Group Stage Results: Day 11

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal score every which way against North Korea.

Portugal 7-0 North Korea
Ruh-roh. It pours down rain and goals as North Korea is exposed and trounced by a Portugal side that's obviously finding it's rhythm. Ronaldo emerges as playmaker and then -- finally -- goal scorer as Portugal puts on a display of deft one touch footy. North Korea's holds them to a single goal at half but makes a key mistake by opening up from the defensive stance that kept them in the Brazil game and thus become the second side eliminated from the tournament.

Chile 1-0 Switzerland
Chile continue their all-out attack and finally unlock the Swiss defense, but not before les Suisse set the record for most consecutive minutes without conceding a goal at the World Cup, going back to 2006. Another poor refereeing performance sees way too many yellow cards and a red card for Swiss defender Valon Behrami on a nothing foul and embarrassing bit of play acting by la Roja's Arturo Vidal. Behrami becomes the first Swiss player ever sent off at a WC.

Spain 2-0 Honduras
Spain look much better in a solid win over Honduras. David Villa scores two but misses a penalty and gets away with slapping a Honduran in the face. Torres looks rusty in his comeback from injury and La Furia Roja may rue the many many chances they didn't finish if Group H comes down to goal differential.

Coulibaly's Folly

Man of the Hour: Referee Koman Coulibaly

By now everyone is well aware of the frustrating ghost call made by Malian referee Koman Coulibaly which disallowed the USA's game winning goal in Friday's WC match against Slovenia. As Americans roil at the injustice it is somewhat comforting to know the outrage extends beyond the US and is shared by the world's media in a collective search to understand what went wrong.

In the aftermath we've learned that this is not the first tournament-deciding head-scratcher of a call Coulibaly has made... in fact his past is quite checkered. We've also seen an utter lack of transparency in FIFA's governing rules and decision making. The notion that the referee does not have to state what the foul is or who it was called on seems bizarre to an American public used to accountability in their sports leagues. The recent emotional apology from MLB umpire Jim Joyce for his blown call that spoiled a perfect game for Tiger's pitcher Armando Galarraga puts Coulibaly and FIFA's silence in even starker contrast.

Of course instant replay is the easiest and most accurate way to keep these errors from deciding results, but FIFA's head Sepp Blatter is notoriously anti-technology. While FIFA had originally said that Coulibaly's performance could only be judged at the end of the WC, under pressure from worldwide scrutiny, there appears to be an expedited review under way. Let's hope for the sake of fair play that this was Koman Coulibaly's last match officiating in South Africa.

On a side note, most American proponent's of the sport were doubly frustrated by the result thinking that an early US exit would hurt the profile of soccer in this country. However, in an ironic twist of events, the gaffe seems to have galvanized American interest and support for the Yanks. Disapproval of the call expressed by tennis stars Andy Roddick and Serena Williams put a public face on American outrage. No doubt even more Americans will tune in for USA's final and decisive match against Algeria. Americans love a good underdog story and scrappy Team USA fits the role perfectly. Hopefully they'll take the fire they displayed after the Slovenian match onto the pitch on Wednesday and into the Round of 16.

Group Stage Results: Day 10

The All White's Shane Smeltz kicks off the celebrations for Kiwis worldwide with his goal against Italy.

Slovakia 0-2 Paraguay
Quite simply, the better side wins as Paraguay, though not breath-taking, comprehensively defeats Slovakia. Slovakia's first and only shot on goal came in injury time... enough said. Paraguay now look to take first place in the group.

Italy 1-1 New Zealand
The All Whites serve up the best result in New Zealand footballing history with a 1-1 draw against the defending world champs. The Kiwis goal may have been a little offside, but Italy's goal was once again the result of a highly questionable penalty kick from an Italian dive in the box. Apparently the Azzuri are picking up where they left off in WC2006... theatrics in the penalty area will be a major part of their goal scoring strategy. Congrats to New Zealand for their hard fought historic win!

Brazil 3-1 Ivory Coast
While the Ivorians start well, they concede the first goal to Luis Fabiano and Brazil looks themselves as they cruise to a 3-0 lead. Didier Drogba scores a consolation goal, but the end of the match is marred by fighting and then a second yellow card for Kaka which will see him miss the final match against Portugal. Replays clearly show the Ivory Coast's Keita running into Kaka's elbow and then falling to the ground holding his face... a shameful dive broadcast worldwide. How players are comfortable presenting this negative view of themselves on the world stage I'll never know.

Group Stage Results: Day 9

Cameroon's Vincent Aboubakar on right shows the despair of his nation as the Indomitable Lions are the first side eliminated in the WC.

