Diego Forlan: Aryan Uruguayan.
Uruguay 1, Mexico 0: A very disappointing result for the Mexicans -- even though they survived a halftime scare when a two-goal swing might have sent South Africa through at their expense, this was not the match or the result coach Javier Aguirre wanted. Mexico controlled possession and generated several legitimate scoring opportunities (a rattled cross-bar, an unmarked header from six yards), and would have deserved a draw. But they also looked sloppy at the back and could easily have gone down another goal or two as well. Despite their domination of the midfield in all three group games, their uneven defense and lack of finishing prowess will make a victory over Argentina in the next round very difficult.
As for Uruguay, they have yet to concede a goal in this tournament, and their counter-attack with Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez looks extremely proficient. No matter tomorrow's results, they will probably be the most in-form team in the soft top quadrant of the knockout round.
South Africa 2, France 1: Some are saying it's a disappointment or an embarrassment for South Africa to be the first home nation to fail to advance, but I couldn't disagree more. No nation ranked 80th in the world has ever hosted before! A 1-1-1 record against Mexico, Uruguay, and France is not a bad result at all -- probably better than most oddsmakers would have given before the tournament.
As for France, the less said the better. After going 0-2-1 at Euro 2008, they are now winless is six major tournament games without Zinedine Zidane, with 2 goals scored and 10 goals allowed. Maybe it's just time we stopped thinking about the post-Zidane Les Blues as a genuinely top tier soccer nation: clubhouse controversy aside, they just haven't earned it on the field.
As for Uruguay, they have yet to concede a goal in this tournament, and their counter-attack with Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez looks extremely proficient. No matter tomorrow's results, they will probably be the most in-form team in the soft top quadrant of the knockout round.
South Africa 2, France 1: Some are saying it's a disappointment or an embarrassment for South Africa to be the first home nation to fail to advance, but I couldn't disagree more. No nation ranked 80th in the world has ever hosted before! A 1-1-1 record against Mexico, Uruguay, and France is not a bad result at all -- probably better than most oddsmakers would have given before the tournament.
As for France, the less said the better. After going 0-2-1 at Euro 2008, they are now winless is six major tournament games without Zinedine Zidane, with 2 goals scored and 10 goals allowed. Maybe it's just time we stopped thinking about the post-Zidane Les Blues as a genuinely top tier soccer nation: clubhouse controversy aside, they just haven't earned it on the field.