The final set of group matches - can you remember them? I’m sure you can, you’re not that old yet. A few dark horses getting through and only the odd surprise in store. STATS TO BE UPDATED BELOW, but the chat is fine and dandy
Last 16 to be updated in next day or so, depending on weather and weekend alcohol intake….
Costa Rica 1 Poland 2
Too little too late for Poland who were perhaps even fortunate to win this and in doing so saved only a modicum of face. Two goals for the curiously named Bosacki, who is in fact a defender, and a second choice defender at that for Poland, but he put the misfiring Poles to shame.
Goals: Gomez. Bosacki 2
Assists: Zurawski, Kryznowek
YC: Marin, Umama, Gomez, Gonzalez, Badilla. Boruc, Radomski
RC:
MoM: Bosacki
Ecuador 0 Germany 3
Odd that Ecuador should rest so many of their players when they had such a good chance of winning their group. Were they really that desperate to meet England? Germany punished them clinically with goals from Podolski and Klose to set up an eventual meeting with Sweden. Initial German defensive frailties have been ironed out in what was a confident and efficient performance.
Goals: Klose 2, Podolski
Assists: Schweinsteiger 2, Metzelder, Ballack
YC:
RC:
MoM: Ballack
Paraguay 2 Trinidad & Tobago 0
Not even seen this one, so shouldn’t really comment but that hasn’t stropped me in the past. Still a good chance I’ll be more accurate than an ITV commentator or pundit. Goals from Cuevas and a Sancho og for Paraguay who have been disappointingly negative but at least manage not to finish bottom, however much they deserve it.
Goals: Cuevas, o.g
Assists:
YC:
RC:
MoM:
Sweden 2 England 2
The triumphant exclamations about finally beating the Swedes after all these years were heard when Gerrard emerged from his resting place to nod in a presumed winner. They were quickly silenced after some calamitous defending from Terry & Campbell let in Larsson and Mellberg to score the equaliser. Earlier poor marking had allowed Allback to equalise Joe Cole’s quite magnificent dipping strike (Donald, note that is praise for England). England never reached the heights of the last time they played well in a competitive match (anyone remember when that was?) but they top the group and have unquestionably the easiest of the last 16 matches. Michael Owen’s injury was unfortunate but it does at least provide an excuse, in addition to Rooney not being fit, Sven’s mind not being on the job (although his mind is always ‘on the job’), and of course whichever referee eventually ends their run……
Goals: Allback, Larsson. Cole, Gerrard
Assists:
YC:
RC:
MoM:
Iran 1 Angola 1
Bizarrely had Angola held onto win this match, and they nearly did, they would have advanced at Mexico’s expense, which absolutely no-one predicted. Iran are no great sheiks (get it?) although they had been predicted as Asia’s great hope pre-tournament. But they’ve gone out along with Japan, South Korea and Saudi Arabia proving that the Asian advancement of 2002 was purely down to host nation advantage.
Goals:
Assists:
YC:
RC:
MoM:
Portugal 2 Mexico 1
100% record for the Portuguese, who advance with ease with Mexicans scraping through in second. In Scolari, Portugal have an experienced World Cup campaigner and with coveters England in their path, it could be an interesting quarter final meeting ahead. Ok, so I wrote this after I knew the results in the last 16, you’ve found me out.
Goals:
Assists:
YC:
RC:
MoM:
Ivory Coast 3 Serbia & Montenegro 2
In contrast to the game that everyone watched and waited for, this was a real humdinger. Only the television flickers among us (a practice specifically outlawed by my good lady) would have seen too much and we hoped beyond hope that the Holland - Argentina game would pick up. Meaningless it was, but a sense of relief unsullied by Drogba’s suspension flooded through the match meaning open football. Serbia, who qualified efficiently have been a major disappointment but have been judged in a very harsh court. Ivory Coast? Full of enterprise but not ready yet - maybe in 4 years time?
Goals:
Assists:
YC:
RC:
MoM:
Czech Republic 0 Italy 2
A surprise that the Czechs have exited at the first stage, but given their lack of fit strikers not a surprise that they didn’t win this match. With Koller seeing red they were left with strikers not really up to the job or breaking midfielders. As Italy like to sit so deep, breaking midfielders are a lot less effective. Inzaghi and Materazzi the main men for Italy who ensure a date with xx in the last 16.
