Germany v England

• England have only won six of their last 20 meetings with Germany, losing ten and drawing four.
• All four World Cup games between England and Germany were drawn after 90 minutes.
• Neither England nor Germany have ever lost a Round of 16 match at the World Cup finals.
• The last two knockout games between these two sides at major tournaments have ended in penalty shootout wins in the semi-final for Germany (1990 World Cup and Euro 1996).

Germany related stats:

• Germany have only drawn one of their last 15 World Cup games keeping nine clean sheets in the process.
• Germany have failed to convert just three out of 30 World Cup penalties (incl. shootouts), with Lukas Podolski's miss against Serbia the Germans' first spot-kick failure in 18 attempts.
• Miroslav Klose returns from suspension for this game.

England related stats:

• 14 of Englands 15 wins at the World Cup finals came when they kept a clean sheet.
• The last time England won a World Cup game when the opponent opened the scoring was the 1966 World Cup final against Germany.
• Jermain Defoe's goal against Slovenia was one of only two scored by English strikers in the 2006 and 2010 World Cup (so far).
• England, have missed three of their last four spot-kicks (all shootout) in the World Cup, whilst since 1966, they have netted 12 out of 19 spot-kicks.

Argentina v Mexico

• Mexico have only won four of their previous 25 meetings with Argentina, losing 11 and drawing 10.
• These sides met in the 2nd Round of the last World Cup. Argentina won 2-1 AET courtesy of a Maxi Rodriguez wonder strike eight minutes into the first half of extra time.

Argentina related stats:

• Argentina have failed to score with three of their last five penalties at World Cup finals.
• Argentina have won their last eight internationals, their best run since 1998.
• Argentina are undefeated in 9 World Cup games. Their longest ever spell without losing at the World Cup finals.

Mexico related stats:

• Mexico have conceded inside the first ten minutes in three of their last four Round of 16 matches at the World Cup.
• If they play against Argentina, Rafael Marquez and Cuauhtemoc Blanco will beat Antonio Carbajal's all-time record of 11 World Cup appearances for Mexico.
• Mexico have won just one of their 10 World Cup encounters against South American opposition, losing seven of these matches.
• Mexico have been eliminated in the second round in their last four World Cup finals appearances

Slovenia v England

• The only previous encounter between these two sides was a friendly game in Wembley in September 2009, England won 2-1.

Slovenia related stats:

• A draw would guarantee qualification to the knock-out stage for Slovenia.
• Slovenia have lost just one of their last nine international games since losing 2-1 to England in a friendly in September 2009, winning seven of these matches.
• After losing all three of their group games in their only previous World Cup (2006), Slovenia are unbeaten in this campaign (a win against Algeria and a draw against the USA).

England related stats:

• If England win they will secure a place in the last 16 of this World Cup.
• England have drawn 0-0 in 10 World Cup matches, more than any other side.
• England have failed to win any of their last five first round matches against a fellow European side.
• In the 1990 World Cup England reached the semi-finals unbeaten after sharing the points in their first two group fixtures (1-1 & 0-0).
• England drew their final group match in both 2002 and 2006.
• England have won six of their last eight ‘final’ first round group matches.
• Wayne Rooney has failed to find the back of the net in over 10 hours of action for England.

USA v Algeria

• A win in this game would secure qualification for the winning side should England fail to win against Slovenia.

USA related stats:

• USA could make it past the first round for the fourth time in their history.
• The United States have won their last two matches against African opposition, keeping a clean sheet in the process.
• The 2-2 draw against Slovenia was the first time that the USA had come back from a two goal deficit at a World Cup.
• The USA are winless in their last seven group stage games in World Cup finals (four draws, including the two of this campaign, and three defeats).
• The USA have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 18 first round matches, since their 1-0 win over England back in 1950.
• The United States have lost their final group match in their last six participations in the World Cup.

