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Best team performance

Argentina. A virtuoso display of passing football from the South Americans against a team that people fancied as dark horses before the competition. It will take something to stop them if they continue to play like this.

Best individual performance

Petr Cech. As if we didn't already know he was the best keeper in the World Cup, the Czech Republic stopper confirmed it with a series of saves from point-blank range against Ghana. In a group where goal-difference could be crucial he saved his team from humiliation.

Best Game

U.S. 1 Italy 1. Two goals, three sendings-off and a surprise point for the Americans. For incident and drama this game could not be rivaled. The red cards opened up the play and we saw some good football and a real scrap to the final whistle.

Best Goal

In any other week Kone's zig-zagging run and strike from distance for the Ivory Coast against Holland would have had this category locked down.

But you will struggle to find a better goal all tournament than Argentina's second against Serbia. A 24-pass move involving every player on the team ending with a stylish back heel from Crespo before being slammed into the roof of the net by Cambiassio. Perfect.

Biggest Flop

France. Everyone's talking about Brazil and England as big-time flops but both have six points and are safely in the second round. No such security for France, who has two points, have been pitiful in their opening encounters and are in serious danger of another early exit.

Best Coaching Decision

U.S. coach Bruce Arena took the unusual step of calling out his players and even naming individuals for poor performances against the Czech Republic. It worked with a much improved display against Italy, particularly from Landon Donavon - one of those highlighted for his poor display in the opener.

Most entertaining team

Ghana. The Africans showed what football is all about. They played the ball around with flair and panache, opening up the Czechs at will.

With some better finishing, a little more luck and some basic awareness of the off-side rule they would have hammered a very good Czech side by six or seven goals.

Least entertaining team

Still England. If their first performance against Paraguay was dull, the second against Trinidad & Tobago was painful. Rooney and Lennon made a difference but for the most part it was route one. Effective in places but far from inspiring.[[In-content Ad]]

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