Player of the day
Mark Paston, New Zealand
Every member of the Kiwi squad is worthy of a mention after a heroic defensive effort to preserve their nation’s 1-1 draw with Italy, easily their best ever World Cup result. But goalkeeper Mark Paston epitomized the effort, never getting rattled in the face of 23 shots, including seven on goal. Besides the penalty kick, the only shot for which Paston had no answer was Riccardo Montolivo’s bomb from distance, which left him frozen but harmlessly rattled the post.
Goal of the day
Luis Fabiano, Brazil
The Sevilla striker showed both what is great and what stinks about the beautiful game against Ivory Coast. First, he nearly duplicated Landon Donovan’s rocket into the roof of the net for Brazil’s first goal. He described his second strike as a painting, but a color-by-numbers would be more accurate since he handled the ball not once but twice on the play. It was one of many blights in a horribly officiated match that has added to an ever more dirty feel to the officiating throughout the tournament.
