Day Eighteen: Mexican Standoff

Netherlands produced an astonishing late comeback to rescue their World Cup dream and deny Mexico a first quarter-final in twenty eight years. Substitute Klass-Jan Hunterlaar scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot in injury time after Arjen Robben was tripped by the Mexican captain Rafael Marquez. They had equalised in the eighty eighth minute through Wesley Sneijder's thumping strike from the edge of the penalty area and with extra time beckoning, Robben won Louis van Gaal's side the spot-kick that took them into the quarter-finals. It was a heartbreaking moment for the Mexicans, who had gone ahead just after half-time through Giovanni Dos Santos, the former Stottingtot Hotshots and Barcelona player, who fired in from twenty five yards with a memorable strike. At the final whistle at Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza, Mexico's players fell to the ground, unable to grasp how the game had slipped away from them. For long periods they had out-thought and out-fought their more celebrated European opponents as the Dutch appeared to wilt in the stifling heat. This is the sixth successive World Cup that Mexico have lost in the second round dating back to 1994. The heat was a significant factor throughout. The spiralling temperatures, which reached 38.8c, meant that FIFA allowed two 'cooling breaks' to take place. In parts of the stadium, fans struggled to take their seats because they were in direct sunlight, preferring to stand at the back and watch from an area of shade. On the field there was no hiding place for either side. Mexico played with courage and cohesion, tempo and tenacity. They had the better of the first half, with Hector Herrera and the excellent Miguel Layun a constant thorn in the Netherlands' side. Carlos Salcido tested goalkeeper Jasper Cillissen from distance, while Dos Santos forced another good save from a narrow angle. The Netherlands were struggling in the conditions. Mexico looked more ambitious, more attack-minded. Van Gaal's side sat deep, defended in numbers, sometimes with a back seven and looked happy to rely on the attacking brilliance of Robin van Persie and Robben. It was a plan which, ultimately, paid off though not until very late on. It was not until the second half that the Netherlands side found their rhythm but, by then, they were behind. As in the first, Mexico began the second half with a bang - Dos Santos gathered the ball thirty yards out, held off Daley Blind and thumped a wonderful left-foot shot into the bottom corner on the turn. The celebrations rumbled around Estadio Castelao. Mexico might have had another soon after as Marquez headed over from a corner. Van Gaal moved away from a back five and pushed substitute Memphis Depay into a more attacking midfield role. It almost paid off but the brilliance of Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa kept them at bay. Robben's corner was flicked on by Stefan De Vrij but the Mexico goalkeeper reacted instinctively to push the ball against the post and to safety. The Dutch came forward in wave after wave of attacks and Robben felt he had won a penalty when he went to ground under a challenge by Layun but the referee waved play on. Ron Vlaar headed a Robben corner over the bar as time ticked on. Just as the Dutch looked out on their feet, Sneijder rescued them, pouncing on a loose ball that had run back from a corner and firing an unerring shot low beyond Ochoa to change the game. With thirty minutes of extra time looking likely, Robben raced into the right-hand edge of the penalty area. Marquez stuck out a boot and the Bayern München player went to ground. Hunterlaar kept his cool and converted the spot kick to put the Netherlands through.

Costa Rica are into the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time in their history after beating Greece 5-3 in a penalty shootout in Recife. Sokratis Papastathopoulos - the man with the most Greek name in history - had scored an injury-time equaliser for Greece which cancelled out Bryan Ruiz's side-footed opener and sent the game into extra time. Costa Rica, down to ten men for almost an hour after Oscar Duarte's bone-thick dismissal, scored their first four spot-kicks. Theofanis Gekas missed for Greece, and Michael Umana settled the tie. It means the Central American side - surprise qualifiers from a group containing England, Italy and Uruguay - go through to face the Netherlands on Saturday for a place in the semi-finals as their unlikely run at the World Cup continues. Dimitris Salpingidis had the best chance of a turgid first half but his close-range volley from a fine Jose Holebas cross was saved by the legs of Costa Rica's Keylor Navas - the first of several crucial interventions by the Levante keeper. Christian Bolanos had already sent a half-chance over the bar for Costa Rica while Greece's Giorgos Karagounis saw a long-range effort comfortably saved as erratic passing meant chances were a rarity. Greece started the second half well with Giorgos Samaras heading a Holebas cross straight at Navas from six yards. But it was Costa Rica who broke the deadlock with their first shot on target. Poor Bloody Fulham's Ruiz, who spent the latter part of last season on loan at PSV Eindhoven, converted from the edge of the area, placing a precise side-foot shot into the corner of the goal after a Bolanos pass from the left found him in space. The Central Americans were incensed not to be given the chance to double their lead after Greek defender Vasilis Torosidis appeared to handle in the box and then, to compound matters, lost Duarte when he, stupidly, brought down Holebas to pick up a second yellow card. Although the game opened up as a result of the dismissal, neither side was able to create a clear opening until the final minute of the game when Papastathopoulos found the net with a scuffed shot from inside the box after Navas had parried Gekas's shot into his path. The goal, Papastathopoulos's first in international football, sparked wild celebrations on the Greek bench and they might even have won it in what remained of normal time but Navas superbly tipped Kostas Mitroglou's bullet header over the bar. Greece had further half-chances through Gekas and Kostas Katsouranis before a golden opportunity to win it arrived in the second half of extra time. They broke upfield from a Costa Rica corner and found themselves with a five-two advantage, the ball eventually finding its way to Lazaros Christodoulopoulos - but once again Navas responded agilely to turn the strike away for a corner. And Costa Rica had their keeper to thank yet again as he saved Mitroglou's late half-volley from six yards in the last seconds of extra time. There was to be further drama before the penalties had even begun as Greece manager Fernando Santos was sent off for getting aal stroppy and discombobulated. The first seven spot-kicks were confidently dispatched before Navas made his final and decisive contribution, saving from Gekas and leaving Umana to put Costa Rica through.

An England supporter reportedly had a piece of his ear bitten off by another England fan at the World Cup in Brazil. The alleged assault happened during England's match against Uruguay in Sao Paulo on 19 June, British police deployed to the tournament have said. Local officers started an investigation after the fan made a complaint but the assailant has not been identified. Confirmation of the incident came after radio pundit Stan Collymore tweeted that he had seen footage of 'a fan attacked.' Six British police officers have travelled to Brazil for the tournament. Their role is to offer support and advice to Brazilian police and local authorities as well as overseeing the thousands of England fans who travelled to the country. The Association of Chief Police Officers issued a statement following Collymore's tweet. Chief Supt Rachel Barber said that her officers were made aware during the match 'that an incident had taken place which resulted in an England fan having a portion of his ear bitten off by another England fan.' She added: 'In the immediate aftermath, we managed to make contact with the victim and offered advice and support. The day after the attack, the victim chose to make a formal complaint to the local police and they opened an investigation. During the course of our pursuit of the assailant, we located and interviewed several witnesses. They were very helpful in giving their version of events, but, unfortunately they were unable to give us a name for the alleged attacker.' She said that officers observed supporters at England's final match against Costa Rica on 24 June in Belo Horizonte 'but it appears he did not travel to that game. Efforts are ongoing to identify the suspect and bring him to justice either in the UK or, if possible, back in Brazil where the offence occurred,' she added. A Foreign Office spokesman said: 'We are aware of an incident in Sao Paulo on 19 June involving a British national and we provided consular assistance.'

Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic refused to divulge which of his Muslim players are observing Ramadan ahead of Monday's World Cup second round meeting with Germany. The thirty-day dawn-to-dusk fast began on Sunday and Halilhodzic bristled at a routine question about the subject in his pre-match news conference. 'This is a private matter and when you ask this you lack respect and ethics,' said the Bosnian. 'The players will do as they wish and I would like to stop this controversy.' Ramadan is mandatory for Muslims and one of the five pillars of Islam, although there are exemptions for the sick, pregnant, infirm or elderly. Individuals who are travelling or going to war are also permitted to avoid it and this is the provision under which most athletes will delay the fast until a more suitable time. It is an issue that Halilhodzic did not take kindly to being quizzed about, adding: 'Ramadan is here and I read in some Algerian newspapers criticisms about me, about my image, about my honour. They are trying to raise hatred against Vahid, against my family, and this is really disgusting. It is not the first time I have Muslim players in my team, I myself am a Muslim, and I've always left them totally free. This is a private issue - it has to do with private freedom of expression. Those who continue criticising our team and my actions, I think it's shameful. But I will continue [as coach], I will continue working with this team. I'm sorry that you continue criticising what I do. Stop asking me about Ramadan, otherwise I will get up and leave.'

France coach Didier Deschamps welcomes back midfielder Yohan Cabaye from suspension for their second round tie with Nigeria. Mathieu Valbuena could also return to the starting line-up but defender Mamadou Sakho is doubtful due to a thigh injury. Nigerian forward Victor Moses missed the Argentina game with a muscular injury and faces a fitness test. Winger Michael Babatunde is out after his wrist was fractured by a shot from team-mate Ogenyi Onazi.

