A doubleheader that comes around once every four years if we are lucky. First the biggest European rivals in Germany vs. England both with designs on winning the Cup followed by a Latin Amercian showdown in Argentina vs. Mexico. This could easily be the seimifinals of the Cup instead of opening games in the bracket round with the winners having to meet in the quarterfinals. The always unexpected group play results left this quarter of the bracket as a true group of death.
England vs. Germany (10:00 AM): ESPN continues their fine pre-game coverage with the views from both the Geman and English sides. The consensus seems to be how will the young German team react to the pressure and does England have enough offense and a steady enough goalie to finally advance in the World Cup. The history of this rivalary is discussed and it is reinforced that it was all England up to their World Cup victory in 1966 and then all Germany from that point to the present. For English fans this has to be like reminding Cub fans that were dominate last century, but have struggled recently.
The match begins with some back and forth and the skill level is very apparent as opposed to group games like Slovenia vs. Algeria. My first observations are that the English fans have the upper hand with outfits and noise level, while the German fans are much more easy on the eyes. The other big question is who is better dressed, English coach Fabio Capello in his tailored suit or German coach Joachim Loew and his Sonny Crockett blazer over V-neck T-shirt look. 
Germany gets the first chance and English goalie David James makes an awkward save that only Flyers goalie Michael Leighton would call smooth. Germany continues their excellent team play and a series of give and go's that lead to an outside foot strike by Miroslav Klose to open the scoring in the 20th minute. More great teamwork and German ball control leads to a 2-0 advantage on Podoski's blast 12 minutes later.
With their backs against the wall England plays its best soccer of the tournament for the remainder of the first half. A great cross by Gerrard on a set piece leads to a pretty header goal by Upson at the 37 minute mark. Rooney continues to drift back to the defensive end, but is unable to break free of the German defense and lose his less than stellar World Cup reputation. The Donaghy like FIFA officiating continues as the officials miss the clear goal by Lampard that would have tied the score 2-2 at halftime. Hopefully this is the blown call that will lead to instant replay as this World Cup has been marred by terrible calls. Goals and disqualifying players are too important to leave to the authority of one on-field offical and a couple of linesman.
The second half opens and with the terrible call still boiling with an English surge expected, but the English team seems to pull back and Germany continues their team play and vertical attack strategy to dominate the ball. The ability to counter attack coupled with the German unselfishness with the ball in the English penalty box leads to two goals by Mueller. The veteran English team realizes their run is over and all English fans realize that a change in attack strategy and a need to develop goalies is a must to compete with the elite teams in the world like Germany.
Argentina vs. Mexico (2:30 p.m.): A Latin American rematch from the 2006 World Cup where extra time was needed to settle the affair. Argentina is coming off an undefeated group stage while a loss to Uruguay has forced Mexico into this draw. Argentina's strategy is fairly simple they are going to attack and feel they have the skill to make every other team chase the game. Meanwhile Mexico wants to counter attack and use the age old hockey strategy of taking away Messi's time and space.
These two teams have two of the best uniforms in soccer, the blue pinstripes of Argentina and the green of Mexico are classic looks. Argentina has more coaches than a little league team and they made a suit makers year with their matching looks for every game. Argentina's Romero continues the tournaments shaky goaltending by almost getting beat from 25 yards at the 8 minute mark. Very few things in sports puts you on the edge of your seat like Messi with the ball and a head of steam. Another continuing theme of the tournament leads to Argentina's first goal as the linesman clearly blows an offsides call and Tevez is the recipient of this gift. To say FIFA has an officiating problem is like saying Ben Roethlisberger has an image problem, but this horrid call gives the all important first goal to Argentina and Mexico does well to keep from going 94' Pacers on the officials. Other than to pipe in Lady Gaga why do the officials where headphones, shouldn't this be the time for the fourth official to tell the on field officials that it was clearly offsides and the goal is disallowed.
Understandably the young Mexican team loses its cool for a couple of minutes and a give away in front of their own net leads to Argentina's second goal, as Maradona continues to jump around on every Argentine goal like the Notre Dame leprechaun. At the 52 minute mark Carlos Tevez shows the skill Manchester City fans know well with an absolute cannon to make it 3-0. The first really skillful goal of the afternoon and a goal that compares to Uruaguay's game winner yesterday from Suarez. Mexico battles back with Hernandez's goal in the 71st minute to show why he is one of the players in this World Cup with the biggest upside.
The game finishes 3-1 and Argentina moves on to face Germany and continue their undefeated World Cup while getting very little from the best player on the planet. Saturday's matchup with Germany will be a very interesting contrast is styles. Terrible officiating lead to Mexico's early deficit and though they were eliminated they have to feel very confident with where this generation of players is poised to take Mexico in future World Cups.
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