World Cup So Far

So now we know the quarter-final line up.  We have Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Ghana, Holland, Paraguay, Spain and Uruguay.  Looking at the matches so far I have been far from impressed with it as a whole.

Even though the officials have got most decisions right I have felt they have been rather whistle happy and a lot of unnecessary booking.  The games themselves haven't been to the level I thought they would be and its all been a little but defensive.

Now we are down to the final 8 I am hoping this is when the quality finally shines through.  We have some games which I might struggle to watch (but we all know I will) like Uruguay v Ghana and Paraguay v Spain but its the other two matches that catch the eye.  Holland v Brazil will be a colourful affair and then there is Argentina v Germany.

They have met at the later stages of the World Cup with the most famous meetings being in 1986 where a Maradona inspired Argentine beat the then West Germany 3-2 but in 1990 the World Cup final was a dire affair. 2 Argentine players dismissed, niggly and decided by a dubious Andreas Brehme penalty but I think this will be a game to remember.

Their have been a few negatives, the Vuvuzeals's ruining the match atmosphere, Frank Lampard goal that wasn't, Tevez disallowed goal that wasn't and also, I feel there has been a lot of simulation.  Kaka should never have been dismissed and also in the group stages Miroslav Klose was very unfairly dismissed.

At the start of the tournament I thought Spain was going to win the World Cup, I will stick with my prediction but if I could change it, I will say Germany could be the new team to beat.

What do the bookies think?  Well here's their pre-tournament odds and their current odds

Argentina 9/1 now 9/2
Brazil 5/1 now 5/2f
Germany 15/2 now 15/2
Ghana 66/1 now 40/1
Holland 14/1 now 15/2
Paraguay 50/1 now 50/1
Spain 4/1 now 3/1
Uruguay 100/1 now 18/1

Spain 1 Portugal 0

Scorer: Villa (Spa)

Attendance: 62955

A 63rd-minute David Villa goal proved enough for Spain to beat Portugal and reach the quarter-finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. The highly-anticipated meeting between these Iberian rivals, the first in six years, lived up to expectations, certainly in the first half when Carlos Queiroz's side were unlucky not to be rewarded for their endeavour in Cape Town. La Roja were dominant after the break, however, and El Guaje's close-range finish ensured they will now meet Paraguay for a place in the last four.

Both teams went into the match protecting proud records, with Spain having won 29 of their last 31 matches. Portugal were on a 19-match undefeated run dating back to November 2008, with 20 clean sheets in 24 matches since Queiroz assumed their reins.

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque named an unchanged side from the one that beat Chile in their final group game, with the inclusion of Xabi Alonso allaying initial fears that an ankle injury would prevent his inclusion. Portugal, conversely, were forced into two changes as injuries to forward Danny and defender Duda afforded starts to Atletico Madrid's Simao and Hugo Almeida of Werder Bremen.

A high-tempo opening saw Fernando Torres unleash a goal-bound shot that Eduardo did well to parry away, before it was the turn of the in-form Villa to warm the hands of the Portuguese goalkeeper. It was far from one-way traffic, and Tiago's drive from 30 metres was only palmed into the air by Iker Casillas, with Almeida seemingly set to head into an empty net only for the Spain captain to recover and push the ball to safety at the midway point of the first half.

Soon after, Cristiano Ronaldo unleashed a venomous long-range free-kick which Casillas could again only parry, with the ball somewhat fortuitously avoiding a host of lurking attackers. It was proving an uncomfortable opening period for the Real Madrid custodian, who was captaining La Roja for a record 51st time, surpassing goalkeeping predecessor Andoni Zubizarreta at the head of the list.

The early energy gave way to a slightly more measured pace, with Portugal having the better of the latter exchanges in the opening half. A Seleção das Quinas seemingly resumed where they had left off after the interval. Tiago burst down the left flank with an impressive turn of speed, and his cross looped off the knee of Carles Puyol and over Casillas, only to narrowly bounce the wrong side of the post.

Spain's pedigree soon started to shine through and on the hour mark, substitute Fernando Llorente directed a diving header straight at a relieved Eduardo. Within 60 seconds Villa grazed the post with a curling drive, with the momentum having well and truly changed hands. Then came what proved to be the game's only goal. Xavi flicked a short pass from Andres Iniesta to Villa, whose shot was blocked by Eduardo. However, the rebound fell kindly back into the path of Villa who guided the ball home off the underside of the bar.

