Football United

Japan 0-0 Croatia




Brazil 2-0 Australia








Source: FIFA World Cup

Standings:
1. Brazil 6 pts. 3-0 (qualified for the Round of 16)
2. Australia 3 pts. 3-3
3. Croatia 1 pt. 0-1
4. Japan 1 pt. 1-3

Brazil are through to the next round but a draw secures them first place, Australia need a win but a draw might do it (if Japan doesn't beat Brazil), Croatia and Japan need to win and hope for a favourable result on the other match.

Czech Republic 0-2 Ghana








Italy 1-1 USA








Source: FIFA World Cup

Standings:
1. Italy 4 pts. 3-1
2. Czech Republic 3 pts. 3-2
3. Ghana 3 pts. 2-2
4. USA 1 pt. 1-4

All to play for in this group: the USA need to beat Ghana and hope for an Italy win (or any other result, if they have a better goal difference); all the other teams qualify with a win.

Mexico 0-0 Angola






Portugal 2-0 Iran








Source: FIFA World Cup

Standings:
1. Portugal 6 pts. 3-0 (qualified for the Round of 16, where they'll meet the Netherlands or Argentina)
2. Mexico 4 pts. 3-1
3. Angola 1 pt. 0-1
4. Iran 0 pts 1-5

Like Trinidad and Tobago in Group B, Angola´s draw gives them a slight chance to go through: they have to beat Iran, hope for Mexico to lose against Portugal, and have a better goal difference. Mexico only need a draw.

Argentina 6-0 Serbia and Montenegro










Netherlands 2-1 Côte d'Ivoire










Source: FIFA World Cup

Standings:
1. Argentina 6 pts. 8-1 (qualified for the Round of 16)
2. Netherlands 6 pts. 3-1 (qualified for the Round of 16)
3. Côte d'Ivoire 0 pts. 2-4
4. Serbia and Montenegro 0 pts. 0-7

This group also gives us two teams qualified after just two matches, Argentina and the Netherlands, who will battle for first place. Serbia and Montenegro and Côte d'Ivoire are on their way back home.

England 2-0 Trinidad and Tobago








Sweden 1-0 Paraguay








Source: FIFA World Cup

Standings:
1. England 6 pts. 3-0 (qualified for the Round of 16, where they'll meet Germany or Ecuador)
2. Sweden 4 pts. 1-0
3. Trinidad and Tobago 1 pt. 0-2
4. Paraguay 0 pts. 0-2

Trinidad and Tobago still have a chance to reach the Round of 16: they need to beat Paraguay on the next match, hope for Sweden to lose against England, and have a better goal difference. Sweden only need a draw, but a win would secure them first place.

Germany 1-0 Poland






Ecuador 3-0 Costa Rica










Source: FIFA World Cup

Standings:
1. Ecuador 6 pts. 5-0 (qualified for the Round of 16)
2. Germany 6 pts. 5-2 (qualified for the Round of 16)
3. Poland 0 pts. 0-3
4. Costa Rica 0 pts. 2-7

Ecuador and Germany will play on the next match to see who finishes top of the group: Germany needs to win, a draw will be enough for Ecuador. Poland and Costa Rica will try to avoid finishing last.

After first day of play for all 32 teams in this year's World Cup, here are the most impressive ones so far:

SPAIN
1 match:
Spain 4-0 Ukraine
1 victory, 4-0








CZECH REPUBLIC
1 match:
Czech Republic 3-0 USA
1 victory, 3-0






GERMANY
1 match:
Germany 4-2 Costa Rica
1 victory, 4-2






Source: FIFA World Cup

Spain 4-0 Ukraine










Tunisia 2-2 Saudi Arabia










Source: FIFA World Cup

Standings:
1. Spain 3 pts.
2. Saudi Arabia 1 pt.
2. Tunisia 1 pt.
4. Ukraine 0 pts.

Australia 3-1 Japan








Brazil 1-0 Croatia




Source: FIFA World Cup

Standings:
1. Australia 3 pts.
2. Brazil 3 pts.
3. Croatia 0 pts.
4. Japan 0 pts.

Korea Republic 2-1 Togo










France 0-0 Switzerland




Source: FIFA World Cup

Standings:
1. Korea Republic 3 pts.
2. Switzerland 1 pt.
2. France 1 pt.
4. Togo 0 pts.

Italy 2-0 Ghana






USA 0-3 Czech Republic










Source: FIFA World Cup

Standings:
1. Czech Republic 3 pts.
2. Italy 3 pts.
3. Ghana 0 pts.
4. USA 0 pts.

Argentina 2-1 Côte d'Ivoire








Serbia and Montenegro 0-1 Netherlands




Source: FIFA World Cup

Standings:
1. Argentina 3 pts.
2. Netherlands 3 pts.
3. Côte d'Ivoire 0 pts.
4. Serbia and Montenegro 0 pts.

