June 20: The Daily World Cup Wrap

It was the first simultaneous group finale action today, though it only hinted at the excitement to come. With Group A’s qualifiers already decided there wasn’t much drama to be had, especially as Ecuador passed up the chance to finish top by resting some key players. Trinidad & Tobago hoped to provide some drama, but their lack of firepower (at least at the right end) and England’s failure to beat Sweden meant it was never on the cards. Still, plenty of decent footy to watch and good preparation for when the really tight groups get decided. I’m looking at you Groups E and G.

Daily Wrap Awards:

Top Man: Miroslav Klose. He got goals.

Top Team: Germany. Delighted the nation.

Top Goal: Joe Cole. If he meant it.

Bit of Skill: Freddie Ljungberg’s nutmeg. Love it.

Saw That Coming: TnT not quite making it.

But Not That: Ecuador’s surrender.

Germany vs Ecuador | LiveBlog | Germany World Cup Gear, Ecuador World Cup Gear

Germany 3 (Klose 4, 44, Podolski 57)
Ecuador 0

Ecuador could have topped Group A with a draw here, and sent Germany towards a likely clash with England. Instead Ecuador rested several key players, either through tiredness or the threat of suspension, and Germany produced their best display so far to claim a convincing 3-0 win.

The result, as well as the performance, was well received by German fans. Finishing top of Group A with nine points goes some way to dispelling doubts about Jurgen Klinsmann’s team.

Video highlights here.

Fan Photo: German fans…

• Follow the links for more World Cup Blog photos and video, or submit your own to enter our photo and video contest. Thanks to Umbro and Subside Sports for providing the prizes.
• Want to discuss todays action? Go to the Germany or Ecuador team pages.
• Buy World Cup tickets to Germany and Ecuador’s next matches.

Costa Rica vs Poland | LiveBlog | Costa Rica World Cup Gear, Poland World Cup Gear

Costa Rica 1 (Gomez 25)
Poland 2 (Bosacki 33, 66)

With both these teams out already, it was all about pride. No one wants to go home with three losses. Costa Rica took an early lead when Gomez put a low free kick through the legs of Boruc, but Poland replied quicky with Bosacki volleying home after 33 minutes and heading home after 66.

Poland rescue a disappointing World Cup, that was headig towards disaster, while Costa Rica failed to fulfil the promise shown in that opening game with Germany. Does anyone feel like that was a long time ago now?

Video highlights here.

Fan Photo:

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• Follow the links for more World Cup Blog photos and video, or submit your own to enter our photo and video contest. Thanks to Umbro and Subside Sports for providing the prizes.
• Want to discuss todays action? Go to the Costa Rica or Poland team pages.
• Buy World Cup tickets to remaining World Cup matches.

England vs Sweden | LiveBlog | England World Cup Gear, Sweden World Cup Gear

England 2 (Cole 34, Gerrard 85)
Sweden 2 (Allback 49, Larsson 90)

The Rooney-Owen dream team lasted all of 4 minutes, Owen’s knee buckling underneath him. That looked serious. Still, with Peter Crouch accompanying Rooney, England produced an almost impressive first 45 minutes, leading at half time via Joe Cole’s 34th minute wonder goal. Cole chested down a Swedish clearance well outside the box and hit a looping shot straight over Isaksson. Sweden came out firing second half, Marcus Allback heading home a 49th minute corner after giving marker David Beckham the slip. For the record it was the 2,000th goal in World Cup history.

Rooney looked unhappy when Gerrard replaced him. Rooney had failed to hit his usual high standards, but will be more match fit than he was this morning. Gerrard thought he’d won the game in the 85th minute when he headed home Joe Cole’s cross, but Henrik Larsson equalised dead on the 90th minute after a corner evaded everyone but him.

England top Group B and will play Ecuador, while Sweden will face Germany after finishing second.

Fan Photos:

…will appear later…

• Follow the links for more World Cup Blog photos and video, or submit your own to enter our photo and video contest. Thanks to Umbro and Subside Sports for providing the prizes.
• Want to discuss todays action? Go to the England or Sweden team pages. .
• Buy World Cup tickets to England and Sweden’s next matches.

Paraguay vs Trinidad & Tobago | LiveBlog | Trinidad & Tobago World Cup Gear, Paraguay World Cup Gear

Paraguay 1 (Sancho o.g. 25, Cuevas 86)
Trinidad & Tobago 0

Everyone’s favourite underdogs needed a win here, and for England to do them a favour and beat Sweden, and even then it would have come down to goal differential. Unfortunately neither happened.

In the 25th minute a Paraguay free kick bounced off three heads before Sancho accidentally put it in his own net, making him the only TnT player to score at Germany 2006. TnT battled hard but never really looked like scoring. Cuevas finally nailed the TnT World Cup coffin shut when he received a Santa Cruz pass and beat Jack (playing ahead of national hero Shaka Hislop) in the TnT goal.

Not the way they would have wanted to go but TnT will still look back fondly on this World Cup after their excellent draw with Sweden and a great performance against England.

Fan Photos:

…will appear later…

• Follow the links for more World Cup Blog photos and video, or submit your own to enter our photo and video contest. Thanks to Umbro and Subside Sports for providing the prizes.
• Want to discuss todays action? Go to the Paraguay or TnT team pages.
• Buy World Cup tickets to remaining World Cup matches.

Have a look at the final group A and B tables.

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