Spain controlled possession thereafter, as Portugal broke sporadically in their quest to save their South Africa 2010 campaign. Spanish defender Sergio Ramos came within inches of a rare goal after a strong run and shot on the right only to see the impressive Eduardo stick out a strong right hand and turn the ball narrowly around the post. Having joined Argentina’s Gonzalo Higuain and Robert Vittek of Slovakia on four goals at the front of the race for the adidas Golden Boot, Villa was looking to go one better, and his thunderbolt from 30 metres would surely have found the net had it been marginally either side of Eduardo.

Portugal's stand-out player Ronaldo was kept largely quiet with a late red card to Ricardo Costa compounding the misery. Two principal stars delivered decisive performances for the victors with Budweiser Man of the Match Xavi making a significant contribution as his side enjoyed 61 per cent of the possession, while Villa left Green Point Stadium having settled the outcome.

World Cup Match 56 Preview

This should be the tie of the round.  World Number 2 taking on the team in 3rd, Spain versus neighbors Portugal.  I said this in the group stage against Brazil and Portugal and it ended up being a total bore draw but I am really hoping this one lives up to expectation.  There is talent galore in both sides so I can see this being an entertaining match and with both defenses being so solid only one goal could well prove to be the winner.
With Cristiano Ronaldo knowing so much about most of the Spanish team you would think that would give Portugal the upper hand but with everyone knowing everything goes through him then all Spain have to do is tightly mark him and that should extinguish the fears.  Spain to win 1-0.


Head To Head: Spain 15 wins, Draw 12, Portugal 5 wins
Last Meeting: 20/6/2004 Spain 0 Portugal 1
Odds: Spain 11/10, Draw 11/5, Portugal 10/3
Verdict: Spain 0 Portugal 1

Paraguay 0 Japan 0 (Paraguay win 5-3 on penalties)

Scorers: None

Attendance: 36742

Paraguay squeezed through to the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup™ for the first time in their history as Yuichi Komano's penalty miss sent Japan crashing out of the tournament. With the game goalless at the end of extra time in Pretoria, South Africa witnessed its first shoot-out and, after Komano had clipped the crossbar, Oscar Cardozo rolled home the winning spot-kick to give the South Americans a 5-3 win and a last-eight tie against either Spain or Portugal.

Neither side had ever reached a FIFA World Cup quarter-final, and perhaps the weight of expectation explained a largely uninspiring contest at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium. Paraguay enjoyed the majority of possession in the early stages but were struggling to find their range as much as their opponents. The game suddenly, albeit very briefly, exploded into life around the 20-minute mark when both goalkeepers were finally awoken from their slumbers. First, Paraguay's Lucas Barrios turned neatly in the penalty area to escape the attentions of two Japan defenders, before firing straight at Eiji Kawashima. Then, a minute later, Daisuke Matsui crashed a curled long-range effort against the crossbar.

Paraguay almost made their mark in the 29th minute when Roque Santa Cruz found himself unmarked in the area. The Manchester City forward looked surprised to find Claudio Morel's corner at his feet, and that moment of hesitation proved his undoing as he subsequently flashed his shot wide. Shortly after, Honda's ball into the box appeared threatening but Carlos Bonet was able to step in and steer the ball to safety. Yasuhito Endo then whipped in a free-kick at pace but Santa Cruz, now on defensive duty, was able to clear the danger with a diving header.

Minutes later, Japan broke at pace and should have done better in a promising situation, with three advancing forwards outnumbering the Paraguay defence. Matsui squared the ball to Keisuke Honda but the CSKA Moscow star chose to ignore the run of the unmarked Yoshito Okubo to his left, instead opting to try his luck from distance. Disappointingly, his left-footed drive finished wide of goalkeeper Justo Villar's post.

Takeshi Okada's side began the second half with a team huddle, aware they needed to break free of their first-half shackles if they were to make that crucial breakthrough. But it was Paraguay who fired the first statement of intent as Nestor Ortigoza did his best to change the pattern of the game but his mazy run into the box was eventually smothered by the Japanese defence. It was a rare moment of enterprise in a game that had so far failed to inspire. As Gerardo Martino's team picked up the pace, only the outstretched boot of Yuji Nakazawa prevented Edgar Benitez from finding the target, while Cristian Riveros could only plant his header into the palms of Kawashima. Marcus Tulio Tanaka was unlucky not to profit from Endo's dangerous corner or substitute Shunsuke Nakamura's knock-on, while Santa Cruz's looping header was easily beaten away as the game drifted towards extra time.

