[Dan_]

Argentina look like the best team so far, Serbia had given up towards the end but in the first half the passing and movement from Argentina was world class.

I enjoyed Holland vs Ivory Coast, feel really sorry for Ivory Coast as they have been a great side to watch in both games and are much better than teams that will go through to the next round.

Mexico vs Angola was pretty dire, Angola have got to be one of the most negative and boring teams in the competition.

[Mike]

I switched the Mexico vs Angola game off after about 30 minutes, what a boring game.

At the moment Argentina certainly look the strongest team without a doubt.

[Siouxsie]

i like croatia

[Slartibartfast]

My bet on Argentina to win is looking better each game. The Argentina display today was the best I've seen from any team so far.

Brazil were poor, Italy looked ok, England are awful so far although Germany and Holland have been good. I still haven't seen any team though that can match that Argentina display especially in the first half. And with the players they can bring off the bench, I'm laughing all the way to the bookies!!

(Now the dutch are gonna stuff them, aren't they. Me and my big mouth...)

[InTheHood]

Originally posted by Slartibartfast

(Now the dutch are going to stuff them, aren't they. Me and my big mouth...)

Hope so

Could be the difference between getting Portugal and Angola in Round 2

Wouldn't put too much on Group Phase performances just yet. Every World Cup, teams who perform brilliantly in the Group Stages mess up. The winner will be a team that does fairly well in group stages and can then turn it up a gear in the knockout phase.

The best team so far for me, has been Spain. They walloped a very decent Ukraine side 4-0, going on 8-0.

[InTheHood]

Finally an upset! Ghana 2-0 Czech Rep

[Tanser_Man]

Great game that was!

Ghana should have had 3/4 maybe even 5 but they kept passing into offside positions!

I want Ghana to beat the yanks now and get through! Czech's against Italy will be close though. Could be a very open group!

[Mike]

Ghana made me laugh, great performance from them but the amount of chances they had to score more goals yet they kept running off side when there was absoloutely no need to, think they got a bit carried away in the end to be honest.

[Tanser_Man]

Italian sent off.... damn right! Disgusting elbow on McBride... De Rossi knew what he was doing!

3/4 Match ban aswell I suspect.

[Tanser_Man]

And the referee evens it up, only a yellow card challenge but he evens it up.

Pathetic refereeing.

[Tanser_Man]

It's official.. the ref has lost the plot.

Another pathetic decision.

[Siouxsie]

Italy to win the world cup

[InTheHood]

Originally posted by Tanser_Man
Italian sent off.... damn right! Disgusting elbow on McBride... De Rossi knew what he was doing!

3/4 Match ban aswell I suspect.

De Rossi should be banned from the rest of the tournament at the very least, disgusting.

And still Italy couldn't beat 9 men USA were the better side on the night, and had it been 11 v 11, would have won I think.

Both USA red's were a bit and the goal they scored that was ruled out, was a 50/50 shout too.

[Mike]

At first i thought nothing of the De Rossi incident then after seeing the replay i was disgusted, without a doubt he should be banned for the rest of the tournament, as for the USA red cards i thought they were harsh.

[BigSister]

same here Mike my dad said exact same thing

[InTheHood]

Surprised to see the Aussies, a nation that prides itself on it's confidence, dropping players today, so they don't have suspended players for the more winnable last game against Croatia.

I'd say that's a loser's approach, and they should go out to try and beat Brazil.

[Dan_]

I hope Ghana go through, such a great approach to the game, they could have easily settled for 1-0 as Czech's were down to 10 men but they just kept pushing on even after the 2nd goal, the timing of their runs needs to be a bit better though.

De Rossi is a disgrace, in a friendly leading upto the world cup he stamped on a Swiss player and now a vicious elbow, he shouldn't play another game in this world cup.

I was hoping the Aussies wouldn't rest the suspended players as it's going to make thing's easier for Brazil.

Potential banana skin for France tonight, South Korea have a few decent players and France just looked so out of sorts against the Swiss.

Japan vs Croatia should be an open game, both sides need a win and I can see Croatia just snatching it, they were unlucky against Brazil.

[BigSister]

i didnt know that Dan disgrasful!
I hope Ghana go through too

[Tanser_Man]

Source : BBC Sport

Wayne Rooney will start England's World Cup game against Sweden in Frankfurt.

Rooney is poised to partner Michael Owen in attack, with Peter Crouch, who is one booking away from a ban, rested.

Rooney played 33 minutes as a substitute against Trinidad and Tobago and showed no ill-effects after his broken metatarsal injury.

"The medical people say he can play more than 45 minutes, so if that is the case it is better he starts the game," said England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.

England's Swedish coach is almost certain to draft Owen Hargreaves into a holding midfield role on Tuesday, with Steven Gerrard also rested.

Gerrard would be suspended for the last 16 clash with either Ecuador or Germany if he was booked, and Eriksson is keen to ensure he is available for the knockout rounds.

Manchester United 20-year-old Rooney's return to the starting line-up will lift England after two below-par performances.

Newcastle striker Owen, meanwhile, insists there is no need for "panic stations" about his lack of World Cup form.

Owen was taken off after less that an hour in England's opening two games against Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago.

But he is an almost certain starter against Sweden and said: "I've gone longer than this without a goal. I wouldn't call it a goal drought.

"I'm totally at ease with what's happening and I've done it before at this level so I have the belief I can do it."

And Owen is confident he can find his best form.

He said: "I don't feel as if I'm playing poorly. I'm not tripping over the ball every time I get it.

"I've played 55 minutes each in two games and not scored, and that seems to be the end of the world for a lot of people, but I've been here before and come through it before.

"It's not panic stations as far as I'm concerned.

"In the last World Cup I didn't score early on I but did in the second round against Denmark and the quarter final against Brazil," he added.

"I know I can do it at this level and there is a belief inside me."

England defender John Terry, meanwhile, sang the praises of strikers Rooney and Owen.

"Marking Rooney is a nightmare and he is looking sharp and ready to go," he said.

"Rooney would tell you he had 160 minutes in him as long as he playing, his touch is good and he looks sharp."

England go into Tuesday's match in Cologne knowing that their place in the knock-out stages is secured following their group wins against Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago.

They will win Group B, provided they avoid defeat against Lars Lagerback's side - although they will be aware they have not beaten Sweden in 11 attempts since 1968.

Terry said he was in a positive mood, despite England performing below their best so far.

"Two out of two and six points - it can't be much better and let's be encouraged that things can only get better from a performance point of view," he commented.

Great News!

[InTheHood]

Croatia v Japan was good for a 0-0.

Brazil beat Australia 2-0. Brazil haven't started the tournament well. Australia showed good heart, but lacked the quality to punish Brazil.

France v South Korea tonight.......France may just score there 1st goal ina finals since winning it in 1998!

[Dan_]

That Croatia vs Japan game was draining to watch, both sides put so much in but just couldn't score.

Brazil haven't impressed me that much but they are picking up the win's, on another day Australia may well have put away their chances.

You gotta laugh at France, why they didn't go for more goals in that second half is beyond me.

[Slartibartfast]

Originally posted by BB fernzy
You gotta laugh at France, why they didn't go for more goals in that second half is beyond me.

Yeah tell me about it. I have Henry in 3 different fantasy world cup leagues and he has only one flippin goal!!

[Dan_]

I've got him and all, also got J.S.Park so not too bad.

[Siouxsie]

I am quite liking croatia

[InTheHood]

Swiss 2-0 Togo

Half decent game, again, the story of the tournament, the weaker side were well organised but lacked the quality to do the bigger side any real harm.