On the pitch

24 Jun 2006

Wondergoal sees Argentina beat Mexico 2-1

Maxi Rodriguez banged home an extra-time thunderbolt to give Argentina a 2-1 win over Mexico in their last-16 tie in Leipzig on Saturday

Argentina will now play Germany in Berlin in a quarter-final on Friday.

Rodriguez controlled a cross from Juan Pablo Sorin on his chest before volleying a curling ball from the corner of the area into the far top corner of the Mexico goal on 98 minutes, a strike that will be long remembered.

The tie had gone into extra-time locked 1-1 after 90 minutes after Rafael Marquez opened for Mexico after 6 minutes and Jared Borgetti equalised with an own goal shortly afterwards.

Argentine substitute strikers Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi, on for Hernan Crespo and Javier Saviola, swung the tie there way as Mexico gradually tired having dominated the game for long periods.

Aussies got all bases covered for Italy

Defender Lucas Neill says such is coach Guus Hiddink's detailed match preparation that Australia's players know how to react in each scenario of their matches as they prepare to face Italy on Monday for a place in the last eight.

"Guus has got a great track record at the World Cup, he makes massive decisions under pressure and as result he backs himself and the team and I think people who do that, it comes off for them," Neill said Saturday.

"We analyse the other team that we're going to play, the main formation and different ways we can break them down, get some personnel into position and every so often we'll change our formation.

"Every time Guus keeps pulling it off, even against Brazil (lost 0-2) we were in control for long periods."

Black stars can stop samba stars: Ghana coach

Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic said his side can exploit the 'star factor' when they meet Brazil in the last-16 on Monday but warned his own Black Stars not to freeze just because of a few famous names.

"I believe we can stop them because they are not doing so well as before with all these stars," Dujkovic said Saturday. "They have excellent individuality but as a team they are not doing so well as before."

"Any player for Brazil is dangerous," he said. "It will be very difficult to stop them. I believe and I'm confident that Black Stars can do it."

The Brazil-Ghana winner will advance to quarter-final next Saturday at Frankfurt against either Spain or France.

Klinsmann salutes German win

Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann said his players were singing and dancing after knocking out Sweden with two Lukas Podolski goals to reach the quarter-finals on Saturday.

"The mood in the dressing room was brilliant. They were singing and dancing - I am so proud of them," Klinsmann beamed after the win in Munich set up a meeting with either Argentina or Mexico.

"We played at a great tempo and were very decisive. We got the tactics right, especially in the midfield.

"We are not surprised. The team really took on board everything that we asked them to do.

Podolski fires impressive Germany into quarter-finals

Germany swept away ten-man Sweden 2-0 on Saturday to set up a quarter-final matchup against the winner of Argentina against Mexico who play later in the day.

Lukas Podolski struck twice in eight minutes to stun the Swedes and when they had defender Teddy Lucic sent-off on 38 minutes there was no way back.

The the credit of the Scandinavian side they battled on bravely after the break but threw away a lifeline on 53 minutes when Henrik Larsson blasted a penalty wildly over Jens Lehmann's crossbar.

With just four minutes gone Miroslav Klose surged through on goal. Sweden goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson stopped him in his tracks but the ball fell kindly to Podolski and his shot went in off the hapless Lucic.

In the 12th minute Podolski, who will play on the same ground for Bayern Munich next season, accepted a brilliant pass from Klose and lashed a left-footed shot in for 2-0.

Germany could easily have won by a wider margin had it not been for a string of top drawer saves by the overworked Isaksson who managed to keep his side clinging to a ray of hope but in vain.

Robinho bothered by thigh injury

Brazil striker Robinho complained of a thigh pain following a training session on Saturday ahead of his country's World Cup last 16 match against Ghana on Tuesday.

"When he stretched he felt a pain. We have iced it and we will wait until tomorrow to see if it needs further examination," said Brazil team doctor Jose Luis Runco.

Brazil coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said: "We can't tell at the moment if there has been a muscle tear or if it is just a pull. But Robinho has never had muscle problems in his career."

The exciting 22-year-old Real Madrid star played the whole game in the 4-1 win over Japan after coming on a substitute in Brazil's first two matches.

Scolari predicts one-goal win or penalties

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari on Saturday predicted a tight second round tie with the Netherlands, who he said were unrecognisable from the team Portugal ousted from Euro 2004.

"I don't think we're better than Holland -- in 2004 we had a good match and better chances to score so we went through," he said.

"Secondly this is a completely different Holland with a new coach, new tactics and new players, so I think that the two teams are very equal.

"Probably one of the teams is going to win by the difference of one goal or maybe we will go to penalties to decide it after 120 minutes."

Marco van Basten's new-look side are unbeaten in competitive matches since a 2-1 Euro 2004 semi-final defeat to Portugal.

Scolari has won a record 10 consecutive World Cup match wins including seven when he led his native Brazil to the title in 2002.

Sensational Germany to go all the way: Ballack

Germany captain Michael ballack was in bullish mood after booking a quarter-finals date with a 2-0 win over Sweden on Saturday.

"We were sensational in the first half, we raised our game to yet another new level, we really could not have played better," said the new Chelsea signing.

"We then just controlled the second half, the important thing of course was to win."

"Next up is Argentina and its all the same to me. argentina are World Cup favourites but we won't be beaten," he vowed.

Sven hints Walcott could play

Sven-Goran Eriksson has hinted that untested teenager Theo Walcott could play a part in England's last 16 clash with Ecuador, insisting he has complete faith in the Arsenal youngster.

"I hope that you will see Theo Walcott in this tournament but I cannot guarantee it, it depends on the matches and things like that," he said.

"But I think he is ready, that's why I picked him.

"Of course he has no experience at all on this level but he's a very, very interesting boy."

"If he doesn't play, and I think he will, this will do very well for him in the next big tournament, extremely well," said Eriksson, who is leaving the job after the World Cup finals.

"He has been here and he has learned, it is good.

"You see, I am still working for England even when I'm not going to be here."

Van Basten identifies Portuguese danger

The Netherlands will employ special tactics to shackle Portuguese danger-men Luis Figo, Cristiano Ronaldo and Deco during their World Cup second-round clash, their coach said on Saturday.

Marco van Basten said the attacking trio would need extra attention in Sunday's match after some devastating displays in the group stage.

"I think we want to play as we always play using our system but we know that Portugal have some very good players like Figo, Cristiano Ronaldo and Deco," said the 41-year-old.

"They're special players so we have to take care of them."

Switzerland win Group G, eliminate South Korea

Switzerland set up a last 16 tie with the Ukraine on Friday when they won Group G by beating South Korea 2-0 in Hanover thanks to goals from Philippe Senderos and Alexander Frei.

Switzerland won the group with seven points ahead of France on five. While South Korea came third on four points.

Senderos put in a thundering header from a free kick after 23 minutes but carried through for a clash of heads with Korea's Choi Jin Choel, leaving both men bleeding from the forehead and later went off with an arm injury.

Frei went round the 'keeper to slot home from a tight angle after 77 minutes.

Senderos injury dampens Swiss joy

Switzerland defender Philippe Senderos is a major doubt for his team's World Cup last 16 clash against Ukraine after dislocating his shoulder in the 2-0 Group G win over South Korea on Friday.

The Arsenal player, who scored the opening goal in the match which helped the Swiss top the group, fell awkwardly while making a goalmouth clearance in the 53rd minute.

"I've been told that he has suffered a dislocated shoulder," said Swiss coach Kobi Kuhn.

"He will have an examination on Saturday. I'm certain that the ligaments have been damaged. I don't think he can play in the next match."

Al Jaber calls time on Saudi career

Veteran Saudi Arabia striker Sami al-Jaber announced his retirement from international football on Friday after the Gulf side were knocked out of the World Cup.

The 33-year-old was made skipper for the day, but was unable to lead his team to victory as the Saudis lost 1-0 to Spain and finished bottom of Group H.

"The match against Spain was the last international match for me," said Jaber.

"The decision is final. I have talked about it with the federation and they are right behind me."

Jaber played 163 times for Saudi Arabia and scored 44 goals.

He had originally retired as an international after the 2002 World Cup but was persuaded to return to help the team qualify for the finals.

His goal in the 2-2 draw with Tunisia in the opening Group H game meant he joined Pele, Diego Maradona and Uwe Seeler as the only man to have scored in World Cups 12 years apart.

Defeat's not entered my mind says Klinsmann

Jurgen Klinsmann says he is supremely confident that hosts Germany will overcome Sweden in Saturday's last 16 World Cup duel in Munich and has not even contemplated defeat.

"I'm convinced we will win this game. I can't imagine anything else," said Klinsmann.

"We have a lot of respect for Sweden. They have players operating at the top level with European clubs but we think we will come out on top.

