Brazil and Portugal played out an extremely uneventful goalless draw which ensured both sides qualified for the last 16.
What was perceived as arguably the potential standout game of the group stages failed to deliver on its promise as Portugal's desire to secure the point that would definitely seal what was already likely qualification from Group G limited any free-flowing football from either side.
Unsurprisingly, the already qualified Brazil were the more positive of the two sides but were only able to fashion a handful of chances, the best of which fell to striker Nilmar but was superbly saved by goalkeeper Eduardo.
The draw means the South Americans finish top of the group and will look forward to the second phase with confidence, even though this could present them with an earlier-than-expected clash with the closest rivals for their world number one status, Spain.
Portugal's 7-0 thrashing of North Korea in their previous match ensured that despite this defeat, and the Ivory Coast's 3-0 victory over the North Koreans in the group's other game, they progressed to the knockout stages in South Africa as runners-up.
Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz made four changes to the team from Monday with Pepe and Ricardo Costa coming into defence, and Danny and Duda in midfield.
Having overwhelmed their opponents four days ago, Queiroz's men reverted to a more conservative style designed to stifle their opponents and its efficiency resulted in an anti-climactic and fractious game where the number of bookings outweighed clear-cut chances.
Portugal defender Pepe and Brazil midfielder Felipe Melo were both booked during a running battle, which resulted in the latter being substituted just before half-time.
Brazil defender Juan was one of five other players booked but it could have been worse when he handled 40 yards from goal from a long ball seeking to release Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo clear down the right.
Ronaldo, operating in a lone attacking role was Portugal's chief threat but this primarily constituted a series of long-range efforts from 40 yards-plus which even for a player of Ronaldo's quality were wildly optimistic.
When the Real Madrid man was allowed to run at goal he twice met with strong challenges from Lucio, the first of which was a superb block from a shot on the left, but the second, from a similarly aggressive run on the right, inadvertently deflected the ball across goal to Raul Meireles only for the midfielder to shoot wide.
Ironically, the last time Portugal had been beaten prior to this match was a 6-2 thumping by Brazil in November 2008 but a repeat of that scoreline was never on the cards between two sides with one eye already on the next round.
To this end, Brazil rested Robinho, bringing in Nilmar up front to partner Luis Fabiano, who scored a hat-trick in that 6-2 win and bagged a brace in their previous group game against the Ivory Coast.
The attacking duo were central to all of Brazil's best attacking play.
They combined on the half hour with Fabiano crossing for Nilmar at the back post, who looked certain to score only for Eduardo to produce a superb point blank save to push the ball on to the post and deny him.
Shortly after, Fabiano found space at the back post by headed wide from a deep right-wing cross from the marauding Maicon.
With the game seemingly petering out to provide a satisfactory share of the spoils for each side, Brazil substitute Ramires broke from the script and struck a shot from 25 yards in injury-time which took a deflection and was goalbound until Eduardo intervened with a good one-handed save to preserve Portugal's 100% clean-sheet record in the tournament.
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Saturday, June 26, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Adebayor hails impact on African lives
The World Cup is having a huge impact on people's lives across the whole of Africa.
From speaking to friends and watching events on TV, I know that everybody is excited about hosting the tournament for the first time and proud of the way it is going.
I know there were doubts about whether the continent could hold a World Cup but we are proving that we can.Africa is showing another face to the world.
With the focus of the world on us and all the best players here, together with thousands of fans from across the globe, we knew it would be difficult but so far it has been a big success.
I would love to be out on the pitch playing but it has been great watching and analysing the matches for the BBC.
Security was a worry beforehand - you can never forget what happened at the Africa Cup of Nations when a gun attack on the Togo team bus I was travelling on left two people dead - but I am very thankful it has not been as much of an issue as people feared.
Critics said before the tournament began that it would not be possible for fans to go out to eat and drink because it was unsafe but I am pleased to say that, so far, that has not been a problem.
People are here to have fun and are enjoying themselves. It is a positive thing for our continent. Seeing players like Lionel Messi, Robinho, Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo perform will definitely change the lives of Africans.
