World Cup 2010 Blog: “Group A Liveblog: Mexico vs Uruguay, France vs South Africa” plus 9 more |  |
- Group A Liveblog: Mexico vs Uruguay, France vs South Africa
- Round of 16 Qualification Scenarios: Group F
- The World Cup Awards: June 21st, 2010.
- Preview: Greece vs. Argentina
- Match Review & Highlights: Spain 2 – Honduras 0
- Preview: Nigeria vs. South Korea
- Preview: France vs. South Africa
- Preview: Mexico vs. Uruguay
- Liveblog: Spain 2-0 Honduras
- Match Review & Highlights: Chile 1-0 Switzerland
| Group A Liveblog: Mexico vs Uruguay, France vs South Africa Posted: 22 Jun 2010 04:30 AM PDT
Hallo and welcome to the liveblog of the final round of World Cup Group A. It’s Mexico vs Uruguay and France vs South Africa, and we’ll be liveblogging both games simultaneously. Because we’re just that good. Basically: Mexico and Uruguay are both through if they draw. But if one of them loses, then either France or South Africa can take a second place, if they score enough to make up the difference. We also have a more in depth explanation of the Group A scenario should you want to do some pre-match homework. Both games will kick off at 4pm local time (10am US eastern). Join in below.
Bet on France vs. South Africa
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| Round of 16 Qualification Scenarios: Group F Posted: 22 Jun 2010 02:27 AM PDT
Remaining matches: Slovakia vs. Italy, Paraguay vs. New Zealand For more on the rules of this group stage, check out our article on World Cup group stage tie-breakers Paraguay4 points from 2 matches, +2 goal difference Italy2 points from 2 matches, 0 goal difference New Zealand2 points from 2 matches, 0 goal difference Slovakia1 point from 2 matches, -2 goal difference Will qualify with:
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| The World Cup Awards: June 21st, 2010. Posted: 21 Jun 2010 06:08 PM PDT
Push.
Apparently cavorting with strippers is more acceptable than spending a night at home. Is Ribery becoming the face of disgust with the modern footballer? Don’t answer that. Goal of the Day: Or try goal of the World Cup – who cares if it’s in the Swedish second division?
Speaking of…
v.
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| Posted: 21 Jun 2010 03:22 PM PDT
THE BIG PICTURE For Greece there’s a bit on the line – for all teams in the group, really – but let’s be frank: most will be tuning in for another glimpse at the man of the tourney thus far, Lionel Messi. He dazzled once again against South Korea and will be up against a Greek defense which has its holes. Diego’s already said it’d be a “sin” to sit Messi, and he might just be right. The qualification story is on the Greek side, however, and it doesn’t look pretty. Up against Nigeria they needed a red card, a horribly deflected goal and a goalkeeping howler to nab their first World Cup win. Now they face the world’s best player, one of the tournament’s best teams and a simply monstrous attack. The deck is good and stacked, and they’ll need to channel 2004 to even have a prayer. WHAT’S AT STAKE For Argentina, first place in the group is all but official. It’d take a loss and a South Korean win with a five goal swing in South Korea’s goal differential favor to fall to second (or an epic thumping from Greece). For Greece…well, it’s a bit complicated:
Suffice it to say, Greece has a massive uphill climb ahead. OUR PREDICTION Little Lionel’s taken over thus far in the World Cup – there’s no reason to think he’ll do otherwise against a weak defense. 3-0 Argentina. FAN RESOURCES
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| Match Review & Highlights: Spain 2 – Honduras 0 Posted: 21 Jun 2010 02:46 PM PDT
So what’s the verdict? Either Spain are going to be scary good when they finally start clicking or they’re in epic amounts of trouble when they play a good team because they can’t finish their chances. It was every bit the game expected everywhere except the one place that matters: the scoreboard. They could’ve doubled Portugal’s tally against a defense that cares without breaking a sweat, but didn’t. Fernando Torres might’ve missed enough to challenge Ronaldo’s record of 15 and David Villa, one of the world’s most refined finishers, thwacked a penalty off the adboards. Despite the win, and they’ll be happy about that, they’re a long way from “firing on all cylinders”. Not the best of news with their World Cup lives on the line against Chile. (Oh, and David Villa bitch slapped a Honduran, but wasn’t sent off. Business as usual, then.) Best-case scenario creeping into necessity was getting on the scoreboard early for Spain, so as not to reawaken the demons of Switzerland – not quite as much of an issue with Honduras’ defense nowhere near the Alps of the Nati. David Villa kindly obliged in the 17th with a furious solo run and strike from just about his arse. The rest of the half played out with a surprising and rather disappointing 1-0 lead for Spain before it descended into some lipsticks and handbags right before the whistle after David’s foot had been stepped on. David would continue his run of headline-making with a second goal early in the second half, aided by a deflection. Or perhaps scored by a deflection. And finally, David put his hat-trick wide right to complete the Good Villa/Bad Villa show. Given the run of games thus far, it’s pretty rare that a team can complain about the nature of a win – Spain are luckily in that bin. The performance was great but against a pretty ordinary side and their efficiency was bottom drawer. This sets up a cracker for the Group H finale:
Chile play Spain in what should be an enthralling guns blazing shootout, while Switzerland will likely nab a full three against Honduras. So Spain will need a win to ensure qualification – a draw and they’re likely toast in the groups. From favorites to survival in a flash.
