Thursday 26th June
USA 0-1 Germany (Prediction 1-2)
Portugal 2-1 Ghana (Prediction 1-2)
So the "match-fixing" between the Germans and the U.S. never materialised, instead Germany got a narrow win in the teeming rain when Mueller finished brilliantly from a Tim Howard parry. Both sides go through though as a high scoring win for neither Portugal nor Ghana came about. Cristiano got a goal at least and Gyan got his sixth World Cup Finals goal, making him the highest scoring African player in World Cup History. Records wise it's been a very bad tournament for Roger Milla who previously held that particular record and also the oldest player at a finals until Mondragon came on in goals the other night much to Didi Hamann's bemusement. Ghana go out after sending a plane with $3 million in cash to cover players appearance fees and sending home both Muntari (slapping a Ghanian FA representative, flupping 'eck) and Boateng (insulting his coach) before today's game, they'll all have stories to tell the grand-kids at least.
So the "match-fixing" between the Germans and the U.S. never materialised, instead Germany got a narrow win in the teeming rain when Mueller finished brilliantly from a Tim Howard parry. Both sides go through though as a high scoring win for neither Portugal nor Ghana came about. Cristiano got a goal at least and Gyan got his sixth World Cup Finals goal, making him the highest scoring African player in World Cup History. Records wise it's been a very bad tournament for Roger Milla who previously held that particular record and also the oldest player at a finals until Mondragon came on in goals the other night much to Didi Hamann's bemusement. Ghana go out after sending a plane with $3 million in cash to cover players appearance fees and sending home both Muntari (slapping a Ghanian FA representative, flupping 'eck) and Boateng (insulting his coach) before today's game, they'll all have stories to tell the grand-kids at least.
South Korea 0-1 Belgium (Prediction 0-2)
Algeria 1-1 Russia (Prediction 2-2)
Belgium win again, this time instead of having to struggle through playing poorly though they had to persevere with only ten men after Defour got sent off for a really needless two footed challenge just before halftime. After a few nervy moments at the back for Belgium, Vertonghen struck the winner to go some way in making up for what's been a very poor few months of football for him.
Algeria go through after a well earned draw against Russia after a Slimani header cancelled out a Kokorin header. Russia and Capello bow out and good riddance, brought very little in the way of entertainment to the competiton. Algeria going through is also good news for FIFA ranking fans as Algeria are the highest rated African team and in fairness they played really well in the three games, also two African teams in the second round for the first time.
So Germany V Algeria (revenge for '82, google it I've got to go to bed, sorry) and Belgium V USA in the last 16.
PREDICTIONS FOR SAT 28th JUNE
Brazil 2-2 Chile (Chile on pens)
Colombia 3-1 Uruguay
PREDICTIONS FOR SUN 29th JUNE
Netherlands 2-0 Mexico
Costa Rica 0-0 Greece (Costa Rica on pens! wishful thinking I know)
Belgium win again, this time instead of having to struggle through playing poorly though they had to persevere with only ten men after Defour got sent off for a really needless two footed challenge just before halftime. After a few nervy moments at the back for Belgium, Vertonghen struck the winner to go some way in making up for what's been a very poor few months of football for him.
Algeria go through after a well earned draw against Russia after a Slimani header cancelled out a Kokorin header. Russia and Capello bow out and good riddance, brought very little in the way of entertainment to the competiton. Algeria going through is also good news for FIFA ranking fans as Algeria are the highest rated African team and in fairness they played really well in the three games, also two African teams in the second round for the first time.
So Germany V Algeria (revenge for '82, google it I've got to go to bed, sorry) and Belgium V USA in the last 16.
PREDICTIONS FOR SAT 28th JUNE
Brazil 2-2 Chile (Chile on pens)
Colombia 3-1 Uruguay
PREDICTIONS FOR SUN 29th JUNE
Netherlands 2-0 Mexico
Costa Rica 0-0 Greece (Costa Rica on pens! wishful thinking I know)