Groups A & B Final Round

SUSPENSE? SURPRISE? NEITHER

The final group matchday is normally a compelling affair with both games played simultaneously to ensure that teams can't manipulate their matches based on prior results. That wasn't always the case and I think there was a notorious case of playing for a draw that brought about that rule change at some point. Will have to look into that, probably involved Italy. Anyway, there weren't many people switching channels back and forth today between the respective matches in Groups A & B because two of the matches involved teams who had already advanced, while the other two were ghost matches. Shame that had to be the case, but such is the norm in lopsided groups like these. I didn't watch either of the ghost matches(Paraguay - Trinidad, Poland - Costa Rica). Actually, I stand corrected. Trinidad were in with a shot to qualify when the day began, but it was a snowball's chance in hell and came to nothing as Paraguay duly whipped them. Poland went a goal down to Costa Rica early but pulled out a 2-1 victory that might salvage their coach's job. Only two matches really counted today, and only because they had second round implications. Neither result was very surprising.

GERMANY SWEEP

GERMANY 3 ECUADOR 0

The Lowdown: Germany actually needed to win this match to top the group and avoid a second-round showdown with likely Group B winners England. They took the occasion seriously, even risking captain Michael Ballack, who had a yellow card from a previous match. Ecuador were more cautious and rested some players on yellow cards. Not surprisingly, Germany gave them the business.

Match Rating: 3 out of 5. Started out very physical, with Germany looking to rough up their South American opponents. Ecuador never really got much going.

Man of the Match: Miroslav Klose bagged a brace (2 goals) and is now the tournament's leading scorer on 4 goals.

Disappointment of the Match: Hate to see a match with only one team out for the win. Ecuador actually created the first real opportunity but were snuffed out after that. They may end up regretting their reticence today. The loss means they lose the lovely momentum they had going and must play heavily favored England.

Huh? I don't speak Spanish very well but I understand enough to know that Jose Luis Chilavert was completely biased in his coverage for Spanish station Galavision. He was adamant that Torsten Frings had committed a foul to set up Klose's second goal. Don't think he extends his bias to all Latin American nations however, as he picked Argentina to falter in the first round. Arroz con crow anybody?

The Fallout: England for Ecuador, Sweden for Germany. Both matches sound easy on paper but I wouldn't be surprised if England go to penalties with Ecuador and Sweden could scare Germany if they get Ibrahimovic back.

Extra: Thousands upon thousands of Germans lined the streets after their victory, reminding us of the French throngs celebrating at France 98. I have bad news for Germany. The 98 French had Zinedine Zidane in his prime. You don't.

CAN YOU SAY NEMESIS?

The Lowdown: Good God, what will it take for England to beat Sweden? They haven't done it since 1968 and after today's ending I wouldn't bet on them to do it in our lifetime. As in 2002, they took a deserved 1-0 lead only to end up with a tie thanks to a great Swedish comeback. Once again, Sven's England showed they are a first-half team who wilt under the pressure of opposition tactics. Gerrard did give them another lead in the second half after he came on for Rooney, but again Sweden pulled one back. And just when Rooney comes back, Owen goes out. England may be cursed.

Match Rating: 4 out of 5. Very entertaining. Joe Cole's first half strike was magnificent and Marcus Allback's header was about as good as you'll see from a corner.

Man of the Match: I'm giving it to Joe Cole because he was amazing in the first half, although Sweden really closed him down in the second.

Disappointment of the Match: Sweden's last goal(89th minute I believe) was what is known in football parlance as a "howler,' as in bootleg to the max. English goalie Robinson stood watching as the ball coasted across the goalmouth and what Sol Campbell was trying to do with it was anyone's guess. It ended up comfortably in the far corner of the net, and it barely looked like a Swedish player had touched it at all.

Huh? Pure bliss is hearing about 50,000 English fans throating "God Save the Queen" only to be silenced by Sweden's late goal. Seriously, how can the English fans lay claim to being the world's most passionate if they only sing when they're winning? They should take a lesson from Ireland or South Korea. You're at a World Cup match, you'll probably never enjoy the privilege again. Cheer up for fuck sake.

The Fallout: Didn't mean a damn, except psychologically. England have to feel they haven't fully exercised their second half ghosts from WC 2002 and Euro 2004, when they squandered a lead against Portugal.

Extra: In a terrible blow(if you are English) Michael Owen's World Cup may be over. He appeared to twist a knee after a routine pass early in the match. He hasn't been on form anyway so it really wouldn't be that big a deal if not for the fact that Erikkson now has a grand total of three forwards on the roster. One of them, Theo Walcott, hasn't played yet this year, and I don't just mean the World Cup. He sat on Arsenal's bench the entire Premiership season. Nice choice Sven. You could have taken Jermain Defoe or Darren Bent but you went with an unproven 17-year-old. You are screwed. It might not be a bad idea to leave Gerrard on the bench as a super-sub. That sounds ridiculous for such a talented player but either Lampard of Gerrard have to sit because they simply do not gel together. Too similar.