Germany 4, Portugal 0; Iran 0, Nigeria 0; USA 2, Ghana 1

Self-destruction by the Portuguese. …

Iran/Nigeria. … “Dreadful stuff,” the British commentator said. Afterward, Alexi Lalas, the U.S. commentator, apologized for the game.

The day got worse. …

The Ghanaians steamrolled over the U.S. players — I mean, made them look pathetic — only to fail, again and again, just outside the box. Bad cross after bad cross. Bad shot after bad shot. No self-belief. “Just bring the ball inside the box, on the ground,” I thought. “They can’t defend against that.” And that was how, at last, the Ghanaians scored their tying goal. Then they switched off their brains and allowed the U.S. to steal the victory.