Well, that's that then.

After a month of non-stop football, it was the favourites Spain who won the Fifa World Cup for the first time in their nation's history.

Andrés Iniesta secured a scrappy 1-0 win over the Netherlands in Soccer City on Sunday and in doing so, Spain became the first side ever to win the World Cup after losing their first group game. That 1-0 loss against Switzerland seems a long time ago. However impressively despite losing that game, Vicente Del Bosque's side never abandoned their footballing philosophy which centres around short, sharp and incisive passing. Having lost their opening match against the Swiss, the Spanish went from strength to strength by winning their remaining group games against Honduras thanks to two David Villa goals, before easing past a plucky Chile side.

In the last sixteen arch rivals Portugal awaited, however even the World's most expensive player Cristiano Ronaldo was powerless to resist as the Spanish ended up 1-0 victors again thanks to David Villa, who was living up to his name as Spain's talisman. In the quater finals a hugely impressive Paraguay outfit, fresh from winning the competition's first penalty shoot out against Japan, were the opponents. It took until 8 minutes from time for Spain to break down the highly organised South American team, and yet again it was David Villa who got the crucial goal, sending Spain into there first ever World Cup semi final.




A feast of football beckoned in the Semi final as Germany, who comfortably disposed of England, though the less said about that the better, and Argentina. A young and ruthless German side had slammed 4 goals past both of their knock-out opponents, whilst Spain had only scored 2 goals in their previous two games. The stats suggested an even game was going to occur; but we got anything but. Spain virtually dominated from start to finish with their star-studded and irresistible midfield commanded the game and left the energetic Germans chasing shadows. Which meant the Spanish goal was clouded in irony as a Xavi corner was whipped in and powerfully headed home by Carles Puyol. It was as direct as Spain got all tournament and it reaped rewards.

That result meant Spain would face the Dutch in the final, which in turn assured that a new name would be on the Fifa World Cup trophy. It was supposed to be a match that would be easy on the eye mixing the Netherlands' "total football" and Spain's slick passing. Unfortunately Bert Van Marwijk set his side out to disrupt the European Champions and their style. This tactic was brilliantly epitomised by Nigel De Jong as he delivered what can only be described as a Kung-Fu kick straight into the chest of Xabi Alonso. Bruce Lee would have been proud of what I loosely call a tackle. However Spain refused to be stifled by their aggressive opponents, and in the end they got what they deserved.

However it was the Dutch who fashioned the best chance in normal time as Wesley Sneijder slipped in Arjen Robben who forced Spain captain Iker Casillas into a brilliant point blank save. With neither side able to find the net in the regulated 90 minutes, we moved into extra time and which is when the Spanish upped their game, as chances started to come more frequently with Fabregas and Iniesta going close. A tiring Dutch side were lucky to have 11 men on the pitch going into extra time, but their luck ran out when Everton's Johnny Heitinga saw red for bringing Iniesta down as he raced through. However the Barcelona man would not be denied as it was he who settled the game after being played in by substitute Fabregas. The finish on the volley was ruthless and it sparked wild celebrations, as Captain Casillas even began crying. All Spain had to do was hold out for 4 minutes and they did so comfortably as Howard Webb brought the 2010 World Cup to an end. The Dutch immediately flooded to England's referee in protest but nothing could detract from the emotional scenes on the Soccer City pitch in Johannesburg.



Aside from the final it was Uruguay's Diego Forlán who won the Golden Ball after being named player of the tournament having scored 5 goals, leading his nation's charge to the semi finals. Germany's Thomas Muller will be heading back to Munich with both the Golden Boot and the Best Young Player award having netted 5 times whilst assisting 3 others.

The first ever World Cup on African soil has undoubtedly been a successful on, albeit the football at times was not as entertaining as we had hoped for. Nevertheless the performances of Ghana liberated everyone and inspired and indeed united all of Africa, which will be the legacy of this World Cup.

With the 2010 Fifa World Cup out of the way, focus will be switched to Brazil where, for the first time, Spain will go as defending Champions.

Paul Seed

After a month of non-stop football, it was the favourites Spain who won the Fifa World Cup for the first time in their nation's history.



