GROUP F: Sweden ousts Argentina with tie (1-1)

* Argentina had been given, along with France, the best odds to win the World Cup. The Argentines have followed France to a first-round elimination. * ''This is the worst moment of my career. I'm sorry to the people in Argentina, who expected so much of the team. We wanted to give the World Cup as a gift to the poor people in Argentina. We played a great game, and we deserved to win, but we were unlucky.''
— Argentina midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron. * Sweden wins Group F and faces Senegal on Sunday, June 16. June 12 in Miyagi Sweden 1 Argentina 1. Goals: A. Svensson 59; Crespo 88. Sweden — Hedman, Mellberg, Mjallby, Jakobsson, Lucic, Alexandersson, Linderoth, Anders Svensson (Jonson 68), Magnus Svensson, Larsson (Ibrahimovic 88), Allback (Andreas Andersson 45). Argentina — Cavallero, Zanetti, Samuel, Pocchettino, Chamot, Ortega, Almeyda (Veron 63), Sorin (Gonzalez 63), Aimar, Claudio Lopez, Batistuta (Crespo 58). Yellow cards: Chamot 55, Almeyda 58, Magnus Svensson 65, Gonzalez 75, Larsson 78. Red card: Caniggia 47+ (sent off from bench). Attendance: 45,777 Referee: A Bujsaim (United Arab Emirates).

GROUP F: England runner-up after Nigeria stalemate (0-0)

* Despite notching just two goals in its three first-round games, England has survived the Group of Death, finishing second. It faces Denmark on Saturday, June 15. * ''Luckily we got through in the end. We knew [Nigeria] would play for pride and they didn't disappoint us.''
–England defender Rio Ferdinand * ''We are building momentum now.''
— David Beckham said. June 12 in Osaka England 0 Nigeria 0 England — Seaman, Mills, Ferdinand, Campbell, Ashley Cole (Bridge 84), Beckham (capt), Butt, Scholes, Sinclair, Heskey (Sheringham 68), Owen (Vassell 77). Nigeria — Enyeama, Yobo, Okoronkwo, Udeze, Sodje, Christopher, Okocha (capt), Obiorah, Aghahowa, Akwuegbu, Opabunmi (Ikedia 86). Yellow cards: None. Attendance: 44,864. Referee: Brian Hall (USA).

GROUP B: Paraguay heroics against Slovenia see it through (3-1).

* Nelson Cuevas, 22, had never scored for his country. He came on as second-half substitute with 29 minutes left and Paraguay playing a man down. With two individual efforts, he scored the two goals that take Paraguay to the second round of the 2002 World Cup. * Paraguay faces Germany in the round of 16 on Saturday, June 15. June 12 in Seogwipo Paraguay 3, Slovenia 1. Goals: Acimovic 45; Cuevas 65, Campos 73, Cuevas 84. Slovenia — Dabanovic, Milinovic, Novak, Ales Ceh, Osterc (Tiganj 77), Pavlin (Rudonja 40), Tavcar, Acimovic (Nastja Ceh 63), Karic, Cimirotic, Bulajic. Paraguay — Chilavert, Arce, Gamarra, Ayala, Alvarenga, (Campos 54), Santa Cruz, Acuna, Paredes, Caceres, Cardozo (Cuevas 61(Franco 90)), Caniza. Yellow cards: Paredes 4, Pavlin 15, Karic 68, Rudonja 69, Milinovic 79. Red cards: Paredes 22, Nastja Ceh 81. Att: 30,176 Referee: Felipe Ramos Rizo (Mexico).

GROUP B: Spain keeps rolling against South Africa (3-2)

* Although already assured of a second-round spot, Spain reeled off three goals in its third consecutive game. Its victory made it possible for Paraguay to surpass South Africa for second place. * South Africa was tied with Paraguay on points and goal difference, but Paraguay advanced on goals scored: 6-6 to 5-5. * Spain faces Ireland in the round of 16 on Sunday, June 16. June 12 in Daegu Spain 3, South Africa 2. Goals: Raul 4, Mendieta 45, Raul 56; McCarthy 31, Radebe 53. Spain — Casillas, Torres, Helguera, Nadal, Romero, Mendieta, Hernandez, Albelda (Sergio 53), Sanchez, Raul (capt) (Luis Enrique 82), Morientes (Luque 78). South Africa — Arendse, Zama, Aaron Mokoena, Radebe (capt), Carnell, Sibaya, Teboho Mokoena, Fortune (Lekgetho 83), Zuma, Nomvethe (Koumantarakis 74), McCarthy. Yellow cards: Nzama 16, Carnell 67, Nomvethe 69, Mokoena 81. Att: 31,024 Referee: Saad Mane (Kuwait).