What’s at Stake Today
Another day, another four matches. That
is what is known as World Cup bliss. We close out the action in Groups C & D. Three of the four spots in the round of 16 have been filled and the teams today will be jockeying to see who will play one another in the knockout stage. Here’s a rundown of what is at stake for each of the teams today.
Group C
Argentina and Netherlands are both through. The winner of their match will win Group C and play the second place finisher from Group D. Argentina has a clear goal differential advantage so a tie will also give them top billing in the group.
Serbia and Montenegro and Ivory Coast have both been eliminated and are playing for no other reason then because they have to. Poor Chris drew the short end of the stick and he will be liveblogging that one.
Group D
Portugal is through to the next round and there is nothing that can be done today to change that fact. Portugal will win the group with a win or draw against Mexico. Either way, they are going to play either Argentina or Netherlands next round.
Mexico can punch their ticket to the round of 16 with a win or draw against Portugal. El Tri can also advance if Angola loses or draws against Iran. With a win against Portugal they win the group and a case of Turtle Wax.
Angola is still mathematically alive but will need some help. First, the Palancas need to beat Iran. Next they need Portugal to beat Iran. Finally they need to have a better goal differential than Mexico. Currently they are -1 and Mexico is +2.
Iran is going home no matter what. Thanks for showing up. See you again in 2010.
Predictions
Group C
1. Argentina
2. Netherlands
Group D
1. Portugal
2. Mexico
Again, I am going with the favorites. I’ve learned my lessons.
What do you think will be the outcome from today’s matches?
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Comments
By Amar Bakshi | June 21st, 2006 at 6:24 am 
PostGlobal, a new feature – launched by Fareed Zakaria and David Ignatius – soliciting viewpoints from leading journalists around the world, is debating the links between the World Cup and international relations. I thought this might be of interest to these readers.
See:
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/postglobal/
Posted from 
United States
By Kelvin | June 21st, 2006 at 6:27 am Hopefully your prediction will be correct, and my team can dodge playing Argentina.
Posted from 
Canada
By Nicolás | June 21st, 2006 at 6:58 am A hard game for us. We beat Holland only once (1978 final match) in seven matches.
Posted from 
Argentina
By Orfeo | June 21st, 2006 at 8:06 am I believe Argentina will win this one too. Both teams are planning to save their booked players and let some others rest (it’s not official yet, but half their teams will be substitutes). The difference is, Argentina’s bench is as good (or even better: Messi, Tevez, Cufré, Aimar, Palacio, etc.) as the regular first-team.
My prediction: ARG 3 – NED 1.
By Orfeo | June 21st, 2006 at 8:07 am Bob, I don’t know if you can edit that, but where you say: “Next they need Portugal to beat Iran”, it should be: “Next they need Portugal to beat Mexico”.
BTW, I’m going with your prediction 
By SES | June 21st, 2006 at 12:51 pm Lesson: In the end everyone will be speaking Spanish.
Great predictions. Portugal 2-0; Argentina 2-1. I think the Dutch could pose a challenge to the Argentines though as they’re a great defensive team.
Posted from United States
By Euler | June 21st, 2006 at 1:17 pm When it comes to non-Brazilian matches my predictions are always wrong. But I keep trying, naturally.
NED 2 : ARG 1
Robben twice, Tevez once.
By OPKO | June 21st, 2006 at 2:25 pm Today’s festivities will be showcasing some of the best play-acting on display at the World Cup. The diving (a.k.a. “simulation”) and dirty play of Argentina, Portugal, and Mexico (Holland also had some diving in their last game – perhaps it’s contagious?) highlight everything that is wrong with football. I’m tired of watching these antics and wish that they could suck it up and jut play.
For example, they should watch tapes of yesterday’s games when Rooney took that long ball and COULD HAVE fallen down as he was fouled on two separate occassions, but continued fighting for the ball and tried to create a chance.
Joga Bonito.
Posted from United States
By Cocoliso | June 21st, 2006 at 4:06 pm So Rooney’s behaviour is a shining example to follow… go tell his mom.
Posted from 
Spain
By OPKO | June 21st, 2006 at 4:42 pm Is anybody watching the dive-fest being put on by Mexico?
Posted from Canada
By OPKO | June 21st, 2006 at 5:16 pm Perez dives… second yellow… red card. He is off for the day. The “simulation” continues. Can’t wait for Argentina this afternoon. Does anyone see a pattern here?
Posted from Canada
By OPKO | June 21st, 2006 at 5:19 pm Now the Portuguese players are kicking at the others… this is disgusting!
Posted from Canada
By Pedro P | June 22nd, 2006 at 2:49 pm OPKO, get some glasses…
Posted from 
Netherlands
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