World Cup today
A look at Day 13 of the 2006 World Cup on Wednesday:
Results
“Portugal 2, Mexico 1
“Iran 1, Angola 1
“Netherlands 0, Argentina 0
“Ivory Coast 3, Serbia-Montenegro 2
Highlights
“Mexico claimed the only spot in the second round that was still up for grabs in Wednesday’s games. Portugal beat Mexico to win Group D, but Mexico advanced because Angola settled for a tie with Iran. Angola finished third in the group in its first World Cup appearance, while Iran was last.
“Argentina took the top spot in Group C following a tie against the Netherlands. Both the Dutch and Argentines finished with 2-0-1 records, but Argentina had a superior goal difference, thanks to its 6-0 thrashing of Serbia-Montenegro earlier in the tournament.
“Ivory Coast earned its first World Cup win, topping Serbia-Montenegro thanks to two goals on penalty kicks. Both penalty kicks were given because of handballs by Milan Dudic. It was the first comeback from two goals down to get a point in this tournament. The last was Uruguay, which trailed 3-0 to Senegal in the last group stage match in 2002, then rallied for a 3-3 tie.
Stars
“Aruna Dindane, Ivory Coast, scored twice, including one penalty kick, to help the Elephants to a win over Serbia-Montenegro.
“Flavio, Angola, scored his nation’s first goal in World Cup play on a header to give the Black Antelopes the lead against Iran.
In and out
Mexico, Sweden, Spain, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, the Netherlands, Ecuador, Germany and England have clinched spots in the second round.
Angola, Trinidad and Tobago, Togo, Iran, Ivory Coast, Serbia-Montenegro, Poland, Costa Rica and Paraguay have been eliminated.
History
Referees Lubos Michel of Slovakia and Marco Rodriguez of Mexico each issued nine yellow cards in their matches.
The record for most yellow cards in a World Cup match is 11, set in a first-round game in 2002 between Cameroon and Germany.
Goal of the day
Angola’s only goal of the tournament came in the 60th minute. Ze Kalanga ran down the right wing. Just as a defender approached, he sent a right-footed cross from about 30 yards. The long cross soared over the head of Iran defender Hossein Kaabi and went directly to Flavio, who headed the ball from about 10 yards, sending it high into the net.