World Cup Game 51 –Holland 2 vs. 1 Slovakia
Holland set up a quarter final encounter with either Brazil or Chile, as the Dutch dominated in a well deserved 2-1 win over Slovakia in Durban. The Dutch were handed a boost before the game with Arjen Robben making his first competitive start of the World Cup campaign. Slovakian coach Weiss also made changes to his starting XI before the game with talented son Vladimir Weiss making the breakthrough for this crucial last 16 game.
It was two fine strikes from the Dutch that won the game, the first coming from an excellent trademark Arjen Robben goal in the 18th minute when the winger used his pace to cut inside his man and rifle in a left-footed strike at the near post. Holland second of the game came late on in the 84th minute when Dirk Kuyt beat the on rushing Slovakian keeper Mucha with his pace and power, to roll the ball unselfishly across to team mate Snedijer who tapped in an empty net in to seal the win.
Slovakia found a consolation goal deep into injury time, as Vittek pull one back for the Slovakians with a penalty, after Dutch keeper Stekelenburg fouled Jakubko in the box, sealing his forth and final goal of the tournament in a 2-1 defeat.
World Cup Game 52 –Brazil 3 vs. 0 Chile
Brazil sailed into the quarter finals of the World Cup with a comfortable and impressive 3-0 win over there South American counterparts Chile in Johannesburg. It was Brazil who controlled large parts of the game with Chile’s best spell coming in the first quarter, putting early pressure on the Brazilians from the kick off.
After seeing off the early pressure from the Chileans, Brazil scored there first goal of the game, coming from a Maicon corner as defender Juan took advantage of some awful defending from Chile to nod home the opening goal. Brazil doubled the lead in the 38th minute when Kaka slipped in Luis Fabiano as the on-fire striker rounded goalkeeper Claudio Bravo before slotting home in typical Brazilian fashion. The game was finally sealed on the hour mark as Robinho latched onto a superb pass from Ramires and unleashed a curling effort into the far corner leaving Bravo with no chance.
World Cup Game 53 –Paraguay 0 vs. 0 Japan (Paraguay win 5-3 on pens)
Paraguay beat Japan in Pretoria on penalties to create history by reaching the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time. After a tense 90 minute and extra time period it was penalties that settled this tie with Paraguay edging Japan with a 5-3 win.
The game itself was a cagey encounter with Japan starting the more attack minded team, and in the early first half of the game the best chance fell to Daisuke Matsui whose 30 yard effort crashed off the woodwork leaving the Paraguay keeper Villar beaten. Paraguay responded with strikes from Roque Santa Cruz and Ortigoza but excellent defending from the Japanese denied the Paraguayans from breaking the deadlock keeping the game scoreless.
In the second half, both teams become very cagey and desperate with neither side finding a breakthrough, as the game looked like it would fade out to 0-0 draw. In Extra time both side came out flying with the Japanese Kawashima denying Valdes from inside the box and at the other end Villar palming out a powerful Honda strike. As the game went into penalties this first of the tournament, it was the unlucky Japanese player Komano who hit the bar with the third spot-kick to deny Japan the chance to progress, as Paraguay sank all five penalties with Oscar Cardozo grabbing the winner to send the South American’s into celebration.
World Cup Game 54 –Spain 1 vs. 0 Portugal
Spain booked there place in quarter finals of the World Cup thanks a David Villa 63rd minute strike as Spain played out a much-anticipated encounter against the Portuguese in the Green Point stadium, Cape Town.
It was new Barcelona boy Villa that broke the deadlock scoring in the 63rd minute of the match after Barcelona team mates Andres Iniesta and Xavi linked up inside the box, flicking the ball into Villa’s path with the striker scoring in off the bar from a rebounded save from goalkeeper Eduardo. Portugal rarely looked like scoring an equalising goal, and Spain could have made victory more emphatic against a Portuguese side, in which Cristiano Ronaldo was hugely disappointing.
As the game come into the closing stages, more misery was put on Portugal as Carlos Quieroz side were reduced to 10 men after defender Ricardo Costa stupidly lashed out at Capdevila, in what was a frustrating night for the Portuguese national side.