped up to try for his hat-trick; sent Noel Valladares one way and the ball wide of the post the other way.

A couple of minutes later, Cesc Fabregas came on for Spain and almost scored at the first attempt.

When it comes down to the final games, Spain might rue their missed chances here; even Sergio Ramos had a chance to score his own hat-trick.

Spain 2 Honduras 0

Forget how teams qualified for the World Cup Finals, to reach the 2010 World Cup Final itself they first need to get out of the Group Stage. Only two teams managed to do that with a game to spare; Holland and Brazil.

It's not necessary to top the group to win the cup but you will need to be in the last 16. Right now, this is all that matters; Cameroon, North Korea and fourteen others will soon be packing their bags and heading home.

England and France, probably two of the biggest teams who have offered the least in their opening two World Cup games, could still meet in the 2010 World Cup Final; if one team finishes top and the other finishes second, in Groups A and C. That could make Nicolas Anelka eat his words but it won't get him back.

So what are the chances?

Group A

If Uruguay and Mexico draw their final game, there's nothing France or South Africa can do to stop both Latin American teams from qualifying for the knockout stage.

France seem to be in all sorts of problems, which could make it easier for the home nation to finish them off.

As France haven't really seemed like scoring, South Africa will be looking for one-way traffic in Bloemfontein; while hoping Uruguay (or Mexico) take the game seriously enough in Rustenburg. Even then, South Africa need to see something of a five to seven goal swing in their favour; depending on who's doing the scoring.

Group B

Argentina just need a point against Greece to top the group. Greece would then finish second; if Nigeria were to beat South Korea.

Greece need to win by three goals to leap-frog Argentina, but any win would be enough to qualify; if South Korea don't win by the same margin.

If both games are draws, Greece would need a higher scoring draw; so Greece must score goals to stay in the tournament.

Nigeria could still qualify; if they beat South Korea and Argentina win against Greece.

Group C

England only need a win to qualify for the Second Round; it's that simple. Algeria could say the same; especially if England draw (again) or lose to Slovenia.

Team USA are looking good too, especialy as they've scored two more goals than England.

If Slovenia do lose, they would still qualify if Team USA draw with Algeria in Pretoria.

Group D

A draw for Ghana against Germany would be enough for the West African nation to represent their continent in the Second Round. In which case, Serbia would need to beat Australia, or Australia would need to win by a massive seven goals; to overcome Germany.

For Australia to realistically stand a chance, the Socceroos would need Ghana to beat Germany and help eat into the German goal differential.

If Germany lose, a draw for Serbia would be enough for the Serbs to continue. A draw could also work for Serbia, if Germany were to beat Ghana by two goals.

Group E

With Holland through and Cameroon out, it's all about Japan and Denmark; and it's convenient that they're playing each other.

Japan only need a draw, so Denmark have to win.

A point for Holland would see the Dutch top the group, or if Japan and Denmark share the points.

Group F

The current World Champions may be sitting second in the group, but defeat to Slovakia would see them flying back to Rome. Conveniently, the last game is in Johannesburg.

Paraguay only need a point against New Zealand to be sure of progress; which is just as well, considering the All Whites have drawn both of their games 1:1.

New Zealand could even qualify with a draw, if Italy and Slovakia were to play out a lower scoring draw.

New Zealand and Slovakia could both qualify with victories. Now that would be fun.

Group G

Brazil have qualified for the knockout stage and just need a draw against Portugal to top the group.

Portugal's seven-goal sinking of North Korea means Ivory Coast need to find goals galore in Nelspruit; and hope that Brazil do the same against Portugal in Durban.

Despite putting up a plucky fight, North Korea became the second nation to be eliminated from the 2010 World Cup Finals.

Group H

Chile only need a point against Spain to advance; or hope that Honduras get at least a point off Switzerland.

Spain will qualify if they win.

Switzerland will reach the last 16 if they beat Honduras by two goals; or earn a point, and Chile beat Spain.

Honduras must beat Switzerland by two goals and hope that Spain lose to Chile.

Chile and Spain would benefit if both games ended in draws.

Both teams had three points from their first games.

From the same stadium where England's World Cup dream will be decided, on Wednesday, Khalil Al Ghamdi was quick to put Humberto Suazo in his notebook; not for scoring.

A double save by Diego Benaglio, in the 10th minute, kept Switzerland in the game; the second Chile attempt going out for a corner.

The referee - Khalil Al Ghamdi, of Saudi Arabia - seemed to have his whistle stuck, which in turn broke down the flow of play.

The players should have been more cautious because of how the referee set out his stall so early but Switzerland's Valon Behrami paid the price for trying to shake two players off his back; his case wasn't helped by the usual dose of over-acting by Chile's Arturo Vidal after Jean Beausejour was left in Behrami's slipstream.

Reduced to ten men, Ottmar Hitzfeld waited eleven minutes before sacrificing captain Alexander Frei, for Tranquillo Barnetta.

Half-time: 0:0

One decision that Khalil Al Ghamdi did get right was disallowing an early Chile goal for offside; and Switzerland remained on course to beat Italy's record for playing the most World Cup Finals minutes without conceding a goal.

Around the hour mark, the referee seemed to deal out cards like an apprentice croupier.

In the 67th minute, Switzerland surpassed Italy's record by not conceding a World Cup Finals goal since going out to Spain in USA 1994. Meanwhile, Switzerland's Roger Federer clawed his way back from two sets down to beat the Colombian, Alejandro Falla at Wimbledon.

Chile finally cracked the Swiss vault in the 75th minute, when Diego Benaglio rushed off his line and gave the two substitutes a chance to pull off the heist together; Esteban Paredes crossing from the right, for Mark Gonzalez to head down and past Stephan Lichtsteiner trying to cover the line.

Switzerland tried valiantly to get back on level terms but the referee's watch was ticking against them. It didn't help that Eren Derdiyok could hardly believe he was given a golden opportunity to score and fluffed his lines in the 90th minute.

The final act in the game was when Khalil Al Ghamdi booked Chile's Jorge Valdivia for trying to con a penalty, in the 92nd minute.

Chile 1 Switzerland 0

North Korea, who did so well against Brazil - holding out for 55 minutes and scoring a consolation goal in the last - would have to go one step better against Portugal; who themselves only had one point on the board, from their game against Ivory Coast.

Cristiano Ronaldo, already on a yellow card, would miss the Portugal vs Brazil game with another booking here; so we expected football, not diving.

North Korea started a little more adventurous than they did against Brazil, which in turn gave Portugal more space to run into.

From a corner in the seventh minute, North Korea's Ri Myong-Guk came off his line and totally missed the ball; giving Ricardo Carvalho a free header onto the top corner of the upright.