England 1-0 Paraguay




Trinidad and Tobago 0-0 Sweden




Source: FIFA World Cup

Standings:
1. England 3 pts.
2. Sweden 1 pt.
2. Trinidad and Tobago 1 pt.
4. Paraguay 0 pts.

Germany 4-2 Costa Rica










Poland 0-2 Ecuador




Source: FIFA World Cup

Standings:
1. Germany 3 pts.
2. Ecuador 3 pts.
3. Costa Rica 0 pts.
4. Poland 0 pts.

Angola 0-1 Portugal




Mexico 3-1 Iran






Source: FIFA World Cup

Standings:
1. Mexico 3 pts.
2. Portugal 3 pts.
3. Angola 0 pts.
4. Iran 0 pts.

Hamburger SV have signed Vincent Kompany from RSC Anderlecht while allowing Daniel Van Buyten to leave to join their Bundesliga rivals FC Bayern München.

Putative move
The 28-year-old Belgian international central defender Van Buyten will travel to Munich for medical tests in the next few days with a view to completing an estimated €12m transfer to the German champions. The former R. Charleroi SC and Olympique de Marseille player is expected to sign a four-year contract at the Olympiastadion.

'Positive headlines'
Meanwhile, Hamburg have announced that Van Buyten's replacement will be his Belgian international team-mate Kompany, who will join the club for a reported €8m, with his original contract with the Brussels club having been due to expire in 2010. "The Hamburg management have given me a good feeling," Kompany said. "I want to make positive headlines with the team in the Bundesliga and in Europe."

European debut
The 20-year-old Kompany was Belgium's Player of the Year in 2004. The Anderlecht academy graduate started to shine at the age of 17, making his UEFA Champions League debut against AFC Rapid Bucuresti at the start of the 2003/04 season and quickly being marked out as a major star of the future. The defender played 71 league matches in three seasons at Anderlecht and has made 14 senior international appearances for Belgium. However, the 2005/06 campaign proved to be a difficult one for Kompany as back problems and a shoulder injury that required surgery limited his chances for club and country.

Source: uefa.com

Benfica have made an offer for Wolfsburg midfielder Andres D'Alessandro, according to reports in the Portuguese press.

The Argentinian attacker has attracted interest from new coach Fernando Santos, who has reportedly offered the 25-year-old a three-season deal to move to Portugal.

D'Alessandro has suitors around Europe though, including Pompey where he spent the second half of last season on loan.

The player was instrumental in helping turn the season around for Harry Redknapp at Fratton Park as Pompey fought their way to Premiership safety.

But the experienced Santos, who replaced Ronald Koeman at the helm of the Superliga champions at the end of last season, is also trying to make a big impact at his new club.

He is the third manager in three seasons at The Stadium of Light, and would like to harness the pace, excitement and skill of a young player like D'Alessandro to link up with experienced veteran Rui Costa in his squad.

Source: skysports.com

Former Portuguese international midfielder Rui Costa is returning home to SL Benfica after parting company with Italian side AC Milan.

Official presentation
The 34-year-old, who was presented to the media on Thursday evening, has long been expected to rejoin the club he left for ACF Fiorentina after claiming the Portuguese title in 1993/94. After seven years in Florence he transferred to Milan, winning Serie A in 2003/04 to add to the UEFA Champions League trophy he had helped collect the previous season.

'Great joy'
"I would like to thank Milan as they let me fulfil my dream in returning to Benfica," said Rui Costa. "I am very pleased and this is a moment of great joy. I hope I can give the supporters plenty to cheer. I also would like to say thank you to the club's president as he still believes in my capacities to play at the highest level. I always felt this is my home and I always dreamed of this moment. I want to repay my debts for all that Benfica have given me."

Back home
Rui Costa has often expressed a wish to end his career at the Estádio da Luz having retired from international football following UEFA EURO 2004™. Benfica will start next term's UEFA Champions League in the third qualifying round after finishing third in the 2005/06 Liga.

Source: Uefa.com

Former Sporting Clube de Portugal and FC Porto coach Fernando Santos has been appointed as Ronald Koeman's replacement at SL Benfica.

'Good progress'
The 51-year-old arrives at the Estádio da Luz from AEK Athens FC on a two-year contract and is relishing the opportunity to shine on the return to his homeland. "Benfica have made good progress in recent years," said Santos. "It is a world-renowned club, with a very long history and there are a number of goals on the horizon. We will obviously look to achieve them, with hard work and devotion."

European ambition
The first "goal" will be to guide Benfica into the UEFA Champions League group stage, after a third-placed finish in the Portuguese Liga left them needing to negotiate the third qualifying round. Santos went one better with AEK this season as they finished runners-up to Olympaicos CFP. The former GD Estoril-Praia, CF Estrela da Amadora and Panathinaikos FC coach now returns to Portugal, joining an elite band of managers to have led all three of the Liga's big guns.

Source: Uefa.com