Boredom for all, except England

In the end England gained the point they needed to secure their place in the second round of the World Cup finals on Wednesday by drawing 0-0 with Nigeria. But the means they used to guarantee it produced the worst match of the tournament so far and sent most of the 44,000 crowd to sleep in the hot sunshine long before the end.

The ones who were still awake jeered and booed as Nigeria played keep-ball across the back whenever they had possession for the last 15 minutes.

The only other game to end goalless was the 0-0 draw between France and Uruguay in Pusan last Thursday 8212; but at least that game produced goalmouth action and thrills. This game was enlivened only by a Paul Scholes shot that Nigeria8217;s teenage goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama deflected on to the post in the first half and a few half-chances that each team squandered as the match played out to its inevitable conclusion.Reuters