Netherlands 1-0 Japan
Again the Dutch fail to put on a show, yet are efficient in their 1-0 defeat of Japan. Wesley Sneijder's forceful strike is one of the very few goals scored from distance in the tournament. The Dutch become the first side to advance to the Round of 16.

Ghana 1-1 Australia
After a bright start, Australia once again are forced to play the majority of the match a man down as Harry Kewell is sent off for a hand ball on the goal line. While there certainly was no intent on Kewell's part, the shot did hit him in the shoulder. Ghana fail to capitilize on the man advantage and have to settle for a draw which keeps all sides in the group alive.

Cameroon 1-2 Denmark
In a match that might be noted for it's relatively poor defensive play, the Danes knock Cameroon out of the tournament. Lots of chances for both sides mean an exciting match to watch, but Denmark will certainly need to play better if they're to advance. Disappointment again for Africa as one of the continent's stronger sides becomes the first casualty of the World Cup.

Group Stage Results: Day 8

Maurice Edu's game winning goal is disallowed in one of the many terrible refereeing decisions on Day 8.

Germany 1-0 Serbia
The day of shocking officiating begins in the first half of the first game when Spanish ref Alberto Undiano Mallenco hands out a flurry of undeserved yellow cards. German striker Miroslav Klose is sent off with his second yellow on a minor foul, forcing Germany to play a man down for almost 60 minutes. The Serbians take advantage with a goal a minute later. The Germans show that they are still the better side throughout, but ultimately fail to get a result when Lukas Podolski misses the penalty resulting from a hand ball in the box.

Slovenia 2-2 USA
USA starts out terribly once again, allowing the opposing strikers way too much room to maneuver, and go down by two goals at the half. The Yanks come out firing in the second half with Landon Donovan's fantastic point blank strike into the goalie's face. Michael Bradley ties it with a beautiful finish off an Altidore header pass from a set piece. What follows is the most contoversial foul of the tournament. Maurice Edu scores a perfect goal on a Donovan set piece for the game winner... only it's disallowed. The Amercans try to get an explanation from Malian ref Koman Coulibaly but he ignores them. The US fight back and are in control over their own destiny -- a win over Algeria puts them through. Yet they can't help but feel robbed of two points they richly deserved.

England 0-0 Algeria
Algeria surprises and England disappoints as the North Africans battle England to a 0-0 draw. England looks hesitant and indecisive in their play, as if the pressure of the English media is affecting their mentality. No one wants to make a mistake, to become the next Rob Green, fodder for the tabloids front pages. The Three Lions are booed by their fans as they leave the field. Wayne Rooney responds with sarcastic and critical comments to the camera as he departs. The English camp is in turmoil as the country openly questions the heart of their players.

Group Stage Results: Day 7

It was Gonzalo Higuain's day as he nets three against South Korea.

Argentina 4-1 South Korea
The Albicelestes continue to impress with a hat-trick from Higuain and more sparkling play from Lio Messi who had a role in every goal (even the own goal). SoKo needs a big win over Nigeria to advance.

Greece 2-1 Nigeria
Forced to play most of the match with 10 men due to a silly red card for violent conduct, the Super Eagles unfortunately show the lack of composure they're known to exhibit. Nigerian goalkeeper Enyeama continues his superhuman saves (big clubs take notice) but slips up when it counts and gives up the rebound for the Greek winner. Greeks save some face after their stinker against SoKo.

France 0-2 Mexico
El Tri puts on a brilliant show as they push the embattled French to the brink of elimination.

So much could be said about the disarray of the French camp -- the almost universal public disregard for head coach Raymond Domenech, the factions and infighting amongst the players, the legal woes of star Frank Ribery. Suffice it to say that the French entered and will most likely exit as the most dysfunctional side at the World Cup. It's a shame because that they have a proud history in the tournament. On the positive side, Mexico and Uruguay's match could be a real cracker, that is if both sides come out fighting for first place instead of in a gentleman's agreement for a draw which would put them both through.

Group Stage Results: Day 6

Pain in Spain as les Suisse score a stunner.

Honduras 0-1 Chile
Chile dazzle by opening their tournament with the flat-out attacking panache everyone had anticipated. Honduras is lucky to escape with only one goal conceded.

Spain 0-1 Switzerland
Upset of the tournament so far. Group H gets turned on its head with the ultra-organized Swiss defense shutting out the potent Spanish attack. Spain dominates possession (74-26) and shots (25-9) yet gives up the game winner in clumsy defense of a long ball clearance from the Swiss goal keeper. Kudos to the defense of les Suisse for maintaining their focus for all 90 minutes.

