Results:
Slovakia 0-2 Paraguay
Italy 1-1 New Zealand
Brazil 3-1 Ivory Coast
2125 That concludes our text commentary on today's matches. It has been another dramatic day in the World Cup, with world champions Italy struggling to a 1-1 draw against New Zealand.
Thanks for reading and we'll see you again tomorrow.
2122 Eamon Dunphy has slammed the referee for his decisions in the second-half. He did make some questionable calls with one or two late tackles.
2121 Brazil are through to the last 16 after a relatively easy win tonight. Ivory Coast never really went for it tonight, they will have a lot to do with Portugal expected to be North Korea tomorrow.
Full-time - Brazil 3-1 Ivory Coast
90 + 3 min Alves' free kick from 35 yards doesn't trouble the goalkeeper.
90 + 1 min Kaita's cutback is palmed away by Julio Cesar. Brazil manage to clear.
90 min We're into three minutes of added time.
88 min Gervinho's dipping effort is tipped over the bar.
87 min Kaka puts an elbow into Kaita as he running by. Kaita goes down holding his face even though the contact was in the chest. The referee brandishes a second yellow card and Kaka is off. Not too important as Brazil are all but in the second round.
RED CARD - BRAZIL - KAKA
86 min Tiote is also shown a yellow. It is a shame as the match is winding down now and Brazil are cruising towards the win.
85 min Kaka is booked for a shove on Toure.
83 min Portugal, North Korea, Spain, Honduras, France and Algeria are the only teams yet to score in the competition.
81 min Ivory Coast will go for it now, it helps their goal difference at least and they have nine more minutes to find two more to rescue a point.
Gervinho bursts forward from a Brazil corner. He is left one on one with Juan, but the defender blocks the shot. Gervinho passes it back to Yaya Toure and the ball is crossed into Drogba who comfortably heads home. Julio Cesar had no chance. Drogba timed his run well to get free of the defence and stay offside.
GOAL - IVORY COAST - DROGBA
76 min 84,455 is the attendance in Soccer City this evening, great to see such a big crowd.
74 min Kaita is booked for a later challenge on Bastos.
72 min Cesar pushes a Tiene shot away from goal. That could well be the first time he has had to make a meaningful save in the match so far.
70 min Brazil are in control of this game and in truth they have been from the very start. Maicon is the latest to try his luck but the shot goes wide. No repeat of the wonder strike from the North Korea game.
67 min Julio Cesar grasps the ball away from Eboue after the right-back gets by his man.
66 min Elano picks up an injury when getting a kick on the shin. He is stretchered off and Dani Alves comes on for him.
64 min This really puts Ivory Coast in trouble, their goal difference could be vital for the final game so they still have a lot to play for.
62 min Brazil are making a statement here. Kaka gets on the ball on the wing, working space to cross past Toure and Elano gets ahead of his man and finishes well.
GOAL - BRAZIL - ELANO
62 min Nice move from Brazil as they work the ball to Kaka inside the area but his effort is blocked by Boubacar Barry.
61 min Elano shoots from 25 yards but the goalkeeper sees it out for a goal kick.
58 min Gervinho came in a short while ago and he has a had a good impact so far. He has offered a bit more support to Drogba but I can't help think that at two goals down it is a bit too late.
55 min Ivory Coast are starting to play a bit, Kalou's shot from distance goes wide. I've seen a couple of replays of that goal and it is a clear handball, possibly two. It then shows the referee ask Fabiano did it strike his arm when he is running back from celebrating and the strikers points to his chest.
52 min Drogba has his first chance of the game, it is a difficult header from about 12 yards out. It was ever so slightly behind the striker and he heads wide.
49 min Clear handball from Luis Fabiano but that was a superb goal. He picks the ball up outside the box, beats two men but when taking the ball down he clearly uses his arm. The referee allows play to go on and Fabiano slams the ball past the goalkeeper.
GOAL - BRAZIL - LUIS FABIANO
48 min Ivory Coast still refusing to commit too many forward, they're still happy to soak up the Brazil pressure.
46 min No changes at half-time. Brazil start the second half well, playing the ball around in their own half and looking for a gap in the Ivory Coast defence.
