I've never liked this match or really seen the point of it. FIFA like to have their "top four" anyway. Let's get it over with and let the poor players go home.
Germany v Spain Simply mouthwatering. I expect a classic match, and I also expect nobody in the world to agree with my prediction.
MATCH PREDICTION: Germany 2-2 Spain.
It'll be 1-1 at 90 minutes. Germany will take the lead and Spain will hit back late. Perhaps Torres after coming on. After extra-time it'll be 2-2. Spain will take the lead but the Germans will save the day and send the game to the drama of penalties. And then - Spain will win.
Brazil stated their claim for a sixth World Cup as they cruised past the fancied Chileans and into the quarter-finals with a 3-0 win.
The Samba Kings put their South American cousins to the sword with three top quality goals while their other near neighbours Argentina also impressed with a 3-1 demolition of Mexico.
Elsewhere England were taken apart, in typically efficient style, by the old enemy and Uruguay sent the SouthKoreans packing thanks mostly to Luis Suarez, while Ghana kept African dreams alive. Japan departed by the most painful method of all - penalties - while Spain and the Netherlands did just enough to progress.
PERFORMANCE OF THE ROUND Germany 4- 1 England
It was billed as the tie of the round and for one set of fans it fulfilled all expectations as Germany destroyed England with a devastating 4-1 victory. SHOCK OF THE ROUND Lampard's goal that never was.
Germany started much the brighter and with assistance from a woeful English defence raced into a two goal lead. However after pulling one back through the head of Matthew Upson it appeared the Three Lions had clawed themselves back into the game when a looping effort from Frank Lampard clipped the bar and bounced at least six feet over the goal line before heading back up, hitting the bar and bouncing back down on the line.
Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer then showed everyone his uncanny Roy Carroll impression, grabbing the ball and launching it up field, more in hope than expectation, and suddenly the English players, fans and commentators realized the Uruguayan officials had failed to spot a certain goal. Lampard was gutted, Rooney was stunned and England never recovered. For Germany it was some long awaited sweet revenge for '66.
On the line? You cannot be serious!
GOAL OF THE ROUND
"...he's got an angle HEERRRE!"
South Korea had battled their way back into the game after Luis Suarez opportunistic eighth minute opener for Uruguay and were more than deserving of taking the South Americans into extra time.
However it wasn't to be for the Asian side as that man Suarez showed just why he scored 49 goals for Ajax last season. Picking up the ball at the side of the box he uses his quick feet to work a yard of space knocking the ball back towards the edge of the area before wrapping his foot around the ball and curling it a good mile around the despairing 'keeper and in off the post. Glorious. Uruguay 2-1 South Korea
Asamoah Gyan, Ghana Perhaps something of a controversial choice but the Ghanaian's third goal of the tournament against the USA sent the whole of Africa into wild celebrations and his outstanding effort in the lone striker role was essentially what pulled Ghana into the quarter finals.
He ran tirelessly and never shirked a tackle against the big American backline even after getting kicked in the chest. While all and sundry were expecting the Americans to finally break African hearts as the game went into extra time, Gyan continued to chase every ball before finally getting his reward when he latched onto a hopeful long ball and fired past the on-rushing Tim Howard. Great effort, great finish, great performance.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger's showing Gareth Barry and Frank Lampard how to marshal the midfield, David Villa putting Torres in his place after being left in the shade at Euro 2008 and finally the Brazilians, who just make it look oh so easy.
The tie of the Second Round - so much history bound up with this one. One of these two previous winners must bow out in Blomfontein today. Neither had a smooth ride through the group stage, and both have injury problems. Nobody could predict this one with great certainty.
For me now - and from here on in - it's about a feeling in the gut. Something is telling me this may not be a classic, and not quite as close as form and history suggests it should be.
MATCH PREDICTION: Germany 0-2 England
Argentina v Mexico
This is a repeat of the second round clash four years ago which Argentina won 2-1 after extra time. Following the 2006 World Cup in Germany I thought for a long time that Argentina would win this next one in SouthAfrica. My doubts started when Maradona became the coach. I am convinced that this generation of Argentinian players will have their day in the sun and win a World Cup, I'm just not sure it's going to be here in South Africa under 'Diego'. This is the best Mexico side I can remember. They will get at a suspect Argentinian defence, and there'll be goals in this one. MATCH PREDICTION: Argentina 2-2 Mexico Mexico will break Maradona's heart by progressing on penalties.
It's hard to imagine that England will not improve on last Friday's dismal display, but their problem will be that Slovenia only need a draw and will set up to frustrate the Three Lions. England will scrape over the line though.
USA 0-0 Algeria
Algeria know that victory would give them a chance of going through. I expect a tight start, but the game will open up. Both sides to end frustrated though, and the scoresheet blank.
Ghana 1-1 Germany
Africa's hopes are now largely resting on Ghana's shoulders, and they won't disappoint. A point here will take them through, Germany will scrape through too.
Australia 1-0 Serbia
The Aussies will finish with a win but it won't be enough to save their World Cup.
Serbia's 1-0 win over Germany has blown their group wide open as the World Cup provides another shock.
After Switzerland's stunning win against Spain and Mexico's deserved victory over France the World Cup has given us possibly the biggest shock so far with this result.
Germany not only lost their first group game since the 1982 World Cup but also missed a penalty, something they are renowned for being experts in.
Germany started well in their second game of the tournament giving their opponents no time to settle on the ball and creating some early opportunities.
However their gameplan was blown apart when Miroslav Klose was given two harsh yellow cards and promptly recieved his marching orders in the 37th minute of the game. The Serbians wasted no time in making their advantage pay, scoring what would prove to be the winning goal just sixty seconds after the dismissal.
