So the 2010 World Cup is starting to deliver on expectations after the beginning was a bit dull. 25 goals in the first 16 matches has been followed with 32 goals in the next 13. The goals have started to flow and that has resulted in more excitement and more tension. There has only been one 0-0 to date in the second round of matches – this game was of course the England – Algeria snorefest.

Today is the last day of the second round where we have both Group H matches as well as Portugal – North Korea. Portugal will know they need to win this game to avoid having to defeat Brazil in the final game for a place in the final 16. Then there is Spain who must defeat Honduras to get their World Cup back on track.

As we alluded to already when Spain lost, the major consequence of this isn’t that they won’t qualify but that they won’t top the group. This is a realistic outcome for Germany, Italy and Spain who have all stumbled. In the case of Germany, it doesn’t matter too much as they are paired with Group C and they should be too good for whomever comes out of that group.
But for Italy and Spain, they could be looking at showdowns with the Netherlands and Brazil respectively.

Meanwhile Argentina seem to be cruising along and are the favorites to win the tournament. In Gonzalo Higuaín they have the top scorer with three goals and they have scored five while only conceding one. You should pick the maximum Argentinians and Uruguayans for Round three. No doubt everyone will select Diego Forlan after his stellar display against South Africa although there is the chance the game could end up in a comfortable 0-0 draw. The only thing stopping this is Mexico wanting to get away from Argentina.

The German duo of Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski looked so potent against Australia but then one got sent off and the other missed a penalty against Serbia. You don’t want to be losing points in fantasy football especially not from the guys you pick in the hope they will earn you big points.

Shane Smeltz did well in scoring against Italy – how many of you had him in your fantasy football side? Undoubtedly New Zealand have been the biggest surprise of the tournament to date. Following the draw, Italy were pleased with how it panned out but that wouldn’t be the case now. Still you would think they would be too good for Slovakia. Although if Italy and New Zealand have the same score draw in their final game they will need a draw of lots to separate them!

In the end it looks as though Netherlands and Argentina got the softest groups, while France got the karma they deserved.

Later we will have analysis of what you can expect in the Third Round of matches.