Netherlands 2-0 Denmark: Dutch fans create a lively atmosphere outside Soccer City in Johannesburg as they prepare for their team's opening Group E clash against Denmark
The Danes are also out in force in South Africa and take their places in the stadium with kick-off approaching in the opening game of the day
Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart rises above Nicklas Bendtner to head the ball as the Netherlands control the opening stages of the clash but struggle to break through the disciplined Danish defence
Van der Vaart shows his frustration after failing to capitalise on a couple of chances on the edge of the Denmark box midway through the half
The Dutch take the lead in fortuitous fashion as Robin van Persie's cross is met by the head of Danish defender Simon Poulsen and deflects into the goal off the back of Daniel Agger in the 46th minute
The men in orange celebrate taking the lead in bizarre circumstances and will want to push for a second goal after producing a disappointing display in the opening half
The Dutch wrap up the win five minutes from time as Dirk Kuyt slots home from close range after Thomas Sorenson makes a fine save to deny the impressive Eljero Elia
Japan 1-0 Cameroon: A young Japanese supporter prepares for the Group E encounter against Cameroon at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein
Yuki Abe slides in to challenge Cameroon's Eyong Enoh during a disappointing opening half hour to the match in which both sides fail to create any chances
The African side are stunned in the 38th minute as Keisuke Honda finds space in the box before firing the ball past Hamidou Souleymanou to give Japan the half-time lead
Cameroon grow increasingly frustrated as they fail to make any impact on the encounter with Pierre Webo unable to trouble the Japanese defenders
Inter Milan's Samuel Eto'o attempts to raise Benoit Assou-Ekotto's spirits but is anonymous throughout the match and unable to influence proceedings as Cameroon slip to an unlikely defeat against the Japanese
Italy 1-1 Paraguay: Defending champions Italy get their World Cup campaign underway against Paraguay with five members of the side that won the trophy in 2006 in their starting line-up
Italy's Alberto Gilardino challenges Paraguay's Antolin Alcaraz for the ball as both teams make a tentative start in a rainy Cape Town
Antolin Alacaraz rises above Fabio Cannavaro and Daniele de Rossi and thumps a header into the corner of the net to give Paraguay the lead at Cape Town Stadium
A goalkeeping error leads to Italy's equaliser as Simone Pepe curls in a corner from the left and Justo Villar misses an attempted one-handed punch, allowing Daniele De Rossi to hit home from close range
Italy take heart from the goal but despite having the better of the play, the defending champions cannot get the better of a stubborn Paraguay defence
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