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Spain v. Chile and Switzerland v. Honduras. No team in World Cup history has ever failed to qualify for the second round whilst garnering six points in the first round; if Spain and Switzerland win, that happens today.

It’s a messy set, but here’s the scoop: If Switzerland win by 2 goals, they’re in regardless of anything else.

Honduras aren’t mathematically eliminated, but they’d have to win by a large margin and get help in the other game.

Yellow to Thomas of Honduras.

Spain just about beat the Chilean defense from distance. Great ball played behind the defense.

Brilliant play from Chile, but they can’t finish.

Swiss shoot just wide.

Estrada shoots just wide for Chile.

Chile with a nice chip that the keeper taps out. Spain’s defense looks uncomfortable.

Yellow to Medel of Chile; he’s out for the next game.

Swiss head just wide.

Chile bringing some heat to knock back the Spaniards attack. Not to say that they couldn’t counter of course.

Yellow to Estrada of Chile on a horrible slide tackle from behind. Idiot.

It didn’t amount to anything but props to David Villa for running down that ball along the side.

Free kick to Chile. Right side of the Spanish box. Could amount to something. Nope.

GOAL! David Villa from 35 out after the Chilean keeper fails to clear adequately. Boy if you come out like that you better get it out of bounds. Bizarre play, but great shot. 1-0 Spain. Spain and Chile going through at present.

Fernandes of Switzerland gets a yellow for stopping the break.

Chile miss just wide on their own break. Corner.

Chile lucky not to be concede a penalty. I know the Spanish flop, but that looked like a foul in the box to me.

Goal! Spain gets another on a wonderful shot bent around the keeper. Some kind of scrum afterward. Did Estrada just get a red? Yes! Chile are well and truly hosed now. That was a terrible call. What a flop by Spain. Everything one loves and hates about Spain in one play: Beautiful soccer and flopping. Chile down to 10 men. Good luck getting even now, despite having the run of play generally.

Alonso of Spain hobbles off. Was the Chilean booked? Should have been, but no.

Halftime: 2-0 Spain v. Chile. 0-0 Switzerland v. Honduras. At present Spain and Chile go through.

Chile scores! Two minutes into the 2nd. Shot deflected off a defender. Keeper had no chance. Switzerland again needs two goals to get to next round. Presently they have zero.

Swiss player injured.

Honduras miss a pointblank header.

Suazo of Honduras gets a yellow.

Swiss shot saved, game really open now since Swiss need 2.

Chile looks to be tiring.

Yellow to Chavez of Honduras right at the top of the box. Danger, danger. Nothing. Corner to Swiss.

Spain starting to get the run of play. Chile continuing to lag.

Brilliant save by the Swiss keeper. That ball was going in.

Swiss with a chance wide.

That’s it! Spain and Chile move on.

Tags: World Cup soccer

Well, Ivory Coast needs to have Brazil beat Portugal—not an impossible occurrence—and then beat North Korea by eight goals which might be more problematic. After Portugal shelled North Korea for seven, including six in the second half, you’d say it can be done, but I’m not banking on it. Altogether it has to be a nine goal swing with Brazil and Ivory Coast victories.

North Korea are already out.

The reality is that Brazil v. Portugal is a game for the top spot in Group G, with Brazil taking it with either a win or a draw. Portugal needs to win outright, though they’re highly likely to take second even if they lose.

Fabiano gets a yellow. Portugal are diving, no surprise.

Ivory Coast are getting lots of early chances. Goal in the 15th minute! 1-0 Ivory Coast. Only seven more to go + a Brazil victory.

Drogba brings it down in the box off the post and headed home! 2-0 Ivory Coast 20 minutes in.

North Korea just miss a free kick wide. Nice chance. Keeper was beaten.

Juan of Brazil gets a yellow. Duda of Portugal a yellow.

Tiago of Portugal a yellow for diving.

Brazil off the post; nice save by the keeper.