2029 We're about to get the second half underway.
2016 The referee blows for half-time. Brazil deserve the lead but neither side have found top gear. Drogba is not really involved so far, but he hasn't had much support to be honest.
44 min Tiene chests the ball back to the goalkeeper after a Robinho cross.
43 min Both teams seem happy to get to half-time with the score at 1-0. A second Brazil goal would kill this game off but Erikkson's side wil go for it as the second half winds down.
40 min Eboue's shot from distance is wide of the post. It was never troubling Julio Cesar.
38 min Brazil press a bit more, but Kaka and Fabiano give the ball away in two quick attacks.
36 min Penalty shout for Ivory Coast as Dindane's snap shot is stopped by a Brazil player. Didn't see a replay.
35 min A couple of sloppy passes from Brazil hands possession to Ivory Coast. Demel crosses into the Brazil penalty area but that is an easy one for Cesar in goal. Ivory Coast only had two players in the box, an example of their intent in this first half.
33 min Not much has happened in the last few minutes, with Brazil happy to knock the ball about in defence. Ivory Coast are happy to sit in their own half.
30 min Lucio is treated for a knock that, killing any momentum Brazil had. Moments later Tiete is booked for a late challenge.
27 min That has lifted Brazil, Ivory Coast might struggle in the coming minutes.
25 min We all know they have the ability and when they pull it off it is a joy to watch.
Robinho picks the ball up in the middle of the Ivory Coast half. He passes it Luis Fabiano who flicks it to Kaka.
The Real Madrid man waits for Fabiano to make his run and plays in the striker to fire the ball into the roof of the net giving the goalkeeper no chance at all.
GOAL - BRAZIL - LUIS FABIANO
23 min Brazil are starting to take control now with a lot of their play coming through Maicon.
21 min The corner is straight at Boubacar Barry in the Ivory Coast goal.
20 min Another Brazil corner as Sven Goran Errikson's side clear a Maicon cross.
18 min Maicon wins a Brazil corner, the ball ricochets around the area but Robinho's shot goes way over the bar.
17 min Brazil have not offered anything in the last 10 minutes or so, with Trevor Stevens noting how quiet Kaka has been.
14 min Another free-kick for Ivory Coast as Drogba is fouled by Lucio closed to the corner flag. The ball is lofted in but Julio Cesar fists it away and the referee awards a free-kick for pushing on the goalkeeper.
12 min Very greedy by Didier Drogba. He shoots from that free and the ball is skied over.
11 min Gilberto Silva fouls his former Arsenal teammate Emmanuel Eboue, decent chance from a free kick about 40 yards out to swing the ball in.
10 min Ivory Coast are trying to pressurise and rattle Brazil and it is fair to say it has worked so far. They'll be happy to keep it level for as long as possible, with Drogba, Kalou and Dindane there to call on when they break.
7 min Ivory Coast dominating possession now. They are yet to create a clear cut chance but this game looks as if it has goals in it.
4 min Kalou almost slips Drogba in but Julio Cesar comes out and claims the ball. Good start by both sides, they look dangerous with the ball and the game is being played at a decent pace.
3 min Ivory Coast have their first chance of the game when they swing in a free-kick but there is too much on the ball and Toure can not connect. That'll be a goal-kick to Brazil.
1 min Kaka bursts through from midfield. Robinho takes over, Luis Fabiano is running down the left wing and could be played through but the former Manchester City man opts to shoot and it goes over the bar.
1927 The anthems have finished, kick-off is imminent.
1922 The teams are coming out onto the pitch.
1915 Eamon Dunphy has once again stressed the need for Kaka to perform tonight and in the rest of the tournament. Italy faltered, England and France are in crisis, Spain lost to Switzerland......that 2-1 win over North Korea doesn't seem as worrying now.
1907 Didier Drogba starts for Ivory Coast tonight. Can the Chelsea star make an impression after such a serious injury?
1905 Kick-off is 7:30pm in Johannesberg. Brazil will need to improve on their performance against North Korea.
1855 Brazil: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Juan, Michel Bastos, Elano, Silva, Felipe Melo, Kaka, Luis Fabiano, Robinho.
