HOLLAND v IVORY COAST 2-1


Holland (4-3-3): Van der Sar - Heitinga (Boulahrouz, 46´), Ooijer, Mathijsen, Van Bronckhorst - Van Bommel, Sneijder (Van der Vaart, 50´), Cocu - Van Persie, Van Nistelrooy (Landzaat, 73´), Robben.


Ivory Coast (4-4-2): Tizie - Emmanuel Eboué, Kolo Touré, Meite, Boka - Zokora (Akale, 73´), Romaric N'Dri (Yapi Yapo, 61´), Yaya Touré, Bakary Koné (Dindane, 61´) - Arouna Koné, Drogba.


Goals: 1-0, Van Persie (23´), 2-1, Van Nistelrooy (27´), 2-1 Bakary Kone (43´)




Holland's 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast sent Marco Van Basten's team (and Argentina) to the second round of the World Cup in Germany. Holland´s national team coach Marco van Basten included both Van Bommel and Gio in his starting eleven, and both the Barça players played key roles in the win, with the left back being especially noteworthy for an excellent tackle that cut short a potentially dangerous counter attack involving Drogba and Aruna Koné.


All goals had been scored in the first forty-five minutes. The 1-0 was a superb direct freekick from Van Persie in the 23rd minute and a few minutes later Ruud Van Nistelrooy finished an Arjen Robben pass to make it 2-0. Just minutes from halft time, Bakari Kone scored through a great individual effort, finishing off his run with a powerful strike that left Dutch goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar no chance. The Ivorians put on the pressure in the second half but Holland defended the 2-1 lead to the final whistle. Holland has to fight out with Leo Messi´s Argentina who qualified for the second round too, who will go top in their Group.


MEXICO v ANGOLA 0-0


Mexico: Oswaldo Sánchez, Rafael Márquez, Carlos Salcido, Ricardo Osorio, Mario Méndez, Gonzalo Pineda (Ramón Morales, 78´), Gerardo Torrado, Antonio Naelson (Jesús Arellano, 52´), Pavel Pardo, Guillermo Franco (Francisco Fonseca, 75´), Omar Bravo.


Angola: Joao Ricardo, Jamba, Kali, Loco, Delgado, Figuereido (Rui Marques, 73´), Andre, Mateus (Mantorras, 67´), Mendonca, Ze Kalanga (Miloy, 83´), Akwa.


The Mexican national team was led by their captain and Barca defender Rafa Marquez, who on 2 occasions went close to scoring. Rafa Marquez creating probably the best opportunity of the first half by a long distance shot in the 13th minute. Captain and leader Marquez was always active and had another long range effort near the end saved by outstanding Angola goalkeeper Joao Ricardo. Mexico were unable to overcome a resilient defending Angola team despite going close on many occasions. The Mexicans had a tough time trying to put the ball pass the indisputable man of the match, Angola´s hero of the night, goalkeeper Joao Ricardo.


With 4 points Mexico are still not guaranteed a place in the second round and would therefore have to look clinch a point against Portugal in their final game to make sure they proceed.


IRAN v PORTUGAL 0-2


Iran: Mirzapour, Golmohammadi (Bakhtiarizadeh, 88´), Kaabi, Rezaei, Nosrati, Nekounam, Teymourian, Karimi (Zandi, 65´), Mahdavikia, Madanchi (Kathibi, 66´) and Hashemian.


Portugal: Ricardo, Miguel, Fernando Meira, Ricardo Carvalho, Nuno Valente, Costinha, Maniche (Petit, 67´), Deco (Tiago, 80´), Figo (Simao, 88´), Cristiano Ronaldo and Pauleta.


Goals: 0-1, Deco (63´), 0-2, Cristiano Ronaldo (80´, penalty)


FC Barcelona midfield star Deco was able to make his mark in this world cup by scoring a fine goal from the edge of the area in Portugal's second game against Iran. The world cup couldn't have started better for Deco and his fine performance made him "man of the match" in a game that saw Portugal beating a well-organised Iran. Deco scored Portugal´s lead in the 63rd minute and Cristiano Ronaldo scored the 2-0 with a penalty in the 80th minute.