Group stages end in a whimper.

Friday saw the last of the group stages and Group G ended with one of the disappointments of the World cup so far. Brazil vs Portugal could have been a delightful game, but 7 yellow cards in the first half was the big talking point in a game that turned petty, niggly and tedious, who would hve thought that possible in a game involving Ronaldo. He never really came alive in this game, which seems to be the story of his tournament so far. Clarence Seedorf believes, until Ronaldo can grab Portugal as a team and drag them kicking and screaming through a game he'll struggle to convince he's an all time great. Messi, though he hasn't scored has assists and had a tangible influence on the Argentine team. He willing to run for the team,to make plays for the team and drive the team forward. Ronaldo is a great player, a magnificnet player, but he doesn't seem to inspire Portugla in the same way, how many times have we seen him drive high in to the stands when other, simper options were on. We did see him hit a wonderful strike against Ivory Coast in the first game of the group. this game promised much in the build up but filed to deliver anything. Part of that is dow to Ivory Coast not playing for the win against Portugal, they needed to make the mot of that game, and Portugal were definitely beatable that day. Instead they played out a draw, then Portugal's disarmament of North Korea meant Ivory Coast needed a Portugal loss and a 10 goal swing to go with it. Ivory coast managed a 3-0 win over DPR Korea, better than the Brazilians result it was all in vain.

Group H met with a variety outcome possible, any one of Spain, Chile or Switzerland could have been going home after this game. Chile have become my one of my favorite teams at the tournament, they onyl know how to play football one way and that's forward. Attack, attack, attack. this game was set up to be a beauty. Spain needed to win to progress, Chile needed a point to guarantee a last 16 place and Switzerland needed to win and some either Spain to lose or beat Chile convincingly. Whilst I can admire the way the Swiss took down Spain, as there's no point trying to outplay them. It's like having a dance off with Carlos Acosta. The problem I then have with the Swiss and it's the same with the Greeks, is, that;s their only way of playing football. there's no adventure, going forward they look cumbersome and unimaginative. The competition is a better place now their heading home, the promotion of dour football is not what people wasn't to see at a World Cup. So Switzerland drew with Honduras and I can't imagine there are a whole host of people soory to see them leave. Honduras, tried but progression never looked likely and in an Adrian Chiles patronising voice, they were just happy to be there.

Spain Chile was a great game though, it was a shame to see a man sent off, and whilst the second yellow card seemed harsh, he was a touch lucky to still be on the pitch at that point. The downside for Chile is how many players they have suspended for the Brazil game, I think the count is 3 possibly 4. Spain looked great whilst Torres was on the pitch but lost their way once he left the field. his finishing is looking as rusty as the tin man in monsoon season, but what he does seem to do is offer a physical threat up front and allows David Villa to play around him. Certainly Villa looked far more dangerous attacking in from the left hand side than he did as a lone striker once Torres had gone. Torres is judged on what he allows the other players to do, plus the aerial threat he offers in the box means the wide man has a purpose and a target when crossing. Torres' aerial threat is well documented and he adds a focal point. The fact that Villa looks comfortable coming in from the left if good news for Barca fans, and may see Ibrahimovic paired with him next season. he's also so tricky to pick up from that position and with his direct running into the box is inviting penalties throughout the game. He really is one of the best strikers in the world, (I won money on him at Euro 08 as top scorer and got marvelously good odds on him as well). Spain took the lead on 24 minutes and seemed to wrap the game up with the second on 37. Villa's goal was phenomenal. The keeper came all of 20 yards out to tackle Torres but didn't find touch, instead finds Villa who first time lets fly from the left touchline 40 yards out and curls the ball beautifully into the back of the net. Iniesta's finish for the second is equally delightful, a placed side foot curler round the keeper, lovely stuff. Chile had had the best of the opening exchanges but looked dead and buried at this point as Estrada gets his second yellow and has to leave the field. After this Chile made it to half time, but still came out attacking the game and scored 2 minutes after the restart. From then on it was a great game, and as mentioned before, once Torres letf the field of play, Villa looked a little lost up front on his own and Chile despite being a man down really took the game to Spain and were a little unlucky not to come away with a point and top the group, thus avoiding Brazil in the next round. It was a shame that of the four games played, only one was worth the wait.