England struggle, Sweden held, Ivory Coast trouble Argentines

1. England Vs. Paraguay (10,June)

Score : England 1 : 0 Paraguay
Verdict : Both sides were pathcy , England lucky to win
Key Moments :
a. Own goal by captain Gamarra from a Beckham free-kick from left channel , in the 4th minute.
b. Paraguay first choice keeper , stretched out in the 7th minute.
Key Players :
a. Frank Lampard : had a few long range efforts saved.
b. Joe Cole : had his moments , looked the mostly likely to open up the paraguyan defense on an otherwise dull afternoon.


Photo : Joe Cole in action above.

# This could very well be one of the dullest match
es of the tournament, had no life at all. Both the teams struggled to hold on to the ball and create any sorta openings .
In th end the 4th minute own goal was all that seperated the two sides.

2. Trinidad Vs. Sweden

Score : Trinidad 0 : 0 Sweden
Verdict : Bad result for Sweden.

# Sweden have an uphill task ahead , if they are to qualify for the round of 16.
Trinidad on the other hand earn their first world cup points in their very first world cup match.

3. Argentina vs. Ivory Coast (10, June)

Score : Argentina 2 : 1 Ivory Coast
Verdict : Fair result eventually.
Key Moments:
a. Crespo , Totally against the run of play , gave Argentina the lead in the 24th.
b. Kader Kieta missed a gem of a chance to equalise in 32nd minute, from 2 feets out , after Drogba had done superb head work.
c. Saviola killed off the spirit of the african team , with a clinical finish after a sublime through ball by Riquilme, 5 minutes after Kieta had missed a sitter.
d. Drogba tapped in a backpass in 82nd,after the african debutants had been constantly terrorising the argentinian back defense with their swift counterattacks.
This goal made way for a really tense last 10 minutes or so for the argentines.
Key Players :
a. Saviola: was a surprise inclusion in the starting line-up, but lived upto is coach's faith in him by scoring the killer goal and also creating havoc in the opponent's half with his skills.


Photo : Maradona was in stands cheering his team(top). Crespo celebrating his goal.(above)

# Argentina have themselves in a great postion to get through 'The group of death'.
Ivory coast have shown that they are a force to reckon with in the group C and could very well give troubles to Holland. Only difference in the two sides last night was that Argentina took their chances while Ivory Coast cudn't. You could run around with the ball all 90 minutes and have 300 shows on goal but what matters in the end is , how many times did u put it at the back of the net !

Group C update :Holland now find themselves in a must-win situation against Serbia today.