World Cup - Group G decided

Yawnfest from Brazil, Portugal but both advance

It was the clash that whet the appetite when the World Cup draw was made - Brazil v Portugal. It was meant to be a clash of flair, style and skill. But in the end the two teams played out a pretty boring 0-0 draw. Brazil say Portugal played with 11 men behind the ball and that's why it was so dour. Both teams move on, Brazil as group winners, and Portugal to a tantalising clash with Spain in the round of 16.

In other game in the group, the Ivory Coast put three past North Korea. And it could easily have been more. But even the 3-0 win wasn't enough to prevent them getting knocked out. Soloman Kalou scored the third goal, but bemoaned the tough draw the Africans got for the second World Cup in a row. Four years ago in Germany, they were drawn with Argentina, Netherlands and Serbia/Montenegro -this year it was Brazil and Portugal. "Hopefully at the next World Cup we'll have an easier draw and we make it to the next round," said Kalou.

World Cup Day Eleven

Villa misses out on hat-trick, Spain could rue lost opportunities

How many times in your career will you get a chance to hit a World Cup hat-trick. Spain eased past Honduras 2-0, but will the European champions regret not being able to capitalise on many many chances? David Villa scored a brilliant opener in the first half and a deflected second after half time. But then he missed a penalty kick and another one-on-one chance to complete his hat-trick. Spain had opportunity after opportunity, but too often tried to complicate things rather than take a quick strike on goal. They will still top the group if they beat Chile, but if they can't they may end up ruing the missed chances today. They looked impressive though.

Portugal goal-fest sets tournament alight

Portugal crushed North Korea 7-0, with goals from six different players including Ronaldo. They led buy just one goal at half-time. But a second half of utter domination and six goals set Portugal on course to progress from the group of death. They still have to play Brazil, but the glut of goals was just what they needed - as it's hard to see Ivory Coast being able to rachet up a similar scoreline against the Koreans, meaning the Portugese would progress on goal difference even if they lose to Brazil.

Chile overcome 10-man Switzerland

A harsh sending-off for Behrami after 30 minutes, left the Swiss struggling to contain a good Chile side in an entertaining game. Substitute Mark Gonzalez finally made the breakthough with 15 minutes left, as Chile went two wins for two games in the group. Derdiyok had a great chance to equalise in injury time, but shot wide.

World Cup Day Five

It was a cross, right?

Brazil, the top seeds, dominated the game but only won by a single goal. A goal, which was either pure class or a mis-hit cross, from Maicon on 55 minutes set them on their way. With 18 minutes to go, Elano settled it, latching onto brilliant through-pass from Robinho and finding the net. There was a tense final few minutes when Ji Yun-nam rocketed found the net in the closing stages. But it finished 2-1. Brazil are up and running and top of their group.

Ronaldo, Drogba stalemate in Group of Death

A scoreless draw but not a bad match by any means. With Brazil also in this group, both sides were tense and playing it tight, and cancelled each other out. It meant there were not very many goalmouth incidents, but both teams have enough quality to make an impact on the tournament yet. Cristiano Ronaldo came closest after rattling the woodwork 11 minutes into the game with a brilliant shot from distance. Didier Drogba, injured before the tournament, came on as a substitute during the second half, but barely touched the ball, until he had a half chance in injury time.

Kiwis dramatic draw

An injury time header from 21 year old defender Winston Reid gave New Zealand a draw and their first ever point at a World Cup finals. The "All Whites" went behind earlier in the second half to a Robert Vittek header that had a hint of offside about it, and looked dead and buried until the end. Reid got yellow-carded for taking his shirt off during the celebration of the goal - is this really a necessary rule, Fifa? Surely, someone should be able to celebrate the most important goal in his country's footballing history. Now, Reid has a yellow card and could miss a match if he gets booked in the next game. Silly rule.