World Cup Day 13 - As It Happened

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2128 That concludes our coverage for today, we're back tomorrow for the final matches from Group E and F. Thanks for reading.

2122 Ghana were quite poor tonight. The German defence held out well, with Klose to return in the next round. The panel believe England will have a slight edge over Germany come Sunday.

2120 What a second-half in Nelspruit but both teams are disappointed. Ghana go through on goal difference, they will face USA. Germany will take on England. Tasty.

FULL-TIME - Germany 1-0 Ghana

FULL-TIME - Serbia 1-2 Australia

91 min Pantelic strays offside as Serbia look for the all important goal.

90 min Serbia claim for a penalty as Cahill's arm connects with the ball. No penalty.

90 min We're into added time in both games. There minutes in each.

89 min Serbia are throwing everything they have at Australia, they need one goal to go through.

87 min John Moran points out that one of Uruguay, South Korea USA and Ghana will be in the last four.

86 min Kennedy has a chance to restore Australa's two goal lead but he can't get his effort on target from eight yards.

84 min Schwarzer spills the ball from a long range shot, Pantelic puts the ball into the net. I think a draw would be good enough for Serbia based on goals scored.

GOAL - SERBIA - PANTELIC

80 min Schweinsteiger is taken off after appearing to injure a hamstring.

78 min Australia, two goals up, continue to press against Serbia. Really disappointed with Serbia, many people's dark horse for the touranment.

75 min There isn't much happening now in Joburg, and neither side will be bother. Australia are two goals down in the goal difference so they need to keep going for more goals or hope Germany increase their lead.

72 min Brett Holman picks up the ball in midfield, the substitute is not closed down and he strikes the ball from 25 yards. It isn't a spectacular effort, but it finds the corner of the net. Great news for Ghana.

GOAL - AUSTRALIA - BRETT HOLMAN

68 min What a goal by Tim Cahill. All the frustration from the red card against Germany is taken away as he gets in front of two Serbia defenders to head into the corner of the net. Serbia have it all to do now. Australia need Ghana to get two goals.

GOAL - AUSTRALIA - TIM CAHILL

65 min Great play by Gyan but an even better block from Mertesacker. Asamoah flicked the ball back to Gyan who, in the middle of the area, will surely score if he gets a clear striker. The defender gets in the way.

63 min Muntari enters the game for Ghana. Tagoe is withdrawn.

62 min Now Ghana need to start going for it, just in case Serbia do indeed go in front.

60 min Australia are having an extended spell of possession, that Germany goal is bad news for them mind.

58 min Germany are on course for a meeting with England on Sunday. Ghana are still going through. But a goal from Serbia would change that.

57 min 'You can't stop those' reckons Trever Stevens. Germany play it back across the pitch, the ball is laid off to Ozil on the edge of the area. It bounces up nicely and he strikes a fericous left footed shot into the top corener of the net.

GOAL - GERMANY - OZIL

55 min Germany are struggling to create anything now, Podolski is barely involved.

53 min Come on, someone score so I can make new permutations.

50 min Long punt forward from the Kingson in the Ghana goal, Gyan heads it on leaving Asamoah racing through on goal. He can't lift the ball over the advancing Germany keeper, massive opening for the African side.

48 min Germany keeping the ball in Johannesberg. They found the gaps in the first half but just couldn't finish it off.

47 min Good start from Australia in Nelspruit, Vidic is forced to clear a dangerous looking cross. Remember Australia need to win, and as it stands, so do Serbia.

2029 We're about to get going ahead in both matches.

Half-time Both matches are level at the break. As it stands, Germany and Ghana are going through. Serbia have come close to taking the lead against Australia, but Tim Cahill and co have also looked quite dangerous on the break. All the teams are still in with a great shout.

45 min Australia foward Kennedy heads straight at the Serbia goalkeeper.

44 min Commentator Stephen Alkin rightly points out that you can feel that there will be a few twists and turns to come on the final day of this group. Hurry it up please lads.

42 min Mueller goes in late on a Ghana defender, he picks up a yellow.

40 min Schweinsteiger ball in is missed by Mertesacker. Kingson in the Ghana goal is unsighted so he palms the ball away and Ghana manage to get it away.