Algeria related stats:

• If Algeria win (and England fail) it would be Algeria’s first qualification to the knockout stage of a World Cup.
• Algeria lost both of their only two previous matches against CONCACAF opposition, failing to score in the process.
• Algeria have failed to score a single goal in their last four World Cup matches.
• Their goalless draw against England in round two ended a run of three consecutive defeats for the African side in World Cup finals.

Australia v Serbia

• No Previous Meetings

Australia related stats:

• Australia have had four players sent off in their three World Cup participations.
• Australia are without a win in their last five games at the World Cup finals (two draws and three defeats).
• Australia have never won in five games against European sides in the World Cup, and have lost four of these without scoring a single goal.
• Australia have not kept a clean sheet in their last six games in the World Cup.
• Australia have drawn their final group match in their two previous World Cup tournaments (0-0 v Chile in 1974 and 2-2 v Croatia in 2006).

Serbia related stats:

• Serbia have conceded a penalty for handling the ball in both of their matches at the 2010 World Cup.
• Serbia have kept a clean sheet in six of their last 10 internationals.
• Against Germany, Serbia won their first match at the World Cup finals following a run of four consecutive defeats.
• Serbia have lost all three games against non-European sides at the World Cup, conceding 10 goals in the process.
• All three of Serbia’s goals at the World cup finals have been scored in the first half.

Ghana v Germany

• The only previous encounter between these two sides was won 6-1 by Germany in 1993.

Ghana related stats:

• Ghana could become only the second African team to reach the knockout stages in two consecutive World Cups. Nigeria were the first team to achieve that feat in 1998.
• Ghana have won their last two games against European sides at the World Cup finals, without conceding a goal.
• The last three goals scored by Ghana in the World Cup have all come from the penalty spot.

Germany related stats:

• Germany have not lost against an African side since 1982 (1-2 v Algeria in the World Cup).
• Against Serbia, Germany lost their first World Cup group game in 24 years. In the preliminary stages of the 1986 World Cup they were beaten 2-0 by Denmark.
• The last time Germany lost two consecutive games at the World Cup finals was between the 1978 and 1982 World Cups.
• Germany have won all of their last 11 games against a non-European or South American side at the World Cup finals, keeping a clean sheet in five of the last six of these.
• Germany have won their final group matches in the last four World Cup tournaments, without conceding a single goal in the last three.

Argentina v South Korea

• Argentina have won both of their encounters against South Korea, including a 3-1 victory during the 1986 World Cup first round.
• The two coaches are no strangers to each other having featured in their teams' meeting above.
• Argentina are 41 places higher than South Korea in the FIFA World Ranking.

Argentina related stats:

• Argentina are now unbeaten in their last seven finals games, winning four and drawing two.
• Three of Argentina's last four goals in World Cup finals have come from corners.
• Argentina's six strikers have scored 170 club goals in the past 12 months.
• The Argentines have yet to draw a game under Diego Maradona. They have won 15 of 20 games since he took charge.

South Korea related stats:

• South Korea finished fourth on home soil eight years ago which remains the best-ever result by an Asian team on the world stage.
• The South Koreans have yet to beat a team from the American continent in the World Cup (three defeats and two draws).
• South Korea have never qualified to the knockout stage of a World Cup played abroad.
• South Korea's clean sheet in their opening game against Greece was their first in their last six World Cup finals games.
• In only two of South Korea's 24 World Cup final games has a goal come before the 25th minute, with the second coming against Greece in the opening game (7th minute).

Greece v Nigeria

• Both encounters between these two sides have ended 2-0, once in Nigeria’s favour (1994 World Cup), and once in Greece's.
• Spain have never failed to score against Switzerland.

Greece related stats:

• Greece have still failed to score a goal in the World Cup, conceding a total of 12 goals in their four finals games so far.
• The Greeks have yet to win a game in 2010. Their last victory was against Ukraine in November in a World Cup play-off second leg.
• Greece have conceded in the 7th minute or earlier in three of their four World Cup finals matches.
• The Greeks have conceded exactly two goals in each of their last four games (in all competitions), losing three of those matches 2-0.
• If Greece fail to score against Nigeria, they will equal the all time record of most consecutive games without scoring in World Cup history (five, held by Bolivia).