"We have great international players and I believe we are in a position to beat Sweden whether it be in 90 minutes, 120 minutes or on penalties."

"It is a knockout game so there is a bit of tension but we can't wait for the kick-off in Munich," he said.

"I think the team is motivated and don't go along with the theory that they are under pressure.

"I don't think the young players will be nervous. Everyone needs to go to their limits now physically and mentally. It's about will to win.

France in last 16, beat Togo 2-0

France will play Spain in the last 16 after qualifying as runners up in Group G Friday with a 2-0 win over Togo in Cologne thanks to goals from Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry.

Togo go home without a point, while France came second to Switzerland.

France midfielder Frank Ribery made up for two outright howlers of his own when his run into the area and pass set up Vieira's 55th minute opener, taken with some style on the turn.

Vieira then headed down on a Willy Sagnol cross to set up Henry for the 61st minute goal that made it the 2-0 France needed to qualify for the second round regardless of the score in the other Group G tie, where the Swiss beat South Korea 2-0.

Just the beginning says Vieira

France's man-of-the-match Patrick Vieira said after setting up a last-16 tie with Spain Friday with a goal and an assist on his 30th birthday that there was more to come from 'Les Blues'

"It was long and difficult after we drew our opening two matches but we had some cards in our hand and knew if we got the two goals we would be through, fulfilling our first objective," Vieira said.

"This team has a lot of potential," he added.

Vieira's night ended painfully when he came off after a nasty elbow to the face, but the reception he received and the knowledge that France now have a second round date with the Spanish in Hanover on Tuesday will have eased his evident discomfort.

Shevchenko fires Ukraine into last-16

Ukraine captain Andriy Shevchenko won a contested penalty with 20 minutes left and then dusted himself off to convert the resulting spotkick as Ukraine eliminated ten-man Tunisia 1-0 and booked a spot in the last-16.

Oleg Blokhine's side finished second behind Group H winners Spain and will now meet either France, South Korea or Switzerland in the next round depending on results later on Friday.

In a poorly played tie, Ukraine dominated the bulk of possession and should have won by a larger scoreline with the Tunisian's down to ten men since the

red card shown to striker Zied Jaziri just before half-time.

Shevchenko was at the centre of most of Ukraine's forays forward and could have scored more, although the new Chelsea striker was heavily marked throughout.

However he made no mistake from the spot after being bundled over from by Ali Boumnijel and a Tunisia defender although the north African team strongly protested the decision.

Korean fury over ref "blunder"

South Korean players angrily turned on Argentine referee Horacio Elizondo after the 2-0 loss to Switzerland sent them packing from the World Cup.

They were furious that Elizondo allowed Alexander Frei's 77th minute goal for Switzerland even though the assistant referee had clearly flagged for offside.

"It was a very, very strange decision," said Spurs defender Lee Young-Pyo.

"I saw the linesman hold up his flag and the referee also saw it. But he (the referee) allowed play to continue, we (the players) cannot understand why.

"I stopped (when I saw the flag) - Frei was offside."

Manchester United star Park Ji-Sung was one of a group of players who surrounded the linesman but their protests were to no avail.

"He (the linesman) told me to continue with the game," said the midfielder.

"We are upset at what happened. The defenders saw the linesman raise his flag so they stopped."

Spain wins Group H, eliminate Saudis

A first-half goal was enough to give Spain a victory and a maximum nine points in Group H to also eliminate Saudi Arabia in their match in Kaiserslautern on Friday.

Juanito got the goal after 36 minutes when his powerful header from a Jose Reyes free-kick left Saudi 'keeper Zaid Mabrouk no chance.

Spain started with Raul and Cesc Fabregas as their only recognisable first 11 players, but this was a first start for even these two.

Van Nistelrooy looks set for Dutch axe

Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy looked set for the axe on Friday when his coach criticised his lacklustre performances.

Marco van Basten said van Nistelrooy had failed to impress and signalled he may replace him for Sunday's must-win clash with Portugal.

"Ruud has not been good. He hasn't been on form in the first matches," said van Basten. "He has to give us a lot more."

"He gets enough support from the wings and the midfield. It's up to Ruud to improve," van Basten added. "He's a good guy, he works hard in training but he has to give us more."

Asked whether van Nistelrooy would be cut from the team to face Portugal, van Basten replied: "That could be the best solution."

"In any case, I'm going to have a good talk with Ruud," he said.