A few minutes later, Cha Jong-Hyok gave Portugal a minor scare as his shot screamed wide of Eduardo's goal.

North Korea put together some good passing to get into the Portugal box in the seventeenth minute; Eduardo needing to get his hand to Hong Yong-Jo's surprise attempt at goal. Not a great shot but cause for concern; all made possible because the ball rolled away from Ronaldo, who had drifted into the middle a little in search of the ball.

Two minutes after North Korea were falsely called offside, Tiago found plenty of room in the middle to comfortably thread the final ball through a gap in the North Korea penalty area, for Raul Meireles to finish.

Half-time: 1:0

At the start of the second-half, Portugal streaked forward and Tiago's shot had to be tipped over the bar; as the Europeans tried to show that they were back in business.

A couple of minutes later, Jabulani caused Ri Myong-Guk problems; bouncing, bobbling and generally not wanting to be cleanly gathered. We've seen those go in.

The pressure paid off as Simão ran on to a Meireles through-ball; after a neat chested one-two on the edge of the North Korean area.

North Korea paid the price for being adventurous and it looked like the floodgates were finally opened: as two minutes later Hugo Almeida headed Fabio Coentrão's cross home; then on the hour it was the turn of Cristiano Ronaldo to provide for Tiago.

In less than six minutes North Korea were completely taken apart and their World Cup dreams truly sunk by an all-guns blazing, Portuguese side.

With plenty of free runs, it only seemed a matter of time before Cristiano Ronaldo would add his name to the scoresheet as well.

Instead it was Liedson, only on the pitch for a few minutes, who crashed in Portugal's fifth.

But there was still time for Cristiano Ronaldo not to disappoint, then Tiago joined the rout to put Portugal in seventh heaven and leave Sven Goran Eriksson deep in a goal difference hole - even if Ivory Coast could beat North Korea and Brazil were to beat Portugal in the last group games.

Portugal 7 North Korea 0

If you really want to know what Brazil is about, listen to some of the music.

So it's West Africa vs the ancestors of slaves from Africa; sorry, Didier Drogba vs Samba, Axe, Pagode, Forro and God Bless ya Amazonas.

Brazil must be the only sensible team that actually field players 1 to 11 as their first team.

It took a while - 25 minutes in fact - but when the slightest chance came along, Luis Fabiano slotted the ball into the roof of the net.

Sven Goran Eriksson could soon be looking to earn his millions elsewhere; shame he closed the door on Notts County.

The half-time scoreline didn't say much, apart from the fact that only one goal was scored. Or rather, the scoreline said it all; only one goal was scored.

Come on you millionaires, this is the World Cup Finals, show why you're paid so much!

Half-time: 1:0

Just going thought the super slick, Brazilian motions, Luis Fabiano made it two for himself and two for Brazil; five minutes into the second-half. There was a good call for hand-ball but the skills were too dazzling, as is so often the case with Brazil.

The game might not have been the most exciting, but Brazil did their job, comfortably; making the simple things look..... well, simple.

Sven Goran Eriksson could only shake his head as Elano scored his second of the tournament and Brazil's third of the match. That's all the conservative, restrictive, unimaginative Swede did, could do, would do - shake his head. Someone sack him; again!

Then Elano was crunched and had to be taken off.

If a reply was ever going to come from the Ivory Coast, it could only come from Didier Drogba.

And then the dreaded simulation came into play again, where grown men act like little girls; Keita getting a little nudge in the chest from (on a yellow card just three minutes earlier) Kaka and falling down holding his face; not moving - playing dead. Oh, let's not forget - Rivaldo once did something similar too.

But, football did win out - as Brazil showed Côte d'Ivoire - and the watching world - just how the game of bola should be played.

Brazil 3 Ivory Coast 1

Before the game started, I wrote: 'Can the fairy-tale story come true? Can the All Whites get a point off the Azzuri; the World Champions?'

Amazing. Where has that crystal ball gone?

The shape of the ball might concern New Zealand, but at least the game starts all-square.

Proving that all is not bad when the ball is round in Kiwi Land, New Zealand took the lead against the World Champions, with just six minutes played; when Fabio Cannavaro diverted a free-kick for Shane Smeltz to tap-in past reserve goalkeeper, Federico Marchetti.

The Italian defenders started playing like big babies, falling over, clutching a chest here, a face there and generally trying to get New Zealand players booked; especially as it already worked once. Not really the kind of antics to encourage neutrals to want to see Italy go much further in the tournament.

They might like to fall down a lot but you can't keep the Italians down; as Tommy Smith conceded a penalty for shirt-pulling on Daniele De Rossi, before half an hour was even out.

After waiting for a little order to be restored on the edge of the penalty area, Vincenzo Iaquinta calmly sent Mark Paston the wrong way.

As the American media might say, New Zealand go into the break winning.

Half-time: 1:1

Substitutions started early in the second-half but not much changed with the game. Of course Italy wouldn't be happy with a draw; although one point is better than none.

Italy started to up the attacking movement in the last twenty minutes, but Mark Paston was equal to the Riccardo Montolivo shot; even affording a moment to watch the replay on a large screen.

Tommy Smith - so nice to see an Ipswich Town player back in the World Cup Finals - has had an exceptional game in the New Zealand defence, and considering the World Champions have only scored from a penalty (for shirt-pulling by Tommy), that's saying something.

In the 83rd minute, at the other end, substitute Chris Wood came oh so close to planting past the outstretched Marchetti.

Well, Marcello Lippi asked questions about his Italy team at half-time and had the courage to make the changes quickly; but he couldn't have known what answer New Zealand would give.

The New Zealand fans all had the shirts off; swinging them around their heads in the final minutes, oblivious to the South African winter chill.
Are you watching Australia?

Italy 1 New Zealand 1

It was all square in Group F before this game, but Paraquay were probably happier with their point against Italy than Slovakia were with theirs against New Zealand.

The first real strike of the game fell to Paraguay's Roque Santa Cruz. The shot might have taken a slight deflection off Martin Skrtel, but Jan Mucha - heading to Everton next season - took no chances and made sure the ball went out for a corner.

Slovakia's best move came when Vladimir Weiss woke up in the 16th minute; to find Stanislav Sestak, asleep in his place.

A couple of minutes later, Cristian Riveros drove the shot low and hard for Paraguay. Not much of a Jabulani moment for Mucha though.

Paraguay finally put the pieces together, shortly before the half-hour mark, when Lucas Barrios released Enrique Vera; after drawing a couple of Slovakia players out of the danger area.

Seven minutes before the break, Vera forced a mistake in the Slovakia defence but Mucha kicked out his foot to save from Roque Santa Cruz.

A minute later, Paraguay's Lucas Barrios again looked a handful running to the touchline.

