Spain's Golden Generation

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With the world's best generation of players, Spain managed to advance to the final after defeating the all powerful Germany with the minimal difference of 1 - 0 on Wednesday. F.C. Barcelona's central defender Carles Puyol entered German's defense after a free kick executed by fellow teammate Xavi Hernandez which seemed impossible for Germany's Manuel Neuer in the 73 minute. Now, the Netherlands will face Spain in the final that will change the history for both teams, given that these two countries have never won the World Cup. This will be the eight time that European teams are the dominant hegemony over any continent, this will be the first time outside of Europe that an European team will win the prestigious prize in the sports world. 'La Furia Roja', nickname known for Spain, played collectively their best game exhibited given for the most part in the match the game that audiences expected since the opener game against Switzerland.

While Germany was more planned into their fast counterattacks, known much throughout this tournament even though when the ball landed on the Germans, it took too much time to generate danger in the Spanish area. With this result, the scoreboard reflected much of the superiority that Spain has gained over the last two years with the European Championship held in Austria/Switzerland in 2008. The Germans, throughout the whole match, were not eager to hold the ball but to watch the direction to where it was headed, but they gained much fear from the Spaniards, which gave them several opportunities to score. You can tell that Germany was in the worst moment in this tournament by far. After scoring eight goals in the past two matches, the starting lineup had stirrups given that they showed a defensive scheme, awaiting their rival to make mistakes.

With this result, Germany's effective and tactical game was left behind with victories over Argentina and England just seemed as a blur.

The Netherlands Advance To The Final

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The Netherlands advanced to the final game after defeating Uruguay with a tight score of 3 - 2 on Tuesday with deadly thrusts of each player and Uruguay's strong resistance, who fought until the end with much life and soul to at least have a hope in the final on Saturday at the Green Point Stadium in Durban. It was too much for the prize reached by the Netherlands after 32 years without a presence in the final, who the Dutch wins matches justly and without any spying to their rivals, the Dutch managed to study the rival very carefully prior to each match. The match was much equal with the rivals going at it with their respective players into finding the goal. The goals made by Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder were the goal that sentenced the game, with the lapse of three minutes from each into scoring their respective goals. The was more closed because for both rivals their defense and their midfield was very solid making impossible for both rivals' rivals impossible to score.

The Netherlands and Uruguay's first goals were magnificent, both were shot from off the area and with much potency and skill, the ball managed to enter the net as if fire were to be touched by the goalkeepers from both teams. Giovani Van Bronckhorst scored the first goal ahead of Uruguay, while Diego Forlan scored the equalizer just minutes before halftime. Van Bronckhorst shot from off the area with no marking and as he measured wityh a tall angle to beat Uruguay's Fernando Muslera. Forlan did almost the same thing, but this time he opened a huge hole in the Dutch defense making it impossible for Stekelenburg to save the ball from going into the net. In both cases as we analyzed the Jabulani ball before the tournament started, it is an unstable ball capable of going into different directions even when it is fooling the accurate measurement of the goalkeepers.

Just when all of Uruguay's national team's lines, the played with much efficacy and audacity of controlling the ball, that was the main objective, the South American team was surprised by the two lethal shots, one from Inter's Wesley Sneijder and a fantastic header from Arjen Robben. There were certain doubts whether or not the second goal was in offside position given that with Sneijder's position, the cameras insinuated that Robin Van Persie touched the ball, which he was in offside position. This sentence by the Dutch hit Uruguay's emotionally and psychologically capable of raising themselves up and tried to recuperate to win the match, but they gave time for the Netherlands to react much faster. Without Forlan, he was substituted due to fatigue, Uruguay went much into the attack more than the defense, that was when the second ball was scored for the "celeste" team in the 92 minute with Maxi Pereira inspired that gave the match an epic proportion, but as time was running out you can see Uruguay's desperation to equalize the scoreboard. Uruguay's bet for goal was impossible given that Luis Suarez was suspended due to a red card for the handball that he prevented from Ghana's national team to score and seal the victory.

The South American team was shown with two forwards up from with Cavani and Forlan, and the defense made up from three midfielders that was made to create the offensive game that they have been doing this tournament. Meanwhile, with this starting lineup it was impossible to make enough goals that could have lead Uruguay in the final. The Netherlands advances to the final for the first time in 32 years.

David Villa Shut Paraguay's Dream

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Spain qualified Saturday to the semifinals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Johannesburg thanks to a miraculous goal from F.C. Barcelona's new striker David Villa just seven minutes before the match ended. Throughout the whole match, Andres Iniesta armed an offensive attack, passed to teammate Pedro, who came fro the right hand side of the field, the ball went on to Villa, who shot with much effectiveness to the net that gave the victory over Paraguay in the 83 minute. With this result, The European champion Spain advances to the semifinals, for the first time since 1950. David Villa has surely become the savior for the Spaniards, which gave them victories over Honduras and Chile, winning in the round of 16 against Portugal and now winning over Paraguay which made a historical pass to the semifinals. Villa now has 5 goals and is competing with other strikers like Miroslav Klose and Wesley Sneijder.

Spain will now face the all powerful Germany in the semifinals, an attractive match that has a history of both, such as the European Championship final in Austria/Switzerland 2008 where Fernando Torres scored the only goal that gave the Spaniards victory and the title as European Champions. Paraguay should have scored in both occassions, but an annulled goal from Nelson Haedo Valdez and a missed penalty shot from Oscar Cardozo could have Paraguay in the best four. Spain could have scored more goals, but David Villa's goal seemed enough after a saved penalty shot executed from Xabi Alonso, but Paraguay's Justo Villar saved the team from a suffered defeat. Paraguay controlled most of the first half, by having four players in the midfield trying to create many opportunities for the strikers to score and to take the advantage to counterattack and surprise the rival. The Spaniards seemed impossible to stop the solid defensive barrier leaded by Paraguay's Paulo Da Silva, but in the second half, Paraguay's effort payed really hard after holding on through the match came the goal that left the team out of the tournament.

With this result, Paraguay leaves the tournament with their heads held up high for having a magnificent participation in this 2010 FIFA World Cup and will expect more in 2014 in Brazil. While the Spaniards, this leaves the European champions with much to dream of and a place to be in the final in Johannesburg.

Argentina's Failure

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Germany, three times World Cup champion, won against Argentina with the just score of 4 - 0, also two times champion, which leaves the South American team out of the World Cup and left many stunned at the result sending Diego Armando Maradona back to Argentina to start from scratch without any titles. The European vicechampions were superior in all their lines and overcame the poor performance of the Argentine team, which didn't learn how to outgrow from all the mistakes made throughout the entire match. With Thomas Müller's early goal in the 3 minute, the South American team was falling apart, Miroslav Klose scored twice in the 68 and 89 minute, and lastly Arne Friedrich scored in the 74 minute. Germany scribbled Argentina, winning with an effective 4 - 0 victory, and showed the whole world that Germany is not just a candidate to win the World Cup, but a serious candidate to win. Spain will the be Germany's rival in the semifinals. Diego Armando Maradona's team lost in this match because they were against a rival with much hierarchy and much seriousness in their soccer.

The German team, led by coach Joachim Löw studied Argentina perfectly, as if they were awake studying their every move, who took advantage of the many mistakes that Argentina made and all of those qualities that lacked Argentina when it came to their offense with Lionel Messi being the best player in the world. Another quality that the German team managed to achieve was to not shot the potency of their strikers: Carlos Tevez, Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain, and Argentina's walkthroughs of the rivals before the semifinals. Germany gave Argentina a taste of reality of the major level exhibited from the Europeans rather than the South Americans, having a weak defense, Maradona showed his lack of coaching skills, criticized by much the Argentine press, with this it was the consequence of a horrible score of 4 - 0. The 'albiceleste' team, played with much long shots, as if they were dancing tango, but when it reached Messi's feet, it showed the inability of having Messi and a lonely creator of attacks for strikers Tevez and Higuain. Germany was more superior from the midfield to the offensive because their defense was easily cleared so that the counterattacks are effective enough for the German players to score.

