Ghana 2, US 1. Finally, a horrible start and defensive lapses got us. Not a surprise. (Although, surprisingly, Howard was poor on both goals.) Clark started over Edu and in the first five minutes lost possession in midfield in a sequence that led to a goal. Gyan scored the winner in extra-time on a long ball that either Bocanegra or Demerit should have dealt with.

We're out. Crap.

The lads gave us some great stuff, no doubt. The Slovenia and Algeria matches were all-time USMNT classics. Our team was flawed -- laughably poor defense the chief flaw -- but also exciting and inspirational and determined and really, really fun to watch.

The end is so very painful.

FF

Spain 2, Chile 1. A pleasing result because Spain and Chile -- both attacking sides -- go through, at the expense of the insanely boring Swiss, who could not score a goal on Honduras.

Spain-Chile was quite interesting until the 75th or so minute, when it became clear that the then 2-1 scoreline would send both teams through, so they essentially stopped trying. Before that, the game was lively. Spain, who needed a victory if the Swiss were to beat Honduras, looked nervous early, far sloppier with the ball than Spain ever is. Example: Andres Iniesta, who probably has the best close control in the entire world, mishandled several early balls. And Chile, credit to them, attacked vigorously. Then the Chilean keeper charged far out of the box to beat an onrushing Torres to the ball, but Villa one-touched the keeper's clearance into the empty goal. From approximately 35 yards away. He's awesome.

Spain settled after that, and Iniesta scored a wonderful second goal when he, with one touch, threaded a Villa cross through the Chilean defense and past the keeper. He's awesome. I'm delighted he and La Furia Roja advanced.

I still think (unhappily) that Brazil will probably beat Spain if they meet. Brazil has world class talent; they play tireless, resolute defense; and they don't rattle. Even the surreal shock of going down 2-0 to the US in last year's Confederations Cup did not break them. Spain, on the other hand, has shown nerves and looked vulnerable. I'd want Spain to beat Brazil, for beauty reasons, but I don't see it. In fact, I think Brazil is overwhelmingly likely to win the tournament. Other teams have superior offenses -- Argentina, Netherlands, Spain -- but the Brazilian defense is comparatively better than all their defenses. I see them Dunga-ing their way to the Cup, with no Zidane to send them home. Not what I want to happen, but that's my prediction.

Let the knockouts begin!

FF

Run-up to R16:



FF

Italy goes out today, losing 3-2 to Slovakia. This, naturally, after I wrote that among the big Euros in trouble, Italy was in "the best position."

The Azzurri played shockingly poorly today until the introduction of the brilliant but injured Andrea Pirlo (56') and the lively Fabio Quagliarella (halftime) as second half substitutes. It wasn't enough. Defensive inattention and not-Buffon goalkeeping did Italy in (I think Gigi stops the third goal), even after Pirlo and Quagliarella gave them life.

I'm sorry to see the Italians go. They never get the respect they deserve, and they play in many more dramatic and interesting matches than they are credited for, e.g., the enthralling Italy-Germany 2006 WC semifinal, or the Guadalcanalesque US-Italy 2006 group match. Sad as well is that Pirlo, one of my favorite players -- cerebral, steady, classy -- has almost certainly played his last WC game.

FF

Sport, at its best, elevates. Watch this:



Then watch this:



I myself was in a packed soccer bar Wednesday morning, and let me tell you, kid, it was pretty goddamn glorious.

FF

US 1, Algeria 0. A small thing, only the most exciting match in USMNT history.

Needing a win to advance, we were tied 0-0 entering injury time. We had by far the better of the game, with numerous chances to score, none of which we could convert, save one -- a 21st minute Gomez-to-Dempsey goal -- that was, wait for it, wrongly called offside. This call, unlike the Slovenia absurdity, was very close, but the replay definitively showed Dempsey was on. It immediately occurred to me that the US might be the first in WC history to not advance because we were robbed of two game-winning goals by mistaken officials. That possibility is so disturbing that one can easily imagine players giving up.

But not this US team. They relentlessly pressed the Algerians, who, although they too needed a win to advance, effectively played for a draw. Nothing fell our way. Chance after chance denied by the post, the keeper, or poor finishing. Then, in the 91st minute, after saving an Algerian header, Howard threw the ball approximately fifty yards to a charging Donovan, who pressed forward and passed it to Altidore, who passed it to an onrushing Dempsey, who shot it at the Algerian keeper, who parried but failed to wrap up the ball...leaving Donovan to slot in the unbelievable winning goal in the 91st minute.

A fairy tale, except it really happened. The USMNT wins the game, wins the group, and wins the admiration of millions of Americans who cannot help but love this gritty, defiant, tireless team and the magnificent sport they play.

Thoughts on individual players:

• Altidore was ferocious, intimidating and bullying the Algerian defenders, who were forced to foul him blatantly to control him. He skied a shot he should have finished, but the shot was more difficult than some accounts suggest. Plus, he's only 20 years old.
  

• Cherundolo was strong again, shutting down his mark and surging forward on dangerous runs. Surefooted and savvy, he's been one of, if not the, top defender of the tournament.
  

• Bradley was quality in midfield, distributing effectively and serving as an disruptive irritant during Algerian possessions. He's had an excellent tournament, and I think an EPL move is in his future. There's also no doubt in my mind he's the future US captain.

• And finally there's Landon Donovan, the best US outfield player ever. Long criticized for being soft and unable to perform under the brightest lights, he scored the winning goal today -- and scored the comeback-starting goal in the Slovenia game -- both goals that exemplify composure on the biggest stage of all, World Cup elimination. Well played, sir. Well effin' played.

FF

Spain 2, Honduras 0. It could have been 12-0 but for missed chances; Spain absolutely tore Honduras apart. The match was played at an incredibly fast pace, and enormously entertaining. The problem is that it serves as an abject lesson in how not to play Spain. Chile -- an unapologetic attacking team -- faces Spain next, and it will be interesting to see how committed Chile is to its offensive philosophy.

The increase in intensity in the second group matches over the first group matches was notable. The coming final group matches will be even more intense, as the majority have advancement at stake. These next four days -- what a wonderful time to be a futbol fan.

FF

New Zealand 1, Italy 1. A shocker. New Zealand, easily the least talented team in the World Cup, ties the defending Cup holders. Italy, in my view, did not look terrible (unlike, say, France). The Azzurri truly looked terrible in 3-1 loss to Mexico in a WC warm-up; in both games in the actual WC, they've looked like the team they are: dominant and confident in the midfield, earnest but uninspired in attack, and not up to their usual high standards in defense. But in neither game did they come close to deserving to lose.

Defensive difficulties, sadly, are at least in part due to the decline of the once-great Cannavaro, who now lacks the physical skills to do what his football brain commands. Still blessed with wonderful positional sense and excellent intuition, he simply gets beaten more frequently. Age claims us all. I don't know enough about the Italian squad to know how good (or how bad) his replacement is, but FC's not getting the job done. He was beaten today by 18 year old Kiwi Chris Wood and the result was a near-goal that almost certainly would have led to a 2-1 defeat. The 2006 Cannavaro swallows up Wood; the 2010 Cannavaro is fortunate to avoid being on the lowlight reel of an all-time humiliating Italian defeat.

I remain puzzled as to why Lippi left American-born Giuseppe Rossi off the team. Fast and lethal, Rossi could have added real menace to a soft Italian attack, a guy who would find seams in the defense and fearlessly fire at goal.

The good news for Italy is that Slovakia has not looked at all good. Of all the "big" teams facing group trouble -- England, France, Italy, Germany, Spain -- Italy's in the best position.

FF