Well hello there. Group A was a bit of a rollercoaster yesterday, wasn’t it? We saw one former champion depart whilst the current title holder managed to pull off a small miracle. Today we will find out if football is coming home as they face a battle of Britain and some friends across a pond. Angola are also here. Three CM Cup veterans and a debutant. Let’s football!

Housewives favourite KingOfTheRooks (Housewives love a crazy blog, I’m told) has the totally plum draw of Angola. He’s gone keeperless, so we’ll see if that helps.

Angola vs Scotland

Dan’s got Scotland, which is a mixed bag to say the least. 4-3-1-2 takes on the keeperless.

Duncan Ferguson is having the time of his massive life. He scores three without response but then…what’s this? Angola come roaring back, helped by Colin Hendry putting through his own goal. Quinzinho’s double turns the game on it’s head for 4-3 but big Dunc has the final say as he heads in a late leveller. It defies belief sometimes you know.

43 shots, 8 goals. Turns out rush keeper out performed Neil Sullivan.

Paulo da Silva was the man with the nominal keeping duties, if you are wondering.

Right, that’s something to live up to. Here’s England vs USA.

England vs USA

Tony Jameson, of Football Manager Stole My Life fame, will manage group favourites England and has opted for a 5-2-3. It’s quite modern really.

Matt Wills says diamonds are forever. Kirovski and Wynalda will have to do a lot of the heavy lifting.

Michael Owen announces himself all over again. Just think we are years away from him being hated by everybody. Claudio Reyna equalises but from the kick off, Teddy Sheringham puts England back in front. The wily veteran had only been on since half time but Tony will take the plaudits for the changes which ultimately won the game.

Sol Campbell the obvious choice for man of the match.

The correct winner though, based on the stats.

England take control of the group but up next…it’s the battle of Britain.

Scotland vs England

Same again for Dan. Get the ball into big Dunc.

Tony has moved to the formation which is close to what finished the game against USA.

Big Al opens his account and England have one foot in the last 16. But then, something unusual happens. John Collins equalises, which in itself isn’t that odd I mean he did it against Brazil in 1998. If that isn’t enough for you then Kevin Gallacher scores the winner. Tony, a Scotland fan, is unsure whether to laugh or cry.

Tony Adams a wise choice for man of the match, presumably for keeping Big Dunc quiet.

It’s a bit of a steal but Dan doesn’t care. The group is wide open and it’s in Scottish hands.

USA or Angola could really take advantage now.

USA vs Angola

A bit more imaginative from Matt, turns out diamonds aren’t forever.

Still the same keeperless setup from KOTR, will it have enough to trouble the USA?

The Angolan system creates so many chances but the players don’t have the quality to take many of them. By contrast, the USA have some great forwards. Three goals in the first 16 minutes, two for the USA and one for Angola, is a good indicator of what’s to come. Unfortunately for Angola the chances continue to come and go whilst the USA pull out a 4-1 lead. Joao Pedro does reduce the arrears but the damage is done.

36 shots this time and a heavy weighting in Angola’s favour but not the scoreline.

Reyna gets man of the match, you know things haven’t gone well when the rush keeper only gets an 8.

So with one round of games to go, all four teams can still qualify.

Angola will have to beat England though…

Angola vs England

Same again. Rush keeper all the way.

Another tinkering from Tony and he’s landed on…this.

Steady Teddy gives England the lead but Quinzy Jones equalises. Angola believes! Paul Ince does not. He gives England the lead but then Shearer and Owen take the game away and book England’s place in the last 16.

Just the 31 shots on goal this time.

So will it be first or second and will it be USA or Scotland who join them?

USA vs Scotland

Matt decides to stick with 2-3-1-2-2

And Dan sticks with 4-3-1-2. Consistency.

Gallacher is at it again! After beating England he gives Scotland the lead here and they can dream of a knockout appearance. Kirovski and the brilliantly named Tab Ramos score second half goals to no reply and the USA advance!

Scotland will be left cursing that lead they gave away against Angola.

Big Dunc bullied Angola but has been a non-entity in games 2 and 3.

Remarkably that all means the USA top the group on goals scored…

That means we get Netherlands vs England and also the USA vs Republic of Ireland on opposite sides of the last 16 draw. That’ll take shape more over the coming days.

Join us again tomorrow to see how Group C plays out which features both Italy and Argentina. You won’t want to miss it!