Portugal 2-0 Iran
I haven't seen any of this match - not even the goals! .. as I was out shopping. This win for Portugal decides two things in Group D. Portugal are through to the knock-out rounds. Iran are eliminated.
Czech Republic 0-2 Ghana
The biggest shock of the World Cup to date! A great display from Ghana, but the Czechs lacked something - Koller and Baros. Gyan's early goal put the cat amongst the pigeons and created quite an open game with good chances for either side. Ghana had a chance to put themselves 2-0 up after 67 minutes, but Gyan missed his penalty chance (and was also booked for taking it too early
). The Czechs were down to 10 men at this point. Ghana had more great chances and were using the extra man to their advantage, but Cech was on fine form, making save after great save! Muntari had the final say in the 82nd minute when he counjered up a powerful shot which sailed past Cech. 2-0 to Ghana and surely game over. The only sour point for Ghana is that they will be without Essien and Muntari for their final Group E match against USA.
I predicted the Czechs would have a player sent-of!
[22:06] Neil: The Czechs will have a player sent off tommorow
[22:07] Mike: How do you figure?
[22:07] Mike: That would be an interesting thing to add to the PL. Points to predicting who'll be yellow carded.
[22:07] Neil: Togo, Ukraine, T&T, S&M and Angola have all had a player sent-off, and they are WC debutants, just like the Czechs!
[22:08] Mike: So are Ghana.
[22:09] Neil: Maybe Ghana will have to wait until the 3rd group match
[22:09] Mike: hehe.
[22:09] Mike: Who do you predict will be sent off?
[22:10] Neil: A defender
Mystic Neil strikes again!
*cue X-Files music*
Italy 1-1 USA
Two things can easily sum-up this match: 1) USA put on a brave and brilliant display. 2) The referee was all over the place.
In the first 20 minutes the USA looked the better side, although I wouldn't say they put on a World Cup winning display.
Italy didn't look too bothered, until Gilardino headed them into a 22nd minute lead. Cruel on the Americans as they'd had the better of the play. Then it all kicked-off! USA equalised through an own goal, with Zaccardo slicing the ball into his own net - something I bet he couldn't do once out of 100 even if he tried! The most disgraceful moment of the match followed soon after. De Rossi went up to challenge for a ball and instead thought he would elbow McBride in the forehead. Pathetic.. that he even tried to defend his innocence is even more so.
At this point you would favour the Americans to definitely get something out of the match, and up until half-time thats the way it looked. Italy brought off Totti and sent on Gattuso in order to play with a different style, one which would suit their new 10 man formation! USA had several chances to make it 2-1, with Mastroeni coming the closest with his long range effort. By the time the half-time whistle had blwon the numbers had been evened up again. Mastroeni had been sent-off for a wild challenge on Pirlo - his studs clearly connecting with the Italians ankle.
Not even 2 minutes of the second-half had shown before we saw another red card. Eddie Pope received one this time, his second yellow, but this was the referee's dumbest decision of the game, as now he had committed himself to making harsh decisions, and if he was to play to form more red cards should have been shown.. but none were. To add to it, Pope's first yellow card wasn't even worthy of one, another mistake by a referee who had a strange game..
Despite all this USA played out of their skins. Their heads didn't bow, and they were almost fortunate enough to be playing 9 .v. 9. Perrota got an injury with about 25 minutes 'Togo', and it appeared that he might have to come off. Even when he went back onto the pitch, he was still struggling for quite a while. A few moments before this, USA had the ball in the net, but it was ruled out for an offside decision.
Beasley had rifled a shot past Buffon, who dealt with it ever-so-poorly.. but the linesman flagged for offside. Beasley was clearly not offside, although McBride was standing in an offside position. Active or passive!? He didn't touch the ball and he didn't obscure Buffon's view. Quite clearly he was passive..
USA were dealt a harsh blow by the officials again.
With time running out it was the Italians who looked more likely to score. Twice Keller produced great saves to keep USA level - both times from Del Piero. Unfortunately for the Italians, they did run out of time, but USA certainly didn't deserve to go away from this match without at least a point, especially with the luck they had. Going into the last group games, Group E is wide open!
