Brazil's Luis Fabiano (R) rounds Chile's goalkeeper Claudio Bravo to score during the 2010 World Cup second round soccer match at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg June 28, 2010. [Agencies]

Netherland's Arjen Robben (L) celebrates his goal as Slovakia's Vladimir Weiss reacts with dejection during their 2010 World Cup second round soccer match at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban June 28, 2010. [Agencies]

More Devastating

Germany's counter-attacking was even more devastating, though they were helped by some terrible England defending.

Two Thomas Mueller goals in three minutes moved Germany on from a precarious 2-1 lead to a 4-1 thrashing and came after an England throw-in and a free kick respectively were given away in the German area.

Seconds later on both occasions the ball was in the English net as Germany's youngsters roared forward with deadly intent.

Netherlands always looked in command against Slovakia but they too turned the match by breaking up an attack.

Wesley Sneijder delivered a perfect 60-metre pass into the path of Arjen Robben and the winger cut inside to put his side on the path to a 2-1 success.

Argentina, growing in confidence with every game, Uruguay and Ghana also cooked up decisive breakaway goals and though Spain bucked the trend with their usual crisp-passing pressing game, in general counter-attack has become the tournament trademark.

"Normally, you see the stronger teams pressing but here you have Brazil and also Germany, first they drop back a little bit and then they wait for that one mistake," Frank de Boer, former Netherlands defender and now assistant coach said.

"Then two or three guys will come out very quickly, like with us Sneijder who you can give the ball.

"These days you don't have that much space so you have to create your own space.

"A wasted pass can be deadly and, especially with Brazil, if you lose the ball in midfield, it's almost suicide."