The first two groups drew to a conclusion yesterday with Brazil, Mexico, Holland and Chile all qualifying for the last 16.
The first two games saw a dead rubber between Spain and Australia, where the Spanish wrestled back a modicum of pride, defeating the Aussie’s 3-0.
Playing at the same time, Holland and Chile battled it out for top spot and Van Gaal got his tactics spot on, by using the long ball to trouble the small Chile back-line.
Holland recorded a 2-0 win to secure top spot, with Chile in second.
Later, Brazil took on Cameroon and despite a scare when Cameroon equalised, Brazil and in particular Neymar made light work of their African opponents as they ran out 4-1 winners to top group A, setting up a last 16 match with Chile.
It was a winner takes all tie between Mexico and Croatia and it was the Mexicans who came out on top.
They did only need a draw to go through, but when Croatia was pressing for the goal they desperately needed, Mexico broke on the counter attack to score a 3-1 victory.
So Mexico second and Brazil top and some interesting games in the next round. Brazil vs Chile and Mexico vs Holland.
Today at the World Cup
England bows out of the competition today when they take on Costa Rica who has already qualified. Hodgson has already announced a side with plenty of changes and it will be interesting to see if they can wrestle any pride back.
At the same time Italy and Uruguay fight it out to see who else goes through with Costa Rica. Uruguay needs a win to go through where as if Italy avoid defeat they will qualify.
Later on, Colombia, who are also already through, take on Japan and Ivory Coast play Greece, with only one of three of the later teams going through.
If Japan wins, they’ll need Ivory Coast and Greece to draw but if they draw then it’ll be the winners of Ivory Coast and Greece who qualify. Essentially, if Drogba’s men win, they are through and if they don’t, Greece and Japan will have the opportunity.