The World Cup has been diminished from 32 to 16 participating nations because the knockout phases begin. This is how the closing sixteen faired as they battled for a place in the sector finals.
Argentina have been company favourites to see off Mexico yet Ricardo La Volpes area have been now not there to actually make up the numbers. Captain Rafael Marquez gave Mexico a shock lead after four minutes yet Argentina hit to come back five minutes later thru Hernan Crespo, although it is questionable regardless of whether the Chelsea striker touched the ball. With the 90 minute draw secured at 7/2, the tournament looked to be heading for consequences except Maxi Rodriguez produced what might possibly be objective of the match to ship Argentina into the zone finals.
Germany establish casino 8day a mouth-watering quarter final bump into with Argentina after seeing off Sweden. Lukas Podolski showed his Golden Boot credentials with two objectives after three and eleven minutes to win the event for the hosts at odds of eight/eleven.
England have been predictably quick odds at 0.5 to overcome wonder moment circular qualifiers Ecuador but their 1-0 victory wasnt convincing. Ecuador may want to have scored early on whilst Carlos Tenorio’s latched onto an error by way of John Terry, yet his shot was once deflected off Ashley Cole and directly to the bar. David Beckham curled in a decisive unfastened kick after 59 mins to secure victory.
Portugal beat fancied Holland at odds of 23/10 by using a solitary Maniche intention after 22 minutes however it was once four sendings off and plethora of yellow playing cards that used to be the games principal conversing level. Maniche, Costinha, Petit, Figo, Deco, Ricardo and Nuno Valente had been all booked, with Costinha and Deco additionally receiving their marching orders for Portugal, whilst Van Bommel, Boulahrouz, Van Bronckhorst, Sneijder and Van der Vaart noticed yellow with Boulahrouz and Van Bronckhorst additionally seeing red.
Italy have been odds on jollies at four/7 to work out off Australia however additional time seemed most probably until the Italians received it with a arguable damage time penalty. Lucas Neill was adjudged to have fouled Fabio Grosso and Francesco Totti swept home the resulting spot kick to ship 10-man Italy into the area finals.
Switzerland and Ukraine were concerned in potentially the worst suit of the event to this point, with first-time qualifiers Ukraine securing their position inside the closing eight. Both aspects played out a goalless, 90 minutes draw at 2/1 and and not using a objectives in added time, the 1st penalty shoot-out happened. Switzerland were similarly deficient from 12 yards out Helpful site with the Ukraine triumphing three-zero.
Brazil had been unconvincing opposed to Ghana, but the three-0 scoreline could have cheerful large hitters who took them at 2/7. Ronaldo and Adriano gave Brazil a comfy part-time lead with objectives after 4 and 45 minutes and Ze Roberto rounded off the win with a 3rd seven mins in the past the give up.
Spain had been favourites to conquer France, but it become the 1998 winners who pulled off the victory at 11/five. David Villas penalty gave Spain the lead after 27 minutes, however Franck Ribery on forty, Patrick Vieria on 82 and Zinedine Zidane on ninety became the in shape round in favour of the French.