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The top four seeds are all leading their respective groups, after winning their opening matches on Thursday, with the exception of the Netherlands which drew against Nigeria.
Besides the matches themselves, football fans will be drawn by the stars that are playing in the competition.
Lionel Messi of Argentina scored one goal and set up another in the first game against Cote d'Ivoire to show why he is a pivotal player for both Argentina's national team and his club, Barcelona.
"He is a fantastic player. Today he had a fast pace on the pitch and performed so well, which gave confidence to the whole team. Especially after so many troubles, all the efforts paid off," said Argentina's head coach Sergio Batista after the match.
Messi's teammate, Sergio Aguero, was also in good shape, though his goal" in the 65th minute was ruled offside.
Ronaldinho, the Brazilian superstar, did not score a goal in the team's first match against Belgium.
Judging from its first match, Brazil will not have an easy time in the tournament.
Belgium was reduced to only nine men, but still managed to hold Brazil to a solitary goal.
Ronaldinho's most distinguished performance came when he dribbled the ball down to the baseline and delivered a defence-splitting cross to Alexandre Pato, who failed to score.
Sebastian Giovinco from Italy was a major highlight of the first round of games.
With a height of 1.64m and a weight of 62kg, the 21-year-old attacking midfielder looks too small to be a modern footballer.
However, his tiny frame has not prevented him from being a powerful midfield engine for Italy.
His opening goal in the 41st minute set the team on the road to a convincing 3-0 victory over Honduras.
"He is a player that can stand out and make a difference in any kind of match. He could be a future Roberto Baggio for Italy," said the head coach of the Honduras, Gilberto Yearwood, after his team's loss to Italy.
Giovinco will be in action again against the Republic of Korea Sunday night in Qinhuangdao.
The other matches will be Australia vs. Argentina, New Zealand vs. Brazil, Nigeria vs. Japan, Belgium vs. China, Serbia vs. Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon vs. Honduras and the United States vs. the Netherlands. |
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