JUST WHEN IT STARTED TO GET PREDICTABLE

THE UPSETS ARE HERE

Yes, I've been a very bad blogger. Sue me. Some momentous matches have taken place over the last three days and this would be a poor excuse for a World Cup blog if I didn't talk about them. It was recently commented here that the better teams had won every game at this tournament and that was true at the time. On the one hand this is good news for the game. We all want to see the perennial giants of the game featuring in the latter rounds. For this reason many people have called Japan/Korea 2002 one of the worst ever World Cups. Why? Let's see, it was co-hosted by two countries not known for football; favorites France, Argentina, and Portugal lost in the first round. Unfancied Senegal and the United States made the quarterfinals, and even less fancied Turkey and South Korea made the semi-finals. To top it all off an average, plodding(8-0 over Saudi Arabia excluded, or is it?) German team made it all the way to the final. At least some sanity was restored by Brazil's victory, but not many people would argue that Brazil 2002 were one of the greatest sides in football history. So, fast forward to Germany 2006 and it looks like the footballing gods have restored order, with bigger, more enthusiastic crowds and the big guns(Argentina, Brazil, Italy, et al.) firing on all cylinders. Until last Saturday the biggest upset of the tournament was Trinidad's 1-1 tie with Sweden. An upset to be sure, but c'mon, we can do better than that, right? Of course we can.

GHANA 2 CZECH REPUBLIC 0

The Lowdown: Just when it looked like African teams were done for. Anybody who saw the Czech Republic dismantle(and that's being kind) the United States and Ghana held scoreless by Italy in Group E's opening matches could not have predicted this in their wildest dreams. Granted, Ghana didn't look half bad against Italy but the Czechs looked like world-beaters against America. This match offered the prospect of a titantic midfield duel between Rosicky/Nedved and Essien/Appiah. My money was on the Czech duo but that's why I'm not a gambling man. Asamoah Gyan's goal within two minutes was the fastest at this tournament so far. The final score was more than deserved and but for the heroics of Petr Cech it could have been more lopsided, as Ghana even missed a penalty. Perhaps the Czechs really miss their striking duo of Baros/Koller more than anyone anticipated. This result had serious implications for the other Group E match on the day as it opened the door for a reeling United States team.

Match Rating: 4 out of 5. I love an upset.

USA 1 ITALY 1

The Lowdown: Anybody familiar with US soccer history knows that this is unequivocally one of the most historic results in the nation's history and will be talked about for years to come. It represented the first non-loss for the United States in a World Cup on European soil, and it came against a mighty good Italy team. To score against Italy was impressive, to finish with a point against them even more so. But to accomplish this with only nine men for a good portion of the second half is absolutely astounding. Even more ridiculously, but for a Brian McBride offside the US could have won, which would have made this the greatest upset in World Cup history. No team has ever scored with nine men.

Match Rating: 5 out of 5. Maybe the most riveting match I have ever seen, though certainly marred by some ugly fouls. Can't beat the drama however.

Man of the Match: It should go to Kasey Keller or a defender like Onyewu, but I have to give it to Clint Dempsey because I think his electrifying presence was the difference between this US side and the one that bombed in the first game. That and the fact that I want to be him.

Disappointment of the Match: DeRossi's elbow on McBride was the worst play of the tournament so far. Mastroeni's red card tackle wasn't far behind. Three red cards is unbelievable, and this marked only the fourth time in World Cup history it has happened. Can't say any were undeserved however.

The Fallout: Quite a lot. DeRossi's World Cup is likely over. The group has just been thrown wide open, with all four teams in what a shout to advance.

Extra: After their intial embarrassment the US team have proved they belong. Italy must rue coming away with a tie against nine men, even if they only had ten themselves. They came awfully close to ending USA's World Cup several times in the final moments. The last match day of this group will be very interesting indeed.

PORTUGAL 2 IRAN 0

Portugal welcomed the sublime midfielder Deco back into their lineup and his presence is a big reason why they are moving on and Iran are going home. Believe it or not, this is the first time Portugal have reached the second round of the World Cup since 1966. Although they didn't crack open Iran's stubborn defense until around the 60th minute, Portugal always looked the better side, but once again they missed many golden opportunites and surely will be punished for letting such chances go astray against more stout opposition. In other news, the Portuguese are officially the biggest cheats at Germany 2006, hitting the deck in agony if a defender so much as breathes on them. Figo, Deco, and Ronaldo should take up Olympic diving.

