World Cup predictions game: check out our latest updates
Podcast: listen to the latest edition of World Cup Daily
Share your pictures, videos and stories via GuardianWitness
Watch the latest edition of our World Cup Show
Find lots of other cool stuff on our World Cup homepage
4.55pm BST
It's been a fabulous couple of hours, a real thrill. Jacob Steinberg is your man for Colombia v Ivory Coast in Brasilia, where the players are emerging from the tunnel even as I type. I'll be back for the England game in a couple of hours. Bye!
4.52pm BST
I'm about to wrap this up, but quickly, here's Jonathan Watts' World Cup diary.
4.51pm BST
They're busy practising the national anthem flag arrangements in Sao Paulo. I love the Uruguay anthem, which has an intro so long that the camera has nearly always finished panning along the entire team before anyone starts singing.
4.48pm BST
These Colombian elephant masks are terrifying. If there's ever a World Cup-based horror film, this is what the killer will be wearing as he viciously beats people to death (with an overstuffed brown envelope, I imagine).
4.35pm BST
Dominic Fifield will be fielding questions on England v Uruguay, and potentially other things, here, soon. Do come back y'all.
4.33pm BST
In the hours after Chile beat Spain yesterday shares in the country's largest winemaker Concha y Toro rose 3.4%, and shares in Compañia de las Cervecerias Unidas, their largest brewer, rose 3.2%, according to wine-searcher.com. It's almost as if someone's expecting Chileans to be celebrating in the next few weeks.
4.26pm BST
This just in from Sky Sports News: "Cameron the lion predicted the wrong result of England v Italy, so today we picked another zoo, and another lion." Could it be that the blame did not in fact lie with the lion? And furthermore that what whoever organised this shambles in fact should have changed was what they do for a living?
Anyway, the new lion thinks England will win.
4.21pm BST
Fifa's official line on the Chile fans who stormed the stadium last night: "It is embarrassing. I think we have to protect the journalists and we have to protect the media. They came in through a little gate, and then a group ran into the inner perimitre and were kicking down the door of the media centre. Believe me, we had a meeting yesterday evening to make sure this will not be repeated."
4.18pm BST
On this day, 56 years ago, Pele scored his first ever World Cup goal, in a 1-0 win against Wales in Gothenburg. Since that day Brazil have won the tournament five times. Wales have never qualified again.
4.13pm BST
"Luis Suárez falls over quite easily For me, England have every chance of winning the World Cup." it's Graham Poll's England v Uruguay preview!
4.08pm BST
Some World Cup photos fill me with joy and hope and pleasure and sunshine. Other make me come over all King Lear. Now, where are my gardening shears?
4.02pm BST
News now of a minor injury affecting the Belgium captain Vincent Kompany, from AP:
Belgium captain Vincent Kompany missed training on Thursday because of a groin strain, three days ahead of his team's Group H game against Russia at the World Cup. Kompany stands at the heart of the Belgium defense and missing the Manchester City stalwart would be a big handicap for the group leader. Coach Marc Wilmots called it a "slight" strain and said Kompany was working on an individual program with the medical staff. Playmaker Eden Hazard made a return to training and showed no ill effects from a toe contusion sustained in Tuesday 2-1 victory over Algeria.
3.55pm BST
Colombia: David Ospina; Mario Yepes, Cristian Zapata, Pablo Armero; Juan Zuniga, Abel Aguilar, James Rodriguez, Carlos Sanchez, Juan Cuadrado, Victor Ibarbo; Teofilo Gutierrez Substitutes: Santiago Arias, Carlos Carbonero, Camilo Vargas, Fredy Guarin, Alexander Mejia, Eder Balanta, Carlos Bacca, Adrian Ramos, Juan Quintero, Jackson Martinez, Faryd Mondragon, Carlos Valdes.