Half-time: 0:1

As Slovakia tried to get themselves back in the game and Paraguay looked to gain a better advantage, the game still had a lot of potential, around the hour mark.

Sadly, this is about the time that all the substitutions start taking place and a lot of the game's rhythm is broken.

Enrique Vera missed the chance to give Paraguay the cushion they needed; when he headed wide from a Roque Santa Cruz, left-wing cross.

Slovakia seemed content to contain Paraguay and maybe hope to snatch a late equaliser, or conserve energy and hope to get the better of Italy.

Either way, Slovakia's lack of conviction cost them another goal; as a Paraguay free-kick from the left was headed into the middle and, after a little mix-up, squared beautifully to Cristian Riveros.

Slovakia 0 Paraguay 2

Both of these teams were still looking for their first points of the tournament, while Holland would qualify, unless Cameroon won; or if Denmark won, Cameroon would be out.

Cameroon came out of the blocks with a spring in their step; as Morten Olsen - the Denmark manager - started taking notes.

When Dennis Rommedahl skied Jabulani in the seventh minute, Olsen scribbled some more.

Then a lazy pass by Christian Poulsen was cut out by Achille Emana who found Samuel Eto'o in his more favoured central position; no chance for Thomas Sorensen.

A few minutes later and Cameroon were pushing forward again, trying to extend their lead and keep this group wide open.

With just over half an hour gone, a long ball over the Cameroon left-back found Dennis Rommedahl sprinting down the right. The Ajax midfielder whipped a cross into the middle, for Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner to slide home.

Denmark will wonder how they missed the chance to go ahead, five minutes before half-time. Then Cameroon broke forward, mistakes being made everywhere, and Eto'o cannoned a shot off the post; when Emana should have probably taken it on his own.

Half-time: 1:1

Another comedy of errors in the Denmark penalty area, at the start of the second-half, but Cameroon were unable to make anything of it.

Then around the hour mark, Assou-Ekotto was caught out of position - having just fed the ball to Pierre Webo around the Danish penalty area - thus making life easy for Dennis Rommedahl on the right; who cut inside and steered the ball past Souleymanou Hamidou.

With twelve minutes left to play, Thomas Sorensen denied Achille Emana the chance to fire Cameroon back into the World Cup Finals; diving down to his right to make a terrific, one-handed stop.

Cameroon substitute, Mohamadou Idrissou, then headed over the Denmark bar with five minutes still to play.

With the final whistle, Cameroon became the first team to be dumped out of the 2010 World Cup Finals; an African team out of the African World Cup.

Cameroon 1 Denmark 2

With Germany losing to Serbia yesterday, it's still all to play for in Group D.

The two Ghana centre-backs looked a little suspect in the early minutes but they did have their captain standing in the goal, behind them.

Unfortunately, the captain flapped at Mark Bresciano's free-kick; allowing Brett Holman to follow up on the free ball, with little more than ten minutes played.

Then, like a boomerang returning from their first games Australia were shown another red card - Harry Kewell, handled on the line - and Ghana were given another penalty; Asamoah Gyan again hitting the back of the net, to bring the teams level.

Mark Schwarzer pushed out a low shot (for a goal-kick) from Kevin-Prince Boateng just before half-time. Strange call from Roberto Rosetti, surely it should have been a corner.

Half-time: 0:0

Ghana started the second-half trying to make the most of the extra man. Australia, for their part, couldn't afford to give careless balls away.

Scott Chipperfield headed the ball towards goal just after coming on for Mark Bresciano. Straight away at the other end, Ghana came close. Both teams still looking to win the game.

A fine double save by Richard Kingson again kept Australia out in the 72nd minute, as the double substitutions liven things up for the Socceroos. Even the Australian fans sensed their ten-men could come away from Rustenburg with a win.

Not to be outdone, Ghana pushed forward and Asamoah Gyan had another great chance for the West Africans.

With fifteen minutes still to go, the game had a real cup final feel to it.
Jonathan Mensah headed wide from Sulley Muntari's free-kick in the last minute of normal time as Ghana struggled to get in front of Australia.

Ghana had all the stops but Australia pulled out the stops. It's all to play for on Wednesday.

Ghana 1 Australia 1

Both Holland and Japan went into this game on three points.

The referee, Hector Baldassi of Argentina, is the second referee to be in charge of his second game; having shown a red card in the Serbia vs Ghana match.

Perhaps Holland were feeling nervous after watching Switzerland beat Spain and Germany lose to Serbia. Or were they trying to bore Japan and drain them of their energy, by putting them to sleep.

Even the referee had no real motivation to go for his notebook; until the 36th minute, when Gregory Van Der Wiel cynically nudged Daisuke Matsui into a roll.

Half-time: 0:0

The second-half had to get better, as anything is better than nothing.
Wesley Sneijder finally relieved the boredom with a solid strike that Eiji Kawashima could only push into his own net; eight minutes after the break.

Japan had a few chances, twenty minutes from time. Inspired by that, Takeshi Okada made a double attacking substitution, six minutes later.

It was Ibrahim Afellay, for Holland, however who appeared the most promising of all the substitutions. Shinji Okazaki - another substitute - also came close to equalising for Japan in the closing minutes. Yuto Nagatomo tried to look for a penalty but Hector Baldassi wasn't deceived. Although it looked like he pointed to the spot, it was a signal for a goal-kick.

Unless Cameroon beat Denmark, Holland will be the first team to qualify for the Second Round.

Holland 1 Japan 0

Birthday Boy, Fabio Capello had Gareth Barry fit and brought in David James as number one.

Ravshan Irmatov, of Uzbekistan, refereed the South Africa vs Mexico opening game and became the first referee to take charge of his second match at the 2010 World Cup Finals.

Algeria also started the game with a change of goalkeeper; Rais M'Bolhi even had a trial for Manchester United before the tournament. Perhaps it was memories of that trial that fogged his vision, as he made an early mistake by passing to Wayne Rooney.

With eighteen minutes gone, Algeria seemed to settle in rather well; giving England plenty to think about.

Five minutes later, David James did well to keep hold of Nadir Belhadj's high corner; as Algeria continued to put England on the back foot.

With half an hour gone, England were looking perilously close to winning the 'Worse Team of The Tournament' tag off France; about the only thing either team would win on their current showing.

A chorus of God Save The Queen inspired Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney for a split second; the sort of mini moments that result in goals.

Then a minute later, M'Bolhi stopped England's best chance of the first-half; from the rapidly advancing Frank Lampard. Those sort of goals have gone in so many times at Stamford Bridge.

Fabio Capello walked towards the tunnel with his head down and hands in his pockets. Not the sort of birthday surprise he would have wished for. Now what?