South Africa 0-3 Uruguay
Uruguay is much more positive in their play after their drudgery against France. Diego Forlan scores a brace and a controversial red card sends off the South African keeper with 14 minutes remaining. Sadness in South Africa as Bafana Bafana now look to become the first host country not to advance past the group stage.

The European Champs

Spain come flying into the World Cup as the most heralded side in Europe having taken the European title in style in Euro 2008. If you don't believe the hype take a look at the numbers...

Since 2007 they are 44-1-3... a run which included a world record breaking 35 game unbeaten streak (which the US snapped in last year's Confederations Cup), and a perfect 10 wins in their World Cup qualifiers. They won their last WC warm-up match against Poland 6-0 with six different goal scorers.

Why are they so damn good? Of their 23 man roster, 5 play at Real Madrid and 8 play at FC Barcelona. This means they've played together... a lot. They have a team chemistry that no other national side can match. And this cohesiveness is evident in their style of play. They are the current mantle holders of the all-out-attacking, beautiful one-touch passing game widely regarded as the most attractive form of the sport.

All this said, La Furia Roja have never won a World Cup and up until recently were seen as perennial underachievers. If they could win it this year it would cap off what has been undoubtedly the most storied era of Spanish football and place their names in the debate of best national sides of all time.

Group Stage Results: Day 5

Didier Drogba and Cristiano Ronaldo add superstar power to this Group G showdown.

New Zealand 1-1 Slovakia

Slovaks get away with a slightly offside goal, but the All Whites pip a point with an equalizer at the death.

Ivory Coast 0-0 Portugal
Testy stalemate with Les Elephantes looking slightly more likely to score. Ronaldo flops and dives to no avail. Drogba, in a plastic arm cast, comes on late in the game to a rousing ovation.

Brazil 2-1 North Korea
The mystery boys from NoKo held the Selecao scoreless for a half. Maicon breaks through with a nifty goal from no angle. Debate rages as to whether or not it was intentional. I say yes. The Koreans make it interesting with a late goal and show they may not be the pushovers everyone was expecting.

Enter the Favorites

Much has been made of the fact that Dunga's Brazil is a more defensive edition than the entertaining sides we've seen in years past. With the tournament's predictably cautious start to the opening round of matches, it would be nice if the Samba Boys could introduce a dash of their famous flair... and goals. When Germany is the most attractive side in your tournament to date you know there's room for some artistic license. Vamos ao Brasil!

Group Stage Results: Day 4

Oops. Denmark opens the scoring when defender Poulsen's errant header bounces off teammate Agger's back.

Netherlands 2-0 Denmark
46' Daniel Agger (own goal)
85' Dirk Kuyt

With Arjen Robben out with an injury, it takes a fluke own goal from Denmark to get the vaunted Dutch attack on the score sheet. Denmark looks pedestrian. Super-sub Elijero Elia adds pace and width to the Oranje front line as they put it away with five minutes remaining.

Japan 1-0 Cameroon
39' Keisuke Honda

Japan pulls off the first real surprise of the tournament... not just for their victory but for their relatively dominant performance. Cameroon looks uncomfortable with their tactics and seems to lack desire through the first and most of the second half. A big disappointment for those hoping for African success.

Italy 1-1 Paraguay
------------------------- 39' Antolin Alcra
63' Daniele De Rossi

Paraguay impress with their competent football against the defending champs. The Azzuri go down a goal and must fight back in the second half to avoid the upset. Another tournament goal keeping error gives Italia the equalizer. All of Italy gripe about the lack of creative attack, but the Italians still look likely to advance.

Holland: The Greatest Side to Never Win it

Cruyff reinvents football with the Dutch in 1974.

Johann Cruyff's 1970's Clockwork Orange gave the world Total Football - the mesmerizing, flowing possession game of precision passing where players interchange positions freely. The Dutch don't just want to win, they want to win in style. As Cruyff himself has said this 'kind of arrogance' has been their Achilles heel both on and off the field. Their insistence on finesse has meant they've lacked that final bit of grit necessary to bury more physical opposition. Equally they've typically had infighting as their world class talent fail to subsume their individual egos for the good of the national side as a whole. Despite these hurdles their game is easy on the eye and they have some of the best fans in the world. Could this be the historic year the Oranje put it all together and finally win the World Cup?

Missing: C.D. Azul Demon

Welcome to the pool, mystery team C.D. Azul Demon... please email me with your real identity so I can put you on the mailing list.

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!

Group Stage Results: Day 2

A different kind of football fumble.

