Day 14: Australia advance, Brazil finally look like Brazil and Graham Poll loses the plot

Australia 2 – 2 Croatia

Next time you worry about the credentials of a referee from Singapore, Mexico or Iran, just think back to this game. Graham Poll, England’s most experienced international referee, ensured Croatia’s Josip Simunic became the first man to be sent off at a World Cup for three bookings.

The card-happy whistler also sent off Dario Simic and Australia’s Brett Emerton in the dying minutes of a dramatic game.

Australia simply refused to lose. Despite going behind to Dario Srna’s excellent second minute free kick, they battled back and drew level when a ludicrous Croatian handball gifted them a penalty that Craig Moore blasted home.

A chronic Aussie goalkeeping error saw Croatia back in front after 56 minutes but the Aussies did not fold. Their energy and persistence was eventually rewarded when John Aloisi, the most unlikely man ever to appear in Serie A apart from Daniel Dichio, flicked on a cross and Harry Kewell swept the ball home.

Then all hell broke loose thanks to Mr Poll. Despite their differences, Poll and Croatia do have something in common. Neither of them will appear in the latter stages of this World Cup.

Japan 1 – 4 Brazil

The famous Barnsley chant "It’s just like watching Brazil" could have been given a Brazilian remix as the champions finally showed signs of their best form.

It took a shock goal from Japan’s Keiji Tamada to shock them into life but, once awake, they attacked Japan from every angle. Only the heroics of keeper Kawaguchi kept Japan ahead as Ronaldo, Juninho and Robinho rained shots at their goal.

Eventually the floodgates opened. Cicinho headed a deep cross back across the box and Ronaldo, having lumbered into a goal scoring position, nodded in a chance that even Gregor Rasiak would have taken.

Japan’s resistance was truly broken early in the second half. Lyon’s Juninho launched a 30 yard effort that, with the aid of some Flintoff-style reverse swing, seemed to go straight through Kawaguchi. The keeper had played like Gordon Banks in the first half – now he looked more like his old self, a man who played three games for Portsmouth before being sent on his way.

The rout was completed with two utterly Brazilian goals. Ronaldinho’s slide rule pass (his best moment of the tournament so far) found left back Gilberto steaming into the penalty area and he crashed the ball home. Then centre back Juan bought the ball out of defence with Hansen-esque grace and exchanged passes with Ronaldo. The big man turned quickly (oh yes he did) and curled the ball into the corner for a record-equalling 14th World Cup goal.