Today marks our final Tetris, the sole remaining quadruple-consecutive-match extravaganza which has made the start of this World Cup so immersive and compelling. That’s the sad news. The joyous news is that today is also the day that things get really serious – most particularly in Group H.
South Korea, who drew 0-0 with Uruguay last week, take on Ghana, who managed to be both promising and shambolic in a 3-2 defeat to Portugal. A positive result there – either way – will make things especially interesting, but even if it’s a draw, Portugal v Uruguay is a clash of such prodigious dimensions it makes even Sam Allardyce look insubstantial.
Given the attacking talent at Fernando Santos’ disposal, the other Selecão should be title contenders. They have a fine young goalkeeper in Diogo Costa and are solid at the back while boasting offensive options as varied as João Cancelo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leão and João Felix.
Have we forgotten anyone? Well, that depends. It’s easy to look at Portugal, see a side nowhere near as fluidly cohesive as it should be, and cite Cristiano Ronaldo’s inflexibility as a major reason why; or, in other words, to say Santos must be brave and pick on merit, not reputation. But conversely, it’s also not that difficult to look at the slower pace of international football and understand why the experience and calmness of one of the greatest players ever is deemed essential.