39 min Cacau is fouled by Ayew 35 yards from goal, he is booked for the protest. The Ghana man got the man, but he wrapped his leg around Cacau.

36 min Jovanovic puts the ball in the net but it is ruled out for offside. The replays show his run was just too late, shame.

33 min Zigic, who doesn't need to leap like Cahill to win a header, has a go from 10 yards out but he can't keep it on target.

30 min Tim Cahill, just like he does for Everton, appears in the box out of nowhere with a majestic leap but his leader goes wide.

28 min Things have slowed down a bit in the Serbia v Australia game. Serbia look the more likely to score, the onus is on both teams in this encounter. I think we're in for a dramatic evening.

25 min Chances galore. Gyan's flick header from a corner is destined for the net until a German defender clears off the line.

24 min Germany's Ozil beats the offside trap moments later, he has all the time in the world to beat Kingson but the shot is straight at the goalkeeper. Best chance of the game so far.

23 min There are two Boateng brothers playing in the match, with Jerome lining out for Germany and Kevin-Prince representing Ghana. The latter is at the end of a fine Ghana move but when an opportunity presents itself in the German area, he doesn't pull the trigger. That was a good chance 13 yards from goal.

20 min Ivanovic finds himself in the unlikely positon of the Serbia six yard box. He shoots on the volley but Schwarzer gets a hand to the ball and keeps it out.

19 min Mueller's brilliant darting run into the box produces nothing as the midfielder delays his cross and Ghana manage to clear for a corner. The African side also deal with the set-piece, Germany are on top but crucially no goals yet.

16 min Kuzmanovic tries to get past two Australia defenders in the box but they do enough to put him off and the shot is tame.

15 min Podolski can't connect with Mueller's deep cross. It was a difficult strike on the volley, but I wouldn't put anything past his left foot.

13 min Ghana find space in the box, the cross to Gyan is just too slow and Germany manage to clear before the leading scorer in the group can pounce.

11 min Fantasic chance for Serbia and it was Liverpool bound Jovanovic that had it. Serbia broke well from an Australia attack, leaving the forward one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but he narrows the angle and the shot is well wide.

10 min Serbia have had a couple of corners in their clash with Australia but there has not been a decent chance for either side yet.

9 min Germany nearly go in front as Podolski's cross is deflected of Jonathan and Kingson knocks it out for a corner.

5 min Gyan is slipped through and has the beating of Mertesacker but the Ghana striker's touch lets him down.

4 min Tentative start to both matches. Australia are happy to get a feel of it in Nelspuruit, passing it around in their own half.

2 min Germany, playing in black this evening, start well, with Cacau shooting at the goalkeeper. He was the scorer of their fourth goal against Australia when coming on as a sub if you remember. Seems like a long time ago now.

1930 We're underway in both matches.

1925 RTE Two are showing Germany v Ghana, while you can either game here on RTÉ.ie

1920 Liam Brady points out that Ghana are the last remaining hope for Africa. I fancy all four sides to go for it tonight and maybe a bit of a goalfest.

1915 Klose is absent for Germany after being sent off in the last match. Ghana were disappointing in the second half against Australia last time out, I would expect the Germans to prevail. The Aussies have been very unlucky so far, their match with Serbia should be a thriller.

1903 We're still getting e-mails on England's win today but I think that has been done to death now. Group D is far more fascinating than C, judging on the matches so far.

1900 A reminder you can watch both of tonight's games, the link is at top of the page.

1849 Scroll down to the update at 1710 and you will see the permutations for the group tonight. There is a pressure on Germany tonight, while Australia can go for it against Serbia.

1839 Australia: 1-Mark Schwarzer; 2-Lucas Neill, 6-Michael Beauchamp, 4-Tim Cahill, 9-Josh Kennedy, 8-Luke Wilkshire, 23-Mark Bresciano, 5-Jason Culina, 16-Carl Valeri, 7-Brett Emerton, 21-David Carney.

Serbia: 1-Vladimir Stojkovic; 6-Branislav Ivanovic, 5-Nemanja Vidic, 13-Aleksandar Lukovic, 17-Milos Krasic, 10-Dejan Stankovic, 16-Ivan Obradovic, 22-Zdravko Kuzmanovic, 18-Milos Ninkovic, 14-Milan Jovanovic, 15-Nikola Zigic.