The fantastic header from Thomas Müller, was the beginning of the disentonement result of Argentina's lack of defense and offensive strategies failed to bring, leaving the South American team nervous and without any ideas. The second goal was more of Argentina's ceded spaces to the Germans, which gave the Europeans much individual ideas for the attack, leaving Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose free to roam in Argentina's defensive area. The third goal came about when the Argentinians put their shoulders down and seemed all hope is lost, Bastian Schweinsteiger showed the Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero that he was not nervous, which passed the goal to Arne Friedrich to score. Schweinsteiger became the man of the match, with this result Argentina has not played a semifinal in 20 years. Argentina did not suffer this bad of a score since 1974, when the Netherlands score a win of 4 - 0, which makes this defeat the worst for the South American team.

The Fall of a Titan

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The Netherlands eliminated yesterday the great favorite and five times champion Brazil with a 2 - 1 victory in Port Elizabeth for the quarterfinals in this 2010 FIFA World Cup. With this result, this kills Brazil's dream to become champion for a sixth time until they will host the 2014 FIFA World Cup held in Brazil. This result was the consequence of Dunga's conservative and pragmatic soccer that they have been practicing ever since he was designated as coach of the Brazilian team. Throughout the tournament, Brazil's victories silenced the many critics of Dunga, as well as legendary players Socrates and Pelé, because they were criticizing the way Dunga was not exhibiting the game that the Brazilians were practicing the 'joga bonito' prior to Dunga's designation that led to the obtaining of the World Cup titles in 1994 and 2002. Most of the Brazilian players coached by Dunga was led by the discipline gained through this process of four years, giving the team an image that Dunga wanted a style of game that gave the Brazilian players as an attacking team rather than to see it as an artistic style.

With the Brazilians, it seemed as a revenge of the elimination for the second consecutive time, after the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, where they were eliminated by France. Dunga's team was on front of the scoreboard with an effective shot from Manchester City's Robinho, but the match was turned around after Felipe Melo scored with an own goal for the Netherlands, after a magnificent free kick from Inter's Wesley Sneijder, who after scored the second goal that sentenced the Dutch victory for the first time since 1974. Brazil's elimination and failure was due to the fact that it was a team full of defenders, where the team lacked the offensive creativity needed where they needed only one man to create danger and that was Kaká, who he never recoved the level gained in 2007. Brazil played good sometimes, but unfortunately the spark was not there with the South American team. In the first half, Brazil achieved his great game and showed much superiority over the Netherlands, with a sure and confident Felipe Melo and Robinho showing effectiveness and danger along with a much active Kaká.

The first Dutch goal was due to an own goal by Bazilian Felipe Melo, this is the first time that Brazil receives an own goal in the South American team.

Uruguay's South American Pride

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Yesterday, approximately 84,000 people in the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, and millions around the world witnessed the dramatic and epic definition of penalty kicks that gave Uruguay the pass to semifinals of this 2010 FIFA World Cup. This intense match, Uruguay defeated Ghana in penalty kicks 4 - 2, after a draw as full time 1 - 1 and after Ghana's national team missed penalty shot kick at the last minute by the end of the second extra time. With this result, Uruguay will now face the Netherlands, who won with much effectiveness against Brazil. For the first time in 40 years, the Uruguayan national is in the semifinals. The key play of this match was the missed penalty shot that Asamoah Gyan executed, but it was missed after the ball hitting the upper post.

The big consequence for the Uruguayans payed hard after striker Luis Suarez threw the ball out with the hands over the goal line, after the potent header from Ghana's Dominic Adiyiah, but unfortunately Suarez received a red card and possibly miss the next matches if Uruguay advances further in this tournament. Suarez is Uruguay's top scorer with three goals in this tournament so far, making Suarez one of the World Cup's lethal strikers. The tears and disappointment was mainly for Ghana because of the missed penalty shot, which could have given the African team hope for the continent for a place in the semifinals. With Uruguay's greatest achievement in this tournament, their luck has grown after being the last team to qualify for the World Cup, is still alive in this tournament in the semifinals playing against the Netherlands. Their luck has also grown during the penalty kicks where Uruguay's goalkeeper Fernando Muslera saved two of Ghana's penalty shots, and Sebastian 'El Loco' Abreu, kicking with effectiveness the ball to shoot Uruguay's last penalty shot, thus advancing to the next round.

Before the penalty shots and the added extra time, in the first half, Ghana's Sulley Muntari scored by the end with a long shot that goalkeeper Fernando Muslera reacted late and couldn't prevent the ball from going into the net. Then, at the second half Uruguay outgrew Ghana, with Uruguay's Diego Forlan's goal after a free kick, Uruguay became dangerous. On Tuesday, Uruguay will face the Netherlands, who surprisively eliminated Brazil with a 2 - 1 victory. If Uruguay wins over the Netherlands, it will be the first time the South American advances to the final since 1950.

Brazil vs. Netherlands: Classic Titans

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Brazil and the Netherlands will host the opening match of the quartefinals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, a much anticipated final that will have much to talk about with the days to come. Both teams have so much in common, but with different qualities that wit their respective techniques in their way of playing is in the way to conserve the result as much as possible to put either team in the semifinals. Both teams seem to emphasize in their techniques offensively and defensively but has much technique when it comes to the dynamic velocity, solid defense in the back, and the lethal counterattacks, that can exhibit the good soccer plays to the audience to see the level demonstrated to the thousands of fans that will witness the greatest game ever played. We do not know much of the starting lineups from both teams until an hour before the match. Brazil will have the hard task to getting together mentally and psychologically for this decisive match that will put either teams as the four best teams in the world, given that Elano, Julio Baptista and Felipe Melo and injured and Ramires, due to suspension he will not play in this match.

Galatasaray's midfielder Elano's situation complicates Dunga's plan, this injury will possibly leave Elano completely out of the World Cup. Dunga now has to put into plan the polifunctional player, given that he substituted Elano in the match against Chile, but it gives them a certain rythm for the team to work. There has been many questions surrounding the Brazilian national team's ability to beat the Deutsch, due to the fact that Dunga's team has been irregular in previous games, but key players like Kaká, Luis Fabiano, and Robinho to give them a certain hope to score and to advance to the next round. The Netherlands gained with much authority their victory over the Danish, Japanese, Camerouns and the Slovakians. But the Netherlands spark hasn't appeared yet, it has been shown sometimes throughout this tournament in South Africa.

Deutsch coach Bert van Marwijk has all their players' focus in this match, but the main preoccupation for the Brazilians is the physical state of Bayern Munich striker, Arjen Robben. Added to this stress is Inter's midfielder Wesley Sneijder given that he is teammates with much of the Brazilian national team like Maicon, Lucio and Julio. With much attention and effectiveness that the Brazilians have shown in this tournament, they surely will succeed and advance to the next round.

America's Cup South Africa 2010?

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The South American soccer style of playing has been dominating for most of this 2010 FIFA World Cup, first ever held in an African continent, but four teams from South America are in the round of the eight best teams in the world, reaching the quarterfinals with much passion and drama. Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay celebrate their stance in the quartefinals of the World Cup that completely is dominated by South America, but it has become like the Copa America, only that three European teams are invited plus Ghana, the only African team alive in this tournament. While the superpower teams from Europe like Italy, France and England are at home watching the World Cup, due to the fact that these teams were eliminated. The South American continent has flourished dramatically in this tournament. What has happened throughout all these years in marking a history of epic proportions? What is the secret of success in this tournament? Is it coincidence or is it luck?

There are several thoughts and ideas that led to this ponderous theory, the South American qualifiers consists of 10 teams going against each other without separating them into groups like Europe does, grows a competitive nature in this continent that leads South American players play overseas and play in the most powerful leagues in the world. One example is Internazionale de Milano, because with this team managed to win the UEFA Champions League without any Italian players, making the foreign players grow their strategic tactics with their respective national teams. What I think is that South America, as a whole, is the big winner of this World Cup and without a doubt there will be a South American country lifting the prestigious Cup in the World. Four out these South American teams are in the quarterfinals, and they have a possibility to pass through the semifinals and have their minds in the final playing on July 11 in the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg. Uruguay will face Ghana and Brazil will face the Netherlands. If either South American team wins their respective matches, they will face in the semifinals.

In the other series, Argentina will face the all powerful Germany and the winner of this match will face either Spain or Paraguay. There is a possibility that there will be semifinals with a South American taste with Argentina - Paraguay and Brazil - Uruguay but that is if all the South American teams win their respective matches. The South American analysis in this World Cup is amazing given that all these teams have either beaten or tied their respective matches throughout this tournament. All the South American teams have an excellent role in this tournament except for Chile and Mexico, eliminated by Brazil and Argentina respectively. The Argentinians have won all their matches with wins over Nigeria, South Korea, Greece and Mexico. Brazil reached 7 points winning their group with win over North Korea, Ivory Coast and Chile, and a tie with Portugal.