With another Japan huddle dismantled, Shinji Okazaki looped a header just over and Barrios's firm header was an easy collect for Kawashima, while Nelson Valdez's toe-poke was smothered. Edgar Barretto's hooked shot finished a yard over as both sides finally started to loosen up in the additional 30 minutes but after Okazaki went close with a header in the dying minutes, it was left to penalties to decide the seventh quarter-final place. Only one player of nine missed but victory was Paraguay's by this narrowest of margins.

World Cup Match 55 Preview

The penultimate match of the round see's Paraguay take on Japan in Pretoria.  Most people would fancy Paraguay to overcome the Japanese but I can see a shock here.  Paraguay got through a group that included the much criticised Italy and the lower ranked New Zealand and Slovakia.  Japan had a tougher group, they had to contend with Holland, Denmark and also Cameroon, this group was much more even so Japan did well go get through it.  They have also had a longish break now so will be raring to get back into action.  The winner of this match will play the winner of the Spain/Portugal match and I for one can see Japan going through.

Head To Head: Paraguay 2 wins, Draws 2, Japan 1 win
Last Meeting: 27/5/2008 Japan 0 Paraguay 0 (Saitama)
Odds: Paraguay 23/20, Draw 9/4, Japan 3/1
Verdict: 0-1

Brazil 3 Chile 0

Scorers: Juan (Bra), Luis Fabiano (Bra), Robinho (Bra)

Attendance: 54096

Brazil completed a hat-trick of victories over Chile at the FIFA World Cup™ by beating their South American rivals 3-0 to set up a mouthwatering quarter-final meeting with the Netherlands.

Dunga's side took control of the Round of 16 contest with two goals in quick succession in the last ten minutes of the first half through Juan and Luis Fabiano. Robinho added the third to inflict further punishment on the Chileans who may have ended a 48-year wait for a FIFA World Cup win in South Africa but evidently have not worked out how to better their old nemesis.

Brazil defeated Chile in the 1962 semi-finals and at this same stage of the 1998 tournament in France, scoring four goals in each game. They also beat La Roja home and away in qualifying for South Africa and even in the goalless opening 33 minutes at Ellis Park, there was scant evidence of a different outcome. Although Chile, playing in all white, had a larger share of possession in the opening quarter-hour, Brazil carried the greater goal threat from the off.

Luis Fabiano had an early sniff of goal when breaking down the inside-right channel in the fifth minute but dragged his shot past the far post. Four minutes later Gilberto Silva drew a full-length stop from Chile custodian Claudio Bravo with a 25-yard strike and from the ensuing corner, Kaka – back from suspension – had a sight of goal but fired wide. There was another nervous moment in the Chilean penalty box when Lucio took a dramatic tumble under Pablo Contreras's challenge and it came as no surprise when Brazil made the breakthrough in the 34th minute as Juan rose high to bury a header high past Bravo from Maicon's flag-kick.

Four minutes later Dunga's men had their second as Luis Fabiano got on to the end of a slick counterattack to hit his third goal of the finals. Robinho surged down the left and slipped the ball infield to Kaka, who split Chile's central defence with a first-time pass to put Luis Fabiano in the clear. With Chileans appealing in vain for offside, the Sevilla marksman rounded Bravo and slotted home. Chile produced only one or two promising moments in the final third in the opening 45 minutes. And when Humberto Suazo, making his second start of the finals, had a sight of goal, he failed to trouble Julio Cesar with his shot from the edge of the box – their only effort on target before the break.

Marcelo Bielsa's side had begun the match showing four changes from the defeat by Spain, three enforced by the suspensions of Marco Estrada Gary Medel and Waldo Ponce. And they began the second half with two more changes as Bielsa sent on Rodrigo Tello and Jorge Valvidia in place of Contreras and Mark Gonzalez. But though they tried to increase the pressure on Brazil's back line, their own defence was breached again just before the hour. Ramires strode forward from midfield, leaving two white shirts in his wake, and played in Robinho to curl a shot past the left hand of Bravo. It was Robinho's eighth goal in six matches against Chile and he came close to adding another with a low shot that Bravo tipped behind.

