Shiva! Ukraine passes to next phase

Ukraine and Spain pass to last 16 and now meet France and Switzerland. Togo bows out knowing it did its best and the Republic of Korea can feel unlucky because Mexico and Australia both went through with four points.

Photo: Shiva! Ukraine passes to next phase

Ukraine 1 Tunisia 0

Andriy Shevchenko 70 (pen)

Nine shots and three corners each was the translation of a balanced game, the difference in practical terms being Shevchenko’s 70th minute penalty. Tunisia’s csuse took a nosedive when the forward Jaziri was sent off for getting a second yellow. Ukraine, in the Finals for the first time, now meets Switzerland in the last 16.

Spain 1 Saudi Arabia 0

Juanito 36

Spain was much better in all departments and the more we see this team play, the more it appears to be a front-rummer for the World title. Spain passes the ball around the park, distributes its players intelligently, they are motivated, they know each other well, they are physically powerful and they have individual qualities capable of destabilising a game.

Spain’s 19 shots against Saudi Arabia’s 7 and ten corners against 4 explains the rhythm of this game very well. However, the Saudis had their chances and never gave up. Courageous performance.

Final Classification Group H

Spain (8-1) 9 points
Ukraine (5-4) 6
Tunisia (3-6) 1
Saudi Arabia (2-7) 1
France 2 Togo 0
Patrick Vieira 55
Thierry Henry 61

France’s 17 shots gave 2 goals; Togo’s 8 shots gave none. The best team won on the day but Togo can go back to West Africa knowing that it did its very best and was never humiliated. France however gets better with every game and while it might not be the force of 1998 it is certainly better than 2002.

Switzerland 2 Rep. Korea 0
Senderos 23
Frei 77

The Republic of Korea was never going to be easy to beat and it was not. The Koreans shot more (15-12) but Switzwerland had more corners (8-6), yet like the watches, the Swiss were more precise and efficient and won the day.

Final Classification Group G

Switzerland (4-0) 7 points
France (3-1) 5
Rep. Korea (3-4) 4
Togo (1-6) 0

Last 16

Germany-Sweden (24th)
Argentina-Mexico (24th)
England-Ecuador (25th)
Portugal-Holland (25th)
Italy-Australia (26th)
Switzerland-Ukraine (26th)
Brazil-Ghana (27th)
Spain-France (27th)

Timothy BANCROFT-HINCHEY
PRAVDA.Ru