Football in Africa is something that is evolving constantly. A lot has changed, even in the last 20 years.
Most African countries still have a European coach in charge - Algeria's Rabah Saadane is the only African coach at the tournament - but I am pleased that teams like Ghana and Nigeria now have former players as their assistant managers.I do not think many African coaches are ready to be the main manager at international level yet but one day soon they will be.
It is a different story as far as the players go. Every year a talented African emerges.
Recently it has been the likes of Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto'o and myself, but it was players like George Weah and Abedi Pele who opened doors for us.
Now it is our turn to do the same for our little brothers who are following behind us. To be honest, I think we are doing a great job.
We are the heroes to the next generation and all we want to do is give them something to dream about. There are a lot of vulnerable children and orphans in Africa and we want them to know football gave us our chance, that we were not born in rich areas either.
The kids have to believe they have a chance. Football offers them that. It is important African people know football is a way of getting a better life.
So, yes, I am very proud of how everything is going off the pitch. It is just on it where I think African sides can do a lot better.
I feel very sorry for South Africa. They prepared very well for the competition - they are still not out of it completely - but I think the pressure of being hosts was a little bit too much for them. They have found it very tough.
Cameroon were the first country to go out of the tournament when they lost to Denmark on Saturday. I think their exit showed how important the first game is. They were beaten by Japan and their confidence was down after that.
With Nigeria, it came down to one lapse of concentration. At a crucial moment, they lost their focus - I still don't know what Sani Kaita was thinking when he got sent off in the defeat by Greece.Ivory Coast recorded a good draw against Portugal in their first game but they relied too much on Drogba in their loss to Brazil.
He is clearly struggling with his arm injury and cannot fight for the ball in his usual way, so they might have to try something different against North Korea.
Algeria are not out of it either, especially after drawing with England. They played well in that game and showed good character so they should have more confidence going into their final group game against the United States.
Ghana are doing quite well, too. They probably have the best chance of any African side of making the last 16 but they have a fight on their hands. They still have to play Germany, who are one of the most disciplined sides here.
We have got used to an African team making it out of the group stage. It has happened in every World Cup since 1986, after all.
Let us hope one or two do it this time. We have to believe in them. If they can make it to the knockout rounds, then from then on anything could happen.
From speaking to friends and watching events on TV, I know that everybody is excited about hosting the tournament for the first time and proud of the way it is going.
I know there were doubts about whether the continent could hold a World Cup but we are proving that we can.Africa is showing another face to the world.
With the focus of the world on us and all the best players here, together with thousands of fans from across the globe, we knew it would be difficult but so far it has been a big success.
I would love to be out on the pitch playing but it has been great watching and analysing the matches for the BBC.
Security was a worry beforehand - you can never forget what happened at the Africa Cup of Nations when a gun attack on the Togo team bus I was travelling on left two people dead - but I am very thankful it has not been as much of an issue as people feared.
Critics said before the tournament began that it would not be possible for fans to go out to eat and drink because it was unsafe but I am pleased to say that, so far, that has not been a problem.
People are here to have fun and are enjoying themselves. It is a positive thing for our continent. Seeing players like Lionel Messi, Robinho, Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo perform will definitely change the lives of Africans.
Football in Africa is something that is evolving constantly. A lot has changed, even in the last 20 years.
Most African countries still have a European coach in charge - Algeria's Rabah Saadane is the only African coach at the tournament - but I am pleased that teams like Ghana and Nigeria now have former players as their assistant managers.I do not think many African coaches are ready to be the main manager at international level yet but one day soon they will be.
It is a different story as far as the players go. Every year a talented African emerges.
Recently it has been the likes of Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto'o and myself, but it was players like George Weah and Abedi Pele who opened doors for us.
Now it is our turn to do the same for our little brothers who are following behind us. To be honest, I think we are doing a great job.
We are the heroes to the next generation and all we want to do is give them something to dream about. There are a lot of vulnerable children and orphans in Africa and we want them to know football gave us our chance, that we were not born in rich areas either.
The kids have to believe they have a chance. Football offers them that. It is important African people know football is a way of getting a better life.
