Oh dear. Having set sail under a strong wind in the group stage, the good ship World Cup has been dashed onto the rocks by a combination of player cynicism and referee incompetence. The last sixteen was a rather disappointing round, with too many games decided by the officials. The final game of the lot - Spain versus France - provided the bulk of the good football all by itself. Let's see how my predictions turned out:
Germany v Sweden, 16:00
The hosts are hitting form, with both their strikers having found the net in the last match and the country starting to believe that a previously under-par team could go all the way. Even with the incomparable Larsson, Sweden look dire.
Prediction: Germany 2 Sweden 0
Result: Germany 2 Sweden 0
To my credit, bang-on with the first prediction. Germany looked to have found new momentum with Podolski scoring twice in the first 12 minutes. After that there was only going to be one winner and any lingering hopes Sweden may have had were dispelled when Teddy Lucic was ludicrously sent off for the merest of shirt pulls. The "incomparable Larsson" later balooned a penalty into the stands to confirm Sweden's exit.
Argentina v Mexico, 20:00
The best team so far will surely waltz past CONCACAF’s finest. Jose Peckerman has the luxury of bringing back fresh players having rested some of them agianst the Dutch.
Prediction: Argentina 3 Mexico 0
Result: Argentina 2 Mexico 1 AET
Right outcome, wrong result. I underestimated the Mexicans who gave the favourites a right old game (apparently, I missed this one).
England v Ecuador, 16:00
Those jammy Saxons, first they get the easiest group, then the easiest second round match. Nevertheless, England’s inability to string a few passes together should not be underestimated. The heart says Ecuador, the head says England.
Prediction: England 2 Ecuador 1
Result: England 1 Ecuador 0
Again I got the winner correct but not the scoreline. Yet another dire performance by a charmed English team. Beckham's expert free-kick hasn't protected the England captain from a good deal of criticism back home. In open play, the Real Madrid midfielder contributed very little once again.
Portugal v Holland, 20:00
Robben, Van Persie and Horseface will provide the Portuguese with a sterner test than Mexico, Angola and Iran. Holland have enough good players to win, but never underestimate the dark arts of a Big Phil team.
Prediction: Portugal 1 Holland 2
Result: Portugal 1 Holland 0
Wrong about everything (apart from the black arts). This was shaping up to be a great game until Costinha inexplicably handballed earning a second yellow. From then on, the game became a card-riddled farce with both teams ending with nine men.
Italy v Australia, 16:00
On paper this looks straightforward, Italy have significantly more world-class players than the Ozzies. The one doubt in my mind is the presence of perennial semi-finalist Guus Hiddink in the Australian dug-out.
Prediction: Italy 1 Australia 0
Result: Italy 1 Australia 0
Bang on. The game was marred by two poor refereeing decisions. First Materazzi was sent off for a yellow card offence, then in the last minute, Italy were wrongly awarded a penalty from which Totti scored. The fact remains though, that Australia minus Kewell created virtually nothing against the ten men of Italy.
Switzerland v Ukraine, 20:00
Oh God, one of these teams is going to make it to the last eight. Did Switzerland really win a World Cup group?
Prediction: Do I have to? OK, then. Switzerland 0 Ukraine 0, the Swiss to win on penalties after Shevy misses the crucial spot-kick.
Result: Switzerland 0 Ukraine 0 AET, Ukraine win 3-0 on penalties
Right about the scoreline, right about it going to penalties but wrong about the ultimate winner. I didn't bother watching this one and apparently I missed very little. Has any other team ever gone out of the World Cup, as the Swiss have just done, without conceding a goal?
Brazil v Ghana, 16:00
Could be a great game but Ghana will miss the suspended Essien. Fat Boy could pass Gerd Muller in the all-time scoring charts in this match.
Prediction: Brazil 4 Ghana 2
Result: Brazil 3 Ghana 0
Right outcome, wrong result. Ghana created plenty of chances but ultimatley lacked the killer instinct of their more illustrious opponents. Ronaldo did indeed break Gerd Muller's scoring record. Congratulations.
Spain v France, 20:00
Spain should have the edge here, given their considerably better form in the group stages. Au revoir, Monsieur Zidane.
Prediction: Spain 2 France 1
Result: Spain 1 France 3
Got everything wrong. The best game of the round saw an aged French team come from behind to defeat a young Spanish outfit. Having started woefully, Les Bleus seem to have hit form at just the right point. Rather than bid adieu, Monsieur Zidane rolled back the years with a fine performance topped with an elegant last-minute goal forcing me to eat le pie de humble.