Referee: Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay)

1837 Ghana: 22-Richard Kingson; 4-John Pantsil, 8-Jonathan Mensah, 5-John Mensah, 2-Hans Sarpei; 6-Anthony Annan, 23-Kevin-Prince Boateng, 13-Dede Ayew, 12-Prince Tagoe; 21-Kwadwo Asamoah, 3-Asamoah Gyan.

Germany: 1-Manuel Neuer; 16-Philipp Lahm, 3-Arne Friedrich, 17-Per Mertesacker, 20-Jerome Boateng, 13-Thomas Mueller, 6-Sami Khedira, 7-Bastian Schweinsteiger, 10-Lukas Podolski, 8-Mesut Ozil, 19-Cacau.

Referee: Carlos Simon (Brazil)

1830 Welcome to our coverage of the final round of matches in Group D. Dare I say, this is the most open of all the groups going into the final day.

1715 Dinner time for yours truly - some other friendly soul will take up the slack for the exciting conclusion of Group D from 7pm. Congratulations to the very few English readers out there, and best of luck to all Germans, Serbs, Aussies and Ghanaians.

1710 Ladies and gents, our next double header begins at 7.30pm - it's Germany v Ghana and Serbia v Australia and it's pretty convoluted in Group D, with chances for all four teams. Here's an attempt to explain the permutations:
If leaders Ghana draw with Germany, they will be through and even a defeat would be OK as long as Australia win without knocking up a big score against Serbia.
Germany would advance with a win and a draw should be enough unless Serbia win.
Serbia need a win though a draw is OK if Germany lose.
It looks tough for Australia. If they win and Germany lose, they advance. If Germany do not lose, they will almost certainly need a big win over Serbia.
Got that? I reckon Germany and Serbia will coast through.

1702 Dunphy brings England's accomplishment to task - 'not one of (the Slovenians) would get a game in the Premier League. Their main player plays for West Brom, who have just gone up to the Premier League, but will probably go straight back down.'

1657 Ronnie - 'to go any further, England will have to improve vastly. 'He emphasises 'vastly.' If they don't, he believes, they go straight out. One factor supporting this thesis: Germany are significantly better than Slovenia.

1655 Dunphy: 'England were really, really, really bad.' Slovenia were worse.

1653 So the USA are the winners of Group C, with England finishing as runners-up. Should Germany win tonight against Ghana, they'll play England in the second round. The USA will play either Serbia, Australia or possibly Ghana or Germany - Group D is a serious jumble.

1651 Landon Donovan raced onto a loose ball in the box to tap home a minute into injury time - that goal is the difference between going home and progressing. Last gasp success for the Yanks. Algeria and Slovenia on their way home.

1650 USA have scored an injury time winner to qualify and knock Slovenia out.

Full time England have won, deservedly, over an appaling Slovenian outfit. They have qualified to the second round.

90+2 mins England playing keep-ball in the corner, winding it down.

90 mins Make that two chances. Koren slides the ball into the path of Novakovic and 10 yards out in front of goal, he can't miss, but Upson slides in to the rescue with a terrific interception.

88 mins Free kick from the left for Slovenia - first decent delivery of the night from Birsa, and it drops into the mixer, but is hacked clear. Slovenia have had one good chance in the whole game and the England defence were up to it. Deserved win coming up in a couple of minutes.

86 mins Corner is headed clear, it breaks wide to Brecko, the right back, and he hacks wildly at it - row Z. I've tried to be nice, I've tried to be positive, but after 86 minutes it's a stone cold fact: Slovenia have been rubbish. Absolute poo.

84 mins Several quick fouls there - players on both sides look a little knackered and tackles are being heaved in without much consideration for timing or legs. Corner for Slovenia here, as Capello brings on Heskey for Defoe.

81 mins Contrary to popular belief, Joe Cole has not instantly solved all of England's problems. In fact, he's struggling to get up to speed and his control is off so far.

