And when you thought things couldn't get any worse, the oh so predictable English media have embarked on a blame-game feeding frenzy after their team could do no better than draw 0-0 with Algeria. As always, while vilifying their own, these self-appointed experts failed to grasp the not insignificant reality that England faced a very well organised Algerian team, with our very own (but for how much longer?) Madjid Bougherra outstanding, as if the opposition was supposed to sit back and let Wean Rooney and company brush them aside effortlessly.
Inconveniently for many, there were two games to be played before England's 7.30 p.m. kick-off so the BBC used every break in coverage of Serbia v Germany and USA v Slovenia to keep us up to speed with what was happening with Fabio's team. All of which was a total waste of time because the birthday boy (Capello is 64 today) was telling them - and us! - sweet hee-haw. So we just had to make do with the fitba. Ho hum.
Those whose enthusiasm for Germany's impressive opening performance was tempered with reservations about the quality of the opposition must be feeling pretty clever in the wake of events in Port Elizabeth. Having to make up for their defeat from Ghana, Serbia were sure to test the Germans a bit more than the Aussies had done but very early in proceedings it was clear the referee was going to have a major influence on the outcome. Alberto Undiano has a reputation for being too card-happy when in charge of La Liga games and he was clearly intent on being equally officious on the international stage.
A flurry of early yellow cards made it obvious there was no way the game would finish with 22 players on the park. Alberto Undiano couldn't keep 22 players on the park until half-time. Two nothing challenges from Miroslav Klose resulted in the Bayern Munich man being sent packing and, within 90 seconds, the Sebs had snatched the lead when Milan Jovanovic met a knockdown from Zigic to score from close range.
Nikola Zigic is the 6' 7" target man for whom Big Eck has shelled out £6,000,000 to take to Birmingham from Valencia. Clearly, having spent so much on a front player, McLeish is no longer interested in Boydie so it was interesting to monitor his game and make some sort of comparison. Well, he is certainly a lot more mobile than Kris, he makes better use of his physique and, towering about everyone else, he is definitely a threat in the air. But is he good for 25/30 goals a season?
Even when down to ten men, the Germans pounded the Serbians in the second half, they missed a glorious chance to draw level when, after Nemanja Vidic inexplicably handled a cross, Lukas Podolski hammered the penalty kick straight at Vladimir Stojanovic. And as the Germans pushed forward, they were always in danger of being caught out on the break, Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic hit the post and a Zigic header clipped the crossbar.
The Serbs held out to make things very tight in Group D. It will be very interesting if Australia can upset Ghana at Rustenburg to leave all four teams on three points going into Wednesday's final round of fixtures.
In Group C - or as the media choose to call it 'England's group' - the USA and Slovenia served up a leading contender for the game of the tournament. It is a tribute to both sets of players that they could do so despite the infuriating presence of a referee who was so out of his depth. Make a note of the name Koman Coulibaly from Mali. Better still, it rhymes so why not make up a song about him? It was his first ever World Cup game and, if anyone at FIFA has a brain in their head (is this a quiz?), it will be his last. Yes, I know it is Africa's World Cup but it does the reputation of African football no good whatsover if the only qualification necassary to take charge of a game is an African passport. Coulibaly would do better to invest in a copy of the laws of the game!!!
After doing so well in their opening game against England, the Americans were dealt a blow after 13 minutes when Valter Birsa fired Slovenia into the lead. The Yanks responded well, really put their opponents through the mincer, only to be caught out by a classic breakaway, Zlatan Ljubijankic made it 2-0 and I reckoned it was all over. But Bob Bradley's team kept right at it and, with Maurice Edu on as a second half sub, I shouting and bawling at the box for the first time in this World Cup.
Landon Donovan pegged it back to 2-1 shortly after the restart and the game was all about American pressure, the Slovenians being happy to back off, then try to nick something on the break. The coach's son Michael Bradley levelled the scores with eight minutes left and, with Slovenia rocking, I really fancied a USA victory.
Three minutes after the equaliser Donovan curled in a free-kick from the right and, amidst all the usual grappling in the box, Mo Edu pulled clear and volleyed the ball into the net. It was a great goal, a product of much work on the training ground, a goal fit to win any game but, instead of celebrating, the Americans found themselves in debate with the eejit with a whistle who, for reasons best known to himself, awarded a free-kick to Slovenia. On checking out the replay, there were at least three Slovenian players holding opponents, Mo Edu was not involved in any of the all-in wrestling, it was a perfectly good goal. But instead of taking a giant step towards qualification. the Yanks now face a potentially difficult game against Algeria in midweek to determine their World Cup future.
And as we all know by now, Algeria are no pushover. Goalkeeper Rais Bolhi made a nervous start but his defenders protected him, saw him through it and, whether they like it or not, the English lacked the skill and imagination to get behind the Bougie Man and his gang. Nor did the Algerians settle for sitting back and inviting England on to them. On many occasions they looked dangerous going forward, with Boudebouz and Martmour catching the eye, and they were well worthy of at least a draw.
It hurts to say it but, with performances like this, Madjid Bougherra will be plying his trade elsewhere in the season ahead. He was my man of the match, it puzzles me that he didn't make it at Charlton Athletic and I just can't get my head around the notion that the man to replace him at the Valley - and who has just has his contract extended by a year - is none other than our mutuakl friend Christian Dailly. Aye, its a funny old game right enough!!!
Finally, having been pissed off by the referees at the earlier games, a word of praise is in order for the guy in charge of England v Algeria. Take a bow Ravshan Irmatov. When I heard the ref was from Uzbekistan I wondered what the hell are FIFA playing at. What sort of big-time experience could he possibly have? Well, he was top notch, let the game flow, tried to keep his cards in his pocket and wasn't at all interested in stealing the limelight from players.
Mind you, he has only added to England's problems. Well, the can hardly blame the ref, can they?
Tomorrow: Holland v Japan, Denmark v Cameroon, Australia v Ghana.