Andrés Iniesta secured a scrappy 1-0 win over the Netherlands in Soccer City on Sunday and in doing so, Spain became the first side ever to win the World Cup after losing their first group game. That 1-0 loss against Switzerland seems a long time ago. However impressively despite losing that game, Vicente Del Bosque's side never abandoned their footballing philosophy which centres around short, sharp and incisive passing. Having lost their opening match against the Swiss, the Spanish went from strength to strength by winning their remaining group games against Honduras thanks to two David Villa goals, before easing past a plucky Chile side.

In the last sixteen arch rivals Portugal awaited, however even the World's most expensive player Cristiano Ronaldo was powerless to resist as the Spanish ended up 1-0 victors again thanks to David Villa, who was living up to his name as Spain's talisman. In the quater finals a hugely impressive Paraguay outfit, fresh from winning the competition's first penalty shoot out against Japan, were the opponents. It took until 8 minutes from time for Spain to break down the highly organised South American team, and yet again it was David Villa who got the crucial goal, sending Spain into there first ever World Cup semi final.


A feast of football beckoned in the Semi final as Germany, who comfortably disposed of England, though the less said about that the better, and Argentina. A young and ruthless German side had slammed 4 goals past both of their knock-out opponents, whilst Spain had only scored 2 goals in their previous two games. The stats suggested an even game was going to occur; but we got anything but. Spain virtually dominated from start to finish with their star-studded and irresistible midfield commanded the game and left the energetic Germans chasing shadows. Which meant the Spanish goal was clouded in irony as a Xavi corner was whipped in and powerfully headed home by Carles Puyol. It was as direct as Spain got all tournament and it reaped rewards.

That result meant Spain would face the Dutch in the final, which in turn assured that a new name would be on the Fifa World Cup trophy. It was supposed to be a match that would be easy on the eye mixing the Netherlands' "total football" and Spain's slick passing. Unfortunately Bert Van Marwijk set his side out to disrupt the European Champions and their style. This tactic was brilliantly epitomised by Nigel De Jong as he delivered what can only be described as a Kung-Fu kick straight into the chest of Xabi Alonso. Bruce Lee would have been proud of what I loosely call a tackle. However Spain refused to be stifled by their aggressive opponents, and in the end they got what they deserved.

However it was the Dutch who fashioned the best chance in normal time as Wesley Sneijder slipped in Arjen Robben who forced Spain captain Iker Casillas into a brilliant point blank save. With neither side able to find the net in the regulated 90 minutes, we moved into extra time and which is when the Spanish upped their game, as chances started to come more frequently with Fabregas and Iniesta going close. A tiring Dutch side were lucky to have 11 men on the pitch going into extra time, but their luck ran out when Everton's Johnny Heitinga saw red for bringing Iniesta down as he raced through. However the Barcelona man would not be denied as it was he who settled the game after being played in by substitute Fabregas. The finish on the volley was ruthless and it sparked wild celebrations, as Captain Casillas even began crying. All Spain had to do was hold out for 4 minutes and they did so comfortably as Howard Webb brought the 2010 World Cup to an end. The Dutch immediately flooded to England's referee in protest but nothing could detract from the emotional scenes on the Soccer City pitch in Johannesburg.

Aside from the final it was Uruguay's Diego Forlán who won the Golden Ball after being named player of the tournament having scored 5 goals, leading his nation's charge to the semi finals. Germany's Thomas Muller will be heading back to Munich with both the Golden Boot and the Best Young Player award having netted 5 times whilst assisting 3 others.

The first ever World Cup on African soil has undoubtedly been a successful on, albeit the football at times was not as entertaining as we had hoped for. Nevertheless the performances of Ghana liberated everyone and inspired and indeed united all of Africa, which will be the legacy of this World Cup.

With the 2010 Fifa World Cup out of the way, focus will be switched to Brazil where, for the first time, Spain will go as defending Champions.

Paul Seed

Job done.....just

Slovenia 0-1 England

After two poor performances in South Africa, England finally arrived at this summer's World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Slovenia which guaranteed Fabio Capello's men a place in the round of 16, where they face a daunting game with Group D winners Germany whose 1-0 win over Ghana meant they topped their group.

