Dutch Likely to Sit Five

The Netherlands probably will leave five World Cup starters on the sidelines for Wednesday’s game against Argentina in Frankfurt, Germany, a match that will decide the winner of Group C.

Six Dutch players have yellow cards, and if any of them get another against Argentina they would miss the game in the round of 16.

Based on Monday’s training session, midfielder Mark van Bommel, defender Giovanni van Bronckhorst, winger Arjen Robben, central defender Joris Mathijsen and injured John Heitinga probably will be dropped from Dutch Coach Marco van Basten’s starting lineup.

The Netherlands and Argentina has each won its first two games.

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Jared Borgetti will sit out Mexico’s Group D finale against Portugal on Wednesday because of a torn left thigh muscle, though the team hopes to have him back if it qualifies for the second round.

The forward spent Monday on his rehabilitation, team physician Jose Luis Serrano said, including riding a stationary bicycle and swimming. Borgetti’s progress will be evaluated each day.

The 33-year-old Bolton striker, whose 38 career international goals lead Mexico, was hurt while chasing down a loose ball early in the second half of a 3-1 win over Iran on June 11.

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England and Ecuador already have made the second round of the World Cup. They’ll decide their opponents in the knockout phase today.

Four games per day through Friday will determine the matchups for the round of 16.

Germany or Ecuador will win Group A, and one of them definitely will play England in the next round.

The South Americans have the edge on goal difference, so a tie against the Germans at Berlin gives them the top spot in the division.

England has six points from two shutout wins but could finish second in the group should it fall to Sweden.

That’s hardly unfathomable -- the English haven’t beaten the Swedes since 1968, going 0-4-7.

England will have star striker Wayne Rooney back in the starting lineup about seven weeks after he broke his foot.