CLASSIC EURO ENCOUNTERS

Portugal v England 2004, Quarter-Final (Lisbon)

WORLD CUP-LATEST PREDICTIONS FRIDAY 25 JULY

WORLD CUP PREDICTIONS FOR TODAY'S GAMES:

Portugal 1-1 Brazil

Brazil will want to top Group G and even though they will probably rest some players, there won't be any slip-ups here. A draw will satisfy both teams' requirements, and therefore it's a logical outcome.

North Korea 2-2 Ivory Coast

I always expected the North Koreans to get a point somewhere, and this is their last chance. Apparently their footware was the problem against Portugal, which is a shame because their spirited display against Brazil should be an abiding memory of this World Cup. An entertaining draw to end with here.

Chile 1-1 Spain

Spain are going to have a hell of a scare today but my gut tells me they will sneak through. The other result will go their way and get them off the hook. Group H on this last day has 'squeaky bum time' written all over it.

Switzerland 0-1 Honduras

The Central American outfit are too good to exit this tournament with nothing and will win here, causing the Swiss much anguish at a failed opportunity when they see the result in the other game.

PORTUGAL FIND THEIR FORM TO PUT SEVEN PAST NORTH KOREA

A rampant Portugal side dispatched North Korea from the World Cup with a ruthless second half display this afternoon.

Carlos Queiroz's men led by just one goal at half time as the plucky North Koreans did their best to take something from the fixture.

After the interval Portugal looked like a changed side and Cristiano Ronaldo finally found some space to make things happen.

Portugal got their second in the 53rd minute and that was the signal for the floodgates to not just open, but collapse, as the Koreans shipped a further five goals on their way out of the tournament.

After the Ivory Coast's loss to Brazil last night Portugal were well aware their qualification from the group could come down to goal difference and that showed in the second half of the game.

Despite the Europeans taking a 23rd minute lead through Raul Meireles, North Korea put in an impressive effort, forcing Portugese 'keeper Eduardo into a couple of good stops.

However after the break every changed with the North Koreans appearing unable to continue their tiring running to chase the ball down that gave them such a respectable start to the tournament against Brazil.

Two goals in three minutes from Simao and Hugo Almeida put the game beyond the Koreans with less than an hour played. When former Chelsea midfielder Tiago added a fourth on the hour mark fans were left wandering how many.

Cristiano Ronaldo hit the crossbar with a magnificent effort before substitue Liedson capitalised on a defence error to fire home with his first touch of the game. Ronaldo finally got his goal two minutes from time after a fortunate deflection off his own head allowed him to tap into an empty net and Tiago grabbed his second to complete the rout just 60 seconds later.

With a nine goal and three point advantage over Ivory Coast it will take a stunning turn of events in the last round of group games for Portugal not to qualify for the last sixteen but when you're playing Brazil, anything can happen.

KAKA CONTROVERSY MARS SAMBA KINGS VICTORY

Brazil's qualification for the knockout stages was cast under a dark cloud as Kaka was controversially sent off late on in their 3-1 victory over the Ivroy Coast.

Luis Fabiano opened the scoring in the first half with a fantastic finish from a tight angle, powerfully finding the top corner after latching onto Kaka's through ball.

The first moment of controversy came with Fabiano's second when he twice appeared to handle the ball in the build up to what was otherwise a sublime individual goal.

Brazil added a third when Kaka again supplied a perfect ball for Elano to tap home, Didier Drogba then pulled one back for the African side before the Brazilian playmaker was controversially sent off for a second bookable offence.

A good performance from the five times World Champions saw them cruise past Sven-Goran Eriksson's Ivory Coast side without ever having to find top gear. However two classy goals from Luis Fabiano and a tap in from Elano are simply the side story to the most controversial moment of the tournament so far.

After receiving a first yellow card for a petty argument with Barcelona star Yaya Toure over a disputed free-kick, just three minutes later Kaka was shown a second yellow and a red one to go with it. An off-the-ball incident picked up by none of the commentators on TV or radio had left substitute Kader Keita on the ground and sparked a furious reaction from his teammates.

With Kaka appearing to flee the scene of the crime the attentions turned to the TV replays as the officials attempted to restore order on the pitch. Replays showed Kaka had, perhaps intentionally, blocked off Keita's run but the minimal contact brought out an exceptional reaction from the winger.

Whilst Keita writhed in 'agony', clutching his face and rolling on the floor, the referee, despite not seeing the incident, decided Kaka was to blame and duly trotted across the pitch to give the Real Madrid star his marching orders.

The incident reeks of irony for Brazil and those who can remember as far back as the 2002 World Cup will remember why. Rivaldo's disgraceful theatrics when a ball was kicked at him with a little extra sauce in a match against Turkey saw his opponents undeservedly reduced to ten men as the shocked Hakan Unsal was sent from the pitch.

