The Round of Sixteen began with the fancied Uruguay facing up against the dangerous South Korea. It took a double strike from the Luis Suarez in the 8th and 80th minute of play to see off South Korea by the score of two goals to one. Lee Chung Yong had headed the Koreans back in the game in the 68th minute.

The second game in the round of sixteen saw Ghana, the lone surviving African nation, up against the never-say-die U.S.A. The stars and stripes are the pride of CONCOCAF and the team of the group round, not because of the brand of soccer they played, but the spirit that they displayed. They were like a beaten fighter knocked to the canvas, but managed to rise each time to deliver that telling knockout blow. The fans were pleased to see such gallantry and the questions asked were: “How much more can they take?” and “Who can and will stop this dangerous foe?”

Ghana proved to be that team and scored within the first five minutes through Kevin Prince Boateng. U.S.A. moved away from their previous all or nothing attacking approach and went on the defensive. However, despite that timid defensive approach, they once again managed to turn the game on its head when Landon Donavon converted from the penalty stop in the 62nd minute of the second half. The U.S.A. managed to take the game into extra time and it took a wonder strike from the Ghana’s hit man, Asamoah Gyan to decide the outcome: Ghana 2: USA 1

The third encounter of the round was the much - anticipated encounter between old foes, England and Germany. With reports surfacing that the dismal English team had stepped up their preparation and was up to it. The fans of soccer awaited this encounter to see whether England could stop the young and talented attack of the Germans.

It took only 20 minutes of sustained pressure for the youthful Germans to penetrate the defensive lines of England with a goal from Miroslav Klose. It became two nil in the 32nd minute after a sweeping attack on the shaken English defense was finished off by a calculated left foot strike from Lukas Podolski.

Shaken and battered, England came to life in the last 10 minutes of the first half time and threatened to turn the game around. Central defender Matt Upson headed in from a well-worked corner kick to bring the ‘Three Lions’ back into the game. Then immediately Lampard and all English fans and the viewing world thought England were level, as his looping shot crashed under the cross bar and clearly over the line only for the referee and his assistant somehow unable to see. The Germans fans felt that this was justified and had gone a far way in balancing out the Jeff Hurst strike in the World Cup finals of 1966, which did not cross the line and was reward by the then officiating crew.

The Germans returned in the second half to unleash continued waves of attacks and were justifiably rewarded with a brace from the 20-year-old German sensation, Thomas Mueller, when he scored in the 67th and 70th minute to kill off the Wayne Rooney-led England. Rooney, branded the ‘White Pele,’ left the African shores disappointing his fans, scoreless again in his second World Cup.

Game four saw one of the tournament’s favorites, Argentina, going up against a stylish Mexican team. The Mexicans came out taking the attack to Argentina. From one of their early onslaughts, a strike from left back Carlos Salcido, rebounded from the crossbar. This woke Argentina from their slumber to deliver their first meaningful attack in the 26th minute. Carlos Tevez was fortunate to have his header from a Messi pass ruled onside. The Mexicans then gifted the Argentineans their second goal in minute number 33. A misplaced pass from central defender Ricardo Osorio allowed Gonzalo Higuain to go straight through on goal, calmly beating the goalkeeper before rolling it home. The game was won in the in 52nd minute. A wonder strike from Carlos Tevez, 35 yards out, rattled the upper right hand corner of the net (Goal of the Round). The Mexicans gained a consolation goal in the 71st minute through Javier Hernandez.

In game five, Netherlands made light work of Slovakia and came away two – one winners. This game marked Arjen Robben’s return to the starting line-up and with a well-taken left foot drive from the top of the box celebrated his return. Wesley Sneijder added the Dutch second in the 84th minute and Slovakia’s consolation goal came from the penalty stop in time added on from Robert Vittek.

Game six saw the quick counterattacking Brazilians in an impressive display taking out fellow South American, Chile by a score of three goals to nil. The Brazilians remain my choice for the World Cup. Brazil got their goals from Juan, Fabiano and Robinho.

Game seven saw Asian hopeful, Japan, going out to the dark horses Paraguay in penalty kicks after both teams failed to score in one 120 minutes of soccer. Paraguay kept their nerves and came out 5:3 on penalties.

Game eight brought together the big European clash between Portugal and Spain. It was clear from the outset that the defensive Portugal was up against it. The Portuguese threatened in the opening stanza with a few shots from long range. But, as the game went on, the Spaniards took complete control of the midfield and began to be a constant threat. It took great goal keeping from Eduardo and good defending from Carvalho and company to keep the Spaniards at bay. However, in the 63rd minute, the ever-dangerous David Villa found the back of the net. Villa’s performance made him my stand out player of the round.