As you can gather from the mid-stream termination of the France-Uruguay posts, blogging while Cup-watching and beer-drinking can be...difficult. That game ended a scoreless draw, with Uruguay playing very defensively and France failing to offer a coherent attack. The French defense, I thought, was actually quite sturdy, but just the same Diego Forlan showed how very dangerous he is with several skillful episodes. France really has an enormous amount of talent, yet they lack a manager or Zidane to maximize it. Perhaps this collection of disorganized talent will go far? You never know in a tournament. Regardless, watching them play below their potential is disappointing.

South Korea beat Greece 2-0, and the game was actually entertaining, because the South Koreans were lively in attack. Greece was not at all good, easily the worst team through the first two days of the tournament.

Argentina beat Nigeria 1-0. The sheer power of the Argentine attack was remarkable. Only some highlight reel saves by the Nigerian keeper (and some wasteful Argentine finishing) kept the tight scoreline.

In the match everyone had been waiting for, England and the US tied 1-1. England went up early in the 4th minute on a nice Heskey pass to Gerrard streaking across the box, with Gerrard outrunning Clark and slotting the ball past Howard. It felt like the Czech loss four years ago -- down a goal in the first five minutes -- but we regrouped nicely and enjoyed greater possession in the first half than England. Dempsey equalized on a historically bad play by the English keeper, who simply let a modest Dempesy strike slip out of his hands and roll over the goal line.

There was no scoring after that, although Howard made several key saves. Heskey had a one on one in which he could not have hit Howard more squarely in the chest with the ball; it was as if he were trying to hit him. In an impressive display of power, Altidore outmuscled and outraced Carragher in a surging run that ended with a shot to the near-post brilliantly saved by Green, who managed to palm the ball into the woodwork.

The New York Times -- which has great statistics for each player in each match, see here for the US-England stats -- had the match possession numbers at 55-45 in England's favor, which seems about right. England had the stronger play in second half, with a significant spell of possession in the 60th to 80th minutes, but they could not convert.

I'm pleased with result. A point off England may be better than either Algeria or Slovenia do, and more importantly, I was delighted that we did not crumble, down 1-0 after four minutes to England. In fact, as I mentioned, for much of the first half, we had the greater of the possession. We kept our composure, leveled, and got a result against a "big" European team. The key now is to avoid overconfidence against Slovenia and Algeria.

FF

Ribery down the left wing past the defender, perfect cross to Govou, who muffs a sitter.

No Malouda starting for France. Not that I follow France closely, but that seems odd.

FF

Good to know I have no idea what I'm talking about. Right before the opening match, I described Mexico and offered a prediction: "They are technically very skilled, have a contingent of young, fast attackers, and outplayed both Italy and England in warm-up friendlies (although they lost to England). They looked 'gelled' and ready. I can't see South Africa getting a result against them today."

South Africa 1, Mexico 1. A result.

Mexico had tons of possession but poor finishing and slow(er) defenders did them in. The excitement in the stadium was palpable, and invigorating for the Bafana Bafana, but also for neutrals like me. Great and exciting start to the World Cup.

I still think Mexico goes through, by the way. But we know how much my predictions are worth.

France-Uruguay next.

FF

It begins. Finally, four years of waiting, and World Cup 2010 is here. Yessssss.

I don't make predictions generally, because I'm terrible at it. But I think Mexico is an absolute lock to go through. They are technically very skilled, have a contingent of young, fast attackers, and outplayed both Italy and England in warm-up friendlies (although they lost to England). They looked "gelled" and ready. I can't see South Africa getting a result against them today.

FF