Europe Marching On

With the World Cup Quarter Finals drawing to a close this evening, Holland have beaten Brazil, Germany have cruised past Argentina, winning 4-0 this afternoon and Spain have just beaten Paraguay 1-0. This leaves just Uruguay who defeated Ghana last night on kicks from the mark to decide the outcome, to attempt to retain the trophy in South America for another 4 years.

This evening's game between Spain and Paraguay had a few interesting incidents. The first was a long ball played forward towards two Paraguayan attackers, one who was in an offside position and the other was in an onside position. The ball fell to the onside player who controlled the ball and scored. The assistant however had adjudged that the action of the other attacker, in jumping to challenge for the ball, was sufficient to meet the criteria of interfering with an opponent.

Then in an amazing two minutes of play, two kicks from the penalty mark were awarded. The first was for Paraguay who had an attacker held by Pique of Spain. The kick was saved, but at least 3 defenders were encroaching as the ball was kicked. Within 1 minute at the other end of the field Alcaraz fouled Villa of Spain and a kick was awarded to them. The challenge took place 10 yards from goal with only the goalkeeper between the attacker and goal ... so why wasn't the offender dismissed?

The goal was scored but Carlos Batres adjudged that players had encroached and asked for the kick to be re-taken. The re-take was saved but in the ensuing melee another foul was committed on an attacker but was missed by the referee and his assistant.

With 8 minutes to play Spain had a shot at goal which hit the left hand post and rebounded to Villa who again took a shot at goal. The ball hit the right hand post, bounced along the goal line to the left hand post, bounced off that before resting in the back of the net - amazing!

So the second semi final, which will take place on Wednesday will be between Germany and Spain.

2nd one off

Ghezzal of Algeria collected his first caution within a couple of minutes of coming on as substitute. His offence was similar to the holding offence committed by Evra of France yesterday, so it was no surprise when referee Carlos Batres issued his caution.

His second offence was to jump and use an outstretched arm to try and collect the ball as it was flying over his head. Again the referee has no hesitation and completed the dismissal with deliberation. It cost his team dearly as shortly afterwards a scuffed shot from Robert Koren of Slovenia bounced off the Algerian keeper's arm and they lost the game 1-0.

That takes Slovenia to the top of Group C (England's Group) and should mean that Ghezzal, who looked dangerous before being dismissed, will miss the game against England on Friday.