Japan defeat Denmark 3-1 to go through with the Netherlands

Both Japan and the Netherlands go through out of group E, while the Netherlands won all their games comfortably, Japan also beat Denmark with ease to advance.

Here's how Group E stands:

Netherlands   (9)
Japan             (6)
Denmark       (3)
Cameroon     (0)

Kaisuke Honda taking the blazing free kick

Denmark - Japan


A game which Denmark needed to win, and Japan needed to draw, in the end Denmark were just overpowered by Japan's fitness and speed. Right from the beginning Japan were dangerous with plenty of goal-scoring chances which weren't tucked away, but they eventually found the breakthrough in the 17th minute. Kaisuke Honda whacks a swerving free kick from way out of the penalty box which fools Sorensen for Japan's first goal of the match. Things got worse in the 30th minute when Endo swung in the perfect free kick from a closer range to put Japan two up.

Finally Denmark began to click in the second half, they didn't click very well, but they began to play better than before. In the 81st they were given a penalty because of a push on Daniel Agger in the box, Tomasson had it saved and luckily tucked away the rebound. But Denmark were without spirit or fight, both Bendtner and Tomasson were limping around not doing much, and when Japan scored their third, it was truly over. Honda with some neat footwork was 1 on 1 with Sorensen, then the CSKA Moscow player squared it to Okazaki who followed through to make the final score-line 3-1.

Robin van Persie with the finish for the first goal

Cameroon - Netherlands


With Cameroon mathematically out, and the Netherlands mathematically in, this game wasn't the most exciting. The Dutch grabbed a goal early on with Van Persie playing a neat one-two with Van der Vaart to then finish through Hamidou's legs. The Netherlands created other opportunities but didn't put any away until later on. Cameroon also were relatively stifled until the 65th when they found the equalizer.

Van der Vaart's hand was hit in the area from a Cameroon free kick causing a penalty against the Netherlands, Eto'o stepped up to take it and smashed it into the back of the net giving Stekelenburg no chance. Then it was substitute Robben who created the winner, a wicked shot hitting the post which had the rebound tapped in from Huntelaar. Netherlands get 9 points out of 9 while Cameroon don't pick up a positive result this tournament.

Italy eliminated as Paraguay and Slovakia go through

The World Cup champions were eliminated, a strong showing from Slovakia and bad play from the Italians ended up with them finishing bottom of the group. In the other match, New Zealand were able to hold Paraguay to a draw, giving them the third spot of the group after three draws.

Here's how group F stands:

Paraguay            (5)
Slovakia             (4)
New Zealand     (3)
Italy                   (2)

Quagliarella crying with Cannavaro
consoling him

Slovakia - Italy

Robert Vittek gave Slovakia an early lead after some a bad pass by Daniele De Rossi, the Slovakian finished cooly in front of Marchetti. Vittek's second goal came in the second half after a good cross from Marek Hamsik which Vittek just tucked away. Moments after the goal Quagliarella came very close to a goal but Martin Skrtel managed to clear the Napoli striker's volley on the goal line.

The Azzurri managed to pick themselves up when Antonio Di Natale pulled one back for them from a rebound off of Quagliarella's shot after the Napoli striker was 1 on 1. At 2-1, they knew they only needed a second goal since Paraguay and New Zealand were locked at 0-0. Italy thought they made it when Quagliarella shoved the ball in the clear goal but his goal was disallowed for offside. Moments later they received a decisive punch: Kamil Kopunek lifted the ball over goalkeeper Marchetti into the gaping goal to make it 3-1. Quagliarella did manage to reduce the deficit for Italy with a beautiful chip from outside the box, but it wasn't enough for Italy. 

Paraguay - New Zealand

Clear-cut chances were few and far between throughout the game, and Paraguay captain Denis Caniza's long-range efforts in the opening half-hour were as close as anyone could seem to get early on in the match. New Zealand, who could have advanced with a victory, never got a good look at target and didn't manage a shot on goal against Justo Villar in the entire game.

Paraguay's best chance came in the 62nd minute when Cristian Riveros had a header from close-range turned away by New Zealand goalkeeper Mark Paston, who did well in the second half to keep Paraguay off the score sheet. He also had to be alert in the 76th minute as substitute Edgar Benítez had a shot saved, and Paston did well to touch away the rebound before Lucas Barrios could get on the end of it. It ended 0-0 with Paraguay going through to the next stages.