Rankings all the teams at the World Cup 1-32 based on performances so far
1. Argentina - still all sorts of questions at the back, but have only conceded one goal so far while dismantling South Korea and Nigeria
2. Brazil - still the most talented team and probably the favorite to win, the defensive lapses allowing late goals in both games is a bit of concern
3. Netherlands - Haven't really gotten it going but have gotten two wins. If this team improves its form throughout the tourney, my pick to win has a really good chance
4. Chile - against both Switzerland and Honduras, the Chileans had the two most dominating 1-0 wins anyone will ever see. Neither team seemed to belong on the pitch with the Chileans
5. Spain - Here is the proof of this tourney's mediocrity. I am rewarding Spain's possession and acknowledging their dominance earlier today in the easy win over Honduras. Nobody has really had better results and the Swiss were incredibly lucky.
6. Denmark - Yes, I know the Danes lost 2-0 to the Dutch, but the attacking display they put on against Cameroon was stunning and the loss to the Dutch isn't really punishable in these rankings considering I picked the Netherlands to win the whole tournament
7. Ghana - No they haven't been impressive and should have gotten more than a draw against 10-man Australia, but they are atop a difficuklt group with one game to play. Results do matter here.
8. South Korea - The first game against Greece was a clinic. The second against Argentina was a clinic against them, but they showed well until the avalanche at the end.
9. United States - The US is getting a bump up for the terrible call that went against them, but they have played smart, strong soccer, at least in the second half of both matches, which is more than can be said of most teams.
10. Paraguay - Had a beautiful set piece goal against Italy and dominated Slovakia. With only New Zealand left, passage to round two seems assured
11. Portugal - One awful 0-0 draw and a destruction of a team leave many thinking Portugal is on track. I beg to differ though they will be progressing to round two barring a catastrophe.
12. Germany - Ranked higher than their results dictate because the result against Serbia was a loss because of bad refereeing. They might now make it out of round one despite being the best team in the group.
13. Uruguay - Considering they won a match 3-0 they probably should be higher, but 0-0 against France in the state they are in leaves them ranked here.
14. Mexico - The Mexicans have been fine in the tourney but a 1-1 draw against host minnow South Africa is concerning, espcially the lack of detail defensively late in that game.
15. Slovenia - Lucky to have not blown a two goal lead against completely against the United States, Slovenia needs just a draw to advance
16. Serbia - Beaten by Ghana and lucky against Germany, Serbia still is in good shape. Just win against Australia and go through to round two
17. Japan - An upset of Cameroon was nice, but a 1-1 goal differential after two matches is throughly average and boring
18. Greece - Terrible against South Korea and better against Nigeria, the Greeks are still in huge trouble: Argentina is next
19. Switzerland - Yes they beat Spain, but they looked awful against Chile and basically didn't want to have the ball against Spain. This ranking is as much about their negative football as it is their form
20. England - Pretty much awful since Gerrard's goal early against the USA. They are not in full meltdown mode like their French neighbors, but the tabloids will be fun to read if they fail to advance
21. Australia - Unfortunate victims of two red cards thus far, they need lots of help to advance because of the shoddy goal differential from the 4-0 beating at the hands of Germany.
22. Slovakia - The Swiss with less defense and no big upset to prop them up
23. Ivory Coast - Unlucky. Probably going out of the tourney no matter what unless they can score at least 6 against North Korea
24. Algeria - Awful offensively, but a goalkeeping howler away from total control of own destiny. Likely needs at least one goal against the attack happy United States
25. Italy - Old and tired, read my last post and it will explain everything
26. New Zealand - No talent but still a couple of 1-1 draws. At least entertaining on the way out of the tourney
27. Nigeria - Somehow still have a chance to get out of their group despite playing terrible football all tourney long.
28. South Africa - The hosts just don't have the offensive horses. Probably will get a win against France though to save face.
29. Honduras - No real chance to get out of the group, but the Swiss do offer a chance at a win.
30. Cameroon - Out of the tourney in a rash of awful defending. While the attack was strong and a victory would have been taken with better finishing, really should have lost to Denmark by a score of 8-6. Yes, the defense really was that bad
31. North Korea - Great showing against Brazil keeps North Koreans out of the cellar despite 7-0 thrashing at the hands of Portugal
32. France - really who else could it be. This is exhibit A in bad team chemistry, selfishness and bad coaching in soccer for generations to come. I'm rooting for them to somehow go through only so the entertaining infighting can continue
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