Friday June 13th

Group A

Mexico get justice

Mexico 1 Cameroon 0 (Natal)
Having had two goals disallowed, a single goal gave Mexico a winning start over Cameroon in driving rain. Giovani dos Santos had goals harshly disallowed for offside in the 12th and 29th minute, but received a swift pass in the 61st minute and fired a low shot which Itandje did well to keep out only for Oribe Peralta to score from the rebound. Ochoa made a spectacular save from a powerful Moukandjo header in stoppage time to ensure Mexico a deserved win.

Group B

Deadly Dutch destroy Spain

Netherlands 5 Spain 1 (Salvador)

The Netherlands ripped world champions Spain apart 5-1 after falling behind to a penalty kick. Alonso slotted home from the spot after Spain were awarded a penalty in the 26th minute, but a minute from the interval Robin van Persie got on the end of a long ball from Blind with a mejestic diving header to steer the ball over Casillas and level the score. In the 53rd minute Robben brought the ball down on the edge of the box, brushed off two defenders and knocked the ball past Casillas to put the Dutch into the lead. Van Persie volleyed the ball off the bar on the hour mark and 4 minutes later a cross from a free-kick was headed down and in by Stefan de Vrij at the far post. A blunder by Cassillas in dealing with a back-pass let van Persie in for the forth in the 72nd minute and in the 80th minute Robben darted towards goal, twisted and turned past the keeper to bang in the fifth.Casillas made a double-save to deny the Dutch their sixth in the 87th minute and in stoppage time Torres was denied a tap-in to sum up Spain's miserable evening.

Group B

Quick firing Chile down Australia

Chile 3 Australia 1 (Cuiaba)

Two early goals in quick succession gave Chile victory over Australia. In the 12th minute Chile showed determination to keep the ball in the box and Alexis Sanchez knocked the ball in between the keeper and the post. Two minutes later Australia looked doomed when Valdivia received the ball on the edge of the area and dispatched the ball into the roof of the net, but Australia fought back and in the 35th minute Tim Cahill rose to meet a cross and head the ball over Bravo in the Chile goal. Bravo got down to save a volley from Bresciano in the 56th minute while 5 minutes later at the other end Vargas poked the ball past the keeper but saw Wilkinson clear off the line in the nick of time. Chile sealed their win in stoppage time when Pinilla's shot was blocked and Beausejour drove in the return crisply from outside the area.