A FIRST ROUND TO REMEMBER

Goals, saves and fat jokes about Ronaldo - the first round of the 2006 World Cup provided plenty of talking points for fans of the beautiful game.

Here are just some of the highlights:

Unbeatable Germany: Germany put to rest any lingering doubts over its status as one of the top contenders when it wrapped up first place in Group A. Germany struggled in exhibition play before the tournament, leading many pundits to predict the host nation would bomb before its home fans. Tired of the gloom and doom prediction of their premature demise, the Germans proved they are a legitimate threat to win their fourth World Cup by finishing the first round with a perfect record on the strength of three convincing victories. Germany last won its first three matches at the World Cup in 1970 when it reached the semifinals.

Ronaldo on the brink of greatness: Ronaldo looked out of shape, both mentally and physically, in Brazil's two opening games and received sharp criticism from the Brazilian media - some newspapers went so far as to joke about Ronaldo's weight. The Real Madrid striker had the last laugh, though, when he awoke from his slumber in Brazil's third game, a 4-1 win over Japan. Ronaldo scored twice to run his career goal tally at the World Cup to 14 and tie West Germany's Gerd Muller for the most goals scored in the history of the tournament. Curiously, the Ronaldo fat jokes have stopped.

Hard luck for first-timers: Seven nations were competing at the World Cup for the first time and only two - Ukraine and Ghana - made it out of the first round. Ukraine is the first former Soviet republic to advance to the second round of the competition. Ivory Coast, one of the newcomers, was considered Africa's best team but no doubt suffered from being drawn into a difficult group that included the Netherlands and Argentina. At least they won a game, something Angola, Togo and Trinidad and Tobago couldn't manage.

Best game: Australia's come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Japan in Kaiserlautern was, you'll excuse the expression, a real barn burner. Japan scored midway through the first half and despite being outplayed in the second half looked certain to collect three points. In a matter of minutes, the game turned on its head. Second-half substitute Tim Cahill scored two goals in the final six minutes and John Aloisi scored in injury time to seal Australia's first-ever World Cup victory. Incredible.

Best goal: Argentina's second goal in a 6-0 destruction of Serbia and Montenegro in Gelsenkirchen was the picture of perfection, a goal crafted with equal parts South American flair and German precision. A fluid 24-pass movement climaxed with Juan Roman Riquelme slipping a pass inside for Esteban Cambiasso, who then knocked the ball to Hernan Crespo. The Argentine forward sent a back-heeled return pass into the path of Cambiasso, who thumped the ball into the net from 12 yards out. "Argentina's display restored my faith in [soccer]. This was the way the game is meant to be played with skilful passing of the ball, beautiful touches and wonderful control," said Paddy Agnew, respected journalist for World Soccer magazine. Amen.

Low point: Daniele De Rossi's vicious elbow to the face of Brian McBride during a 1-1 draw between Italy and the United States was a sickening sight. The American forward was badly bloodied, and De Rossi was sent off after receiving a red card, the same colour of McBride's crimson-stained jersey. De Rossi later apologized to McBride, a gesture that the American described as "classy." Maybe, but De Rossi's act of violence was cowardly to begin with and the Italian deserved much more than the four-game ban he received from FIFA.

Europe, South America domination: Of the 16 teams that made it to the second round, only three come from outside Europe and South America: Australia, Ghana and Mexico. Four years ago, five teams outside those two continents - Mexico, the U.S., South Korea, Japan and Senegal - advanced to the round of 16.

So long, South Korea: Four years ago, South Korea struck a mighty blow for Asian soccer and stunned the world by upsetting Portugal, Italy and Spain en route to making it all the way to the semifinals. There was to be no miracle run for the South Koreans this time, however, as it only managed to beat lowly Togo and finished third in Group G behind Switzerland and France.

France ends scoring drought: After eight long years, France finally managed to score a goal at the World Cup when it battled South Korea to a 1-1 draw in its second game. The French were blanked in all three of their contests four years ago and in this year's opener against Switzerland, and had not scored since thrashing Brazil 3-0 in the 1998 final.

Portugal ends 40 years of disappointment: For the first time in 40 years, Portugal will compete in the second round of the World Cup. Portugal finished top of Group D with nine points, ensuring its participation in the round of 16. This is Portugal's fourth appearance at the World Cup, but it only made it beyond the opening round once, in 1966, when it lost to eventual champion England in the semifinals. "This is a historic moment for Portugal, the first time in 40 years it has come so far. We're elated," said Portugal's Brazilian coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari.