SOUTH KOREA EDGE THROUGH AS NIGERIA AND GREECE EXIT EARLY

South Korea scraped a draw with Nigeria in a tense Group B finale to progress with Argentina and set up a last sixteen tie against Uruguay.

The Asian outfit haven't found scoring a problem in this tournament which perhaps gave them the confidence to bounce back after an early defensive lapse allowed Kala Uche to get in ahead of Cha Du-Ri and fire home from eight yards.

The early goal put Nigeria firmly in the hunt for a last sixteen berth despite having lost their opening two games. However it wasn't long until the group swung back in favour of the Koreans when a glorious free kick was delivered perfectly between defence and 'keeper towards the back post for Lee Jung-Soo to somewhat fortuitously divert the ball home with his foot after initially attempting to head the ball.

A draw would have been enough for South Korea providing Greece did not beat Argentina, which was looking increasingly unlikely after a first half of little action from the surprisingly defensive Greeks.

In the second half the Koreans again opened up their opponents from a set piece as Park Chu-Young wrong-footed the Nigerian goalkeeper to curl the ball inside the far post and give his side the lead.

Everton striker Yakubu had the perfect opportunity to level the scores but managed to send the ball wide of an open goal from just six yards out, before eventually levelling from the penalty spot just minutes later.

Nigeria went in pursuit of the one goal they needed to progress and dump South Korea out of the tournament. By this stage Greece were well out of the running as their utter refusal to attack cost them dear as they quickly conceded two goals too say goodbye to the World Cup for another four years.

Nigeria came within inches of stealing the tie when Obafemi Martins' dinked effort beat the keeper but rolled wide of the post before Victor Obinna's long range effort crept agonisingly wide.

A draw proved to be enough for South Korea who will face the impressive Uruguay in the next round while group winners Argentina will play an unpredictable Mexico side in a repeat of their second round clash four years ago which Argentina won 2-1 after extra time.

WORLD CUP LATEST LAST SIXTEEN PREDICTIONS

Before the tournament started your two dedicated bloggers from World Cup Latest set about predicting the outcome of the entire tournament. Now this is no easy task as I'm sure many of you are well aware but for Euro 2008 both of us managed to correctly predict three of the four semi finalists, so we've got previous.

With the group stages about to drwa to a close we've decided to share our predictions so you can see how close, or how far, we are from the mark.

Group A vs Group B

David's Predictions
Uruguay vs Nigeria
Argentina vs France

Charlie's Predictions
Mexico v South Korea
Argentina v France

No major surprises here. Both of us favoured France to come through as runners-up in their group and face a serious test aginst Group B winners Argentina in the second round. At the start of the tournament that was considered an upset but with the turmoil currently surrounding the French side you wouldn't find many people backing them to beat South Africa tonight.

However, we differ wildly on the other tie that will result from this group, but are both in with a chance of getting it right. Nigeria, the only African side I backed to get through the groups, have been short of form and a devestating loss to Greece means only victory over the impressive South Korea will give them any hope of qualifying for the next round.

With Charlie backing Mexico to top the group he'll be hoping they can get a win against current Group A leaders Uruguay tonight, but this all South American clash will be a tight affair with bost sides aware that they will be in with a real shot of a quarter final place should they top the group.

Tommorrow; England, America, Germany et al.

WORLD CUP-LATEST PREDICTIONS FOR TUESDAY 22 JUNE

WORLD CUP PREDICTIONS FOR TODAY'S GAMES:

Mexico 1-0 Uruguay

Mexico have been highly impressive so far and are gaining confidence. Winning Group A will in all likelihood mean avoiding Argentina in the last sixteen. A big incentive.

France 1-2 South Africa

The hosts will finish with a win against the team whose spirit has broken irreparably, but it won't be enough to stop them being the first host nation not to qualify from their group.

Nigeria 2-2 South Korea

Nigeria are in that unusual situation of having lost two games but still being in with a chance of getting through. South Korea are in pole position to reach the second round though - a win for them would guarantee progress.

Greece 1-3 Argentina

Maradona's men will finish their group with three wins, opening the door for the winners of the other game to progress.

SOUTH AFRICA ON BORROWED TIME AFTER URUGUAY DEFEAT

South Africa are facing the very real possibility of an early exit from the World Cup Finals after a dismal display against Uruguay on Wednesday night.

The South Americans were the better team for much of the game, restricting the hosts to nothing more than hopeful long shots.

Diego Forlan gave his side a one-nil half time lead with a dipping effort that took the slightest of deflections off of a South Africa captain Aaron Mokoena.

Forlan doubled the lead with a penalty in the second half as Bafana Bafana 'keeper Itumeleng Khune was sent off for a foul on Luis Suarez before Alvaro Pereira wrapped up the win with a third goal deep into injury time.

The hosts now face the daunting prospect of needing a win against former World Champions France in their final group game to stand any chance of progress. The hosts will be hoping for a draw in France and Mexico's second group game tomorrow knowing that that gives them the most likely route to progress. In that event the Mexicans would have to beat Group leaders Uruguay in their final game to secure a place in the knockout stages while France would also have to chase victory against South Africa.

If South Africa do fail to progress they will be the first host nation ever to fail to get through the group stages of the tournament. It may also adversely effect the rest of the tournament with the party atmosphere sure to dampen should the hosts head home early.

The noise levels inside the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria fell dramatically with each Uruguay goal and fans were streaming for the exits as their side fell two goals behind. A chorus of 'boos' replaced the seemingly unstoppable choir of Vuvuzelas as Khune received his marching orders from the referee, but the fans will now have to get behind their team for them to stand any chance of beating France next Tuesday.

For Uruguay however the first task is almost complete. A draw against Mexico in their final game will be enough for them to advance to the round of sixteen but Diego Forlan and his team will undoubtedly want to go through as group winners and show the world they are a force to be reckoned with.

FRANCE FAIL TO BEAT TEN MAN URUGUAY

France were unable to take an advantage in Group A as they failed to beat ten man Uruguay in their opening game of the tournament.

The uninspiring fixture, described as "truly awful" by a BBC match report, saw second half Uruguay substitute Lodeiro given his marching orders for a disgraceful tackle on Bacary Sagna.

France came close to scoring early on but Sidney Govou was unable to direct Franck Ribery's cross towards goal.

Diego Forlan carved out Uruguay's best chance of the match but the Atletico Madrid striker was unable to beat French 'keeper Hugo Lloris.

HOSTS HELD TO DRAW IN OPENING GAME

Hosts South Africa secured a 1-1 draw with Mexico as the 2010 World Cup got underway.

Simphiwe Tshabalala latched on to a perfectly weighted throughball to fire home a glorious strike right into the top corner of the goal.

Mexico pegged the hosts back in the 79th minute when Rafael Marquez caught the South African's defence sleeping, and despite an unconvincing finish the game was level.

Both sides had their chances to win and whilst the game was far from a classic it was an encouraging performance for the underdog hosts.