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.'

Day Ten: Africa Rises

The 2014 World Cup has already produced some quite brilliant football - absolutely none of which has involved England, admittedly. But, arguably, on Day Ten, we had what is likely to be the game which will be most remembered in years to come. Miroslav Klose became the joint record scorer in World Cup history after his fifteenth goal in finals rescued a point for Germany in what was, frankly, a twenty four carat thriller against Ghana. Mario Götze headed Joachim Löw's side into the lead from close range before two goals in nine second half minutes turned the game in Fortaleza on its head. André Ayew headed the equaliser from ten yards and then Asamoah Gyan's composed finish put the Africans ahead. But substitute Klose stabbed home the equaliser just seconds after coming on. With twelve thousand German supporters present and the locals rooting for Ghana there was a raucous, rocking atmosphere inside Estádio Castelão and an intensity to match on the pitch. Particularly from The Black Stars. The validity of Kevin-Prince Boateng’s claim that Germany lack leaders when the pressure is on will be revealed in time. But, in the searing heat of Fortaleza they lacked the incisiveness and steel that shaped their destruction of Portugal, though not the time-honoured precision of Miroslav Klose. The thirty six-year-old Lazio striker scored with his first touch after coming on as a second-half substitute as the Germans came from behind to snatch a draw. The goal, scored from a yard out, means that Klose is now level with former Brazil striker Ronaldo on fifteen goals. Germany, however, were probably fortunate to escape with a point. Having taken a fortuitous lead through Götze, Ghana came roaring back to score twice in nine minutes to the delight of the vast majority of the crowd. The Germany coach, turned to the experience of Klose and the veteran did not disappoint as he prodded in to keep his side top of Group G. The result means Germany, who now have four points, have still only won their second game of a World Cup once since 1994. At Euro 2008 and at the 2010 World Cup, they followed up opening wins with defeats. Ghana keep alive their chances of qualification for the last sixteen but will have to beat Portugal in their final game to have any chance. With temperatures in excess of thirty degrees at the start, the tempo was understandably slow for much of the first half. A series of pinball passing movements between Mesut Özil, Thomas Müller and Mario Götze threatened to create an opening for Germany. Özil's vision engineered several openings for Germany but the central defender John Boye read their intentions instinctively in the first half. A flowing move down the Ghana left saw Özil cross for Müller who rolled the ball behind him for the unmarked Toni Kroos. Boye threw himself into a vital block and later produced a sublime tackle on Müller as the striker looked certain to capitalise on another well-worked attack down Germany's right. Jérôme Boateng sent Götze clear with a fine ball down the line, Götze centred into the six-yard box and Müller must have sensed his fourth goal of the World Cup. Boye's boot arrived first to keep the striker level with Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie, Karim Benzema and Enner Valencia on three. In the stifling heat of Fortaleza, Ghana restricted their most celebrated opponents to half chances and blocked shots in an underwhelming opening forty five minutes. Ghana had won over the neutrals by the interval by creating arguably the best chances but, within six minutes of the re-start, Germany were in front. Müller found a yard of space, looked up and picked out Götze's run. The Bayern München forward did not make clean contact, heading the ball on to his own knee, but it then deflected beyond Ghana goalkeeper Fatau Dauda. Jérôme Boateng had been replaced by the late call-up Shkodran Mustafi at half-time and Kevin-Prince made way for Jordan Ayew moments later. The removal of the Boateng brothers' sub-plot merely improved the tale as Harrison Afful delivered a glorious cross from the right and André Ayew rose above Mustafi to steer a stunning header into the bottom corner of Manuel Neuer's goal. Africa has a tale of World Cup redemption in Brazil at last, though Ghana know they could have had much more. They led impressively, deservedly with nineteen minutes remaining and Germany running short of options. Ghana dramatically went ahead with a goal that stemmed from a rare mistake by Philipp Lahm. Sully Muntari pounced on the loose ball and slipped an inch-perfect ball through for Gyan, who fired firmly beyond goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Germany turned to the experience of Klose and Bastian Schweinsteiger to stem the flow, with Ghana sensing an upset. It was a move that paid off almost immediately as Klose scored with his first touch to equal the World Cup scoring record and bring Germany level. Benedikt Höwedes headed a corner towards the net and, just as it was about to cross the line, Klose prodded in to breathe life into Germany's hopes. Ghana began to tire as Germany pushed on. Toni Kroos found Müller but a brave block by Ayew denied him. Jonathan Mensah threw his body on the line soon after as Germany poured forward but Ghana went close themselves through Christian Atsu and Gyan. A frustrating day for Germany took a turn for the worse in the final moment when Müller suffered what appeared to be a gruesome head injury after contesting a header with John Boye and taking a shoulder to the face.

