The Rock and Roll Round of 16 part 1.

As we entered the knock out stages hope was high that the level of football seen would improve dramatically. It is usually the case in a World Cup that cagey group stage matches turn into more more exciting games when teams have to chase a win. Indeed, we had some great games to look forward to:

Some very hard to call games between smaller but emerging football heavyweights in Uruguay v South Korea, USA v Ghana and Paraguay v Japan.

Possibilities for the big boys being upset at an early stage in Argentina v Mexico and Spain v Portugal.

The opportunity to see flair teams overturn weaker opposition in style with Netherlands v Slovakia and Brazil v Chile.

Oh and just that clash to set alight any World Cup torch paper that was Germany v England.

First up was Uruguay v South Korea and it did transpire to be a close fought game. Uruguay took an early lead through the lively Suarez, they were always looking dangerous with the front two of the Ajax star and Diego Forlan in the form of his life. However, South Korea always look good going forward and have some player of their own who are capable of unlocking defences. Indeed in the 68th minute Yong grabbed the equaliser that S.Korea duly deserved. It seemed that the game was destined to drift into extra time from here, but just as S.Korea look able going forward they are vulnerable at the back - inviting more and more pressure as the game wore on. Strikers such as Suarez do not pass up too many invitations before they make a team pay and it was with a glorious strike that he struck the goal that would take Uruguay to a World Cup quarter final.

Uruguay 2 v South Korea 1.

Argentina took on Mexico in the next knockout game with some people hopeful of an upset after Mexico's decent performances in the group stages.  Though Argentina have some brilliant players and even at this early stage it was looking like they would be unstoppable if they all clicked.
That is exactly what happened here - some sublime play and excellent finishing from Tevez and Higuain and Argentina were 3- 0 up by the 52nd minute. The Manchester United bound Hernandez eventually pulled 1 pack for Mexico, but the Argentinean's had powered their way through.

Argentina 3 v Mexico 1.

Next was another interesting encounter between two perhaps surprise packages in USA v Ghana. It promised to be another close fought tie, however in my opinion Ghana were improving with every game they played in this World Cup whereas USA had barely played at their best and seemed to be threatening to self destruct before they ever got going in a game.
Well, it seemed to be playing out in that vain when Ghana took the lead through Kevin Prince Boateng in the 5th minute. They looked good for it throughout the fist half and into the second. USA true to form then woke up, pressed and earned a penalty - Landon Donovan, one shining light for them at this tournament, duly dispatched the kick. This then allowed the game to peter out and drift into extra time.
It seemed the USA thought this meant that they had to start all over again - including the self destruct element - they conceded 3 minutes after the restart to a lively looking Asamoah Gyan. The americans could not muster up another comeback this time and Ghana deservedly took the hopes of Africa into the quarters.

USA 1 v Ghana 2 a.e.t.

Games between Germany and England are never without incident and penalty shoot outs tend to be a major part of this, so this time there was no lack of fans expecting this game to go to the wire. The group stages had been difficult for England but they had come through eventually and were now playing off the back of their best performance in the tournament. Surely all the troubles in camp and disagreements over team selection would now be all forgotten.
Germany themselves did not look all too convincing - a loss to Serbia and stuttering victory over Ghana. They had a young side and were still gelling as a team. Would a big game so early in the tournament be a bit too far for them at this stage.

The game started in pretty cagey fashion and then in the 20th minute an innocuous looking long ball managed to catch out the England defence and Miroslav Klose put away one of the simplest of his haul of World Cup finals goals. It got worse for England as Lukas Podolski then capitalized on more poor defending to put Germany 2 up. England were looking beaten after just over 30 minutes.

Then the unbelievable happened - England started to play - and look half decent. With Gerrard spear heading a fight back and whipping in a great cross for Upson to head home and make it 2-1. This is when things went really strange - the only way I can think of describing this is a goal was not given. The shot just before half time from Frank Lampard hit the bar and bounced clearly over the line. The goal was not given and what should have been a 2-2 half time scoreline was still 2-1.

A long story cut short now tells that England failed to rally themselves in the second half, defended poorly and conceded two more goals. A capitulation and bad defending completely uncharacteristic of an England side.
Is it worth asking the question what if? If the score had been 2-2 at half time could England have been more patient and Germany would not have hit them on the break? Would their confidence have been high from a great fight-back? Should the have been able to produce a performance anyway?

well we will never know...

Germany 4 v England 1