World Cup - Last 16 USA v Ghana

Gyan goal gives Ghana win over USA

One moment of strength, power and pace from Asamoah Gyan turned the game in Ghana's favour and dumped the USA out of the World Cup. Just two minutes into extra time, Gyan muscled his way onto a long ball that bounced between two defenders, and blasted a terrific finish over Tim Howard's head.

For a time in the second half of normal time, the game could have gone either way. Landon Donavon brought the USA level through a penalty kick and his team seemed to have the momentum without every making the key breakthrough.

Once again the United States had conceded very early in a game. This time after just five minutes - a super strike from Boateng beating an out-of-position Howard at his near post.

The Ghanaians dominated the first half, both in possession and adventure. But the USA gave as good as they got by the end of the game. The introduction of Benny Feilhaber made a difference and they were rewarded with a penalty.

The US threw everything at Ghana in extra time but they looked tired as they chased the game, and couldn't find a moment of magic to open it up, even as Tim Howard came up for a corner and stayed there for two attacks in the dying moments. Ghana advance and keep African interest in the tournament alive - they'll meet Uruguay in the quarter finals.

World Cup - Group C decided

Donavan's injury time winner puts USA top of Group, England progress too

One minute they were out of the World Cup. The next, the USA were group toppers! Landon Donavon scored an injury time winner against Algeria to give US a deserved win. Meanwhile, England were much more convincing in their 1-0 win against Slovenia. Admittedly, Slovenia had one chance to score in the entire game, and the English couldn't translate their dominance, particularly in the first half into goals. But a win is a win and all of the discontent will probably be forgotten.

Jermaine DeFoe was the hero with a first half goal from a brilliant James Milner cross. Rooney

played a great game - but again failed to score. He hit the post when he looked certain to score and was later substituted by Capello for Joe Cole. Interestingly there was no handshake between Rooney and Capello as he left the field. Maybe things are still not good in that camp.

It's the first time since 1930 that the USA has topped their Group at a World Cup. And it was thoroughly deserved. Once again they had a perfectly good goal disallowed - Clint Dempsey ruled offside when he was clearly wasn't. They also had several shots very well saved and when Algeria were trying to run down the clock and settle for a draw that was actually no good to them, the USA were positive and went for it. I reckon the drama of the last minute winner will boost interest in the World Cup here ten-fold. Particularly when they topped the Group too!

WORLD CUP - Time to have fun at England's Expense

Here are two front pages from England's biggest selling tabloid, The Sun. Compare and contrast.

The first was the day after the World Cup Draw was made:

The second is today's headline, after their team was booed off the pitch by fans following a second draw at the tournament:

If that doesn't draw a smile maybe this will:

World Cup Day Eight

England bore their way to a draw

Showing no creativity, no ideas, and no hope of figuring in the later stages of this tournament, England drew 0-0 with Algeria, a team that Republic of Ireland beat 3-0 just a few weeks ago in a friendly. I would mention some goalmouth action if I could remember a single exciting moment. But I can't. David James started in goal ahead of butterfingers Green. Erm...their fans booed at the end.

On ESPN:

Steve McManaman: When they play in the jerseys of Man United, or Chelsea, they are stars. But when they put on the White jersey, not so good.

Alexei Lalas: How about this? They're just not that good. They are big names, big stars, get paid lots of money, are very famous. But they are just not that good.

USA robbed by ref after dramatic comeback

USA came from two behind to snatch a 2-2 draw with Slovenia, and should have won it, but had a goal disallowed in the closing stages for no apparent reason. Landon Donavan smashed a brilliant shot into the roof of the net from a seemingly impossible angle to start the recovery, and then the coach's son Michael Bradley did well to keep his shot down when scoring the second. A really exciting game though, and one that's sure to boost interest in the World Cup here (Americans love feeling a sense of injustice, don't they? Watch them moan justifiably about that disallowed goal)

Germans shocked by Serbia

Having thrashed the Australians 4-0 Germany shot up the favourites ladder, but they've been knocked right back down again by a 1-0 defeat to Serbia. Milan Jovanavic scored the winner in the first half - but the other key moment was a red-card for Miroslav Klose (two yellows in just 36 minutes) which left the Germans chasing the game with 10-men. It's not like they didn't have their chance - Lukas Podolski admits he feels like an idiot after missing a second half penalty. So now Spain, France, and now Germany have all lost games in the tournament so far. It's getting interesting.

World Cup Day Two

Highlights of Day Two:

1 Green Fingers

A ridiculous mistake from England keeper Robert Green gifts USA a 1-1 draw in the tournament opener. There was so much uncertainty around who was going to play in goal, but David James must be wondering why he wasn't number one now! If only his name didn't lend itself to Calamity James headlines. Mind you, don't thing the UK tabloids will have too much trouble finding ways to put Robert Green's name to good use!


2 Heinze header

Brilliant headed goal gives Argentina and Diego Maradona the start they wanted. Messi looking good too - surely they're going all the way! What is Maradona up to on the sidelines? Hilarious to watch his antics - not sure any of the players know what he's trying to communicate.





3 Korea Impressive

An impressive start from South Korea, with a 2-0 win over Greece. They are always pretty good, and always forgotten about - but they could make it to quarter finals on this performance





Low point: Fog Horns - the constant din of fog horns at every match is already annoying me on Day Two. It means you can't really hear the normal ebb and flow atmosphere that should be part of watching a footbal match.