Day Seventeen: Penalties!

Brazil secured a dramatic penalty shootout win against Chile to reach the last eight and set up an all-South American quarter-final against Colombia. Goalkeeper Julio Cesar was the hero, making two crucial spot-kick saves, to thwart a relentless Chile side who were denied victory themselves by the woodwork with seconds to spare in extra time. That the hosts came as close as they did to making an unexpected exit in Belo Horizonte had a nation of more than two hundred million people holding its breath. Cesar, who made just one appearance for Queens Park Strangers last season and went on loan to FC Toronto, redeemed an error he made which cost Brazil dear in the quarter-finals against The Netherlands in 2010. He saved from Mauricio Pinilla and Alexis Sanchez as Brazil went on to win a tense shootout three-two. Gonzalo Jara hit a post with the decisive spot-kick to prompt wild celebrations inside the Estadio Mineirao - and across the rest of the nation. David Luiz and Marcelo had converted their efforts for Brazil, but with Willian and Hulk missing theirs, it fell to the hosts' star striker Neymar to step up under intense pressure and calmly slot home what proved the winning kick. Luiz had earlier put the hosts in front, only for the hugely impressive Alexis Sanchez to equalise. Hulk then had a strike disallowed for handball by referee Howard Webb - fairly, as it turned out but, but much to the geet stroppy anger of the home fans. Pinilla also hit the crossbar for Chile in the final minute of extra time. A high-tempo and high-quality first half, was followed by a more sedate second period which always suggested extra time might follow. Brazil's fans roared with relief while Chile were defeated, yet with their reputation as one of the game's most dangerous sides significantly enhanced. Having never lost to La Roja on home soil and having beaten them on all three of their previous World Cup meetings, Brazil arrived with history on their side. Chile earned a two-two draw at the same venue last year but that was one of only two encounters in which they avoided defeat since last beating Brazil fourteen years ago. The noise in the stadium before before kick-off was astonishing, swathes of yellow dominating the pockets of red, and the atmosphere only intensified when Fernandinho went in late on Charles Aranguiz and the Chile midfielder and team-mate Gary Medel responded in kind by kicking Neymar up a height. After Webb turned down a penalty appeal at either end, Brazil soon took control and were rewarded for their pressure when Neymar's corner was flicked on by captain Thiago Silva and steered into the net by what appeared to be a combination of Luiz and Chile defender Jara. Brazil's main threat was once again Neymar, the twenty two-year-old dragging a shot wide after racing towards goal and then being sent flying by Arturo Vidal's reckless challenge. Luiz Felipe Scolari had warned his side they could not afford to make any mistakes in the knockout stage and he would have been furious with the way Chile were allowed back into contention. Hulk's poor control from Marcelo's throw-in gifted possession to Eduardo Vargas and he quickly found Sanchez in the penalty area to drill a low finish across Cesar. Brazil worked hard to regain the lead but the half ended with the hosts frantically scrambling to deny Aranguiz after carelessness from Luiz Gustavo. The second half felt comparatively subdued compared to the frantic pace of the first until Webb's big call arrived, with Hulk judged to have controlled a pass with his arm before beating Bravo. It was a tough and unpopular decision but seemed, on the basis of television replays, to be the correct one. It must also have severely pissed-off Guy Mowbray commentating for the BBC who had, clearly, waited all tournament to have the opportunity to say 'Hulk! Incredible!' only to then see the goal disallowed. Don't get him angry, Mister Mowbray. You wouldn't like him when he's angry. A period of Chile pressure ensued as Cesar superbly denied Aranguiz from close range. Former Sheikh Yer Man City striker Jo replaced the once again ineffectual Fred and might have made a quick impact, but failed to connect with Hulk's cross. Bravo did well to repel a Neymar header and Hulk's powerful, ahem, smash, before again thwarting the much-improved Hulk in the first period of extra time. Scolari played his final card by introducing Moscow Chelski's Willian for a disappointing Oscar, but the weary Chileans - for whom the excellent Medel was carried off on a stretcher in tears - switched from an aggressive three-one-four-two formation to a defensive five-one-three-one and appeared intent on holding on for penalties. They could, however, have snatched the most incredible of winners when substitute Pinilla rattled the bar powerfully in the final minute. Penalties would be needed and Brazil held their nerve to make the last eight as Chile's arse fell out at and their bottle went at the most unfortunate of times.

But as one South American surprise package left the tournament they had so lit up, another just kept on going. James Rodriguez confirmed his status as the World Cup's newest star with a virtuoso display as Colombia took advantage of mad bitey Luis Suarez's absence to beat a poor Uruguay in Rio. As the controversial Liverpool Alabama Yee-Haws striker watched back in Uruguay after being banned for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini, twenty two-year-old Rodriguez elevated his name alongside Brazil hero Neymar and Argentina superstar Lionel Messi. Suarez had been crucial to Uruguay's progress to the last sixteen but Oscar Tabarez's side were struggling against the odds once FIFA imposed a nine-match international ban and four-month suspension from all football-related activity on their star striker. If one superstar had left the stage, another has emerged as Monaco's Rodriguez volleyed arguably the goal of the tournament in the first half then crowned a superb team move for the second. In the absence of the injured Radamel Falcao, Rodriguez has become Colombia's new pin-up and is making his mark on the global stage as the tournament's current top-scorer with five goals. His side will now meet hosts Brazil in the quarter-final in Fortaleza on Friday - and have shown they have the capacity to wreck the hopes of the host nation. He may not have been inside the Maracana but Suarez was here in spirit as Uruguay fans showed their solidarity with the shamed striker, sporting masks, brandishing flags of support and ensuring the game kicked off to the sound of his name. But, for all Tabarez's bold talk of using a perceived injustice to inspire his team, they simply never coped without Suarez's brilliance and Colombia's victory was thoroughly merited. After the heat of the off-field debate, the game itself was actually threatening an anti-climax until the magical intervention of Rodriguez before the half-hour delivered yet another moment to illuminate this World Cup. Rodriguez was aware enough to glance over his shoulder and check his own position and that of Uruguay keeper Fernando Muslera before cushioning a header on his chest and striking a stunning twenty five-yard left-foot volley in off the bar. It was the most perfect combination of technique and talent, drawing gasps from around the iconic stadium when it was replayed on the four giant screens that hang from the roof of the vast bowl. If his first goal was a testimony to his individual ability, the second five minutes after half-time was an illustration of Colombia's combination of talent and teamwork. After a period of possession, Pablo Armero's cross found Juan Cuadrado, who showed great athleticism to guide his header into the path of Rodriguez, who made no mistake from eight yards. Uruguay responded but their World Cup was over - although Maximiliano Pereira and Edinson Cavani forced fine saves from Colombia keeper David Ospina. Rodriguez was removed in the closing minutes to conserve energy for the meeting with Brazil. He will pose a serious threat to Luiz Felipe Scolari's side - as will a highly impressive Colombia.

Day Sixteen: Dog Day Afternoons

Today, at the World Cup, there was no football. Not a sausage. Bugger all. Shit, it was boring.

Meanwhile Luis Suarez's grandmother, Lila Piriz Da Rosa, has claimed that her grandson has been 'treated like a dog' by FIFA after he was thrown out of the World Cup for the third biting incident of his professional career. Not, perhaps, the most sensible of similes to use in this case since a dog that bites people usually gets humanely killed. Suarez only got a four month ban. A necessary difference, one feels.

Day Fifteen: Thou Shalt Not Bite Thy Neighbour's Back

Naughty little scallywag Luis Suarez has been suspended from 'all football-related activity' for four months for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini. Whether that includes watching matches on telly, doing keepy-ups in the garden on his own or playing Subbuteo is not, at this time, entirely clear. The Liverpool Alabama Yee-Haws player has also been banned for nine international matches for Uruguay, ruling him out of the rest of the 2014 World Cup. He will also miss the first nine games of the Premier League season and the opening rounds of both the Champions League and the Capital One Cup. The incident occurred during Tuesday in the Group D game, which Uruguay won to qualify for the last sixteen. Suarez has also been fined one hundred thousand Swiss francs. The ban is the largest in World Cup history, beating the eight games given to Italy's Mauro Tassotti for elbowing Spain's Luis Enrique in 1994. 'Such behaviour cannot be tolerated on any football pitch and, in particular, not at a FIFA World Cup when the eyes of millions of people are on the stars on the field,' Claudio Sulser, chairman of the FIFA disciplinary committee, said in a statement. Suarez's first match back for Liverpool Alabama Yee-Haws could be in round four of the Capital One Cup, with matches due to take place in the week commencing 27 October. Suarez has now been found guilty of biting three opponents during his career. He was banned for ten games for biting Moscow Chelski FC's Branislav Ivanovic during a Premier League match in 2013 and was also suspended for seven games for biting PSV Eindhoven's Otman Bakkal in 2010 when he was playing for Ajax. His ban includes 'all football-relate activity', including presumably, training. He also had a total worldwide stadium ban for the same four month period. Under the terms of the ban, Suarez is prohibited from entering the confines of any stadium during the period of his suspension, even just for a look around. FIFA, however, did stop short of telling him that he must sit in silence and 'think about what he's done.' However, Liverpool would not be prevented from selling the player this summer should they decide to offload him to another club. Uruguay say that they will appeal, calling it an 'excessive decision' for which 'there was not enough evidence.'

