Erm... what just happened?

Sorry, I'm just catching my breath. What a game that was at Ellis Park. Italy, defending champions and second most successful World Cup nation ever, are out of the World Cup following a sensational match against Slovakia that involved five goals, one shot off the line, one disallowed goal, 30 shots, seven bookings and a flood of Azzurri tears. It more than made up for a borefest between group winners Paraguay and New Zealand right? And you know what? We're only halfway though the day's match action. Man I love the World Cup. Please don't ever end.

So - this is where you good people swoop in and get the chat buzzing nicely again, if that's OK? Text me on 81111 (UK) and +44 7786200666 (worldwide), whack me a Tweet @sampatricklyon, or step through the doors of 606 and let yourself be heard. Nice.

So Italy join France - the two finalists in 2006 - in making the most ignominous of exits from South Africa. Anyone see that coming? Nope, didn't think so. Now we look forward to tonight's match action - the Netherlands against Cameroon and Denmark versus Japan. Any chance of one or both of those matches living up to the magic of the Ellis Park Stunner?

A last (maybe) word on that Italian exit of earlier this afternoon - coach Marcelo Lippi might not have covered himself in glory by failing to shake his Slovakian counterpart's hand after the match, but he has been very dignified in front of the media at least. "I take all responsibility, all responsibility for what happened," he said. "If a team turns up at such an important game like tonight with terror in their heart and their legs, and is unable to express its ability, it's because the coach didn't train the team." Fair play.

Right, things are relatively simple tonight. Cameroon are out, that's that for them, while their opponents the Netherlands are definitely through - though they need a point to guarantee their progress as group winners. Denmark-Japan is where it's at - whichever team wins goes through, though a draw is enough for Japan to qualify for the last 16 at the Danes' expense. Like I said, erm, simple.

And while we're on the qualifying permutations, it's worth reminding ourselves that the winner of Group E (most likely the Netherlands) face Italy-conquerors Slovakia in the last 16, with the runners-up (Japan or Denmark) facing Paraguay.

Denmark: 1-Thomas Sorensen; 15-Simon Poulsen, 4-Daniel Agger, 13-Per Kroldrup, 6-Lars Jacobsen, 19-Dennis Rommedahl, 2-Christian Poulsen, 10-Martin Jorgensen, 12-Thomas Kahlenberg, 9-Jon Dahl Tomasson, 11-Nicklas Bendtner.
Japan: 21-Eiji Kawashima; 2-Yuki Abe, 22-Yuji Nakazawa, 4-Tulio, 3-Yuichi Komano, 5-Yuto Nagatomo, 16-Yoshito Okubo, 7-Yasuhito Endo, 17-Makoto Hasebe, 8-Daisuke Matsui, 18-Keisuke Honda.
Referee: Jerome Damon (South Africa)

Cameroon: 16-Hamidou Souleymanou; 19-Stephane Mbia, 7-Landry Nguemo, 3-Nicolas Nkoulou, 2-Benoit Assou-Ekotto, 8-Geremi, 11-Jean Makoun, 6-Alexandre Song, 9-Samuel Eto'o, 13-Eric Choupo-Moting, 12-Gaetan Bong.
Netherlands: 1-Maarten Stekelenburg; 12-Khalid Boulahrouz, 3-John Heitinga, 4-Joris Mathijsen, 5-Giovanni van Bronckhorst; 7-Dirk Kuyt, 6-Mark van Bommel, 10-Wesley Sneijder, 8-Nigel de Jong, 23-Rafael van der Vaart; 9-Robin van Persie.
Referee: Pablo Pozo (Chile)

Following Jonathan Stevenson's 24 June chat from Infostrada earlier, I've decided to delve even deeper into this day of days. As Stevo pointed out - in the World Cup's 80-year history, the most penalties have been awarded on 24 June (13 in total). Well, check this - Denmark have twice played championship matches on 24 June - and lost them both (to Spain in 1984 and France in 1998). The Netherlands, meanwhile, are on a five-match unbeaten run on a Thursday. I know, stat chat don't get better than that.

By the way, while you let that stat chat swim around your pallet, the briefest of brief team news lines ahead of tomorrow's bumper Brazil-Portugal clash - Portuguese playmaker Deco is ruled out of that match with a hip injury. What a cracking game that promises to be. I cannae wait captain.

So, striker Nicklas Bendtner is passed fit to lead the line for Denmark for the third straight game after undergoing a special training regime to treat a lingering groin injury. Per Koldrup replaces the suspended Simon Kjaer in defence, meanwhile, and Thomas Kahlenberg comes in for Jesper Gronkjaer. Japan coach Takeshi Okada names an unchanged lineup for the third straight game.