Ivory Coast: Boubacar Barry; Serge Aurier, Souleyman Bamba, Arthur Boka, Didier Zokora; Cheick Tiote, Yaya Toure, Serey Die, Max Gradel; Gervinho, Wilfried Bony. Substitutes: Ousmane Diarrassouba, Kolo Toure, Mathis Bolly, Daniel Akpa Akpro, Salomon Kalou, Didier Drogba, Didier Ya Konan, Ismael Diomande, Sylvain Gbohouo, Constant Djakpa, Giovanni Sio, Sayouba Mande.
Referee: Howard Webb (England).
3.52pm BST
This just in from the Press Association:
A look-alike to Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari managed to pull off an outrageous hoax which somehow duped the country's biggest news organisation, Globo.
The look-alike, Vladimir Palomo, called up Brazil's most famous journalist, the highly-respected Mario Sergio Conti, and offered to meet him for an interview in Sao Paulo.
3.47pm BST
Live from Sao Paulo comes this picture, taken but a half-hour ago:
3.44pm BST
Ooooh, this sounds fun.
Furious scenes at end of FIFA daily media briefing. Journalists shouting without microphones. FIFA spokesperson: "calm, please."
3.42pm BST
There's a preview of the England game on La Celeste Blog, whose Shaun Lawson has been on the blower. "We think Uruguay will line up like this:
(4-3-1-2): Muslera; Caceres, Gimenez, Godin, A. Pereira; Gonzalez, Arevalo Rios, Rodriguez; Lodeiro; Suarez, Cavani.
3.27pm BST
The England v Uruguay whistle will be blown by Carlos Velasco Carballo, a Spaniard who so far as I can tell has never refereed either side before. You may remember him from Manchester United 1-1 Bayern Munich in this season's Champions League, when he enraged the German side by sending off Bastian Schweinsteiger. Matthias Sammer felt Antonio Valencia should also have been sent off and that the referee "needs to apply the same standards". Pep Guardiola opined: "He is a very good referee. He made a very, very good game. It is unfair, but it is OK. In football this kind of thing happens"
3.17pm BST
Looks like Carlos Valderrama's in town
3.14pm BST
In other refereeing news, Japan v Greece will be officiated by Joel Aguillar, the 38-year-old El Salvadorian teacher who you may remember from Argentina v Bosnia-Herzegovina.
3.12pm BST
Hello everyone. So, a big day for England it'll be our first chance to enjoy the card-waving charms of our very own Howard Melton Webb. He'll be taking charge of Colombia v Ivory Coast, the first game of the day. All of the World Cup referees have been asked to say a little bit about themselves for the Fifa handout about them, and this is what our Howard volunteered:
As a policeman, I help to arrange activities with kids to get them engaged in football, kids who otherwise would stand on street corners with not a lot to do or kids who might be involved in anti-social behaviour and so on. There are over 500 kids and Im very proud to be part of such a beautiful project. On the other side, my younger referee colleagues like to compare me to a Hollywood star: but unfortunately not exactly a good-looking one! They say that I look like Shrek, which explains why I have a picture of him as a screensaver on my mobile phone!
3.04pm BST
And that's my cue to leave. Here's Super Simon Burnton!
3.03pm BST
Snapper Dave has written about Cesare Prandelli. He's the manager of Italy, it says here.
2.57pm BST
Whatever happened to the days when Terry Venables could hire an open-top bus and drive round Trafalgar Square all afternoon singing at bemused tourists?
2.56pm BST
If they don't play this in the England dressing room tonight, they've got no hope.
2.47pm BST
An oldie but a hair-raising goodie: the BBC's build-up to England v Germany at Euro 96.
2.35pm BST
Mario Mandzukic is feeling pleased with himself after his two goals last night. "We know that we have to go for a win and will head into the clash fearlessly as it's the only way we can beat a very good Mexican side," the Croatia striker said. "I worked for the team against Cameroon and the goals came as a reward, hopefully we will fire on all cylinders again because we will need to."
