Germany 0 Serbia 1Like in the Greece vs Nigeria game, the sending off was crucial, and a goal for the opposition quickly followed. Serbia were lucky to benefit from referring decisions which admittedly altered the game profoundly, and I don’t know if there is a Serbian gene which makes flying through the air hands raised in a starjump position a relishing proposition, but amidst all the card chaos there was a thrilling spectacle that was extremely watchable. By opening up Group D, this victory illustrates the thrilling unpredictability of the World Cup this year. (EG)
The first time bookies have had to give me some money this World Cup and lord was it sweet. I've had Serbia down as victorious bore-merchants and despite being very poor against Ghana, they came very close to getting a point against them. The highlight of the tournament might well be watching a keeper who looked like breaking down into tears whenever he had to catch a tame cross saving a ferociously, if predictably left-sided, struck German penalty. (DK)
Miroslav Klose’s unlucky first half sending off gave Serbia a great chance for three much needed points. They went ahead through Jovanovic but then tried to self destruct (as ever) when Vidic handled to give Germany a penalty – Stojkovic saved from Podolski. Serbia will qualify with a win against Australia. (MM)
Nine bookings in a game that wasn't terribly dirty; the ref completely off his head. Once Klose had been sent off Germany has little punch in attack, though did play well for around fifteen minutes at the start of the second. Ozil - the star of the win over Australia, was very quiet, and in the end Serbia staggered home. Lovely to see the Germans missing a pen, but Vladimir Stojkovic being the Man of the Match sums up how ridiculous World Cups can be. Serbia should beat Australia, and it's not beyond the realms of possibility that Ghana could stick ten behind the ball and get the point needed to send our most loved rivals home early. (JJ)
Slovenia 2 USA 2
Though they had a winner ruled out incorrectly, America should be content with a point considering their precarious half-time position at 2-0 down. Jozy Altidore’s Heskey impression was more impressive than usual, and Slovenia possessed vigour that suggests they have more than a good chance of humbling England on Wednesday. Both teams contributed to an enthralling contest that continued the World Cup’s great run stretching back nine games until England ruined everyone’s days. (EG)
A surprisingly good clash, and one that could now prove to have provided Group C's qualifiers. The US started very poorly but can feel rightly aggrieved to have had a historic comeback victory snatched away from them because three of their players had the audacity to be fouled while they hit what should have been the decider. (DK)
Entertaining game. Slovenia 2-0 up at half time without dominating. USA changes at half time brought them back into it as they grabbed two goals and they were unlucky not to win with a goal that was farcically disallowed. The group is wide open with one match left. (MM)
America looked down and out at the break but came back very well and should have won it in the end. One of few poor refereeing performances of the competition at this point, but the second high-profile one of the day. Birsa continues to impress, and the US show an edge that means they should have the respect of any opposition. Highlight of the afternoon, and probably tournament; a considerably overweight topless American fan panicking when they equalised and forgetting how to celebrate, instead hugging his pal from behind and sobbing like a big girl. (JJ)
England 0 Algeria 0
A lot will be said of this England performance, and none of it will be positive. Tactically askew, there was little to no effort, passes were horrifically misplaced, and there does appear to be a lack of confidence in the team itself. It is obvious that these players should perform more admirably, but when was the last time England played well in a major tournament? Further than that, apart from double victories against Croatia in qualifying for World Cup 2010, in particular the 2008 4-1 away victory which did, and still does, feel like a warped dream, you have to go back to 1st September 2001 for the last time England were heroic and impressive, and on a par with the world’s best.
Wednesday’s crunch match against Slovenia may be the last chance for a majority of the team with overinflated senses of grandeur and entitlement to be considered ‘world class’ to prove themselves for their country. But I am not holding my breath.
I think we have no reached a point of no return even if we do beat Slovenia. Fans of England no longer see an elusive pot of gold at the end of the end of the proverbial rainbow, overconfident exuberance has been fatally lost, and there is the stark realisation that this, and most others years, will not be 'our time'. We have tried out various methods of functioning, and it has become comprehensively indisputable that our place is not amongst the world's elite. (EG)
What is there left to say? Some of us have argued over who was or wasn't the 'best' player in white, but it seems pretty futile to debate who the least shitty peanut in the turd was. I'm not usually a fan of criticising a manager's tactics from the safety of the morning after but it does seem safe to say Fabio got it wrong. Can Johnson play with Lennon? When Rooney is so shockingly immobile, can Heskey's starting berth really be justified? Just what is it that Capello does or doesn't see from Joe Cole in training to use SWP over him? It's not what I want to happen, but any flutter I have on Wednesday might just be on a 0-0 England - Slovenia draw. (DK)
Enough’s been said. Pretty awful but England still have a very good chance to progress, something they don’t really deserve after their first two matches. Algeria played quite well. (MM)
Simply spineless throughout. Rooney's worst performance in an England shirt, probably any shirt. Lampard also completely absent once again. Gareth Barry got stuck in, first half especially, and James and Ashley Cole were okay, but the match-winners, the players capable of making a difference where it matters, all didn't bother turning up.
If we're to qualify, and we should (though play as we have so far and Slovenia could get at least a draw) we need to change the shape. Fabio probably won't go with Joe Cole, but he needs to. I think we should ditch the big man and try and play a bit. Switch to a 4-3-3, the formation most of our better players are used to at club level. More than anything tactical, though, those capable of changing games just need to pull their f*cking fingers out. (JJ)
Matt Morrison, Daniel Kelly, Eddie Golby, Joey Jones
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