Day 4 - Dutch do enough, Paraguay trouble Italy

Expected to breeze through a very kind group, the Netherlands had little trouble from Morten Olsen's experienced but rarely adventurous Denmark. Played in blistering lunchtime heat, it wasn't a classic, but without their key man a good result. A mental own goal put them on their way after the Danes had fared quite well until the break.

Japan did their chances the world of good by edging a disappointing Cameroon. Best game of the day though was the evening kick-off, as an impressively robust Paraguay troubled the current Champions...

Holland 2 Denmark 0
Unable to draw many conclusions from this one. Netherlands were far from flowing and needed a comedy own goal to set them on their way. They looked much more of a threat with Eljero Elia on the pitch in the second half.

Denmark weren’t great with Bendtner being substituted early and they will need to look at winning their remaining games to progress. (MM)

Impressed but not blown away by either side, and for different reasons. Denmark looked quite solid until the silly first goal - typically resolute, knowing when to break and Bendtner was proving a useful target. You always got the impression that they'd have to take their chances, though. They couldn't.

The Dutch occasionally looked fluid but missed Robben, and without him they're rarely the same side. Nigel de Jong, a player i like a lot, was guilty of two awful challenges that in previous World Cups could have even resulted in straight reds, but they did enough to end the game comfortably.

The players who stood out for me were right-back van der Wiel and sub Elia. No surprise that some of Europe's biggest clubs are looking at them. (II)

Japan 1 Cameroon 0
A last ten-minute onslaught aside, Cameroon were poor. Eto’o was bunged out on the right wing and they showed little quality. Need to beat Denmark on Saturday to keep hopes alive.

Japan were neat and tidy and defended well but did not look like a side likely to worry the later stages of the tournament. Anything out of the Netherlands game will be a bonus so a lot may ride on their final game against Denmark. (MM)

One of the poorer games so far, and a tale of each side's best player. Honda was allowed a free role and bagged the all-important winner, Le Guen kept Eto'o out on the flank and he could have little impact on the game. His replacement in attack, Pierre Webo, is amongst the most immobile forwards you'll see in the tournament. Forgettable. (II)

Italy 1 Paraguay 1
Interesting game. Paraguay defended stoutly but had little attacking threat, with their goal coming from a set piece. Would have got the win if their goalkeeper had dealt with the corner that led to De Rossi’s equaliser. Italy were poor in the first half but improved after a change of formation early in the second. They still looked a little toothless but should pick up six points from their next two games to qualify. (MM)

Expected to be one of the least easy on the eye sides at the Finals, Paraguay were actually very good to watch. Solid centre-halves who will both play in England next year, protected by their midfield, and full-backs steady on the backfoot but also good moving forwards. They are quite defensive, there's no doubting that, but they break well, quickly, and often by keeping the ball on the deck. Certainly one of the sides i've most enjoyed watching thus far.

Italy, well, typical Italy, really - below par, pretty uninspiring, but got the job done. After starting quite brightly they ran flat, and Montelivio especially seemed short of ideas. Pepe was occasionally bright from the right, as was his replacement, but De Rossi, who really seems to have matured in the time since his last World Cup, led by example. I'd love to see him in the Premier League. (II)

Exactly what I expected. Both teams seemed to acknowledge the important thing was that neither of them lose, and a few flourishes aside, neither tried to force defeat on the opposition. (DK)

Ian Ian, Daniel Kelly, Matt Morrison