At the other end some of Chile's approach play was slick and they began belatedly to create chances. Valvidia flicked up the ball on the edge of the box and lifted a shot narrowly over the crossbar. With 15 minutes remaining Suazo then produced a smart turn to escape the shackles of Lucio but his shot was comfortably dealt with by Julio Cesar. He got even closer with a sliced effort that looped on to the top of the crossbar but it was not to be. Brazil march on.

World Cup Match 54 Preview

The evening match see the first all South American tie of the tournament so we should be in store for a festival of colour and noise as long as they can drown out the sound of the vuvuzelas!!!.  Brazil have a fantastic record against Chile where they not only win but win handsomely.  They have the return of Kaka from suspension and he will orchestrate things from midfield and I expect another one way victory and for Brazil to sail into the quarter-finals.


Head To Head: Brazil 46 wins, Draw 12, Chile 7 wins
Last Meeting: 9/9/2009 Brazil 4 Chile 2 (Salvador De Bahia)
Odds: Brazil 4/7, Draw 3/1, Chile 6/1
Verdict: 3-1

Holland 2 Slovakia 1

Scorers: Robben (Hol), Sneijder (Hol), Vittek (Slo)

Attendance: 61962

Slovakia's fairy-tale run came to an end at Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium on Monday, with Arjen Robben returning to the starting line-up and helping fire the organised Oranje into the quarter-finals with the first goal in a 2-1 win. As the only debutants at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ head for home with their heads held high, the Dutch – who have never before won their first four matches at the finals – can now start preparing for a last-16 test against either Brazil or Chile in Port Elizabeth on Friday.

Vladimir Weiss's Slovakia were not overawed by their fancied opponents in the early going. Erik Jendrisek fired over the bar from a decent position after only two minutes, though if that was an intended warning shot, the Dutch – with nine points from their three games so far – are not a team that rattle easily. Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder both had good chances to score subsequently before Robben, in his first start at these finals, made his mark on the match. Chasing a long ball up from midfield, the Bayern Munich winger outpaced Radoslav Zabavnik up the wide-right channel, cut inside and fired low inside the near post, beating goalkeeper Jan Mucha who might have done better. It was only the second first-half goal scored by the Netherlands in South Africa.

Arsenal ace Van Persie had the next chances as the break approached. He surprised the Slovakia defence in the 41st minute but, after cutting in from the left, could only muster a tame toe-poke at Mucha. With just seconds to go before half-time, he then stole in behind the backline but failed to control Mark van Bommel's low cross, that was whipped in through the six-yard box. Robben was in the mood again when the second period got underway. After Van Persie dragged the Slovakia defence out of position, the ball fell kindly for the former Chelsea man, who wriggled inside the area only for his sizzling low shot to be thwarted by Mucha's fingertips. The goalkeeper was called into action again from the resulting corner, bravely blocking a Joris Mathijsen effort from close range.

Suddenly, Slovakia – who shifted into a more attacking 4-4-2 for the second half – came to life in the 67th minute. Marek Hamsik pushed the ball out wide for Dutch-based striker Miroslav Stoch, but his shot was tipped over for a corner. Robert Vittek was then guilty of missing a glorious chance only seconds later. Collecting the ball in acres of space and with bags of time, he shot directly into the palms of Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenburg to groans from the section of the crowd not dressed in orange.

The Dutch continued to push forward in search of another goal and with six minutes to go, and the withdrawn Robben now on the bench, Dirk Kuyt chased down a long ball and crossed low for Sneijder. The Inter Milan man made no mistake with the goal at his mercy and calmly bulged the back of the net. Even though Vittek managed a consolation goal for the Slovaks in the dying seconds of stoppage time – netting from the penalty spot after Stekelenburg had brought him down – it was too late to signal a change of fortune. The Dutch now march on to meet either Brazil or Chile, who contest their Round of 16 contest at Johannesburg's Ellis Park later in the evening.

World Cup Match 53 Preview

Holland have yet to lose a game in the tournament and most will see that record continuing today.  Slovakia came through a group that contained Paraguay and Italy and have done well to get this far but the Italians were a poor show so this will be a step up in class today.  Can Slovakia match the Dutch.  I can't see it.  With Robin Van Persie up front they have someone that can get them goals, but its not just about him.  Just go through the squad and there are goalscorers all the way through.  Slovakia rely on Robert Vittek to get them their goals and I can't see him being able to get throught the tight Holland defence, they have only let 1 goal in in the whole tournament while Slovakia have scored 4 and let in 5 so it should be a comfortable win for the oranjeboom.

