USA-mazing

USA negotiated their way out of the group of death and into the knockout stages despite a 1-0 defeat by Germany.

When the draw was made last year Germany and Portugal were clear favourites to battle it out for the top two places, but the Americans had other ideas.

After opening their Group G account with a 2-1 win over Ghana, USA gained an impressive 2-2 draw against Portugal to put them level on points with leaders Germany going into the third round of matches.

What more to get the mouth-watering in a vital round of group matches than seeing USA boss Jurgen Klinsmann pitting his wits against his native Germany. It was set to be a cracking match!

In the end there was only one goal between the sides with Thomas Muller, who scored a hat-trick against Portugal, netting his 9th goal in a World Cup in as many games after 55 minutes.

Mesut Ozil's cross found the head of his Arsenal team-mate Per Mertesacker and USA goalkeeper Tim Howard did well to push the shot away. But the ball fell to Muller on the edge of the box and the Bayern Munich man rifled home a lovely first-time shot into the bottom corner of the net.

USA had a great chance to equalise but Clint Dempsey sent his header over the bar as Germany finished top of the group, leaving Klinsmann's men anxiously waiting on the result of the other group game.

Portugal and Ghana only had slim chances of progressing with both needing a win, coupled with a heavy victory for either USA or Germany. With Germany only beating USA 1-0, Portugal's 2-1 victory over the Africans was meaningless as the European side exited the tournament on goal difference.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored 51 goals in 47 appearances from Real Madrid last season, had not been at his best so far in the tournament but was at the centre of most of Portugal's best work in Brasilia. He saw an exquisite chip smash against the crossbar before seeing a header kept out by a top class save from Fatau Dauda in the Ghana goal. Ronaldo had plenty time and space to power a header goalwards but Dauda produced one of the saves of the tournament, and his gesture of delight afterwards showed just how good a stop it was. But Portugal were not to be denied too much longer as Ghana defender John Boye acrobatically sliced the ball into his own net on the half hour mark.

The Africans kept alive their slim hopes of qualification when Kwadwo Asamoah delivered one of the crosses of the tournament for Asamoah Gyan to head home the equaliser after 57 minutes. Gyan then turned provider for Majeed Waris but his team-mate could only head wide of goal.

That miss proved costly as Portugal hit the winner, from that man Ronaldo, ten minutes from time. After producing one of the saves of the tournament earlier in the match, Dauda poorly beat away a high ball straight into the path of Ronaldo who had the simple task of shooting into an empty corner of the net.

Portugal were finally in front but a win alone would not be enough and, ultimately, the frustrating heavy 4-0 defeat by Germany in their opening game proved costly as goal difference put them out and the Americans through. USA will be underdogs for their round of 16 clash against Belgium but if they continue to produce gutsy performances they could yet pull of a shock.

In Group H, Belgium had already secured qualification so it was up to Algeria, Russia and South Korea to battle it out for the other spot.

It seemed likely that the outcome of the game between Algeria and Russia would decide who finished in second spot and there was little to separate the sides in their 1-1 draw in Curitiba.

Russia, who had failed to win any of their opening two games, propelled themselves up to second place when Aleksandr Kokorin headed home Dmitri Kombarov's cross after just six minutes.

Islam Slimani headed home Yacine Brahimi's free-kick to level matters on the hour mark, but the goal caused a lot of controversy. In the build up to the goal a laser was shone from the crowd into the face of Igor Akinfeev, totally distracting the Russia goalkeeper. It was out of order and unfair on the Russians, but they can't solely blame that for their exit as Fabio Capello's men have failed to really find their feet in this tournament.

Algeria, on the other hand, have reached the round of 16 for the first time in their history and this was a truly proud moment for the African side. They fully deserve their place in the knockout stages although they will need to be on top form, and produce one of the best ever performances in a World Cup, if they are to stand any chance of beating three-time winners Germany. But stranger things have happened in this World Cup, so you can't fully rule it out!

Belgium continued their 100% start to the tournament with a 1-0 win over South Korea, sending the Asian side out of the tournament.

The European side may not quite have hit top form in the tournament yet but they are now unbeaten in their last nine World Cup group stage matches.

Although it wasn't all plain sailing for the Belgians as Steven Defour was dismissed for a reckless two-footed challenge before half-time.

This could've been the chance for South Korea to take advantage and book an unlikely spot in the round of 16 but they were unable to find a way beyond Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

The 10 men of Belgium clinched all three points as Kim Seung-gyu could only parry Divock Origi's effort and Jan Vertonghen was on hand to score from close range.

Marc Wilmot's men will now face USA in the first round of knockout games, in a game that is going to be incredibly hard to call. Before the tournament Belgium were fancied as a potential darkhorse and, although their points tally of nine out of nine is one to be admired, their performances haven't been quite the greatness we expected. Belgium will still be favourites but if USA can produce something special on the day they may well get something out of the tie.

All the fixtures for the knockout stages have now been decided in what has been, in most parts, a truly immense World Cup. Most of it has been about high drama and surprises so it is just a shame that it has been tainted somewhat by one terrible act. No, I don't mean England's elimination from the group stages! More the moment Uruguay striker Luis Suarez bit Italy's Giorgio Chiellini...a truly disgusting act that has now been punished!

The Liverpool striker is now banned from all footballing activity for four months, as well as for nine international matches meaning his time in Brazil is over. Several people have said the player clearly needs professional help and he has unsurprisingly come in for huge criticism following the incident. But for some reason the Uruguay FA will not only appeal the decision but have reportedly also claimed that images of the incident were doctored. How can anyone back Suarez this much? It is not like this is the first time - he has bitten an opponent on three occasions, it wasn't a one-off act of madness! So, while Suarez is mooching around finding things to do, during what looks like being a four-month paid holiday, maybe he needs to spend some serious time reflecting on what he has done.

But enough about Suarez, the striker has dominated the headlines enough! Although what he has done is totally unacceptable I do not want to see it ruin what has been arguably the best ever World Cup (if you can forget England's early exit). So much entertainment, plenty of surprises and lots of top goals, saves and moments to savour have happened in Brazil so let's hope it continues!

Now that England are out, fans may adopt a different nation, not for patriotism but more so they have someone to follow the fortunes of. Maybe it could be time to lend our backing to the underdogs, who have performed so admirably thus far in the World Cup, but that's up to you!

Let the drama continue!

Come on you underdogs!