Lionel Messi scored a ninety first-minute winner to deny Iran a surprise draw against strongly fancied Argentina in Belo Horizonte. Two-time world champions Argentina were frustrated for long periods by the plucky Iranians, while Sergio Aguero was thwarted by a great Alireza Haghighi save. Iran could have even have won it but for a brilliant Sergio Romero save from Ashkan Dejagah's header. But Messi sent Argentina through with a fabulous late strike. Iran spent much of the first half under pressure but more than once threatened to inflict what would have been a huge upset. Argentina's celebrations at the final whistle were wild and prolonged, while the sight of coach Alejandro Sabella embracing Messi in the tunnel gave an indication of what this meant to the two-time champions. The build-up was dominated by talk of a rift between Messi and Sabella, the captain having expressed his displeasure at the five-three-two formation used in the first half against Bosnia-Hercegovina when Messi also scored the decisive goal. Sabella duly reverted to the Barcelona forward's preferred four-three-three and was rewarded by his star man at the last. Iran looked properly devastated at the end but must take immense confidence from a performance which combined defensive resilience with attacking adventure - and from the knowledge they could still qualify. Carlos Queiroz's men actually created the first meaningful chance when Jala Hosseini headed wide from Ashkan Dejagah's free-kick, although Argentina then assumed control. Javier Mascherano and Fernando Gago provided a solid base for Angel Di Maria and full-backs Pablo Zabaleta and Marcos Rojo to support Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero. Iran goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi displayed superb reflexes to foil Higuain and save one-handed from Aguero. Rojo then headed narrowly wide, Messi was off target with a free-kick and Ezequiel Garay nodded inches over the bar. Argentina were meeting a wall of resistance every time they attacked but Iran's impressive defending ought to have been no surprise - they kept more clean sheets in qualifying than any team at the tournament. And when not thwarting the South Americans' forwards, Queiroz's team again came close to a goal of their own with another Hosseini header. Iran's preparations for the competition had been hampered by political sanctions which affected their funding and ability to organise friendlies, but they looked fully prepared and again came close to taking a shock lead through Reza Ghoochannejhad. Masoud Shojaei surged forward and fed Pejman Montazeri to cross for the Charlton Athletic striker, who would have scored had his header been aimed anywhere other than straight at Argentine keeper Sergio Romero. But the chance served to further bolster Iran's self-belief and after Dejagah had a strong penalty claim rejected by referee Milorad Mazic, the Fulham man was thwarted by Romero's fingertips as he met another Montazeri cross with a powerful header. Messi worked hard to swing the momentum back in Argentina's favour, slotting wide after a quick break and sending a free-kick into the side-netting, while Sabella introduced Rodrigo Palacio and Ezequiel Lavezzi in place of Aguero and Higuain as his side pushed hard for a winner. Still chances came for Iran, however, Ghoochannejhad nearly stealing the win, only for Romero to make a diving stop - and that miss proved costly when captain Messi stepped up with a wonderful finish into the far corner to send Argentina through with a game to spare.

Peter Odemwingie scored the only goal to give Nigeria a victory that means World Cup débutants Bosnia-Hercegovina will not progress from Group F. The Dirty Stoke player struck in the first half to give Nigeria their first win at a World Cup finals since 1998. The goal came just seven minutes after Bosnia striker Edin Dzeko had a goal incorrectly disallowed for offside. So, that was jolly unlucky. Nigeria will reach the knock-out stages if - and it's a big if - they get a point against Argentina, or if Iran fail to beat Bosnia. Odemwingie's decisive strike came just a month after he returned to the Nigeria squad following a two-year absence caused by a dispute with coach Stephen Keshi. Knowing they needed a win to stay in their first World Cup finals, Bosnia attacked from the start but were vulnerable in defence, with Odemwingie, John Mikel Obi and Michael Babatunde all squandering early chances for Nigeria. Bosnia briefly thought they had taken the lead when Dzeko latched onto a pass from Miralem Pjanic, but the Sheikh Yer Man City forward was denied by an offside flag, though replays suggested he had timed his run well. The Super Eagles made the most of the let-off as Emmanuel Emenike powered past Emir Spahic on the right before finding Odemwingie, who shot through the legs of his Stoke team-mate Asmir Begovic to score. Bosnia continued to press, but substitute Vedad Ibisevic, who came off the bench to score in the defeat by Argentina, wasted a chance to equalise when he bundled a cross wide despite finding space in the area. And, with seconds of injury time remaining, Dzeko scuffed a shot which Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama deflected onto the post and away to safety.