So, yes, I am very proud of how everything is going off the pitch. It is just on it where I think African sides can do a lot better.
I feel very sorry for South Africa. They prepared very well for the competition - they are still not out of it completely - but I think the pressure of being hosts was a little bit too much for them. They have found it very tough.
Cameroon were the first country to go out of the tournament when they lost to Denmark on Saturday. I think their exit showed how important the first game is. They were beaten by Japan and their confidence was down after that.
With Nigeria, it came down to one lapse of concentration. At a crucial moment, they lost their focus - I still don't know what Sani Kaita was thinking when he got sent off in the defeat by Greece.Ivory Coast recorded a good draw against Portugal in their first game but they relied too much on Drogba in their loss to Brazil.
He is clearly struggling with his arm injury and cannot fight for the ball in his usual way, so they might have to try something different against North Korea.
Algeria are not out of it either, especially after drawing with England. They played well in that game and showed good character so they should have more confidence going into their final group game against the United States.
Ghana are doing quite well, too. They probably have the best chance of any African side of making the last 16 but they have a fight on their hands. They still have to play Germany, who are one of the most disciplined sides here.
We have got used to an African team making it out of the group stage. It has happened in every World Cup since 1986, after all.
Let us hope one or two do it this time. We have to believe in them. If they can make it to the knockout rounds, then from then on anything could happen.
Spain 2-0 Honduras
David Villa struck twice as Spain got their World Cup campaign back on track with a comfortable victory over Honduras, but with more clinical finishing the Euro 2008 champions could have scored a hatful.
Villa opened the scoring in the first half with a stunning finish into the top corner and doubled the lead with a deflected drive from distance, before he missed a chance to complete his hat-trick by firing a penalty wide.
After the much-fancied Spanish had slipped to a shock defeat in their opening game against Switzerland on Wednesday, they needed to produce a performance in front of a large contingent of their expectant fans at Ellis Park.
After Chile's 1-0 win over the Swiss earlier in the day they knew defeat would end their interest in the tournament, but that was never a realistic proposition as they dominated proceedings from the outset.
Playing with an intensity that was badly lacking against Switzerland they swarmed all over Honduras and could have been 3-0 up by the time Villa eventually scored, as Fernando Torres mis-kicked, Sergio Ramos headed over from point-blank range and Villa's 25-yard screamer cannoned off the crossbar.
When Villa did break the deadlock in the 25th minute, he showed why Barcelona have just spent £35m to acquire his services.
Trapped against the left touchline he showed a devastating turn of pace to speed in-between two defenders and slam a shot into the top corner from inside the box.
The Hondurans simply were not good enough to quell the onslaught and Spain flooded forward at will as Xavi missed Jesus Navas's cross by inches and then Torres headed a golden chance into the ground before the Liverpool star ballooned another chance haplessly over from inside the box.
Villa was perhaps lucky to stay on the pitch after he aimed a slap in the direction of Emilipo Izaguirre, but soon after the break he wrapped it up when Xavi fed him just outside the Honduras area and his right-foot shot flew in via the outstretched leg of defender Osman Chavez.
After Ramos fired inches wide from the edge of the box Villa was presented with a glorious opportunity to score a World Cup hat-trick when Izaguirre brought Navas down in the area, only for the striker to step up and slot his spot-kick past the post.
Honduras could barely get into Spain's half let alone create a chance of their own, though on one occasion David Suazo did send a left-foot shot wide from outside the box - but that was as close as Iker Casillas came to being put under pressure on a comfortable night for the Spanish goalkeeper.
With the game won Vicente del Bosque made changes and the introduction of Cesc Fabregas almost lifted the roof off Ellis Park when, 16 seconds after being introduced, he beat the offside trap and rounded the keeper only to see his shot hacked off the line by Chavez.
Villa saw another hat-trick opportunity go begging when Sergio Mendoza's brilliant last-ditch block prevented him from tapping in, but Spain probably already had one eye on Friday's crunch tie against Chile in Pretoria.
If Switzerland beat Honduras in their final game, it is a match Del Bosque's team probably have to win against the Group H leaders if Spain are to qualify for the knock-out stages.