The first 15 minutes began in typical nervy fashion with Slovenia looking dangerous on the break, but the breakthrough that the nation was desperate for came 22 minutes in, as Milner who replaced Tottenham's Aaron Lennon whipped in a delicious early ball. It was a cross out of the top drawer, and by far the best England have delivered all tournament as it begged to be put in the net. Jermain Defoe, who replaced Heskey, obliged and England were on their way.

That goal galvanised England and the confident side we all saw in qualifying suddenly returned as the Three Lions found their passing range, with captain Steven Gerrard dictating the pace of the game by instigating a spell of swift and intricate passing which the fans have been desperate to see. This type of football inevitably creates chances and in truth England should have had a more comfortable margin at half time. Gerrard and a hugely improved Wayne Rooney linked up well to create a chance for the skipper, but his low shot was well saved by Handanovic, who was the only man keeping his side in the game.

After the interval England's pressure continued and Defoe could have wrapped it up early in the second half as he latched onto a cross only to put his chance wide from 6 yards. Rooney, who was obviously desperate for his first goal of the finals, came as close as he has so far in the tournament as his right foot shot hit the left hand post.

England's wastefulness meant the final ten minutes were nail biting for England fans as Slovenia pushed for the goal that would guarantee their place in the last 16. A swift counter attack caused problems as John Terry, who was a rock all day, and Glen Johnson combined to block a Milijov Novakovic shot before Birsa wastefully fired wide.

England lack of ruthfulness in front of goal ended up costing them, as America's Landon Donovan scored a 92nd minute winner to send the USA to the top of the group on goals scored. This means England wil be facing the Germans in the next round, who eased passed Ghana thanks to a brilliant strike from Mesut Ozil.

Lets not get carried away, England should have qualified for the knock out rounds in far more comfortable fashion, and after all a 1-0 win against Slovenia wont exactly strike fear into the hearts of Brazil or Spain but at least we saw signs that England are improving. The constantly changing defence still looked frail and were often caught out on the counter but Upson came in for his first ever World Cup game and did well whilst Terry was brilliant throughout the game.

Next up are Germany who will undoubtedly prove a sterner test for Capello and England as they are the first footballing powerhouse that Capello will face in a major tournament however Germany, much like England, struggle to find consistency and have shown that in this tournament already having brilliantly disposed of Australia, in their opening game,before slumping to a disappointing defeat against the Serbians.

That inconsistency will provide Capello with great hope however what is certain is that England still have to raise their game if they are to progress to the latter stages but as we have seen so many times before, starting slowly isn't always a bad thing, the reigning champions Italy are testament to that. The nation waits in anticipation and in hope for Sunday's game.

Paul Seed

Don Fabio

So let’s get this straight, the English nation is going to take the side of a man who slept with the girlfriend of one of his best mates and teammates, a man who was more concerned with having a beer after the Algeria game then reflecting on his miserable performance and the consequences it may have,a man refered to as 'Mr Untouchable' at Stamford Bridge but hated by his home nation, over a man who has won 9 league titles in Italy and Spain, led England to qualifying with only a single defeat and widely regarded as one of the best managers in the world? Only England could press the self-destruct button quite like this. (At least the French revolution was a proper one!)

When John Terry uttered the words “sod it, if it upsets him, it has to be said or we are going home on Wednesday,” my initial reaction was one of optimism and pride. It didn’t take long for my reaction to change, as the more I pondered Terry’s comments, the more I began to ask myself, why has Terry not showed similar commitment and passion on the pitch? I then tried to guess what Fabio’s reaction to such public criticism was going to be, after all he has prided himself on discipline since taking charge - as Terry knows only too well. Truth is, Fabio works in mysterious ways and not for a moment did even the most experienced England commentators expect the reaction from Capello we got.