Drogba with a great move to beat two in the box, but no runners and it’s all to no avail.

IC off the post.

Fabiano heads just wide.

Pepe gets a yellow; Melo gets a yellow and is subbed out.

Coentrao of Portugal gets a yellow.

2-0 and 0-0 at halftime.

Portugal misses a golden opportunity; keeper just gets a hand to it to knock it wide.

Ivory Coast scores a third in the 81st minute. 3-0 Ivory Coast, but it’s too late now to make a difference. The big remaining question is the Portugal v. Brazil game and who will top the group.

Portugese keeper makes a nice save off a deflection. Both games with 5 minutes of extra time.

And that’s it: Brazil tops group on the 0-0 draw with Portugal. Portugal takes second. Ivory Coast trounces North Korea 3-0, but it’s not enough.

Tags: World Cup soccer

Cameroon have nothing but pride to play for. Netherlands is already through to the next round; a draw is sufficient for them to top the group. The winner of Japan v. Denmark goes through. A tie goes to Japan. I’ve got Cameroon v. Netherlands on the TV with the other game—the important one—on ESPN360.com.

Great save from the Denmark Keeper; Japan getting chances now.

Denmark just across the goal mouth.

Japan scores on a magnificent free kick! 1-0. Wonderful shot. Netherlands and Japan going through at present.

Another free kick goal for Japan! Terrific shot! 2-0 Japan and Denmark is well and truly hosed. They need three goals without conceding any more to advance now. Lots of luck.

Netherlands scores on a nice little dummy in the box. 1-0.

Both games now at half. Denmark will need 3 goals in the 2nd half. Good luck with that.

Japan almost scores on another free kick, though this one is more of a keeper mishandle than a great shot.

Denmark bringing on another forward; shot saved. Getting chances with about 30 minutes left. Japan will look to counter.

Cameroon with a fantastic chance that’s hit straight to the keeper.

Cameroon have gotten a penalty; handball in the box. Obvious, easy call. Dunno what the defender was thinking doing that. Scores it.

1-1 now in Cameroon v. Netherlands. Doesn’t change anything for Cameroon, but if Netherlands were to lose and Japan were to score 2 more, then Japan would win group and Netherlands would be 2nd. That seems highly unlikely.

Denmark wins penalty from a dive. Bad call but 2-1 now. Saved but follow up is in.

Netherlands score. Shot off post, follow up easily in. 2-1.

Japan adds another against the depleted Danish defense. 3-1.

And that’s it! Netherlands and Japan go through to the next round.

Tags: World Cup soccer

Seeing a guy in a chicken suit singing the Paraguayan national anthem is a great way to start the day.

If New Zealand wins they’re in the next round. To say that this would be amazing is an understatement, and nobody I can think of expects it. If Paraguay wins, they’re through to the next round. A draw puts Paraguay in as well and NZ will have to rely on the Italy v. Slovakia game. Slovakia have to beat Italy to qualify. It’s unlikely but I’ll be cheering for it anyway. The last time Italy didn’t get out of group was 1974.

Yellow to Caceres of Paraguay. Earned.

Yellow to Strba of Slovakia.

Some great dribbling by Paraguay.

Italy flopping.

Paraguay with a shot just high and wide.

If both games end in a draw by the same score, all deciding factors will be level meaning New Zealand and Italy will draw lots to see who goes to the next round.

Slovakia scores! Italy’s defense gives it away! Great shot to the corner. Super news for me. 1-0 Slovakia.

Paraguay and Slovakia will advance if the score holds.

Yellow to Cannavaro of Italy.

Vittek of Slovakia gets a yellow.

Yellow to Santa Cruz of Paraguay.

Slovak player down with what looks to be a bad injury. Stretchered off. Cut on the knee; we’ll see. Subbing in for him; no, now they’ve changed it and wrapped the knee. We’ll see how it is, but the injured guy is back in.

Paraguay v. NZ is 0-0 at half.