2.28pm BST
2.21pm BST
Cameroon's manager Volker Finke is still annoyed. The African sides haven't been very good, have they? Apart from Ivory Coast, who could give Colombia a difficult game in a couple of hours.
I know that it is difficult to play with 10 men, but that is not a reason to lose it to this point," Finke said. "The game was balanced until the red card. The Croatians were more clinical in front of goal, but Cameroon also had chances to score. The behaviour of some of the players is really not satisfactory. Even when we were 11-a-side, it was not acceptable. "After such a result, we have to admit that it is a disgrace. We must look to the future."
2.18pm BST
Michael Hall sends this amusing clip of footballers doing grammer.
2.00pm BST
Here's a ten-year-old Luis Suarez gnashing his way through the set of Uruguay's version of Fun House.
1.54pm BST
"Cafu is possibly the coolest bloke I have seen here so far," says Snapper Dave Hytner. "He sauntered through Fortaleza airport on his own, got mobbed, posed for pictures, embraced fans and, only when a lone security guard came over to steer him towards a sealed-off area, did he saunter off."
Ok, so here's another one. Some bloke I saw at the airport at an early stage of his mobbing! #cafu #bra pic.twitter.com/Wu6YIv3HKg
1.52pm BST
Jermaine O'Leary had roast chicken for lunch. He hasn't said what part of the chicken, whether there were accompaniments or where he got it from.
It's a slow day.
1.49pm BST
"I really want your shorts." "I really want your shorts!" "Let's swap!" "Friends for ever!"
Former Sevilla teammates Rakitic and Mbia swap shorts after Croatia - Cameroon https://t.co/mtfDUj5tlb
1.47pm BST
"What you have for lunch Jacob?" says Jermaine O'Leary. "Where did you go? Just curious."
The canteen. A sandwich. You?
1.46pm BST
Dave Hytner has finally got his phone working. He's pleased with himself.
This is how to arrive at a game #bra pic.twitter.com/0YApIFw4Tx
1.44pm BST
"With Belgium being the hipsters choice, any idea who the anti-hipster are?" says Paul Kelly.
England. No hipster would support England.
1.42pm BST
"I have been a big fan of Spain for a number of years," says Bevan Jones. "It really gets my goat when commentators (literally all British ones especially Townsend) complain that Spain don't play with a striker as they 'lack a focal point' or 'don't have any direction', presumably because these commentators would lump it up to the 'big man'. Its worked pretty well and is a proper tactical innovation. However, after watching Barca and Spain (and West Ham recently) it struck me that Tiki-taka works best with a false 9 or strikerless. The centre backs get befuddled. You can dominate midfield. You can shut up shop. You can play on the counter (although a Spain/Barca counter attack would probably take about 10 minutes). Del bosque made the mistake of not trusting Fabregas, just because Costa had had a good season. However, he is not suited to Spain's system. Playing a more fashionable 451 formation fell into Holland and Chile's hands - its easier to defend and much more predictable. Everyone knows how Costa will play. Anyway long live Tiki-Taka yeah?"
Not entirely. Barcelona had Henry and Eto'o up front in 2009 and Villa in 2011. Spain won Euro 2008 and 2010 with Torres and Villa in attack at various times.
1.34pm BST
Uh oh. Poor Cristiano really isn't looking too healthy here is he? There may be a good deal more ice applied to that knee before Sunday's game with the USA.
1.11pm BST
The World Cup Show is live and ready for you to watch right here. Zlatan even makes an appearance, kind of.
12.57pm BST
And on that note, I'm going to grab some lunch. Back shortly.
12.55pm BST
Jose Mourinho is flirting with England again. He must want a new striker at Chelsea. Here's what he had to say.
Not now. Not seven years ago when I had the chance. I made the right decision, my wife helped me make the right decision. Not now. No way. Too young, too strong, too much appetite to train every day, to play every game, to play three times a week, too much appetite still. But I like your country very, very much. I feel at home. Of course the passport doesn't change, the heart doesn't change. I'm Portuguese 100 per cent but I love your country and if one day the opportunity arises, why not?"
