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Next up it is PARAGUAY V SOUTH AFRICA and I have to admit that, if this one had been the 6.30 kick-off, I would probably have given it a miss. Not a match I'm particularly looking forward to but, guess what? It turns out to be the best yet. Paraguay look like skooshing it when Santa Cruz and Arce (what a bummer!) give them a 2-0 lead and the lights are going out in Soweto.
But the South Africans refuse to lie down, a Struway OG lets them back into it and suddenly Paraguay are struggling to hold on. Right at the death we have World Cup 2002's first penalty kick when Tavarelli tumbles Zuma and Man Utd's Quentin Fortune does the business from the spot
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As it happens, Sweden come more into it and deservedly draw level with an Alexandersson rocket and England find themselves in trouble. Seaman makes a couple of good saves and, when Beckham limps off, the first half stroll is in danger of becoming a second half rollover. In the end England are quite fortunate to hang on for a 1-1 draw and they have to be thankful that the one the Manky Mob call The King Of Kings didn't play. What's that? He did play? I never noticed. Obviously ripping the pish out of Rio Ferdinand in a meaningless testimonial match is a tad easier than doing it on the big stage. Could it be that Hooray Henrik has been found out again, just like he was on Cup Final day?
It will be very interesting to monitor how the English media react to this result. Before the game most reasonable folk would gladly have settled for a draw but, having seen their team dominate the first half, questions will be asked about how Sweden got back into it. Suddenly Sven Goran Eriksson's tactics are being questioned and, having had a taste of the tabloid treatment when his fling with Ulrika was blown, the manager's reputation will be on the line against Argentina on Friday.
Although no doubt encouraged to see group rivals South Africa and Paraguay draw, SPAIN are one of those countries who tend to let themselves down at the highest level and in the early stages of their game against SLOVENIA it looks like they might self-destruct again. The Sovenians look much more comfortable on the ball but, slowly but surely, Spain settle down and just before the interval the Real Madrid duo of Luis Enrique and Raul link up well and Raul shoots low into the net.
And Spain begin to look the part in the second half but the second goal eludes them until the 74th minute when Valeron gives them that cushion. Now well placed to win the group, could this be the year the Spaniards finally come good? Perhaps not! Cimirotic pulls one back nine minutes from the end and the panic button is pressed but a late penalty kick from Hierro wraps up a 3-1 victory.
For me, this World Cup doesn't really start until tomorrow when my tip to win it, BRA-ZIL kick-off their campaign against Tugay and TURKEY. I fancy this to be one of the classier games of the opening stages so I expect to be waxing lyrical in tomorrow's diary. Read all about it right here...
LITTLE BOY BLUE