Subs: Gomes,Dani Alves, Luisao, Thiago Silva, Gilberto, Josue, Ramires,Julio Baptista, Kleberson, Nilmar, Grafite, Doni.
Ivory Coast: Barry, Demel, Toure, Zokora, Tiene, Dindane,
Eboue, Toure Yaya, Tiote, Kalou, Drogba.
Subs: Zogbo, Angoua, Boka, Gohouri, Doumbia, Gervinho, Gosso, Romaric, Kone, Keita, Bamba, Yeboah.
Referee: Stephane Lannoy (France)
Full time: Italy 1-1 New Zealand
Liam brands the Italian performance an embarrassment, while Ossie agrees with Eamon Dunphy's earlier assessment that this is the worst Italy team ever.
94 min The final whistle goes, and Italy have been held by football minnows New Zealand. Marcelo Lippi looks like he might cry. I'm tempted to join him - I lost four euro on that match!
93 min Zambrotta concedes a needless free deep in NZ territory, and that may be it.
92 min Andy Barron comes on for Chris Killen, eating up another few precious seconds.
91 min the first of the four minutes of stoppage time has elapsed.
90 min Nelsen makes a crucial block after some good Italian play (no, really). Replay shows that Zambrotta's shot was going spectacularly wide anyway.
88 min Paston spoons a speculative Camoranesi effort wide. Matt isn't particularly impressed with the Kiwi keeper's performance, saying he hasn't done anything that wouldn't have been expected of him. Corner wasted, naturally.
87 min A long delay there for Nelsen to get treatment/booked, so expecting a few minutes of stoppage time.
84 min Another Italian corner comes to nothing. I'm growing a little concerned about my 'investment' on this match.
Ryan Nelsen is down with what looks like cramp - he's done a great job of marshalling the NZ defence. He got booked as he left the pitch after receiving treatment - not sure why.
82 min And down the other end Chris Wood nearly gets in after another Cannavoro error! The once invincible Italian is beginning to look like he'd be at home in the heart of Liverpool's 'defence'.
81 min Italy win yet another corner, but yet again they squander it; Chiellini climbing on Chris Wood and missing his header badly anyway.
80 min Ten minutes left for the Italian's to spare their blushes.
Jeremy Christie replaces Ivan Vicelich for NZ.
77 min superb reverse pass over the top from Camoranesi, but Iaquinta lets it bounce, and Tommy Smith clears for Italy's 12th corner. Iaquinta's header is nodded over by Wood, and the subsequent corner ends up in a tame Camoranesi shot drifting wide.
76 min Shots of Italian fans looking rather glum as Italy squander another free kick from 30 yards. First they passed it to nobody, then chipped it into the keeper's arms.
74 min A statement about the near capacity crowd - couldn't hear the figures because of some sort of annoying buzzing feedback on my audio stream...
73 min A break in play there after NZ right back Reid went down in Italy's box. The Italians ignored him and broke up the field, the ref waved play on, but when the ball was cleared for a throw in play was stopped while it was established that there was nothing wrong with the still prostrate defender.
72 min An email to share with you:
Anelka should be appointed player-manager for the rest of France's campaign, they have our full support for the rest of the tournament if they do, all that stuff in Paris is forgiven
Eoin and Conor
71 min Another good longrange effort from Montolivo, who seems to have gotten to grips with the jamboree or whatever it is they're calling the beachball. Paston does well.
70 min Italy aren't doing a lot, but NZ are defending so deep that they're getting very little recovery time between Italian attacks, and they can't keep being this profligate forever - can they?
69 min Another in a long series of fouls by NZ defenders. De Rossi hits a pathetic free kick from 32 yards.
68 min The French Fracas is much more entertaining than this match. I'm just hearing that Domenech read out the statement on behalf of his players - odd, given the fact that it pretty much constituted a vote of no confidence in him.
67 min Matt Holland says that a draw for New Zealand here would be a bigger shock than Switzerland's win over Spain. I agree.
66 min A Chiellini header deflects off a defender and goes for a corner, which is cleared to Zambrotta, who twists and turns before hitting a pathetic shot. Italy building the pressure up, but no cutting edge.
