It was bound to happen. In a World Cup of quick yellow cards, and just some shaky officiating overall, a match was finally dominated by an abysmal performance by the man in the middle. the Russian referee completely lost control of this match, sending off two from each side and handing out the most yellows ever in a World Cup match. Oh, and by the way, Portugal beat Holland 1-0.

At least the outcome is as it should have been. Holland put on a shameful performance. As soon as it was clear the game had descended into anarchy, it was The Netherlands who were diving, instigating, and generally showing extremely poor sportsmanship. Refusing to return the ball to Portugal after an injury stoppage at one point. Silly little school yard stuff from a team that doesn’t believe it can win.

Portugal deserved the victory. I was glad to see them hold on.

Things continue to go exactly England’s way as Portugal will not have the services of Deco nor Costinha due to a referee that would make you long for even the likes of a Graham Poll, at his show-boating worst. Pretty boy, Christiano Ronaldo, also took a little bump on the thigh and could be out as well.

Holland seem to still be plagued by internal turmoil. I’m no great fan of Ruud Van Nistleroy, but it was shocking to see him continue to sit late in the match while the Dutch were up a man and down a goal. It was the exact kind of situation he excels in. If they really wanted to win, he had to be on the pitch. I guess coach Marco Van Basten’s proving his point, whatever it was, was more important than the win.

It is not working Sven. England has managed to get to the quarterfinals with a complete lack of any offensive spark whatsoever. They eked past the weakest team still in the tournamant with a Beckham trick shot. Beating Ecuador 1-0 off a set play is nothing to be proud of.

In fact, if Carlos Tenorio’s shot in the first half doesn’t barely graze off a desperately scrapping Ashley Cole thigh, the match is turned on its head and England probably wilt in the sun. Actually, they did wilt. They just happened to win anyway. It’s better to be lucky than good. The only problem with that is that luck eventually runs out.

England won’t get through another match with the pathetic offense they’ve been displaying. One up front isn’t getting the job done. I don’t care if it’s Rooney or Crouch. Lampard and Gerrard just aren’t getting involved enough for it to be effective at all. As usual. They never have in this system. It looks good in theory, but in practice it just hasn’t worked.

Yes, it was hot. I’m sure the English players are whinging to the press about that fact right now. That’s no excuse. It’s going to be warm. When you play a minnow, put three past them early and coast the rest of the game. Blatently wasting time, puking on the pitch, and generally looking cooked–England are very lucky Ecuador didn’t equalize late. There’s going to be a good team up next. One set piece won’t be enough.

Let’s give Lennon a decent go. He’s looked great in his limited playing time so far. Maybe that’s just down to the lethargy of the team surrounding him, though. Hard to tell. Joe Cole has been fine. The entire rest of the team has been a big nothing.

That’s alright lads. Just 90 more minutes and you lot can go sit on the beach in Mallorca with an umbrella drink. It’s too hard to win a World Cup when it’s so hot out anyway.

The knock-out stage is off to a flying start now, after Argentina nipped a very game Mexico, 2-1 in extra time.

When Mexico scored first just six minutes in, you had a feeling this was going to be a good one. When Argentina answered just four minutes later, it was game on. Despite several chances on both sides, the defenses held and it took an amazing strike by Maxi Rodriguez in extra time to decide it.

That’s the thing about Argentina. They have dangerous players all over the pitch. So many, they can’t get them all on it at the same time.

Mexico surprised me. It was the best I’ve seen them play. Argentina wasn’t caught looking past them, they played well themselves. It was just a great match all-around. A fine demonstration why this is the greatest sporting event on the planet.

I’m sure Germany would have preferred Mexico to pull it out, but they have to be pleased Argentina was taken to the limit. It’ll be easier to slow that offense down if they’re still dragging a bit from this match. Argentina has a deep squad, though. I expect they’ll be ready to go in the quarters.

I have no idea what it’s going to take. Germany keep winning, as practically everyone expects, but I’m still not sold. Another clean sheet, but I’m still not buying it. Sweden looked more inept offensively (and defensively), particularly Henrik Larsson, than I expected, but is it them or Germany? I still don’t believe Germany has anything in the back. Maybe I just don’t want to see.

It turned out to be an easy 2-0 win for the Fatherland after the two goals in about 10 minutes by Lukas Podolski.

An inexplicable red card, putting Sweden a man down didn’t help. Larsson missing a penalty didn’t help. Sweden not bothering to mark anyone didn’t help. It might have helped a bit if Ibrahimovic, Ljungberg, Mellberg–or anyone but the keeper would have bothered to get off the bus today.

