12' GER Klose (YC)
18' SER Ivanovic (YC)
19' SER Kholarov (YC)
22' GER Khedira (YC)
32' GER Lahm (YC)
36' GER Klose (RC)
38' SER Jovanovic (0-1)
57' SER Subotic (YC)
60' SER Vidic (YC)
61' GER Podolski (pen miss)
73' GER Schweinsteiger (YC)
A game almost exactly like the Spain/Switzerland match, where Germany did it all it could to stop what was happening, but as with the Spanish, it was just one of those days. They didn't receive any help from the Refs either, as their top striker Miroslav Klose was sent off when he absolutely did not deserve though. Lukas Podolski though, shot Germany in the foot, when he tried to be cute when he was awarded a penalty.
GER Verdict: A good showing, but it just wasn't enough. Though people knew it would be hard to replicate their thrashing of Australia, it was still expected of the team that looked the best after the first round of group stage play. Joachim Low should rally his troops well as they head to towards their final group stage clash with Ghana. Luckily they have a significant advantage in goal difference.
SER Verdict: A very strong showing from a team that did not perform up to expectations against Ghana. Serbia is another one of those small Eastern European nations that can never be counted out. A game against Australia should see them through to the next round.
Man of the Match: Vladimir Stojkovic (SER)
United States 2-2 Slovenia
13' SVN Birsa (0-1)
35' SVN Cesar (YC)
40' USA Findley (YC)
42' SVN Ljuibijankic (0-2)
48' USA Donovan (1-2)
69' SVN Suler (YC)
72' SVN Kirm (YC)
75' SVN Jokic (YC)
82' USA Bradley (2-2)
A tale of two halves: Slovenia dominated the first, while the "comeback kids" overran the Green Dragons during the second. Slovenia was set for a shock thrashing of the USA, but second half heroics brought the Yanks level. Another game marred by terrible refereeing, a goal from Maurice Edu off a cross from a free kick should have seen the Americans take the lead in the 88th en route to three points, but the goal was disallowed, and the USA should have at least been awarded a penalty after multiple players were wrapped-up by the Slovene defense.
USA Verdict: Once again, the Americans prove that they can only play well if they are losing. Conceding an early goal once again, the Americans fought back gallantly, creating some very good chances negated by last-ditch defending and should have seen them get 3 points.
SVN Verdict: Slovenia showed that they aren't just minnows anymore, almost completely dominating the first half. The defense was very shaky at times, but when they pressed forward, they were able to move the ball at ease at spread the ball across the entire field and set up players in the middle, where they are strongest. They got tired towards the end of the second half, and were you could tell they just wanted to get out of the game with a point.They'll need to play for 90 minutes against England if they want to see the knockout round.
Men of the Match: Zlatan Ljubijankic (SVN), Michael Bradley (USA)
England 0-0 Algeria
58' ENG Carragher (YC, Misses Next Match)
85' ALG Locen (YC)
Another boring draw so typical of this world cup. The only shocking thing was that this time it was "mighty" England, who have done nothing short of disappoint in South Africa.
ENG Verdict: Well, the normally dominant-in-group-stage England has seen themselves come away with 2 untimely draws, with their final group stage game against not-so-tiny-anymore Slovenia, who has certainly turned a few heads this tournament. The English need to get the ball to Wayne Rooney so he can do what he does best: Score. Which the English have been unable to do.
ALG Verdict: Very good showing from Algeria, who absolutely looked the better side in the second half. Should be an interesting matchup with the States.
Man of the Match: Karim Ziani (ALG)
A SIDE NOTE ON GROUP B
How they advance
United States
• Tie with Algeria, and Slovenia-England tie IF England does not outscore U.S. by 2-or-more goals
• Tie and England loss
England
• Win vs. Slovenia
• Tie AND U.S.-Algeria tie AND outscore U.S. by 3 goals
Slovenia
• Win/tie vs. England
• Loss AND U.S. tie vs. Algeria
• Loss AND Algeria win as long as Algeria doesn't make up tiebreakers
Algeria
• Win vs. U.S. AND Slovenia win/tie vs. England
• Win vs. USA AND Slovenia loss vs England AND make up tiebreakers on Slovenia
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