Sunday June 20th

Group F

Paraguay power past Slovakia

Paraguay 2 Slovakia 0 (Bloemfontein)
Mucha in the Slovakia goal saved a deflected shot from Santa Cruz in the 3rd minute and stood his ground against a powerful shot from Riveros in the 19th minute, but was beaten in the 27th minute when Vera received the ball between 2 defenders and curled it in with the outside of his right foot. A defensive error let Santa Cruz through on goal in the 39th minute but he was denied by the outstretched foot of the Slovakian keeper and in the 72nd minute Santa Cruz crossed the ball onto the head of Vera but his downward header was just wide. Paraguay wrapped the game up in the 86th minute when Riveros whacked the ball in from 18 yards.

Group F

Kiwi draw threatens Italian crown

New Zealand 1 Italy 1 (Nelspruit)

A draw for Italy against New Zealand highlighted the problems facing the world champions in their quest to retain the World Cup or even get out of their group. A New Zealand free-kick in the 7th minute crossed into the box came off Cannavaro and fell to Smeltz who stunned the Italians from close range. Montolivo struck the inside of the post from 25 yards in the 27th minute and a minute later the Italians were awarded a penalty for shirt-pulling from Smith and Iaquinta stepped up to send Paston the wrong way. Paston got down to parry a long-range shot from de Rossi on the stroke of half time, and made another good save when Montolivo unleashed a shot from 25 yards in the 70th minute. Woods came close for the Kiwis in the 83rd minute releasing a shot across the face of goal which was inches wide, but most of the action was at the other end where a long-range shot from Camoranesi was palmed away by the diving Paston 2 minutes from time and in the 90th minute Zambrotta had his goal-bound shot from inside the area blocked by Nelsen.

Group G

Costly win for Brazil

Brazil 3 Ivory Coast 1 (Johannesburg)

Two goals from Luis Fabiano were instrumental in Brazil's win over the Ivory Coast in which Kaka was shown a red card. After a quick one-two in the 25th minute the ball was played to Luis Fabiano in the box who slammed it into the roof of the net from a tight angle, and in the 50th minute the same player showed excellent ball control and a hint of hand-ball to lift the ball past 3 defenders before forcing it past the Ivoirian keeper. A few minutes later a header from Drogba flew past the post, but in the 62nd minute Kaka got to the by-line and set Elano up who side-footed the ball into the corner of the net for the third, but was stretchered off with a nasty-looking injury after a tackle moments later. Cesar got down to repel a fierce shot from Romaric in the 72nd minute but was beaten 5 minutes later when Gervinho's darting run ended up with Yaya Toure floating the ball onto the head of Drogba who guided it in for a consolation goal. The victory for Brazil was marred by the injury to Elano and the harsh dismissal of Kaka 2 minutes from time for a second yellow after Keita went down holding his face. The win puts Brazil in the next round of the competition.