Villa opened the scoring in the first half with a stunning finish into the top corner and doubled the lead with a deflected drive from distance, before he missed a chance to complete his hat-trick by firing a penalty wide.
After the much-fancied Spanish had slipped to a shock defeat in their opening game against Switzerland on Wednesday, they needed to produce a performance in front of a large contingent of their expectant fans at Ellis Park.
After Chile's 1-0 win over the Swiss earlier in the day they knew defeat would end their interest in the tournament, but that was never a realistic proposition as they dominated proceedings from the outset.
Playing with an intensity that was badly lacking against Switzerland they swarmed all over Honduras and could have been 3-0 up by the time Villa eventually scored, as Fernando Torres mis-kicked, Sergio Ramos headed over from point-blank range and Villa's 25-yard screamer cannoned off the crossbar.
When Villa did break the deadlock in the 25th minute, he showed why Barcelona have just spent £35m to acquire his services.
Trapped against the left touchline he showed a devastating turn of pace to speed in-between two defenders and slam a shot into the top corner from inside the box.
The Hondurans simply were not good enough to quell the onslaught and Spain flooded forward at will as Xavi missed Jesus Navas's cross by inches and then Torres headed a golden chance into the ground before the Liverpool star ballooned another chance haplessly over from inside the box.
Villa was perhaps lucky to stay on the pitch after he aimed a slap in the direction of Emilipo Izaguirre, but soon after the break he wrapped it up when Xavi fed him just outside the Honduras area and his right-foot shot flew in via the outstretched leg of defender Osman Chavez.
After Ramos fired inches wide from the edge of the box Villa was presented with a glorious opportunity to score a World Cup hat-trick when Izaguirre brought Navas down in the area, only for the striker to step up and slot his spot-kick past the post.
Honduras could barely get into Spain's half let alone create a chance of their own, though on one occasion David Suazo did send a left-foot shot wide from outside the box - but that was as close as Iker Casillas came to being put under pressure on a comfortable night for the Spanish goalkeeper.
With the game won Vicente del Bosque made changes and the introduction of Cesc Fabregas almost lifted the roof off Ellis Park when, 16 seconds after being introduced, he beat the offside trap and rounded the keeper only to see his shot hacked off the line by Chavez.
Villa saw another hat-trick opportunity go begging when Sergio Mendoza's brilliant last-ditch block prevented him from tapping in, but Spain probably already had one eye on Friday's crunch tie against Chile in Pretoria.
If Switzerland beat Honduras in their final game, it is a match Del Bosque's team probably have to win against the Group H leaders if Spain are to qualify for the knock-out stages.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Portugal 7-0 North Korea
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo ended his two-year wait for an international goal as his side ripped North Korea apart to claim their first win of this World Cup in style.
The two sides were only separated by Raul Meireles' goal at half-time, but Portugal produced a scintillating attacking display after the break to score six goals and spark their tournament into life.
Simao, Hugo Almeida and Tiago found the net in the space of seven minutes to end any hopes of a North Korean comeback, before Liedson, Ronaldo and a second from Tiago completed a similar quick-fire salvo at the end of the game.
This was a re-run of one of the most famous matches in World Cup history, 44 years on from the memorable day when North Korea led 3-0 before being overhauled by a four-goal Eusebio blast.
Despite a lively start by North Korea, Portugal did not have to mount any sort of comeback to win this time, but they will savour the victory just the same, especially as their much-improved goal-difference makes them favourites to follow Brazil in qualifying out of Group G.
With Brazil to play in their final group game, Carlos Queiroz's side badly needed all three points and, from the start, they came forward with far more intent than during their opening draw with Ivory Coast.
Ricardo Carvalho came closest to making an early breakthrough when Korean goalkeeper Ri Myong-Guk got nowhere near a corner and he headed against the frame of the unguarded goal.
But North Korea were also looking far more adventurous than they had in their first match and, while they were a lot less secure at the back, they gave Portugal a few scares at the other end too.
Cha Jong-Hyok saw his powerful shot swerve wide after neat build-up, while Mun In-Guk headed the follow-up over after Eduardo parried Hong Yong-Jo's cross-shot from the right.