78 mins Birsa is yellow carded for a sneaky handball in midfield. He should be booked for shocking dead ball delivery. The game has descended into a scrap-tastic mess again. Neither side able to hang onto it. Slovenia aren't really showing the necessary urgency - if the USA score in the other game, they're out.

75 mins Defoe is being manhandled by Cesar - he can't hold up the ball at all, probably due to the fact that Cesar is literally twice his size and is swatting him away like a gnat. Slovenia have failed to maintain that burst of attacking focus though and England are back in control, slowing everything down.

73 mins Still 0-0 in USA v Algeria, so currently still England in first, Slovenia in second.

71 mins Joe Cole enters the fray - Wayne Rooney is replaced. Shrek is not a happy ogre.

69 mins Upson bundles into Novakovic and it's another set piece chance. Guess what? Birsa puts it straight out - several feet over James' goal. Get someone else on the dead balls please.

67 mins Birsa robs Barry again and presses on, driving at the English defence and shoots, but it's blocked. It breaks to Novakovic and he dummies past Upson - he must score, no! Amazing last ditch block by Terry. And it breaks to Birsa again, but his effort is blasted wide. Serious chance for Slovenia there. Coming back into it?

65 mins As if to illustrate the point, Barry is robbed by Birsa in midfield - Birsa pressing on and tries to stroke it into the corner, but he ends up passing it meekly to James.

63 mins Two more successive corners from England - the Slovenian defence is creaking if not already broken. Only the keeper's heroics are keeping this for being a formality. But with a one goal lead, anything can happen.

61 mins Slovenia are really offering nothing - as Ray Houghton says on the box - 'if Slovenia keep going the way they're going, England will score another goal, no question about it.'

58 mins Concerted pressure from Engerland. Lampard floats in a clever ball over the defence and Rooney springs the offside trap - he's one-on-one with the keeps, 10 yards out. He sidefoots it to his left, he's got to score...Off the post. Replays show it's a fantastic reflex save. Handanovic has kept Slovenia in it several times now.

57 mins Another excellent cross from Milner is deflected out for a corner by Cesar. Terry meets it with authority at the back post - it's on target but the keeper gets across to block it out.

55 mins Another free 'won' by Slovenia inside England's half and another set piece chance wasted by poor delivery from Birsa. His strikers are gesturing furiously at him - it would appear to be their only chance of scoring.

53 mins Gerrard and Rooney put on a lovely show of short interplay that confuses the Slovenian defenders and opens up a clear shooting opportunity for Rooney on the edge of the box - but he misses the ball. Hanging.

51 mins Speaking of dives, there's one from the Slovenian right winger and it's another chance for Birsa to chip one in. His delivery has been substandard, the standard being 'of any use.' This one goes right down James throat, no chance for his strikers.

50 mins Goal disallowed for England - neat short passes find Rooney in behind and he squares it for Defoe to tap in, but he's offside. Seemed like the right call, but where were the defenders?

47 mins Glen Johnson shimmies and slithers his way through three defenders, he goes down like he's shot from the stands and is booked for diving. There have been more extravagant dives unpunished, but still good to see.

46 mins Animal miss by Defoe. Slovenian keeper punches out Rooney's corner, it's nodded back in and the quicksilver Defoe is onto it before the keeper, but he can only flick it wide of the post from eight yards. Golden early chance. Shambolic defending.

45 mins No changes at half-time, we're off in the second period, with both teams currently in qualifying position.

1600 Dunphy attributes the nerves of the England performance down to the fear of failure - specifically, the high price of failure in England. He cites Rob Green - 'his life is over, in a certain kind of way.' Dunphy reckons that the players are all terrified of making a similar fatal mistake.

1555 The assessment - England haven't been great, but they should still ease to victory against what appears to be a very limited side. Sound familiar? Still, they already have the all-important lead.

1550 The panel are less generous to Slovenia - Giles considers them 'awful. They've giving the ball away without even being under pressure.' Eamon is surprised that England didn't grow in stature after the goal - there have been chances, but they're still very nervous and not themselves. Giles reckon that England 'have to win this easily.'

Half time England lead at Port Elizabeth and are looking in command. They've had more than one chance to extend their lead, whereas Slovenia, despite starting well, have lost their composure and appear shaky at the back and are offering nothing other than a set piece threat. Long way to go.

