Serbia 1, Germany 0
Serbia bounced 10-man Germany in a game marred by a litter of questionable first-half bookings by Spanish referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco. One of La Liga's worst officials, he sent German striker Miroslav Klose off for a second allegedly-bookable offense on 34 minutes. Serbia scored the game's only goal almost immediately thereafter when Milan Jovanovic was left totally unmarked to take two touches off Nikola Zigic's header from four yards out.
Lukas Podolski blew a chance for Germany to equalize from the penalty spot on 60 minutes when Serbian goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic easily slid left to save the kick. The ref awarded the spot kick after Nemadnja Vidic foolishly handled the ball inside his own area—the second game running where a Serb has jumped in the air with an outstretched arm as the ball travelled away from goal.
Eight yellows and the red in all, but only Klose misses the group stage finale through suspension. I doubt the Spanish official will get another game in the middle of the pitch: for all the cards flashed, I didn't see a single vicious piece of play.
USA 2, Slovenia 2
Two second-half goals from the United States meant that a furious fight-back from the Americans would see the honours even in what's been the match of the tournament so far. Left for dead at halftime, the Americans will now fancy their chances of progressing to the knockout stage.
Valter Birsa put the Slovenians ahead on 13 minutes with a swerving blast from 25 yards, but the Americans settled and started to take over the play. Zlatan Ljubjankic made it 2-0 just before halftime and that goal came rather against the run of play. Landon Donovan pulled a goal back just after halftime as a defender misplayed the ball to allow Donovan to roof the ball from a sharp angle. Michael Bradley's well timed slide finished the scoring with eight minutes to go.
The Americans thought they scored the winner with a couple minutes left but a phantom whistle denied Maurice Edu's volley. The whistle seems to have gone before Edu struck the ball, but as to why, well I've no idea. Nobody could get an answer out of the ref, and I doubt any will be forthcoming. Where FIFA finds these officials, who knows, but hockey and basketball rarely have better luck.
Robbie Findley picked up a second yellow card in two games. Subbed off at halftime, he'll be unavailable to play Algeria. The Slovenians picked up a cluster of yellow cards near the 70 minute mark, but will not lose anyone to suspension for their Group C finale against England.
England 0, Algeria 0
England and Algeria played out a boring scoreless draw. It was a match where neither team had any spark. Fans who bought tickets should be offered refunds.
England started incredibly slowly but Algeria started with five defenders at the back and couldn't capitalize. England came into the game by the half-hour mark and dominated until the break, but couldn't break through either. Each team made a goalkeeper switch to start this game, and both David James of England and Rais M'Bohli of Algeria were happy to mostly get easy touches in the first 45 minutes.
The second half was more of the same. Jamie Carragher picked up a second yellow in two matches and will miss England's group stage finale vs. Slovenia.
Gareth Barry got the start in midfield for England having not played a competitive match in months as he fought an ankle injury. He hit two half-decent corners but otherwise looked extremely rusty.
The last 10 minutes saw both Karim Ziani and Hassan Yebda hobble off for Algeria under their own power. Their status for the finale with the USA remains to be seen.
Injury News
Ghana have injuries as centre-back for Saturday's game against Australia. Isaac Vorsah is out, and John Mensah will be a game-day decision.
Phillippe Senderos of Switzerland has been ruled out of his side's last two group matches with an ankle injury. The Swiss should progress, but I think his tournament is likely over.