62 min Cannavaro fails to properly clear a long throw, and Vicelic blazes a volley just wide.
The play then moves to the other end, and Vicelic is forced to concede a corner.
60 min Iaquinta trickles a shot wide, which is followed by subs for both sides. Marchisio is replaced by Pazzini for Italy, while Fallon does indeed fail to finish the match - he is taken off, with Chris Wood taking his place.
58 min ANOTHER foul by Fallon. Klose must be tearing his hair out watching the leniency of this referee.
57 min I just overheard someone in the office saying that Ireland should be drafted in to play France's last game for them.
55 min The substitutes combine again, Camoranesi winning a free kick wide on the right after Di Natale's diagonal ball. Camoronesi whips it in, but New Zealand stand tall.
54 min The French players have issued a statement saying they are boycotting training in support of exile Nicolas Anelka
53 min A different perspective on the vexatious vuvuzelas
50 min Stephen points out that he's never seen a WC with fewer catches made by keepers.
49 min Argentina-born Camoranesi is also straight into the play, and all of the initial Italian play in this half seems to be going through him
48 min Di Natale almost has an immediate impact, flashing a shot across Paston, but the Kiwi Keeper does just enough to keep it out.
46 min Fallon obviously wasn't listening to RTÉ at halftime (for shame) - he commits a foul almost straight away, he'll be lucky to finish this match.
Substitutions for Italy: The unmistakable pony-tailed Camoranesi trots onto the pitch in place of Simone Pepe, while Di Natale comes on for Gilardino. Lippi clearly not happy with his side's performance.
Half-time banter: Liam Brady reminds everyone that the panel pointed out Italy are susceptible to set-pieces, before going on to issue a plea for Geography grinds, saying the Kiwis qualified by beating a bunch of countries he's never even heard of.
Ossie says that the penalty decision was correct, but that it was very soft, so Italy can count themselves lucky.
Darragh euphemistically describes the Italians as 'streetwise', and cautions that Fallon needs to keep his arms down if he wants to stay on the pitch. Ossie thinks he should have been given his marching orders already, and I'm inclined to agree, particularly as I have money on a certain team in blue.
Half-time: Italy 1-1 New Zealand
44 min Paston struggles with a De Rossi shot, nearly adding his name to the list of goalkeeping errors. It ends up in a couple of corners, before Italy concede a soft free kick, and the first half peters out from there.
42 min French Fracas update: The public session was about to begin when a heated conversation started at the centre of the pitch between Evra and fitness coach Robert Duverne.
France coach Raymond Domenech had to move in to separate them. Probably the first pro-active thing he's done at the WC.
40 min Not a great match really, the few fans that aren't too busy blowing their horrible horns have started a Mexican wave.
37 min Opta have pointed out on Twitter that Italy have conceded in the first 10 minutes of a WC match five times, but managed at least a draw in all of those matches.
35 min After their bright start, New Zealand are beginning to look more like the massive underdogs they were branded before the match. Italy have now had 59% of the possession.
33 min AFP are reporting that France's World Cup squad refused to take part in a training session in front of the public on Sunday, according to top French Football Federation official Jean-Louis Valentin who subsequently resigned.
31 min More fun in the French camp, as the squad have refused to take part in training. More on that in minute…
GOAL: ITALY 1-1 NEW ZEALAND
29 min Iaquinta strokes it in, calmly sending Paston the wrong way.
28 min Penalty to Italy!!!! De Rossi pulled down in the box, despite the cries of dive in the office here, it was a clear foul.
25 min Phwoar! Montolivo hits the post from nearly 30 yards, would have been goal of the tournament
24 min Italy are starting to have most of the play, passing it around in New Zealand's half. Bar Cannavaro's shocking error, this was probably what Lippi wanted from his side
22 min Zambrotta goes close with a decent effort from 25 yards out, but as so often seems to be the case with the oft-maligned jabulani, the ball was always rising and drifted over the right angle
21 min Stephen Alkin in the RTÉ commentary box reckons that New Zealanders tuning in at home might think they're watching some sort of surreal dreamscape.