Head To Head: Holland 2 wins, Draw 1, Slovakia 6 wins

Last Meeting: 10/9/1986 Slovakia (as Czechoslovakia) 1 Holland 0

Odds: Holland 4/9, Draw 10/3, Slovakia 15/2

Verdict: 3-0

Sunday 27th June Transfer News

DAILY MIRROR

Joe Cole admits “there are a lot of issues” that need addressing around the England camp.

Germany captain Phillip Lahm claims England underestimated Germany on Sunday.

Roy Hodgson will be appointed Liverpool boss this week once he has been promised the transfer kitty he wants.

West Ham’s bid to sign for Juan Roman Riquelme has been put on ice.

Joe Cole will make a decision on his future in the next fortnight.

Burnley hope to sign striker Billy Sharp from Sheffield United in a £1million deal.

Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace are battling for the signature of Andy Dorman, who has left St Mirren.

Nicky Bailey will have a medical at Middlesbrough ahead of a £1.4million move from Charlton.

Bolton have invited Bolivia striker Gilbert Alvarez to join them on their pre-season training trip to the US.

THE SUN

Harry Redknapp insisted Fabio Capello should stay on as England manager.

Real Madrid have beaten Manchester City in the race to sign Maicon from Inter Milan.

Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano hopes to play alongside Wayne Rooney at Manchester United.

Marouane Chamakh wants Arsenal to sign his old Bordeaux team-mate Yoann Gourcuff

DAILY STAR

Fabio Capello is refusing to quit despite England’s humiliation.

Phillip Lahm claims England underestimated German because “our players are not as famous as them”.

Everton boss David Moyes wants to bring USA and LA Galaxy forward Landon Donovan back to Everton.

Schalke are preparing a £4million bid for Stoke misfit Tuncay.

DAILY EXPRESS

Fabio Capello is seeking the immediate backing of the FA before he decides his future as England boss.

Joe Cole is “sure there will be changes” after admitting England are not good enough.

Everton want to sign Landon Donovan on a permanent basis.

DAILY MAIL

West Brom are ready to step up their interest in Marton Fulop.

Lazio hope to finalise their double swoop for Portsmouth’s Nadir Belhadj and Kevin Prince-Boateng.

Birmingham are weighing up a move for Hearts defender Lee Wallace.

Manchester City and Real Madrid are chasing Lazio left-back Aleksandar Koralov.

Mark Hughes is in talks with Dubai club Al Ahli over becoming their new manager.

Crystal Palace expect to agree a two-year deal with former Ipswich defender David Wright.

Paulo Sousa, Micky Adams and Iain Dowie are early contenders to replace Hull-bound Nigel Pearson at Leicester. 

Argentina 3 Mexico 1

Scorers: Tevez (Arg) 2 goals, Higuain (Arg), Hernandez (Mex)

Attendance: 84377

Argentina set up another FIFA World Cup™ quarter-final against Germany by overcoming Mexico 3-1 at Johannesburg's Soccer City Stadium. Carlos Tevez emerged as the hero with a brace of goals, while Gonzalo Higuain was also on target as Diego Maradona's Albiceleste set up a rematch against their 2006 conquerors.

The Mexicans ultimately proved no match for their clinical South American opponents, yet it all started so promisingly for Javier Aguirre's side, with Carlos Salcido rattling the crossbar with a stunning long-range drive after just eight minutes. There was another lucky escape for Argentina just a minute later, when Andres Guardado drilled in a shot from the edge of the box that spun away from the far post just as the net looked set to bulge.

Maradona's side were hardly lacking in attacking menace themselves, however, and Lionel Messi soon embarked on one of his trademark elusive runs before attempting a chip over Oscar Perez that the Mexico keeper judged well. Messi's hunt for a goal at South Africa 2010 continues, but it was not long before the Barcelona talisman played a key role as another of Argentina's star forwards opened his tournament account.

Tevez might have thought his chance had gone when Perez raced out to block bravely at his feet, but Messi was quick-witted enough to return the ball towards goal, where the Manchester City striker was waiting to head home. Breaking the deadlock enabled Argentina to take a firm grip on proceedings, and within seven minutes that hold was strengthened as Mexico reached for the self-destruct button.

