Wednesday 14th June
Heartbreak for Poland
A brave defensive performance by Poland nearly paid off, but there was just too much time. Boruc started his heroics in the 9th minute when he got down superbly to block a shot from Klose. Boruc was beaten in the 21st minute, but Klose's close-range header found the wrong side of the post. Ten minutes before the half, Podolski turned and got a shot on target, but the Polish keeper was well positioned. On the stroke of half time Podolski side-footed the ball past the keeper and the Polish post. A free-kick in the 64th minute was blocked and fell to Klose whose low hard shot was saved magnificently by Boruc. Poland were reduced to 10 men in the 75th minute after Sobolewski received his marching orders for a second yellow card offence. With about 10 minutes remaining Boruc pulled off 2 miraculous saves from Lahm and Nueville within a minute of each other to keep Poland's hopes alive. Poland must have thought luck was on their side when Klose headed the ball against the bar and Ballack amazingly struck the same spot from the rebound, but in stoppage time Nueville slid in to convert a low cross by Odonkor and break Polish hearts amid German celebrations. (Germany 1 Poland 0)

Thursday 15th June

Ecuador cruise through
A victory for Ecuador took them and hosts Germany to the next round. Tenorio swooped in to head in an early goal for Ecuador in the 8th minute. A cross was deflected and became goal bound, but the Costa Rican keeper dived back and kept the ball out. On the stroke of half time Delgado failed to connect to a low cross and Ecuador ended the first half leading by a single goal. Delgado hit the ball on the volley in the 52nd minute but the keeper was well placed to make the save, but a minute later Mendez linked up with Delgado who chested the ball down and found the space between the goalkeeper and near post to shoot home from a narrow angle. Solis ran through the Ecuador defence in the 59th minute, but found his angle too difficult to execute successfully. Kaviedes also had a shot blocked in the 79th minute. With 3 minutes of the match left Saborio lobed the ball over the keeper and against the crossbar. Kaviedes stretched out a foot to convert a cross from Mendez in stoppage time. (Ecuador 3 Costa Rica 0)

Thursday 15th June

England break T&T resistance
Trinidad & Tobago survived for 83 minutes against England, but finally caved in. Hislop failed to hold onto a shot by Lampard in the 6th minute; the ball fell to Owen, but he couldn't control it. Ten minutes later Crouch stretched a leg to meet a cross at the far post, but his effort was deflected by Hislop. A corner kick by York flew dangerously close to the England goal in the 36th minute, and 5 minutes later Joe Cole set up Lampard who side-footed the ball over the bar. A minute later Crouch was unmarked but volleyed wide. Just before half time, Stern John nearly forced the ball in, but Terry cleared off the line. Owen flung himself to head the ball in the 56th minute, but was off target. He was soon after, replaced by Rooney. Lampard had a chance in the 77th minute, but his shot was straight at the keeper. A minute later he shot across the face of the goal. With 7 minutes remaining Crouch rose high to break the deadlock with a header. Gerrard smashed the ball into the top left corner in the last minute of the match to give England a more respectful victory. (England 2 Trinidad & Tobago 0)

Thursday 15th June

Sweden sink Paraguay
A late Swedish goal ended the hopes of Paraguay and gave the Scandinavians hope ahead of their clash with England. Bobadilla had to be at full stretch to save a super strike by Källström in the 9th minute. Four minutes later a shot from Wilhelmsson was just wide, and in the 40th minute Ibrahimovic's side-footed effort was too easy for the keeper. A minute into the second half Valdez hit the side netting. In the 54th minute the Paraguayan keeper got down to punch away a free-kick from Larsson. A shot from Acuna was straight at Isaksson in the 57th minute, and 2 minutes later Allbäck lifted the ball over the onrushing keeper but Caniza somehow managed to make a goal-line clearance. Once again Allbäck came close with 10 minutes remaining, but his close-range overhead kick lacked power. Paraguay were restricted to long distance shots, such as the 84th minute shot by Barreto, which Isaksson tipped over for a corner. Paraguay's hopes were dashed in the 88th minute when Allbäck headed a cross back for Ljungberg to head in. Ljungberg would have doubled his tally in stoppage time, but his curling shot was brilliantly saved by Bobadilla. (Sweden 1 Paraguat 0)

Friday 16th June

Argentina outclass S&M
Serbia & Montenegro were torn apart by hungry Argentina. Rodriguez received the ball from Saviola and found the corner of the net in as early as the 5th minute. After some excellent one-touch football Crespo back-healed the ball for Cambiasso to double the lead in the 31st minute. After Saviola's persistence had won the ball in the 41st minute, his shot was deflected by the keeper, but Rodriguez forced it in off the post. Serbia & Montenegro started the second half positively and Abbondanzieri had to get down in the first minute to punch away an effort by Savo Milosevic. A shot by Crespo was dealt with by the keeper in the 51st minute. Four minutes later Kezman lifted the ball onto the head of Milosovic, but he failed to make contact in front of goal. Kezman received a straight red for a sliding tackle in the 65th minute. Substitute Messi passed the ball across the face of the goal in the 78th minute for Crespo to finish off at the far post. Another substitute Tevez beat 2 defenders in the 84th minute to rolled the ball past the goalkeeper, and with 2 minutes remaining, Messi slotted the ball past Jervic to register the 6th goal of the match. (Argentina 6 Serbia & Montenegro 0)