20 min Role model and all round good guy John Terry has defended Chelsea team mate Nicolas Anelka, saying he shouldn't have been sent home.
'If he had something to say to me, I would stand up and listen. It's obviously the wrong decision. He is a great player as well.'
18 min They say an Italian's favourite result is 1-0, but I'm not sure this is what they had in mind
17 min The defensive stalwart makes up for it at the other end, snuffing out a Kiwi attack and winning himself a free kick
16 min Chiellini gets it comically wrong when the ball falls to him at a corner, spooning his shot badly
15 min Rory Fallon picks up a foul for leading with the arm against Cannavaro.
13 min New Zealand have been buoyed by that shock early goal, and are passing the ball around with confidence.
9 min Paston flaps but manages to get a fist to a vicious inswinging free. Danger cleared for the All Whites.
7 min Italy 0-1 New Zealand A sensational start for New Zealand as Italy pay the price for Cannavaro's failure to deal with a simple cross. The ball seemed to deflect of the Italy captain's arm into the path of Smeltz in the six-yard box and he did the necessary.
3 min The All Whites doesn’t have the same ring as the All Blacks, they’re also the official team of the Aryan Brotherhood, which isn’t a good thing.
2 min Pepe’s corner from the right looks dangerous, but somehow eludes every player in the area.
1500 Kick-off
1459 How the egg chasers will cope with a round ball this afternoon is anyone’s guess.
1458 Tales from the betting ring Italy are available at 1-4, which may still represent value. It’s 5-1 the draw, with New Zealand trading at 22-1 on the betting exchanges.
1455 Line-ups for Italy v New Zealand
Italy: Marchetti, Zambrotta, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Criscito,
Pepe, De Rossi, Montolivo, Marchisio, Iaquinta, Gilardino.
Replacements: De Sanctis, Maggio, Gattuso, Di Natale, Bocchetti,
Camoranesi, Palombo, Quagliarella, Pazzini, Pirlo, Bonucci,
Buffon.
New Zealand: Paston, Reid, Nelsen, Vicelich, Smith, Fallon,
Bertos, Elliott, Lochhead, Killen, Smeltz.
Replacements: Bannatyne, Sigmund, Brown, Barron, McGlinchey,
Clapham, Mulligan, Boyens, Wood, Christie, Brockie, Moss.
Referee: Carlos Batres (Guatemala)
Paraguay and Italy should qualify with ease from a lopsided group. Slovakia are in the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2012 qualifying group. There’s nothing to worry Trap & Co on today’s evidence in Bloemfontein.
Full-time: Slovakia 0-2 Paraguay
90 min Vittek turns and shoots from the edge of the area but Villar - who has been a mere spectator for 90 minutes - tips the ball over the bar.
87 min Vera off, Barreto on for Paraguay.
86 min Slovakia 0-2 Paraguay Slovakia struggle to clear a free and Riveros is on hand to drill home a second goal for Paraguay from the edge of the area. A Riveros runs through it, you could say - if you wanted to make a lame film reference.
84 min A push on Cardoza from Weiss means the Slovakian is the latest player to receive a yellow card.
82 min Cardoza is on for the brilliant Barrios, while Slovakia replace Salata with Stoch as fatigue sets in all over the pitch.
77 min A left-footed drive from Torres from all of 30 yards blazes just over the crossbar.
72 min A neat move finds Santa Cruz and he runs in from the left and gets to the byline. His cross is met with a downward header from Vera which takes some of the pace out of the effort, but the ball only just misses the left post.
70 min Sestak makes way for Holosko as Slovakia make their first change.
68 min Torres (no, not that one) is on for Valdez as the tempo of the match drops markedly.
63 min Durica’s corner from the left is floated across the area, but it’s much too high.
58 min ‘Weird Scenes Inside the Gold Mine,’ co-commentator Damien Richardson is a cross between Jim Morrison and Aldous Huxley. His crazy prose has attracted a cult following and can be found here.
53 min Vittek fails to get on the end of a good ball into the Paraguay penalty box. Slovakia coming back into it slightly, but they’re far too reliant on Weiss and he’s been nullified by the marvellous Morel.