12.47pm BST
I should stress that that's not an outright prediction, more a sneaky suspicion. Are they up to something?
12.46pm BST
Does anyone else think that Italy are going to win the World Cup? You heard it here 35th.
12.43pm BST
David Hytner has sent this from Brazil, where they're busy riffing on Diego Costa's pain: "Diego Costa's grief-stricken mug is plastered across the front of the local paper here in Recife, and it's hard not to sense the glee. Inside, there is a photo of the Brazilian-born Spain striker with a phone pressed to his ear. The caption? Hello, Scolari.
12.36pm BST
"I think Thiago was a big miss for them," says William Hardy. "It was pointed out in several places that Bayern fell backwards towards the end of the season when he got injured and I think his ability to move the ball quickly both through passing and ability to beat a man would have made Spain look a little less one-paced than they did last night. Dont think they would have won, mind you, but I think he could have made a difference."
Not as good as Fellaini, though.
12.33pm BST
"Was it just my imagination or were our FA planning on adopting a Spanish style youth development system?" says Ben Savage. "I guess I can take succour from the fact that planning is one thing, implementing another entirely. Any chance of them trying to innovate rather than copy? I suspect not"
That's old hat, we're on to the Chilean model now.
12.23pm BST
"Was the real problem with Spain maybe Deigo Costa?" says Drew Gough. "Someone noted in the MBM coverage last night that they were surprised not to see Cesc doing his false nine thing after the defeat to the Dutch, and maybe there's something to that. Costa looked pretty aimless, and Spain really struggled to find him except for that one laser pass from Iniesta in the first half. So maybe tiki-taka hasn't died, but Spain betrayed it by trying to play with a recognized striker, and then with whatever the hell Fernando Torres is."
A little but the main problem is that the brains of the side has slowed down and it's not that surprising that this side is worn out. It's not the end for them, though. Spain aren't exactly lacking in talent when you look at who's waiting to come in. Aren't they busy winning everything at youth level?
12.19pm BST
Further to my point, actually, now I think about it, actually, are we really saying that Barcelona or Spain at their peak would be as easily embarrassed? The Barcelona, say, that beat Real Madrid 5-0? A tiki-taka refresher.
12.10pm BST
Why must tiki-taka be over? Why are other styles of football never over when teams lose? Is it not simply the case that the key proponents of tiki-taka have reached the end? You can't make a style of football work if your players don't play well. Players make the system, surely, and how does one go about replacing Xavi, not only one of the greatest Spanish players of all time but one of the greatest midfielders of all time.
12.04pm BST
We have a winner! "Tal Ben Haim!" announces Matt Holubinka. "He also lost the Community Shield with Chelsea (and hasn't won that either)."
Matt wins. Sort of. The Israeli defender was an unlucky loser with Chelsea and Portsmouth.
12.01pm BST
The answer is not Emmanuel Eboue. Nor is it Kolo Toure or Gilberto Silva.
12.00pm BST
Indiana
Barney Ronay has been on an adventure to find the holy grail of South American football. There could be a lucrative movie series in this if journalism doesn't work out.
11.57am BST
"How significant do you think the Confederations Cup is on the performance of certain teams here at the World Cup?" says David Wall, sounding curiously like an exam paper, before then answering his own question. "Almost all of them that took part last year have so far underperformed to some extent (with the exception of Italy and, perhaps, Mexico (although it's difficult to tell as they looked good in their opening game but that was only against Cameroon)). While it might have a positive side of letting teams find out more about playing conditions ahead of time (and so adapt preparation accordingly), perhaps that is outweighed by not having had the summer before the World Cup for their players to get a rest and holiday before this long season (and factoring in continental tournaments that means this is the third consecutive summer in which they'll have been playing in some cases). Might it be sensible in future for continental champions to send experimental sides to the Confederations Cup in future to offset that?"
