The powerhouses of European soccer are struggling to make an impact at the World Cup, but amid their woes South American teams are building up a formidable record.
Brazil, Argentina and Chile started with two wins apiece, while Uruguay and Paraguay have also impressed.
In total they have racked up a formidable eight victories in 10 games, with two draws and not a single defeat, but it’s a different story for Europe.
Most spectacularly of all, 1998 winners France have imploded amid recriminations following an opening draw with Uruguay and a miserable defeat to Mexico. Euro 2008 champions Spain and three-times World Cup winners Germany have also tasted defeat, while England have labored to two draws and defending world champions Italy were held by lowly New Zealand.
Argentine legend Diego Maradona had a rough assessment for sides from Europe, where most of the world’s top talent ply their trade.
“I’m a bit disappointed with France,” Maradona said. “France is not having the best of times. The intrinsic value of the players in France should get them on a higher level.”
Despite Spain’s shock opening defeat to Switzerland, Maradona tipped them to come good.
“Spain, I think they will do well. The way Spain started, they were coming to pick up the World Cup and we were all playing for second place,” he said.
“Italy, my God. It must be a huge scandal in Italy when they see that,” Maradona added.
Maradona chalked up South America’s World Cup dominance to tough qualifying, the same path that his side struggled through last year.
“The qualifying round in South America is quite competitive,” Maradona said. “Europe has tough qualifying, but you can also end up playing the Faroe Islands. South America has teams that are fit for a World Cup.”
South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who masterminded his native Brazil’s World Cup win in 1994, welcomed the good results for South American teams, saying it showed skill could prevail over physical strength.
“South America once again has been able to show the strength of its football,” said Parreira, whose side slumped to a 3-0 defeat to Uruguay. “If you are rapid in your play, if you are creative in your play, you will get results.”
He said Brazil would do well, adding: “The Brazilians perhaps haven’t yet used their experience to the full. They haven’t put their foot fully on the pedal.”
Ivory Coast manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, whose side went down 3-1 to Brazil, said the five-time champions, who also beat North Korea in their opener, had the mark of potential winners.
“I think the Brazil team can go all the way. They have quality, especially in defense,” the former England manager said after his side played the South Americans. “You need to be almost perfect to beat Brazil. In every way they are good, they are very good.”
The less-feted Paraguay have also impressed in their first two matches, holding Italy 1-1 and overpowering Slovakia 2-0 to stand on the brink of qualification for the knockout stages.
Coach Gerardo Martino, who fielded three strikers against Slovakia, has said there are “no limits” for his team, which had wins over Brazil and Argentina in qualifying, if they play to their potential.
Speaking about the performances of teams from Latin America, which include Honduras and Mexico as well as the South Americans, he singled out Mexico for special praise.
“Considering the group they’re playing in, I think Mexico are doing a very good job,” Martino said.
Parreira, whose team are in Mexico’s group, also had words of praise for the Mexicans.
“Mexico, undoubtedly, they do have the best team in the last 15 or 20 years, a bunch of good experienced players,” he said.
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