Brazil, you say? They know how to play football over there, don't they? But it's a long way for one so middle aged as I to travel.

So instead, I shall slouch into my leather armchair and view the tournament from this side of the Atlantic. I shall try and watch every game and will definitely make wildly inaccurate predictions too.

I do solemnly vow to give you a real sense of what it's like to not be at the World Cup. This is the blog where all the colour and atmosphere and passion of watching the world's greatest sporting tournament on a wall mounted widescreen really comes to life.

Saturday 14 June 2014

Uruguay 1-3 Costa Rica

From so-called whipping boys to the winning boys. Costa Rica pulled the biggest shock of the tournament in the 24 hours since Spain's downfall,  beating Uruguay with a second half performance that blew away the favourites.

With Suarez forced by injury to sit on the sidelinez Uruguay didn't look dangerous. CRC however looked likely to score with every attack and banged in three to prove the point. Can they do the unthinkable and make the knockouts? Why not?