Thomas Müller was, once again, the difference as Germany qualified as winners of Group G with victory over the United States, who also reached the last sixteen. The Bayern München forward scored his ninth World Cup goal in as many games to give Germany a routine win at a rain-soaked Arena Pernambuco in Recife. The rate at which Müuller is scoring in World Cup games is matched only by Pele, who also found the net nine times in his first nine matches in the tournament. The twenty four-year-old German is now just six goals behind the all-time scoring record, which is jointly held by Müller's team-mate, Miroslav Klose and former Brazilian striker Ronaldo. This was a frustrating afternoon for the United States and their travelling army of fans. They failed to force Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to make any save of note but nevertheless their qualification was assured by Portugal's 2-1 victory over Ghana in Brasilia. The US will now travel to Salvador to take on the much-fancied Belgians on Tuesday. Germany will play Algeria, the runners up of Group H in Porto Alegre on Monday. Before the game, much had been made of the suggestion that both sides might play for a convenient draw that would take each of them through. But with US coach Jürgen Klinsmann, who previously managed Germany, facing off against his protégé Joachim Löw, neither team took a backward step from the first whistle. Germany, playing their familiar passing game at a patient tempo, carved out a series of early chances. On three occasions defender Jérôme Boateng found space wide on the right flank and fizzed fierce low crosses into the penalty area, while The Arse's Mesut Özil came closest to scoring, stepping away from Matt Besler's challenge to test the Merkins goalkeeper Tim Howard. Germany had to wait until the fifty fifth minute to make the breakthrough, however, having seen Özil and substitute Klose go, ahem, closer It was a cross by the former that created the goal with The Arse team-mate Per Mertesacker heading powerfully at goal and forcing Howard to push the ball into the path of Müller, who scored. The United States did show spells that suggest they will not be easy to beat in this tournament. Michael Bradley was at the heart of their best work, setting the tone with his tenacity in the tackle and his ability to keep possession under intense pressure. The Toronto midfielder created the USA's best chance of the game, finding Kansas City forward Graham Zusi, whose shot curled narrowly over the bar, but Bradley's touch let him down just as a shooting opportunity presented itself moments before half-time. The midfielder allowed his frustrations to get the better of him as he caught Müller with his studs raised and was fortunate to escape a booking. After half-time the USA improved. Alejandro Bedoya saw a shot blocked after a fluent move down the USA right, while Clint Dempsey headed just over late on. And although Germany closed out the game, when the result was confirmed in Brasilia, the Merkins also, ultimately, had something to celebrate.

Cristiano Ronaldo's second-half winner gave Portugal a 2-1 victory over Ghana, but the result means that neither team progress to the World Cup's last sixteen and Ronaldo left the field scowling all over his miserable boat race. Which was funny. Ghana defender John Boye gifted Portugal the lead when he turned a cross into his own net, but Asamoah Gyan headed in an equaliser. Ronaldo capitalised on a poor clearance to sweep home and give Portugal hope. But they could not find the three more goals they needed to prevent the United States advancing on goal difference. Which was very funny. Ronaldo's goal was his first in what was ultimately a disappointing tournament for a player who had scored fifty one times in forty seven appearances for Real Madrid last season. The twenty nine-year-old, who has suffered from knee and thigh injuries, failed to replicate the influence he had at club level as Portugal lost heavily in their opening group game against Germany, before a draw with USA left them needing to win by a large scoreline against Ghana to progress. While Portugal's problems have solely been on the pitch, Ghana's preparations were hampered by chaos behind the scene. Midfielders Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng were expelled from the squad for alleged indiscipline - although Muntari would have missed the Portugal game anyway through suspension after picking up yellow cards in their first two games - while players had even threatened to boycott the Portugal fixture because of a row over appearance fees. Muntari and Boateng were expelled for alleged indiscipline. A statement on the Ghana Football Association website claimed that both players had 'been suspended indefinitely.' It added that Boateng had used 'vulgar verbal insults targeted at coach Kwesi Appiah', while Muntari delivered an 'unprovoked physical attack on an executive committee member.'

Ten-man Belgium beat South Korea to top their World Cup group and set up a second round tie against the United States. South Korea needed a win from the game so the onus was on them to attack and they were helped when Steven Defour was sent off for a reckless, studs-up tackle on Kim Shin-Wook. A Son Heung-Min cross struck the face of the Belgium crossbar but the Asian side struggled to create chances. And Jan Vertonghen scored The Red Devils' winner when he slotted in after a Divock Origi shot was parried. Belgium have been criticised for a lack of flair so far in the tournament, but there is little question about their resilience as they have let in just one goal in three games and are unbeaten in their last thirteen competitive matches. Their victory - the first time The Red Devils have won three group games at a World Cup - eliminated a Korean side who lacked a cutting edge to go with their endeavour. South Korea boss Hong Myung-Bo apologised to his country's fans after their 4-2 defeat by Algeria in their previous match and his side began with the greater urgency in Sao Paulo. However, Hong's side might have conceded a spot-kick when Kim Young-Gwon cynically blocked Anthony Vanen Borre in an offence which began outside the box and continued inside the penalty area. And despite all South Korea's early effort they should have gone behind when a Kevin Mirallas shot broke for Dries Mertens, only for the Belgium midfielder to sidefoot high from eight yards with just the keeper to beat. Hong's side tried to respond, with Ki Sung-Yeung's twenty five-yarder being turned around the post by keeper Thibaut Courtois. From the resulting corner a header back across goal came off Belgium defender Nicolas Lombaerts before being hacked off the line by Defour. That was almost the last action of the match for Defour as he was soon sent off for a dangerous studs-up tackle which caught Kim on his shin. With South Korea having the numerical advantage Hong brought on forward Lee Keunho for midfielder Han Kook-Young at half-time. The substitute striker almost had an immediate impact as he had a shot blocked before heading a cross over, while a Son cross struck the face of the crossbar. South Korea's need to attack left them exposed at the back and Belgium took advantage. Origi had looked lively for Belgium after coming on as a substitute and, after his twenty-yard strike being parried by keeper Kim Seung-Gyu, Vertonghen reacted quickest to slot in the winner.

Algeria came from behind to draw with Russia and reach the World Cup last sixteen for the first time. Yer actual Fabio Capello saw his Russia side take an early lead when an unmarked Aleksandr Kokorin headed in from Dmitri Kombarov's left-wing cross. But Algeria grabbed an equaliser in the second half as Islam Slimani converted from Yacine Brahimi's free-kick. Russia could not score a winning goal as Algeria held on to secure a historically fascinating tie with Germany in the second round on Monday. However, the North Africans' equaliser was a controversial one as television pictures showed a laser from the crowd had been shone in the face of Russian goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev moments before the goal. Nevertheless, the CSKA Moscow custodian will be unhappy with the concession as he came off his line to try to intercept Brahimi's delivery but failed to get there ahead of Slimani. The goalkeeper had also made a costly error in his side's opening 1-1 draw with South Korea as he let a shot from Lee Keun-Ho slip through his fingers and into the net. So, like as not, it'll be off to the salt mines with him when he gets back home. Those dropped points proved decisive as Algeria, who failed to advance past the first phase in 1982, 1986 and 2010, joined Group H winners Belgium in the next round. Capello had guided England into the last sixteen in South Africa four years ago - in the most depressingly awful manner imaginable - but his Russia side failed to win any of their three group games in Brazil. They only found the net twice and did not have the cutting edge to score another against the Algerians, despite piling on the pressure in the closing stages. The Russians - who will host the 2018 finals - knew a victory would put them through to the second round and they made a perfect start as they took the lead in the sixth minute. Viktor Fayzulin released Kombarov and his cross was met by Kokorin, who powered a header from twelve yards past goalkeeper Rais M'bolhi. Algeria fought their way back into the game, but Akinfeev saved weak efforts from Djamel Mesbah and Brahimi and was also well placed to block Slimani's powerful header from close range. Russia almost doubled their lead three minutes into the second half, but Aleksandr Samedov was denied by M'bolhi after linking up with Kokorin. But Slimani, who scored in Algeria's impressive 4-2 victory against South Korea on Sunday, equalised on the hour with what turned out to be the most important goal in their history. Russia pushed forward in a desperate attempt to get the goal that would have taken them into the last 16 for the first time since the break-up of the old Soviet Union. Their best chance fell to Aleksandr Kerzhakov, but his low attempt was saved by M'bolhi as Algeria held on for a historic result. 'The goalkeeper was unable to do his job. The laser beam was in his face,' said Capello after the match. 'He was blinded by the laser beam. It is not an excuse. There are pictures and you can see that in the footage.' Capello, who confronted the officials at the end of the match, has now only won one of his seven games at two World Cups. Asked whether he would stay in charge of Russia, Capello replied: 'If they still want me, yes.'

