The only good thing about this crock of shit tournament is that it means a few decent teams that England might have to play at the World Cup will be absolutely buggered come next summer.
South Africa 0 – 0 Iraq
The English language doesn’t contain words to describe how bad this matach was. The opening stages were scrappy as neither side could string a pass together, but the Bafana Bafana claimed the best opportunity when Macbeth Sibaya forced a fingertip save with a 20-yard drive on target.
The second half brought better football from South Africa, who were the only side trying to win the game, and they should have scored when Dikgacoi’s header appeared destined for the Iraqi net only for Bernard Parker to block the ball on the line.
New Zealand 0 – 5 Spain
Spain edged a five goal thriller with New Zealand, with Fernando Torres claiming an eleven minute hat-trick and Fabregas adding the fourth in the 24th minute. Torres’ first came on 6 minutes and was a terrific shot into the top corner. Torres then bagged the second on 14, finishing from a Villa cut back and the third came three minutes later with a towering header from a left-wing cross by Capdevilla. Fabregas finished a terrific move after yet more great play by Capdevilla. David Villa got in on the act with the fifth three minutes into the second half after good wing play from Torres and some shocking defending from Andrew Boyens.
Brazil 4 – 3 Egypt
Yay, the Howard Webb show! Brazil started in fine style as Real Madrid scum Kaka managed to jink his way into the Egypt box juggling the ball before firing home the opener after five minutes. The lead was short lived, Mohamed Zidan powered home Abou Trika’s cross to draw the Pharaohs level inside 10 minutes. It wasn’t long until the Samba Boys got their noses back in-front, Elano’s free-kick was brilliantly guided into the net by Luis Fabiano’s flick header. Brazil went on to claim a third before the break as Juan headed home an Elano corner.
With many expecting Egypt to capitulate in the second half, the North Africans stunned Brazil with two goals inside sixty seconds. Mohamed Shawky scored in the 54th minute with a neat finish in the near post, and from the centre Egypt robbed Brazil of the ball, ending when Abou Trika found Mohamed Zidan who equalised with a clinical strike. Egypt then bossed the game and looked the more likely to find a winner, only to have their good work undone when Al Mohamady handled Lucio’s effort off the line and, after the red card was brandished, Kaka stepped up to the spot to score the winner.
United States 1 – 3 Italy
The Yanks had Ricardo Clark sent off just after the half hour for a reckless tackle in the middle of the park. The Italians appeared to have been given the lead after Bornstein put through his own net only for the goal to be ruled out for a ropey offside call against Camoranesi. The US immediately went up the other end, Jozy Altidore was brought down for a penalty and Landon Donovan stepped up to score from the spot.
The Azzurri levelled just before the hour mark, Man Utd reject Giuseppe Rossi thrashing home a stunning drive from distance that tore past a helpless Tim Howard. Italy completed the turnaround in the 72nd minute, Daniele De Rossi found the bottom corner with a low shot from 20-yards out. The third Azzurri goal came in the 90th minute, Pirlo produced some great skill on the wing and crossed for Rossi to grab his second of the night with a fine right-footed finish on the half volley.
