Spain head to the Finals, after beating lack luster Germany

Spain has advanced to the Finals of the World Cup and this is the first time they have done so. The 74th minute header by Puyol battered the German spirit who I thought lacked any kind of luster in their game. The Germans were outshone completely by La Roja who was much more skillful, attacking and demanding. They definitely outclassed, outplayed, and simply outdid the Germans fair and square!

Sometime into the game the Germans looked lost and quiet did not know what to do. Definitely the game speed was down to less than a notch, and that’s not what the Germans like. They love a fast game, with a lot of roughness. But the Spanish dribble and skillful passes seemed to have gotten the worst of them.

Germany 0-1 Spain Highlights

This will be the first time that Netherlands and Spain both meet at the finals that will be held in the Soccer Stadium. And if you seen the game between Spain and Germany you will very well agree that Joachim Lowe’s men seemed to be missing the class that Thomas Muller brings to his teams side. Probably it was the absence of Muller that led them to downcast their scintillating display of game.

The first half of the game went without any goal being scored, and the second half too started that way. Before Puyol put in that beautiful header we did really think that the game would get into extra time. But Spain was threatening throughout the game and hardly gave the Germans any chance to take the ball to their D.

Although Lowe thought he could change a few things by replacing Jerome Boateng with Jansen and Toni Kroos for Trochowshi it stood to no effect. Clearly the better team won yesterday. And Paul the Octopus who has predicted everything about Germany’s game, was right again yesterday.

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Chile, Happy in Defeat

It is a very rare occasion that a defeat tasted so sweet. This is how Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa is feeling right now. Even if their team suffered a defeat 2-1 to Spain, El Loco had his face filled with smiles as their team celebrated their qualification for the 2010 World Cup Round of 16. In the knock-out rounds, the battle between Switzerland and Honduras produced a goalless draw.

Before the tournament started the Argentina squad made an oath that they would do everything they can to ensure team would stay as long as possible in the tournament. Their will to do so is displayed by the enormous status in his accepted country and also the wish to cover up for the disappointment of his Argentina team at Korea/Japan 2002, when the favored Albiceleste unexpectedly left in the group phase. There is nothing that can heal that scar. He made this comment after the confirmation of Chile’s place in the next round. The two are completely different circumstances and this does not make up for that.

Knowledgeable of the pain that Bielsa suffered eight years ago in the Far East, his players had a lot of words of support and praises for their mentor. The players are very happy for him and he was the reason we are now here in the first place and he’s been a major factor to why ware are still here in South Africa, Rodrigo Millar said. He is Chile’s only goal scorer against Spain, Group H winner.

Jean Beausejour Another team-mate reiterated these words, the qualifying of the team is dedicated for him, our families and everyone in all Chile who put their faith in the squad and us all the way gave their support. This is an accomplishment that is to be celebrated.

Chile for the first time is back in the finals since 1998 in France 1998, Chile’s secured negotiation of the group phase signify not a small accomplishment and was appropriately enjoyed by the players, who were delighted to broaden some joy to the fans back home. It is our knowledge that the people of Chile are very happy of what we are doing here, Millar said. We are very sure that they are now having a party, even though it would have been great if we gave them a victory.
It should have been nice to do it but at least we were able to reach the main objective of reaching the last 16. Now we are more motivated in the game versus Brazil.

USA vs Ghana Score

USA 1 – 2 Ghana

Australia Left with a Win

The adventure of Australia in South African may have ended early but Tim Cahill their talismanic midfielder was on a high note after the Socceroos bowed out of their FIFA World Cup battle with a win over Serbia. Loosing only by goal difference in Group D to Ghana, Cahill wrapped inside an Australian flag and with a jester’s hat, looked like he was contented after Australia left the Mbombela Stadium playing field on a standing ovation.

After both sides did not make a score on the first half in Nelspruit, Australia returned on the second half and surprised Serbia by scoring with a two goal lead before a reply was made later and the final score is 2-1. Cahill was sent off while playing against Germany which they lost in their first game. He was suspended for the resulting draw against Ghana and then scored the opener that gave a breath of life into the Aussies’ cause.

Cahill after the win said immediately that it was not that sweet but it was at least a win. In fact, he suggested that the win had a bitter taste to it. He continued that it was amazing playing in the World Cup. He did not even know if he would get another chance to play again. A lot of discussion was done after the Germany game, if it was his fault to or not. It made him want to return, come back and make a great play.

Even if they were two goals down when Cahill was shown red during the 56th minute versus the Germans, you would surely wonder how things may have happened if he was not sent off and missed the 1-1 tied game against the Black Stars. If they beat Ghana it would have been a different story, but it is behind us now. Now on the positive side, we have shown what the team can do. They have great spirits and got lots of young talent.

Pim Verbeek the outgoing coach said Cahill the impact player is one of the most reliable and important on his team. Undoubtedly, he is there when needed and a consistent goal scorer. His rate of work is fantastic. The team is more confident when he is playing, so the team missed him after he was sent-off against Germany and especially versus Ghana. It was a very big loss, but on the last game he showed how much help he can be for the team.

France is Praying For a Miracle

Raymond Domenech the embattled France coach acknowledged on Thursday that the star-studded team is in a crisis and desperately need a miracle on their bid for the FIFA World Cup after a crashing 2-0 loss to Mexico. While France, the 2006 runner up and 1998 world champions, only has a point after two games in the Group A matches in South Africa and behind Uruguay and Mexico who will face each other on Tuesday.

France 0-2 Mexico (Highlights)

France should beat South Africa in their last game and hope the computation works for them. But Domenech, who resigned and will be substituted by Laurent Blanc after the games, is loosing hope that his team can make it to the second round. He admitted that now, they need a miracle. The team must not loose composure and stay to be strong and play for honor. They must show something at least even in the last match.

Veteran Cuauhtemoc Blanco transformed a penalty to a score and clinch Mexico’s first win against France after striker Javier Hernandez who is just a substitute, put the Central Americans in the lead after 64 minutes into the Group A match at Peter Mokaba Stadium. France fought back to create opportunities against an energetic Mexican squad.

France coach Raymond Domenech said he has no words to express the disappointment for the people who believed in the team. If they had the answers then they must have done something to correct it. The intentions and desires are good. And he feels just like the fans and the people of France. At the moment, it’s more than a disappointment. And he could not say anything to the players. Florent Malouda the Chelsea star confessed that the players were surprised by the loss. He continued to say that they are the only ones who can save their honor. They could not leave the World Cup without even a single win.

Mexico’s Hernandez said the win will make the entire country proud. He is happy for a lot of reasons. Not just for the award of being man of the match or the goal that he made but also because the win brought a lot of happiness to Mexico. But he continued that this is just the beginning, it is still a long and hard way to continue. Uruguay is still not on their agenda, they still want to linger on the fact that they won versus France should be the subject of the moment.

Javier Aguirre their Coach said it was vital to beat France. They are among the top ones in the league. They produced a very strong performance but they are not out of the woods yet.

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