2010 FIFA World Cup

[Slade]

I'm not an England supporter. The "karma" I was referring to was the blatant dive that led to the horrid penalty decision that won them the game against Australia in the second round. The NZ guy was definitely offside. He was onside when the free kick was taken but by the time the ball got into the penalty box he was about 2 feet behind Cannavaro. It would have been ok if no other NZ player had touched the ball, but when one of them flicked it on, that made the scorer offside. I can only assume the linesman didn't see the flick on by the other NZ player. And no, I don't hate the Italians out of jealousy, I hate them because they can always be relied on to field an intensely boring team. They're technically skilled but have absolutely zero flair and style.

I made a joke earlier about North Korea facing the firing squad, but after tonight's performance it is not a joke. I am genuinely fearful for some of their lives when they get home.

Sorry man! Although I asked why you disliked the Italian football team my first comment wasn't specifically directed at you as such. I was just thinking out loud since you mentioned you didn't like them and I was thinking about posts I read on other forums.

I used to hate the Italians particularly through their 1994 campaign where I thought they were very lucky to get to the final (they should have been down to 9 men against Nigeria and 10 men against Spain with the Spaniards awarded a penalty). From the offset they played for penalties against Brazil and were generally so negative so I was glad when they lost. Similarly I was glad they lost to France in 1998. Not only were they ultra defensive in that game and most of the others but I specifically remember Baggio deliberately kicking the ball into a player's hand and being awarded a penalty against Chile. I was over the moon when they lost to France by the golden-goal in Euro 2000. The ironic thing was I wouldn't have been too annoyed if they'd won because they were the better side, weren't defending all the time and in actual fact France were very lucky but because of the sheer manner in which they played and lucked out against the Netherlands in the match before it was just deserts in my mind - Now that was Karma (also considering how many times I'd seen Italian club teams in Europe win in a similar fashion over the years). A France - Holland final would have been epic and from a neutrals point a far better game.

I don't think Italy were that negative when they won in 2006 though. Lippi has always been reasonably attack minded and I remember he would always play three strikers for Juventus (Vialli, Ravanelli and Del Pierro). Yes Grosso did dive to get a penalty against Australia and that annoyed me intensely but a lot of people forget that one of the Australians dived to get Materazzi sent off (even though he deserved it because he can be such a dirty player). People say they are boring but I would much rather watch them than England who are beyond boring - Tell me that last match England played which was actually entertaining.

I'm also worried for the North Koreans. Can you imagine what it's going to be like when they arrive back in Pyongyang? Remember Escobar? Iraq? Their best chance is to hope someone's been impressed with the way they play and signs them up for a club team.

Again more play acting and the referee conned yet again between Switzerland and Chile. It's becoming a trend now, although the Swiss player was asking for trouble.

Bright side - welcome back Spain. Some really good passing and even though it was Honduras a reminder of the team that won Euro 2008. There's still work to be done though if they are to qualify, which I hope they do.

[halcyon06]

I'm delighted that England are playing the way they are- went into the competition too cocky. With Ferdinand out, the only player I feel sorry for is Rooney. I cant stand the rest, seeing as almost half the squad cheated on their wives! But appart from the personal lives, I really really really cant stand the team.

Don't feel sorry for Rooney; he deserved every single bit of that booing, his play was dreadful! He was without a doubt the worst player on the pitch in the last match and had no right to have a go at the fans for their reaction; at the end of the day, they're his 'employers', they're the ones who pay his ridiculously extravagant wage and like all employers; they had the right to tell him he'd done a bad job.

I'm still hoping England progress through to the next round (patriotism and all) and I don't think they were cockier than any of the other teams (just hopeful and perhaps too confident in my personal opinion) but if they carry on playing like this; then they don't deserve to go through.

I'd actually like to see Ghana win; I think they're playing fantastically and deserve to do well. Plus I love their little dances they do when they score

Only said I feel sorry for Rooney because I'm a United supporter, wasn't actually basing it on his preformance on the night.

[Zetti]

^ lol I said that as well. Have been a united fan for as long as I can remember lol

[HighwayUnicorn]

Deleted.

[halcyon06]

^ lol I said that as well. Have been a united fan for as long as I can remember lol

Best team without a doubt!

[Zetti]

^ Oh yea!

[Zetti]

Finally we played like a proper team. Defoe's goal had me in tears but I am glad we have rediscovered our talent and for me its onwards and upwards now!

[charmed60]

Wohooo well done England, a MUCH better game and a reason to actually deserve to go through. I hope we continue playing like that! Well done boys!

[HighwayUnicorn]

Deleted.

[Red Ranger 1]

England are through!They were probably the better team but it wasn't exactly a convincing win, it could easily have been 1-1 and a plane journey home.Shame USA got that late goal, I was hoping Slovenia would go through with us.

So, guess we're hoping Ghana or Serbia win Group D.Find out tonight.