JAPAN 0 CROATIA 0

Both of these sides could really have used a win but are technically still alive. This game can be summed up in one word: Kawaguchi. He saved a Croatia penalty and and was stellar throughout. Croatia created more chances but Yanagisawa wins for worst miss of the tournament by missing an open goal. Japan coach Zico was livid his team were forced to play another game in the scorching heat of the afternoon. Didn't the Croatians have to play in the same weather?

Extra: Croatia is up shit creek, needing a victory against Australia, which I don't think they will get. Japan are even more screwed, needing to beat Brazil outright.

BRAZIL 2 AUSTRALIA 0

Brazil are through but they haven't looked very convincing at this tournament. Australia fought hard and the final scoreline was perhaps a little harsh. Ronaldo played much better but was again duly replaced by Robinho. Ronaldinho hasn't been particulary impressive with Kaka looking like the real maestro in Brazil's midfield so far. Don't bet on that to continue, however.

The Fallout: Brazil can rest some players against Japan but I can't see the Japanese beating them. Australia-Croatia should be a great game between two desperate squads.

FRANCE 1 SOUTH KOREA 1

Two words: HA HA! France managed to score their first Cup goal since the 98 final courtesy of a nice Henry finish but they still haven't won since then, conceding a late equaliser by Man United's Park Ji-Sung after looking a bit too content with their 1-0 lead. Korea's fans are officially the coolest at this World Cup. They constantly sang even when losing, and they brought drums. Awesome. One bright spot for France was midfielder Malouda, who provided some of the attacking spark that Zidane has uncharacteristically been lacking.

Huh? The French were livid that Viera's header was not counted as a goal because it appeared to cross the line. You know what? If you want a goal, make sure it shakes the net. I have zero tolerance for near-goaline bullshit, which apparently means I have little tolerance for FIFA rules?

The Fallout: France will still get through, they simply won't lose to Togo. Korea have a good shot to advance. Unfortunately they will probably need to beat Switzerland, as a tie would leave the Swiss with a better goal differential. Go Korea! Just imagine a tie in both matches, however. Korea and Switzerland would move on. Wow! Not likely though.

Memo to French coach Domenech: Start Trezeguet up front with Henry against Togo, forget all the useless midfield buildup and hoof the ball directly to the forward line. They're good for at least a goal apiece.

SWITZERLAND 2 TOGO 0

This result is not worthy of blog space. A win against Togo should only be worth 2 points. Have to give some credit to the Swiss, though. Both their goals were very pretty.

The Fallout: Togo are out, though they didn't play horribly here. They were denied a clear penalty when Adebayor was butchered in the box. The Swiss are in prime position to advance with a game against South Korea.

Extra: Togo's players nearly boycotted this match over a pay dispute. Yes, you read that correctly.

UKRAINE 4 SAUDI ARABIA 0

This result makes you realize how huge an opportunity Tunisia squandered in their first match. Once again, the Saudi Arabians prove they don't belong anywhere near the World Cup. Shevchenko showed his true colors by scoring one and setting up another, but in all honesty, if a victory over Togo is worth 2 points one against the Saudis should go for 1.5.

Extra: Get your bets in now for how many goals Spain will put past Saudi Arabia. My money's on 6 and that's only because Spain have already progressed. Otherwise I really believe they would produce a worse drubbing than Germany's 8-0 result in 2002.

SPAIN 3 TUNISIA 1

Tunisia are reigning African champions and some people tipped them to surpise at this World Cup and on 8 minutes Mnari's goal put the old fear of failure back into overconfident Spain. The Spanish dominated possession however and their efforts paid off when Raul pounced on a spilled save in the 72nd minute before prodigy Torres netted a lovely finish followed by a late penalty.

The Fallout: Tunisia are out, and deserve nothing less having only drawn against the Saudis. Spain move on but may have showed some of their old weakness under pressure today. Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas was outstanding however, though I must give man of the match to winger Joaquin whose forays down the wing opened up Tunisia's defense.