The first two rounds of play at the World Cup are complete, and although only eight games remain nearly all of them feature exciting matchups. Just about all of the teams remaining at this point have to be considered serious contenders. I thought it might be fun to make a list of some of the highs and lows of the tournament so far:

• Most Impressive Team: Argentina. So far they have looked like the most complete team to me, and they haven’t really had a letdown game yet. Their quarterfinal match against Germany on Friday should be a good one. Heavy favorites Brazil have done everything necessary to win, but they have looked lazy and sloppy at times with a few moments of brilliance mixed in. It’s hard to tell if they’re just coasting and waiting for stronger opposition, or if they really are struggling a bit.
• Least Impressive Team: The United States. After coming out flat and getting demolished by the Czechs in their first game, they regained some respect with a hard-fought draw against Italy. However, they didn’t really display much urgency against Ghana and were eliminated with only one goal scored (the goal against Italy was an own-goal) and something like five shots in three games. Sure, they got more than their share of bad breaks from the referees, but poor play and poor coaching are the real reasons the team went home early.
• Best Match: Argentina vs. Mexico, second round. Lots of action and some good play, with the tension steadily rising after each side scored an early goal. A brilliant goal in extra time won the match for Argentina (see below). Honorable Mention: Germany vs. Poland, opening round. An exciting back-and-forth match that remained scoreless until the closing minutes when Germany’s Oliver Neuville put away a crossing pass to give Germany the 1-0 win.
• Worst Match: Portugal vs. The Netherlands, second round. They say soccer is the “beautiful game,” but there was nothing beautiful about this one. Sixteen yellow cards, four red cards, diving, head butting, general poor sportsmanship–this match was brutal. The worst-played match I’ve ever seen.
• Best Goal: Maxi Rodriguez, Argentina, against Mexico in the second round. There have been several nice goals in the tournament so far, but the skill this one required combined with the situation (game-winning goal in extra time) make this one my favorite. See for yourself below:
  

  Honorable Mention: Esteban Cambiasso, Argentina, against Serbia & Montenegro in the opening round. This is a textbook example of how to break down a defense as Argentina strings together 24 consecutive passes before scoring.

• Best Hair: Loco, Angola. A name like ‘Loco’ sets a certain level of expectation for crazy hair, and this guy delivers:

  

• Player Most Resembling a Giraffe: Peter Crouch, England. I’m sure I’m not the first to make this connection, but in my opinion a guy this tall who still uses the hair of an opposing defender to pull himself up and head in a goal deserves a little ribbing.