MEXICO 2 ECUADOR 1 by JacquesTheLad

With Italy's shock defeat against Croatia the previous day, Mexico had the chance to give themselves a great chance of qualification. Ecuador, meanwhile, had to take something from the game to have any further meaningful interest.

The South Americans started brightly, and took the lead after only 5 minutes. A cross from the right from Hibernian's Ulises de la Cruz was met by the head of Delgado, whose header was parried onto the underside of the bar by the Mexican keeper Perez, but he could not keep it out. It was the start they needed.

However, Mexico fought back, and on 28 minutes they found an equaliser. Borgetti met Morales' cross from the left witha first time placed volley which beat the Ecuador keeper. The teams went in tied at 1-1 at half-time, and Mexico came out fighting in the second half, taking the lead on 57 minutes. Influential Mexican midfielder Torrado struck the ball sweetly from 20 yards, giving the Ecuador keeper no chance.

So, Ecuador crash out, and will be playing for pride against Croatia in their final group game. A draw against Italy will see Mexico qualify as group leaders, whereas a defeat may see them crash out, despite having six points. It's a crazy game...

COSTA RICA 1 TURKEY 1 by JacquesTheLad

After an impressive yet rewardless game against Brazil in their opener, Turkey were desperate to get back on terms with a win over their Central American opponents, for whom a win would put them through.

The first half did not see many chances, the best of which falling to Costa Rica's Centeno, but he missed. In the second half, the first real chance fell to Turkey's captain Hakan Sukur, but he blazed the ball over the bar.

The deadlock was broken on 55 minutes. A ball played into the box by Fatih to the influential Hasan Sas was laid into the path of Emre. The Turk initially lost control of the ball, but gathered himself together and coolly slotted the ball home past the Costa Rica keeper Lonnis. It was exactly what Turkey needed.

Costa Rica had to fight back, and they did. A through ball from Wanchope put Lopez through on goal, but the angle was tight and he saw the ball cannon off the post and keeper. Their persistance paid off in 86 minutes, as Winston Parks blasted the ball home from three yards after chaotic scenes in the Turkish defence. Costa Rica were indeed unlucky not to snatch victory, as goalscorer Parks took the ball round the keeper, only to blast the ball over the bar from an acute angle.

A draw is not the ideal result for Turkey, who must beat China to have any chance of going through. A draw in their final match in Brazil will ensure qualification for Costa Rica, in their second World Cup finals appearance.

JAPAN 1 RUSSIA 0 by JacquesTheLad

Having almost defeated Belgium in their opening Group H fixture, Japan came into the match full of confidence, buoyed by a fanatical home support. Russia were fresh from a comfortable win over Tunisia, and were looking to seal their place in Round Two.

The first half didn't see a lot of chances, but Russia were denied a blatant penalty when Toda hauled down Semshov in the box. The referee didn't spot anything awry, however, and play continued.

Japan opened the scoring after the break. A low cross from Hidetoshi Nakata found Tomokazu Myojin in the box, and a deft first touch put Junichi Inamoto through. One touch to control and another to finish sent the home support into raptures.

Russia's best chance to haul themselves back into the game came from substitute Beschastnykh. He rounded the goalkeeper Narazaki, only to put the ball into the side-netting when it looked easier to score. It was one of the misses of the tournament so far, and may have cost Russia their place in Round Two.

After that, the Japanese had the better of the chances. Yanagisawa blazed a volley over the bar, having composed himself following a delightful pass from Parma's Nakata. Indeed, the Italian based player almost got the goal he deserved when he thundered a strike from fully 30 yards, only to watch agonisingly as it cannoned off the crossbar, with the goalkeeper beaten.

Still, the win means that Japan will qualify for the second phase if they beat Tunisia in their final group game. Russia, meanwhile, look like they will have to defeat Belgium in their final match to go through.