John Terry has always seen himself as the shining light and the centre of attention both at Chelsea and England. Clearly the former Huddersfield Town apprentice believes he is in an elite class of central defenders, yet when we revise recent history we note a decidedly shaky end to a turbulent season, the loss of the England captaincy because of a betrayal to a teammate and inability to keep his trousers on, married to two opening World Cup performances for England where his only meaningful contribution has been to give endless free kicks away. What is more, we now learn that, ‘JT’ as he is affectionately known as, was more concerned with asking Mr Capello if him and his ‘mates’ could have a beer after the game. Why wasn’t Terry more interested in watching highlights of his miserable performance? Why wasn’t he more interested in talking with Steven Gerrard about what is going wrong on the field.

Capello summed Terry and his clan up pretty forthright; they are bottle jobs. Don’t mind making a few noises in front of a camera but when you have to pluck up the courage to march into the manager’s office and question him directly, England players come up short. You wonder why there is no pride and passion from these players on the pitch? At least Gazza smashed a lamp when told he wasn’t going to the World Cup in 1998, at least Beckham stood up to Sven if he thought it needed to be said. John Terry and his clan are more content with having a bitch behind people’s backs over an ice-cold pint after a thoroughly miserable day at work. Talk about Big Brother nation!

What is truly miserable is this notion that the England players are bored. What a terrible life they lead. They want to blame everyone but themselves. Now, as I have previously conceded, no one is exempt from criticism, Capello and Pearce included, but the ridiculous press coverage that suggests the two-hour policy is wrong, and the players are bored, and Capello needs to lighten up is laughable. Does anyone else care if Capello is JT’s friend? No? Me neither. The England players are a disgrace, and John Terry deserves to be sent home from the World Cup for dividing a camp. And for what? A beer? A personal feud with Capello? He has single headedly ruined the atmosphere inside the England camp and is deserving of the hate mail that will inevitable find its way to his many addresses.

It would appear that Capello finds the press and the arrogance of certain England players laughable. Just because Emile Heskey failed to find the net in the opening game against the USA and the side were dyer against Algeria, the England players suddenly need to know the line up 24 hours before a game! What a load of old s**te. For too long the England players have been wrapped in cotton wool and the press have hounded manager after manger when instead they should have hounded player after player. I mean, is it really Fabio's fault that Lampard cannot pass a ball 5 yards? Or that Heskey has the turning circle of a cruise ship? Or that Terry cannot jump up for a header without climbing all over the opposition?

Maybe that’s why Terry chose to air his concerns through the media, hoping they would bail the England team out. I mean seriously, what are the press and players expecting here, Fabio to order a Jacuzzi and have it shipped in and installed midway through a tournament? Perhaps a tenth snooker table or dart board fitted? OR the players could train, and work harder. A lot of them don’t look fit enough to most. Maybe practice a set piece of 10? I mean we have hardly looked threatening thus far from our 4 corners have we? Failing to beat the first man with three of them. I understand Capello is in charge of training schedules but would it hurt a few players to take it upon themselves to do a little more or will minimal effort suffice once more from the overpaid and passion lot, otherwise known as England?

The worry is we are forcing Capello away. If we do go out tomorrow night, would it not be better I we treated it as a momentous moment in English football? The same group of players that failed to qualify for the European Championships in 2008, then going out in the group stage of the 2010 World Cup? Surely we can’t sit here and blame it squarely on the manager? Is it not time we made the big decisions and got rid of the egos and arrogance of Terry, Lampard, James and Cole, even if it means blooding youngsters? They can’t do any worse then our current group of galacticos led by the biggest idiot of the lot, JOHN TERRY. I have said it for three months, in Fabio we trust. Let's just hope Fabio trusts England enough to endure a little heartache for a little longer...


Gavin Callaghan

Liability Lampard

If England do fail to beat Slovenia on Wednesday afternoon in Port Elizabeth then perhaps the only possible positive to take will be the imminent international retirement of Frank Lampard. The Chelsea midfielder has been at the heart of the debate over club form and country form year after year since he took over from Paul Scholes in the England midfield. For many, Lampard is World Class and should always be one of the first names on the team sheet. For others, and I include myself, Lampard is amongst the most overrated players to ever earn so many caps.