Yer man Danny Baker has criticised the amount of former footballers as pundits currently on TV. The broadcaster described football punditry as 'a bogus science' and said that the type of contributors on the BBC and ITV at this year's World Cup are not reflecting the interests of fans. Baker - who presents a World Cup show on BT Sport - told Radio Times: 'Anyone who takes football in any degree seriously and treats it like a science that we study - mainly the people who sit on sofas on mainstream television like Mount Rushmore and pore over this stuff like Nostradamus like you can predict it, are wrong. It's the same old thing. Football punditry is the most bogus science. You know, [England] are not the best team in the world, but it is very hard to say consistently who is. Football's chaos. If we played the World Cup again next week, we probably wouldn't get the same results and we might do well. You cannot predict it.' Talking about ex-footballers dominating the TV line-ups, he said: 'It's not really about four-five-ones and all these terrible things journalists and ex-pros go on about. And that's the trouble with too many ex-pros doing football coverage. They'd rather have someone who can barely speak English just because they're an inspirational ex-footballer than someone who can enlighten and entertain. It is an extraordinary closed club.' However, he praised Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker, describing him as 'one of the best broadcasters in the world', but that he 'sometimes gets saddled with people who don't match the energy of the games.' Baker added that footballers have criticised professional broadcasters who have never played the sport, responding: 'They're quite willing to walk into my industry and assume they can do that.' He said: 'I think having exclusively footballers punditing football matches makes as much sense as having actors review films. As far as I know, the BBC doesn't have actors reviewing films because they used to be in them, but that applies to football for some reason, you know. It makes as much sense as replacing Mark Kermode with Tim Roth.'

Alberto Zaccheroni has quit as Japan coach after his side failed to reach the last sixteen. The Italian, who replaced Takeshi Okada in 2010, had said originally he would wait until he returned to Japan before considering his future. Zaccheroni's side finished bottom of Group C and collected just one point.

Day Fourteen: You're Going Home In A Big White Aeroplane

Argentina and Nigeria have both qualified for the last sixteen despite two Lionel Messi goals condemning the African side to a 3-2 defeat in their final group game. The Barcelona forward netted a fierce opener, but Ahmed Musa equalised within eighty seconds with a curling finish. Messi made it 2-1 before the break with a superb twenty five-yard free-kick, but Musa grabbed his second after bursting through. Marcos Rojo scored Argentina's winner, knocking in a corner with a knee. The result means Argentina finish top of Group F with three wins from three games, while Nigeria qualify in second with four points after Iran failed to defeat Bosnia-Hercegovina. Both teams will, however, need to tighten up if they are to advance to the latter stages of the competition, with neither likely to win any plaudits for their defending. However, the crowd crammed into the Estadio Beira-Rio on Wednesday saw another goal-laden match. It only took three minutes for Messi to arrive like a train and smash home after Angel Di Maria's effort came off a post. The celebrations had barely died down when Nigeria levelled. Midfielder Michel Babatunde - who was later stretchered off with a wrist injury - fed the ball into the left side of the area for Musa, who shifted to his right before curling in. It was the first time in World Cup history that two opposing teams had both scored inside the first five minutes. The forwards on show continued to expose the fragility of both defences, but it was not until stoppage time in the first half that the next goal arrived. Messi, who moments earlier drew an exceptional free-kick save from Vincent Enyeama, this time struck his dead ball over the wall and beyond the reach of the Lille goalkeeper. It was the twenty seven-year-old's fourth goal in three matches at Brazil 2014, having scored just once in his first eight World Cup appearances. Nigeria knew that Bosnia-Hercegovina had taken an early lead against qualification rivals Iran, but they did not rest on their laurels and were level within two minutes of the restart. It was Musa again who hit the target. This time the CSKA Moscow forward played a one-two Emmanuel Emenike before slotting the ball past Sergio Romero. Argentina pressed once more, with Di Maria twice forcing Enyeama to make good stops. But the Nigeria goalkeeper was beaten again eventually, when defender Rojo used his knee to convert a corner from the left. A desperate Di Maria was thwarted again by Enyeama in the closing moments, as the match ended in the same thrilling manner in which it began. Nigeria's coach Stephen Keshi claimed Messi 'is from Jupiter' after the match 'Messi is one of heck of a player. He's blessed. You can't take it away from him,' said Keshi. 'There are good calibre players in the team but Messi is from Jupiter.' Keshi, whose team advanced after Iran lost to Bosnia-Hercegovina, added: 'I feel honoured and happy it's going our way, I want to thank the players and the fans and some of the media.'

Iran's hopes of qualifying for the second round ended as they lost to already-eliminated Bosnia-Hercegovina. Carlos Queiroz's Iran side could have progressed to the last sixteen with a win but their hopes were dented when Edin Dzeko gave the Bosnians a deserved lead with a crisp shot from twenty five yards. Roma's Miralem Pjanic slid home a second after the break. Reza Ghoochannejad pulled one back but Avdija Vrsajevic sealed it to give Bosnia their first World Cup win. Their first ever victory in a major tournament at least gives the Bosnians something to show for their efforts in Brazil.

France could not maintain their prolific start to the tournament but still finished top of Group E following a goalless draw with Ecuador which eliminates the South Americans. Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba, Karim Benzema and Loic Remy went close as the much-changed French side were frustrated by an Ecuador who had their captain Antonio Valencia sent off. But after impressive victories over Honduras and Switzerland, a point was enough to send Les Bleus through to the last sixteen and a meeting with Nigeria in Brasilia on Monday. Although the full-time whistle was met with jeers from sections of a crowd baying for more goals in a tournament that has already delivered so many, France looked perfectly content. Didier Deschamps made six changes to his starting line-up and, while France lacked a finishing touch, they looked no less organised or physically imposing than in their previous two games. With Bacary Sagna, Laurent Koscielny, Morgan Schneiderlin and Pogba among those to come in, Les Bleus illustrated a strength in depth that could prove vital in the knockout stages. The danger France pose going forward - constantly interchanging attacking positions and pressing high up the pitch - has led many to install them as title contenders and the way they controlled possession, probed for a breakthough and defended as a team was impressive. But they seemed to be playing within themselves and clear-cut openings were scarce. Pogba's header was tipped over the bar by Alexander Dominguez and Moussa Sissoko volleyed straight at the goalkeeper, before Enner Valencia drew a sharp save from Hugo Lloris at the other end. The match became more stretched after half-time and Griezmann's volley was pushed on to a post by Dominguez before The Scum's winger Valencia was dismissed for a late challenge on Lucas Digne. Ecuador responded positively, Cristhian Noboa wasting a glorious opportunity after Enner Valencia's break, but France then showed more energy and cranked up the pressure. Pogba had a powerful drive blocked, Blaise Matuidi was denied by Dominguez after a neat exchange with Benzema and then Pogba somehow missed with a free header from close range. Lloris was forced to repel Alex Ibarra's strike before Dominguez thwarted Benzema, who linked well with substitute Olivier Giroud but could not score his tenth goal in nine international appearances. Giroud, fellow replacement Loic Remy and Pogba all tried to force a winner, only for Ecuador to hold the 1998 champions to a stalemate that will give them little cause for concern.

In the aftermath of France's qualification for the second round on Wednesday evening, BBC reporter Anna Holligan was strategically placed in a bar in Paris - and, hey, why ever not?! - to do a piece to camera about the reaction of French fans whilst surrounded by revellers bellowing a stirring rendition of La Marseillaise. Just like in that scene in Casablanca, so it was. Total credit to Anna, she managed to finish her summary of the French performance. Now, that's professionalism worthy of Didier Deschampes classy squad their very selves.