49 min Paraguay and Slovakia wouldn’t have fanbases renowned for travelling in large numbers, but even factoring that into the equation the attendance has to be regarded as sparse. The stadium looks only marginally more than half full, but there seems to be two Vuvuzelas for every fan.
47 min Sestak cautioned after a lunge that serves to highlight the frustration in the Slovakia team.
Half-time banter: Still waiting for Ossie to say Tott-ing-ham. Just been outside and there isn’t a hint of cloud in the sky. Working in a room with no window is taking its toll and the World Cup has given me a most unhealthy pallor.
Half-time: Slovakia 0-1 Paraguay
45 min Vera is booked. The goalscorer was adjudged to have retaliated against Durica.
42 min Durica upends Riveros. His clumsy tackle merited a yellow card and the ref thought so as well.
39 min The casual Kozak loses possession and Santa Cruz surges in on goal. Mucha makes a crucial save as Santa Cruz’s shot seemed destined for the bottom left corner of the net.
37 min Slovakia win their first corner of the game. Salata leaps like a salmon and should really have got his free header from the edge of the six-yard box on target.
35 min Santa Cruz plays a 1-2 and gets to the right byline, but he only just keeps the ball in play and his cross trickles to the waiting Mucha.
32 min A cross from Weiss on the left soars over the head of the sole striker in the Paraguay area.
27 min Slovakia 0-1 Paraguay Vera gives Paraguay the lead. The excellent Barrios cuts in from the left and his superbly weighted pass finds Vela who shoots with the outside of his right foot past the advancing Mucha. The goal was richly deserved. What can the sterile Slovakians muster in response?
24 min Paraguay have had four shot at goal, the latest coming from Valdez who shot from a hopelessly acute angle on the right wing. Slovakia haven’t registered a single shot in anger as yet.
20 min Two chances for Paraguay in quick succession. Morel’s free from the left just eludes Da Silva on the back post and goes wide. Then Riveros thunders an effort straight at Mucha.
16 min Morel - recently made a free agent by Boca Juniors - is dictating play from his left-back berth. His tussle with Weiss should by fascinating. The Slovakian is the gaffer’s son, but he’s definitely there on merit and looks his side’s most potent attacking threat.
10 min A rare Slovakia sortie into the Paraguay half of the field comes to nothing as Durica balloons a cross from the left behind goal. Wasteful stuff.
8 min The South Americans have seized the initiative in the early stages, totally dominating possession.
4 min Santa Cruz swivels and shoots from the edge of the area. Mucha has to be alert to tip the ball out for a corner. The set-piece fails to trouble the Slovakia defence.
3 min Paraguay’s Barrios crosses from the right byline, but there’s nobody at the back stick to meet the ball.
1230 Kick-off
1227 Tales from the betting ring Paraguay are 11-10 favourites for this encounter, while the draw trades at 23-10. Slovakia are freely available at 3-1. Ossie Ardiles in the RTÉ studio fancies Paraguay - a country where he’s managed - strongly. Darragh Maloney and Liam Brady are also back at base, with Gabriel Egan and Damien Richardson on commentary duty in South Africa.
1222 Slovakia and Paraguay both recorded draws in their opening World Cup fixtures. The South American team's 1-1 draw against Italy leaves them in a decent position to qualify from the group stages, but Slovakia’s concession of a late equaliser against minnows New Zealand leaves them in a more perilous situation.
1220 Line-ups for Slovakia v Paraguay
Slovakia: Mucha, Pekarik, Skrtel, Salata, Durica, Sestak, Strba,
Hamsik, Weiss, Kozak, Vittek.
Replacements: Pernis, Cech, Zabavnik, Sapara, Holosko, Jakubko,
Stoch, Jendrisek, Kucka, Kopunek, Petras, Kuciak.
Paraguay: Villar, Bonet, Da Silva, Alcaraz, Morel Rodriguez,
Vera, V. Caceres, Riveros, Santa Cruz, Haedo Valdez, Barrios.
Replacements: D. Barreto, Veron, Caniza, J. Caceres, Cardozo,
E. Barreto, Benitez, Santana, Torres, Ortigoza, Gamarra,
Bobadilla.
Referee: Eddy Maillet (Seychelles)
