FIFA 2010 football World Cup points table
With the final matches of the 2010 World Cup group stages now well underway, several nations are already back on home turf after being eliminated; while others are already contemplating their starting XI’s for the last 16.
Here’s the lowdown of every situation in Groups A-H.
Group A
Uruguay 3 2 1 0 4 0 +4 7
Mexico 3 1 1 1 3 2 +1 4
South Africa 3 1 1 1 3 5 −2 4
France 3 0 1 2 1 4 −3 1
France were flown back home from South Africa on economy class earlier this week after a humiliating World Cup under the leadership of Raymond Domenech. With in-camp disputes, players being sent home and technical directors quitting, Les Blues eventually finished their shameful campaign on one solitary point after drawing against Uruguay in the opening match.
Meanwhile, hosts South Africa done themselves proud after finishing with four points, which included a victory over the French. But it was Uruguay and Mexico who deservedly went through to the last 16 after sealing seven and four points respectively.
Group B
Argentina 3 3 0 0 7 1 +6 9
Korea Republic 3 1 1 1 5 6 −1 4
Greece 3 1 0 2 2 5 −3 3
Nigeria 3 0 1 2 3 5 −2 1
Many had been quick to write off Argentina following their dismal qualification campaign under flamboyant legend Diego Maradona. However, with three wins from their opening three matches, the Albicelestes are currently the team to beat in this summer’s World Cup finals.
South Korea will join them in the last 16 after a 2-2 draw with Nigeria on the final matchday of the group. Huh Jung-Moo’s side secured four points from their three matches; while Greece finished with one victory and two defeats to their name. Nigeria, though, were left to rue a shocking miss by Yakubu Aiyegbeni in the closing stages against the Greeks, and bow out of the tournament with one point.
Group C
United States 3 1 2 0 4 3 +1 5
England 3 1 2 0 2 1 +1 5
Slovenia 3 1 1 1 3 3 0 4
Algeria 3 0 1 2 0 2 −2 1
Following a nervy start to their campaign, England stumbled to qualification with a 1-0 win over Slovenia. Fabio Capello's men had drawn their first two matches in disappointing fashion against the USA and Algeria, but got the job done on the final day.
Slovenia were on course to join England in the last 16 with just minutes of their final group game to go. However, a late goal from Landon Donovan in the USA-Algeria match ensured Bob Bradley's team would top the group. England go through in second, while Algeria and Slovenia crash out.
Group D
Germany 3 2 0 1 5 1 +4 6
Ghana 3 1 1 1 2 2 0 4
Australia 3 1 1 1 3 6 −3 4
Serbia 3 1 0 2 2 3 −1 3
Germany ensured a last 16 clash with old rivals England after finishing top of Group D ahead of Ghana. Joachim Loew’s side beat the Ghanaians 1-0 in the final group match; but this still proved enough for both sides to advance to the second round on six and four points respectively. Ghana go on to face the USA in Rustenburg.
Serbia were regarded by many as dark horses before the tournament started. However, a largely underwhelming showing saw them defeated by both Ghana and Australia – they did manage to beat the Germans, though. As for the Aussies, they valiantly pulled together to beat Serbia in their final match following a largely turbulent tournament.
Group E
Netherlands 3 3 0 0 5 1 +4 9
Japan 3 2 0 1 4 2 +2 6
Denmark 3 1 0 2 3 6 −3 3
Cameroon 3 0 0 3 2 5 −3 0
The Netherlands are through to the last 16 and will face Slovakia this weekend in Durban. Comfortable wins over Denmark and Japan saw the Dutch secure maximum points from their three matches, although they've still yet to hit top gear.
Japan also qualified after a stunning final match against Denmark. Two glorious free-kicks from Keisuke Honda and Yasuhito Honda were among the goals in a 3-1 win in Rustenburg. Denmark were eliminated from the tournament after their two defeats; while Cameroon exit the finals without a single point to their name.
Group F
Paraguay 3 1 2 0 3 1 +2 5
Slovakia 3 1 1 1 4 5 −1 4
New Zealand 3 0 3 0 2 2 0 3
Italy 3 0 2 1 4 5 −1 2
World champions, Italy, were dumped out of the 2010 World Cup finals Slovakia in Johannesburg after a shock 3-2 victory. In what was perhaps the most thrilling game of the group stages, Marcello Lippi's side were eliminated from South Africa in the most embarassing fashion.
Slovakia's victory ensured that they would finish as runners-up behind Paraguay, and they will now face the Netherlands in Durban. The Paraguayans, meanwhile, will play dark horses Japan in Pretoria. New Zealand proved that there is still romance in the World Cup by finishing Group F without a single defeat to their name. Ricki Herbert's side done themselves proud in South Africa by securing three well-deserved draws.
Group G
Brazil 3 2 1 0 5 2 +3 7
Portugal 3 1 2 0 7 0 +7 5
Ivory Coast 3 1 1 1 4 3 +1 4
Korea DPR 3 0 0 3 1 12 −11 0
In the end, the so-called “Group of Death” produced few surprises. North Korea were touted as Group G’s whipping boys, but ended up given a good account of themselves in their opening match against Brazil – only losing by a one goal deficit.
However, in their second match against Portugal they were destroyed 7-0; and it was this demolition which effectively secured the Portuguese an intriguing last 16 match against Spain. Brazil, meanwhile, sealed their place in the second round after beating Ivory Coast as well as North Korea. Their final group match against Portugal in Durban was billed as a potential classic. Sadly, it failed to justify the hype, but Brazil and Portugal were happy enough to play out a 0-0 draw.
Group H
Spain 3 2 0 1 4 2 +2 6
Chile 3 2 0 1 3 2 +1 6
Switzerland 3 1 1 1 1 1 0 4
Honduras 3 0 1 2 0 3 −3 1
Before the tournament had even started, Spain were many people's choice to win their first ever World Cup. It was their Group H opponents, Switzerland, who pulled off the biggest shock of the first round, though, as Gelson Fernandes’ goal sealed a shock 1-0 victory over the Spaniards.
After that early scare, Spain showcased their credentials as potential World Cup winners with a thoroughly comprehensive 2-0 win against Honduras and a 2-1 win over Chile. The Chileans were very impressive in the group stages and deservedly sealed their place in the last 16. However, giant-killers, Switzerland, and the disappointing Honduras both crashed out.
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