Goals: Inzaghi, Materazzi
Assists:
YC:
RC:
MoM:
Ghana 2 USA 1
The Black Stars defeat the Stars and Stripes and convincingly so. They might go no further but they have provided some excitement in the meantime and comfortably disposed of the Worlds 5th best team. Hah! Making a mockery of FIFA’s world rankings. Goals from Appiah and Dramani versus one from Dempsey made the difference as Ghana defeat 2 decent sides to progress.
Goals: Appiah, Dramani. Dempsey
Assists:
YC:
RC:
MoM:
Croatia 2 Australia 2
Watched this one in Walkabout the Aussie theme bar which is normally as authentic as merchandise sold in the Barras. However, all the Aussies in Glasgow appeared in Walkabout to barrack for their side and provide a cracking atmosphere. Dario Srna almost turned their world upside down by scoring an early free kick but a gutsy display culminating in a Moore penalty equaliser allied made antipodean advancement feel secure. Enter Zeljko Kalac. Drafted in for the not so safe Mark Schwarzer, he inspired confidence by dropping a simple corner before completely selling the jerseys and gifting Croatia a second with some of the worst goalkeeping ever seen at the world cup (Rough and Leighton included). Disorder and boisterousness were properly restored when Harry Kewell equalised from a suspiciously offside position. Hardly noticed the ref in this match I must say, NOT! Refereeing from Graham Poll that perfectly matched the goalkeeping display. Quite simply the most hapless refereeing performance ever seen at the World Cup, and from the best league in the world as well. Graham’s going home, he’s going home….So are Croatia
Goals: Srna, Kovac. Moore, Kewell
Assists:
YC:
RC:
MoM: Kewell
Japan 1 Brazil 4
This might be named the Redemption of Ronaldo as the plump one netted a couple of beauties, albeit in a game that didn’t affect Brazil’s qualifying hopes. That would naturally depend on redemption being fully attained, but he went about it the right way at least. Gilberto (the full back rather than Gilberto Silva the holding midfielder) made a rare appearance and proved a more than adequate replacement for Roberto Carlos, scoring while not trying to toe-bash it. The other strikes came from x and the Japanese opener was a cracker from. Japan had made a real go of it in the first half but succumbed to an eventual gubbing.
Goals: Tamada. Ronaldo 2, Gilberto, Juninho
Assists: Ronaldinho 2, Cicinho, Juan
YC:
RC:
MoM: Ronaldo
Saudi Arabia 0 Spain 1
A second string Spanish side were still good enough to see off the Saudis who are no great sheiks (repetitive joke, but worth another outing). Juanito came in from the wings to score the winner and leave the Saudis empty handed, so to speak.
Goals: Juanito
Assists:
YC:
RC:
MoM: Juanito
Ukraine 1 Tunisia 0
For dark horses, Ukraine haven’t really bust a gut to prove themselves. Beating a shockingly poor Saudi team 4-0 does not a challenger make, yet they have a nice path waiting toward the later stages. To be completely truthful, it would fantasy of fantastic proportions to suggest that such a utilitarian side would be capable of being involved in the final shakedown and they are certainly not in the entertainment business. Shevchenko with the winner from the spot that ensured progress, yes he can score them.
Goals:
Assists:
YC:
RC:
MoM:
Switzerland 2 South Korea 0
If all Swiss attacked the way that Senderos attacked the cross to score a crashing header then world dominance would be within their midst. Phillipe went the extra mile making sure, by also headbutting the Korean defender (Wan-So Face) in his follow through. A second and less brave effort from Frei doubled the advantage and the Swiss topped the group, very unexpectedly.
Goals: Senderos, Frei
Assists:
YC:
RC:
MoM:
Togo 0 France 2
France saw off the African minnows fairly comfortably with the old friends Henry and Vieira causing the damage. Vieira seemed to move into a support striker role giving France more impetus than they have previously had and was involved throughout. Frank Ribery managed to waste much of that impetus, firing the impetus repeatedly over the bar, but Togo are away home and the news that FIFA will pay their appearance money directly means that they might even be able to afford a stick of rock for the family.
Goals: Vieira, Henry
Assists: Vieira
YC:
RC:
MoM: Abasso