Wayne Rooney has apologised to English supporters following England's early exit from the World Cup. Apology not accepted. Next ...

Day Nine: Beware Of Costa Ricans Bearing Gifts

England have been extremely eliminated at the group stage of a World Cup for the first time since 1958 as Italy lost 1-0 to Costa Rica in Recife. It is the first time that the England national side have been knocked out after just two matches, with Roy Hodgson's team beaten by Group D rivals Italy and Uruguay. They had needed Italy to win both of their remaining games to stand any chance of reaching the last sixteen. But Costa Rica's surprise - but, entirely deserved - defeat of the Azzurri ended England's involvement, despite Gary Lineker wearing an Italian shirt and everything. The England team watched Friday's match from their hotel in Rio. And, it's fair to bet, by the end of the game they had faces longer the Ruud Van Nistelrooy and John Terry put together.

This blogger certainly never expected England to survive longer in this World Cup than Spain. But, neither did he expect them to be confirmed as coming home before Honduras. Or Iran. Mind you, dear blog reader, if you think the British press have been - and, indeed, will be - hard on the team for their disastrous 2014 campaign, that's nothing; check out the Brazilians taking the piss out of us.

Cheeky sods!

So, as noted, Costa Rica produced their second stunning upset in a week to beat a poor Italy side and confirm England's exit. And, what's more, the Central Americans fully warranted their win at Arena Pernambuco, which was sealed by a Bryan Ruiz header shortly before half-time. The former Fulham striker watched his effort hit the crossbar and bounce over the line. Goal-line technology confirmed the decision. This result proved Costa Rica's victory over Uruguay in Fortaleza had been no fluke and they might have won more comfortably had they been awarded a penalty when Arsenal striker Joel Campbell was clearly fouled in the penalty area. Italy were a shadow of the side that beat England comfortably in Manaus and now drop into second place in Group D, behind Costa Rica. Uruguay are third on goal difference. The result confirmed what England had feared after Thursday's 2-1 defeat to Uruguay in Sao Paulo and means Roy Hodgson's side will be eliminated whatever the result against Costa Rica in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday. Italy face Uruguay in Natal at the same time. History was not on England's side going into this contest. Italy had failed to win their second group match at any of the previous three World Cups. One man who had been present on all three occasions was goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. Having missed Italy's opening game against England, the Juventus captain was passed fit to play in his fourth World Cup, becoming only the fifth Italian to do so. On his return, there were signs of rust as Costa Rica controlled much of the first half. The Italy goalkeeper came for a corner but missed, only for Celso Borges to head just over. Buffon got down smartly to save a low shot from the excellent Christian Bolanos but the real drama was still to come. The half burst into life shortly before the interval with two key incidents. In the first, Arsenal striker Joel Campbell checked back onto his left foot and ran at the Italian defence with his typical vigour. His run was ended in the penalty area, as defender Giorgio Chiellini cut across the 21-year-old as he prepared to shoot. It looked a clear penalty, but referee Enrique Osses from Chile waved played on to the disbelief of those in the Arena Pernambuco. Costa Rica would not be denied, though. Within a minute, they came forward again. Bolanos swung the ball wide to the left flank where Junior Diaz curled an inviting ball towards Brian Ruiz at the back post. The former Fulham forward connected with a header that first struck the crossbar and then bounced down, beyond the dive of Buffon, and over the line. The Costa Ricans exploded with joy. It was no more than they deserved. Italy could only get better and but any improvement was marginal. Andrea Pirlo tested Navas with a free-kick that wobbled and dipped, while Matteo Darmian thumped a rising shot that was tipped over the bar by the Costa Rica goalkeeper. But their best chance had fallen to Mario Balotelli much earlier in the game. It went to waste. The opportunity in question came after a majestic lofted pass by Pirlo. The former Manchester City striker controlled it but could only loft his shot wide with the goal at his mercy.

