 So England will take on Ecuador on Sunday and while it wasn’t exactly convincing against Sweden last night, it was still job done.
Everyone’s heart must have sank when Michael Owen went down injured early on, I know mine did. While we can only hope for good news from the treatment table, it didn’t look good and I’m afraid that will be the last we’ll see of Michael for some time.
We can only hope that Wayne Rooney can keep away from injury if England are to progress further.
England responded in great fashion after Michael went off, putting in their best performance of the tournament so far - in the first half. Joe Cole’s strike was out of this world, and if a Brazilian had scored it we’d never hear the last of it.
Sweden looked the more dangerous in the second half, and it came as no surprise they got back in the game.
On to today, and there’s a fantastic game in prospect as Holland and Argentina go head-to-head, with top spot in Group C at stake.
It’s safe to say Argentina have been the team of the tournament so far. The performance they put on against Serbia & Montenegro last time out was something else and they also managed to produce a goal fit to grace any World Cup through Esteban Cambiasso.
That said, I doubt they will find it as easy going against Holland and it is a hard one to call, but I’m going to back Hernan Crespo and co to dampen Dutch spirits, with the Chelsea man getting the ball rolling in a 2-0 win.
Elsewhere in Group C, the Ivory Coast take on Serbia & Montenegro with only pride to gain before both nations head home.
The Africans have been the unluckiest team in the tournament. They must have fancied their chances of making an impression in Germany having come through qualification, but ending up in the ‘group of death’ has put paid to that.
There’s no doubting that Didier Drogba will be in the mood to sign off his World Cup by getting on the score-sheet again, and I fancy him to wrap this game up with a couple of goals.
Portugal and Mexico are fighting for top honours in Group D with Luis Felipe Scolari’s men only needing a point. There could be fun and games if they do get all three, as Angola could then catch Mexico for second spot.
I can’t see a side of Big Phil’s taking their foot off the pedal and I’m in no doubt they’ll get the win. Put your money on Pauleta to be on the mark as Portugal coast home by two goals.
Angola go up against Iran still searching for their first goal of the tournament but I can’t help but think they are going to go home disappointed.
This game has got 0-0 written all over it, so it’s Portugal and Mexico to book their places in the knock-out stages.
That’s all for now, I’ll be back tomorrow.
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