To their credit, Portugal kept their composure and although, at this stage, Ronaldo was only an occasional menace down the left flank rather than the unstoppable force he would later become, they continued to look the more dangerous side, especially on the break.
Their first goal, when it arrived after 29 minutes, was one of beauty - with Tiago slipping a precise through-ball into the path of Meireles, who tucked a low shot past Ri Myong-Guk
While North Korea did not crumble instantly, their defensive disorganisation meant they were lucky not to concede further goals before the break, only to completely collapse after it.
Simao opened the floodgates when he finished off a neat move between Meireles and Hugo Almeida, and Almeida quickly made it 3-0 when he headed home Fabio Coentrao's cross.
By now Ronaldo had woken up too, and he set up Tiago to slot home his first goal from the edge of the area before almost making number five with a perfectly weighted cross that Almeida could not quite convert.
The £80m Real Madrid winger seemed determined to get on the scoresheet himself and smashed a rasping shot against the bar before Liedson did make it 5-0 with a thumping finish after Ri Kwang-Chan's mistake.
Then came the moment most of the Portuguese fans in Cape Town had been waiting for, when Ronaldo latched on to a ball over the top, skipped past Ri Myong-Guk and, after bringing the ball down using his neck, turned it home.
Tiago's late header from Miguel Veloso's cross added a seventh goal and gave the final score an even more emphatic appearance, and one that reflected Portugal's total dominance.
The two sides were only separated by Raul Meireles' goal at half-time, but Portugal produced a scintillating attacking display after the break to score six goals and spark their tournament into life.
Simao, Hugo Almeida and Tiago found the net in the space of seven minutes to end any hopes of a North Korean comeback, before Liedson, Ronaldo and a second from Tiago completed a similar quick-fire salvo at the end of the game.
This was a re-run of one of the most famous matches in World Cup history, 44 years on from the memorable day when North Korea led 3-0 before being overhauled by a four-goal Eusebio blast.
Despite a lively start by North Korea, Portugal did not have to mount any sort of comeback to win this time, but they will savour the victory just the same, especially as their much-improved goal-difference makes them favourites to follow Brazil in qualifying out of Group G.
With Brazil to play in their final group game, Carlos Queiroz's side badly needed all three points and, from the start, they came forward with far more intent than during their opening draw with Ivory Coast.
Ricardo Carvalho came closest to making an early breakthrough when Korean goalkeeper Ri Myong-Guk got nowhere near a corner and he headed against the frame of the unguarded goal.
But North Korea were also looking far more adventurous than they had in their first match and, while they were a lot less secure at the back, they gave Portugal a few scares at the other end too.
Cha Jong-Hyok saw his powerful shot swerve wide after neat build-up, while Mun In-Guk headed the follow-up over after Eduardo parried Hong Yong-Jo's cross-shot from the right.
To their credit, Portugal kept their composure and although, at this stage, Ronaldo was only an occasional menace down the left flank rather than the unstoppable force he would later become, they continued to look the more dangerous side, especially on the break.
Their first goal, when it arrived after 29 minutes, was one of beauty - with Tiago slipping a precise through-ball into the path of Meireles, who tucked a low shot past Ri Myong-Guk
While North Korea did not crumble instantly, their defensive disorganisation meant they were lucky not to concede further goals before the break, only to completely collapse after it.
Simao opened the floodgates when he finished off a neat move between Meireles and Hugo Almeida, and Almeida quickly made it 3-0 when he headed home Fabio Coentrao's cross.
By now Ronaldo had woken up too, and he set up Tiago to slot home his first goal from the edge of the area before almost making number five with a perfectly weighted cross that Almeida could not quite convert.
The £80m Real Madrid winger seemed determined to get on the scoresheet himself and smashed a rasping shot against the bar before Liedson did make it 5-0 with a thumping finish after Ri Kwang-Chan's mistake.
Then came the moment most of the Portuguese fans in Cape Town had been waiting for, when Ronaldo latched on to a ball over the top, skipped past Ri Myong-Guk and, after bringing the ball down using his neck, turned it home.