Friday 16th June

Dutch send Elephants packing
The Netherlands held on to their first half lead, to inflict a second straight 2-1 defeat on the Ivory Coast. van Persie smashed in a free-kick in the 23rd minute and 3 minutes later Robben found van Nistelrooij who made no mistake from inside the box. In the 33rd minute Zokora struck the angle of the woodwork, and 5 minutes later Bakary Kone's shot rocketed past van der Sar to give the Ivory Coast hope in the second half. van Nistelrooij tested the keeper in the 50th minute, and Robben had his shot blocked in the 70th minute. van Persie chested the ball off the line in the 77th minute after some confusion in the Dutch defence. The Ivorians were strong and didn't give up easily, but went out after their second narrow defeat. (Netherlands 2 Ivory Coast 1)

Friday 16th June

Angola keep Mexico at bay
Mexico were booed off the pitch by some of their supporters after being held by a determined Angolan side. A dipping shot by Salcido cleared the bar in the first minute of the match and in the 13th minute Marquez hit the post from a free-kick. In the last minute of the half the ball fell to Franco whose effort was blocked by the Angolan keeper. An Angolan effort by Mendonca was straight at the Mexican keeper in the 55th minute, and a minute later at the other end Franco failed to lift the ball over the Angolan keeper. A failed clearance by Angola in the 66th minute fell to Bravo, but his weak shot was straight at the keeper. After having already been booked, Andre was sent off for a deliberate hand-ball. Angola had to play the remaining 11 minutes with 10 men against 11 Mexicans who knew that they were expected to deliver. In the 82nd minute a cross fell to Fonseca who stuck out a foot but steered the ball wide of the post. With 2 minutes left Marquez hit a clean strike which Ricardo saved brilliantly. Bravo stretched a foot to meet the resulting corner, but could only steer the ball against the outside of the post. (Mexico 0 Angola 0)

Saturday 17th June

Iran go home
Portugal did the business against a lacklustre Iran to ensure a place in the next round. Mirzapour did brilliantly to palm away a close-range shot by Deco in the 12th minute. A header by Ronaldo in the 34th minute was chested off the line by Kaabi and a minute later his shot went just wide. On the stroke of half time Mirzapour deflected a shot by Miguel with the underside of his body for a corner. Ronaldo brought a save out of the Iranian keeper 10 minutes into the second half, but in the 63rd minute Deco's shot flew past him to give Portugal the lead. Khatilbi shot wide from a narrow angle in the 69th minute, and Mahdavikia had his header saved in the 78th minute, but Portugal swiftly started an attack which resulted in Golmahammadi bringing Figo down in the penalty area. Ronaldo stepped up to smash the ball into top left corner. In stoppage time Pauletta was tackled when attempting to convert a chance and Mirzapour punched away a shot from Petit. (Portugal 2 Iran 0)

Saturday 17th June

Black Stars shine
Ghana shocked the Czech Republic with their attacking football and registered a first win for the African countries in this year's World Cup. Ghana got off to a perfect start when Gyan chested the ball down and tucked it home with an accurate shot. Nedved shot straight at the Ghanaian keeper in the 11th minute, and with just over half an hour gone Gyan had his close-range effort blocked by Cech, who had to be at his best to save from another Gyan effort in the 52nd minute. Plasil's shot was turned over the bar by Kingston 4 minutes later. Amoah was about to shoot in the box in the 65th minute when his heals were clipped by Ujfalusi who was shown the red card. Gyan smashed the spot-kick against the post. Cech made several saves to keep the Czechs in the game, until finally with 8 minutes left Muntari received the ball from Gyan and blasted it up into the net. Kingston made 2 fine saves in stoppage time to insure a fine Victory for Ghana. (Ghana 2 Czech Republic 0)

Saturday 17th June

America soldier on
The USA managed to draw with Italy despite playing 9 against 10. Italy scored first when Gilardino got his head to a low cross in the 22nd minute to put the ball past Keller. In the 27th minute the Americans were level when Zaccardo sliced an attempted clearance into his own net. A minute later Italy were in even deeper trouble when de Rossi elbowed Mc bride and was shown a red card. Mastroeni's curling shot was just wide for the USA in the 42nd minute, and 2 minutes later he received a straight red for a crunching tackle on Pirlo. Two minutes into the second half he was joined by Pope who received his second yellow for a foul. USA defender Bocanegra hit his own bar with a header in the 52nd minute, and in the 68th minute Zambrotta's shot was just wide. Four minutes later del Piero got a foot to the ball, but Keller made a flying save. Keller denied del Piero again in the 79th minute with another impressive save. (Italy 1 USA 1)