A hat-trick from Bayern München's Xherdan Shaqiri saw Switzerland beat Honduras to set up a tie with Argentina in the second round. The Europeans took an early lead as Shaqiri scored with a fine twenty five-yard strike, before he twice converted Josip Drmic passes to make it 3-0. Jerry Bengtson had the best chance for Honduras but his shot was cleared off the line by defender Ricardo Rodriguez. Honduras finished bottom of Group E with three defeats from three matches. The result saw their fifty four-year-old coach Luis Fernando Suarez resign immediately after the game, saying that 'a change was necessary for the benefit of the Honduran team.' Shaqiri, who can play on the left wing or through the middle, was the difference between the sides with his first World Cup goals. He has been linked with a move to the Premier League, with Liverpool Alabama Yee-Haws and The Scum reported to be interested in signing him, and he impressed with his clinical finishing. Switzerland, ranked sixth in the world and the top-seeded team in the group, began the day in third, but needed to win and hope Ecuador failed to beat France. With the South Americans only managing to draw 0-0 in Rio, that left an opportunity for Ottmar Hitzfeld's Swiss team to move into the last sixteen for the third time in six tournaments. After losing 5-2 to France in their last match, Switzerland produced a much better performance in Manaus and went ahead with Shaqiri's sixth-minute opener. Three Honduras defenders backed off as the twenty two-year-old cut in from the right, allowing him space to curl an effort past Noel Valladares. The game looked to be over after thirty minutes when poor defending from Honduras allowed Drmic to collect Gokhan Inler's ball from defence and square it for an unmarked Shaqiri, who converted calmly. From then on, Switzerland's hopes were resting on events at the Maracana, but Ecuador's failure to match their result meant that the Swiss advanced to face Argentina in Sao Paulo on Tuesday. Honduras have now failed to win any of their nine World Cup matches in three separate tournaments. The tough-tackling Central American side struggled on a pitch that was cutting up even inside the opening ten minutes at Arena Amazonia on a night when humidity was measured at eighty eight per cent. Wigan Not Very Athletic's Juan Carlos Garcia dragged a shot wide and Brayan Beckeles also missed when well placed in the Hondurans' only notable efforts of the opening forty five minutes. But they produced a greater threat after the break and Bengtson was unlucky as he took the ball around goalkeeper Diego Benaglio, only to shoot against Rodriguez. Suarez's side were then denied a penalty when substitute Jerry Palacios was bundled over by Johan Djorou and any faint hopes they may have had ended when Shaqiri scored his third in the seventy first minute. He collected another Drmic pass and finished past Valladares to complete his treble.

The England team have returned to the UK after being knocked out of the World Cup at the group stage for the first time since 1958. The plane arrived in Manchester from Brazil to drop off the Northern-based players before landing at Luton airport with the rest of the squad. England failed to win a single game during a disappointing campaign. They ended the tournament with a dull stalemate against Costa Rica on Tuesday before leaving their base in Rio.

More than one hundred gamblers have, reportedly, cashed in following Luis Suarez's apparent bite on the Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini. Online bookmaker Betsson had offered one hundred and seventy five to one on Suarez biting an opponent during the competition and, it is claimed, paid out forty four grand to one hundred and sixty seven punters, the biggest individual win being two grand. The firm paid out despite FIFA still investigating the incident. Suarez, of course, has quite a bit of previous, having twice been banned before for biting opponents - once as an Ajax player and once with the Liverpool Alabama Yee-Haws.

Day Thirteen: More Bite!

Uruguay's naughty Luis Suarez was involved in 'a controversial World Cup incident' as he appeared to bite Italy's Giorgio Chiellini during their Group D clash. The Liverpool Alabama Yee-Haws striker lunged at Chiellini in the penalty area just before Diego Godin's winner for the Uruguayans. Chiellini pulled his shirt down to show the referee - and the watching world - a mark on his shoulder, but no action was taken by the official. The maximum ban Suarez could face if governing body FIFA takes retrospective action is twenty four matches or two years. 'It was ridiculous not to send Suarez off. It is clear, clear-cut,' Chiellini told Italian television station Rai TV. 'Then there was the obvious dive afterwards because he knew very well that he did something that he shouldn't have done.' After the clash between the players Suarez went to ground holding his mouth, apparently suggesting that he had been elbowed. As Chiellini ran after referee Marco Rodriguez, Uruguay forward Gaston Ramirez attempted to get the Juventus defender to cover his shoulder. Suarez has considerable form over this sort of thing, of course, he had twice been banned for biting. FIFA will wait to receive the referee's report, with a spokeswoman told BBC Sport: 'We will gather all the necessary elements in order to evaluate the matter.' The disciplinary committee of world football's governing has the authority to 'sanction serious infringements which have escaped the match officials' attention.' The longest ban in World Cup history was eight games for Italy's Mauro Tassotti for breaking Spain's Luis Enrique's nose in 1994 with an elbow, while Zinedine Zidane was given a three-match ban for head-butting Marco Materazzi in the 2006 final. FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce said: 'There is no doubt Luis Suarez is a fantastic footballer but, once again, his actions have left him open to severe criticism. FIFA must investigate the incident seriously and take whatever disciplinary action is deemed necessary.' Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez tried to play down the incident claiming there is a vendetta from certain media towards Suarez. 'I'd like to see the images first before making any comment. If it happened, then the referee probably didn't see it,' said Tabarez. 'Despite mistakes Suarez has made, he is the target of certain media, a certain press.' Uruguay captain Diego Lugano also defended Suarez, whose two goals in the tournament so far came in the victory over England, and criticised the actions of Chiellini. 'What did you see? You saw this, really? You need to show me because I didn't see anything,' said Lugano. 'Did you see it today or did you see what happened in other years. You couldn't have seen it today because nothing happened. The worst of everything is the attitude of Chiellini.' Italy's manager Cesare Prandelli said that he was offering his resignation after the defeat, which eliminated his side from the tournament. 'I didn't see the images of Suarez but I did see the bite marks in Chiellini's shoulder,' said Prandelli. Liverpool's Suarez was banned for ten games for biting Moscow Chelski's Branislav Ivanovic in a Premier League match in April 2013. He was also banned for seven games for biting PSV Eindhoven midfielder Otman Bakkal's shoulder while he was Ajax captain in 2010. BBC Sport pundit and former England international Alan Shearer believes that Suarez should be severely punished for the Chiellini incident. 'I could not believe it,' he said. 'The pictures are pretty damning and, if found guilty, they should hammer him. He has built up his reputation over the last twelve months and to come into the tournament and do that, I am lost for words. I can understand why the referee did not see it clearly but they can look at video evidence and there is no way he can get away with that. It is disgraceful and disgusting. There is no place for it. Suarez did exactly the same after the Ivanovic incident, too. He feigned injury and pretended he was hurt in order to distract the referee. What on earth is he thinking of? Suarez was found guilty at Ajax, he was found guilty at Liverpool and if he is found guilty here, FIFA should give him as long a ban as they can. Three bites and you are out - they should absolutely hammer him.' Another former England international, Chris Waddle, said that Suarez needs to be 'severely punished. Let's see how strong FIFA are,' he added. 'There will be people who will defend him, but I don't know why. I'd make him wear a gumshield.' Mind you, dear blog reader, some of the reaction was hilariously over-the-top. Whilst on ITV, Glenn Hoddle was doing his best Helen Lovejoy impression and bewailing why someone won't think of the children, former England full-back (and skinhead numskull) Danny Mills had the following to say: 'It has to be the longest ban in football ever. A worldwide ban, not just an international ban. It is the third time it has happened and it is a clear bite this time, in a tournament of this magnitude, the most watched tournament in the world. They have got to throw him in jail and lock him up forever.' Yeah. Thanks for that, Dan, we'll let you know. Earlier in the game, Italy midfielder Claudio Marchisio was sent off for a nasty studs-up challenge on Egidio Arevalo. Uruguay will now play Colombia at the Maracana on Saturday in the last sixteen, but Suarez controversy is likely to rumble on. Italy left the field furious at the manner of their defeat but having to come to terms with a second World Cup in which they have failed to get beyond the group stages - the first time that has happened to the Azzurri since 1966. Prandelli said before the game it was 'the most important match of my professional career.' It was a tense and turgid contest that was bad-tempered both on the field and the touchline. On a number of occasions the officials had to step between the two benches, the referee's whistle interrupted play constantly and the players spent as much time on the turf as they did running with the ball at their feet.

While all that malarkey was going on, England's rotten World Cup ended without even the scant consolation of a victory as they played out a tame draw with Costa Rica in Belo Horizonte. This was a dead rubber game after England's losses to Italy and Uruguay - and there was nothing on show here to offer any belated cheer at the end of a thoroughly miserable tournament. Costa Rica's status as the surprise package of Group D was cemented by a result that ensured they finished top, but England coach Roy Hodgson has presided over a dismal England campaign. Daniel Sturridge came closest for the group's bottom side but wasted a succession of chances while goalkeeper Ben Foster - deputising for the rested Joe Hart , who was probably off filming another shampoo commercial - did brilliantly to turn Celso Borges' free-kick on to the bar in the first half. Hodgson gave Frank Lampard the captain's armband and used Steven Gerrard as a late substitute as the veteran duo played what may be their final England appearances. If so, it was an inglorious conclusion for the pair as the match developed into the sort of low-key game many feared after England arrived in Belo Horizonte with their World Cup ambitions already shattered. Hodgson had hoped England might be inspired by the selection of fresh faces, but as he and England's squad applauded their travelling fans at the final whistle, there was an air of disappointment and anti-climax. England had found themselves on the back foot almost from the kick-off, when Joel Campbell's shot was deflected just wide off Gary Cahill - although both sides looked puzzled when a goal kick was awarded. Sturridge was presented with England's best chances, shooting just wide from twenty yards after good control then heading over from six yards after Phil Jones knocked back Ross Barkley's corner. He also had presentable claims for a penalty ignored when he fell in a tangle with Costa Rica's Oscar Duarte but referee Djamal Haimoudi was not interested. Foster was impressive, especially in dealing with a Borges free-kick bound for the top corner - but otherwise it was a first half that was as low key as expected in such a meaningless fixture. Sturridge also had England's first opportunity of the second half but the Liverpool striker's control let him down and keeper Keylor Navas was able to block, albeit sustaining a knock in the process that left him requiring treatment. All of England's best chances were falling to Sturridge and he was off target again when he tried to be too precise from Jack Wilshere's flick and curled a shot wide of the far post. Hodgson then made his substitutions in quick succession, sending on Raheem Sterling for Adam Lallana, and Gerrard for Wilshere, while Wayne Rooney announced himself with a clever chip that forced a save from Navas. But there were to be no goals and no glory - and this was a game that deserved neither.

