Germany, Ecuador and England were the first to advance to the second round of the World Cup, but Germany and England needed some late goals to do so.
Speaking of late-game heroics, there have been nine goals scored after the 85th minute so far. This shows the fine line that exists between a successful Cup and going home early with the burden of having disappointed your entire country.
Wish list
No question, Netherlands vs. Ivory Coast (11 a.m., ESPN2).
The Netherlands need to keep pace with Argentina while Ivory Coast looks to become the first African nation to record a win.
The real question: Which team gets to their neon orange uniforms?
Eye opener
The first signs of Cup problems were cited in Dortmund, as prematch fighting took place at the Germany vs. Poland game, a game singled out by organizers as a potential security risk. German TV reported that the atmosphere was friendly at the start but turned ugly as a group of German skinheads drinking in the city center “began to behave threateningly.”
Gee imagine that: Drinking + skinheads = trouble.
Prediction
My sure-to-go-wrong pick: Mexico gets the job done over Angola, 2-1. Also I apologize to all the Trinidad & Tobago fans out there as your squad gave England all that they wanted in a 2-0 loss. I predicted England, 5-0.
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Fire defender Jim Curtin gives RedEye his own World Cup perspective
