World Cup Brazil 2014 / Weltmeisterschaft Brasilien

[Sweder]

As disappointing as it was to see England lose to Italy last night, I'm strangely filled with optimism. It may be that England will fall short and fail to get out of their group. I don't care. For the first time in a long, long time, I was proud of my team last night. They took risks, gave youth a chance, expressed themselves, passed the ball like they wanted to keep it (instead of humping it into the night sky) and played to win. Baines needs help, Rooney has turned into a quite good attacking midfielder but Sterling, Sturridge and the omnipresent Wellbeck were outstanding. I'd go the whole hog and give Barkley a start v Uruguay, possibly for Rooney. A fired-up Wayne coming off the bench against a tiring, makeshift (after the late red for Maxi Pereira) back four would be something to see.

Last night England came up against the greatest hipster to have ever played the game, the peerless Pirlo. The man struts about with his Chuck Norris beard, looking like he owns the place, which of course he does. His free kick near the death was sublime. Joe Hart had no idea where the ball was going. Pirlo's expression as he turned away said it all. It's all beneath him really. He said of the pre-match warm-up "I hate it with every fibre of my being. It actually disgusts me. It’s nothing but masturbation for conditioning coaches.” His autobiography is well worth a read.

Speaking of man-love I got a warm, moist feeling watching Robin Van Persie's exquisite header stun Spain. It was Bergkamp-esque in the presence of mind and perfect execution. I can offer no higher praise. The demolition of Spain that night, and the embarrassment of a distinctly poor Uruguay by 'lowly' Costa Rica yesterday, confirms that this competition will knock the dull-fest that was 2010 into a cocked, brightly-feathered hat. And there's not a bloody Vuvuzela in earshot.

It's not been a great tournament for keepers so far. Casillas had his pants pulled down and his bare bottom spanked by both RvP and Arjen Robben and Kawashima, the Japanese stopper, had a shocker for Ivory Coast's winner in the wee small hours. That said Navas's scrambling save from Diego Forlan's deflected shot was out of the top drawer.

Commence au festivale!