Last Friday’s game saw the former West Ham player pick up his 80th cap for his nation. In that time, Lampard has scored 20 goals, 9 coming from the penalty spot. He has only ever scored twice in a major international tournament and has largely been anonymous in the first two games of England’s 2010 World Cup campaign. Now from the start, it should be made clear that I am not blaming England’s hapless performances solely on Lampard, but I do think he carries more blame then most.

I have always been of the opinion that Lampard is a good player but never a World Class player. Didier Drogba and Michael Essien are, and they allow Lampard to do, frankly, whatever he wants when he plays for Chelsea. I mean, rack your brains. When did Lampard last make a tackle? Or hit a stirring 30-yard pass? Or get rough and ready with an opposition midfielder the way Paul Scholes used to? The only images we ever see during a game of Lampard is of him, gormlessly sticking his tongue out and looking, essentially, petrified of what the press boys in the stands are saying about him being found out for the average player he is. When in the last 5 years would you have bet your mortgage on Lampard firing England to success the way Gascoigne and Beckham once did? You see, if your going to make the bold claims that Lampard is World Class then you need to make these comparisons. The fundamental difference between the big, actual world-class midfielders, and Frank, is that they have bottle. I said it in a blog after Chelsea’s elimination from the Champions League when Lampard faced two world class midfielders in Cambiasso (who didn’t even get picked for Argentina) and Sneijder; Lampard got found out. The trouble for the 64million watching right now is, he is getting found out by the likes of Landon Donavon and Portsmouth’s Yebda.

Isn’t the truth simple; Lampard is rubbish at international level? There is not one team in the top 10 teams who would replace any of their central midfielders for him. He hasn’t consistently performed for England in 6 years. He is the reason that Steven Gerrard cannot play in his more favored position. We often hear the argument that world class sides, and I mean truly world class sides, have to leave out key players and play less glamorous players so that they play as a team and not individuals. It is why Molito cannot get a game for Argentina despite being the best striker in European club football this season. It is why Fabregas cannot get a game for Spain yet Xavi Alonso, despite being in his thirties is preferred. It is why Danni Alves sits on the bench for Brazil. So why can’t England drop Lampard to play Joe Cole on the left and Gerrard through the middle off Rooney? Surely that makes more sense?

You see the nation is divided so one can only imagine what the dressing room must be like. There is only a small minority of fans who want Heskey and Lampard, and they base their opinion on a qualifying campaign that saw England take on Kazakhstan and the likes. World Cups bring different pressures. The concensus amongst those that see the pint glass as half full is that Heskey has been England’s shining light in a way that Japan’s Honda has been for them. This is the most ridiculous argument I have ever heard. Heskey has don’t nothing World Class really has he? He bundles his way around the pitch but there is no real class or precision to him? Its more luck then legendary. Take your rose tinted glasses off for a moment and ask yourself whether opposition defenders really are scared of big bad Emile? His step over and cross in the Algeria game summed him up. Lots of heart but zero talent. Pro-Heskians are reducing England to nothing more than a long ball, boring, skill and talent deprieved formation. I hoped for a little more if I am honest.

And the most frustrating part is that England have the players there to unlock these teams and change our fortunes. Joe Cole is without doubt a skillful player who would do well against teams like Algeria and Slovenia. Whatsmore, Cole has energy and passion in abundance. Peter Crouch came into the World Cup the 3rd most internationally in-form striker in the competition. Then again, should we really be surprised that he has only featured for a combined total of 16 minutes when England's second top goalscorer over the last 5 seasons (Darren Bent) is watching from his Gateshead apartment? Crouch and Cole could prove to be the unlikely heroes for England that Geoff Hurst and Peter Beardsley have been for the Three Lions in the past.

England need to change desperately. You can love him or hate him but one of the reasons Glen Hoddle was the best England manager in a long while, was because he was not afraid to drop the big names. David Beckham and Teddy Sheringham will testify to that. Will Fabio be brave enough to do the same? Form would suggest he is. He took on John Terry, the untouchable man himself. Will he now follow suit with a fellow Kings Road menace and do away with lack lustre Frank Lampard. It really is difficult to see what England would lack if Lampard was dropped isn’t it? He has offered barely anything in the last five years and if he is only on the pitch to take a penalty for England, I would ask many of you to question whether or not Frank, under pressure, would deliver?