Uruguay showed the hardest task of going through Group A, with win over host nation South Africa and Mexico and a tie with France. Paraguay is the most talked about in this World Cup, given that the South American team tied with Italy, in the opening of their Group F. Paraguay's victory over Slovakia gave the 'albiroja' team much tranquility shown that the draw with New Zealand gave them the pass to the round of 16 leaving Italy out of the tournament. The match against Japan caused great impression because Japan was favorite to go through the next round, but it was the penalty shots that gave them the luck that they needed to stay alive in this tournament.

Villa's Goal, Farewell Cristiano Ronaldo

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the Spanish national team qualified yesterday into the quarterfinals after beating Portugal with a 1 - 0 score in a match that could have defined both teams into the next round. Barcelona's David Villa scored the insolite goal for the Spanish, thus according to several angles he was offside, in which these situations have been happening already with England and Mexico. The Spanish suffered for at least an hour but it ended when Villa dramatically shot from a clear ball from Portuguese goalkeeper Eduardo, Villa took advantage of that clearing shooting the ball with much potency and gave the Spanish team joy and tears that earn their victory. With this result, Villa puts Spain in the top eight teams in the world and now will face South American team Paraguay in Johannesburg, who beat Japan 5 - 3 in the penalty kicks. The match was for both teams, but both sides showed much precaution in their defense, even though Spain was dominating throughout the whole match trying to create ideas to penetrate through the Portuguese wall leaded by Ricardo Carvalho.

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo unsettled the net guarded by Real Madrid's Iker Casillas sometimes, but mostly it went through Gerard Piqué and Carles Puyol to reject the Portuguese out of the area. While time was running out, the Spanish team was losing the control and rythm of the game, with imprecise passes and kept losing momentum of the match, while the Portuguese went through all the places to beat the Spanish defense. In the second half, Hugo Almeida attempted a good shot from behind the area where Puyol cleared with his leg in the 52 minute. Spain's coach Vicente Del Bosque substituted Fernando Llorente with Fernando Torres, showing the Liverpool striker lack of physical form in this tournament lacking goal opportunities. With Llorente's entrance in the field, the Spanish team strenghten its offensive movements.

With the time, Andres Iniesta passed in the Portugese area, that's where Xavi Hernandez managed to touch the ball from behind and have David Villa's quick appearance shoot but then rejected by Eduardo, luckily Villa managed to shoot again and sentenced the match that leaded into victory over Portugal in the 63 minute. After the scoring goal, Spain was dominating for the rest of the match, lacking ideas for Portugal to at least time the game.

South American History in the Making

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After 120 minutes without scoring any goals and not enough brightness, the penalty kicks was present before a thousand fans in Pretoria to witness Paraguay catapulting into the quartefinals for the first time in the history of the South American country. Paraguay beat Japan 5 - 3 in the definition of penalty kicks after the draw 0 - 0 that both teams showed during the first and second half as well the added extra time. Both teams lacked to show the advantage of the opportunities to score, one that it seemed very difficult to achieve from both sides. Japan's defender Yuichi Komano striked the ball in the net post, in the third penalty shot from Japan, which permitted Paraguayan player Oscar Cardozo to finish and sentence the team into the quarterfinals. With this result, Paraguay will now face the difficult task against Spain, which beat Portugal with a single goal from Barcelona's David Villa.

Paraguay played with much heart and determination, but it lacked the opportunities of scoring a single goal, it was more of mere soccer exploiting in the field than scoring, but all in all Paraguay was mostly the protagonist of the match. Both teams managed to take advantage to liquidate the game, but there were several occassions were both teams showed a higher power over each other playing them equally in their level. The best chance was in the 97 minute, when Nelson Haedo Valdez, attempted a long shot, but luckily Japanese goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima managed a great save from the Japanese to losing to the Paraguayans. Japan made several attacks, but in the 116 minute, there was a counterattack from the Asian nation, but at the last touch it dissolved due to the fact that most of the Paraguayans were to defend the net from the Japanese to score. Japan had a lack of precision when it came about attacking and shooting on targets.

Salvador Cabañas, did not play the World Cup due to the fact that the Paraguayan player suffered a shot in the head on January of this year, but the striker is present within the team which gives them full motivation into moving forward in this tournament. With Paraguay advancing to the quarterfinals, South America makes history to put 4 teams thus far in this tournament.

Brazil Waits for The Netherlands

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Brazil is another unstopabble team that Chile could not managed to stop the greatness of the 'jogo bonito' of the Brazilians. With an effective offense, the Brazilians made the match as if it was a walk in the park with a score of 3 - 0 over Chile. Chile was erased from the field and seemed very erratic in all their lines, which they were hoped to win over to go through the next stage to face the Netherlands. Juan, Luis Fabiano, and Robinho sentenced the match, who controlled the team coached by Dunga from all their lines from start to finish, while Chile seemed that they were in the clouds from having a fantastic group stage. Brazil ratified their dominance over Chile in World Cups in three matches, back in 1962 and 1998.

Dunga's team qualified to the quarterfinals without any problems but an effectiveness that reached to win the Group of Death with Portugal, Ivory Coast and North Korea. The game opened the score with Juan's fantastic header in the 35 minute. Three minutes later, Luis Fabiano scored the second goal after beating Chile's Claudio Bravo in the first South American duel in this 2010 FIFA World Cup. The third goal was scored by Manchester City's Robinho in the 59 minute with a nice shot from the left hand side of the goalkeeper. With this defeat, Chile is the first South American team to leave South Africa, where all five teams initially qualified to the 2010 FIFA World Cup round of 16, where just three move forward to the quarterfinals, awaiting Paraguay - Japan duel.

Chile's team has never beaten Brazil in World Cup appearances, making Brazil's dominance over the team coached by Argentina's Marcelo Bielsa.

Netherlands: Favorite to Win Cup

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Arjen Robben became the man of the match yesterday, began in the starting lineup and scored a goal in the victory over Slovakia with a score of 2 - 1, which this result makes the Netherlands as a favorite to win the World Cup. The Netherlands qualified for the quarterfinals and will face the always difficult Brazil. Bayern Munich's striker Robben fought time over this tournament given that he was injured prior to the first game of the World Cup, but Robben overcame the worst and opened the scoreboard of 1 - 0 with a great shot from the longest shot from Inter's Wesley Sneijder and pass from Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt that went through the net impossible for the Slovakian defense to save neither the goalkeeper. With this goal, Robben has proven to the world that he is the Netherlands' best man. At the last minute of the match, Slovakian Robert Vittek, scored the honorable penalty shot, reaching Vittek's fourth goal in the tournament reaching Gonzalo Higuain, who is still alive in the tournament with Argentina.

The Netherlands reached their fourth consecutive victory, after winning their group with three victories over Denmark, Japan and Cameroon and now winning over Slovakia, who eliminated the reigning champion Italy. Slovakia lacked many opportunities that not even captain Hamsik nor coach's son Weiss to score in the Netherlands' solid defense leaded by captain Giovanni Van Bronckhorst. Not even Sloakian striker, scorer of two goals against Italy, was disappeared in the first half. Now the Netherlands need their full attention, where they will face Brazil in the quarterfinals, where they eliminated Chile 3 - 0.

Argentina, Unstoppable

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Argentina took advantage of the many mistakes that Mexico committed, with this the albiceleste team qualified for the quartefinals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup playing against European superpower Germany. Carlos Tevez opened the scoreboard in the 26 minute, with a goal that on offside position, Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain widen the score a bit in the 33 minute. And yet again Tevez closed the final and definite thirs goal for the Argentinians and revelation Mexican striker Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez managed to score the honor goal for the losing team in the 71 minute. Argentina was unobjectionable, but they did not play good in this match for the South American team, starting controlling the ball in the beginning, but Mexico pressured throughout the minutes passing. The Argentine team could not respond in the beginning, but the long shot from the left hand side of the field Mexican defender Carlos Salcido and Andres Guardado attempted made the Argentine defense a little nervous but more or less effective, but the Mexicans were bound to score.