Half-time: 0:0

Is the Italian manager suffocating the players? Maybe they should listen to Beckenbauer - kick and rush is better than this.

Emile Heskey showed that he's been watching some of the talent in other World Cup games as he tried to appear skilful with his feet on the right. Unfortunately, a donkey can't become a thoroughbred overnight.

Things went from bad to worse, just before the hour, as Jamie Carragher was booked for a block on the edge of the area and would miss the crucial game against Slovenia. No tears though.

An awful back-pass from John Terry put David James under immense pressure. Terry then made amends by heading the goalkeeper's punt further upfield.

The arrival of Jermain Defoe, in place of Emile Heskey, added a little more spark to the England attack.

The Americans could quite rightly feel proud of their draw with Slovenia, after going two goals down in their first-half, but England would have to be thoroughly ashamed by this performance.

In a final throw of the dice, Capello sent on big Peter Crouch for Gareth Barry, with just six minutes left to break the deadlock.

That didn't work, so knockout football comes early for England, as they have to beat Slovenia in the final group game. On this showing, that doesn't look very likely.

If England can't score one goal against Slovenia (and keep a clean sheet), they'll need to draw at least two-two and hope the United States vs Algeria game is goalless. As for drawing of lots, perish the thought.

England 0 Algeria 0

If Slovenia had won this, they would have gone five points ahead of England and been the first team to qualify for the second round.

The game hadn't really looked like much when Tim Howard was watching Slovenia move forward in the thirteenth minute. Valter Birsa struck the ball from so far out that the Everton goalkeeper probably thought the unpredictable Jabulani would float high or wide.

The ball did take a swerve, but the height of the flight didn't alter and America went a goal down.

Slovenia did everything they needed to do to keep ahead, and just when the United States thought that they might get a sniff at an equaliser, Slovenia took a slight tug at the Stars and Stripey nasal hair and made their eyes water; as Zlatan Ljubijankic calmly slotted the ball past Tim Howard with the inside of his foot.

Should Brad Guzan or Marcus Hahnemann be coming on for the second-half? Of course not, but that's the sort of rubbish you hear when an England goalkeeper only lets one soft goal go past him.

Half-time: 2:0

At the start of the second-half, Team USA's double substitution paid instant dividends, as Landon Donovan put the North American giants back in with a shout against the European minnows.

The US goal didn't really ruffle Slovenia; as they continued to play their short-passing game, in search of another goal.

The United States brought themselves level with less than ten minutes to play; a long ball was headed down by Jozy Altidore for Michael Bradley - the manager's son - to toe poke home.

With the USA level, the goalscorer's father went all defensive again - instead of pushing on for the win.

Maurice Edu couldn't believe that the USA's third goal was disallowed, for tugging off the ball.

So Slovenia are not through, and even if England beat Algeria later tonight, nothing in the group will be decided until next Wednesday. Slovenia must be very disappointed, but full credit to Papa Bradley's substitutions.

Slovenia 2 USA 2

A win for Germany could book their passage to the next round, while a defeat for Serbia and a draw in the Ghana vs Australia game would mean Serbia would become the first team eliminated.

Serbia did so well in qualifying but came unstuck against Ghana; when Aleksandar Lukovic earned a second yellow card with fifteen minutes to go and then conceded a silly penalty.

In just seven minutes, Serbia came close to conceding a goal in Port Elizabeth; as Lukas Podolski sliced the ball wide of the post.

After a seemingly positive start by both teams, the referee started to make more use of his whistle and notebook; booking two Serbian players in two minutes, only six minutes after Miroslav Klose earned the first yellow card of the game.

Sami Khedira was next to have his name taken - making that two players from each team, with just 22 minutes played.

Serbia nodded off on the half-hour mark, but Miroslav Klose was flagged for offside before the ball hit the back of the net. Players have been booked for that before, and Klose is already on a yellow card.

The story of this game is really about the Spanish referee as Miroslav Klose was given his second yellow card for a soft foul while chasing back.

With Germany down to ten men, Serbia were quick to take advantage; scoring in the next minute as Milos Krasic crossed from the right, for Nikola Zigic to head down into the middle and Milan Jovanovic to make the most of the gifted opportunity.

Then just before the half ended, Germany's Sami Khedira saw his shot crash off the bar.

Half-time: 0:1

What a shame FIFA can't substitute referees at half-time.

Germany tried to get back on level terms, as the referee kept his cards close to his chest for the first ten minutes of the re-start; although Philipp Lahm's heart might have skipped a beat when the whistle went against him. Joachim Löw rose from the bench in frustration; probably fearing a second yellow card for his captain.

Then two cards in three minutes, for Serbia; the second to Nemanja Vidic, for sticking out his hand in the penalty area - the second time Serbia have gifted a penalty at the 2010 World Cup Finals.

Lukas Podolski shot from the spot; low, to Vladimir Stojkovic's left. The Wigan Athletic goalkeeper was equal to it and Germany failed to level the score.

Can Ghana top the group later today, or will Australia get the result to put everyone on three points?

So much can change in the World Cup groups. Just when you thought you knew where the teams were going, in steps a referee to make it all interesting. Nothing to do with Spain losing to Switzerland in their opening game, of course. And England, so desperate to win Group C and avoid Germany, may still find themselves on course for a Second Round penalty shoot-out.
So Germany can be beaten and they can miss penalties!

The ironic thing is, England will win their group, Germany will be runners-up in theirs; the two teams will meet in the next round and Germany won't have to score more than three penalties because England will miss more.

The ball might be round, but this one is rounder than round.

Germany 0 Serbia 1

With opening day draws for both of these nations, France and Mexico needed to think about victory. But only one team can win.

The game started lively enough but it's still surprising to see so many shots going high and wide at this level; of wait, let's blame the ball.
The longer the half wore on, the more desperate the situation looked - especially for France - with too many passes going astray.

Mexico looked more dangerous going forward but were let down by poor finishing; while France, just didn't know where to look most of the time.

Half-time: 0:0

France really needed to do something in the second-half to save their tournament. If Mexico were to win here, a Mexico draw with Uruguay would see the two Latin Americans through; no matter what South Africa and France did.

A scrappy start to the second-half might have suggested that the mathematical probabalities were playing in the minds of the French players and freezing them, like the fingers in their matching blue gloves.

Nine minutes after coming on, Javier Hernandez left the France defence motionless to run on to a through ball and round Hugo Lloris unchallenged.

France made it even harder for themselves when Abidal brought down Pablo Barrera in the penalty area. With just over ten minutes to go, 37 year-old Cuauhtemoc Blanco slotted the ball home from the spot to put the game beyond France's reach.