Greece qualified for the last sixteen for the first time with a dramatic win against Côte d'Ivoire. Glasgow Celtic's Georgios Samaras converted an injury-time penalty to seal the win after he was judged to have been fouled by Giovanni Sio. Greece had taken a first-half lead when substitute Andreas Samaris scored following Cheick Tiote's elementary schoolboy-type defensive error. Côte d'Ivoire had looked like advancing when Wilfried Bony equalised from Gervinho's pass, before the late twist. Soon after their elimination from the tournament was confirmed, the Ivorian coach, Sabri Lamouchi, resigned. Greece will face now Costa Rica in the second round in Recife on Sunday, while the Ivorians have now gone out in the group phase in each of the last three World Cups. They began the day second in the table and, with Colombia beating Japan 4-1 in the other Group C match, needed only a point to become the first African side to qualify for the second phase in this year's competition. However, Greece, who offered little as an attacking threat in the second half, were given an opportunity to grab the winner when referee Christian Lescano pointed to the spot, despite strong Ivorian protests. They were unhappy that Samaras, who kicked the turf, had fallen to the ground, but the official gave the decision in Greece's favour and Samaras kept his composure to shoot past goalkeeper Boubacar Barry for his first international goal since Euro 2012. Greece started the day bottom of their group and their hopes of qualifying suffered a further setback when they had to make two substitutions inside the first twenty four minutes, including goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis with a back injury. However, they created the best first-half opportunities with Samaras leading a quick counter attack and releasing Jose Holebas, whose shot from the edge of the penalty area rebounded off the crossbar. Fernando Santos's team went ahead with their first goal of the tournament and only their third in three World Cups. Yer actual Keith Telly Topping's beloved (though unsellable) Newcastle midfielder Tiote carelessly lost the ball to Samaris, who played a one-two with Samaras before lifting the ball over Barry. Despite the African side seeing more of the possession after the break, Karagounis almost made it 2-0 with a long-range effort that hit the crossbar. But the Ivorians, who had seen Salomon Kalou and Wilfried Bony shoot wastefully wide earlier in the second half, deservedly equalised with a quick counter-attack as ex-The Arse forward Gervinho set up Bony. The Swansea striker, who scored in their 2-1 win against Japan on Sunday, calmly finished past substitute goalkeeper Panagiotis Glykos. That goal sparked wild celebrations, but the Africans joy turned to despair with Samaras's ninety third-minute penalty.

Colombia finished top of Group C to set up a second round tie against Uruguay after beating Japan, who were eliminated. Japan needed a win to stand a chance of progressing but went behind when Juan Cuadrado scored a penalty following Yasuyuki Konno's foul on Adrian Ramos. Shinji Okazaki's steered header drew Japan level only for Jackson Martinez's low strike to restore Colombia's lead. Martinez cut inside and slotted in a left-foot shot before James Rodriguez's exquisite chip wrapped up the win. Colombia used their third goal as the signal to bring on forty three-year-old keeper Faryd Mondragon, whose introduction saw him become the oldest player at a World Cup finals as he broke Cameroon forward Roger Milla's record. Los Cafeteros, who went into the game having already qualified for the knockout stages for the first time since 1990, used the game as an opportunity to rest key players but still registered a third straight win. Japan manager Alberto Zaccheroni had recalled playmaker Shinji Kagawa in an attacking line-up but, despite Colombia making eight changes from their last game, his side quickly found themselves behind. Colombia playmaker Rodriguez came on for his side after the break and had a shot deflected wide, before setting up Martinez to angle in a shot to restore his side's lead. Rodriguez set up Martinez to finish a counter-attack with a smart finish, before the forward turned goalscorer when he jinked past Maya Yoshida and delightfully chipped the ball into the net for his third goal of the tournament.

Following Hapless Harry Redknapp's coy 'revelation' (or, 'claim', anyway) that some of his former (anonymous) Stottingtot Hotshots players tried to get out of international duty, Mouthy Almighty Ian Wright has weighed in with a suggestion. It should, of course, be noted that Mad Wrighty has recently suffered a traumatic event, after his family were reported to have been held at knifepoint while he was away commentating (badly) for ITV in Brazil. That sort of thing is obviously absolutely awful and can affect people in many different ways. At least, that's the only rational explanation one can make for Mad Wrighty's solution to the issue of players 'shirking' international duty as published - as a shitehawk 'exclusive' - in, of course, the Sun.

Mental. There was some interesting online reaction, needless to say.

Sadly, I don't think anyone had the courage to explain to Mad Wrighty exactly what our brave lads are supposed to be fighting for in Afghanistan. Freedom of choice. Footballers and 'thinking' eh? It's a dangerous mix at times.

Bosnia- Herzegovina went out of their first World Cup with a sense of some injustice and a photo has only increased the anger. The Bosnians exited the tournament after they lost 1-0 to African champions Nigeria which followed a 2-1 defeat to Argentina in their first game in Group F. The clash with Nigeria hinged on two controversial calls in the first half from the officials, led by New Zealand referee Peter O'Leary. That was bad enough but when the photo emerged, showing O'Leary apparently 'celebrating' with the Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama at the full-time whistle, the anger intensified. Bosnians have now set up an online petition asking O'Leary to be fired and it already has over twenty three thousand signatures. Bosnia's striker – Sheikh Yer Man City's Edin Dzeko – described O'Leary's performance as 'shameful' and said that 'he should be going home too.' Dzeko was denied what appeared to be a legitimate goal with the scores at 0-0 when he was incorrectly ruled offside in Cuiaba. Bosnia-Herzegovina's captain Emir Spahic also appeared to be fouled by Nigeria’s Emmanuel Emenike just before Peter Odemwingie scored the only goal of the game. 'The referee was shameful,' said a stroppily furious Dzeko. Ooo, fair discombobulated, so he was. 'We are going home and we are sad because of that but this referee should be going home too. He changed the result and he changed the game. That's why we lost. It was obviously a foul on our captain. And before when I scored the goal, it was never offside. We fought till the end but we didn't have luck today.' Diddums.

FIFA TV, which provides live World Cup images for the global television audience, displayed the wrong graphic which indicated Brazil's third goal in their 4-1 win over Cameroon was offside, it claimed on Tuesday. Striker Fred headed home after forty nine minutes but millions of viewers thought that the assistant referee had made the wrong call because during the replay FIFA TV showed the offside line from the position of a Cameroon player and not the Brazil striker. Fred was, seemingly, behind the ball when it was crossed by David Luiz and the goal in the Group A match on Monday rightly stood. Niclas Ericson, the Director of FIFA TV, acknowledged the error and promised that FIFA would do everything to ensure its production team did not make the same mistake again. 'We discussed with the production team why the line was placed wrongly,' he told reporters. 'The production team have to make a very fast decision and mistakes can happen. The production director has total freedom to put in the line and correct it, but again we are reviewing this particular incident from yesterday to try to see how we can improve it.'

Day Twelve: All The Way From Memphis

Netherlands finished top of Group B after goals from substitutes Leroy Fer and Memphis Depay gave them a win over Chile in a tactical and often tempestuous encounter in Sao Paulo. Both teams had already qualified for the second round after starting with wins over Spain and Australia. Norwich City midfielder Fer headed in with his first touch in the seventy seventh minute, before Depay scored from close range in stoppage time. The Dutch were missing the suspended Robin van Persie, while Chile rested midfielder Arturo Vidal and the absence of both was keenly felt as the game reached the interval with neither keeper having been forced into a save. Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez looked most likely to force an opener for the South Americans with his clever movement and eye for a pass causing Van Gaal's backline concerns on a number of occasions. For the Netherlands, Arjen Robben went close to continuing his record of having scored in every match when another trademark dribbling run ended with him dragging a low effort just wide. The first half's only other moments of note owed more to the two teams' physical approach, with the flow of the game interrupted by numerous niggling fouls. It took until the sixty fifth minute for the first real save of the game, Jasper Cillessen forced to beat away Sanchez's effort at his near post. That sparked a response from the Dutch as Robben fired straight at Claudio Bravo in the Chile goal after a positive run at their defence. Depay then brought a good save from the keeper with a powerful shot from range. From the resultant corner The Oranje worked the ball back to Daryl Janmaat and his deep cross was met by the head of the unmarked Fer, who had been introduced just moments earlier. With Jorge Sampaoli's side needing a win to finish top of the group they pushed forward in search of an equaliser but were unable to fashion a clear chance and Depay wrapped up the win in the dying seconds when he converted Robben's low cross on the breakaway.

