Sepp BLATTER's nightmares came true on FRI 23 JUN 2006, as the referees became the stars of the show.
» Saudi Arabia 00-01 Spain: Despite playing their second string, the Spaniards completed a perfect first round on Juanito GUTIÉRREZ's headed goal.
» Ukraine 01-00 Tunisia: Ziad JAZIRI was sent off for two yellows in the first half, and in the second, referee Carlos AMARILLA ignored an apparent handball in the area by Andriy VORONIN. Barely a minute later, he did give a penalty – to Ukraine, for what seemed to be innocuous contact by Karim HAGGUI. Andriy SHEVCHENKO converted the penalty, and Ukraine march on from Group H.
» Switzerland 02-00 Korea Rep: Korea Rep coach Dick ADVOCAAT was enraged by Horacio ELIZONDO's decision to award Switzerland's second goal to Alexander FREI, despite assistant Rodolfo OTERO flagging for offside.
» Togo 00-02 France: Togo did their best to play the part of the spoiler, but les Bleus finally got things going in the second half when Patrick VIEIRA and Thierry HENRY scored, earning second place in Group G.
» Second round matchups: Switzerland–Ukraine, Spain–France