Michael Burgess on the five things we learned following the latest action from the World Cup in Brazil.
Messi might be the man
After underwhelming performances at his two previous World Cups, Lionel Messi looks ready to fire at this one. He was full of energy and pace against Bosnia-Herzegovina today, as well as scoring a classic goal. Giving him the captain's armband a year ago was a master-stroke by coach Alejandro Sabella and he has looked relaxed and confident since arriving in Brazil - a complete contrast to his demeanour four years ago in South Africa. Argentinian journalists here have also noted a more open side to the notoriously reserved 26-year-old. Things look promising for Argentina; they had the honour of playing first World Cup game at the new Maracana today and don't bet against then being back in Rio on July 14th.
Every time there is a new rule...it gets bent
The temporary white lines sprayed on the field are a great new innovation at this Cup. They aren't new to football - Brazil have been using them for decades - and they stop the defensive walls encroaching, which was a blight on the game. But Ecuador cleverly got around it; shifting the ball sideways just before taking a free kick against Switzerland. The Swiss wall couldn't move, stuck behind their line and the South Americans took advantage of the more favourable angle to score.
It's a new England...with bad old habits
Credit to England for a stirring performance against the Italians. There was pace, flair and more enterprise than we have seen for some time. But they still found a new way to come up with their old fashioned gallant defeat.
England could have been out of sight in the first 15 minutes but they lacked the killer instinct and paid the price later. England should still qualify but won't finish first in their group. They haven't topped a group since 1990, which was their last big performance at a World Cup (semi-final). Even in 2010, when they were seeded, they stumbled to second in their pool which meant facing Germany in the second round (instead of Ghana). The loss to Italy means they are on a path to facing Brazil in the last eight.
History repeats for fickle French
A bit like their rugby team, the French football team look on track to continue their record of being terrible in one World Cup and magnifique in the next.
Look at their record in the last 20 years. In 1994 they didn't even qualify, after a mistake by former Newcastle winger (and part time hair model) David Ginola in their final qualifying game against Bulgaria. Four years later they memorably won the tournament on home soil, before crashing out spectacularly in 2002 when Les Bleus became the first defending champions to not progress beyond the first round. And so it goes on - they returned to the final in 2006 before self destructing in South Africa last time round.
Let's not get carried away - as opponents Honduras were naïve and overly physical today but France look confident and most importantly, united. They should top group E and make at least the quarter finals, given their favourable draw.