Germany was the better team all day and deserved the win. There’s no doubting what they can do offensively. Can they stop Argentina? I haven’t thought they’d be able to stop a single team yet, but they keep managing.

The Group Stage is over, the dust has settled and now we can see how things are shaping up.

Some dust made it through, as usual, but we’d want it no other way.

There are several teams just lucky to still be in, and a couple good teams that aren’t playing well yet.

I’m looking forward to the Germany/Sweden match. I’m not convinced the Germans actually have a defense yet, but I’m keeping an open mind. Whatever happens, I don’t see either team beating Argentina, who will get past Mexico. The Argentines have been the class of the tournament so far, and their match against Italy in the semis will be fabulous.

Unless Italy implodes, they get past Australia without breaking a sweat. I don’t care who is coaching Oz, everyone knows what the Italians are going to do and what they need to do to stop them. Doing it is another matter. Only Italy beats Italy on this side of the bracket. The Swiss and Ukraines are fortunate to be there. One will be lucky to move on. Matters little. The Italians beat either of them in a walk. Whoever it is, look for them to try the US method, and draw Italy into an alley fight. It won’t work this time.

It’ll just be a privilege to witness the Italy/Argentina match. I’d hate to call it, but if pressed I’ll stick with the Italians to get through. Mainly, hoping the Argentines peaked too soon, and the match being in Europe, the reasons. The teams are about even.

On the other side. England probably finds a way to get past Ecuador, but are finished after that. Portugal/Holland should be a great match and whoever makes it out of that, outscores England in the quarters. I’ll pick Portugal over The Netherlands, but only by a whisker.

Brazil could put their ‘C’ team out against Ghana and go through.

The Spain/France match is interesting. Somebody has to win. France should, but Spain will. Then the Spaniards will give Brazil its first real match of the tournament. I think Spain has a chance to steal that one. It’s been a bit too easy for Brazil.

That leaves Spain and Portugal battling it out for the right to play Italy in the final. That’ll be another great match. Too close to call. Natural rivals. Perfect. I’ll go with Portugal to nick it from Spain, probably with penalty kicks.

The party will be in Roma on July 9th, after Luca Toni’s hat trick. Italy wins in a classic final, and the champagne washes out some of the bad taste from the match fixing scandal back home.

Or not. Whatever happens, it’s going to be brilliant. Let’s enjoy the show.

There are still a couple matches to be played today, but I’m ready for the real games to begin. The first two matches today were snoozefests. I can barely remember who played. France is yet to go, with a fair chance of being eliminated. That always brightens the day.

But, bring on Round 2. The weekend is shaping up to be a good one.

We finally get to see if Germany has really found the answer in defense or it’s all been smoke and mirrors. Sweden has enough firepower to properly test them. That could be a shoot-out.

I’m personally always pleased when Mexico gets knocked-out, and Argentina will do that for me tomorrow. I’m not sure why I hate the Mexican football team so much. I like the country well enough. The food, the migrant workers, I think I even like the tequila if I remember right–but the memory is hazy on that. But, I do not like the football team. Adios muchachos.

On Sunday, the Owen-less England are given another match to get their offense going. I’m not sure where they’re going to find it, but they need to find a goal against Ecuador. Might be time for Rooney to get going. Hopefully, Ecuador’s witchdoctor has gone home by now. England has seen more than enough doctors lately.

Then Portugal/Holland. The news there is one of these underachievers is actually going to advance. Both are playing well enough, and this could be a cracker. Both also tend to do more fighting/bickering/finger-pointing among thesmselves than is necessary. I like both teams here, so I’m happy either way. Just entertain me.

Was there ever any doubt? After sleepwalking for a half, Brazil managed to rouse itself to bury a vastly overmatched Japan side 4-1. Even Big Ron himself managed to get two while he continues to play himself into shape.

But, the match of the day–the match of the tournament, so far–was Australia with their miracle last minute goal against Croatia. Harry Kewell is one of my least favorite players on the planet, so I wasn’t thrilled. But, they go through with that 2-2 draw.

There were several lessons to be learned by the likes of the US and even England in these matches. Brazil shot 21 times. If you don’t shoot, you don’t score. Granted, not everybody gets to play Japan. But you have to create shots and take them when they’re there. Otherwise, you end up waiting on some last gasp header with 5 minutes to play.

Australia needed the tie. They played as if their very lives depended on it. They threw everything they had at Croatia, playing with 4 forwards late. The US finished their match as if they were already packing.

