Bring on the Germans, having said that will they have any Germans playing for them?

Glad both Germany and Ghana are going through, they both play some decent stuff and are good to watch, looking at the likely path for each now I wonder if Germany would have rather finished second?

I think both Germany and England will see each other as very beatable, Sunday could be interesting.

If Desailly was that bothered about Ghana he'd of played for them

Weird. You acknowledge the presence of a keeper but then totally discount his ability to prevent Rooney scoring a goal. I bet you're the type of guy who criticises Pele for missing the net when Banks pulled off his miracle save.

Fact: Goalkeepers are there to PREVENT a goal. Perhaps if Rooney had tapped it straight into his gloves you might have a point. Instead he aimed straight for the corner and it took a finger-tip save (at full-stretch) to keep it out. Which - sadly for you - equals a good shot well saved rather than a plain miss.



Fact: Rooney has been outstanding for almost all of the season weighing in with a barrow-load of goals. When he wasn't scoring he was acting as the hub of United's attacking game and he provided plenty of goals and opportunities for his team-mates. Given that - prior to this season - he has never truly been a prolific striker I'd say he deserves EVERY BIT of praise he's received and arguably more besides.

I agree, good footballing sides. Think Ghana are actually just a clinical striker away from being a dangerous side to almost anyone.

Sunday will definitely be interesting, 2 very capable sides with definite flaws/weaknesses in both. All about which England team turns up I think. If it's the one from qualifying we should do them, any less and we'll be coming home.

No match is truly meaningless - but in relative terms a win against some Eastern European or Asian or African side with whom we have no "history" is meaningless next to a match and victory against Maradona's (I can barely say his name without cursing) Argentina or Germany.

Eh? Gerrard was arguably our MOM. It was either him or Milner.



Teams that have passed to feet have pretty much ALWAYS done well at World Cups (providing they have good players).

I think Essien would have made a big difference to them.

Rafa?

Is that you scrap merchant?

I'd have been very happy winning the World Cup without beating the Argies or the Germans. Wouldn't have made it any less meaningful to me.

BTW Shakira or Abby Clancy? It's a tough call!