'As a Newcastle fan, watching Cabaye is like seeing an ex-girlfriend who's lost a stone and looks even better than when she dumped you,' Graeme Swann, the former England cricketer and massive Newcastle United fan, tweeted after France's opening victory over Honduras. He meant it as a compliment (and, according to ITV commentator Sam Matterface, Yohan Cabaye saw it as such and was amused by it). No doubt thousands on Tyneside are feeling the same way after Cabaye was, again, central to a second superb France performance. France all but secured their place in the last sixteen as three first-half goals against Switzerland helped them to an easy Group E win in Salvador. The Arse's Olivier Giroud broke the deadlock with a stunning header before Blaise Matuidi blasted in the second just over sixty seconds later after poor goalkeeping. Karim Benzema had a penalty saved and Cabaye hit the post from the rebound before the impressive Mathieu Valbuena added a third just before half-time. A second goal from Benzema (his fourth of the tournament so far) and another from Cayabe's ex-Newcastle teammate Moussa Sissoko made it 5-0 before late consolation strikes from Blerim Dzemaili and Granit Xhaka gave the score a tinge of respectability. France's dominance was every bit as emphatic as the scoreline at Arena Fonte Nova suggests. This blogger said after Les Bleus opening victory against Honduras that he intended to withhold getting too carried away until France had actually played someone of substance and that remains true as the Swiss were desperately poor, particularly in the first half. Les Bleus, seeking to reach a third final in five World Cups, annihilated a piss-poor Swiss team and sent out a message of intent to their rivals. Didier Deschamps's side move to six points at the top of Group E, with a match against Ecuador on 25 June to come. Having self-destructed in South Africa four years ago, the French are clearly enjoying playing in South America. They have scored eight goals in their first two games and the way they dismantled Switzerland suggests they could be serious contenders in Brazil. The Swiss were not helped the ninth minute loss of defender Steve Von Bergen to injury. But Ottmar Hitzfeld's men were no match for their rampant opponents and were left humbled and humiliated. Switzerland had overcome Ecuador 2-1 in their first game and, despite the loss of Von Bergen, there was little evidence of what was to follow. Giroud's goal, the one hundredth that France have scored in World Cup finals, set them on their way, The Arse forward leaping high above the Swiss defence to direct an unstoppable header into the net. They doubled that lead just over a minute later, and within thirteen seconds of the re-start when Matuidi fired home after Velon Behrami had conceded possession carelessly. It looked all over when Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers pointed to the spot after Benzema was brought down by Johan Djourou. Goalkeeper Diego Benaglio kept out Benzema's penalty, though and Cabaye smashed the rebound against the woodwork. But that let off only briefly delayed Switzerland's pain, Valbuena connecting with Giroud's cross to make it 3-0 five minutes before the interval. Benzema did manage to score his third of the tournament with a clinical finish after good work by substitute Paul Pogba midway through the second-half. Sissoko made it 5-0 in the seventy third minute after more shambolic defending before the Swiss scored two late consolation goals. First Dzemaili beat Hugo Loris from forty yards with a remarkable low free-kick that snaked through a poorly constructed French wall, before Xhaka beats the offside trap before finding the net. But it was too little too late for the Swiss against a powerful French side that looks determined to make a serious impact. The only slight downside for the French was a second yellow card of the tournament for Cayabe who, for the second game running, was at the heart of everything good they produced from midfield. It means that Cabaye will miss the game against Ecuador.

Enner Valencia scored both goals as Ecuador left Honduras on the verge of exiting the competition. Carlo Costly latched onto a long ball and lashed in a low twenty-yard shot to put Honduras ahead on thirty one minutes. Ecuador quickly equalised when a deflected cross fell for Valencia to slot home and he then nodded in at the far post to give his side the lead. Honduras pressed for an equaliser but a goal eluded them and they have now lost both of their first two group games. Honduras have yet to win in eight World Cup matches and, even if they beat Switzerland in their final group game, they are not certain to reach the next round because of their goal difference. Ecuador will meet France in their final group game and, if Switzerland beat or draw against Honduras, they need to match that result to reach the last sixteen.