43 mins Still 0-0 between USA and Algeria. As things stand, England and Slovenia progress.

42 mins Birsa floats in a free from just inside halfway - they're hunting the set piece goal as fiercely as an Irish side here. This one is deflected off the wall and sails into the danger area - James is challenged but he manages to punch clear.

40 mins Left back Jokic accidentally handles the ball with his trailing hand in a slide tackle and is booked for his trouble. He will miss the second round game when Slovenia fight back and win this. Ahem.

38 mins Just centre-halves hoofing it clear currently. I haven't counted more than two consecutive passes in the last several minutes.

36 mins Slovenia can't hold onto the ball at the moment, but England are now finding it hard as well - scrappy around the midfield. Both sides need to get back to playing it around the deck and calm it down.

33 mins Birsa, the Slovenian number 10, just heaved two useless balls towards James - they're short of ideas and have abandoned their early calm possession. England press ahead again with another great Milner delivery, this time to no avail.

30 mins Defoe powers through the defence and unleashes a fierce effort on target, but Handanovic saves brilliantly. It breaks to Gerrard, whose sidefoot shot looks certain to nestle in the bottom corner, but the keeper pulls off a second terrific save to deny England.

27 mins Gerrard looking very busy - nipping in from the wing and keeping the ball moving. Himself and Gareth Barry working hard and hungry for the ball. England are playing so much better than they have been and Slovenia look a little out of their depth.

25 mins Great chance for an English second - Milner delivers the exact same cross and Defoe was closing in again, but the keeper pushes it away - to the feet of Lampard. But Frank, 18 yards out, open goal, skies it.

23 mins It was coming - Milner receives it right on the right hand touchline and fizzes in a sensational ball into the six yard box with pace - Jermain Defoe gets there before the defender and toe-pokes it through the hands of the Slovenian keeper, who looks at fault, but the proximity and pace of the shot left him helpless.

GOAL FOR ENGLAND

21 mins From the corner, a nice header on into the mix is cleared by Terry to the edge of the box, Cesar tries his luck and James has to be alert to save that.

20 mins Slovenia mount an attack of their own there - Novakovic finds himself in acres of space on the right side of the England box (Upson caught napping) but he dallies looking to pass and Ashley Cole gets back to block.

19 mins Johnson glides in from the right and has a shot - straight down the throat of Handanovic. They're knocking.

17 mins More pressure from England - Upson is right up there and comes onto a cleared cross - his first touch is that of a centre half, but he wins it back and it breaks for Rooney, who drifts wide and tries a difficult shot to no avail. Two quick corners, both cleared shakily by the Slovenian defence.

15 mins Nice through-ball from Rooney attempting to find the advancing Lampard, but it's got too much gas. England already look way better than their last outing.

14 mins Radosavljevic (I hope he's not involved too much) bundles over Rooney 30 yards out and Frank Lampard has a crack - it's a soft one but the ball is moving and the keeper struggles to collect, but collect he does.

13 mins Slovenia showing tidy control and smart movement around midfield, they're keeping the ball well, but not making too much headway against a tightly-packed England defence. So far.

11 mins Gorgeous long ball from deep by Johnson sends Rooney free down the right - he floats in a decent ball to the back post, but Suler just gets enough on it to take it away from Gerrard. The corner is easily cleared, but it's more composed from England.

9 mins Bad tackle in the midfield by Gareth Barry and it's a free in from Birsa near halfway, but it's easily cleared.

Folks the live stream is apparently not working too well at the minute - our technicians are working on it all guns blazing, it will be fixed asap, I am told.

6 mins Slovenia are lining up the two banks of four pretty close to their goal. But the midfielders are coming up in support with the ball. Kirm sails through the England defence there and fires off the first shot in anger - it's on target but an easy gather for James.

3 mins They're not the only ones - Cesar is caught in possession by Defoe and a nice lay-off by Lampard gives Milner a chance to cross - blocked down. Cagey start.

1 mins You best believe England are nervous - Glen Johnson misses a high ball completely and shins it out for a throw.

0 mins It's on! Early touches for Upson & Milner - both give the ball away aimlessly.

