Ronaldo hits the post? That's the best Portugal can do? Maybe England didn't do so bad after all...

Brazil had a hard time with N. Korea? I thought there was an embargo against footballs in N. Korea (for better or worse)? Why was this so close? Can someone enlighten me?

I reckon Brazil's second goal rivals South Africa's for best goal of the WC to date. The goal must have looked about two feet wide from the striker's angle!

I'm told the ball is pretty crazy this time through. Hard for me to know, being in America and all. Is the ball looking funny to anyone else?

Swiss beat Spain.. hihihihi.... :p
Nice one. :D

So, I'm told that the coach of the English squad is having his methods called into question. Anyone here from England want to comment on that. I have no idea why...

It's the English press. Capello took over the team and England qualified easily. All smiles. However, the last two friendly games before the WC, then the draw with the USA (which should have been a win if all was right with the world) has the press scared to death. Suddenly Capello, who could do no wrong, now has feet of clay. He never tells the team who will start until two hours before kickoff. When they were winning, that was "keeping them on their toes". Now it's "unsettling".

Capello has been seen chasing photographers away from their camp. That is seen as lacking confidence. The press didn't like some of his team selection. Why were Theo Walcott and Darren Bent left home and injury risks like Ledley King selected?

Capello will be back in favour when Rooney has a good game and we beat Algeria 3-0 today.

The USA will beat Slovenia 1-0. England will top the group on goal difference.

Nerves will be calmed.

"Dick Predicts."

And Mexico beat France! They're weeping in their vin rouge in Paris...

@Freelunch -- Right. Except I'm sure you'll be flummoxed by Algeria, probably end up winning 2-1. The US is DEFINITELY winning 2-0 this time through. We have quite the talented team and, for the first time, this country has a large fan base rooting for their national team :). We're taking #1 in this group if for no other reason than to make England dislike us even more! :D.

Seriously though, if we do get lucky and manage to take the group (an outside possibility if I'm honest), I don't know how we would do against germany in the round of 16. Not that we'll do all that much better against Serbia I suppose... Well, with some luck. I'd at least like to see us win a game in the elimination rounds. Anything to get some more football fans in America ;).

Whoa! Germany loses. USA behind 0-2 at the half. All bets are off!

how did germany lose to serbia after owning australia 4-0 and serbia getting beat by ghana 1-0..makes no sense..

Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!!!:mad::mad::mad: STUPID REF CAN"T SEE THEY WERE ONSIDES! Darn it all! It was CLEARLY a goal! Should have been 3-2, heck, should have been 3-1, since they were offsides once when they scored... Not happy right now, not happy.:mad::mad:

Well, sorry England, for now I'm definitely rooting for a super upset from Algeria.

---

PS -- I changed my mind. England, go ahead and beat Algeria (like you needed my permission) then please beat the ever loving tar out of Slovenia for us. Then the ball is in our court, if we can beat Algeria we can advance as well (and that's all I can hope for).

On behalf of Mexico, where I am now, I would like to give you swine flu. France is safe...

Germany/Serbia: 1. Player controversially sent off. 2. Losing to a weaker nation. 3. Missed penalty. That wasn't Germany. That was England in German shirts.

USA/Slovenia. Nice comeback! Exactly the score England needed. Cheers! (And you're right, should have been 3-2. The Slovenians had their arms around at least three American players! Don't know what game the ref was watching.)

Now I can steel myself and hope England get the goal fest we so richly deserve...

Let me guess freelunch, you live in England? Oh yeah, there's no such thing as a freelunch :-P

Yes, I live in London, it's halftime and I'm depressed.

I am not one for violence... but I think the entire England shot should be shot.... alot :mad:

Ouch guys, sorry about that. I thought the US had it rough, but watching England play was just painful. :(

PS -- Looks like the US might get some sort of commupance. Doesn't fix the game, but hey...
US/Slovania Ref being reviewed by FIFA

How about this...
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/...ockey-940.html
Poor Canada :)

@renaultssoftware -- I dunno, might be subjective. At least if you get any bruises in hockey there is always ice close at hand :).