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Games games games

The tournament is into full swing now, games relentlessly following one another. This means that the hazy memory of Iran's goalless draw with Nigeria quickly pass, and we get to move on to Clint Dempsey's first minute wonder goal for USA against Ghana.

I actually enjoyed Iran v Nigeria, if only because of how Iran managed to be solid as well as adventurous, without actually having much to offer. But there's little more to add to that particular game.

The USA game was great fun. Glorious opening from our Clint, and then we watched Ghana gradually take control of the game, waste chance after chance, equalise, relax, and then lose. Asamoah Gyan appears to have taken Benjamin Button tablets, looking 4 years younger than he did at the last tournament - maybe its the fact he shaved his shirt number onto the side of his head (on one side at least, the other side was just a bit of a scuffed bald patch). With Portugal looking a mess, that result could give USA a great chance to progress, which is something few people would have expected.

Onto Tuesday, and the first day that the tournament has let us down, I think. Belgium got stage-fright and despite winning, failed to deliver on any of the pre-tournament hype. Maybe they're the new Holland - loads of stars but no cohesion? I've a feeling they'll play themselves into some form, especially with the group they're in. Then there was Brazil and Mexico, racking up the tournaments second 0-0. Brazil looked pretty woeful, and whilst the game was more exciting (/chaotic) than the score suggests, it again suggested that unless something changes fast, Brazil are going to be knocked out by the first organised attacking team they face.

And as I write this, I am taking in South Korea (playing in Russia colours) v Russia (playing in Spain colours), which has been quite a good game. South Korea hold the ball really well without enough cutting edge - and look to be the Swansea of the tournament. Russia are less effective, more of a Stoke. They've given us the tournament's biggest blooper though; with Akinfeev letting a slow long ranger go right through his hands to give S Korea the lead. It looks like it will end as a draw, which will mean Belgium need a result against each of the team to guarantee progression.

It finishes off the first round of games, so everyone has played now.

Who's stood out? Well, on the evidence of the past week its hard to look beyond Holland, Argentina, Germany and Italy.

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