Sunday 18th June

Kawaguchi extends Japanese life
A penalty save by Kawaguchi left Japan hoping for a slip-up by Brazil. In the 21st minute of the match Prso was brought down in the penalty area, and Croatia were awarded a penalty kick. Srna shot low and hard, but Kawaguchi pulled off a heroic save. Kranjcar struck the Japanese crossbar with a fierce shot in the 28th minute. Half an hour into the game and Pletikosa was well positioned to deal with a shot by Ogasawara. Six minutes later Nakata's long-range drive was saved by the Croatian keeper. Kawaguchi got down well in the 40th minute to save from a Klasnic effort. In the 51st minute Kaji passed the ball to Yanagisawa, but he somehow managed to miss an open goal. Three minutes later Kranjcar stretched to meet the ball, but could only toe-poke it wide. (Croatia 0 Japan 0)

Sunday 18th June

Brazil take another step
The champions booked their place in the next round with a victory over Australia. Kaka hit the ball on the volley after only 3 minutes, but it flew just wide. In the 37th minute, Ronaldo failed to make contact in the box, and his chance went begging. The second half was only 4 minutes old when Adriano slotted the ball home from just outside the area. Bresciano ran into the box in the 55th minute, but his attempt was thawed by a timely tackle. A minute later after a mix-up in the Brazilian defence, the ball fell to Kewell who blasted it over the bar. His long distance effort in the 69th minute was much closer. An acrobatic volley by Bresciano was saved in the 79th minute, while at the other end Brazil came close 3 minutes later when Kaka hit the post with a header from a corner kick. In the last minute of the match Robinho's shot came off the post for Fred to tap in. (Brazil 2 Australia 0)

Sunday 18th June

France rue misses
South Korea celebrated a 1-1 draw in a match that was dominated by France. Henry got between 2 defenders and beat the Korean goalkeeper in the 9th minute. In the 28th minute Henry was successfully challenged as he was about to shoot in the box. A Viera header from a corner kick was adjudged not to have crossed the line. France continued to push forward in the second half, but in the 81st minute a cross was headed down by Cho Jae Jin and Park Ji Sung forced the ball over the line for the equalizer. Henry was put through 4 minutes later, but Lee woon Jae made a vital save. (France 1 South Korea 1)

Monday 19th June

Togo out of the Cup
Troubled Togo were dumped out of the cup after losing their second match in a row. In the opening minutes Kader beat his marker and got a shot on target, but the Swiss keeper was equal to it. A few minutes later Frei headed the ball straight at the keeper, but in the 16th minute Barnetta met a cross and smashed it into the path of Frei who side footed the ball into the net for Switzerland's first goal of the tournament. Barnetta had a shot on goal in the 51st minute, which the keeper tipped over for a corner kick. Yakin was set free in the 64th minute and got his shot on target, but Agassa got down to make a good save. Agassa made another great save in the 88th minute to deny Barnetta, but a minute later the persistent Barnetta smashed the ball in off the post. Just before full time the Swiss keeper saved from Salifou, and Adebayor failed to convert with a header from the resulting corner kick. (Switzerland 2 Togo 0)

Monday 19th June

Ukraine get started
The Ukrainians put their Spanish nightmare behind them with a convincing victory over Saudi Arabia. Ukraine got off to a perfect start when Rusol got away from his marker at the near post from a corner kick, and scored with his upper leg in the 3rd minute. Ten minutes later a header by Shevchenko was cleared off the line. Rebrov caught the Saudi keeper off balance with his long-range shot to double the lead in the 36th minute. Another slip-up 8 minutes later allowed Voronin through, but he failed to hit the target. Less than a minute into the second half Shevchenko met a cross to head in the 3rd. Kalinichenko's shot clipped the crossbar in the 64th minute and 9 minutes later his shot was easily saved by the keeper. In the 84th minute Ukraine extended their lead when Shevchenko ran into the box and found Kalinichenko who dispatched the ball into the roof of the net. (Ukraine 4 Saudi Arabia 0)

Monday 19th June

Spain turn over Tunisia
A spirited comeback earned Spain victory and a place in the next round. Villa drove the ball just wide for Spain in the 5th minute of the match. Three minutes later Mnar's volley was saved, but he made no mistake from the rebound to give Tunisia a shock lead. In the 10th minute once again Villa had a shot on goal, this time from a free-kick which Boumnijel punched away. A free-kick from Ayari was straight at Casillas in the 31st minute. With a minute of the half remaining Torres had his shot deflected, and Alonso had his header cleared off the line from the ensuing corner kick. Spain continued to attack in the second half, and Boumnijel had to fist away a shot from Fabregas in the 48th minute and another from Pernia 3 minutes later. In the 71st minute The Tunisian keeper had to make another save from Fabregas, but this time the rebound fell to Raul who made no mistake from close-range. Fabregas was denied again by the keeper in the 75th minute, but a minute later Torres got on the end of a good through ball, rounded the advancing keeper and rolled the ball in to give Spain the lead. Torres was through again in the 88th minute, but Boumnijel made a magnificent save to deny him. Spain were awarded a penalty in the last minute of the match, from which Torres scored despite the keeper getting his hands to the ball. (Spain 3 Tunisia 1)