The earth Cup has actually been lowered from 32 to sixteen participating nations as being the knockout phases get started. This is certainly how the final 16 faired as they battled for a spot within the quarter finals.
Argentina ended up agency favourites to find out off Mexico but Ricardo La Volpes facet were not there to easily make up the figures. Captain Rafael Marquez gave Mexico a shock direct right after four minutes but Argentina strike back five minutes later by Hernan Crespo, even though it is questionable if the Chelsea striker touched the ball. Along with the ninety moment attract secured at 7/2, the match seemed to be heading for penalties until Maxi Rodriguez produced what may very well be purpose on the tournament to ship Argentina in to the quarter finals.
Germany build a mouth-watering quarter final encounter with Argentina immediately after viewing off Sweden. Lukas Podolski showed his Golden Boot credentials with two aims just after 3 and 11 minutes to get the match for that hosts at odds of eight/11.
England were predictably shorter odds at one/2 to defeat surprise 2nd spherical qualifiers Ecuador but their 1-0 victory wasnt convincing. Ecuador should have scored early on when Carlos Tenorio’s latched on to an mistake by John Terry, but his shot was deflected off Ashley Cole and on for the bar. David Beckham curled in a decisive 꽁머니 no cost kick immediately after 59 minutes to protected victory.
Portugal defeat fancied Holland at odds of 23/10 through a solitary Maniche goal after 22 minutes but it had been 4 sendings off and plethora of yellow playing cards which was the games main talking place. Maniche, Costinha, Petit, Figo, Deco, Ricardo and Nuno Valente were all booked, with Costinha and Deco also obtaining their marching orders for Portugal, even though Van Bommel, Boulahrouz, Van Bronckhorst, Sneijder and Van der Vaart observed yellow with Boulahrouz and Van Bronckhorst also looking at crimson.
Italy were odds on jollies at four/7 to find out off Australia but beyond regular time seemed probably until finally the Italians received it that has a controversial personal injury time penalty. Lucas Neill was adjudged to own fouled Fabio Grosso and Francesco Totti swept home the resulting spot kick to send out 10-man Italy into your quarter finals.
Switzerland and Ukraine were associated with maybe the worst match on the Match to date, with first-time qualifiers Ukraine securing their put in the last eight. Either side played out a goalless, 90 minutes attract at two/one and without plans in overtime, the very first penalty shoot-out occurred. Switzerland were equally lousy from 12 yards out with the Ukraine triumphing three-0.
Brazil were being unconvincing from Ghana, although the 3-0 scoreline can have happy significant hitters who took them at two/seven. Ronaldo and Adriano gave Brazil a comfortable fifty percent-time guide with plans immediately after 4 and 45 minutes and Ze Roberto rounded from the win with a third 7 minutes prior to the finish.
Spain ended up favourites to defeat France, but it absolutely was the 1998 winners who pulled from the victory at eleven/5. David Villas penalty gave Spain the lead following 27 minutes, but Franck Ribery on 40, Patrick Vieria on 82 and Zinedine Zidane on 90 turned the match all over in favour of the French.