Er, yes.
11.48am BST
Hello. Paul's gone. Let's start with a quiz. Name the non-EU player who has finished second in the Premier League, lost the FA Cup final, lost the League Cup final, lost the Champions League final and never won any of them. Send your answers to jacob.steinberg@theguardian.com. The first person to come up with the answer wins my
eternal respect
pity.
11.44am BST
It's fair to say that the African challenge at the World Cup so far has been disappointingly, though not entirely surprisingly, feeble. Algeria were diligent against Belgium and Ivory Coast did what they had to do against Japan, but Cameroon were bizarrely negative against Mexico before self-destructing against Croatia, Nigeria played stupidly against Iran and Ghana's decision-making and deliveries helped give victory to a very limited USA team. But things may not be as bad as some would have you believe, at least not according to the Ghana FA, who have angrily rejected a radio report in Ghana of rebellion in the Black Stars' camp. "We state emphatically that the report is absolutely false and has no basis in fact. There is no player revolt against Black Star coach Kwesi Appiah. No player or players have been involved in any mutiny"
11.20am BST
So what fresh hell does Senor Suarez have in store for English defenders tonight? Ever since the draw, the meeting with Suarez has loomed like a trial and we all know he is capable of sentencing England to elimination. Or is he? Exactly how fit is he? And even if he is on song, can Uruguay's average midfield actually get him the ball and can their rickety defence keep England at bay? If England can summon the mental fortitude that they have so often lacked and actually finish with composure, they could tonk Uruguay tonight. But if they do not, then Uruguay, who are proper warriors, will prevail, probably with Suarez scoring the goal of the tournament and/or winning a penalty/punching the ball into the net/surreptitiously covering Joe Hart's eyes while Edinson Cavani notches the winner.
10.55am BST
Neil Morton has written a dandy little blog explaining how he found the perfect soundtrack for the aftermath of England's tussle with Italy last weekend. Here, check it out. And what song do you think will be most apt after tonight?
10.28am BST
That's all from me, thanks for the emails. Over to Paul Doyle for the next few hours paul.doyle@theguardian.com.
10.23am BST
Here's some more Spain demise analysis. James Debens emails: "Watching Spain v Chile reminded me of the Arab swordsman scene in Indiana Jones, with Chile as our bestubbled hero killing tiki-taka."
10.19am BST
News from the National Grid: they're braced for a power surge of 1,100MW in England at half-time of the Uruguay game tonight - 440,000 kettles being switched on. Maybe best to stagger it. Their all-time record was 2,800MW for the West Germany v England semi-final in 1990. Or 1.12m kettles. More electricity here.
10.14am BST
An update on the racism/discrimination allegations: the Press Association reporting Fifa are reacting to a complaint from the Fare anti-discrimination network about fan behaviour at Brazil v Mexico and Cameroon v Mexico. Fifa told PA:
"We can confirm that we have been contacted by Fare. Prior to this, disciplinary proceedings were already opened against Mexico for improper conduct of spectators during the match Mexico v Cameroon. As the proceedings are ongoing, we are not in a position to comment further."
10.01am BST
Here's Uruguay coach Óscar Tabárez, via the Blizzard, on how he brought success back to his side, and how he handles big egos.
I dont coach stars, I coach people. I understand that some of the performances they have and the attention they get in the world media mean that there are footballers more prone to being idolised and being seen on a pedestal of idealisation, but that doesnt change the fact that I coach people, with feelings and common duties and obligations, and that football is a collective game, not an individual one. When I want to see stars, I look at the sky.
9.53am BST
More here on the grim news from earlier that Ian Wright is flying back from Brazil after his wife and children were burgled at knifepoint. Wright's manager Steve Kutner told the Sun: "It was a terrifying ordeal. They marched Ian's wife from room to room. I would like to thank ITV for helping Ian get home as quickly as possible."