And yet despite all this much-deserved negativity, you sense Capello will come good. It is why he is in the elite group of managers he is in. The England players will be meeting with the management team in Rustenburg tonight to try and save England’s World Cup hopes for another 4 years. Let’s just hope Fabio listens, learns and loses liability Lampard.


Gavin Callaghan

Three Lions? More like Kittens!

England's poor start to their World Cup finals campaign continued yesterday in Cape Town as they could only manage a dismal 0-0 draw with the mighty Algeria meaning Wednesday's game against Slovenia is now a monumental, and hopefully more entertaining, spectacle.

The game against Algeria, who suffered a goalkeeping error of their own during their opening game against Slovenia as Robert Koren's shot was thrown into his own net by Faouzi Chaouchi, was deemed as England's real start to the 2010 World Cup after a stuttering performance against the Americans resulted in a stalemate. However if this was the game the 3 Lions were supposed to show their quality, nobody told the players as Fabio Capello's men produced an uninspiring performance leaving the English players leaving the field to a chorus of boos, as the paying public were clearly unimpressed.

Something that has been evident in England's tournament so far is their inability to retain possession of the football as they allow themselves to be out passed by so called inferior nations, and that was no different yesterday as Algeria's Hassan Yebda dictated most of the early play. England's inability to keep the ball is difficult to explain. Perhaps the ITV optimists will try to sugar coat it by blaming the ball, or even the altitude, but in reality England's players who were undoubtedly nervous opted for the easy way out too often as time after time the ball was lazily hoofed in the direction of Emile Heskey. In addition to this ball playing midfielders like Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard just didn't turn up by constantly mis-placing passes that they make so comfortably for their clubs.

The poor use of the ball explains why England failed to create any clear cut chances, with goalkeeper M'Bholi, who was filling in for the injured Chaouchi, was only called into action by speculative long range efforts from Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard. On the rare occasions England found themselves in decent positions, poor decision making cost England as Lennon and more notably Gerrard frequently chose the wrong ball.

In truth England did not pose any real threat, whilst their energetic opponents were causing distress in David James' penalty area with well delivered set pieces. Capello waited too long to try and force things to happen as it wasn't until the 63rd minute when Shaun Wright-Phillips was introduced, however the Manchester City man didn't make too much difference, which is something that will surely anger Joe Cole who is yet to play a single minute at this summer's World Cup. When Capello removed Heskey, and consequently the temptation to go long, Jermain Defoe did look lively and caused problems by running in behind which raises the question why didn't the Tottenham front man start in Cape Town?

Another player who perhaps will have the right to feel aggrieved could be Manchester City's Adam Johnson who was harshly omitted from the 23 man squad in favour of Wright Phillips who has been playing second fiddle to the former Middlesbrough man since he signed in January. England were crying out for natural width on the left hand side as Skipper Steven Gerrard was constantly drifting inside, neutralising the chance of effective counter attacking.

Credit must be handed to the Algerians, who arrived with a game plan and executed it brilliantly as they frequently frustrated England and forced them into basic errors and on another night they may well have nicked all three points.

The frustration they caused was evident at the final whistle when the estimated crowd of 65,000 erupted with a chorus of booing from those supporting England, something that angered Wayne Rooney who rather sarcastically said when leaving the pitch "Nice to see your own fans booing you, that's what loyal support is" Maybe you need reminding of something Wayne. An estimated 28'000 fans have made the extremely expensive trip to South Africa, by doing so they are showing their loyalty and passion, which makes them entitled to react in any manner they want. If only the passion and pride those fans have shown could be reflected by you on the pitch, as arguably Rooney was the worst player on the pitch yesterday as he failed to control pass after pass and in so doing, wasted rare moments possession.

Yesterday's game had been earmarked by most as a sure thing but in truth a draw in many ways flattered England as they were outfought and outplayed by their opponents. The objective for Wednesday is simple: win or go home early. Can England's "lions" turn it around and beat Slovenia? There are very few signs in their opening games to suggest they can. We shall see.

Paul Seed

Au Revoir Les Blues?

