What was the biggest upset of the tournament so far?

ManInBlack – With all respect to the Swiss upset of Spain, which I’m sure one of my colleagues will pick as their choice, I have to go with Serbia’s upset of Germany in early 2nd round play.  Germany looked like the most dominant team in the Cup in dismantling Australia just five days earlier.  Yes, the Germans were down a man, but for the Serbians, who lost 1-0 to Ghana, to pull the upset in this match was unthinkable.  And then, it wasn’t.  Impressive win for the Serbs and in my mind, the biggest upset of the tournament so far.

Sharkey- Here’s the thing; Ghana beating Serbia was a bigger upset than Serbia beating Germany, at least in my mind.  Before the World Cup began, I picked Serbia to win Group D. I’ll admit, after Germany crushed Australia last week, I didn’t think Serbia was the best team in the Group any more, but it doesn’t shock me that Serbia bounced back to beat Germany.

Spain/Switzerland was a shocker, for sure.  I think Algeria earning the draw against England was actually the biggest upset, in my mind.  If you said the Swiss would beat Spain, I wouldn’t have believed you, but in my mind I could have drawn up the scenario to make that happen.  Never, though, could I have drawn up a scenario that didn’t involve England beating Algeria by 3 or 4 goals.

What was the biggest shocker of the tournament so far?

MIB – I think I’d have to go with Brazil and North Korea being tied 0-0 at halftime.  I thought that game would be a laugher and honestly expected a 2-goal or more Brazil lead at half.  For the North Koreans to keep Brazil to zero at the half, and only 2 goals in a 2-1 victory was a pretty amazing thing to see.

Sharkey- This goes right along with my biggest upset.  I’m shocked that England has 2 points and 1 goal scored through 2 matches.  Absolutely shocked.  It is now very easy to envision the English not even advancing out of group play.  Forget Brazil playing listless, forget New Zealand’s miracle run; hell, forget Spain’s loss to the Swiss.  This performance by the motherland is absolutely shocking.

Which team has looked the most dominant?

MIB – Before Friday, I would have said Germany.  But I’ll have to go with Argentina.  They’re the only team to win their first 2 games thus far (as of Friday evening, when this was written), and they’ve scored more goals than anyone else in doing so.  While they haven’t played the hardest opponents, they have looked like a team to be reckoned with.

Sharkey- Of all the teams that have played two games (as of Friday evening), I have to agree right now you can’t choose anybody but Argentina.  But, my sleeper team of the tournament is coming on strong.  Of course, I’m talking about Mexico.  The Mexicans were faced with the unfortunate draw of going up against host South Africa in the opening match.  Sure, South Africa is no power, but no host nation has ever lost a World Cup opener… ever.  Considering the odds they were up against, Mexico played as well as could be expected, and then looked great against the French on Thursday.  Giovani Dos Santos is turning into a star in front of the worlds eyes, and Mexico’s stock will rise even higher after they beat Uruguay on Tuesday.

MIB – As a quick sidenote, I just want to say that its not as fun when our big  dark horse pick is the same team.  There’s no “I told you so” when they win.  We both thought Mexico was going to do some damage, and it looks like they just may.

Which team has looked the worst?

MIB – While Sharkey will most likely go with Greece, there is a team out there that has looked so pathetic, so slow, and so putrid that they have made the Greeks look like Gods.  That team is France.  They are the highest-ranked team in their group, yet have yet to score a single goal in two games.  If Uruguay weren’t so flat-footed in their match against the French, France would be without a point.  As it is, a 0-0 tie is good for one point, even if a single ball didn’t find the back of the net.  I fully expected France to keep up in the group (although I thought Mexico would win it), but so far they’re lagging behind so far, it would be a near-miracle if they advanced out of group play.

Sharkey- Greece’s first match was still the worst performance of any team in the World Cup.  While I’d like to give England the honor of looking the worst, the fact remains they still look capable of beating France and Nigeria, two teams that look as if they don’t belong at all.  France finds a way to lose again, I’m afraid, as I’m going to have to choose Nigeria as the worst looking team of the tournament thusfar.  Uninspired play all around, they’re lucky to only have a goal differential of -2 after 2 matches.  Look for South Korea to smoke them in the final group match.