You won't get away with it!
9.43am BST
More from Cameroon's lively exit: Benoit Assou-Ekotto's injury-time head-nudge of teammate Benjamin Moukandjo was "unimaginable", reckons their coach Volker Finke - who apparently didn't see his squad's meltdown coming.
"I saw this happen and I need to find out what happened, why exactly these two players exploded. I really hate to see that. It's not the image of Cameroon I want to project."
9.35am BST
Now this feels sadly familiar. Fifa have reportedly opened proceedings against Mexico over alleged fan racism. They're also investigating claims of homophobic chants from Brazil fans, and antisemitic and racist banners displayed by Croatia and Russia fans. More to follow.
9.22am BST
World Cup talking points are in. Among them: Cahill's strike, more poor refereeing, the end of Spain's era, Croatia's progress and this question: are Chile now real contenders to win it?
Though they were facing a Spain side malfunctioning like an old ZX81, Chile were mightily impressive at the Maracanã. Jorge Sampaoli saw fragility in the Spain lineup, and perhaps in the Spanish psyche, and tailored his plan to exploit it. On the ball, Spain were suffocated by Chiles high-tempo. Time after time, Sergio Ramos resorted to what were essentially long balls out from the back Del Bosque had talked about a tweak in style, but in Rio this was down to neccessity rather than invention. On the ball, Las Rojas were incisive a Xabi Alonso mistake was ruthlessly, and beautifully, exploited for the first goal. Iker Casillass ill-advised punch was punished for the second. They might have had more.
So much depends on the next game (and, for that matter, the final round of fixtures in Group A). If they can beat Holland and avoid Brazil, who will presumably win Group A though that is by no means guaranteed, then the quarter-finals should beckon for Sampaoli and his team. There theyd meet someone from Group C or Group D Italy most likely. And they have nothing to fear from Cesare Prandellis side. In fact, given the way Chile played on Wednesday evening they have little to fear from anyone. They could be in this tournament for a long, long time.
9.15am BST
So to England. Among the early angles: Uruguay have been sabotaged by bed termites, the country is braced for sex, heart attacks and scraps, and Michael Cox has nailed the tactics.
The return of Luis Suárez means Edinson Cavani drops back and becomes a second striker, an extremely important role for Uruguay. They suffer from a complete lack of pace in defence, which means the backline has to play very deep, and the midfield protects them keenly. With Suárez playing on the shoulder of the opposition defence, it means there is a yawning gap in the side, and Cavani is instructed to cover this space with constant running. Diego Forlan, now 35, was unable to do that against Costa Rica.
9.03am BST
Classic YouTube has a World Cup theme this week. Here it is including this fine flip-book take on RVP's special goal.
8.57am BST
Bust-up news! Greece say their training ground "heated moment" definitely hasn't knocked their focus ahead of today's game against Japan. In fact, it's improved it, to "200 percent". Defenders Yannis Maniatis and Giorgos Tzavellas were pulled apart by captain Giorgos Karagounis on Tuesday, but defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos says it was "just minor, just trivia. Such instances are good for the press, but that's all." Coach Fernando Santos: "We're not stressed."
8.49am BST
And some more reaction from Spain, to add to that Marca front page.
AS: "The ending was horrible. It had to come sometime, it was assumed, but never could such a painful, so unrecognisable and vulgar farewell be imagined. Goodbye, World. Spain is out and their punishment is the humiliation of having to play next Monday against Australia in the game of shame between the first two teams eliminated."
El Mundo: "Spain reached the end of the most beautiful time in its history. There was no better land in which to do it. Two European Championships and the World Cup after a tyrannial reign, the squad is buried at the Maracana with the same noise of a giant collapsing."
20 Minutos: "Farewell to the World. Humiliated, beaten, crushed, without pride or honor. In the saddest way."
Super Deporte: "An unmitigated debacle."
