For a big player, why does Pauleta under-perform in all the big tournaments? I know he scored a hattrick against Poland in WC 2002, but even so he has not looked good in 2 WCs and one European Cup, and he starting right through. Poor Nuno Gomes...he mash up Euro 2000 (when Pauleta was injured), managed to outscore Pauleta (with 1 goal no less) and only started one game in Euro2004, and score the same number of goals as Pauleta this WC with 2 corbeaux sweat. Yeah, it ain't that simple, and I feel Pauleta better is generally the better player, but he should have been replaced by either Postiga or Nuno Gomes, or joined up front by one of them after it was clear he was not going to score goals this WC again....Portugal's failure is lack of fire power up top.
Sweinsteiger finally break out of his slump. Germany has a big team for the future...you see how many 21 year olds was playing today? Having been in Germany and felt the love they give T&T and everyone else...this was the least they deserved. They hosted a tip top WC. Well done to Klinsmann too. I always love a redemption story..Let all them loud mouth critics eat their words.