World Cup round up

So it’s proving difficult to keep up with three games a day at this World Cup. Here’s a roundup of the last two days.

Honduras 0 Chile 1

Chile play an attack minded game under Marcelo Bielsa, and managed to squeak a win through a goal from Beausejour. The game was notable for a brilliant point blank save from Honduras goalkeeper Noel Valladares.

Spain 0 Switzerland 1

We had been waiting all week for Spain to ignite the competition but instead it was Switzerland who ignited their own chances with an excellent defensive display.

However, neat though their passing was, Spain played too narrowly and allowed the Swiss to concentrate almost entirely on clogging up the middle.

When del Bosque finally sent on Navas, Spain found that their crosses were met with a blanket of white shirts. Torres also looked off the pace, and Spain now have their work cut out – no team has lost their first game and won the world cup.

South Africa 0 Uruguay 3

Fears of another dull Uruguay display proved unfounded as the exposed the host’s limitations. Forlan especially was outstanding, scoring two goals and causing all manner of other problems.

South Africa weren’t helped by the harsh sending off of goalkeeper Khune – it was a penalty, but Luis Suarez made a seven course meal out of it, and the ball was heading away from goal.

Argentina 4 South Korea 1

Argentina had too much fire power for South Korea, Gonzalo Higuain scoring a hattrick. Suddenly the world has realised that the best thing Maradona has going for him is that the players are behind him in a way that they are not for, say, Raymond Domenech.

There is a hint of frailty at the back for Argentina – Demichelis’ blunder lead to the Korean goal, and there are now question marks over the fitness of Walter Samuel. Whichever way things go, it will be exciting.

Nigeria 1 Greece 2

A moment of madness from Kaita cost Nigeria the game and possibly a place in the next round. Having taken the lead from one of those free kicks that misses everyone and goes in, Nigeria looked comfortable against an utterly insipid Greek side.

After Kaita had kicked out at Vasileios Torosidis after the ball and both players had left the field of play. It was utterly unprovoked and rightly Kaita pulled his shirt over his face in shame as he left the pitch. Torosidis would later score the winning goal after Vincent Enyeama had spilled a long range shot.

Despite that blunder, Enyeama was still the man of the match after another string of fine saves, and it could be that he has kept Nigeria in with a chance.

Should Nigeria beat South Korea and, as expected, Argentina beat Greece, the Super Eagles would still qualify on goal difference with all three teams level on three points. Group B just got fascinating.

France 0 Mexico 2

The French resisted in the manner of an intimidated hedgehog and were no match for Mexico’s stylish passing and attacking verve. As Raymond Domenech, surely Liverpool manager in waiting, stood and watched his team disintegrating before his eyes, it was not hard to see where the blame should lie. He should have been removed after Euro 2008.

But the French players looked disinterested and unfocused making it plain for all to see that the squad was fractured. Laurent Blanc will have a tough task on his hands.

Mexico meanwhile looked good, and will go head to head with Uruguay to win Group A. The losers will face Argentina in the last 16, and I hope it will be the Uruguayans – that’s a grudge match I would love to see at the World Cup.