Rivaldo was clearly struck on the knee and yet threw himself to the floor clutching his face. The Brazilian legend was fined for his actions but refused to apologize, saying, "I'm calm about the punishment, and I am not sorry about anything. I was both the victim and the person who got fined."

Ironically for the Ivory Coast Keita's theatrics mean that their qualification rivals Portugal will face a notably weakened Brazil side at arguably the most crucial stage of the tournament.


Rivaldo's dive against Turkey. (2002 World Cup)

WORLD CUP-LATEST PREDICTIONS TUESDAY JUNE 15

WORLD CUP-LATEST PREDICTIONS FOR TODAY'S GAMES:

New Zealand 1-4 Slovakia

Goals will in abundance in this one, and Slovakia will get their campaign off to a flyer.

Ivory Coast 3-1 Portugal

This is a fascinating one, and I think both teams will go for broke. They both know Brazil await them, so yes, they could play out a bore draw but an early goal will set the scene for an entertaining game. The tournament needs another big performance from an African team and I think it'll happen here.

Brazil 1-1 North Korea

OK, at least you can't accuse us of making boring predictions! I just have a feeling in the old bones about this one. The easiest games on paper can often be the hardest ones on the pitch. North Korea to get the world talking with no mention of Great Leaders or nuclear arms.

NANI OUT AS WORLD CUP CURSE STRIKES AGAIN

Manchester United and Portugal winger Nani is the latest player to fall victim to an emerging World Cup curse, after being ruled out of the showpiece event.

Portugal confirmed the news in a team statement saying, "After tests we conclude he is unfit to participate in the World Cup."

The 23 year-old suffered a shoulder injury in training on Friday and tests have confirmed he will not be fit for the tournament.

England skipper Rio Ferdinand has already been ruled out of the World Cup while Côte d'Ivoire captain Didier Drogba is touch and go after suffering a broken arm in a warm-up game against Japan. The African nations have suffered badly with injuries with Drogba's club mates John Obi Mikel and Michael Essien having been ruled out of action for Nigeria and Ghana respectively.

The fitness of Dutch winger Arjen Robben remains a major concern for Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk after the Bayern Munich winger limped out of his side's 6-1 win over Hungary last week.

However it is better news for Honduras midfielder Wilson Palacios who has been passed fit to play, as has Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar. Initial fears that both would be unable to make the tournament have proven unfounded.

PLAYER FOCUS: ROBINHO

Without a doubt one of the most naturally gifted Brazilian goalscorers of his generation, Róbson de Souza, known to his friends as Robinho, has never been far from the headlines.

At the age of just 15 he was singled out by none other than Pele himself as the successor to the great man's crown. A heavy burden to carry you might think, but Robinho was to take it all in his stride. At the age of just 17 the youngster led his hometown team, Santos, to their first league title since Pele himself wore the Santos shirt some twenty years previous.

Some 60 goals and another league title later and Europe's elite started to take notice of the emerging star. It was that most illustrious of clubs that eventually secured a deal, Spanish giants Real Madrid. A fee of 24 million Euros took the twenty-year-old to Spain and kick-started another chapter in his career.

A tumultuous time of injuries and disagreements saw Robinho's first team appearances restricted at Real and, despite his talent, it was clear that after three seasons in Spain his future lay elsewhere.

With Chelsea the expected destination a summer of transfer shenanigans took place in 2008 with the London club keen to get a good deal on a player that Real wanted to sell. With the deal expected to go down until deadline day 'The Blues' were prepared to bide their time; it turned out that the Brazilian, however, was not.

Meanwhile in Manchester, the Citizens were keen on signing a striker to demonstrate their new found wealth and announce themselves on the world stage. Their target was Tottenham forward Dimitar Berbatov, but when neighbours Manchester United poached the Bulgarian from under their noses the City executives frantically scoured the globe for a fitting alternative.

Within minutes a deal was done to sign Robinho and with Chelsea caught on their heels Robinho duly made his desired move to England and became the most expensive player in British football, at a cost of £32.5million.

As if it were fate his debut came against none other than Chelsea. The Brazilian didn't disappoint as he curled home a free-kick to put the Citizens ahead. The Londoners ran out eventual winners but Robinho had done his job and showcased his ability to the Premier League.

However, just like at Madrid, it would once again turn sour. An influx of strikers at Eastlands saw a stuttering Robinho drop down the pecking order and, what with it being a World Cup year, the inevitable happened, he left.

In search of first team football to enhance his international chances he returned on loan to his boyhood club, Santos. The twenty-six-year-old once again announced himself in style, scoring a backheel goal late in his debut against Sáo Pauloto secure a tense victory for the Peixe.

This summer Robinho will be looking to add to his 71 caps and will have to be on top form to help his country through the Group of Death that contains Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal and Didier Drogba's Ivory Coast side, along with minnows North Korea.

All you can say is that when the pressure is on, Robinho tends to deliver.


Apologies for the poor video quality

SPAIN TOP RANKINGS AS ENGLAND CLIMB AGAIN

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.

Full FIFA World Rankings here.