Z/Web

Good game, with Saudi Arabia playing much better than in previous games, but Ireland persevered and played very well in the second half scoring two more goals to give them a decisive victory. Ireland needed a two-goal win, which sounded tough since Ireland has never scored more than one goal in a World Cup match, but they did it this time. Final: 3-0 Ireland.

What a great game! Senegal started a little slow, but after being awarded an early penalty kick (on a phantom call), got energized and tore into Uruguay with two great goals by Diop. The first was a poke from ten yards up, roofed into the upper net, and the second was a cheeky poach from the top of the box that hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced inside. Leading 3-0 going into the have, the Senegalese became overconfident, and one minute into the second half they gave up a goal. A penalty kick brought Uruguay closer, and with just minutes left, Uruguay had a great strike by Diego Forlan who scored on a blast from far out. Unbelievably, the score was now tied! Injury time was a hectic battle, but Uruguay couldn’t claim the winner. The result advances Senegal, but only as the second team in their group, meaning they’ll have to face the top team from the Argentina-England group. If they could have held on to the big lead, they would have finished first. But in truth it makes little difference — anyone from the “group of death” is going to be tough competition. The bottom line: former champions Uruguay go home and first-time participants Senegal advance. Final: 3-3.

World Cup 2002 has brought us many surprises, and is proving to be one of the most fascinating contests in years. This result is definitely one of the top stories. In France 1998 the French team was criticized because they had no real strikers (Henry, Trez, and others weren’t established), but they ended up scoring a boatload of goals and winning it all. Coming into this tournament France had proven goal-scoring talent, with three players leading three different leagues in scoring. Unbelievable talent and everyone predicted France would be in the Championship again. But all that individual talent didn’t translate into teamwork. In France 98 the team worked together, with everyone contributing the goals. This time it seemed all the pressure was on the forwards, but the link between the mid-field and them was weak, and they rarely even got positive chances. They lost against upstarts Senegal in the opening game, then had the tournaments only nil-nil draw. This game had more of the same. France needed a two-goal win to advance (a win would only tie them with Denmark with goal difference as the tie-breaker), but couldn’t even score one goal. Denmark scored twice and defended well, and though France through everything they had at them, it wasn’t enough to break through. Admitedly they were without their best striker, Henry, who was suspended because of his red card in the previous game, but that’s still no excuse. Unbelieveably, the World Champions go home not only without advancing past the first round, but without scoring a single goal. That’s worse than the U.S. in France 98 — we at least had one goal! Wow, astonishing stuff. With all these upsets, surely a lot of betting houses will be going under. Final: 2-0 Denmark.

Cameroon had a tough task: with Ireland most likely to win their game, giving them five points, and Germany’s incredible goal differential due to their 8-0 win over the Saudis, a tie wouldn’t be good enough: they must win to advance. They played best in the first half, but couldn’t finish. Germany had a man sent off late in the half and it seemed that Cameroon was in the driver’s seat. But in the second half, Germany’s substitute Bode scored just five minutes in. After that, the game was over. Cameroon tried, but still couldn’t finish, and then had their own man red carded. Then Germany added another goal and Cameroon’s World Cup is done. Final: 2-0 Germany.