Slovakia puts one just wide in injury time.

That’s half. 1-0 Slovakia.

Italian shot blocked off the line in the 66th minute!

NZ throwing people forward as well.

Italians now with three in back (started with four).

Slovakia SCORES! Vittek in off a corner! 2-0 Slovakia! Stunning! Only good news I can think of for Italy is that every Italian player will have a chance to flop at the end of the game. About 15 minutes left.

Pepe of Italy gets a yellow.

NZ survives a scare, but they have to score to advance.

Italy scores in the 80th minute. Sadly.
2-1 now. Two yellows one to Italy, one to Slovakia keeper in the scrum after the goal.

About 7 minutes plus added time. Can Slovakia hold on?

Italy puts in the net, but offside. Yes, he was.

Slovakia scores from a throw-in! 3-1 Slovakia! Italy is toast!

An aside: John Harkes is an incredibly annoying commentator.

Paraguay v. NZ now in injury time; 3 minutes.

Italy scores! A beautiful chip in. Great goal! 3-2 Slovakia. Two minutes left.

Paraguay v. NZ is a draw. Paraguay goes on; New Zealand is out, but let’s take a moment to congratulate the Kiwis on a fine World Cup showing. Tying Italy (and deserving a win) and tying Paraguay are both achievements of which they can be proud.

Pepe misses on the back post. How was he all alone and how did he miss?

That’s it! Italy loses 3-2! They’re out of the Cup. Fantastic news for those of us who hate floppers!

Tags: World Cup soccer

All teams in Group D still have a chance to qualify. Ghana and Germany battle for the top spot (Germany leads Serbia on goal differential, so it’s possible that Germany and Serbia win and if Serbia wins by enough, Serbia wins group). If things stay as they are—both games are draws—Ghana wins group and Germany is second. The US plays team 2, right now meaning Germany, on Saturday. Best result for the US are Ghana and Australia victories, but I don’t expect either of those.

Germany with an early shot. Easily saved. Germany with most of the possession. Attack down the wing just wide.

Serbia misses a golden chance. Beat the keeper on the run, but too wide to get the ball on frame.

Ghana shot blocked. Dangerous!

Serbia with a chance. Missed the header.

Lucovic of Serbia gets a yellow.

Corner for Australia. Nothing.

Germany with a corner. The pass the ball across the box several times; results in a throw-in.

Now 20 minutes in.

Serbia shot saved from in close! Great save by the keeper!

Ghana blows a golden opportunity. Really should have gotten that one in.

Huge save by the Ghana keeper!

Ghana just heads wide off a corner. They’re getting chances!

Cahill heads wide for the SoccerRoos. Everybody’s getting chances in both games, though I’d say Australia is getting the fewest opportunities of everyone.

Serbia misses a header wide. Serbia’s missing great chances.

Germany misses a header. 35 minutes gone.

Serbia offside, but man it’s close. Otherwise it was going in. Still 0-0.

Australia with a nice counter that nets a corner. Wasted.

Yellow card to Ayew of Ghana. He got the ball, but he got a lot of player too. It’s a good card for keeping the game from getting chippy.

Muller gets a yellow for Germany. Went down and got very little man but also got no ball whatsoever.

Header missed by Ghana.

Australian header saved.

0-0 in both games at halftime. Lots of great action!

Yellow to Australia. Now another to Australia. They’ll be down to 10 men soon at this rate. ESPN says Australia have never won at the World Cup when even at half. Not a good sign, since they need a victory or they’re out.

Ghana break saved by the keeper. GREAT goal keeping this Cup. Germany looks to counter.

Serbia misses one inside the penalty area. Sent high.

Serbia offside.

Ghana shot saved. It’s a real back and forth.

Australia getting lots of pressure. Shot wide.

Serbia picks up a yellow. Note to players: Do not slide unless absolutely necessary.

Australian corner cleared.