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| Preview: Nigeria vs. South Korea Posted: 21 Jun 2010 02:24 PM PDT
THE BIG PICTURE WHAT’S AT STAKE Bet on Nigeria vs. South Korea OUR PREDICTION FAN RESOURCES
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| Preview: France vs. South Africa Posted: 21 Jun 2010 01:19 PM PDT
THE BIG PICTURE The France team is a shambles though, with Nicolas Anelka being sent home, arguments between coaching staff and players and the whole situation breaking the hearts of fans. There’s really no way of knowing how the team will perform in this game, but the buildup has been about as unhelpful as possible. South Africa has been well supported by the home fans, and made an encouraging start by drawing 1-1 with Mexico, but followed that up by losing 3-0 to Uruguay. South Africa is in serious danger of being the first host nation team to fail to make the Second Round. WHAT’S AT STAKE KICKOFF Bet on France vs. South Africa OUR PREDICTION FAN RESOURCES
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| Posted: 21 Jun 2010 01:11 PM PDT
THE BIG PICTURE WHAT’S AT STAKE The risk for both teams is that a loss mathematically exposes them to the threat of France or South Africa taking second place, should either of those team rack up a massive win when they meat. Group A qualification scenarios explained in more detail here, but basically a draw is the least risky option for both teams. KICKOFF OUR PREDICTION FAN RESOURCES
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| Posted: 21 Jun 2010 10:20 AM PDT
Welcome to the liveblog of Spain vs Honduras in World Cup Group H. Both teams lost their opening games, but only one of them was a pre-tournament favourite. Make your comments before, during and after the match in the liveblog window. Below the main liveblog are videos of the goals so far, and then a feed of trusted Twitter accounts either broadcasting from the match or talking about it. Read up on the match with our Spain vs Honduras preview. Don’t just take our word on the match. Check out match comments from carefully selected Twitter accounts: FAN RESOURCES
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| Match Review & Highlights: Chile 1-0 Switzerland Posted: 21 Jun 2010 10:00 AM PDT
Here’s what Swiss right back Valon Behrami was sent off for in the 31st minute: From there on out, Switzerland defended with a high offside trap, which Chile attempted to pass their way though. When Chile did succeed, they came up against goalkeeper Diego Benaglio, who was in the sort of form that kept Spain off the scoresheet in Switzerland’s previous game. Alexis Sanchez – who’d been showing off his stepovers down the right flank – had the ball in the net from a long range strike and spent a good while celebrating before being told his shot had deflected off a player in an offside position. Finally, two Chilean subs combined for Chile to make it 1-0 in the 75th minute: Chile pushed for a second (because goal difference is going to matter in Group H) and that allowed Switzerland one final chance to equalize, but striker Eren Derdiyok somehow shot wide from just outside the six yard box. So, 1-0 to Chile, which gives them six points but doesn’t guarantee progression, especially as they still have to face Spain in the final round of Group H games.
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The third round of group matches starts today, and so each day for the next four, we’ll know the final fates of two World Cup groups. We’ve been going through, group by group, and showing how each team can (or can’t) make it to the 
Team of the Day: Iberian peninsula? Sort of a mixed bag here. Both teams have arguments for and against. Spain played brilliantly but once again couldn’t find that “goal” thing they’re always yapping about, save for David Villa. And Portugal hit 7 against….nobody. North Korea just didn’t show in the second half. It was astonishing and unwatchable, like fish in a barrel an automatic weapon. They simply quit. 
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