For the United States and England, the need for a first place finish in group C has become vital if they are to progress deep into the tournament. Germany’s 4-0 demolition of Australia dismissed the rumblings of this being a down year for the 2006 semi-finalists. Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose have found their scoring touch and the squad’s trademark organization and discipline seems to be doing just fine without Michael Ballack.
Serbia and Ghana underwhelmed in the first match in group D. Ghana lacked a finishing touch and looked lost without Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien. Serbia lacked understanding and Zdravko Kuzmanovic’s handball that led to Ghana’s late penalty kick was, quite frankly, moronic. This was some expert’s “Group of Death” before the tournament began but it’s looking fairly lopsided after the first round of games.
Judging by Saturday’s performance in Rustenburg, neither the USA nor England have the quality to beat Germany so both teams will try and top their group in order to place themselves on the opposite side of the bracket once knockout play begins. They should beat Algeria and Slovenia (emphasis on should) and be level at seven points apiece with goal differential determining seeding. It comes down to the ability to break down the stubborn Slovenian defense and stay disciplined against an Algerian side with a lot of energy but without discipline or tactical ability. Don’t be surprised if both teams try to pile on even if the scoreline is two or three to nil. The German offense is young, fast and work remarkably well with each other. When the USA and England squared off both defenses lost opposing strikers and left huge gaps of space in their back line.
But let’s assume for a second that the runner-up in Group C does beat Germany. Their quarterfinal matchup will probably be Argentina. Can anyone see Jay Demerit, John Terry or Carlos Bocanegra keeping up with Messi and Tevez? If the winner of group C wins their second-round matchup with the runner up of group D then they face the winner of group A vs. the runner-up of group B. The toughest team that could come out of that draw would be France, who have been dreadful. Despite playing less than spectacularly in their opening match both the Americans and the English could realistically earn a semifinals spot.