Quite what Ricardo Osorio was thinking when he played a square pass to the feet of Higuain is unclear, but it was a gift the Real Madrid striker readily accepted, coolly dragging the ball around the grounded Perez before side-footing into the empty net for his fourth goal of the tournament. Even with the best part of an hour remaining, it was difficult to envisage Mexico finding a way back into this match, and Argentina could have been out of sight altogether by half-time had Higuain not headed wastefully wide with the goal at his mercy. Maradona's men are capable of scoring at any time though, and from any situation – as Tevez proved six minutes into the second half.

The Albiceleste No11 benefited from a fortuitous break 25 yards from goal, but there was no luck involved in what followed, with Tevez lashing an unstoppable drive into the top-right-hand corner for one of the goals of the tournament. Mexico must have realised the game was up at this stage, but it was to their credit that they continued to attack with conviction, and they should have pulled a goal back on 63 minutes when Javier Hernandez headed over when it seemed easier to score.

The Manchester United-bound youngster made amends with 19 minutes remaining, however, brilliantly turning Martin Demichelis on the edge of the box before rifling a stunning left-foot shot into the roof of the Argentinian net. It would prove scant consolation for the crestfallen Mexicans, but whileEl Tri return home with their dreams dashed, Argentina can begin plotting revenge against some familiar foes.

World Cup Match 52 Preview

The second match of the day see's Argentina take on Mexico.  I am not sure about this game, Mexico are a good side and did well in their group but they lack a cutting edge up front.  Franco does a job as does Giovanni Dos Santos but who else is there to get Mexico a goal?  Then you look at the Argentina team, everywhere you look there are goals.  Messi, Aguero, Tevez, Higuain.  Mexico are a good defensive team so if Argentina are going to win it won't be by a huge margain.  One goal I reckon which to me gives Mexico a chance on the counter attack, see, I am sooooo confused about this match so whatever I think of next will be my verdict ... Argentina 2-1.

Head To Head: Argentina 12 wins, Draw 9, Mexico 4 wins
Last Meeting: 4/6/2008 Mexico 1 Argentina 4 (San Diego)
Odds: Argentina 4/6, Draw 11/4, Mexico 11/2
Verdict: Argentina 2 Mexico 1

Germany 4 England 1

Scorers: Mueller (Ger) 2 goals, Klose (Ger), Podolski (Ger), Upson (Eng)

Attendance: 40510

Germany's youthful side delivered a striking statement of intent by overwhelming old rivals England 4-1 in Bloemfontein to take their place in the last eight of the FIFA World Cup™. 

Joachim Low's side built a two-goal lead through early goals from Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski and although Matthew Upson reduced the deficit before the break, the Germans made sure of their quarter-final place when Thomas Muller concluded two lightning breakaways with a quick-fire double midway through the second half. While Germany can look forward with confidence to a quarter-final meeting with Argentina or Mexico, England will go home to lick their wounds and reflect on yet another FIFA World Cup defeat by their old nemesis.

It was a lapse of concentration which allowed Germany to take the lead in the 20th minute, the goal coming after a spell of prolonged England possession. Manuel Neuer's long goal-kick upfield should have been dealt with by England’s central defenders, but Klose, back from suspension, got between John Terry and Upson, outmuscling the latter before poking the ball past David James with his outstretched right boot.

While having plenty of the ball, England were creating little in the way of genuine scoring opportunities, with only a Gareth Barry shot from distance which went straight at Neuer. Indeed, Germany should have doubled their advantage on the half-hour when Sami Khedira combined well with Muller to set up Klose, who fired straight at James. Yet Die Nationalelf did not have to wait too long for their second goal as Muller floated a delightful ball into the path of the unmarked Podolski. With England's defence stretched, the Cologne man had the time to recover from a poor first touch and produce a left-footed finish that squeezed through the legs of the goalkeeper and just inside the far post.

England pulled a goal back in the 37th minute when a short Lampard corner from the right was played to Gerrard who crossed into the box. Upson, atoning for his earlier error, rose highest above the Germany defence and with Neuer stranded, powered a header into the net. Meetings between these two sides often provide talking points and this one's came 60 seconds later when Lampard's shot from the edge of the box struck the underside of the crossbar and bounced down, with the referee ruling the ball had not crossed the goalline.

England started the second half strongly with Gerrard hitting a right foot shot just wide in the opening minutes and Lampard rattling the crossbar with a free-kick 30 yards from goal. However, Germany increased their advantage in the 67th minute through a counter-attack. Lampard's free-kick hit the German wall and, with England having committed men forward, they were left exposed as Schweinsteiger broke quickly before playing a delightful ball for Muller, who had started the breakaway, to fire past James.