Nigeria related stats:

• Nigeria are the only team at the 2010 World Cup with every member of their squad playing in a foreign club.
• Nigeria qualified for the World Cup unbeaten.
• The four wins managed by Nigeria in the World Cup have been against European sides.
• Nigeria are now without a win in their last six finals games, losing five, drawing one and failing to find the net in three of those games.

France v Mexico

• France are unbeaten against Mexico, winning five times and drawing once, three of those meetings coming at World Cup finals.
• The last goal Mexico scored against France was in the 1966 World Cup.
• Their most recent meeting was a 1-0 friendly win for France in May 2006.

France related stats:

• France are unbeaten in their last eight finals games, although they have drawn half of those matches.
• France have won just one of their last seven group matches at the World Cup.

Mexico related stats:

• Mexico have made it to the knockout stage in their previous five World Cup participations.
• Mexico have never won a World Cup match against any of the seven countries that have won the competition (11 defeats and five draws).
• Mexico have scored at least one goal in each of their last nine World Cup games against European sides.
• Mexico are bidding to improve on a record of just one win from their encounters with European nations at the finals.
• Mexico have managed just one win in their last seven finals games.

Chile v Honduras

• The sides have met in five friendlies to date, with Chile winning three.
• However the Hondurans have won two of the last three encounters, including a 2-0 victory in January 2009.
• Honduras have scored in all five matches against Chile.
• Sides from South America have met sides from Central America 16 times in World Cup finals, winning 13 and losing just once.

Chile related stats:

• In 1998, their last appearance at a World Cup finals tournament, Chile made it to the second round by virtue of three group stage draws.
• Chile are without a win in 13 World Cup finals games since their victory to claim third place against Yugoslavia in 1962.
• Chile finished second in qualifying behind Brazil.
• Chile won 16 of their 33 qualifying points away from Santiago.
• The Chileans ended the group as the second-highest scorers with 32 goals, including ten from top marksman Humberto Suazo.
• Chile have only failed to score once in their last 14 games (a 1-0 defeat to Mexico).

Honduras related stats:

• Honduras have never won a World Cup match.  This is their second World Cup. In 1982 they drew their first two matches 1-1 before losing the third 1-0.
• Honduras finished third in qulaifying behind USA and Mexico.
• Honduras have failed to win in their last 5 matches.  Scoring only 2 goals, which both came in a 2-2 draw v Belarus.

Spain v Switzerland

• Spain have met Switzerland 18 times and have never lost, winning 15 times and drawing 3.
• This impressive record includes World Cup victories in 1966 and 1994 (their last meeting).
• Spain have never failed to score against Switzerland.

Spain related stats:

• Spain have won all three group stage matches at both of the last two World Cups.
• Despite this, only once (in 1950) have the Spaniards made it to the last four of the competition.
• Spain have averaged 3.3 goals per game in their last seven group stage World Cup matches.
• Del Bosque has won 23 out of 24 as manager.  The only failure is was to the USA in the semi final of the Confederations Cup 2009.
• Spain recorded ten wins from ten South Africa 2010 qualifiers.
• David Villa hit seven goals in his seven appearances for Spain during qualifying. By comparison Fernando Torres failed to score in his seven appearances.

Switzerland related stats:

• In 2006, Switzerland became the first side to exit a World Cup finals tournament without conceding a single goal.
• Prior to that tournament, the Swiss had never kept a clean sheet in 22 World Cup finals matches.
• Switzerland have failed to score in five of their last seven World Cup finals games against European sides.
• Ottmar Hitzfeld is one of only two men to guide two different clubs to UEFA Champions League glory (Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich).
• Alexander Frei got 5 of Switzerland's 18 goals in qualification.