1457 German ref Wolfgang Stark takes command of this tie - he appears a harsh soul, based on nothing but his haircut.

1455 The teams are on the pitch. The Slovenian anthem - for a new enough nation - has an air of old school grandeur about it. The crowd seems to be largely composed of Englanders, based on the queen-saving petitions.

1452 MOTHER OF GOD IT'S ALMOST TIME! CAN YOU FEEL IT? I'm quite excited. John Giles & Ronnie are in agreement - they'd be amazed if England don't win this game. Eamon - hedge those bets - 'doesn't know'. He doubts the English morale.

1445 Fifteen minutes to kick-off.

1442 Eamon Dunphy says Fabio Capello's team selection is 'wrong'. Pithy and emphatic in equal measure.

1440 Thanks for all your emails, folks. Unfortunately, they're flooding in at such a pace that we simply can't get around to all of them. Or even most of them. Come 3pm, we won't be able to get round to any of them. Keep them coming though; it's good to hear from you all.

1432 Darren Devereux reckons there's not an England winger in sight with Steve Gerrard and James Milner on either sides. He wants Joe Cole in... Isn't Milner a winger though?

1424 Has Alan Shearer always been ginger? He looks like a squinting Nicky Butt over on the BBC while predicting....something. He's a very hard man to listen to is Alan. Meanwhile Liverpool's potential new manager Roy Hodgson reckons that Steven Gerrard should play out on the left wing. That's Gerrard off to Madrid so.

1418 All credit to the boy John Fahy, who sidesteps the airport jokes and knocks home this cracker: 'Capello was asked was he going to go with a 4-4-2 today, he said that he wouldn't and more likely to go with a 747 - more legroom for the trip home!'

1416 Shane from Galways asks: 'Anyone see any similarities between England and the Dublin football team - underperforming and overhyped with fans as loyal as their team is gutsy.'

Hmmm, probably best not to mention the Dubs who walked out at halftime during their recent game with Wexford then?

1414 Joe Cole, Joe Cole, Joe Cole! Professional grumpy cockney and former England international Alan Mullery is unhappy that Cole is left out and suggests that Capello may have made the decision precisely because John Terry called for him to be included in the team. Sounds like something immature school children would do while picking teams for a kick-about, so he may well have a point.

1403 The teams are in and as expected, it's Defoe, Upson and Milner to start for England. Poor old Joe Cole must settle for a place on the bench, it's got to be tough for the multi-millionare, especially on the back of the news that Manchester United don't want him.

Slovenia: Samir Handanovic; Miso Brecko, Marko Suler, Bostjan Cesar, Bojan Jokic; Valter Birsa, Robert Koren, Aleksandar Radosavljevic, Andraz Kirm; Zlatan Ljubijankic, Milivoje Novakovic.

England: David James; Glen Johnson, Matthew Upson, John Terry, Ashley Cole; James Milner, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry; Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney.

1358 The 'England meet France at the airport' jokes are coming in thick and fast, come on lads you've got to have more up your collective sleeves than that one surely. Meanwhile, Brian Penston emails us to advise us to drown out the vuvuzela with 'some background music (lightly/works well with mandolin music) it dissipates the sound of the horns and adds to the enjoyment of the match.' Mandolin? Doesn't he play for Korea?

I'll get my coat.

1345 John from Galway is surrounded by English types calmly discussing their likely quarter-final opponents! The gall! Srecno Slovenija! (Good luck Slovenia - I think) Conversely, Steve in Dublin is an Englishman surrounded by abuse on all sides. Emulate your players on their bus and get the headphones in chief.

1340 Media saturation continues unabated - England's bus journey is being analysed forensically. He looks relaxed, he looks focused. Rhubarb. Hopefully the Slovenian bus will be allowed onto the pitch and in front of the goal. Defoe could fit under it while Rooney and Gerrard rob the wheels.

1330 The interviews with the English fans on the gogglebox cement the belief that South Africa would be well rid. Half of them look like they've done time, the other half have spent too much time in front of a mirror. A strained generalisation, I concede. But the Slovenians are all sound out. And some of them have better English.

1320 Ciaran from Dublin predicts a winning header from PR nightmare John Terry. I wouldn't mind that, as long as he missed the fifth penalty again against Germany/Australia/anyone.

