World Cup rankings: Spain back on its game

24 1-8 dvd box setIf Spain is a team in crisis it did a pretty good job of hiding it on Monday night. In fact, the European champion seemed to be rather enjoying its World Cup difficulties.24 seasons dvd box set
After a shock opening loss to Switzerland last week, Spain responded by dominating Honduras 2-0 to get its campaign back on track.
“You have to look positively and I think the defeat can help us,” midfielder Xabi Alonso said. “Every team has to go through a difficult time if it wants to win the tournament. We have had ours.24 dvd box set
More From Martin RogersWorld Cup brings feuding brothers together jun 21, 2010 The day Donovan's career almost ended jun 21, 2010 ADVERTISEMENT “The Switzerland game gave us the chance to look at ourselves, change a few things, and come back strongly.”24 1-8 dvd set
The Spanish’s performance was enough to catapult them back up to No. 5 in the Yahoo! Sports rankings, though they must still beat Chile in their final group game to progress to the last 16.24 box set
Here’s a look at who’s hot and who’s not going into the all-important final round of group matches.24 dvd
Yahoo! Sports’ World Cup rankings
1. Brazil (last ranking: 3) – Bounced back from a slow start with a win over Ivory Coast and cruised easily into the second round with a game to spare.
2. Argentina (1) – The most gifted attacking lineup of this tournament and lit up by Lionel Messi’s magic.24 seasons box set
3. Netherlands (4) – Nothing flashy so far but few teams look more stable and comfortable.
4. Portugal (11) – Exploded into life with a 7-0 thrashing of North Korea and is back on course.24 seasons dvd
5. Spain (8) – Still a class act despite opening upset loss to Switzerland.
6. Mexico (10) – Nervous in their opener, the Mexicans tore France apart and are being spurred by Giovani Dos Santos.
7. Uruguay (12) – Strong and tough and capable of riding the Diego Forlan juggernaut.24 seasons 1-8
8. Chile (13) – Two wins from two for South America’s best kept secret.
9. Paraguay (14) – Can top Group F and set up an easier path in the next round.
10. Germany (2) – A huge drop after losing to Serbia and now must beat Ghana or go home.24 1-8 box set
11. Italy (9) – The defending champs are looking weak and disjointed after two draws, but they can never be discounted.
12. Denmark (24) – Won one of the best games of the tournament by defeating Cameroon 2-1.24 1-8 dvd
13. England (6) – Fans in the locker room and now a player mutiny … it’s all going wrong.
14. United States (15) – The Americans have a simple equation: Win over Algeria = Round of 16.
15. Serbia (27) – Kept itself alive by beating the Germans and now should reach the knockout stage.
16. Switzerland (7) – Disappointing response against Chile after shocking Spain in its opening game.
17. Ghana (17) – Controls its destiny but needs a result against Germany to survive.
18. Japan (18) – Facing a showdown with Denmark for a place in the last 16.
19. Slovenia (19) – Physical, aggressive and lucky to escape with a point against the USA.
20. Greece (20) – Strong response against Nigeria kept the Greeks’ hopes alive.
21. Ivory Coast (5) – Destined to be the odd man out in the Group of Death.
22. South Korea (16) – Mixed results so far but should do enough to go through.
23. New Zealand (26) – Limited but tenacious side produced a magnificent effort to tie Italy.
24. Algeria (29) – Tough defense earned the Algerians a draw against England, but they’re short on attacking threats.
25. Slovakia (23) – Great in European qualifying but overwhelmed and outclassed here.
26. Australia (32) – Improved from an abysmal start to the tournament.
27. South Africa (31) – A lack of spirit ruined Bafana Bafana’s chances of emerging from Group A. 24 dvd box set
28. Nigeria (30) – Perhaps the most disappointing of all the African nations here.
29. France (22) – A collection of arrogant individuals who will soon get the early exit they deserve.
30. Honduras (28) – Brave and committed but not of World Cup quality.
31. Cameroon (25) – Already eliminated after two defeats.
32. North Korea (21) – Early promise quashed by a brutal drubbing against Portugal. 24 seasons 1-8 dvd box set