France, who needed the helping hand of Henry to qualify for South Africa now need help from Uruguay; and for South Africa to have less will to win than the French. Now that would be fantasy football.

Laurent Blanc could be the manager of France a couple of weeks earlier than he thought.

France 0 Mexico 2

Going into the game, Greece and Nigeria, both without a point, knew that Argentina had six points and South Korea had three. A draw here and Argentina would qualify for the Second Round by default; a defeat for Greece and the Europeans would be going home.

Typically, Greece - who were yet to score a World Cup Finals goal - started with five at the back and waited for Nigeria to come at them. The West Africans didn't disappoint when Kalu Uche became the first player to score a direct free-kick in South Africa, fifteen minutes into the game.

Vasilis Torosidis, who had already gone down once in a challenge, dropped like a ton of bricks when Sani Kaita needlessly kicked out in frustration as the Greek shielded the ball out of play.

Sani Kaita then hid his head in the green shirt of Nigeria, once he was shown the inevitable red card.

With Nigeria down to ten men, Otto Rehhagel made an attacking substitution; bringing on Giorgos Samaras for Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

Then, just before half-time, fortune struck again for Greece; as Kostas Katsouranis laid the ball into the path of Dimitrios Salpingidis. The Panathinaikos striker's shot deflected off Lukman 'Luckless' Haruna and up over Vincent Enyeama, who played so well against Argentina.

Half-time: 1:1

Kalu Uche, the scorer of the first goal, forced Alexandros Tzorvas to tip the ball over his bar at the start of the second-half; as Nigeria showed they were not content to just sit back and hold on to the draw.

Then, on the next break, Taye Taiwo suffered what looked like a groin injury and momentarily left Nigeria with nine men on the pitch.

On the hour, Nigeria were powering forward again; Tzorvas getting his left palm to Yakubu's drive from close range.

With the extra man eventually proving to much to deal with, Vasilis Torosidis - the player who was involved in the sending-off incident - was first to pounce when Vincent Enyeama had a Robert Green moment, 20 minutes from time.

Shortly after, Yakubu gave Greece another scare; Nigeria not prepared to lie down and roll over until the final whistle.

Greece, lucky to play against ten men, were also lucky with both goals. But it's a win, their first at a World Cup Finals, and Nigeria have it all to do against South Korea.

Greece 2 Nigeria 1

Argentina and South Korea both went into this game on three points; with a win for either team meaning possible qualification to the Second Round, if Greece and Nigeria drew later in the day.

South Korea were forced to start with everyone behind the ball, as Argentina took the early initiative.

South Korea gave away a needless wrestling foul, with fifteen minutes gone, and were made to pay for it; as Lionel Messi's free-kick was met by Park Chu-Young's shin, for own goal number two of the tournament.

Argentina slipped into second gear, just after the half-hour mark, as Maxi Rodríguez floated the ball into the area, and it was headed on for Gonzalo Higuain to score.

South Korea tried to get back into the game just before half-time and their persistence paid off when Lee Chung-Yong was able to nick the ball and put it in the net, just before the whistle blew. A lack of concentration from Argentina perhaps.

Half-time: 2:1

Jung Sung-Ryong kept South Korea in with a chance, early in the second-half; tipping the ball away for a corner.

With Argentina on a couple of quick yellow cards, South Korea seemed to have a little more room to move for a moment and Yeom Ki-Hun may well hold his head in his hands after missing a left-foot shot with just Romero to beat; just before the hour.

Fifteen minutes later, when South Korea felt they might have had a chance to level the scores, Argentina extended their lead on a fast counter-attack.

Lionel Messi saw Jung Sung-Ryong save the initial shot with his foot but was quick enough to follow up. That shot hit the post and went behind the South korea goalkeeper for Higuain to tap in and join Diego Forlan on two goals.

Four minutes later, Messi and Higuain combined again; Messi chipping the ball in for Gonzalo Higuain to head his hat-trick and top the goalscorers chart.

So, six points for Argentina and South Korea have to do it all again against Nigeria.

Argentina 4 South Korea 1

As we now start looking at all the World Cup teams for a second time, we can start to see the real winners and losers.

Bafana Bafana might have tried to intimidate Uruguay by singing in the tunnel but unfortuantely for them it was Diego Forlan who rang the tunes on the pitch; scoring two and having a major part in the third goal, as the boys were crushed by men.

Uruguay made a more positive start after their poor display against France in the first game while Siphiwe Tshabalala was a little ambitious with a couple of early attempts in Pretoria.

Having seen plenty of shots float sky high, Itumeleng Khune was a little shocked to watch Diego Forlan's 24th minute strike actually dip under the bar; although it did take a slight deflection off Aaron Mokoena.

Half-time: 0:1

With Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez running the show for Uruguay, South Africa needed to change something if they wanted to stay at the party.

Bafana Bafana came to life, with twenty minutes to go, after appealing to the crowd to give them more noise.

Unfortunately, when Luis Suarez sped into the South Africa penalty area, Khune caught the striker with his left foot. Massimo Busacca took a while going for his pocket; Khune backed off, fearing the worse - red card.

Diego Forlan had to wait an age while the reserve goalkeeper made himself ready, but the former Manchester United striker kept his cool and all but ended South Africa's hopes of getting out of the group stage. The hosts will need to beat France and have other results go their way.

Diego Forlan then played a part in Uruguay's third goal, in the final seconds of time added on; crossing the ball to Luis Suarez, who switched it back to Alvaro Pereira on the goal-line.

South Africa 0 Uruguay 3

Spain and Switzerland were the last two teams to kick their World Cup campaign off.

Spain, one of the favourites to win the World Cup, started as expected; looking comfortable on the ball, with plenty of possession. Switzerland would have been chasing shadows, if the sun were shining.

Even when Switzerland earned a corner, in the ninth minute, it was Spain who almost scored; breaking out with snappy passing, but David Villa missed the option of Sergio Ramos at the far post.

Diego Benaglio spread himself at the feet of Gerard Piqué to deny Spain, then Reto Ziegler forced a save from Iker Casillas; when he fired a low free-kick at the other end, in the 26th minute.

Switzerland worked hard to keep the Spanish attacking threat neutralised and for most part, despite a few scares, it worked.

Despite intricate flashes of brilliance from Iniesta and David Villa on the left, the dim reality is that it's goalless at half-time for the ninth time - out of sixteen matches played.

Half-time: 0:0

The second-half started as the first finished, with Spain mostly attacking down their left.

From a long Swiss clearance down the middle, the ball was flicked on then, amid plenty of rolling and tumbling in the Spain penalty area, Gelson Fernandes emerged as the unexpected hero; the European Champions a goal down.

Spain continued to press forward: Fernando Torres closed down; Alonso hits the bar; Switzerland holding out.

