After what has been an entertaining two days for the most part, several things are shaping up already.

Germany despite gaping holes in its defense as noted by Philip Cornwall on Worldcup365, easily have enough offense to take Group A and slip through to at least the quarterfinals. The rest of the Group are completely uninspiring.

Equally, England are very much in charge of things in Group B. They didn’t play beautiful football, but did what they needed to win. The only thing keeping them from the quarters would be themselves. No team looks capable of stopping them to that point even without the security blanket, Wayne Rooney. Go and enjoy the frauleins, son–you’re not needed yet.

Trinidad and Tobago have already made their tournament with the improbable and amazing draw against Sweden. They’ll be even happier to be there now than they were–and probably won’t earn another point.

The ‘Group of Death’ if that’s what you consider Group C to be, doesn’t seem quite as frightening now. Granted only one match has been played, but Ivory Coast is a one man band and will struggle here. Argentina has been flying under the radar for the most part up until now, but they look very strong.

The referees, on the other hand, aren’t looking strong at all. Offsides seems to be correctly called once in awhile. Not a single dive is noticed. Some questionable handballs have been let go. Argentina looked to have scored on a bobbled save but was denied. The ref in the England match may as well of suited up for Paraguay. I could go on and 0n. But, isn’t that always the way? These guys are supposed to be the best in the world, but I don’t see a single Collina among them. Still, as long as your team wins, they do just well enough. To be fair, they certainly haven’t done anything that would have changed any of the outcomes. Yet.

Looking cool, calm and collected throughout, Argentina easily took all three points against an Ivory Coast team featuring Didier Drogba, but little else. The Ivory Coast started confidently and looked dangerous at the start, but Argentina soon took control and held on to win 2-1. Argentina clearly showed they were the class of this group, arguably this tournament’s ‘Group of Death’. Saviola and Crespo looked good together up front and Riquelme was solid as usual. Their young phenom Lionel Messi wasn’t even missed.

The Ivory Coast might have been the better team at the start, but seemed to lose interest until Drogba pulled a late goal back.

Argentina are going to be very tough to beat. They seemed to barely break a sweat in the match, and are clearly in top form already. They have an amazing list of strikers and once they get a lead, they’re one of the best at holding possession and draining the clock.

To all those who think soccer is all about boring nil-nil draws, they need to take a look at this match. Trinidad and Tobago somehow dug deep and outlasted an onslaught from a Sweden team that outmanned them literally and figuratively. Despite Sweden having the vast bulk of possession and countless opportunities at goal, the old man, Shaka Hislop stood firm and denied them every time.

Yes, the match of the World Cup so far was a 0-0 draw, but it was a huge moral victory for Trinidad and a tough set back for a far superior Swedish side. Even a neutral would have to have been thrilled with this match. Swedes are crushed. Trinidadians must be over the moon. Everyone else should just be gratefully happy to have witnessed it.

All the pressure was on Sweden, T and T had absolutely nothing to lose. To their credit, Sweden did everything right but put one in the net. It just wasn’t their day. It was Hislop’s. He made impossible stop after impossible stop.

I’ll raise a pint tonight for Dwight Yorke and especially Shaka Hislop for showing what the World Cup is all about. And also in cautious celebration–they just practically handed England the Group stage.

It might have been a bit boring, but England easily did enough to take control of things in Group B, in a near perfect display of Italian football–find a way to score once, then hunker down. Except Italy rarely ever manages it. Any meager threat Paraguay tried to mount was quickly handled by England’s defense. At this point, it would be hard to say if that was down to England or just Paraguay’s complete lack of firepower. After the quick own goal, Paraguay seemed almost as content as England to keep things at 1-0.

England looked more workman-like than spectacular, but they didn’t need brilliance today. Owen was nonexistant. Beckham was only useful on set plays. Crouch did his usual share of flailing about. But, the midfield was very solid and the defense was never really tested.

A nice, easy opening round win which should set England on their way, as long as they don’t expect all the matches to be so easy. They’ll probably actually have to score if they’re going to win any more.