Argentina was much disconnected from Higuain and Tevez, suffered from the Mexicans with a quick response from Hernandez by shooting to the net, making Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero stood still when that happened. But Argentina arose from that and making Carlos Tevez score the first goal when he was in the offside position in the 26 minute, by a fantastic header from a short center from Messi. Then, a horrible mistake from Mexican defender Ricardo Osorio provoked the Argentinian striker to take advantage of the moment and managed to put the scoreboard of 2 - 0. In the 52 minute, Tevez shot one of the best goals of this current World Cup from outside the Mexican area, which sentenced the lead over Mexico with a 3 - 0 score. But the Argentinian defense gave out several surprises to the Mexican when Martin Demichelis went out in the area to mark Hernandez, which 'El Chicharito' managed to turn around with his body and shot to the net which had the Argentinians nervous until the final time.

Germany Wins and Qualify To the Quarterfinals

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A powerful German national soccer team offensive squashed yesterday their eternal rival England, and reached the quarterfinals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, with an amazing score of 4 - 1, marked by controvery with England's goal annulled. With this result, the German team will now face Argentina, where they win against Mexico with another wide score of 3 - 1. Germany will now face Argentina in a match where thwy will fight to death for a place in the semifinals of the tournament. In this duel between two global superpowers, Germany and England, Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski were ahead of the score of 2 - 0 over a pale England without any ideas and seemed very weak in the defense. As soon as the Germans were ahead of the score, England's Matthew Upson reedemed the team and scored the 2 - 1 with a great header making German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer impossible to save.

6 minutes later, Chelsea's player Frank Lampard shot a potent kick in the net where it beat the German net and it bounced in, but it was impossible for the players and the referees to see, but from different angles it was a goal, but unfortunately the referees annulled the goal impossible for the referees to see it. With the goal annulled, the English team was decaying, that the German attack took advantage of that and it went all out in the attack with an inspired Mesut Ozil and an aggressive Bastian Schweinsteiger, surprised with countless counterattacks that resulted in the scoring of Thomas Müller twice to sentence the match. Miroslav Klose opened the score at the 20 minute with a great play made from the German goalkeeper, shooting from three quarters of the field, Klose was in between England's defenders Upson and Terry and kicked with effectiveness to the net beating English goalkeeper David James. Podolski scored the second goal in the 32 minute, with an excellent pass from Müller inside the English area, while Matthew Upson honored the only English goal after a center from Steven Gerrard. England went all out for the tie in the second half, but with the goal annulled by Frank Lampard in the 52 minute, it seemed impossible to redeem itself, due to the fact that Thomas Müller scored the two goals that sentenced the game.

Müller scored in the 67 and 70 minute, in counterattacks very similar to each other from the left hand side, which made Müller effective from the right hand side to manage its effectiveness in goal. The first one was from a pass from Bastian Schweinsteiger and the second being from Mesut Oezil.

Ghana: Uruguay's Next Rival

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Africa is still alive in this tournament, after Ghana defeated the United States with a score of 2 - 1 and assured a place in the quarterfinals, where they will play South American superpower Uruguay. Ghana defeated the United States with an amazing goal from Ghana's Asamoah Gyan during extra time and for the second consecutive time managed to eliminate the United States from the World Cup. Now, this time it will be the difficult task for Ghana because they are facing the major levels of teams now that they will face Uruguay, first time that qualifies to the quarterfinals since 1970 and two time champion of the World Cup. Ghana, leaded by coach Milovan Rajevac, is the third African country to advance to the quarterfinals, with being Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2002. United States striker managed to tie the game after a foul against Clint Dempsey and sent the game to extra time, where it became a dramatic match made for a movie.

Kevin Prince Boateng opened the score with a high caliber goal in the 5 minute, in which Boateng caught it from the midfield and went up to the United States net and became a shadow amongst the American players and shoot a hard ball to save. Asamoah Gyan was the man to save the best for last, Ghana's forward received a long pass, winning the backs of Carlos Bocanegra and Jay Demerit, controlled the ball with his chest and shoot as hard as he can making the ball impossible to save for United States goalkeeper Tim Howard. This is Gyan's third goal, tying the leading scorer goals with Landon Donovan, leaving South Africa with three goals. Ghana's goalkeeper Richard Kingson became the man of the match, saving the USA team from scoring by Robbie Finley and Benny Feilhaber. Ghana has the hard task to give Africa full pride and giving a sense of hope for the continent to go far in the tournament and dream for the World Cup title.

Uruguay's Historic Pass to Quarterfinals

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A new generations of Uruguayan players never expected this in a long time. But when all is said and done, the Uruguayan team has never expected to be one of the eight best teams in the world. Uruguay defeated 2 - 1 to South Korea and got a place in the quarterfinals for the first time since 1970, where they will face Ghana, the only hope for Africa in this tournament. Yesterday, Ghana defeated the United States in an difficult battle of epic proportions. Uruguay, champion of the world twice in 1930 and 1950, suffered with the pressure getting pressed by the South Koreans, during the second half, they couldn't control fully the match, the Uruguayans controlled from the defense and midfield but they never managed to penetrate through the Korean defense and widen the score. But, with two goals from Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, one in the two halfs of the match, gave the sweet victory of this historic Uruguayan team that has much amibition in advancing far in this tournament.

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez vowed that this match was going to be difficult, and it came true. South Korea implored much physical dynamics conditions that harmed much of the Uruguayans to advance to the rival net. Most of the match was very moved from both sides looking to score many goals and to advance comfortably in this World Cup. One of the genius plays from South Korea was from midfielder, Park Chu-Young executed a dangerous free kick that almost opened the score for the asians, but the ball hit the left hand pole saved by Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. But, the Uruguayan wait was getting close and in the 8 minutes into the first half, Uruguay's offensive power came into action when Diego Forlan attempted a left hand center and left without danger to the Koreans, but when all was well Luis Suarez took advantage and managed to score from the right hand with the Korean defense left standing still.

But with Uruguay's goal awoke the Koreans, imposing the velocity of their midfielders, which compromised the Uruguayan defenders to apply alot of pressure into their rival. The South Korean goal came about a clearing from Uruguayan defender Jorge Fucile but it bounced still in the Uruguayan area that the Koreans managed to take advantage of it since the goalkeeper nor the defenders managed to reject the boal, but Lee Chung-Yong did a fantastic header to go through the net. This was the first goal against Uruguay in this tournament in which they haven't beem scoreless against thus far. The hardest thing for the Koreans was to tie the game, but they lacked ideas into penetrating through the Uruguayan defense. But, Uruguay took advantage of it and with pride and recuperate its identity of play with Luis Suarez finding much inspiration after a long shot and managed to put the final 2 - 1 score.

Brazil Wins Group

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Since Brazil wins the group with no problems with a draw against classic rival Portugal of a score of 0 - 0, it gave some inconveniences for the team leaded by Dunga. Brazil's coach seemed very angry at his team while they had full control of the game but never managed to score a single goal that would have led the victory over Portugal. with this result, the Brazilian national team has been unbeaten with 7 points and advance to the next round of 16 and will face Chile, the other South American team. While Portugal managed to stay in the second spot facing the favorite Spain in the next round. The other teams in the group, Ivory Coast and North Korea were eliminated for the tournament. At the beginning of the match, the Brazilian national team was met with a powerful and offensive Portugal that gave it all in the game with the man of the match being Cristiano Ronaldo putting the Jabulani everywhere in the field.

Portugal was very closed during the match was determined to counterattack from over the field, giving the Brazil's national team a hard time to penetrate the solid defense led by Ricardo Carvalho. Brazil had fresh new faces in the starting lineup with Nilmar, Grafite and Ramires, which they never had the vocational offense expected from Dunga. Julio Baptista, player from Italy's A.S. Roma, substituted Kaká, which he was suspended one game due to accumulation of yellow cards in this tournament. Dani Alves was also another substitute for Elano, recuperating from an injury and Nilmar for Robinho, due to physical fatigue, so the coach gave him a day of rest. Nilmar seemed lost in game but the only attack that he had was he aimed for the goal but that was it, Baptista is not in his best feature but he didn't have any glory, lacking ambition and Alves seemed very incisive in his game, creating much opportunities for score for the strikers but it wasn't the same as Elano's game.

Dunga seemed very nervous throughout the match and looked at the errors committed by his players that almost ceded the victory for Portugal. The Brazilian national team missed Kaká's and Robinho's abilities, but Luis Fabiano did not appear as a striker seemed very uneffective in this match. The advantage is that Brazil will have Kaká and Robinho for the next match in the round of 16 against the one and only Chile. While Brazil also awaits the return of Elano, suffering from a bad injury.

