The 32 teams have played two games as the World Cup groups have begun to take shape. Some teams have qualified for the knockout phase, while others will sweat it out in the last game. This is a brief summary of Groups A through D, with the results as they stand after two matches.
Group A
1. Ecuador 6pts, 2. Germany 6pts, 3. Poland 0pts, 4. Costa Rica 0pts
Ecuador are the unlikely leaders of Group A and have secured their place in the round of 16 with a resounding 3-0 win over bottom side Costa Rica. Second goals of the tournament from Tenorio, Delgado and one from former Crystal Palace flop Kaviedes saw a good value bet at 11/10.
Germany, on the other hand, had half the chance of beating disappointing Poland, but needed one last goal from veteran Oliver Neuville to see them off and join Ecuador in the knockout stage.
B Group
1. England 6pts, 2. Sweden 4pts, 3. Trinidad and Tobago 1pt, 4. Paraguay 0pts
England were expected to defeat Trinidad and Tobago and cement their place at the top of Group B and the round of 16. However, the Caribbean team put in a tremendous performance and only two late goals from Peter Crouch and Steven Gerrard saved their blushes at 2/9.
Sweden also needed a late goal against Paraguay to set foot in the second round. Freddie Ljungberg scored the winner with two minutes left on the clock for 4/5 of the Swedes.
Group C
1. Argentina 6pts, 2. Netherlands 6pts, 3. Ivory Coast 0pts, 4. Serbia and Montenegro 0pts
Argentina treated a worldwide audience to a feast of beautiful football when they demolished Serbia and Montenegro 6-0. Argentina were 4/7 favorites but the price was secondary to the best 90 minutes of entertainment of the tournament so far. Maxi Rodríguez at 6 and 41 minutes interspersed Esteban Cambiasso’s effort at 31 to give them a commanding lead at half-time. The second half produced three more goals from Hernán Crespo in minute 78, Carlos Tevez in minute 84 and Lionel Messi two minutes from time.
Buoyed by Argentina’s brilliant performance, 4/6 The Netherlands wasted no time against the Ivory Coast and scored after 22 and 25 minutes through Ruud van Nistelrooy and Robin van Persie. However, the Africans struck back through Arouna Kone in the 37th to set up a tense afternoon.
Group D
1. Portugal 6 points, 2. Mexico 4 points, 3. Angola 1 point, 4. Iran 0 points
Portugal comfortably qualified for the second round with a 2-0 win over bottom of the table Iran. A Deco goal after 63 minutes and a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty with 10 minutes remaining, secured a 1/2 win.
Mexico were left sweating in second round qualifying after managing just a goalless draw with Angola. Goalkeeper Joao Ricardo, who has been without a club for three years, was magnificent on the night to prepare an improbable draw at 5/2.