Tiago's late header from Miguel Veloso's cross added a seventh goal and gave the final score an even more emphatic appearance, and one that reflected Portugal's total dominance.
Fan in court over England locker room breach
Friends and family defended a World Cup fan who entered the England dressing room and lectured the team, ahead of his court appearance on Monday.
Pavlos Joseph was to appear before a special World Cup court in Cape Town over the incident after England's 0-0 draw against Algeria. He says he wandered by accident into the dressing room while looking for a toilet but also told the team their performance had been a disgrace.
England lodged an official protest with FIFA and football's world governing body has also expressed unhappiness after it appeared security guards merely turned the supporter away rather than arrest him.
Leo Andrews, Joseph's cousin, said the man had lost his way in the stadium and should not have been hauled before a court. "He did nothing wrong," Andrews told the Cape Times newspaper.
"He walked (through) a door and then all this happened. It could've happened to anyone," Andrews added.
Joseph's travelling companion told the paper how the pair had become separated at the stadium as his friend went to find a toilet.
"(Joseph) had the keys to the place, I waited for two hours and phoned him to ask where he was. He said: 'I just told David Beckham off in the changing room.' I was like, yeah right.
"I only realised the next morning he was telling the truth. He had a few beers in him, so it was probably Dutch courage. He's really a timid lad."
Joseph made a brief appearance before magistrates on Sunday and was bailed until Monday when his trial was expected to begin. He was told he would not be able to attend any World Cup games until his case had been dealt with.
Police arrested Joseph on Sunday in the Camps Bay area of Cape Town where England played out their lacklustre draw against rank outsiders Algeria. He was told to surrender his passport before being brought to court.
South African police have set up special World Cup courts during the month-long tournament to deliver fast-track justice.
The episode happened just minutes after a visit by the British princes William and Harry into the changing room at the city's Green Point stadium.
A British Sunday newspaper quoted Joseph as saying he stumbled into the dressing room by accident and told former England captain Beckham, now a member of coach Fabio Cappello's backroom staff, that the team's performance had been a "disgrace".
According to the Sunday Mirror, the fan then said the team's performance was "woeful and not good enough" before being told to leave by an official.
Beckham brushed off the incident, saying it had been "blown out of proportion".
"The actual fan literally just walked in very casually and just said something to me and then walked out -- there was no scuffle, there was no aggression at all," the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star said at a weekend Football Association reception in Johannesburg.
Prince William, second in line to the British throne, also laughed off the incident.
"Harry and I left the door open, that's why it happened, it was our fault," William joked.
Security has been a chief concern for organisers ever since South Africa was named the World Cup host six years ago, with worries focusing mainly on the country's high crime rate.
Stadium security moved to the fore after stewards at Cape Town and three other venues walked off the job last week in a pay dispute that forced police to take over stadium guard duty.
Pavlos Joseph was to appear before a special World Cup court in Cape Town over the incident after England's 0-0 draw against Algeria. He says he wandered by accident into the dressing room while looking for a toilet but also told the team their performance had been a disgrace.
England lodged an official protest with FIFA and football's world governing body has also expressed unhappiness after it appeared security guards merely turned the supporter away rather than arrest him.
Leo Andrews, Joseph's cousin, said the man had lost his way in the stadium and should not have been hauled before a court. "He did nothing wrong," Andrews told the Cape Times newspaper.
"He walked (through) a door and then all this happened. It could've happened to anyone," Andrews added.
Joseph's travelling companion told the paper how the pair had become separated at the stadium as his friend went to find a toilet.
"(Joseph) had the keys to the place, I waited for two hours and phoned him to ask where he was. He said: 'I just told David Beckham off in the changing room.' I was like, yeah right.
"I only realised the next morning he was telling the truth. He had a few beers in him, so it was probably Dutch courage. He's really a timid lad."
Joseph made a brief appearance before magistrates on Sunday and was bailed until Monday when his trial was expected to begin. He was told he would not be able to attend any World Cup games until his case had been dealt with.