GOAL! Germany scores! Oezil gets free at the top of the box and slots it! 1-0 Germany.

That puts Germany at the top of the group with Ghana in second.

Corner now to Ghana. Out the back.

Australia looks like they’re playing with 4 forwards. Good shot, but offside on the follow-up.

Australia putting on all kinds of pressure.

Ghana shot blocked by Lahm. Great block!

Emerton gets a yellow for Australia.

Serbia heads just high and wide. Very close.

Mueller subbed out for Germany.

Cahill scores for Australia! GOAL! 1-0 Australia! Beautiful header! Ghana and Germany still going through at this stage.

If Serbia loses they’re out. Australia is down goal differential heavily to Ghana

Right now US plays Ghana if things stand, and I’m good with that. Vastly preferred to playing Germany.

Podelski rocketed a shot which went off the face of a Ghana player. He’s being stretchered off. Probably OK.

Australia scores from distance! 2-0 Australia! Two goals in 3 minutes. Goal differential is 4 I think. Great shot to the corner! Yes, commentator says presently, Australia needs 2 more goals to get into the next round. About 15 minutes left.

Serbian shot wide.

If nothing else, thank God for Australia pushing guys forward. This is a massively entertaining change from the first half.

Germany on the counter. Nothing.

Subs in the Germany v. Ghana game. Schwansteiger might be hurt. Looks like hamstring.

Australia subs out Wilkshire, defender, for an attacker. About 10 minutes left.

Serbia scores! Keeper couldn’t hold on, and the follow-up is netted easily. Unfortunate, after such a great game. 2-1 Australia.

Still Germany and Ghana going through. Serbia called back for offside.

If Serbia scores to equalize, they’ll be the second team through in group.

Australia is likely done for, now needing three goals from themselves and/or Germany.

Kennedy for Australia just misses wide.

Ghana pumps one over the net. Serbia does as well.

Serbia on the run. Corner. Serbia claims hand ball. Yeah, Cahilll hand. Serbia on the attack. This is it. Extra time now. Three minutes.

Germany trying to play possession. Less than a minute in regulation. Ghana attacking. Three minutes additional here too.

Serbia attacking. A goal or bust. Australia’s counter is finally cleared. Serbia on offside. He should never be offside there.

Last attack for Serbia. No. Australia on the attack. Nothing. That’s the game!

Australia and Serbia both out.

Germany wins! Germany takes the Group and will play England on the Sunday morning. Ghana takes second on the Serbia loss, and US plays Ghana on Saturday.

Whew. Exciting!

Tags: World Cup soccer

Edu in midfield (no Clark!) and Gomez up top (Findley has two yellows if memory serves). No Guch after the last horror show he put on the field. I like our starting 11 to the extent that I can like our starting 11. Our defense remains incredibly suspect, but I think we’re throwing our strongest starting group out there, so I can’t complain.

England v. Slovenia is underway; I’m watching it on ESPN360.com. Early shot over the top for Algeria. Defense better not be losing headers today. US attacks down the flank to the keeper on the Donovan cross. Counterattack results in a goal kick for us. Looks like it might be an open game.

Algeria off the post in the 5th minute. Looked offside then DeMerit missed the ball. Good shot from Gomez on the counterattack. Nice save, corner US. Keeper has it. Algeria counters. Nothing.

Ref giving lots of warnings but no cards that I’ve seen in the England game. I’m not focusing on it but i looks like England is doing a lot of defending and hoping to counter.

First yellow to Yebda of Algeria for tripping Altidore.

Free kick England from distance; on frame but saved.

Gomez over the top on a tricky volley in the 15th minute. Donovan over the top in the 17th.

USA puts one in in a scramble, but Dempsey’s offside. Pretty close. Replay look indeterminate, so hard to condemn the linesman who had to call it live.

England scores on a cross in the 22nd minute! DeFoe puts it by the keeper! 1-0 England.

Dempsey fouled; player warned.