A good run and cross down the right flank from Milos Krasic picked out Nikola Zigic backing away towards the back post and the lanky striker's header down was the perfect setup for Milan Jovanovic to control on the chest and fire home from five yards.
Much to their credit the Germans continued to chase the game with Sami Khedira smashing the ball against the crossbar just before half-time.
In the second half Lukas Podolski looked the man most likely for Germany, going close with numerous attempts before being given a golden opportunity to level the scores from the spot.
The picky Spanish referee was criticised for his poor officiating for much of the game but no one could argue with this decision as Nemanja Vidic inexplicably handled the ball in a presssure-less situation.
However the three time winners failed to punish the opposition with Vladimir Stojkovic getting down quickly to Podolski's weak effort.
Serbia could have sealed the game twice when first Jovanovic hit the post and then Zigic clipped the bar with a free header.
Germany were unable to break down the Serbian back line and a win for Australia against Ghana this afternoon would make this the most open group of the tournament.
Serbia 1-0 Germany The Germans have a very poor record against sides from Eastern Europe and Serbia have all to play for after defeat in their opening game.
Slovenia 1-0 USA
Buoyed by the win over Algeria, Slovenia can book their place in the last 16 with a win today.
England 2-0 Algeria
Jittery England will make their fans sweat but scrape the win they desperately need. I think.. Either that or another draw.
So with just twenty minutes or so left until South Africa play their second game of the tournament we have little time left to reflect on the opening round of fixtures, although maybe we shouldn't look back for too long.
It's not much to look at after all, most of the talk has been about the lack of action and excitement. With just two games containing more than two goals and Germany the only team to bag more than a brace, the competition has been somewhat bereft of world class football.
Some blame the ball, some blame the altitude, most blame the Vuvuzelas. But as far as I can see it's been a case of the big boys not playing well and the underdogs giving all they've got. The biggest surprise undoubtedly came in the final match of the first round of fixtures as GelsonFernandes converted the ugliest goal in World Cup history to help his Swiss friends secure a shock victory over bookies favourites Spain.
However the series of results has provided one of the most open World Cups in recent history with nobody written off as possible qualifiers for the last sixteen. In fact underdogs such as South Korea, Slovenia and Japan could secure qualification for the knockout stages with victory in their second games. While lowly New Zealand and North Korea put up spirited performances against Slovakia and Brazil respectively to prove there are no easy games at the World Cup.
Perhaps there's one thing that we always fail to remember about football; It's totally unpredictable. But we'll never stop trying to predict it.
Tim Cahill became the third player of the day to be sent off in South Africa as his Australia side fell to a crushing four-nil defeat against Germany.
Australia started brightly and created a chance to go ahead in the opening minute of the game but it wasn't long before the Germans took control.
Lukasz Podolski gave Germany the lead in just the eighth minute of the match with a thunderbolt from the edge of the area that proved too hot to handle for Fulham 'keeper Mark Schwarzer.
From then on the three time champions didn't look back, slicing open their opponents defence with ease to create a number of opportunities. The Socceroos were given a reprive when Miroslav Klose fired high and wide from ten yards out. However the Bayern Munich striker made no mistake just minutes later, darting between defender and goalkeeper to get his head to Phillip Lahm's pinpoint cross and double the lead.
Australia made all the right changes at half time in an attempt to turn the game around as they brought on a natural striker to allow Tim Cahill to drop into a deeper role. However all of Australia manager Pim Verbeek's good intentions went to waste when Cahill was harshly punished for a strong tackle on Bastian Schweinsteiger just before the hour. The Everton man was sent off by the Mexican referee who had had a faultless game up until that decision.
It was effectively game over as Australia's talisman left the pitch, and it could be tournament over for the boys from down under with Cahill forced to sit out their next game. True to form the efficent Germans remained ruthless as first Thomas Mueller, and then Brazilian born substitue Cacau compounded the Aussies misery by making it four-nil with over twenty minutes left.
With the game well and truly over the Aussies showed real spirit to battle on and almost salvaged some pride when substitue Nikita Rukavytsya forced the German 'keeper into a decent save, but it will take real determination for the Aussies to find a way through the group stages after such a bruising defeat.
Germany coach Joachim Löw has bemoaned the lack of time he has with his squad in the build up to this summer's World Cup.
In an interview with BILD magazine the national team boss has revealed his disappointment at the lack of friendly preparation. A situation that has meant he hasn't been able to see as many players action as he would've liked.
"I find it alarming that from November to May we only have one friendly. And that before a World Cup! For example, I would have liked to see [Bayern defender] Holger Badstuber for us. But that has unfortunately not been possible." said Löw.
Despite the lack of preparation the Germany boss remains confident for his teams chances in South Africa.
"I say it like this: I have no concerns, but the situation is serious. As we said, our priority now must be to bring the players back into top form in a short space of time."
Germany have won the showpiece tournament on three previous occasions and reached the semi-finals in 2006, when they hosted the tournament.
The announcement of the latest FIFA/Coca Cola World Rankings has seen European Champions Spain retain top spot ahead of Brazil and the Netherlands.
The top three remain unchanged for the fifth successive month, since November 2009, but the rest of the top ten saw some considerable action this month.
Former World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo has seen his Portugal side move up two places to fourth at the expense of defending World Champions Italy and three-time winners Germany who both drop a place to fifth and sixth respectively.
Meanwhile Fabio Capello's England climbed the rankings for the second successive month as they jumped one place to seventh with France dropping down to eighth.
Croatia re-entered the top ten just behind Argentina who are unmoved in ninth, while Australia have now broken into the top twenty after moving up four places to 19th.
This summer's hosts South Africa, have fallen seven places to 88th.
This month's biggest gainers were Senegal who climbed an impressive 22 places to 72nd whilst the biggest losers were Guam who fell 14 places to 196.