Spain were very nearly two goals down, with fifteen minutes to go, when Eren Derdiyok lost the defenders long enough to flick the ball onto the post with the outside of his foot.

With Spain pushing everyone forward, Switzerland continued to pose problems on the counter-attack. The minutes seemed to tick away like seconds for Spain, yet drag on like hours for Switzerland.

The Swiss fans looked nervous; five minutes away from an historical moment. Then fireworks exploded in the tiny Alpine country and car horns sounded from Appenzell to Zurich.

Spain 0 Switzerland 1

Central America vs South America; Hispanic through and through.

In the second minute, a Matías Fernández free-kick, for Chile, floated closer to the bar than most we've seen so far; as Chile tried to put their stamp on the game early.

It was almost twenty minutes before Honduras looked in the game; earning a corner on the right. Chile broke out and almost scored at the other end.

Honduras may feel disappointed about how they conceded the goal but Chile deserved to take take the lead in the 34th minute; as Mauricio Isla's cross from the right was knocked onto an in-sliding Jean Beausejour, by an Honduran defender.

Chile continued to push forward and overwhelm Honduras with their movement.
Honduras ended the half with a free-kick from thirty three metres, which earned them a corner. Otherwise, it was all Chile.

Half-time: 0:1

The referee from Seychelles seemed to struggle with the big calls, missing two penalty shouts and ignoring a dive. If it wasn't a dive, Palacios should have had a second booking, for a foul on the edge of the area.

Maynor Figueroa twice saved Honduras at the back and Chile missed the opportunity to go two goals in front, when Waldo Ponce failed to put a diving header between the posts.

Eddy Maillet can forget about blowing the whistle at the World Cup Final after this performance, when he missed another booking for handball. Matías Fernández had his goal disallowed, but for the wrong reason - Alexis Sánchez handled the ball across, rather than offside.

At the end, Chile were too hot for Honduras and the scoreline doesn't tell the real story.

Honduras 0 Chile 1

North Korea make only their second appearance at the World Cup Finals, while Brazil have been an ever-present.

Although Brazil had most of the play in the first ten minutes, it was North Korea's Jong Tae-Se who had the only shot on target; after dribbling into the Brazilian penalty area from the right.

With five red shirts across the back, North Korea reduced Brazil's capabilities to a few shots from distance. And with Jabulani not yet a hit with the players, those shots were wide of the mark.

Robinho's snap-shot, in the 20th minute, was the first proper effort from Brazil; no real problem for a goalkeeper, unless you're in an England shirt.

Then in the 27th minute, something a little more testing from Maicon; forcing Ri Myong-Guk to punch the ball away for a corner.

Kaka finally woke up in the 35th minute with a slight jink down the left, but two Koreans closed the door on the edge of the penalty area and the Brazilian wasn't sharp enough to pick the lock.

So the eighth game (out 14) to go to the break without a goal, but this one is not that bad at all.

A courageous performance from North Korea in the middle of the field; closing it tight at the back but still prepared to send Jong Tae-Se out on a goal-hunting mission.

Half-time: 0:0

Kaka went down a little too easy on the edge of the area, in the 50th minute. Michel Bastos managed to keep the ball below the bar, but Jabulani chose to fly wide of the target.

Brazil finally cracked the North Korea nut in the 55th minute, when Maicon overlapped Elano on the right, ran almost to the touchline and struck the ball in such a way - with the outside of his foot - that it seemed to swerve; low, between the goalkeeper and the post.

Or was it a cross that slipped off Maicon's boot? Whatever, Brazil edge themselves in front.

When Brazil score one, they often score more. And so it was. Within 17 minutes, Elano skipped onto a perfect pass from Robinho and sidefooted Brazil's second past Ri Myong-Guk.

In the closing minutes of the game, while Robinho was firing blanks Jong Tae-Se wasn't giving up hope of getting a goal in every game. Juan denied the Kawasaki Frontale striker but Ji Yun-Nam made sure that at least North Korea might score in every game.

Brazil 2 North Korea 1

Svengali is back, but for how long this time?

Côte d'Ivoire started the sharpest, while Cristiano Ronaldo found it hard to stay on his feet and easy to get Didier Zokora in the referee's book.

An early yellow card in the Ivory Coast defence made it easier for Ronaldo to run at the West Africans; touch, turn and smash the ball against the Ivorian post.

Less than a quarter of an hour after the first incident, Ronaldo flopped over Guy Demel's legs. Both players were booked for getting themselves all heated up and puffing out chests.

After a promising start, football fans were once again left disappointed, as yet another 2010 World Cup Finals match ended the half without a goal (seventh out of thirteen, so far).

Half-time: 0:0

Deco showed a little more initiative at the start of the second-half and in an attempt to be more affective up front, Simao soon replaced Danny for Portugal.

If the vuvuzelas could get any louder, they did in the 65 minute; when Didier Drogba came on for fellow Chelsea player, Salomon Kalou.

The fans may have waited a long time to see if Didier Drogba would play but they'll have to wait until another day to see if can score with a broken arm; although he came close in the last minutes, but whipped the ball across the goal instead of finding a way into it.

Who would have thought that the New Zealand vs Slovakia game would be more exciting than this billing, but it was - by far!

Ivory Coast 0 Portugal 0

The team to win this game would top Group F; the group with the world champions, Italy.

Chris Killen had two attempts on goal within the first five minutes, as the All Whites sought to get a foothold in the game.

New Zealand continued to apply the pressure; although Slovakia did look threatening on the break.

Neither team did enough to break the deadlock though; on a sunny but chilly afternoon in Rustenburg. Simon Elliott put a few balls into the Slovakia area and Vladimir Weiss had a few runs at New Zealand, but otherwise - stalemate.

Half-time: 0:0

Slovakia started the second-half more positively; scoring on their second attack, Robert Vittek heading into the bottom corner from Stanislav Sestak's right-wing cross.

But for an excellent tackle by Winston Reid, in the penalty area, Slovakia could have doubled their lead in the 69th minute.

For most of the second-half, New Zealand never looked like threatening Slovakia at all; Sestak causing the Kiwis all sorts of problems, until he was taken off in the 81st minute. The goalscorer, Robert Vittek, soon joined him.

Shane Smeltz had a chance to head New Zealand level in the closing minutes, but wasted the opportunity. He made up for that miss with the cross from the left for Winston Reid to head in off the post and keep the group tight in the dying seconds of the game.

The Slovakia team were totally shell-shocked.

New Zealand 1 Slovakia 1

The 2006 World Cup champions are out to defend their title.

Italy started well, playing fast and direct; maybe helped by the wet surface in Cape Town.

Even with a double corner in the 20th minute, Paraguay kept three players half-way up the pitch and were nearly caught out by an Italian break.