Germany's fourth was more or less a carbon copy of their third. With England deep in their opponents' half, searching for a way back into the game, Germany won possession on the edge of their box and sprayed the ball to Ozil on the left. The midfielder outpaced Barry and played in Muller to sidefoot home from close range. England, to their credit, never gave up and only a fine one-handed save by Neuer from Gerrard stopped them from reducing their deficit – the heaviest in their FIFA World Cup history.

World Cup Match 51 Preview

The match all Englishmen have wanted, just not this soon!!
England will go head to head against their old foe's Germany today and will want to write a positive chapter in English football history,  So much is made of the 1966 World Cup and apart from the 5-1 win in Munich England haven't really got one up on Germany.
If rumours are to be believed Germany have injury worries with Bastien Schweinsteiger and Ozil out.
England so far haven't enjoyed a positive tournament.  Drawing with America, a dull 0-0 v Algeria only beating Slovakia in another dull performance and injuries to Ferdinand and King and then there was the blast to the fans from Wayne Rooney.  He needs a performance today and I am not just saying this because I am English but I really can see England winning today.  Lets just hope its doesn't go to penalties otherwise someone else could be making Pizza Hut adverts!!!

Head To Head: Germany 12 wins, Draws 3, England 12 wins
Last Meeting: 9/11/2008 Germany 1 England 2 (Berlin)
Odds: Germany 21/10, Draw 21/10, England 17/10
Verdict: 0-1

USA 1 Ghana 2 (After Extra Time)

Scorers: Donovan (USA), Boateng (Gha), Gyan (Gha)

Attendance: 34976

Ghana marched on to the quarter-finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ after emerging 2-1 victors over USA following 120 minutes of drama in Rustenburg. Asamoah Gyan scored the winner in the 93rd minute after Landon Donovan's penalty had cancelled out Kevin Prince Boateng's early opener.

The Black Stars, who are the sole African representative left in the continent's first FIFA World Cup, will now meet Uruguay in Johannesburg on 2 July. They become the third African nation to advance to the last eight of a FIFA World Cup, after Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002.

The west Africans stunned the US in just the fifth minute after Ricardo Clark had given possession away in midfield. Boateng ran at the defence and, having shifted the ball to the left, beat goalkeeper Tim Howard at his near post with a left-footed shot from the edge of the area. Left reeling, the US were second best until the break. 

Their best in the opening period came in the 35th minute, when Jonathan Mensah gave the ball away in his own third to Clint Dempsey. The Fulham man slid the ball to Robbie Findley, who raced clean through on Richard Kingson, but the goalkeeper reacted well to save with this left foot. Coach Bob Bradley's reaction to a lacklustre first-half performance was to bring on attacking midfielder Benny Feilhaber at half-time, and the move almost paid immediate dividends.

Donovan's pace made the chance down the right, and Jozy Altidore did well with the LA Galaxy player's cross to feed the on-rushing Feilhaber. But Kingson came out aggressively and pulled off a fabulous reaction save. Ghana were being pegged back at this stage, and on the hour mark Dempsey skinned Gyan at the edge of the area and broke free into the box. Mensah clattered into him to concede the penalty, and Donovan calmly slotted in his kick off the inside of the post.

As the second half wore on, the US continued to ask questions of the Ghana defence, but Kingson saved the Black Stars twice in succession. In the 68th minute, he raced 15 yards off his line to clear the ball at Altidore's feet, and eight minutes later he got down well to smother Michael Bradley's shot after the coach's son had beaten the offside trap. Altidore had another chance in the 81st minute, but the defence did just enough to put him off and he fired wide from ten yards.

However, just as they did at the start of the match, Ghana opened the extra time with a goal. The impressive Ayew, son of Ghanaian legend Abedi Pele, spun a long ball with the outside of his left foot into the path of Gyan. The Rennes man held off two defenders and smashed the ball past Howard for his third goal of the tournament and his seventh for his country in 2010.

The US, who scored a dramatic last-gasp winner against Algeria to qualify for the second round, seemed to tire after the goal, and though they sent ball after ball into the Ghana box in the final minutes, they could find no late heroics at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium. All of Africa seemed to explode at the final whistle, and the youngest team in the tournament will continue to fly the continent's colours for one more round.