Review: Slovakia v New Zealand, Ivory Coast v Portugal, Brazil v North Korea

Slovakia v New Zealand, Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg
The first half was dull with minimal chances, and slow play. After a scoreless half, the sides came out much stronger. Then the Slovaks broke through on a Vittek header in the 50th minute. New Zealand could harldy cross midfield, and Slovakia created chance after chance, but couldn't find that goal. With the goal, and quite a few fouls, there was 3 minutes to be added on, and in the 93rd, and stunning delivery from New Zealand resulted in a powerful header from Reid, that smacked the post before hitting the back of the net. A breathtaking finish that may have kept New Zealand's World Cup hopes alive. Final: Slovakia 1.1 New Zealand

Group F
All teams drew 1.1, so all sides are level on all aspects of standings, so impossible to tell who has the edge now.

Ivory Coast v Portugal, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Didier Drogba did not start the match. Things started very well for Portugal, with Ronaldo hitting the post on a long-range effort, nearly putting the Europeans ahead. The rest of the half was filled with flops and giveaways. 0.0 at the break. Ivory Coast played well the 2nd half, but dive after dive came from both sides, making the match a bore to watch. Drogba did make an appearance though, coming on for Solomon Kalou, and coming very close to winning it. But neither side could find that finish, and the dull match ended: Ivory Coast 0.0 Portugal

Brazil v North Korea, Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Brazil couldn't create too many chances in the 1st half, despite having much more possession. Robinho and Maicon both forced saves, but nothing really too threatening. 0.0 halftime. Brazil came out very strong in the 2nd 45, and an overlaping run from Maicon in the 55th, and with virtually no angle, he blasted the ball into sidenetting putting up the Brazilians. Not too long after that, Elano was slipped in behind, and he doubled the lead. North Korea continued to fight, and in the 89th minute, Ji pulled one back. It was too little too late for North Korea though, and the final score was: Brazil 2.1 North Korea

Group G
Brazil are top with 3 pts, and Portugal and Ivory Coast are both on 1 pt following their goaless encounter. North Korea are rock bottom with no points, but played surprisingly well, and never count them out.