Gerrard with shot that’s barely saved by the keeper. Still 1-0 England. As things stand, the England wins group with 5 point and Slovenia takes 2nd with 4. The US would be out. With England winning, we need a victory to move on.

Good ball from Cherundolo that we can’t finish.

Donovan with a nice ball to Dempsey that he can’t quite finish. Close!

Altidore puts it over from a near in! Should have had it.

Howard saves a shot from distance. Corner. Foul; our free kick.

Yellow to a Slovenia player in the England game. Handball. Free kick England. Nothing. Now 40 minutes gone there.

England 1-0 at half; US-Algeria 0-0 at half. We need a goal in the 2nd—and we’ve had chances—or we’re headed home. We’re dominating.

Feilhaber on, Gomez off. Unclear what Bradley’s thinking exchanging a forward for a midfielder when a score is essential, but I’ll trust he knows what he’s doing.

Dempsey off the post in the 11th minute of the 2nd. Follow-up over the top. Geez.

Altidore picks up a weak yellow. Foul, but lame call on the card.

Edu out; Buddle in.

Feilhaber dribbled in the box and Altidore was open but the keeper blocked it out. Corner US. US heads wide.

Cross and pointblank header saved. I can’t believe we haven’t scored. US defense gets shifted in the counter attack and Algeria near makes us pay. Geez.

Buddle crosses one hard. Corner. Nope. Algeria counters. Picked, but turned over.

Still 1-0 England in the other game with England getting more chances.

Altidore fouled on the corner of the box. Bit of a dive, I thought. Another chance. Bradley heads over the bar.

Yellow to Yahia of Algeria for the foul on Buddle. About 15 minutes left. Cherundolo’s cross headed out; should have been a corner but ref couldn’t tell.

Dempsey is fouled just outside the box. We’re getting all kinds of pressure. You’d think we’d get one of these. Bradley’s nice shot saved. Corner.

In the England game, a couple of Slovenians have been booked. Yellows only.

Bornstein out; Beasley(!) in. Speed on the wing now if nothing else.

Dempsey’s bleeding on the face or mouth. Replay shows a player hitting at him and connecting. Ref missed it.

Lacen of Algeria takes down Altidore on the run and get a yellow. Good call. Free kick straight away to the US. Dempsey puts it high.

Three and half minutes to get a goal or we’re out.

Beasley witha yellow for a handball.

Four minutes extra time, which seems generous.

Break down the wing with numbers. Donovan scores the rebound! GOAL! We lead the group!

England has won.

CORNER TO ALGERIA. Yellow to Yaha! That’s it — a red he’s gone. Didn’t see the foul, but Algeria now to 10 men. Would like to see a replay.

Altidore fouled. 30 seconds. Free kick US. That’s it! Game US! 1-0. We win group! From out of the World Cup to Group winners in less than 3 minutes. Wow. Gritty performance.

Tags: World Cup soccer

I’m not expecting anything about an Argentine victory. They’e been the class of the Group so far. Argentina hasn’t quite qualified for the second round, but unless they lose by three to Greece they’re in. Greece needs a victory plus a better goal differential compared to South Korea who plays Nigeria simultaneously.

Lots of middle third possession for Argentina in the first 10 minutes, otherwise nothing notable.

Goal for Nigeria, now 1-0 over South Korea. As things stand, Argentina and Greece go through, an amazing statement given how awful Greece was in the opening match. Still, Nigeria have a poor record of squandering early leads at the World Cup and there’s a lot of soccer left.

Greece into the final third a couple times, but all the dangerous chances seems to belong to Argentina. Keeper saves a great attempt from Argentina in the 17th minute. Corner from Messi comes way out and Veron hammers one that keeper is forced to block for another corner. This one cleared.

Argentina slides one through the box but nobody able to connect.

Greece picks up a yellow in the 29th minute for a relatively stupid foul. Good chance for Argentina on the direct kick. Veron into the wall.

