World Cup- Games 1

England 1-2 Italy

Both Jagielka and Baines lined up in England's defence for their opening game, while Barkley came on as a second half sub. Baines received a lot of criticism for being beaten by Cadreva for Italy's winner, but it was ultimately a game where none of the defence, the full backs in particular, were given absolutely no protection from the players in front of them. Jagielka had a more positive impact however, clearing a brilliant chip from Balotelli off the line in the first half. Overall though, England didnt really do enough, and Italy always held them at arm's length. Marchisio gave them the lead in the first half with a long range shot worked from a short corner, but Sturridge equalised almost immediately from Rooney's cross. Italy hit the post and had that shot from Balotelli cleared off the line to keep it level at half time, but Balotelli had the last laugh heading in the winner five minutes into the second half. England play Uruguay, on the end of one of the shocks of the tournament so far when they lost to Costa Rica. Defeat for either side will effectively send them home.

Ghana 1-2 United States of America

One of the most dramatic games of the World Cup so far, Tim Howard started in goal  for the US who took just 31 seconds to take the lead through a lovely goal from Clint Dempsey. The longer the game wore on though, Ghana wasted chance after chance, and it only looked a matter of time, and so it came with less than 10 minutes left through Ayew. And while Ghana looked the more likely to then carry on that momentum and grab a winner, USA won a corner chasing a lost cause, and 21 year old defender John Brooks headed in an emotional 86th minute winner. Given the circumstances, a famous win for the US, and likely to be one of their more memorable World Cup results. The States can qualify for the next round if they beat Portugal in their next game on Sunday if Germany and Ghana's result goes in their favour earlier in the day.

Belgium 2-1 Algeria

Belgium also got off to a winning start, though it was anything but the easy win a lot expected. They indirectly relied on some Everton influence too! Kevin Mirallas played no part as an unused sub, and Romelu Lukaku endured a frustrating game before being replaced with Belgium trailing thanks to a first half penalty put away by Sofiane Feghouli. And Algeria looked comfortable with their lead as Belgium toiled. At last though it was a couple of subs who turned it around, first thanks to who else but Marouane Fellaini, heading in his first goal in 10 months, since his winner for us against Stevenage, with 20 minutes to go. And 10 minutes later, fellow sub Dries Mertens smashed in a winner. Belgium play Russia, who play South Korea tonight, on Sunday in their next game.