Its commonly held that Brazil will stroll through this World Cup, but I’m here to tell you that not only will that probably not happen, but it won’t happen. Along the way we will see dreams shattered, countries thrown into turmoil, at least one African country make it out of the group stage, and at the end, Italy lifting the World Cup trophy.
ROUND OF 16:
A Winner GERMANY v B Runner-up SWEDEN - German defense finds a way to stifle the Ljunberg, Larssoon, Ibrahimovic triumverate and Ballack scores a late header for the win.
C Winner HOLLAND v D Runner-up MEXICO - Speed versus speed cancel each other out, but Dutch have way too much quality.
E Winner ITALY v F Runner-up AUSTRALIA - Gattuso is back in full force, Italians shut down Aussie midfield, Kewell and Cahill humbled, Hiddink trades in Outback for long Russian winter.
G Winner FRANCE v H Runner-up TUNISIA - Tighter game than expected comes apart at the end with Henry goal(s), world learns how to pronounce “Ribery”.
B Winner ENGLAND v A Runner-up POLAND - Poles scare Sven’s men, Rooney comes on in the 60th minute, all is well.
D Winner PORTUGAL v H Runner-up ARGENTINA - Dubbed the “Teams With Potential” match, Argentina finally lives up to theirs.
F Winner BRAZIL v E Runner-up UNITED STATES - American public wakes up and jumps on World Cup bandwagon, not enough to stop Brazilian onslaught.
H Winner SPAIN v G Runner-up SWITZERLAND - Spaniards go crazy, four or five different players score, someone makes joke about defenders and Swiss cheese.
QUARTERFINALS:
SPAIN v BRAZIL - Upset of the tournament as Spanish wingers continuously get behind Brazil’s ageing fullbacks and Alonso and Xavi stifle service to “Brazilian Four (or Five)”.
ENGLAND v ARGENTINA - Rooney starts, but Crouch comes on late to earn draw. Going to penalties, Beckham, who hasn’t been sent off, secures win.
ITALY v FRANCE - Old men of France tire and wilt in German heat, replay of Euro 2000 final goes other way, Luca Toni becomes household name, Chelsea offers ?50m for his services.
HOLLAND V GERMANY - German lack of class finally shows. Ballack frustrated, Robben/Ruud/Kuijt roam at will, Dutch stroll to semis.
SEMI-FINALS:
ENGLAND v SPAIN - Cole and Neville are not Cafu and Carlos and actually play defense, Crouch again is hero, tearing apart Spanish defense, leaves ball for Rooney to score late winner.
ITALY v HOLLAND - Italians revert to old ways and put nine men behind ball, Dutch have nowhere to run, Totti scores in extra time.
FINALS:
ITALY v ENGLAND - Italians revert to old ways, put nine men behind ball, England strikers have nowhere to run, Toni and Totti score late to seal win, Beckham and Lampard tearfully leave field.