Day Eight: Same Old England, Always Losing

In 2000, the pop stylist The Cuban Boys produced an ironic antidote to the usual crass triumphalism of songs about the England football team and their chances at major competitions. It was called 'Inertia Kicks' and contained the chorus: 'Losers/We're just a bunch of losers.' Not as memorable, perhaps, as 'Back Home', 'World In Motion' or 'Three Lions' (or 'England's Erie' or 'Vindaloo' for that matter) but it was a hell of a lot more realistic. This blogger mentions this because, as you might have noticed, Luis Suarez left England on the brink of yet another knackerless World Cup exit as his double strike gave Uruguay victory in Sao Paulo. The Liverpool Alabama Yee-Haws striker was making his return after a month out following knee surgery - and it proved to be bad timing for England and their manager, Roy Hodgson, as Suarez's brilliance was the difference between the two sides in a fiercely-fought encounter. Suarez put Uruguay ahead with a first-half header then scored a superb winner six minutes from time after Wayne Rooney's first goal at a World Cup gave England brief hope of avoiding a second successive Group D loss. The defeat now means that the odds are stacked against England escaping from this tough group. They will be out unless Italy - who overcame England in Manaus - beat Costa Rica on Friday. They also need Italy to win their final game against Uruguay, which could then see England conceivably qualify on goal difference if - and it's a big if - they can beat Costa Rica themselves next Tuesday. But, for all the alleged potential of Hodgson's young side, a record of played two, lost two rarely adds up to anything other than elimination at the World Cup. No side has ever progressed to the next round after losing their first two matches. There will be the usual excuses, of course - not enough English players at the highest level of the game in this country, too long a season, it's all the manager's fault for picking the wrong players, et cetera - none of which can hide the fact that, once again, England's overpaid, underperforming, pampered millionaires have let themselves, and their country, down and failed to produce the goods when it actually mattered. They've got quite a habit of doing that.. What a thorough anti-climax it will be for Hodgson and his players if England are left playing for nothing in their final group game in Belo Horizonte. Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez claimed that Suarez would not be fully fit after missing their opening defeat against Costa Rica and he did not look it, but he still possessed too much guile and menace for an England team who never built on the promise they showed in losing to Italy. Rooney struck the bar and was England's main threat but Uruguay - or to be more precise, Suarez - produced the quality and clinical finishing that decides games such as this. As expected, Hodgson played Rooney in a more central role and moved Raheem Sterling wide - but England struggled to find the same energy levels that fuelled such a positive (albeit, ultimately defeated) performance against Italy. Daniel Sturridge and Sterling could not pose the same threat as they had in Manaus and it was Rooney who came closest with a free-kick just inches wide and then a header against the bar at the far post from Steven Gerrard's free-kick. England were nervous at the back and were fortunate to survive when Phil Jagielka's sliced clearance fell to Cristian Rodriguez, whose rising drive from the angle just cleared the bar with goalkeeper Joe Hart - probably thinking about his next shampoo commercial - beaten. Uruguay were the more ordered side and the goal duly arrived from the most inevitable source seven minutes before half-time as Suarez marked his return in style. Gerrard conceded possession in midfield and when Edinson Cavani delivered the perfect cross, Suarez pulled away from Jagielka to head across Hart before running to celebrate with the Uruguayan medical team who have nursed him back to fitness. England, as they did against Italy, responded strongly and Uruguay keeper Fernando Muslera needed to be alert to block Sturridge at his near post. In a chaotic start to the second half, Suarez was wasteful as England appealed for offside and Cavani was guilty of a bad miss as he ran through on Hart. Rooney was almost the beneficiary of that escape when he found room in the area only eight yards out, but his shot was straight at Muslera. Hodgson, knowing what defeat would mean, made his first change after sixty four minutes by sending on Ross Barkley for Sterling, who had struggled to impose himself on Uruguay as he had against the Italians. England were moving into desperate times as the clock ran down - and it was Rooney who produced the goods with the equaliser fifteen minutes from time, tapping in from close range from Glen Johnson's perfect cross. Just as the momentum looked to be shifting towards England, Suarez was the tormentor again, latching on to the ball after Gerrard had lost an aerial challenge with Cavani, steadying himself before rifling an unstoppable finish high past Hart. It was the final word on this game - and probably on England's World Cup hopes. Like the Cuban Boys said all those years ago, some things never change.