Reigning champions Spain avoided the ignominy of finishing their World Cup campaign bottom of Group B with victory over Australia in Curitiba. Goals from David Villa, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata prevented La Roja from suffering a third successive loss for the first time since 1991. Villa scored the opener when he flicked in Juanfran's cross, before Moscow Chelski's Torres fired in the second. Mata slid in the third from fellow substitute Cesc Fabregas's lofted pass. The result means Spain finish third in the table with three points after one win and two defeats, while Australia end up at the bottom. During the opening thirty minutes, Vicente del Bosque's Spain played like a side bewildered by the events of their opening two games. Their play was characterised by misplaced passes, uncertainty in defence and a lack of bite in the final third. But the reliable Villa, whose inclusion was one of seven changes, eased those concerns with a familiar flicked finish nine minutes before the break to cap a move that was typical of Spain in their glory years of 2008, 2010 and 2012. Andres Iniesta threaded a pass down the right to overlapping full-back Juanfran. The Atletico Madrid played squared to Villa, whose clever finish outfoxed keeper Mat Ryan. It was the thirty two-year-old's ninth goal in World Cups and his fifty ninth in total in what will be his ninety seventh and final game for Spain. Villa was later substituted, head bowed, and was consoled by his team-mates on the bench. The European side improved tenfold after the break as Australia - with eight of their starting eleven aged twenty sixth and under - tired as they attempted to break up Spain's trademark tiki-taka exchanges. After increasing the pressure, Del Bosque's men eventually doubled their lead in the sixty ninth minute when Iniesta's ball split the defence and found Torres, who sidefooted in. That was the Moscow Chelski forward's first World Cup goal since 2006. The final goal of Spain's campaign came eight minutes from the end. This time it was Fabregas who was the provider. The Barcelona midfielder, who had a falling out with Del Bosque during the build-up to the match, played a lovely lofted ball to The Scum's Mata at the far post. The midfielder, making his first appearance of the tournament, barely looked up before poking the ball under the body of Ryan. Sheikh Yer Man City's David Silva, who was also a substitute, went close with a drilled shot in stoppage time as his side bid farewell to a disastrous Brazil 2014 campaign with a flourish.

Neymar scored twice as Brazil began to rediscover their attacking flair to overwhelm Cameroon and qualify for the World Cup knockout stage. The twenty two-year-old produced two brilliant first-half strikes either side of a Joel Matip equaliser, with the much criticised Fred and Fernandinho assuring their side of a place in the last sixteen as winners of Group A. Standing between the hosts and a place in the quarter-finals are Chile. Unconvincing performances against Croatia and Mexico raised concerns about Brazil - and worries remain over their defence - but with Neymar at their disposal, anything is possible. The Barcelona striker was back at the scene of his spectacular goal against Japan in the opening game of last year's Confederations Cup and coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will desperately hope this result can have a similar impact. Scolari named an identical line-up to the one that beat Japan, meaning Hulk returned from injury to replace Ramires in the same four-three-three formation that edged them past Croatia. Any frustration from Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Mexico appeared to have dissipated as droves of yellow-and-green-clad fans created a sensational atmosphere inside Brasilia's Estadio Nacional and Brazil responded by pouring forward in search of an early goal. They almost had it when a Paulinho shot was blocked after Neymar played in Hulk to cross, but such attacking ambition left them exposed in defence and Cameroon looked to capitalise. A sharp break ended with Marcelo blocking a goal-bound Vincent Aboubakar strike before David Luiz was forced to frantically clear Eric Choupo Moting's low centre inside the six yard box. Brazil did not, however, seem in the mood to curb their natural instincts and after Neymar had been riled by Allan Nyom's off-the-ball shove, the centre forward made his mark. Luiz Gustavo won possession on the left and crossed for Neymar to open his body and beat Charles Itandje with a delightful first-time, side-footed finish into the bottom corner. It was a fitting way to register the one hundredth goal of this World Cup - and the same man almost made it two with a ferocious volley that Itandje did well to punch away. The stadium was rocking at that stage but would soon fall silent as Cameroon again exposed the hosts' shaky defence, Nyom beating Dani Alves and squaring for Matip to escape Luiz and finish from close range. Scolari gesticulated wildly to his players and got all stroppy and discombobulated and they responded in the only way they know, Marcelo finding Neymar to race upfield and wrong-foot Itandje for his thirty fifth goal in fifty two internationals. Neymar was now showboating and he combined with Oscar and Paulinho to set up Hulk for what would have been a sensational team effort, only for Hulk to miscue. Scolari replaced Paulinho with Fernandinho at half-time - a move many supporters and pundits have been calling for in recent days - and it had an immediate impact. The Sheikh Yer Man City midfielder sent Hulk clear, Henri Bedimo arriving with a perfectly timed challenge, and then found Luiz to cross for Fred to extend Brazil's lead with a header from three feet. He then celebrated like he'd scored a thirty five yard worldy. Replays additionally suggested he was offside but referee Jonas Eriksson awarded the goal. Fernandinho slotted home a superb fourth that his contribution deserved and Brazil's satisfaction was increased by the fact that all of their players who were one booking away from a suspension - Neymar, Thiago Silva, Luiz Gustavo and Ramires - got through the match without adding to it.

Mexico booked a last-sixteen tie against the Netherlands after knocking Croatia out of the World Cup. The Croats, who knew a win would put them through, survived a scare when a Hector Herrera strike hit the crossbar. But Rafael Marquez headed in for Mexico before Andres Guardado drove in a shot and Javier Hernandez nodded home to put them 3-0 up. Ivan Perisic scored for Croatia, whose misery was compounded when Ante Rebic was sent off late on. It was an accomplished display from the Central Americans, who nullified Croatia's threat before imposing their authority on the game. A draw would have been enough for Mexico, but they made sure of a seventh knockout stage appearance in the last eight tournaments with a victory. By contrast, Croatia crumbled in the latter stages and have now been eliminated at the group stage in four of their last five major tournaments. Croatia;s playmaker Luka Modric had claimed Mexico benefited from a 'great deal of luck' in their draw with Brazil, but it was the Real Madrid midfielder's side who enjoyed the early fortune at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife. Following Mexican defender Paul Aguilar's last-ditch header to stop Mario Mandzukic scoring, The Aztecs went up the other end and twice went close. Midfielder Herrera let fly from twenty five yards and was only denied when his left-foot strike came crashing back off the crossbar, while team-mate Oribe Peralta was played through only to mis-time his effort and shoot wide. Croatia's threat was being contained and one of the rare opportunities that came their way involved Perisic latching onto a knockdown and shooting wide. Niko Kovac's side had to take more risks the longer the game progressed and, despite showing more urgency after the break, Mexico comfortably quelled them. Kovac brought on midfielder Mateo Kovacic for defender Sime Vrsaljko as he tried to improve his side's chances of scoring but it was Mexico who finally made the breakthrough. Just moments after they had strong penalty claims waved away following Srna's hands blocking a shot from Guardado, Mexico took the lead when Marquez powered in a header from a corner. Shortly afterwards, Oribe Peralta set up Guardado to fire a shot high into the net and double the advantage. Then The Scum's striker Javier Hernandez ended his eleven-game goal drought when he headed in at the far post after a Marquez flick-on to put Mexico out of reach. Perisic drove in a low effort as Mexico conceded their first goal of the finals but it was little more than a consolation as Croatia's Rebic was dismissed for a crude and nasty challenge on Carlos Pena.

Football's world governing body has cleared Mexico of improper conduct charges after claims their fans used homophobic chants at a World Cup match.The fans shouted the Spanish word 'puto' ('male prostitute' in Mexican slang) every time Cameroon's goalkeeper took a goalkick at the game on 13 June. But FIFA said the incident in question 'was not considered insulting in the specific context.' A leading anti-discrimination organisation criticised FIFA's move. Fare, which brings together activists also fighting inequality in football, said the ruling by FIFA's disciplinary committee was 'disappointing.' It added that the governing body needed to take some difficult decisions at times. Tough new rules to stop offences by fans were introduced by Fifa last year. sources have told the BBC that they are also looking into alleged discrimination by fans from Brazil, Russia and Croatia. FIFA's anti-discrimination policy says a first offence by fans or players can be punished by having to play a game behind closed doors. Subsequent or more serious offences can be punished by deducting points, relegation or expulsion from a competition. FIFA officials say they also have evidence of banners belonging to a number of far-right groups being displayed at Russia's game against South Korea and Croatia's match with Brazil.