Both teams started losing possession far too easy and then Paraguay earned a seemingly harmless free-kick, out on the right, six minutes before half-time.

There didn't seem to be any urgency in the Paraguay camp, then Aureliano Torres curled the ball high into the rain and Antolín Alcaraz rose above the blue shirts to head the ball across Gianluigi Buffon and put the South Americans in front.

The Italians, who pride themselves on defence, found themselves a goal down.

Half-time: 0:1

A surprising substitution at half-time was Federico Marchetti coming on for Gianluigi Buffon.

When Paraguay started to sit back on their lead, Italy picked themselves up, brought on Mauro Camoranesi for Claudio Marchisio and earned a corner that Justo Villar totally missed. Daniele De Rossi was on hand at the back post to pull the world champions level.

And true to form, the whole Italian bench celebrated as if they'd just won the World Cup Final again.

Italy 1 Paraguay 1

Samuel Eto'o chose not to throw in the towel and had the chance to make Roger Milla eat his words.

The first half-hour was rather disappointing, as neither team did anything more than retreat after being caught offside.

Japan might have been happy with a point here, but Cameroon really should have been doing something about trying to win the match.

Then in a goalmouth confusion, six minutes before half-time, Keisuke Honda was left standing alone when the ball came over from the right; courtesy of Daisuke Matsui. The CSKA Moscow player stayed cool under pressure, to relieve us all of our boredom.

Half-time: 1:0

The first corner of the match came at the start of the second-half. That says everything about the first.

Samuel Eto'o looked more like he wanted win (for a second, or two), as he shook off three Japanese players on his way into the penalty area early in the second-half.

Cameroon made a double substitution, with 15 minutes left, but Eto'o was still left on the right instead of playing through the middle; while Japan started to show the more desire to hold on to their win.

With five minutes left to play, Cameroon's Stéphane M'Bia cracked a shot against the corner of the crossbar. Then at the other end, Keisuke Honda almost forced Souleymanou into a mistake.

Although Samuel Eto'o tried something of a back-heeled, scissor-kick, Roger Milla may be proved right; if the Cameroon can't win their next two games. And against Holland and Denmark - on this showing - that's not going to be easy.

Japan 1 Cameroon 0

Holland and Denmark played each other for the first time in a World Cup match; with Giovanni Van Bronckhorst earning his 100th cap for the Netherlands.

Promising so much before the game, Holland took a while to warm up; either stifled by Denmark or almost snoozing to the sound of bees. The slow start seemed like a game being played in the middle of summer rather than an African winter.

Almost half an hour was played before anything resembling excitement happened; Nicklas Bendtner heading wide from Daniel Agger's cross.

Then Thomas Kahlenberg earned Denmark's first corner in the 37th minute. Neither event was enough to stop the constant vuvuzela drone.

The French referee, for his part, tried to let the game flow but just before half-time he finally showed a yellow card to Nigel De Jong; who was lucky not to have been booked earlier.

The closest Holland came to a goal was when Robin Van Persie couldn't find the space to release a shot on his left foot, so turned again and smashed the ball into a row of cameras behind the net.

Half-time: 0:0

Bizarely, Holland took the lead without really threatening the Danish defence; just after the start of the second-half.

Simon Poulsen wasn't really under any pressure when he headed into his own net - and smiled. Interestingly, Poulsen plays for AZ Alkmaar; in Holland.

Van Persie, already on a yellow card, could be a little lucky to have stayed be on the pitch for chipping the ball into the Danish net after the whistle was sounded for offside. The Arsenal player tried to blame the noise of the vuvuzelas.

The arrival of Eljero Elia brought some width and excitement to Holland's play while the departure of Nicklas Bendtner took away some of Denmark's threat up front.

Shortly after Wesley Sneijder looped a shot onto the Danish bar, the Inter Milan midfielder sent Eljero Elia through. Thomas Sorensen pushed the initial shot onto the post but Dirk Kuyt was there to follow up for Holland.

So it's a double dutch scoreline for Holland but the Danes will feel disappointed; or at least Simon Poulsen should, for handing the game to the Dutch on a plate.

Holland 2 Denmark 0

Just when questions were being asked about the state of the German strike force and who would do the scoring, Australia were given the answer - as four different strikers all found the back of the net.

All the more reason England need to win Group C; if Germany go on to win Group D on the back of this result.

Australia might have felt that they had a chance of getting something out of this game; especially as Germany lost Michael Ballack to an FA Cup Final injury.

The Aussies started brightly but it was Germany who took the lead; through Lukas Podolski, in the 8th minute. The shot was so powerful, Mark Schwarzer could only palm the ball into his own net.

Miroslav Klose was frustrated with himself for missing the target, yet again, in the 24th minute but made amends a few minutes later by heading in Philipp Lahm's cross from the right - his 11th goal in World Cup finals.

Mesut Özil missed the chance to make it three when he took too long to clip the ball past Mark Schwarzer; giving Lucas Neill enough time to get back and hook the ball off the line.

Half-time: 2:0

Needing to chase the match, Australia brought on Brett Holman for Vince Grella at the start of the second-half.

A straight red for Tim Cahill, in the 56th minute, just about ended any chance Australia might have had to get anything from this game; or even the tournament, if the Everton man misses the next two games.

Germany made it all look so easy (even if Australia were down to ten men) when Thomas Müller made it three, shortly before Cacau came on and scored the German fourth.

Germany 4 Australia 0

This is the first time that Serbia play Ghana; Europe's dark horses vs probably Africa's strongest 2010 World Cup contenders - with Serbs managing both teams.

Ghana started the game strongly and Serbia were physically there to match them.

A nice start to Group D but the first-half lacked a goal.

Half-time: 0:0

The half-time team talk didn't really inspire Serbia as Ghana continued where they left off; taking the game to the Europeans.

The much-criticised 2010 World Cup ball came closest to going in the net on the hour; when Asamoah Gyan rose above Aleksandar Lukovic to head John Paintsil's long throw-in, against the post.

A second yellow card for Aleksandar Lukovic reduced Serbia to ten men with 15 minutes to go.

The loss of a central defender forced Radomir Antic to replace midfielder, Milan Jovanovic with Borussia Dortmund's Neven Subotic.

Rather than just sit back, Serbia tried to snatch a quick goal; Milos Krasic forcing a corner and Nemanja Vidic heading over the bar.

After Branislav Ivanovic tried another attack on the Ghana goal, the Serbian defence at the other end lost their heads; or rather, Zdravko Kuzmanovic used his hand instead of his head to clear the ball - then protested to the referee.

After a tense wait, Asamoah Gyan cracked the penalty into the roof of the net.