South Africa v Uruguay

• Uruguay are unbeaten in their two international encounters against South Africa: a 4-3 win in the 1997 Confederation Cup and a 0-0 draw in a 2007 friendly encounter.

South Africa related stats:

• Never in the history of the World Cup has a host been eliminated in the first round.
• South Africa were eliminated in the first round in their last two World Cup participations.
• South Africa have won just two of their 13 encounters against South American opposition.
• South Africa have failed to score in six of their 13 games against South American teams.
• Four of South Africa's last six World Cup finals games have been draws.

Uruguay related stats:

• Uruguay's only World Cup encounter against an African team was in 2002, drawing 3-3 with Senegal.
• Uruguay qualified to the knockout stage the last time they were managed by Oscar Tabarez at a World Cup (1990).
• Uruguay have drawn their last three World Cup finals games.
• Uruguay have also managed just one win in their last 17 finals matches.

New Zealand v Slovakia

• This will be the first meeting between the two sides.

New Zealand:

• Coach Ricki Herbert is set to claim the rare honour of featuring at the World Cup as a player and as a coach in the nation’s only two World Cup appearances.
• Only previous World Cup appearance saw them lose all three games in 1982 by at least three goals.
• They conceded a total of 12 goals in this tournament.
• New Zealand played three games in South Africa in the 2009 Confederations Cup, failing to score in each of these.
• In competitions outside Oceania, New Zealand's record stands at 11 defeats and one draw, with four goals scored and 36 conceded.
• Shane Smeltz hit eight goals in seven appearances for the Kiwis on the road to South Africa.

Slovakia related stats:

• Slovakia are competing in their first-ever World Cup finals tournament.
• Slovakia have only been behind in 1 game out of their last 15 at half time.
• Stanislav Sestak was Slovakia's top scorer during qualifying, bagging six goals in six appearances.

Ivory Coast v Portugal

• This will be the first meeting between the sides.

Ivory Coast related stats:

• The Ivory Coast's only previous World Cup appearance, in 2006, saw them lose two and win one.
• They conceded exactly two goals in each match in this tournament.
• Didier Drogba hit six goals in five appearances during qualifying.
• With two goals in the 2006 finals, Aruna Dindane is Ivory Coast's top World Cup goalscorer.
• They have scored a goal in every World Cup match they have competed.
• Ivory Coast conceded early goals in all three of their 2006 matches, all six of their goals conceded were before the 40th minute.

Portugal related stats:

• Portugal have never drawn a group game at the World Cup, winning eight and losing four.
• During qualification for South Africa, Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score a single goal in seven appearances.
• Simao scored four goals in six starts for the Portuguese in their qualifying group.
• Only conceded 2 goals in their last 10 qualifying games.

Brazil v North Korea

• This is the first meeting between the two sides.

Brazil related stats:

• Brazil are preparing to contest their 19th consecutive World Cup finals. They are the only country to have taken part in every edition of the global showpiece.
• They are also the only country to have won the title five times: amassing a total of 64 victories, 14 draws and 14 defeats in 92 games played.
• Brazil are the only team to have won the World Cup outside their own continent (Sweden 1958 and Japan & South Korea 2002).
• The 1-0 defeat against France in the 2006 quarter-final ended a run of 11 straight wins for Brazil in the World Cup, the longest sequence of consecutive wins at the tournament.
• The Brazilians have kept seven clean sheets in their last 11 World Cup games.
• Brazil have never been defeated at a World Cup finals by a side outside Europe or South America.
• Brazil have won all 15 World Cup meetings with sides not from Europe or South America, keeping 13 clean sheets.
• Luis Fabiano bagged nine goals in nine starts for Brazil during qualification.
• Brazil have met an Asian side in the first round of the last two World Cups, beating China 4-0 in 2002 and Japan 4-1 in 2006.