Now then, is it me or have the Netherlands flown under the radar a touch in the lead-up and early stages of this World Cup? Unbeaten in a national record 21 matches in all competitions, winning all six matches in 2010, they are THE in-form team at the tournament. Their last 10 competitive games, including in South Africa? Yep - 10 straight wins - a run that takes us back to Euro 2008. Keep that run going today, and they face a last 16 tie against Slovakia. And Arjen Robben should be back from injury by then. Oranje the team to beat?

Cameroon, meanwhile, are looking to avoid losing all three group matches at a World Cup for the first time. Unfortunately for them, they have lost their last four internationals, are winless in their last nine since beating Zambia at the African Cup of Nations, and are probably due a red card having had a man sent off in each of the last four World Cups. Ouch.

Denmark-Japan - undoubtedly the game of the evening if you ask me - meanwhile, may promise tension... but I'm not sure it promises goals. Denmark have failed to score in three of their last four internationals - not helped by a 15-match goal drought for Jon Dahl Tomasson - while Japan, on a run of five defeats in six games, have failed to score in six of their last 12 internationals. We all know what that means - goalfest. Bosh.

Players walking the suspension tightrope tonight, by the way, are Denmark's Thomas Sorensen, Japan's Yuki Abe, and three for the Netherlands - Gregory van der Wiel, Nigel de Jong and Robin van Persie. A yellow card for any of them and they miss the last 16 matches, should their team get there. After the last 16, there is a yellow card amnesty, lest we forget.

"I think it's an important game against Cameroon because, although we're through to the next round, the issue is in this tournament you should never let your guard down and that is the case here."

"It's a very good Dutch team with many, many very talented players. They are used to playing big games for big clubs in big stadiums. They are one of the favourites for the tournament and it will be tough, but we will fight to defend our honour."

"We have ambitions and I think that's fair... and we know that Japan has its own ambitions. Here we have two teams that have good qualities, who are perhaps not amongst the favourites for the World Cup. But these are two teams that if they use their full potential, then we can have a fair match against big teams as well."

"I am not considering if we lose. I am thinking only about winning. In our meeting (on Wednesday), I did tell the players that we should not think about any draw. This means that we have to score. So from the beginning we will start out with the intention of winning."

The players are in the tunnel in Rustenburg and Cape Town and we're moments away from the anthems and then kick-off. A reminder: in a nutshell - a draw is enough for Netherlands to top the group, as it is for Japan to finish second, Denmark have to win. I'll keep you updated.

Stop. Anthem time.

Denmark, looking to reach the second round for the fourth time in their fourth World Cup, have the first effort of note in Rustenburg, as Simon Poulsen slaps a lazy effort way over the bar.

As you might expect, things are quite open over in Cape Town and after Cameroon's Ched Jou forces Maarten Stekelenburg into an easy save from range low down, Rafael van der Vaart screws one wide from 20 yards out at the other.

Simon Poulsen has looked very bright for Denmark down the left-hand side early on, and this time his deflected cross just evades the swinging leg of Jon Dahl Tomasson. It's a corner... but Per Kroldrup can only deflect his volley wide at the back post. Encouraging for the Danes.

Surprisingly, it's Cameroon spraying the passes around early doors in Cape Town and not Netherlands. No clear chances for either side as yet, though.

Headed chance for Cameroon midfielder Jean Makoun from Benoit Assou-Ekotto's fine cross - but he sends it glancing wide. Should've done better.

And just as I say that - Japan create two fine chances. First Yoshito Okubo's cross is steered goalwards by Daisuke Matsui, stopped by the legs of Thomas Sorensen in the Denmark goal, and then Makoto Hasebe gets clear of the defence only to blaze wide. Out of nothing, Japan spring into life.

Denmark bounce up the other end and it falls to Jon Dahl Tomasson, but the striker pings his effort from the angle across goal and inches wide.

Giovani van Bronkhorst finds Robin van Persie in the box, 14 yards out front and centre, but the Arsenal man sends his shot straight at the keeper. Waste.

I tell you what - Japan may have started slowly, but they are bang in the driving seat in both this match and the running for qualifying now. By the way - they have won all five matches in which Keisuke Honda has scored, keeping a clean sheet in all of them. Denmark, who need a win, have to step up now.

A delightful Christian Poulsen ball over the top looks like finding Jon Dahl Tomasson, but the out-of-form striker can barely make the right contact and the chance goes.

Over in Cape Town, Wesley Schneider works some space in the Cameroon box only to see his shot blocked - the Dutch playmaker claims handball, but that's optimistic.

No change in who is going through: the Dutch will progress as winners (to play Slovakia) and Japan will qualify in second place and face Paraguay.

Netherlands free-kick, 25 yards out, but Rafael van der Vaart's curled effort is easily held by keeper Souleymanou Hamidou.

