Nigeria had the opportunities for a miracle finish that would have seen them claim the second spot in the group despite forgettable performances in their two previous games, but it was not to be. Obafemi Martins missed Nigeria’s last great chance to advance, failing to convert an “alone with the goal-keeper” chance. It was not even the most frustrating moment of the match for Nigeria, as Yakubu made a monumental mess of a simple tap-in earlier in the match, perhaps not the greatest miss of all time, but certainly up there.
See Yakubu’s gaffe, among the worst on record. How did he miss that??????
South Korea played their poorest match of the World Cup yet, laboring throughout and surviving a Nigerian siege at the end of the game for a 2-2 draw that saw them through. A deserved accomplishment for a team that showed a lot of character during its difficult match against Argentina. South Korea will take on Uruguay next, winner of Group A. In the “battle to avoid Argentina” match, Luis Suarez gave Uruguay a 1-0 lead that was never relinquished in a tight, physical encounter. Mexico threw on all of its resources in a desperate effort to win and finish top of the group, but at least did not have to worry about passage after South Africa jumped ahead to a 2-0 lead over a completely disjointed France.
It was a happy ending for the host nation, despite not qualifying to the next round. For their part, the French were driven from the stadium directly to the airport and flown to Paris in coach class, as official and public sentiment turned definitively odious against the players’ performance and behavior. For a last act, French manager Raymond Domenech refused to shake the hand of his South African counterpart, Carlos Alberto Pereira, at the end of the match. An all time low for French soccer, a case where everything really needs to be rebuilt from scratch.
Unlike France, South Africa made a graceful, winning exit from the World Cup.
Argentina put on another impressive display against an over-matched Greek team that played for a draw. Maradona, with his appealing “Cervantes” silver bearded look, experimented with Bolatti and Veron in midfield, Otamendi, Burdisso and Rodriguez in the back, Milito up front, wisely tuning up his roster. His happiest moment came when Martin “El Loco” Palermo, Diego’s sentimental favorite, scored a goal at the World Cup that he will cherish forever. It was not a spectacular goal, a rebound from one of Messi’s tremendous incursions, but one that he will always remember. Mexico and Argentina will meet Sunday in a what should be an entertaining match-up, Uruguay will meet South Korea on Saturday.