North Korea related stats:

• North Korea reached the last eight in their last and only previous appearance at the finals of a World Cup (1966).
• To reach South Arica, North Korea went through a gruelling qualifying campaign spanning 20 months and 16 games.
• Jong-Chol Min was North Korea's joint-top scorer during qualifying, bagging four goals despite playing only two games.

Netherlands v Denmark

• Five of the last six meetings between the Netherlands and Denmark have ended in a draw.
• The sides have met four times in competitive matches, with the Dutch winning twice, Denmark once, as well as one draw in which the Danes prevailed on penalties (Euro 1992 semi-final).
• Denmark have won none of their last seven meetings with the Netherlands in normal time.

Netherlands related stats:

• Netherlands have lost only one of their last 12 group stage matches at World Cup finals.
• In the 2006 World Cup, the Netherlands four matches produced only five goals in total.
• The Netherlands come into this game unbeaten in their last 19 games.
• It was a full house for the Netherlands as they picked up eight wins from eight games in qualifying.
• Also during qualifying the Netherlands ‘Won To Nil’ in six of those eight winning games.
• In their last 4 warm up games the Netherlands have scored 14 goals and conceded 4 against (Hungary 6-1, Ghana 4-1, Mexico 2-1 & USA 2-1).

Denmark related stats:

• Only once have the Danes failed to score in a World Cup match (out of 13 games).
• Denmark have won each of their three previous opening matches at FIFA World Cups.
• The Danes have progressed past the group stage on each of their previous three World Cup appearances (1986, 1998 and 2002).
• Denmark have never drawn a match against European opposition at the World Cup. Six previous encounters have ended in three wins and three defeats.
• The Danes saw off big-name rivals Portugal and Sweden in European qualifying Group 1 to top the group with just one defeat in their ten matches.

Japan v Cameroon

• Japan are unbeaten in three meetings with Cameroon, winning twice.
• Cameroon have never scored against Japan.

Japan related stats:

• Japan's only previous World Cup meeting with an African side saw them win 2-0 against Tunisia in 2002.
• Japan have won 8 of their last 11 against Africans.
• Japan have never won a World Cup game outside of Japan, losing five of their six games on foreign soil.
• In these six games they have scored just three goals in total.

Cameroon related stats:

• Cameroon have qualified for the World Cup six times - more than any other African side.
• Cameroon have won only one of their last 10 matches at World Cup finals.
• Cameroon have never lost their opening match in a World Cup finals tournament, winning one and drawing four.
• Samuel Eto'o was the second-top scorer in African World Cup qualifiers with nine goals in 11 appearances.
• Cameroon are on a seven-game winless run.

Italy v Paraguay

• Italy have won both previous meetings with Paraguay.

Italy related stats:

• Winners of 4 World Cups (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006.
• Only twice in 30 World Cup games since (and including) 1990 have the Italians scored more than two goals in one match.
• Italy have not won by more than a 2 goal margin in any internationals for 44 consecutive games.
• Italy are unbeaten in their last nine World Cup matches against South American sides.
• Since 1962, Italy have lost only one of their 12 opening games at World Cup finals.
• Italy conceded only two goals in seven games at the 2006 World Cup.
• Alberto Gilardino was Italy's top scorer during qualification with four goals (played only 6 games).
• During qualification there was a goal scored before the 27th minute in 8 of Italy’s 10 games.

Paraguay related stats:

• Paraguay are making their eighth World Cup finals appearance in South Africa and their fourth in a row.
• Paraguay have never won two games at the same finals and have yet to progress beyond the second round.
• Paraguay have won only one of their last 11 World Cup matches against European sides.
• Paraguay have won only one of their seven opening games at World Cup tournaments.
• Paraguay kept nine clean sheets in qualifying for South Africa.
• The squad includes three players born in Argentina and a fourth, Claudio Morel, who grew up there.  Also, Buenos Aires-born striker Lucas Barrios, who only received Paraguayan citizenship in April, has scored three times in his first three games for his adopted country.