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In the later matches of the day Group D was decided. Germany beat Ghana 1-0, while Australia defeated Serbia 2-1. Although Australia won they still were sent home due to goal differential. Germany won Group D and will face England in the round of 16 and with Ghana taking second place they will take on the Americans.

The U.S. will have their hands full with a fast and physical Ghana team. The Americans will surely be out for a little revenge as Ghana sent them home in the 2006 World Cup in Germany. The Germany England match-up will also be a great game to watch. With everyone still wondering about how good England really is, this should be a great opportunity to see how they match up against one of the stronger teams in the tournament.

Check out David Matthew’s culturally insensitive World Cup goal round up at Deadspin.com to see highlights of the goals. The music he adds is HILARIOUS!!- Your Culturally Insensitive World Cup Round Up For June 23

In the first match of the day Slovenia defeated Algeria 1-0 to go on top of Group C.  Slovenia received a gift goal in the 79th minute when Robert Koren’s shot was misplaced by goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi of Algeria.  Algeria went down to 10 men in the 73rd minute but did not have enough to break through Slovenia’s defense.

Both teams played with a ton of effort and will give England and the U.S. all they can handle in the Group stage.

Here is the AP article from ESPN.com with full highlights-Koren’s late score lifts Slovenia to first World Cup victory

In the second match Ghana defeated Serbia 1-0 after Asamoah Gian converted on a penalty kick in the 84th minute.  Ghana looked very well prepared to face a strong Serbian team filled with stars.  If Ghana stay in this form they will be a force for the rest of the competition.  Gian was the MVP of the match with a few near misses also.

Here is the AP article from ESPN.com with full highlights-Ghana’s Gyan converts penalty kick near end to edge Serbia

In the third match of the day Germany destroyed Australia 4-0.  Lucas Podolski, Miroslav Klose, Thomas Muller and Cacau each scored a goal in the win.   Germany dismantled the Australian defense throughout the entire match creating chance after chance.  Australia should consider themselves lucky to only lose 4-0 with Germany missing some easy goal scoring opportunities. The Germans look like the most complete team in the tournament so far with attacking options all over the pitch.

Here is the AP article from ESPN.com with full highlights-Germany’s 4 goals pile on Australia defense

Germany will be missing a key piece in the midfield as Michael Ballack has been ruled out with an ankle injury.  The German captain was injured this past weekend in the FA Cup Final.  Ballack was diagnosed with a torn medial collateral ligament in his right ankle.

The challenge that will keep Ballack out of the cup came from Portsmouth’s Kevin-Prince Boateng who is coincidentally on Ghana.  Ghana will face off with Germany next month in group play.  It was a harsh tackle and should have drawn a straight red card.

Germany will now have to look for a new anchor in the center of the pitch.  Ballack’s presence on and off the field will take a huge toll on the German squad.

We look for the match between Germany and Ghana to be a testy encounter with Germany looking to get revenge for losing their star player.

Germany has reported that star goalkeeper Robert Enke was killed late Tuesday night in Hannover.  Early reports from police are finding that Enke’s death will be ruled a suicide.  The train crossing where Enke was killed is not far from his home in Hannover.

Enke was almost surely guaranteed a place on Germany’s squad for next summers World Cup.  He was a member of Hannover 96 in the German Bundesliga.  This is terrible news to hear for all soccer fans around the globe.  We will have more information as details are released.