Police arrested Joseph on Sunday in the Camps Bay area of Cape Town where England played out their lacklustre draw against rank outsiders Algeria. He was told to surrender his passport before being brought to court.
South African police have set up special World Cup courts during the month-long tournament to deliver fast-track justice.
The episode happened just minutes after a visit by the British princes William and Harry into the changing room at the city's Green Point stadium.
A British Sunday newspaper quoted Joseph as saying he stumbled into the dressing room by accident and told former England captain Beckham, now a member of coach Fabio Cappello's backroom staff, that the team's performance had been a "disgrace".
According to the Sunday Mirror, the fan then said the team's performance was "woeful and not good enough" before being told to leave by an official.
Beckham brushed off the incident, saying it had been "blown out of proportion".
"The actual fan literally just walked in very casually and just said something to me and then walked out -- there was no scuffle, there was no aggression at all," the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star said at a weekend Football Association reception in Johannesburg.
Prince William, second in line to the British throne, also laughed off the incident.
"Harry and I left the door open, that's why it happened, it was our fault," William joked.
Security has been a chief concern for organisers ever since South Africa was named the World Cup host six years ago, with worries focusing mainly on the country's high crime rate.
Stadium security moved to the fore after stewards at Cape Town and three other venues walked off the job last week in a pay dispute that forced police to take over stadium guard duty.
Portugal hammer seven past N Korea
Portugal hammered North Korea to leave the European side needing a draw from their final game to make the last 16.
Jose Raul Meireles's neat finish gave Portugal the lead on the half hour, before Simao scored a superb second.
Hugo Almeida's header and Tiago's side-foot shot made it four, with substitute Liedson slotting home a fifth.
Cristiano Ronaldo tapped in before Tiago fired home as Portugal scored six second-half goals to get their World Cup campaign back on track.
Jose Raul Meireles's neat finish gave Portugal the lead on the half hour, before Simao scored a superb second.
Hugo Almeida's header and Tiago's side-foot shot made it four, with substitute Liedson slotting home a fifth.
Cristiano Ronaldo tapped in before Tiago fired home as Portugal scored six second-half goals to get their World Cup campaign back on track.
Lampard: No crisis talks were held
"It was nothing like that, nothing like the way it has been reported back home," said midfielder Lampard, 31, who added that he was "baffled" by suggestions that a rebellious "gang of nine" players had plotted a mutiny to overhaul the team's shape and tactics.
Central defender John Terry, the former team captain, had said on Sunday that he expected there to be a frank exchange of views at the meeting.
"There is no point, if we feel we have problems, in keeping it in - whether we have an argument with the manager, or it upsets him," Terry said. "It is us expressing our feelings - and everyone needs to get it off their chests."
Lampard said that the players were all disappointed following their dismal 0-0 draw with Algeria in their second Group C game in Cape Town last Friday - but made clear he felt the only way to resolve matters was in training and matches.
He said that Terry, his Chelsea captain and team-mate, had shown his passion on Sunday in calling for a no-holds-barred meeting with the manager, but had been to some degree misunderstood.
"That is John for you, he is a passionate man and a passionate player, but it was just an ordinary meeting. We have three or four of them each week to look at different things and, no, it was not heated at all."
England must beat Slovenia in their third fixture in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday to progress to the second round.
Central defender John Terry, the former team captain, had said on Sunday that he expected there to be a frank exchange of views at the meeting.
"There is no point, if we feel we have problems, in keeping it in - whether we have an argument with the manager, or it upsets him," Terry said. "It is us expressing our feelings - and everyone needs to get it off their chests."
Lampard said that the players were all disappointed following their dismal 0-0 draw with Algeria in their second Group C game in Cape Town last Friday - but made clear he felt the only way to resolve matters was in training and matches.
He said that Terry, his Chelsea captain and team-mate, had shown his passion on Sunday in calling for a no-holds-barred meeting with the manager, but had been to some degree misunderstood.
"That is John for you, he is a passionate man and a passionate player, but it was just an ordinary meeting. We have three or four of them each week to look at different things and, no, it was not heated at all."
England must beat Slovenia in their third fixture in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday to progress to the second round.
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