… Germany and England have to win
(REUTERS) – European soccer powers Germany and England fight to stay in the World Cup today after disgraced France were humiliated and South Africa became the first hosts to fall before the second round. The first World Cup in Africa has so far been dismal for Europe with former champions France plumbing the depths after a demoralising player revolt that shocked their nation. It was their most wretched tournament performance.
To guarantee reaching the second round, Germany must beat Ghana today, with their first choice striker Miroslav Klose suspended, while England — whose camp has at times seemed to almost rival the chaos among the French — have to win against tiny Slovenia, who top Group C.
Ghana will be fighting for what looks like the last African hope in the first edition of the tournament on its soil, which started with a record six teams from the continent.
In today’s other matches, Australia need a big win against Serbia and for other results to go their way to get to the second round from Group D, and the United States play Algeria in a Group C match where a win would be enough to advance and a draw could be enough against the bottom placed north Africans.