At first, there were thirty two teams competing for a common goal in Germany: make their best effort and classify to the next round. Three countries have already achieved this. Germany, England and Ecuador have earned their tickets to the next round of the FIFA World Cup 2006. Costa Rica, Poland and Paraguay have been eliminated.

World Cup host country Germany, is leading Group A along with Ecuador, with 6 points each one while Costa Rica and Poland have no points.

England is having its best streak since World War II as they have won eight straight games. The final score on the game between England and Trinidad y Tobago was 2-0 with goals scored by Crouch who broke the deadlock in Nuremberg with a headed goal in the 83rd minute and his Liverpool teammate Gerrard that added a second goal in the 91st minute.

Wayne Rooney, who currently plays for the Manchester United, entered the game in the second half to replace Michael Owen as England was trying to complete a goal. This was Rooney’s first game since he broke a bone in his foot on April 29.

England is leading Group B with six points. They won the three points on each of both games played. Sweden earned three points as they won the match against Paraguay eliminating the South Americans. Trinidad y Tobago remains on one point.