1315 Reporters now giving out about the quality of the Port Elizabeth pitch - excuses in early! Good one in from Aidan: 'Uruguay will meet South Korea on the 26th June at 3pm in Port Elizabeth. Argentina will meet Mexico on 27th June at 7.30pm in Rustenburg. And England will meet France at the Airport today at 6pm.' Have it!

1310 Sky are 'confirming' that Milner, Defoe and Matthew Upson will start for England. No Joe Cole in the starting XI. All the fuss about him - if he gets on, he better light up the pitch. Word on the street is that Man United have ruled out signing the free agent, with North London rivals Arsenal and Spurs competing for his signature.

1300 Lots of positive energy out there. Two hours to go and I'm getting fierce excited altogether about what will probably be a muck game. But the tension! Damien thinks Rooney will bag a hat-trick - top scorer bet looking shaky perhaps? I have David Villa and despite the missed peno, yesterday was a serious boost. John & Barry are hatching plans to minimise work output from 3pm onwards - I recommend a papier maché version of yourselves with a looped audio recording saying 'I'm on it' and other pro-active statements. If that seems like a lot of work, then you're already on the right track.

1255 David in Saudi Arabia believes England will win easily today, only to lose out early doors in the knockout stages. If they're this nervous in the group stages, they'll positively brick themselves when faced with a penalty shoot-out. They'd be walking up from halfway and just implode from the sheer pressure. Scientists would be baffled.

1245 Team news - still speculation at this point, but that counts as news these days - no Joe Cole, Jermain Defoe to replace Heskey, James Milner to replace Aaron Lennon. Heskey's absence would immediately enhance England's chances. As John Giles said the other night: 'I've a lot of time for the lad cos he's honest, but I don't think he can play the game. He's no touch, he can't shoot and he doesn't score goals.' Comprehensive.

1240 Ross from Dublin lets his head rule his heart and thinks England will recover and bag the win. Kieran predicts 2-0 for Engerland and the US. But, as Ross points out, if Slovenia and Algeria win, England and the US could be on their way out of Africa. That would be a hoot, but Algeria are pants. Longford Town could have beaten England the other day.

1230 John from Macroom has financial incentive to cheer on the Auld Enemy today. The finger of shame points towards you. Some heads round here are keen to see them win, if only because the sheer volume of 'news' about the England squad makes our job easier. And they'd almost certainly embarrass themselves at some point later in the tournament. A penalty shoot-out loss would be tasty. Peter from Dublin reckons that they could use Paul Scholes today. Or Bobby Moore, Hoddle, even Gazza. They should watch that teamtalk beer ad a few times. Think of all the hugely expensive ad campaigns that could be rendered obsolete today. Joy.

1220 So Slovenia - smallest nation in terms of population in the World Cup - only require a draw to seal their place in the knockout stages. England need to win to guarantee progress. Can you taste the World Cup tension! I love this stuff - I found myself roaring on the Swiss as they battled for a draw against Chile the other day. Why? Because it was injury time and the stakes are high! Sport is the business.

1210 Apparently Brian Cowen is meeting David Cameron today in London at 3.15 - cleverly timed to interrupt the English PM's viewing of his newly inherited nation's sporting apocalypse. Martin from Tipp reckons that England will cruise through by 2 clear goals. One thing's for certain in this World Cup - nothing is certain!

1200 Sky is awash with St George's cross, bluster and bombast - should we fear an explosion of national pride across the Irish Sea and possible invasion? Man the pitchforks!

1145am Hello and welcome to our live text commentary on day thirteen of the 2010 World Cup. Unlucky for some!

It's a big one for our next-door neighbours today, with England facing Slovenia knowing that they have to win to be sure of qualifying for the next round.

Based on their performances in their first two games against USA and Algeria, that's far from certain. Unlikely?

England v Slovenia, and the other Group C game between USA and Algeria, will be available to watch live here from 3pm.

For those of you who cannot access our stream because you are not in the Republic of Ireland, we'll keep you updated as the action unfolds.

In the meantime, feel free to offer us your comments, predictions, rants, etc by emailing us at sportonline@rte.ie.