France 0-2 Mexico

Well as quickly as they arrived, it looks as if the French will be packing their bags and jetting out of South Africa after a dismal World Cup finals campaign that will leave the Irish livid as surely Geovanni Trappatoni's men would have, at the very least, shown some heart and pride.

With rumours that there were high profile players arguing with manager Raymond Domenech meant no explanations were needed as the French never looked united throughout their seemingly rather short tournament. Their problems began as early as qualification as they needed a helping hand from Arsenal legend Thierry Henry to overcome a spirited Irish side in the play-offs. What was more confusing was the announcement that Bourdeaux manager Laurent Blanc will take over as National team coach.The appointment itself was not surprising, however the timing was most peculiar. After all how is announcing the appointment of a new manager going to allow the current coach, Domenech, to maintain the respect of the players. Evidently it didn't.

However it was on the eve of their first World Cup finals game, against Diego Forlan's Uruguay, when rumours of dressing room discontent first surfaced. According to reports Chelsea winger Florent Malouda had to be physically restrained after a heated argument with Domenech, which explained why Malouda found himself on the bench in that opening game. It was clear during that game that the French lacked any self belief or confidence, which surely is down to the manager to instil.

Domenech who is France's longest serving manager, having been at the Nation's helm for 6 years, is widely disliked in France which is perhaps due to his baffling team selections which included the omission of Arsenal's Samir Nasri which is apparently due to the fact the Arsenal midfielder is a scorpio, a star sign which the 58 year old manager does not trust, which would suggest that Domenech is even poorer than our very own "Wolly with a Brolly"

During their first game Les Blues didn't show up. They looked void of ideas, and creative players like Frank Ribery who has shone for Bayern Munich, looked utterly clueless and lost with no sense of direction of urgency. If it weren't for the negative tactics of the Uruguayans, the French may well have been beaten in their very first game. Whilst many sides have turned up in South Africa with the intention of not losing, the French turned up with no intentions what-so-ever. They were lazy and lacked any energy which even so called lesser nations like New Zealand have exemplified.

However it was against the Mexicans, a side who were swept aside by England last month and only just managed to salvage a draw against hosts South Africa in the opening game, where the French looked the poorest. The Mexicans looked comfortable all night as even early in the game, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was forced to come darting off his line after a lack of communication between William Gallas and Eric Abidal. At half time it was expected that the French would come out and attack, but it was the Mexicans who took the initiative by playing attractive attacking football and taking the game to the French.

They kept the ball so easily and left the French chasing well organised shadows. Javier Aguirre used the perfect tactics to defeat the French. They allowed Domenech's side to keep possession in harmless areas and then when gaining the ball, they broke with pace and in numbers. The first Mexican goal was a perfect example of the French's lack of harmony and communication as Abidal played new Manchester United signing Javier Hernandez onside, who cooley rounded Lloris and passed into an empty net. In reality there was a sense of inevitability about the goal and the French players didn't look to surprised as they watched Hernandez and the rest of the Mexican's jubilant celebrations. The second goal was just as poor from a France point of view, as the substitute Barrera swept passed a number of players, including a lackadaisical Patrice Evra, and won a penalty after a cumbersome challenge from Abidal. 37 year old Veteran Blanco, who showed more energy throughout his 15 minute cameo than the entire French side portrayed, swept the penalty into the back of the net, which virtually assured the French's exit.

Even the French substitutes looked uninterested as they moved away from the dug-out leaving Domenech isolated, which in reality is a position that Domenech has grown used to over the last couple of years.

If the French are to miraculously qualify, they will need to overcome a South Africa side who will undoubtedly arrive with great desire as they will want to win their last game for the thousands of fans who have embraced the World Cup. Even if Les Blues overcome Bafana Bafana they will have to hope that Uruguay and Mexico do not play out a draw as that would guarantee the French's exit, and I think many of us can envisage a dull 0-0 draw between Uruguay and Mexico, but realistically the French have no-one else to blame but themselves.

There will be nobody happier tonight, apart from the Mexicans, than the whole of Ireland who thoroughly believe there side would have brought more to the World Cup, and after the French's lazy, arrogant and simply disinterested displays who can argue with them.

Paul Seed