Group Stage Results: Day 3

Ghana celebrates the first-ever WC victory of Africans on African soil.

Algeria 0-1 Slovenia
(click on goals for vids)
------------------- 79' Robert Koren

Algeria and Slovenia showed a distinct lack of quality in what droned on as a haphazard goalless draw for almost 80 minutes. Algerian Adelkader Ghezzel was sent off for a ridiculously unnecessary hand ball, then Robert Koren scored when a weak shot was followed by an embarassing effort by keeper Fawzi Chaouchi.

Serbia 0-1 Ghana
------------------- 84' Asamoah Gyan (penalty)

Serbia and Ghana spent most of their match unable to string together enough passes to take legitimate shots on net. It took the day's second needless handball, this time in the penalty area, by Zdrako Kuzmanovic to serve up the penalty which broke the stalemate. Ghana thus became the first African side to win a World Cup match on African soil.

Germany 4-0 Australia
8' Lukas Podolski
26' Miroslav Klose
67' Thomas Muller
70' Cacau

Germany delivered the first world-class performance of the tournament with a 4-0 drubbing of the Socceroos. Fantastic ball movement and clinical finishing... the German sent out a warning shot to any who doubted their quality. It must be said that, to this observer's eyes, the Australians played the most cynical brand of football to date, and while the red card to Cahill may have been a bit harsh, on the whole it was fair for all the reckless challenges by the Aussies both on and off the ball. The Socceroos also spent a good deal of time complaining to the refs. You stay classy, Australia!