Well Done Oz.

Italy did their part for us, beating the Czech Republic 2-0, but the Americans fell to Ghana 2-1.

Bruce Arena apparently had no ideas as the US offense continued to sputter in a match they had to win to advance. Claudio Reyna gifted Ghana the first goal, losing the ball in the back trying to dribble out of danger. Can’t blame him for whatever injury he came up with. I was sick too, after that. The other score was a dubious penalty right before the break. But there’s no point in whining. You have to go out and win these matches, and they didn’t.

Clint Dempsey’s goal after a nice pass from Beasely, his only moment all day, was great. Unfortunately, they needed to do that two more times. If you only manage it once, it smacks of luck.

Landon Donovan was a complete waste of space the entire game. Worse than a waste. At least if he wasn’t on the pitch, somebody else would have been taking the set pieces he was constantly booming uselessly. Anybody else. Please. As expected, Michael Essien ruled the midfield. Stay in LA Lando, you are not ready for prime time.

The US team didn’t look sharp or ready to play from the first whistle on. With everything riding on this, I’d hoped for a bit of flair from somewhere. There isn’t any.

The United States fought, scratched and clawed their way to a draw against a much better Italian team. After looking utterly horrible for 90 minutes against the Czech Republic, the Americans wisely decided to make the next match a ‘war’ rather than a soccer match. They were in danger of not just getting bounced from the World Cup, but being embarrassed while doing so. Well, they have a small amount of respect back, at least in their own minds, now they have to try to play soccer again. They need to beat Ghana on Thursday for a chance to face Brazil in the next round.

Good luck.

Everybody in this country with an opinion on such matters, seemed to look at the US group and peg the Ghana match as the sure win. That was before the debacle against the Czechs, but their voices are coming back now after the Italian adventure. I didn’t see it then, I certainly don’t see it now.

If you listen to the dolts on ESPN, they claim the Ghana win against the Czechs was some huge upset. It wasn’t. Ghana is a quality team and the Czechs were without their star, Jan Koller. Admittedly, Looking at Ghana’s roster, not much grabs you. Michael Essien. That’s about it. And, about eight guys named Addo–none of them Freddie. But, their Serbian Coach, Ratomir Dujkovic, have them playing as a disciplined team that are going to be tough to score against.

And, there’s Michael Essien in midfield. Essien against Donovan? That’s no contest. He will dominate the midfield for Ghana. That’s where the match will be decided.

I don’t believe the speed of the US team is going to present too much of a challenge to Ghana, either. We certainly won’t be running them off the pitch, anyway.

I also don’t necessarily think the US is riding any kind of momentum from that ‘victory’ in the Italian match. It wasn’t pretty. It was a battle they fought their way through. They needed to save face, and they managed to do that–just. Ironically, by nearly getting it knocked off–in Brian McBride’s case. It’s going to be tough coming back out after a match like that. Ghana, on the other hand, looked fine in their previous match. If anyone is riding the crest of the wave, it has to be them right now.

I do think it’ll be an entertaining match. Head to work a little later on Thursday and catch this one. Both teams are more equal than either would probably like to admit. Both teams still have something to play for. The US can steal it if it turns into another brawl. If it’s pure soccer, Ghana takes it. I see some sort of mix of the two, and it going down 2-2.

If the US are as good as they think they are, it’s time for them to show it. They haven’t yet. Play the beautiful game is it’s meant to be played, and beat Ghana. If Bruce Arena has any ideas, other than the smash and grab we were treated to Saturday, it’s time to trot them out now. I’m still waiting to see this US team play to a fraction of its overrated ability. I’ve seen the heart, now show me the skill. I don’t expect brilliance, but I do expect this to be a good match.

I personally still feel like I was playing the Italians the other night–alone, but I’m slowly getting the bearings back.

Germany still has theirs, obviously, thrashing the overmatched Ecuadoreans 3-0. The match was never in doubt, since they made up the schedules.

For now, the Germans seem to have patched up their leaky defense. We’ll have to see if it continues to hold against stronger competition.

In the battle of also rans, Poland managed to rescue just a smidgen of pride by beating Costa Rica 2-1. Anyone bother to watch it?

If I was a neutral, I suppose I’d be hoping England finish second in their group later today. That would set them up against Germany in the next round in what would be sure to be a great match. But, I’m not. I’d rather England advance easily, than entertainingly for now, thanks very much. I’ll rely on the US for the epic battles.

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to catch the England/Sweden match live today. Life’s not fair sometimes. At least there’s Tivo.