Colombia are on the verge of clinching a last sixteen place after beating Côte d'Ivoire to secure their second win from as many Group C games. James Rodriguez headed in a near post corner and Juan Quintero slotted home after Serey Die was caught in possession to put Los Cafeteros 2-0 up. Gervinho skipped past three Colombia defenders and powered in a shot to give Côte d'Ivoire hope. The Ivorians exerted some late pressure but Colombia fended them off to win. Colombia had the greater attacking intent and Teofilo Gutierrez should have put them ahead. Replays showed the striker was marginally offside but he was not flagged and failed to capitalise when he horribly mistimed a side-footed effort from eight yards. Still, he was faring better than Wilfried Bony. Swansea City's Ivorian striker failed to touch the ball in the opposition half, most glaringly when he failed to connect with two crosses when well-placed either side of half time. It was little surprise when he was replaced by Didier Drogba. Colombia, though, proved more potent. An acute angled Juan Cuadrado strike was tipped on to the face of the crossbar by keeper Boubacar Barry before the South Americans scored. Rodriguez powerfully headed in a Cuadrado corner for his second goal of the tournament. Côte d'Ivoire responded when Serge Aurier's cross almost sneaked in at the near post before being punched away by keeper David Ospina but The Elephants were the architects of their own downfall a few moments later. Die was caught in possession and Gutierrez released substitute Quintero to slot in. The Africans, who will be without makeshift centre-back Didier Zokora for their final group match against Greece after he picked up a second booking of the competition, raised themselves and reduced the deficit. Gervinho cut into the Colombia box from the left flank and, after dancing past three tackles, drove in a shot. The Ivorians pressed for an equaliser and Drogba was almost through on goal late on after a Mario Yepes mistake, only for keeper Ospina to rush out of his goal, clear the danger and ensure Colombia secured consecutive World Cup wins for the first time.

Japan and ten-man Greece played out a stalemate that keeps alive both teams' chances of progressing from Group C. Greece captain Konstantinos Katsouranis was sent off for two bookable offences before the break in Natal. The Greeks went close with a second-half header from Theofanis Gekas, which was saved by Eiji Kawashima. Yoshito Okubo missed from just a couple of yards and Atsuto Uchida also prodded wide from a good position as Japan were left frustrated. The draw leaves both teams on one point heading into the final round of group matches.

Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso says his country's dominance of world football is over after the defending champions' shock World Cup exit in Brazil. Defeat by Chile after that 5-1 thrashing by the Netherlands means the Euro 2012 winners cannot qualify from Group B. 'We didn't know how to maintain our hunger or that conviction needed to win a tournament,' said the thirty two year-old Real Madrid midfielder. 'The joy and success we've experienced is over.' On Tuesday, the former Liverpool Alabama Yee-Haws man claimed media reports that the current generation were past their best were 'a little exaggerated', but speaking after their latest loss, he said: 'Normally cycles come to an end after a defeat. Maybe it would be best to think about making changes.' Manager Vicente Del Bosque says there will be 'consequences' of his side's exit and hinted that his six-year reign as national boss may be coming to an end. 'It's true that when such things happen during a World Cup or a tournament such things have consequences,' he said. 'We have time to analyse that and it is not the right time now. There will be time to think and reflect what we are going to do. I think this team is good but we have to take a decision about what is good for Spanish football and that applies to myself as well.' He said that his side were 'sluggish and not brave enough' in the 2-0 loss to Chile, while captain Iker Casillas admitted that 'the commitment wasn't there. From the very first moment everything went awry,' said the goalkeeper. Spain went into the tournament having triumphed at their last three major tournaments - the European Championships of 2008 and 2012, and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. But La Roja's campaign in Brazil got off to a humiliating start when the Dutch came from behind to rout them in their opening game and when they then succumbed to two first-half goals by Eduardo Vargas and Charles Aranguiz at the Maracana on Wednesday, their reign as champions came to an abrupt halt. On Monday, Spain will face Australia, also eliminated after a 3-2 defeat by the Netherlands, in a battle to avoid finishing bottom of the group, while Chile take on the Dutch for top spot in Group B. The South American side's coach Jorge Sampaoli had some sympathy for Spain and described his side as 'the rebels' of the tournament. 'In football everything changes,' said the Argentine. Well, except for England's ability to shoot themselves in the foot with the world watching, of course. 'Spain has played very well over the years and had wonderful performances but today that generation of players couldn't keep that success going, and that's normal because success is not forever.' He added: 'We have a chance to see if this is the best Chile team ever but that is something we can only say after the tournament is over. We were very courageous in the way that we played and you could say that we are the rebels of this tournament.'