Italy's Disaster

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Italy showed the world the European crisis that most of the powerful teams of this continent are suffering in this 2010 FIFA World Cup by losing 3 - 2 to Slovakia and was eliminated in the group stage four years after their conquest into winning the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Italy's luck came about the same with France, their rival in Germany 2006, in which the Italian team were last in their group, without winning a single game. This situation was similar when France was World Cup Champion in France 1998 and were eliminated in Korea/Japan in 2002 in the group stage. The match was based on much control from both sides, but lacking the occassions to open the score were very minimal and not much luck over the ticking time. In the 15 minute Daniele De Rossi made a huge mistake when he received a pass from a teammate, which the Slovakians took advantage and midfielder Juraj Kucka took advantage and intercepted the ball so that he passed to striker Robert Vittek as he kicked the ball, Marchetti couldn't make the save so the Slovakians were in front of the score of 1 - 0.

With this result, many were mouth opening about what is going on, so in the second half, Italian coach Marcelo Lippi substituted midfielder and the brain of the team Andrea Pirlo for striker Fabio Quagliarella. With the substitutes under Marcelo Lippi's command, Italy controlled most of the match and seemed to be waken up from the nightmare they were suffering and the reaction was incredible by putting three forwards to widen and to score as fast as possible by pressuring the rival more and more, but since as the match became pressured by the Italians, the second goal was scored for Slovakia with a distraction from Italian defender Chiellini and then to put the 2 - 0. When everything seemed impossible, Italy never gave up and put up a big fight at the 81 minute when Antonio Di Natale intercepted a rejection from the Slovakians and scored in the area for the 2 - 1. Italy tried their best to attack from all sides, left, right, and center, but it seemed impossible, but at the 89 minute, Slovakian midfielder Kamil Kopunek surprised everyone with a bad positioned Italian defense to sentence the 3 - 1 score with a fast lateral exit and beated goalkeeper Marchetti. Then, Di Natale surprised out of nowhere with a shot outside the goal area to define the final score of 3 - 2.

This will be always known as one of the biggest upset in World Cup history.

England or Germany?

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Germany has consolidated to be one of the most powerful in international soccer, they were well aware that they were determined to win the group and advance to the next round and they did. with this proud Germany did not think twice and went all out in their offense and in search to open the score against a Ghana that did not put up a fight with the Germans. With this score of 1 - 0 against Ghana, Germany is then the winner of Group D, and will be facing its worst enemy yet, the one and only England. This will be an instant classic match between the two, now that the two have a long history with their soccer over the decades of the World Cups. If either countries move forward to the next round, they will be facing either Argentina or Mexico in the quarterfinals.

The Germans stayed in the top of Group D along with Ghana, now with this they will be facing England and the United States respectively in the round of 16. Germany stay true to the results and showed the world as favorites to win the tournament with determination and teamwork. The Germans goal was to achieve the impossible and they did it, but they did it with less clarity, but it seemed clear to what the Germans were trying to do. The Germans had many occassions to widen even more the score but Ghana was defensive and attentive to the Germans' counter attacks. Mesut Oezil scored at the 60 minute the opening score for the Germans with a great longshot from outside the box, giving a minimum advantage due to the fact that Ghana's defense appeared much distracted.

The first half was much favored for both teams because they were easily aimed at scoring in each other's nets, and both teams had very much chances to widen or to open the scores. Ghana's goalkeeper became a nightmare for the Germans for much of the first half, with an effective safe from Germany's counter attack that Oezil did. While for Ghana, as they were about to score, Germany's captain Philipp Lahm managed to control striker Asamoah's intense header. Germany's chnces to score were very clear and effective, but they did not make it through the net, with Oezil as the attacks organization, Bastian Schweinsteiger as the leader of the midfield, and Cacau as the point striker. Germany has never been eliminated in the group stage, managed to stay alive in this tournament and show the world what Germany is about with a compact team that only looks to defend and to attack at the right time, and its maintaining a rythm according to coach Joachim Loew's philosophy of Germany's playing identity.

Uruguay, Silent World Cup Champion?

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Uruguay defeated Mexico 1 - 0 and both qualify to the next stage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where they will be facing South Korea and Argentina respectively. The Uruguay team were in front of the scoreboard with an intense header from an excellent assist from Edinson Cavani that attempted to the center from the right and Suarez was there with no one marking and led the team to victory and won the group A stage. The Uruguayans came to the World Cup with a famous double striking offense with Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez leading the attack for the South American team. But, with this all talk about Uruguay, the defense has been the most solid in this tournament, they went through the group stage without scoring any goals against the men coached by Oscar Tabarez. With the results of a tie with France 0 - 0, victory over host nation South Africa 3 - 0, and win over Mexico 1 - 0.

The last time that Uruguay was champion of the World Cup was in 1930 and in 1950, and during those times Uruguay was never scored against any team in those World Cups and will they be the champions? We can only hope that this World Cup is definitely for the South American continent. Meanwhile, in the streets of the capital of Uruguay, Montevideo, thousands of fans were celebrating the victory over the Mexican team. With this result, Uruguay managed to win Group A in over 20 years that the South American team couldn't go into the next round. Now, the Mexicans had a sweet and sour pass to the next round, but they are hoping for a miracle because they will be facing Argentina in the next round. These two teams have a history because in 2006, Argentina defeated Mexico with a score of 2 - 1 during the extra time given after tying 1 - 1 in the second half in the round of 16.

Argentina was the third Hispanic team to advance to the next round after defeating Greece 2 - 0 with goals from Martin Demichelis and Martin Palermo. If Uruguay eliminate South Korea and advance to the quarterfinals, they will be facing the winner of Group C with the Group D runner up. The last time that Uruguay managed to go through the quarterfinals was in Mexico in 1970. In my opinion, Uruguay will be the great revelation of this tournament, because they will win the World Cup, so that in 2014 they will return to the final with Brazil and rematch the famous "Maracanazo" in which Brazil is then Champion in 2014.

Chile Defeats Switzerland's Unbeaten Streak

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Chile, one of the best South American teams, defeated Switzerland 1 - 0 and it gave them one step to the knockout round of 16, the match held in the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Port Elizabeth. The only scored goal in the match was made by Chilean striker Mark Gonzalez in the 75 minute with a fantastic header that the goalie seemed impossible to save, by the assist of Esteban Paredes, which he substituted Matias Fernandez. This goal beaten the record of Switzerland's scoreless streak of 551 minutes for the team in World Cups. The plans for coach, Marcelo Bielsa, very much was taken advantage of the explusion by red card for the Swiss player Valon Behrami, who made a foul against Arturo Vidal. This controversial decision from referee Saudi Arabia's Khalil Al Ghamdi, gave Behrami a direct red card due to a physical contact with his arms against Chilean polifunctional player Vidal.

The match was very organized and very much called for many fouls for the Chileans, which gained six yellow cards for the players, especially Carlos Carmona and Matias Fernandez that they will not play against Spain on Friday. There were much goal occassions for both teams to score and to widen the result, but many shots fired on target were erratic impossible to gain any goals and the saves from Swiss player Diego Benaglio upset the Chilean possibilities to widen the score a little bit more. Switzerland established an eye opening record of 551 minutes without any goals scored from the rival teams in the World Cup, overcoming Italy's record of 550 minutes in the World Cup in 1986 and 1990. The last time that Switzerland lost was in the World Cup in 1994 3 - 0 against Spain. This is Chile's second consecutive victory in a World Cup, the last time there was a victory for Chile was in 1962 when they hosted the World Cup at the time.

Awaken Victory

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The "Joga Bonito" style that Brazil exhibits in front of thousands of fans may not glow and demonstrate the ability of the Brazilian cracks, but it has taken us to realize Brazil is destined to go far in this 2010 FIFA World Cup. Brazil stamped their presence in the knockout stage against the African powerful Ivory Coast. Brazil did not brighten up their tactical abilities and did not woo the fans, but the Brazilian team reassured that this is the new and renovated Brazil whenever you like it or not. With this result, it made Brazil walk the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg with a slight breeze. The Brazilian offensive strikers went all out in search for many goals to show the world that they are capable to lift up the World Cup title on July 11 with pride.