In time added on Gyan almost doubled the score when he hit the post but Ghana did more than enough to secure the first Africa win in the first African World Cup Finals; to guarantee a noisy night in Pretoria.

Serbia 0 Ghana 1

Both teams reached the 2010 World Cup finals through a play-off: Algeria beating Egypt and Slovenia getting the better of Russia.

Within three minutes, Algeria's Nadir Belhadj made his presence known with a free-kick that stung the palms of Samir Handanovic.

Other than that, considering one of these teams had the chance to go top of Group C neither showed the authority or imagination to do so.

Rafik Halliche's header, from a corner, was the only other real goalmouth incident of the first-half.

Slovenia didn't even earn a corner, until five minutes before the break. Valter Birsa then earned another, a couple of minutes later; Faouzi Chaouchi made the save look spectacular but the shot, although high, was straight at him.

Half-time: 0:0

Slovenia showed a little more conviction going forward early in the second-half; Matjaž Kek then deciding that perhaps things would work better with Zlatan Ljubijankic up front instead of Zlatko Dedic.

Twenty minutes before the end, Algeria tried to put their mark on the game; substitute Abdelkader Ghezzal twice getting close - but still not close enough.

As Ghezzal stupidly earned a yellow card for shirt-pulling, shortly after coming on, a deliberate hand-ball in the Slovakia area in the 73rd minute reduced Algeria to ten men.

Just when it seemed like Slovenia didn't have a clue how to make the best of their man advantage, Robert Koren turned on the edge of the Algeria penalty area and his low shot bounced over the open-to-collect arms of Faouzi Chaouchi.

Slovenia probably didn't deserve to win the match but the uninspiring victory does put them top of the table.

Algeria 0 Slovenia 1

England failed to make up for their 1950 defeat to the United States in Belo Horizonte; after yet another goalkeeping error just before half-time.

New England captain, Steven Gerrard, led the way forward by nipping inside Ricardo Clark - after a touch from Emile Heskey - and flicking the ball back across Tim Howard, to put Fabio Capello's team ahead within the opening minutes.

England were maybe a little lucky to escape unscathed from three successive US corners around the 13th minute; and Capello knew it.
After Jozy Altidore fluffed a header in the 19th minute, Aaron Lennon drove into the American area at the other end; Frank Lampard trying an overhead kick to return the American clearance.

While Tim Howard was receiving treatment after a heavy slide through by Emile Heskey, Fabio Capello decided to take off James Milner; who had received a yellow card shortly before.

England have a history of losing a player to a red card in important games, so perhaps the Italian was just being cautious.

A bigger case for concern in the England camp has been the goalkeeping position, though.

Clint Dempsey made life a little more miserable for West Ham's Robert Green, five minutes before half-time, when a low drive from the American spilled out of Green's hands and into the net.

Half-time: 1:1

There was more concern for Fabio Capello at half-time, when a second substitution had to be used to replace Ledley King with Jamie Carragher.

Robert Green managed to redeem himself when he turned a Jozy Altidore shot onto the post; fortunately there were no Americans following up.

Tim Howard managed to keep out sustained English pressure in the second half and help steer the Americans on a course for the second round.

England 1 USA 1

Maradona's Argentina lined up with an attacking intention to put Nigeria on the back foot right from the start.

On their third effective attack, Gabriel Heinze headed Argentina into the lead; from a Juan Sebastián Verón corner.

Nigeria were not without their chances, but just didn't make the most of them.

Thanks to the early goal, Argentina were content to play the ball around and hope to wear Nigeria down.

Three great saves from Vincent Enyeama helped to keep Nigeria in with a chance for the second-half.

Half-time: 1:0

Lars Lagerback didn't wait long before ringing the changes up front for Nigeria; the ineffective Victor Obinna making way for Obafemi Martins - soon to be joined by the more lively Peter Odemwingie as well.

Vincent Enyeama continued to keep Nigeria in the game while the African front man struggled to make anything of their half-chances.

Maradona, sensing Odemwingie getting the better of Jonas Gutierrez on the left, brought on AS Roma's Nicolas Burdisso to try and deal with the right back problem; Gutierrez not really a defender at all.

Argentina 1 Nigeria 0

If your captain is taken off at half-time then you know that something's not working right. That was the tragedy for Greece.

After their surprise victory at Euro 2004, Greece have failed to deliver and they didn't disappoint us in Port Elizabeth.

Right from the start, it was South Korea who looked the more energetic.

From a South Korea free-kick, near the left corner-flag, an unmarked Lee Jung-Soo ran towards the far post and side-footed the ball into the empty half of the Greece goal; with just seven minutes played.

Eight minutes later, Lee Chung-Yong had a penalty claim turned down as South Korea continued to make most of the early running.

South Korea should have been three goals up in the 28th minute, when Park Ji-Sung's pass to perfection caught the Greek defenders flat-footed again and Monaco's Park Chu-Young with a free run through on goal.

Greece went into the dressing room still in with a chance when in reality they weren't really in the game at all.

Half-time: 1:0

Christos Patsatzoglou replaced Giorgos Karagounis, the Greece captain, at the start of the second-half.

The substitution didn't do much to change the balance of play as South Korea soon doubled their lead; Park Ji-Sung running clean through the middle, shaking off Avraam Papadopoulos and Loukas Vyntra to slip the ball across Alexandros Tzorvas.

After Greece changed their attacking options, around the hour mark, Park Chu-Young was presented with a golden opportunity when Cha Du-Ri's ball landed on his head.

Then, with ten minutes left on the clock, Theofanis Gekas checked to see if the South Korea goalkeeper was awake; with a rising shot from the middle of the penalty area.

That was about it from Greece.

South Korea 2 Greece 0

The first ever winners of the World Cup met the scorers of the first ever World Cup Finals goal - that was Uruguay 1930, this is now; South Africa 2010.

France and Uruguay have a history of nil-nil draws, so why should we have expected anything else in Cape Town?

If there were problems in the French camp it didn't show on the pitch in the opening minutes of the match against Uruguay; as swift passing and confident movement almost enabled Sidney Govou to snatch the lead for France.

And that was really the best chance of the first forty-five minutes.

Sadly, for most of the second-half neither team had much to offer; even the feeble French chorus of 'Allez les Bleus' could hardly be heard above the vuvuzela drone.

Only with fifteen minutes to go did the teams realise that winning the game might be something to aim for.

But then Uruguay substitute, Nicolas Lodeiro, collected his second yellow card in less than twenty minutes on the pitch and reduced his team to ten men.

France tried to add fresh attacking options while Uruguay sought to hold on to the one point.

But the minutes ticked away and Thierry Henry's free-kick was headed away in the final seconds.

Uruguay 0 France 0