The reunion of old rivals England and Germany and the meeting of Latin American hopefuls Argentina and Mexico will have football fans fixated on the second day of the Round of 16 at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.
The two European giants could not have foreseen crossing paths so early in the competition, but England’s second-place finish in Group C denied them a supposedly more straightforward route. Neither side have been at their authoritative best so far and both had to roll up their sleeves to advance, though Germany look to have successfully integrated fresh young talent from last year’s European U-21 Championship-winning team. For England, coach Fabio Capello has slightly relaxed his usual disciplined approach but will again look to his senior players to deliver victory. No longer gripped by the fear of falling at the group stage, the two contenders are now free to serve up a feast of drama and tension, with one of Europe’s biggest names falling by the wayside at the final whistle.
Argentina coach Diego Maradona took time settling into his new role but has succeeded in communicating his message to a squad devoted to his leadership and obviously enjoying life in South Africa. Drawing on his own experiences as a player, Maradona handed the captain’s armband to Lionel Messi ahead of the Mexico game, and his diminutive genius is looking increasingly at ease in an Argentina shirt, but Mexico boast their finest ever generation of players and will do anything but roll over.
The matches
Germany-England, Mangaung/Bloemfontein, 16.00 (local time)
Argentina-Mexico, Johannesburg (Soccer City), 20.30 (local time)
The big game
Germany-England
Any game between these traditional powers brings guaranteed fascination, even when neither team can claim to be at their best. England struck just twice in their one win and two draws during group duties yet remain desperate to prove they can still go all the way, but it will take a lot more fluid movement and efficiency in front of goal for them to survive beyond the weekend. The pressure to improve weighs heaviest on Wayne Rooney as he is clearly not in optimum form, however he will have noted that this Germany team can look vulnerable at the back. Joachim Low’s men made light work of Australia in a 4-0 success only to lose 1-0 to Serbia in their next outing before labouring to a slender 1-0 victory over Ghana. Die Nationalmannschaft’s youngest FIFA World Cup squad in 76 years boasts obvious potential nonetheless, with Mesut Ozil stepping in spectacularly for the injured Michael Ballack, and they will be keen to show they can be every bit as ruthless as their illustrious forebears in the business end of the competition.
In focus
Lionel Messi (ARG) v Rafael Marquez (MEX)
Four years and four days after meeting at the same stage of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Argentina and Mexico will renew acquaintances for a place in the last eight. La Albiceleste prevailed 2-1 after extra time in Leipzig courtesy of a superb goal from Maxi Rodriguez, with Messi marking his 19th birthday by entering the fray on 84 minutes. The youngster will be Argentina’s primary attacking threat this time around, operating in a free role behind a pair of strikers, but he will have to contend with the attentions of his friend and Barcelona team-mate Marquez. A defensive midfielder for Los Aztecas, the 31-year-old will be in miserly mood, and the outcome of their personal duel will doubtless have a massive impact on the final result.
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