Dunga proposed a very aggressive scheme that used the potency of their players to the maximum in an intense match that measured the team's level when it came to defensive and the offense. Brazil's goals were from Luis Fabiano at the 24 and 50 minute, while Elano marked the third goal, but Chelsea's Didier Drogba scored the honor goal. Luis Fabiano ended his dry scoring abilities in six matches, it has been a while since we have seen him showing the audience a spectacular show. Kaká has demonstrated a low level, but with a couple passes managed to change the course of the match rapidly. The first goal was made thanks to the assisting pass from Robinho that developed into the feet of both Kaká and Luis Fabiano, making them understand each other of their way of playing the "Joga Bonito".

The second goal was made excellent play by Luis Fabiano in which made the defenders from Ivory Coast looked like they were expecting Brazil's fantastic way of playing with the stopped balls. Then, Elano scored the third and final goal of the match with a center from Kaká that developed into Elano's great play to date. Aside from Elano's injury, he was replaced by Dani Alves, Kaká was given a red card due to aggressive behavior against an Ivory Coast player. If Brazil wins first in Group G, they will face the second runner up of Group H, who at the moment in Switzerland. But if Brazil comes in second place, they will face the winner of Group H, which at the moment in Chile.

Big Win for the Netherlands

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Without their star player Arjen Robben, a disappointing Holland managed to gain a glorious victory over Japan with a score of 1 - 0 made by Inter's player Wesley Sneijder. With this result, the "orange" team managed to put a place in the knockout round of 16 of this edition of the World Cup. Robin Van Persie made an assisting long pass after a corner kick, leaving Sneijder to be the man at the right place at the right time in the 53 minute. Japan's goalie pushed the ball after Sneijder kicked it ferociously making it impossible for the Japanese goalie to save. Many of the critics blamed the Jabulani ball for its various movements when it comes to measure the distance of shots but maybe it dribbled around a different direction.

Holland was very low in their game level, showing the lack of talent and the ability to demonstrate a showy game. Without Robben, Holland is lacking in the ability to tactically penetrate the defense of any national team that faces Holland. Robben, injured before the World Cup start, has been recuperating from an injury in his left leg. Japan's scheme alignment showed a very cautious but very attentive to the Deutch team making impossible for the rival players to offensively went through the defense. Many of the Dutch players touched the ball slightly making it useless to control the ball and the game, but the team opened several spaces that the japanese took advantage but Holland managed the result effectively.

Holland attacked regularly before the goal, with shots from Wesley Sneijder and Rafael Van Der Vart, but the japanese goalie had his eyes wide open and was very attentive with Holland's stopped ball tactic. After the goal, the game became intense for both sides, because it made Japan go forward and all out provoking several dangerous clear goal shots that could have been a tie. Robin Van Persie missed many situations of scoring a goal but he wasted and never took advantage of the different passes by their teammates.

Since Holland is leading Group E, which Denmark and Japan can reach 6 points, they will be facing Group F runner up integrated by Italy, Paraguay, Slovakia and New Zealand.

Germany Complicates Their Future

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Serbia achieved their first victory in their history by surprising over the all powerful Germany with a score of 1 - 0, yesterday in Port Elizabeth. Yesterday marked the second game of Group D in which the Germans were playing with 10 players in the first hour and wasted a penalty kick. Serbia went all out to Germany with many players defending the result and marking almost all of the german players so that their counter attacks were useless against Serbia. With this result, Serbia has opened the group in which they are fighting against Germany and Ghana for the first or second place in group D. Radomir Antic, the coach, presented a dangerous scheme to strenghten the offense that Milan Jovanovic opened the score for Serbia, with a magnificent assist after the header from Nicola Zigic in the 38 minute, after the German team lost striker Miroslav Klose due to a red card issued by the referee.

Germany had a fantastic debut, filled with goals in the first game against Australia, with a renovated team with players like Thomas Muller and Mesut Ozil were instantly stopped by the great defense proposed by the Serbian coach Antic that exhibited the players much intensity in the game and to put the emphasis to be attentive to the Germans led by Podolski, Muller, and Ozil. Podolski had many chances of goals and also missed the penalty kick in the 60 minute, saved by Serbian goalie, Vladimir Stojkovic, who became the hero of the day. Serbia was part of the ex Yugoslavia who faced Germany several times with their national soccer teams 6 times but only defeated the Germans in the quarterfinals in the World Cup in 1962. This victory is the first for Serbia as an independent state.

Argentina The Great

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Argentina did not glow but surely grew their offensive abilities to defeat the all powerful South Korea with a score of 4 - 1 with three goals from Gonzalo Higuain and the great tactics of Lionel Messi, which gave him chances to advance to the next round. The Argentinians passed to be leaders of Group B with 6 points, in which is followed by Greece, who defeated Nigeria with a 2 - 1 score, leaving Nigeria with 0 points since the debut against Argentina. The Argentinians started suffering the game with an ajusted 2 - 1 at the Soccer City Stadium in front of 82,000 fanatics that were present to witness the sweet victory. The first goal was an own goal by South Korean Park Chu-young in the 17 minute, the second goal was from Real Madrid striker Higuain in the 33 minute, but the South Koreans managed to score a goal by Lee Chung-Yong at the end of the first half. Gonzalo Higuain demonstrated his potential to score in this tournament that gave Argentina the hopes to win the World Cup.

Higuain has shown the world the ability to score just like Messi and hope to become one of the best players in this World Cup. Higuain has all the qualities of a striker shown in Real Madrid being at the right place at the right time, just what Diego Armando Maradona settled his schematical tactics that simply worked with Maxi Rodriguez and Lionel Messi counterattacking constantly. When a striker like Higuain is always at the right place, it gives the strikers the facility to score. Then, after the first two goals from Argentina, Lionel Messi finally came out of his shell and scored the third goal at the 76 minute and Sergio Kun Aguero assissted the fourth goal scored by Higuain at the 80 minute. If Argentina leads Group B, the actually will play against the second of Group A which is Mexico at the moment, but if Argentina is second in Group B, the actually will play against the leader in Group which in the moment is Uruguay.

The Day The Earth Stood Still For Spain and South Africa

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Spain, favorite team to win the World Cup by many, had a chaotic debut against Switzerland in the opener for Group H. Switzerland has never won over Spain in their respective matches against the Spaniards, but yesterday it happened so for the first time in history with a 1 - 0 score. The striking offense leaded by David Villa and Fernando Torres was shut down the light for both in their worst moment in history. Switzerland was up in the score thanks to the Swiss striker Gelson Fernandes in the 52 minute. With Spain's first loss in the debut of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, this cuts the 12 straight wins that Spain previously had with the United States on the June 24, 2009 win over Spain in the Confederations Cup.

This historic goal that Switzerland scored came about by a long shot from Swiss goalkeeper Diego Benaglio to striker Eren Derdiyok, which he gets knocked down by Iker Casillas, Fernandes was very effective granted that he was present in the Spanish area so he took advantage and gave it a fantastic goal. Before the loss, Spain was considered to be favorites to win the World Cup, came to the that in their 50 years, Spain has never overcomed a win in their World Cup debuts. Spain cotrolled most of the game, but the effectivity of their strikers lacked vocational offense and they had a large amounts of chances to score, but this was the consequence that Switzerland took advantage of and scored by the end of the match. Spain tried to recuperate from the goal, but for the most part Swtizerland already bet in many of their players to remain with their result and became a wall that the Spanish could not penetrate. Many breathed early with a clear shot from Xabi Alonso, but it was not enough for the Spanish to suffer this way.

When Spain controlled much of the game, Switzerland betted to defend and attack in minutes after the goal when Eren Derdiyok had a clear shot on goal but the ball drifted to the other side. During stoppage time of 5 minutes, the Spanish seemed nervous and desperate to score the goal, this is the result of a catastrophic proportion because Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld planted a well thought out scheme to stop the Spanish offense to take advantage of the spaces left by the Swiss.

