World Cup Matchday 6: Chance to Advance for England and Germany

Ecuador (Group A) and England (Group B) are both in strong positions after their opening game victories, and will be looking to press home their advantage against Costa Rica and Trinidad and Tobago respectively. Sweden and Paraguay, for their part, face off with both sides needing a positive result after a shaky start to their 2006 FIFA World Cup campaigns.

Today could see the first teams secure advancement to the round of 16. A victory for Ecuador would send both them and hosts Germany through, and England would advance with a win today as well. Paraguay, meanwhile, would be eliminated if both England and Sweden win.

Ecuador - Costa Rica, 15:00 (CET), Hamburg, Group A. Having pulled off possibly the biggest surprise of the first round of group matches by beating European side Poland, Luis Suarez’s men are already ideally placed to book their ticket to the last sixteen. Their Central American opponents will need to summon all their mental strength if they wish to bounce back from their 4-2 opening day drubbing at the hands of Germany.

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England - Trinidad and Tobago, 18:00, Nuremberg, Group B. With three points safely in the bag from their hard-fought opening victory over Paraguay, Sven Goran Eriksson’s men are already well on the way to securing their spot in the second round. After his heroics against Sweden, T&T goalkeeper Shaka Hislop will need to do it all over again against the 1966 world champions. Contrary to pre-tournament expectations, the Soca Warriors’ have proved that they are not just in Germany to make up the numbers.

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Sweden - Paraguay, 21:00, Berlin, Group B. Having been undone by Carlos Gamarra’s own goal (the fastest in FIFA World Cup history) against England, the Albirroja will be desperate for a win to get their campaign back on track. The Scandinavians are in a similar position after being held to a 0-0 draw by tournament debut boys Trinidad and Tobago.

BET on Sweden vs Paraguay HERE!

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