Day Eleven: The Good, The Bad & Fabio's Rotten Russians

Belgium substitute Divock Origi grabbed a winner two minutes from time of a utterly drab and tedious game against Russia to take his side into the last sixteen. Alexander Kokorin missed the best chance of a lifeless opening half, heading wide from six yards. Substitute Kevin Mirallas hit a post with Belgium's first shot on target with six minutes remaining. if Day Ten of the World Cup will be remembered for the wonderfully dramatic and unpredictable Germany versus Ghana game then Day Eleven's abiding memory is likely to be this watch which gave 2006's Switzerland versus Ukraine bore-fest a run of its money as the very worst game in World Cup history. God, it was bad, dear blog reader. Although, to be fair, it did probably just about have the edge over Switzerland versus Ukraine in so much as this one, at least, had one shot on target when Origi turned in from Eden Hazard's cross to take Marc Wilmots' team into the knock-out phase. Russia's hopes of following them into the last sixteen now hinge on their final group match against Algeria. Fabio Capello's side were better than in their 1-1 draw with South Korea but still lacked any sort of cutting edge and Belgium found a way to win despite an unconvincing display. Capello pulled his usual trick of sending out a team intent on boring their opponents into a stupor - something he perfected during his time as England coach. Origi, aged just nineteen, impressed when he came off the bench in the opening 2-1 victory over Algeria and, once again, the Lille forward did well when he replaced Romelu Lukaku - who appeared far from happy with the decision - early in the second half. They may have six points from two matches, but Belgium - who lost The Arse defender Thomas Vermaelen to injury - will have to play far better to continue their progress. Another player who did well coming on against Algeria, Dries Mertens was given a starting place and carried all of Belgium's threat down the right flank in the first half. The Napoli winger had an effort blocked after a fine run and, following Kevin de Bruyne's surge forward, he attempted to feed Lukaku rather than shooting from a good position. Mertens drove wide of goal after another impressive break but other than that Russia were barely troubled in a slow-to-the-point-of-slumbering opening half. They went close themselves when Viktor Fayzluin's low effort was pushed away by Thibaut Courtois, who also made a scrambling stop from Maksim Kanunikov. Kokorin should have opened the scoring just before the interval but he glanced a header wide at the far post from Denis Glushakov's fine cross. Glushakov thumped a wild effort off target from a narrow angle as the second half started at an even lower tempo with both sides appearing content with a draw. Andrey Eschenko dragged an effort wide after a decent Russian move, then Everton winger Mirallas was denied by the foot of a post. Hazard drove wide after breaking into the area but the Moscow Chelski forward made a more decisive contribution in the eighty eighth minute, breaking down the left flank and pulling back for Origi to score.

An excellent first half display from Algeria helped them to a thrilling 4-2 win over Group H rivals South Korea in Porto Alegre. Algeria took a commanding 3-0 lead, but South Korea pulled one back through Son Heung-Min. Algeria's three goal cushion was restored twelve minutes later through Yacine Brahimi, helping them to become the first African nation to score four goals in a World Cup finals game. A late consolation goal from Koo Ja-Cheol gave the Korean's hope but Algeria held firm. Earlier, Islam Slimani ran onto a long ball to flick in the first and a Rafick Halliche header put Algeria 2-0 up. Abdelmoumene Djabou sidefooted in a third. Despite Kora's late rally, Algeria held on for their first World Cup win since 1982. Algeria, narrowly beaten by group leaders Belgium in their opening game, knew a second defeat would end their hopes of getting out of the group stage for the first time. They responded in emphatic fashion, becoming the first African team to score four goals in a World Cup game. A win for The Desert Foxes against Russia will now secure a last-sixteen spot, and a draw could be enough if South Korea fail to beat Belgium. Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic made five changes from the opening defeat by Belgium and his reshuffle had the desired impact. Sofiane Feghouli had a strong shout for a penalty turned down when he appeared to have been tripped by Kim Young-Gwon before the ball fell for Brahimi to hook over. Slimani then found space at the far post only to head wide and also badly mistimed a first-time shot from six yards as he met an inviting cross from Aissa Mandi. But the Portugal-based striker, who was his side's top scorer in qualifying, did not take long to atone as he outpaced two defenders to get to a long Carl Medjani pass and flick the ball past on-rushing keeper Jung Sung-Ryong. Defender Halliche extended the lead two minutes later with his second goal for his country, a thumping header from an Djabou corner. And Djabou turned from provider to goalscorer when Slimani slipped a ball across for him to sidefoot home. South Korea had not managed a shot on target in the first half but pulled a goal back shortly after the break - a mistake from Madjid Bougherra allowing Song to send a shot through the legs of keeper Rais Mbohli. It was now Algeria's turn to be penned back and they survived a further scare when Ki Sung-Yueng had a long range shot palmed over by Mbohli. However, Brahimi restored his side's three-goal advantage when he played a one-two with Feghouli before slotting past Jung. But a much-improved South Korea were not finished, and after The Desert Foxes failed to clear their lines, Lee Keun-ho played the ball across the box for Koo to slot in, before a tiring Algeria managed to regroup and close out the win.

Silvestre Varela's equaliser deep into injury time kept Portugal in the World Cup as their Group G clash with the USA ended in a dramatic draw in Manaus. The substitute headed in a Cristiano Ronaldo cross after it appeared Clint Dempsey had sent the Americans through. Portugal took an early lead through Nani, but Jermaine Jones' superb strike levelled the scores just after an hour. A draw between Germany and USA will see both through, while Portugal must beat Ghana to have a chance of progressing. Portugal are relying on a Germany win and must also achieve a six-goal swing if they are to pip the USA to second place and reach the last sixteen. Realistically, they had needed to win in the Amazonian rainforest after a 4-0 thrashing by Germany in their opening game, but their performance was at least a marked improvement on that showing in Salvador. For the USA - who had opened with a late win over Ghana - this was a performance characterised by attacking verve and defensive slackness, the latter allowing the European side to race into a fifth-minute lead, and also to hit back with the final whistle seconds away. Their first defensive lapse came when Geoff Cameron sliced an attempted clearance across the face of his goal to Nani, The Scum winger finishing emphatically past Everton keeper Tim Howard. The early goal stung the Americans into action, and they chased the game to create decent chances from which Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley failed to test Portugal keeper Beto. But while Portugal looked vulnerable to the USA's rapid counter-attacks, they remained a threat going forward themselves and went close to doubling their lead just before the break when Nani struck the post from outside the area, and Eder's follow-up was brilliantly pushed over by Howard. Ronaldo's participation had been in some doubt following a bout of tendonitis in his left knee and while the World Player of the Year looked good when supplying his team mates, his finishing was wayward. Ten minutes into the second half, Bradley should have equalised, but the midfielder's side-footed shot from close range was superbly cleared off the line by Ricardo Costa. The miss was soon forgotten, though, when Jones side-stepped Nani before bending in a brilliant shot from outside the box beyond the static Beto. With less than ten minutes to go, Dempsey stooped to guide the ball in off his midriff from close range for what looked to be the winner, until the defence switched off again in the ninety fourth minute and Varela dived to meet Ronaldo's cross and claim what might still turn out to be a crucial point.

The Ghana Football Association has called for police to investigate two men over match-fixing claims. The Daily Torygraph and Channel Four's Dispatches programme allege a Ghanaian club official and a FIFA agent said they 'could arrange' the rigging of matches involving the national team. 'We will seek strong sanctions if such claims are found to be true,' the GFA said in a statement. None of the claims involve matches at the World Cup. The GFA said in a statement that two men approached the organisation's chairman offering to purchase the rights to friendly matches involving Ghana. 'They were subsequently asked to submit their proposal for consideration, which they did, and it was duly submitted to the legal committee of the GFA for perusal and advice,' the GFA said. 'We wish to state that the GFA did not sign the contract as we waited for the response from the legal committee and that the two gentlemen did not make such corrupt offers to the GFA or its officials.' The GFA said the matter had been reported to world governing body FIFA and the Confederation of African Football and that a request has been made to the Ghana Police Service to investigate the two men.

England captain - for the moment, anyway - Steven Gerrard has called on Hapless Harry Redknapp to 'name names' after Redknapp claimed in a radio interview that players 'tried to avoid international duty' when he was in charge at Stottingtot Hotshots. The Queens Park Strangers boss Redknapp - a big mate with many in the media but a joke as far as most football supporters are concerned - told BBC Radio 5Live's Sportsweek programme: 'They'd come to me ten days before the game and say "gaffer get me out of the game. I don't want to play in it."' Gerrard, speaking as England prepare to play their final, pointless, World Cup game against Costa Rica in Belo Horizonte, said: 'I'll tell you what - I'd be interested to find out who those players are. If Harry is making a comment like that he should name them and embarrass them. No-one in this group wants to go home.'