Brazil Won Fair Despite Its Ups and Downs

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Maicon, Internazionale de Milan player, from an impossible angle at the 55 minute opened the score of the Brazilian national team in its debut with a victory 2 - 1 over North Korea in their debut of Group G. Despite Brazil's victory, there has been left with many criticisms in their tactical scheme when it came to the offense because they have failed and lacked communication in the attack throughout the game. With Maicon scoring the opener for Brazil, Elano scored the second goal in the 72 minute with an effective pass from Robinho, the best player of the game. But, minutes later North Korea pressured the Brazilian defense that led to the 2 - 1 by Ji Yun Nam in the 89 minute. With this result, Brazil is leader on the top of group G alongside Ivory Coast and Portugal, which they both tied 0 - 0 in the previous game.

with Maicon's first goal, Brazil was breathing it easy, trying to maintain the result of a team that didn't have enough ideas, Kaká was unaware of the passes and became very erratic in the game. For the North Koreans, this is their second World since last in 1966, build a strong, but well effected defense to stop the Brazilian counter attacks but was very attentive to all the Brazilian players going all out to look for the rival net. On a cold night, the North Koreans managed to surpass and work together in a humble manner that the Brazilians had trouble deciphering the Brazilian defensive barrier leaded by Lucio. Maicon went up to the offensive very little, but he managed to score the goal, one that many consider an impossible to score. The Brazilian players were astonishing from the beginning with the long shots on target but none of the shots ended in goal but exhibited the potential of these Brazilian players.

With Maicon in the offensive, it gave way to weaken the North Korea defense little by little, but with this came the second goal that with Maicon and Robinho it gave way to the pass to Elano to score a short downward shot that ended in goal and the 2 - 0 temporarily. Minutes later into the game, the North Koreans were everywhere and tried to penetrate through the Brazilian defense but they managed to do it with Jong Tae Se, that complicated the Brazilian defense many times. With this victory, in order to qualify to the next round Brazil needs to win against Ivory Coast and North Korea needs to win against Portugal into having hopes to making it to the next round.

Champion Saved By a Tie

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Paraguay payed the consequence of its goalkeeper giving in a draw against Italy, the defending Champion of the FIFA World Cup 2006. Paraguay was in the front of the score with an effective header from player Antolin Alcaraz in the debut from both teams of Group F. Paraguayan player Alcaraz surpassed both Italian players Daniele De Rossi and captain Fabio Cannavaro after a corner kick from Aureliano Torres in the minute 39. But, at the 63 minute, the error of Paraguay's goalkeeper was committed after a bad exit so that Daniele De Rossi took the advantage to put the equalizer. After the tie, Italy attacked more and more effectively troubling the ability of Villar to measure the ball's travel.

But, even though the Italian national team attacked more, the team lacked the offensive vocation into scoring the goal to widen the result. With this tie, the Paraguayan team breathes air but still pending the games from New Zealand and Slovakia into what is going to happen because both teams are not that easy. The bad news for Italy came about the early back injury of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who had to be substituted in the second half, substituting for Federico Marchetti. The rain and the cold weather froze both teams ability to create many different dangerous situation of goal, but it gave both teams lack of ideas. This game resulted in good tactical scheme from both teams and very well done job from both teams.

Both teams managed to play with an air ball at all times so they paid much attention to the direction of the ball. Overall, Italy couldn't penetrated much into the defense, which in most of the match very difficult to get through. The Italians centers were very well rejected by either the defense or Justo Villar. While Paraguay attacked more or less, which the Italian defense seemed rather weak but focused to not make the same mistake again. After the Italian goal, Paraguay had difficulty to recompose when it came to the defense and their offense.

Germany Demolished Australia

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Germany proved to the world that they are a firm candidate to win the 2010 FIFA World Cup with a crushing victory over Australia. Throughout the game, Australia played very smoothly until the last 30 minutes of the match with the expulsion of Tim Cahill. with this clear victory, Germany debuted the World Cup set the right foot and exhibited great soccer to the Australians and were effective to widen the score of 4 goals. Also, Germany is consolidated for now as the leader of Group D with 3 points alongside Ghana, who defeated Serbia 1 - 0 with a penalty kick executed by Gyan Asamoah. Lukas Podolski opened the score at the 8 minute and Miroslav Klose took advantage to widen the score of 2 - 0 with a fantastic header at the 26 minute.

In the second half, Germany's became more and more effective in their offensive with goals from Thomas Müller and Cacau. Australia fought for what they believed in and showed the best effort, even though of the crushing defeat. Captain Philipp Lahm, Mezut Ozil and Thomas Müller took advantage of the weak defense of the Australians, which showed a very erratic tactics and lack of concentration towards the Germans. Klose had a very good performance in the game but the only thing that lacked was that he missed more than one occassion to score a goal, but he gave great assists and effective passes that Australia's defense did not catch up to the expectations of the audience. With this convincing collective scheme, Germany demonstrated a great sense of control in the field even though it missed the absence of captain Michael Ballack.

With Germany's victory, this also demonstrated that the country is destined to go far in the World Cup and even has aspirations to win it so. If Germany defeats Serbia in the next game, they are surely in the round of 16, but it's not going to be easy because Serbia is a good collective team that gave many difficulties to Ghana to score.

Argentina's Sweet and Sour Victory

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Lionel Messi, F.C. Barcelona's striker and Diego Armando Maradona's key player, set in stone their World Cup hopes with a fantastic header from Argentine defender Gabriel Heinze. The goals was made in the 6 minute, held at the Ellis Park Stadium opening for Group B. Heinze's header, was made from a center corner kick from midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron, when Argentina was feeling very nervous about the rythm of the game. At the end, the hug at the end of the match between Messi and Maradona was seemed almost impossible to imagine because of the many criticisms towards Messi not having a good relationship with Maradona. In the end, Maradona was running around the field and congratulated all of their staff and players for their hard work.

This hard work is determined that even though Messi was not effective and did not score any goals, this shows to the world of Messi's abilities aside from the different tactics that is shown between F.C. Barcelona's exhibition as well as the Argentinian national team. What Messi lacked in the Argentina - Nigeria was the lack of Messi's scoring abilities, he missed several occassions to score but still the audience was in awe the fact that Messi facilitated his teammates to project into the offensive. Messi's explosivity in the offensive was extremely effective because it felt like a supercharged in Argentina's control of the game. The other player that lacked even more goals was Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain, Nigeria's defenders Joseph Yobo and Danny Shittu managed to not mark Higuain, which created several occassions to score. After the goal, Argentina changed tactics into keeping the game controlled and to remain with the score until an offensive vocation appeared.

Argentina's defender Jonas Gutierrez was very erratic in his game throughout the game, making the defense weak and to make Nigeria's players like Chinedu Obasi, Yakubu Ayegbeni and even defender Taye Taiwo to infiltrate easily in the Argentine's defense. Nigeria lacked the pefect shots on target because of Walter Samuel and Gabriel Heinze, Sani Kaita and Chidi Odiah couldn't equalize the game. This is the third straight victory over Nigeria in the World Cup, with victories in 1994 and 2002.

South Africa's First World Cup Beginning

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Rafael Marquez, Mexican defender for his country's national team, prevented his team from a damaged defeat from South Africa in achieving a dream dreamed, having scored the first goal in its debut of the World Cup. Marquez scored the 1 - 1 equalizer in the Inaugural Match of the 2010 South Africa FIFA World Cup. The greatest absence in the Opening Ceremony and the Opening match was ex-president Nelson Mandela who couldn't come due to a death of a family member. Mexico Pressured the local team and just by the second minute, they had clear possibilities to score as many as 6 goals, but the excellent performance of South Africa's goalkeeeper Itumeleng Khune soured the party to the Mexicans. little by little, South Africa faced his rival bravely and their offensive was more aggressive, leaving alot more counter attacks to the Mexicans.

Steven Pienaar, South Africa's midfielder, became the center of the team, recuperating many of the balls and assisting many of the centers to their strikers, making the African team more forward in their attacks. Both teams tried many shots on target from a long distance but the "Jabulani" couldn't be inside the net unfortunately. in the 55 minute, Siphiwe Tshabalala scored the first goal of the match and of the tournament, with a crossed shot entering the rival area from the left and leave the reaction to Mexican goalkeeper coldstone. With this goal, the South African team doubled their counter attacks and became more effective than the Mexican team, but then the local team was exposed from Mexico the leading responses of their counter attacks. In the 79 minute, Rafael Marquez beated the local goalkeeper Khune from a clear shot in the left zone from Mexico's captain Gerardo Torrado. The result of this match showed opposite reactions from both South Africa and the Mexican team respectively. With this match, South Africa has been undefeated for 8 months and 13 matches.