Shot blocked for a corner in the 32nd minute. Argentina with the run of play; Greece will need a counterattack to get something. Greece sends one long in the 33rd that just about splits the defense. Good try.

Greece down to 10 while a player gets treatment. Clears for a corner from an Argentine attack.

South Korea equalizes in the 38th minute! 1-1 South Korea v. Nigeria. Currently Argentina and South Korea go to the second round.

Greek free kick punched out; quick counter goes too far for the Argentine forward to track down.

Greek keeper with two big saves in extra time! 0-0 at half.

Two minutes in Greece misses a major chance. By rights they should be up 1-0.

Six minutes into the 2nd, South Korea takes a 2-1 lead over Nigeria. Presently, Argentina wins group, South Korea is 2nd (on goal differential).

Argentina still getting chances. One would think Greece would begin to throw some guys forward soon—as it stands, a draw means they’re out.

Nigeria earns a penalty and converts! 2-2 South Korea v. Nigeria. Presently, it’s Argentina and South Korea going through, but everybody is still alive. One goal could change everything—how would it be if Greece scored and Argentina were knocked out?

Possession now Argentina 66%, Greece 34%.

Argentina picks up a yellow on Bolatti. Argentina subs in Pastore, who has a fantastic rep. Corner to Argentina.

Argentina Scores! That almost guarantees they’re through to the next round. Greece needs two goals now and that’s highly unlikely. Maradona and assistant coaches hug.

The biggest remaining question is Nigeria v. South Korea. If Nigeria scores and wins, they go through to the next round, otherwise it’s South Korea. Greece is likely done.

Argentina playing keep away now. They’re just looking to kill clock. Eight minutes remaining in regulation.

Messi off the post!

More keep-away. Three minutes left.

Messi shoots, saved, follow-up is in! 2-0 Argentina. Greece is going home.

Greece with a couple of shots in extra time, but it’s too late now. And that’s it. Argentina wins Group B. The 2-2 South Korea v. Nigeria draw moves South Korea into second place.

Tags: World Cup soccer

This is it! A draw and both teams go through, but a loss opens the door for France or South Africa. Importantly, a draw puts Mexico in second in Group A which would mean that they face powerhouse Argentina in the next round. I don’t think anyone wants to face Argentina in round two.

We’re in the final games of the first round which means that France v. South Africa is being played simultaneously. After all the turmoil for Les Bleus in the last few days, a victory would certainly be welcome and, depending on this game, give them a chance of moving into the second round.

Uruguay with an early chance that goes wide; Mexico just misses a Blanco header moments later.

Credit to both teams in the opening 20 minutes. It’s a wide-open, entertaining game. France v. South Africa: SA takes the early lead 1-0 on a corner badly misplayed by the French keeper.

Gourcuff gets a red card in the France game. France down to 10 men. South Africa scores again in the 36th minute. 2-0 South Africa with French hopes nearly extinguished.

Uruguay! In the 43rd minute on a deep cross. 1-0 Uruguay. That’s great news for South Africa. Uruguayan player was wide open. Had no problem at all heading it in on the run. 1-0 at half.

Two great chances for Uruguay in the 8th minute of the 2nd. Great save from the keeper on the first, good defense on the second.

France scores! 2-1 South Africa. Terrible news for South Africa’s second round hopes.

19 minutes into the 2nd Mexico misses a pointblank header. Really should have equalized.

Yellow to Uruguayan defender in the 22nd minute of the 2nd. As it stands right now and if nothing changes, Uruguay wins group and Mexico gets second.

Mexico applying a lot of pressure—and good for them—but they’d need two goals to change the standings.

The game has turned chippy. I’m guessing more cards coming soon. About 10 minutes left.

There’s a yellow to Mexico.

And that’s the game. Uruguay wins the game 1-0 and Group A. Mexico backs into 2nd place and will play Argentina (good luck) in the next round.

