June 23: The Daily World Cup Wrap

Group H went through the motions, with Ukraine not risking anything and Spain taking it easy. Even Group G was less dramatic than expected, with France doing the business against Togo and Switzerland beating Korea. We now know what the second round looks like though, which means it’s time to get very, very excited.

Daily Wrap Awards:

Top Man: Philippe Senderos

Top Team: France. Who needs Zidane?

Top Goal: Senderos’ header. Bloody brilliant.

Bit of Skill: Joaquin’s dribbling.

Saw That Coming: Spain taking the day off.

But Not That: Ukraine’s negative approach.

Spain B vs Saudi Arabia | LiveBlog | Spain World Cup Gear, Saudi Arabia World Cup Gear

Spain 1 (Juanito 36)
Saudi Arabia 0

With qualification assured and first place likely, Spain sent out a reserve side to face Saudi Arabia. Not necessarily a show of disrespect, not when your reserve team contains the likes of Raul, Fabregas, Reyes and Joaquin.

Constant pressure from Reyes and Joaquin down the wings brought chance after chance for Spain, but Zaid in the Saudi Arabian put on a one man show to deny them in the Saudi Arabian goal. Even he could do nothing about Juanito’s close range header from a corner though.

Spain took their foot off the gas in the second half, and very nearly paid for it. Saudi Arabia had a couple of decent chances, the best falling to Al Harthi very late on.

Saudi Arabia will be pleased not to suffer another drubbing like the four goal loss to Ukraine, while some Spanish players (Joaquin, Fabregas, Reyes) will have given Luis Aragones a nice selection headache for the intriguing second round game against France.

Video highlights here.

Fan Photos:

• 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 Spain (A) or Saudi Arabia team pages.
• Buy World Cup tickets to Spain’s next match.

Ukraine vs Tunisia | LiveBlog | Ukraine World Cup Gear, Tunisia World Cup Gear

Ukraine 1 (Shevchenko 70 [pen])
Tunisia 0

Ukraine only needed a draw to finish second in Group H, and it showed. A negative display, enough to draw whistles from the crowd was perhaps unfairly rewarded when Shevchenko was tripped in the box, and converted the 70th minute penalty himself.

Tunisia’s Zied Jaziri was the victim of yet more over-zealous officiating but also a spot of poetic justice. Booked early on for a dive, he received a second booking and first use of the Tunisia showers when his innocuos looking tackle caused Anatoliy Tymaschuk to take flight.

Tunisia out then, and Ukraine go through to face Switzerland in the second round.

Video highlights here. But I wouldn’t bother to be honest.

Fan Photo: Ukraine and Tunisia 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 Ukraine or Tunisia team pages. .
• Buy World Cup tickets to Ukraine’s next match.

France vs Togo | LiveBlog | France World Cup Gear, Togo World Cup Gear

France 2 (Vieira 55, Henry 61)
Togo 0

Zidaneless France needed a two goal win over their former colony to guarantee progression, and that’s exactly what they did. Without Zidane, Domonech played two forwards, two wingers and two central midfielders and the result was a faster, more attacking, direct approach.

France dominated from the first whistle but a combination of Ribery’s shooting (two golden chances sent over the bar) and Kossi Agassa making save after save kept this goalless until the 55th minute. Vieira received a Ribery cross, turned and buried it past Agassa, before providing Henry with his goal 6 minutes later. Vieira’s flick on was met by Thierry Henry, who scored his second of the tournament with a quick turn and shot.

Togo brave and willing, but just not good enough, France through to the second round to face Spain. The big question now is whether Domonech reverts to his original plan and puts Zidane back in midfield, or keeps faith with his winning eleven.

Video highlights here.

Fan Photo:

• 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 France or Togo team pages.
• Buy World Cup tickets to France’s next match.

Switzerland vs South Korea | LiveBlog | Switzerland World Cup Gear, South Korea World Cup Gear

Switzerland (Senderos 23, Frei 77)
South Korea

Switzerland won Group G by beating Korea, who will be very disappointed to go home early. The scoring opened with a manly clash of heads in the 23rd minute. Senderos headed home after winning an aerial battle with Choi Jin-Cheul that left blood on both men’s faces. Neither of them rolled around on the floor or complained though. It’s only blood. Senderos put in an impressive performance against a Korean team determined to score, but was eventually substituted with what looked like an arm injury.

Alexander Frei nailed Korea’s World Cup coffin shut with a controversial 77th minute goal. When he ran onto a through ball, the linesman flagged for offside but was overruled by the referee. Replays suggest the ref was right as the pass appeared to come off Lee Ho. Either way, Frei rounded the keeper and scored to guarantee first place in Group G.

Video highlights here.

Fan Photo:

• 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 Switzerland or Korea team pages.
• Buy World Cuptickets to Switzerland’s next matches.

Have a look at the final, definitive group tables.