All Eyes on South Africa

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South Africa, the host nation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup for the first time in an African continent, will inaugurate the opening match that opens the competitive door to the World Cup. South Africa's biggest challenge always start on the first game facing second CONCACAF qualifier winner, Mexico. Over the years, Mexico is trying to prove the world its abilities and to exhibit fantastic soccer over the tournament this year. This Mexican team is filled with much ambition and hungry to make history to make it to the finals and win the World Cup. Both teams will do the impossible to mark a historic moment in their respective countries and to show the talent that millions of fans around the world are holding their sole attention of.

Both teams have one philosophy in common, with good preparation, the team has been undefeated but only two defeats for Mexico. To maintain a good campaign over the tournament, South African's national team coach Carlos Alberto Parreira will leave the same team that defeated Guatemala and Denmark in both victories in the last friendly international matches. Many of the South Africans were hoping that Tsepo Masilela as a left back will be in the starting lineup, but the coach was affirmed to not change the tactic and style. To Mexico, the doubts are certainly floating around in the air due that Mexico's national team coach Javier Aguirre is doubting the goalkeeper in the starting lineup. I give it to Guillermo Ochoa on this one because even though he has made a mistake he has been the starting goalkeeper since the last qualifying round for South Africa. I blame that if the goalkeeper is lacking skills, he needs the enough training and I think that Ochoa has the full attention even though he makes mistakes, we all can't be perfect.

South Africa's Final Countdown

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Thousands of South African fans turned the whole city of Jonnahesburg into a full party carnival in the streets, while dancing and screaming and sounding the "vuvuzelas" instruments of South African culture, the South African national soccer team were routing with their bus and started a frenzied party that will never stop. There was a multitude of people in hopes that South Africa will win the World Cup on July 11, will be the greatest thing the world has ever seen. Fans gathered around the Nelson Mandela national statue with much eupohoria as if the South African team have won the World Cup, too early to tell. Less than 30 hours until the ball will start to roll and to start a new edition of the World Cup, where Italy is defending their title.

Italy is not going to be easy for the italians, now there are other teams hungry with ambition in search for the title of World Champion. Fans around the world are going to root for their respective teams. But, as seen on the streets of Johannesburg, the environment is filled with excitement of what this World Cup will bring many surprises. The South African national soccer team saluted the people in their buses in expectance of their opening game against Mexico, one of the interesting matches in the tournament. With years in the making, the South African people has been crazed up with soccer and now counts the final hours in debuting their inaugural match.

Many are hoping that the national team will host successfully Africa's first World Cup that all they need to do is to pay close attention to rivals Mexico, France and Uruguay. Important figures like South African President Jacob Zuma hopes that the host will win the World Cup after what they country has went through over the past century.

Fernando Torres: The Resurrection of a Striker

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Fernando Torres, Spain's talented striker, scored in in the 6 - 0 victory over Poland in an international friendly match, marking his return to the field since his injury left him out for quite a while. This match was the last game before debuting against Switzerland in the beginning of the group H stage. Euro 2008 Champion suffered the injury of Andres Iniesta, in which he assisted into two goals with David Villa in minute 12 and two minutes later doing the assist to David Silva to score and opened a show for the Spanish audience that attended at the stadium. Iniesta had to leave the field due to an injury in one of his legs by the end of the first half, he left the field with the audience applauding his magnificent game exhibited yesterday. Real Madrid's Xabi Alonso scored in the beginning of the first half and then assisted Cesc Fábregas to score seven minutes later which marked his return due to an injury whith his respective team Arsenal.

The big news of the day that appeared was the reappearance of Fernando Torres to the field and he looked completely recuperated and ready for South Africa. Torres was absent for months and most people in Spain doubted his presence in South Africa leaving vacant his offensive to David Villa and Pedro Rodriguez. Torres scored at the 76 minute with a hard kick that hit the net as if it was like fire, then leaving Pedro Rodriguez to score at the 81 minute, marking his debuting goal in an international match with the Spain national team. With this result, Spain is already facing the critics that criticized the defense and its offensive vocation that it was failing in the past couple friendly games. Coach Vicente Del Bosque decided to let the main lineup players play against Poland to give a little bit of rythm into what they are trying to show the audience in terms of defensive and offensive strategy.

I predict that with this style that Spain is exhibiting with excellent and talented players, they will go through the final without a problem. Most of Spain's players are from Real Madrid and F.C. Barcelona, which makes most of these players one of the greatest teams in the past 20 years. There will be a final between Spain and Brazil not because of the FIFA rankings but with their abilities exhibited in their respective leagues.

Brazil Charges Its Offensive Ammo

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Ramires, explosive midfielder from Benfica of Portugal, scored his first two goals along with Robinho and Kaká's goals in the victory 5 - 1 over Tanzania. This international friendly match served as Brazil's last before the debut in the 2010 FIFA World Cup against North Korea on June 15. Robinho opened the score with a extraordinary kick inside the area in just 10 minutes of the game by Kaká's assist to Michel Bastos giving a magnificent center to the Brazilian striker. Ramires debuted his scoring two goals shown abilities in the Era of Dunga, the first was an individual game of the player in the minute 52 and with a fantastic header at the stoppage time. Kaká, Real Madrid's explosive midfielder, managed to score at the 76 minute, in which he managed to control most of the attack and with a good "joga bonito" exhibited scored with much facility.

Brazil started with most of the players that begun as the starting lineup, with the exception of Julio Cesar because in the last game he was injured in his back so he needed rest to stay in Johannesburg to rehabilitate. Dunga's players improved their offensive vocation with a Kaká more attentive and very supportive of its defenders to go up and a Robinho with much opportunities to score due to Tanzania's weak defense. Nevertheless, Brazil had defensive problems as well, they were erratic at moments and lacking any offensive strategy in the field, making the Tanzania offensive seemed a bit stronger and with much opportunity to score. Felipe Melo failed terribly, but at times goalkeeper Gomes corrected those errors by not letting the local team score. Due to the fact that the defense committed several errors, much work was to be done with the strikers that with their quality of cracks, they managed to widen the score successfully.

Brazil can now breathe because in yesterday's game that I saw in the Portuguese channel, Kaká managed to be on the field for the whole match. With this, Kaká has played much better than in the other days with Brazil with the assist of the first goal and scoring the last goal of the match. With this defeat, many of the critics are proven wrong by Dunga, even though he faced many criticisms about the offensive attacks of the team, in that there are more defenders than strikers.

Brazil will manage to win the group G stage along with Portugal, but we can also acknowledge that the Ivory Coast and North Korea are two competitive teams willing go through the next stage, crushing and embarrass Portugal in what will be disastrous for the team CR9 will face.

Argentina in South Africa

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Throughout the Argentina's national team training session coverage in South Africa, more than 5,000 people were present to be the most attractive training. Argentina pleased the crowd by showing their players' skills on how to handle the ball as it should, and boy they showed many goals for the many fans that attended. The game featured all players set into two teams but with the mix of youth and experience that lead with a tie of 3 - 3 in just 40 minutes of game playing. Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria scored for the "orange" team, while Mario Bolatti, Diego Milito and Ariel Garce scored for the "blue" team. Many of the fans screamed coach Diego Armando Maradona's name, upping the team morale into making a good participation in the World Cup facing Nigeria, South Korea and Greece.

While Maradona is already planning on who is going to be on the starting lineup for Saturday's game against Nigeria, but as it seems with the central defenders Martin Demichelis and Walter Samuel, both great defensive walls that have been successful in both Bayern Munich and Internazionale respectively leaving Clemente Rodriguez and Gabriel Heinze as both right backs and left backs defenders in order to create the attack from the back. During the practice session Maradona mixed with Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi as the three responsibles for Argentina's offensive attackers. All three players played with well intensity, without selfishness from either player, that is the way Argentina should put up with during the tournament with enough communication from the defenders to the strikers. Maradona mixed players with the offensive enough against the defenders strong enough to keep off counter attacks and air balls that Europeans and Asians play with much getting ready for the debut against Nigeria on June 12. Maradona has already studied how Nigeria moves, due to the international friendly match the other day between Nigeria and North Korea in a 3 - 1 victory over the Africans.

Nigeria has been having defensive problems, with that Argentina has already acknowledge the flaw with the intention of Nigeria to fix those problems by putting the players in different positions now that John Obi Mikel is out of the World Cup.

Argentina needs to study not only Nigeria, but South Korea and Greece, in being these two as a surprise for group B.