South Africa, who played with flair and heart, and, it must be said, who have been good hosts, exit after their 2-1 victory over France, losing 2nd in Group A to Mexico on goal differential.

France finish their farcical tourney in utter shambles. Apparently they benched team captain Patrick Evra for today’s game. After sending home their top striker, the resignations of their Football Association president and an assistant coach, and the team’s refusal to train on Sunday, you couldn’t ask for a bigger soap opera. Four years after finishing second (and deserving first given the flopping of the hated Italians), France soccer is in disarray.

Tags: World Cup soccer

Expect to see Spain win. I do.

David Villa off the post; Spain getting a lot of pressure into the attacking third.

Honduras has had chances, more than I thought they would.

OMG what a goal by David Villa! Goal of the Cup so far I think! Dribbled three guys and slotted it passed the keeper into the corner. Brilliant! 1-0 Spain at 16 minutes.

Mendoza fouls Villa. No card which is hard to believe. Thought it was a yellow for sure. Free kick Spain. Nothing.

Torres gets two chance is less than a minute, putting both of them over. 55-45 Spain in time of possession at the 34 minute mark.

Yellow to Honduras at 37 minutes for what likes a dive on the replay.

1-0 Spain at half with David Villa looking dangerous on almost every possession.

4 v 4 counter in 5th minute of the second allows David Villa to net another. The defenders collapsed on attackers toward the penalty spot and Villa knocked it off a defender and in. 2-0 Spain.

15 minutes into the second the ref gives a penalty; reply looks like a flop to me, though. Attacker felt a little contact and dropped like a rock. Lame, but then Villa misses wide right—worst thing he’s done all day—so it works out. That would’ve given him a hat trick. Too bad, sorta.

Loads of pressure on the Honduran defense as their offense wastes what few chances they get. Free kick in the 23rd minute of the 2nd gets kicked way over the bar.

Villa stuffed on break in the 85th minute. Maybe should have gone one-touch.

Good game, with Spain definitely the better of the two. 2-0 Spain.

Tags: World Cup soccer

This game marks a wonderful turning point: I’ve done the last of the 4:30 AM games. Tomorrow’s matches are the final games of the first round, and as such each group’s last two games are played simultaneously to prevent any team from gaining an advantage. All subsequent games will run at 7 AM and 11:30 AM, two very acceptable times.

Early yellow to Chile. Switzerland has been a rock of defense. At the last World Cup, they did not allow a goal (losing in penalties in the second round). They knocked off Spain with this staunch defense, and while it’s not always winning or exciting soccer, it is definitely not losing soccer.

Chile looked good against Honduras, admittedly faint praise, but praise nonetheless.

Around 10 minutes, Chile pumps two successive shots that the Swiss keeper does well to parry. Looks like Chile’s plan is to shoot a lot from distance. Good a plan as any.

Lots of cards coming out in an unimpressive fashion. Are these deserved? 26 minutes in and four yellows.

30 minutes and a Swiss guy send off. Not great refereeing.

0-0 at half.

Switzerland will play for the tie obviously and since they’ve already taken out Spain, one point today will suffice. Chile is mounting a number of challenges, though, and that’s be no means assured.

Chile steals the ball. The keeper is brilliant in stopping the one-on-one.

Two more yellows, one for each side, but inexplicable. Another card coming. Another yellow. Ref is completely losing control of the game.

Goal to Chile in the 75th minute. Guess they beat the Swiss offside trap. Iffy, but good enough today. 1-0 Chile.

Lots of excitement as Switzerland sends men forward. All kinds of gaps in the back. Chile missing good chances now.

Swiss with a superb chance that is shot wide. Really should have done better with that.

That’s it. 1-0 Chile in a game decided as much by the ref as the players. Ten cards given in the game, only maybe 1 or 2 of which were deserved. I know other refs have blown calls here or there, but for my money this was the worst officiated game of the Cup so far.

Tags: World Cup soccer