Group G and H were both extremely weak, with France in group G with no one else in the top 30 and Spain in group H with no one in the top 20. These two groups are a perfect example why FIFA’s ranking system is horribly flawed. My guess is there are 5 or 6 teams that didn’t qualify out of Europe who would have easily won either of these groups if they took the place of France or Spain.
Group G
Despite the fact that France should have been able to walk out of this group playing any of their 23 players, they found themselves with only 2 points after the first two matches, and in serious danger of not advancing. France needed a win over lowly Togo to advance. Despite being a 0 - 0 draw at half time, France had controlled the match, and was unlucky to not score. You knew it was just a matter of time. Shortly after half, they easily scored two goals, and kept the pressure on, and advanced out of the sissy group onto the second round.
Switzerland on the other hand, had taken advantage of the weak group, taking four points from their first two matches, and needed a win or tie over South Korea to advance. South Korea also was in position to advance, needing a win. Switzerland was by far the better team, moving on with an easy 2 - 0 win. South Korea and Japan both looked really weak, just not showing any spark they showed at home in 2002.
Group H
Spain had already booked a ticket to the second round after easy victories over Ukraine and Tunisia, and needed either a win or tie to secure first place, though even with a loss, strange things would have had to happen to push them down to second. Facing a horrible Saudi Arabia team that had already lost to Ukraine 4 - 0, Spain rested all of their regulars, and for the most part, played back ups the entire match. They easily advanced 2 - 0, to take 9 points from a group they should have gotten 9 points from. France should have done the same, but didn’t.
Ukraine on the other hand, after a humiliating loss to Spain, realed off two wins to advance along with Spain into the second round.
Second Round
These were two horrible groups that didn’t provide many good matches at all. Spain will match up with France in Hanover on June 27. The winner will most likely get Brazil in the quarter finals. Spain would have been better taking second in their group, as Ukraine gets Switzerland. The winner of this match will move on to most likely face Italy.