Yahoo! UK & Ireland Answers blog

We’re into the third week of the World Cup now and the kid gloves are ready to come off as we enter the knock-out rounds. 

The FIFA World Cup category is bustling with speculation, opinions and comments about the ongoing tournament.  Some fresh topics at the moment include the role of referees, which is certainly topical with the only English referee Graham Poll being sent home early after his terrible performance in the Australia and Croatia game. 

Dare I mention England’s chances without blighting them?  I’m sure most people would agree that we haven’t been the most impressive team so far this tournament, especially compared with the likes of Argentina, Spain or Portugal.  But we have done well to top our group where even other top seeded countries have failed to qualify.  

With England playing this weekend we expect to see a full strength side to face Ecuador, a small country of 13 million people, who weren’t expected to get through the group phase.  So, let’s see if we are partying in the streets after this weekend, or whether the World Cup dream will be extinguished…

One thing is certain though, the quality of football at this World Cup has been outstanding; let’s hope it continues and that England play a part in it past this weekend.

– Yahoo! UK & Ireland Answers team