8.28am BST
So Vicente del Bosque knows what's coming.
"It's true that when such things happen during a World Cup or a tournament like this then it has consequences ... We will have to take a decision on what is best for Spanish football."
It was a long walk out of the Maracanã and a quiet one too. From the dressing room to the door, Spains players had to weave their way round the room. Most of them walked the route in silence, passing by in front of the media, eyes down. They had just produced the countrys worst ever performance at the World Cup in the year that they turned up as champions. They did not much feel like talking and many of their inquisitors did not much feel like asking.
Some of those in the national media just watched them pass, almost as if paying their respects. Others sought solace or tried to provide it. One word was repeated often, almost whispered as they walked past. Ánimo, they said and not much else. Ánimo is somewhere between sorry and chin up, and it is wholly inadequate. Back home in Spain, Marca were preparing their front cover. It showed Andrés Iniesta alone, leaving the pitch sadly. The End, the headline said in English.
8.13am BST
Morning from London. Seamless. So, among today's talking points is Alex Song's red card for a playground elbow chop. Hard to describe, but pretty special.
Congrats Alex Song! Watched assorted football assaults for 30 yrs now. NEVER seen the Spinecracker Tomahawk Elbow Chop! #hongkongfuey
I'm very sad at the moment as I feel I have let my country and myself down. It was a stupid moment and I'm truly sorry. If I could do anything to take it back I would. Please forgive me.
7.44am BST
Some unpleasant news off the pitch. Ian Wright has flown home from his duties with ITV after his family were robbed at knifepoint by burglars. This from the Press Association:
Former England international Ian Wright is understood to have flown home from Brazil after his wife and children were burgled at knifepoint.
It is understood four men armed with knives made their way into his north-west London home and held his wife and children before making off with personal possessions.
The pundit, who has been working for ITV at the World Cup, tweeted on Wednesday night: "You won't get away with it."
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "We are investigating an aggravated burglary at an address in north-west London after we were called at 9.20 last night. Personal possessions were stolen.
7.37am BST
Having said that, Marca aren't too hopeful for the future:
Tomorrow's 'The End' Marca cover really is very good pic.twitter.com/EiRGSgG9Ss
7.05am BST
So, the holders are out. Not that that necessarily means Spain are about to enter an era in the wilderness. Let's have a wee look at holders who have gone out in the first round and what happened next (apart from snarky remarks on Twitter, or whatever the equivalent of Twitter was in the 1950s)
Italy (1950). They had to wait 12 years to defend their victory in 1938 because of the second world war and finished second in their group in 1950. Out in the group stages again in 1954.
6.40am BST
Reports of mass shirt burning in Maine:
The Most Popular #WorldCup Jerseys in the US (excluding #USA and #MEX), State by State. pic.twitter.com/ieieAHfebR
6.32am BST
So, Tim Cahill's superb goal against Holland has Twitter (well, Shane Warne and Gary Lineker) buzzing. And it's rather safe to say this man liked it too:
Australia is a tough game, a tough team to play against, well organised. This coach [Postecoglou] is really good. He allows his team to play an attacking game
6.21am BST
Good afternoon/morning/evening from [checks outside window] sunny Sydney, a more convincing stand-in for Rio than either of the Guardian's other offices in London (not enough beaches) or New York (not enough massive statues of Jesus). Where are the massive statues of Jesus, in Sydney though you ask. Good point, I hadn't really thought this one through. Look, there are beaches and the national team plays in yellow in Sydney. Let's leave it at that. England take on Luis Suarez and chums in arguable the day's biggest match, here's what James Richardson and the podcasters have to say about the whole shebang:
6.05am BST
The blog will start shortly. In the meantime, here are all the latest results and standings after yesterday's games, and you also can take a look at our predictions game make your picks for today's games and see how your previous calls went.
You can check out all our World Cup interactives, games, wallcharts, videos, series and more on this page here.
Continue reading...