Sunday June 13th

Group C

Slow winner

Slovenia 1 Algeria 0 (Polokwane)

In an uneventful match against Algeria, Slovenia picked up 3 points thanks to a goal from their captain Robert Koren. A free-kick from Belhadj in the 3rd minute was tipped over the bar by Handanovic and 3 minutes from the break Chaouchi had to take similar action at the other end to keep out a shot from Bira. Algeria were reduced to 10 men in the 73rd minute when substitute Ghezzal, who had already been booked, was guilty of a deliberate hand-ball in the opposing box. Ziami stole in on a mix up between the Slovenian keeper and Suler in the 77th minute but the keeper was quick to get down at the Algerian's feet. Koren scored the only goal of the match with 11 minutes to go when his weak shot went in under the body of Algerian keeper Chaouchi.

Group D

Serbs pay the penalty

Ghana 1 Serbia 0 (Pretoria)

Ghana became the first African nation to record a world Cup win on African soil. The African side came close several times in the first half without troubling Stojkovic in the Serbia goal and continued after the break with Ayew knocking his diving header wide at the far post and Gyan heading the ball out off the post from a long throw-in. Luckovic was sent off for a second yellow in the 74th minute, but Serbia pushed forward and 5 minutes later Lazovic won the ball at the by-line and pulled it back to Krasic who fired it too close to Kingson who palmed it away with a reflex save on his 33rd birthday. With 8 minutes left Kuzmanovic handled the ball in his box and Gyan sent his penalty kick right down the centre of the goal. Gyan almost doubled his tally in stoppage time when he side-footed the ball past the keeper but off the inside of the post.

Germans demolish Australia

Germany 4 Australia 0 (Durban)

Australia became the victims of a powerful performance by Germany in their first match of the World Cup in South Africa. A corner in the 3rd minute caused concern in the German defence but Australia failed to make them pay and the Germans took over the match. Kolse got through and shot straight at Schwarzer in the 7th minute and a minute later Özil passed the ball to Müller in the box who pulled it back crisply to Podolski who scored with a thumping shot passed Schwarzer. in the 24th minute Özil delivered the ball to Klose who hit it on the stretch missing his target, but 2 minutes later Klose met a free-kick with a powerful heard to double the German lead. Özil timed his run well to get behind the Australian defence in the 31st minute and dinked the keeper but saw his effort cleared off the line. Things got more difficult for Australia after the 56th minute when Cahill was shown a straight red for a foul, and Schwarzer blocked several efforts as the Germans went for the kill, but in the 67th minute Müller made space in the box and knocked the ball in off the post. Only 3 minutes after the 3rd goal Özil squared the ball for Cacau to make it 4 from 8 yards out.