A chance at either end in Cape Town, as Jean Makoun heads Geremi's cross over under pressure from Maarten Stekelenburg, before Dirk Kuyt's angled shot across goal at the other end drifts past the far post.

No change. The Dutch go through as group winners and the only European team to win all three group games. Japan join them as runners up.

Half a chance for Cameroon as they look to reply, but Samuel Eto'o can't collect Geremi's cross on the chest in the box and the ball rolls harmlessly to keeper Maarten Stekelenburg. Geremi has been excellent for the Lions.

Japan are tearing strips off Denmark now, looking dangerous every time they break into the opposition half. Something needs to change and change quickly for the Danes... but on this evidence, Japan are storming into the last 16. Christian Poulsen has one from range - about 35 yards - easily saved, and that sort of thing just isn't going to be enough.

Like I said... it is Yuichi Komano breaking into the Danes' box this time and his rising effort is tipped over by Thomas Sorensen. Japan invigorated.

It remains very much a case of as you were in Group E. The Netherlands are strolling into the last 16 with an 11th straight competitive win to set up a match against Slovakia, while Japan are looking equally comfortable in earning their progress and a second round match against Paraguay. Of course, it all could change in the next 45 minutes though... right?

We're back started in Cape Town.

Denmark - with a mountain to climb - get a crucial 45 minutes for their tournament started, having been out waiting for the kick-off for five minutes already. Coach Morten Olsen clearly didn't deem them welcome in the dressing room for too long.

Mark van Bommel sends Robin van Persie screaming through the middle of the Cameroon defence with a lovely pass but the striker's firm hit is kept out by Souleymanou Hamidou. Van Persie looking increasingly into his stride with every passing minute.

Jon Dahl Tomasson's flick looks to have fallen at Thomas Kahlenberg's feet, but the midfielder does not react quickly enough and he can only poke wide from close range.

Best chance of the night for Denmark - Nicklas Bendtner flicking on Lars Jacobsen's ball into the box but Jon Dahl Tomasson, having taken a touch, is denied bravely at his feet by Japan keeper Eiji Kawashima.

Nice burst into the box from Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o but, having ghosted past a couple of players, his shot on goal is deflected behind by a desperate block from a Netherlands defender.

Good strike from 20 yards out by Jakob Poulsen, forcing a good save on the dive by Eiji Kawashima. Denmark pressing.

"That's the cheekiest ball of the night" says my colleague and I make him right. Cameroon substitute Vincent Abubakar fools the entire Netherlands defence with a delightful reverse pass into the box to Jean Makoun, whose goalbound shot is kept out well low down by Maarten Stekelenburg. Abubakar - who has been on the pitch for seven minutes, has had a big impact for the Lions so far.

The Dutch concede their first goal at this World Cup and Cameroon could earn their first point, but no change in who goes through: Netherlands as winners (to face Slovakia), Japan as runners up (to face Paraguay).

It's all Denmark in Rustenburg. Christian Eriksen - on as substitute and rated by many as the future-boy of Danish football - sends a cracking effort goalwards on the half volley, but it spears over the bar. The Danes still need three goals - and they have a little over 20 minutes in which to get them.

Deary me - if Denmark had someone up top who could actually score they might actually be dangerous. Dennis Rommedahl works some space on the right and pulls it back to Jon Dahl Tomasson - unmarked - but the ball gets caught in the striker's feet and he can't even get a shot off. Shame.

Another chance for Japan as Shinji Okazaki heads over - and the fight in this Denmark team looks well and truly spent now. There's no way they're getting three goals in 10 minutes, not against a Japan side playing this well.

Goals in both games but no change in how the group will end: Netherlands will be winners, Japan in second. Denmark still need two more goals to overhaul the Japanese.

Any Danish fans who were hoping that Jon Dahl Tomasson goal would spark a late onslaught are to be disappointed. If anything, Japan look the likelier to grab the game's fourth.

As you'd expect, contrasting scenes on the pitch in Rustenburg, Japan celebrating wildly as they make their way into the second round of a World Cup for only the second time (the first coming in 2002) - and Denmark looking understandably dejected. They can have little argument, though.

So we now know 13 of our last 16 teams in South Africa: Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico, Argentina, South Korea, USA, England, Germany, Ghana, Netherlands, Japan, Paraguay and Slovakia. More than a few surprise packages in there, no?

It's left to six teams to battle it out for the final three second-round places, then. Portugal, Ivory Coast, Chile, Spain, Switzerland and (just) Honduras could all yet push into the last 16 in tomorrow's four matches - and you know what that gives us? It gives us Fantastic Four Friday (ahem). Portugal-Brazil, North Korea-Ivory Coast, Switzerland-Honduras and Chile-Spain. It rarely gets better than that. Join Jonathan Stevenson and me, Sam Lyon, for those - don't you dare miss it.