Ok, lets start with the lunchtime kick-off:
Honduras 0-1 Chile
On paper, this game had zero appeal. Two teams that had very few stand-out names and neither team have a strong World Cup pedigree (although Chile would stand out more obviously)
What we got was a little humdinger of a game that displayed the craftiness and flair of Chileans, who have seemed to grab the temporary crown of "South Americas most exciting team"
In the eyes of some this game may be remembered for how bad Honduras were rather than how good Chile were, but i have to say, Chile really impressed me today and the scoreline flattered their opponents to say the least!
It is hard to believe that Chile have not won a World Cup finals game for 48 years before today but if they repeat this performance, it won't be their last.
Alexsis Sanchez looks to be the next hot property in the transfer market after one of the best performances shown at this World Cup. He was truly outstanding. His dribbling and close control were a joy to watch, and if he had kept a cooler head at times he would definitely got on the scoresheet.
Jean Beausejour scored the only goal of the game just after the half hour after the ball deflected onto him from an attempted Honduran clearance. Apart from it being a goal, it was not a stand out point!
Only a series of bad luck and occasional loss of composure prevented Chile from running away with this one.
A confident performance, and 3 points on the board.
Chile will be a tough test for any team that come their way.
Spain 0-1 Switzerland
Quite simply, the shock of the tournament.
When i sat down to watch this game, i was expecting Spain to do the Business. I wasn't expecting them to impress me, but i was sure they would do enough to win.
However, as the teams and coaches took to the pitch, i seen Ottmar Hitzfeld, who i consider one of the best coaches around. He is a former "World coach of the year" and has won the champions league with both Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. He has the ability to make any side a decent side.
If anything this Switzerland team is underrated, well until today that was.
We were provided with a typical Spain performance in the first half with the European Champions trying to walk the ball into the net. They had all the possession.
But credit to the Swiss, who worked well in soaking up all the pressure and went in at half time with the game still scoreless.
Senderos went off just before the break with an ankle injury, so the second half wasn't looking well for the Swiss.
When the game recommenced, it was much of the same with Spain passing the ball around non-stop.
But in the 52nd minute Switzerland scored a goal that Jack Charlton would be proud of.
A long punt up the pitch from the Goalkeeper, where Fernandes was on the end of it to make it difficult for the Spanish defenders and he somehow bundled it into the net! 1-0 Switzerland!
After this Spain threw everything at the Swiss, even an out of sorts Fernando Torres, who didn't look up to it at all!
Apart from a Xabi Alonso rocket shaking the crossbar, there wasn't alot else that seriously threatened the Swiss defence.
An exciting game, and for the first time in this World Cup, we could hear the fans chanting louder than them bleedy Vuvuzela's!
Spain have it all to do now! Group H is offically the most exciting group in World Cup 2010.
South Africa 0-3 Uruguay
I only managed to catch the first half of this game but from what i seen Uruguay are looking quite menacing going forward and Diego Forlan is putting in the big performances when it matters.
His cracking opener was another reason why gameday 7 was the best so far, and why i feel this tournament is about to get a lot better. The games are starting to get more important!
Uruguay were good value for their lead at half time and from what i heard they got even better in the second half.
Seems like the South Africans may be the first team heading home! ................oh no wait. Well at least they don't have to Travel! We'll all be cheering for them either way when they play the French next week!
as for tomorrows games, we really are in the business end of things now!
Gameday 8:
I'm really hoping Mexico can pull off a win tomorrow but somehow i just don't see it happeneing. The French have a great squad on paper but a crazy horoscope loving manager. Despite this, im expecting France to narrowly claim 3 points.
Nigeria and Greece is a game that has to have a winner if either are to have any hope of reaching the next stage. Nigeria might just scrape a win. Gonna be a dull affair though.
Argentina and South Korea has the potential to be a great game. Lots of pace and a bit of Argentinean magic may make this a good one for the neutral. Argentina should prove to much for a decent Korean outfit.
Mexico 1 - 2 France
Nigeria 1 -0 Greece
Argentina 2-1 South Korea
Will i get any correct tomorrow!!?? Come on, i'm due one soon!
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