LAST SIXTEEN REVIEW

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 South Koreans 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

Simão | MySpace Video

PLAYER OF THE ROUND

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.

WORLD CUP-LATEST PREDICTIONS WEDNESDAY 23 JUNE

WORLD CUP PREDICTIONS FOR TODAY'S GAMES:

Slovenia 0-2 England

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.

WORLD CUP-LATEST PREDICTIONS SATURDAY 19 JUNE

WORLD CUP PREDICTIONS FOR TODAY'S GAMES:

Holland 1-0 Japan

I expect the Dutch to confirm their progress with a win in this one, although Japan will not lie down.

Ghana 3-2 Australia

Ghana are fast becoming Africa's best hope in this World Cup, and they'll have just too much for Australia in a game of goals.

Cameroon 2-0 Denmark

Cameroon need to win this one and hope that the Dutch beat Japan. They'll then need to get something out of their clash with Holland next Thursday and hope that Denmark beat Japan. Complicated? Let's stick with today's game; Cameroon to win.

GROUP D BLOWN WIDE OPEN WITH SERBIA VICTORY

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.

FIRST PENALTY GIVES AFRICA FIRST WIN

A late penalty converted by Asamoah Gyan gave Ghana a narrow victory over Serbia in the opening match of Group D.

The penalty was correctly awarded for a handball by Serbian midfielder Zdravko Kuzmanovic and is the first of the 2010 World Cup. Ghana's victory is also the first victory for an African nation at this World Cup, the first to take place on African soil.

Ghana had showed more enterprise during the game and deserved to take the three points. Serbia finished the match with ten men following the dismissal of Aleksander Lukovic for a second bookable offence ten minutes before the penalty.

WORLD CUP-LATEST PREDICTIONS, SUNDAY 13 JUNE

Predictions for today's World Cup games:

Algeria 2-1 Slovenia

The extra support for the African nation should give them the lift them need.

Serbia 2-0 Ghana

My tip to win the group, I'm expecting a good start from them today.

Australia 1-1 Germany

I can see the Germans struggling here. Australia will run all day and have enough to take a point from this opening match.