South Korea 2-0 Greece
(click on goals for vids)
7' Lee Jung-Soo
52' Park Ji-Sung

South Korea were quick and incisive in a dominating performance over Greece. Sharp with the ball, well organized in their tactics, physically stronger than most anticipated, and tireless in their fitness -- the Reds ran circles around the Europeans. Greece were the opposite of all the Korean characteristics -- slow, pondering, lacking cohesion -- they seemed to be playing a listless game of makeshift strategy. Supporters of the Greeks will hope that the Pirate Ship can correct its course for its remaining matches against Argentina, and Nigeria.

Argentina 1-0 Nigeria
6' Gabriel Heinze

The Albicelestes created gobs of point-blank chances of which they finished only one. Messi looked potent as ever in his mazey runs into the box but lacked the final touch for which he's become so famous. Nigeria appeared the most physically imposing of all the sides who've played so far... very big, very strong. Their athletic keeper, Vincent Enyeama deserves much credit for keeping the scoreline so low. It will be particularly interesting to see how they matchup against the South Koreans.

England 1-1 USA
4' Steven Gerrard
---------------------------- 40' Clint Dempsey

English captain Steven Gerrard exposed a disorganized American back line in the fourth minute of play with an easy first goal. Then, in a gaffe that will unfortunately be remembered for decades to come, English keeper Robert Green mishandled a straightforward save on a Clint Dempsey shot which gifted the US the equalizer. The result however might be seen as a fair one as the two sides battled evenly in a nervy, goalless contest for the entire second half. US Keeper Tim Howard won accolades for his gutsy, rock-solid performance in net.

The Special Relationship

The US upset victory over England in the 1950 World Cup still ranks as America's most famous victory.

The English are the godfather's of modern football. They codified the game and exported it to the distant shores encompassed by their vast 19th century empire. And yet they have only managed a lone World Cup victory in 1966. While 2006's unsuccessful campaign was marred by the tabloids and their obsession with the WAG's shopping sprees, Fabio Capello has this cup's edition disciplined and working together better than ever. The Three Lions have the talent to go all the way and will be looking to make a statement of intent in their opening match.

The Yanks represent the single country which has held out against global football fever. But would it surprise you to hear that Americans have purchased the greatest number of tickets to this year's WC? What about the fact that MLS has now moved past the NBA and NHL in average attendance? It seems the generation that grew up playing soccer in the 70's and 80's (thanks to Pele's stint with the New York Cosmos) have come of age. With ESPN's marketing muscle and team USA breaking Spain's unbeaten streak of 35 games in last year's Confederation Cup, hope and participation are at an all time high. Another historic victory over England could well put soccer over the top.

It's easy to see why this is one of the most anticipated matches of the opening round.

Group Stage Results: Day 1

The opening goal of the WC2010 may go down as one of the best. Tshabalala scores a beauty for the hosts.

South Africa 1-1 Mexico
(click on links for vids of goals)
55' Tshabalala -------------------------
---------------------------------------- 79' Rafael Marquez

Bafana Bafana looked to carry the weight of the continent on their shoulders as lined up for the national anthems, and for the first half of the match their form matched their expressions: stiff and joyless. Mexico's nifty passing created a multitude of chances yet El Tri were unable to capitalize. In the second half, the hosts got their legs under them and opened the scoring with Tshabalala's (best name of tournament?) scorcher. Mexico did not maintain their first half poise, but managed the equalizer during a breakdown in the South African defense. All in all a fair result in what was a game of two halves.

Uruguay 0-0 France
No goals in what was a chippy and disjointed first match for the rest of Group A.

Africa Unite

Lizzie sports the new Africa Unity kit to be worn in WC2010 by four African nations in a show of continental solidarity and support for the UN Environment Programme.

Today billions of eyes turn to the pitches of South Africa for the world's biggest sporting event. No African side has ever progressed past the quarterfinals of the World Cup, but this year the entire world is rooting for an African Cinderella story. With Essien and Drogba injured and South Africa in question to progress past the group stage, that story seems increasingly less likely. Historically, host countries have exceeded expectations. The question for World Cup 2010 is, will there be a continental bump for all African teams? Let's hope so. Regardless... if South Africa succeeds in hosting a vibrant and entertaining tournament, it's sure to make a powerful statement for the continent as a whole. Ngikufisela inhlanhla Afrika! Good luck Africa!

Seedings Explained

Just a quick word of explanation on the seedings in this Group Stage. They are set up to reward people for picking upsets. The powerhouse team in each group is only worth 2 points, whereas the longshot is worth 8 points. Pick two teams to advance in each group, but mix in some underdogs to maximize your points.

Round 1: Group A

France (2 pts)

Uruguay (4 pts)

Mexico (6 pts)

South Africa (8pts)