BRAZIL 2-1 NORTH KOREA

That last entry was a bit long. I was drunk when I wrote it.

This was after watching Brazil enter proceedings in one of the strangest restaurants I've ever eaten in. But I suppose that's what comes from choosing the venue based entirely on the size of their screen.

I had the steak & ale pie. It was average. But enjoyable.

Game 14 was enjoyably average as well. The Brazillians looked cold - although special mention must go to their coach Dunga, who premiered the finest display of casual knitwear in the tournament so far - and the North Koreans were busy and industrious, without ever really looking capable of avoiding defeat.

They kept the five time champions out for almost an hour [INSERT joke about North Korea and keeping other nations out HERE], until Maicon mishit a cross in the 55th minute.

Yes, you heard me. There's no way he meant that. The look up to the penalty spot - seeking out the pullback - just before he swung at the ball, off balance, gave him away. And yet since then, I've heard Andy Townsend talk about that hit as reminiscent of Carlos Alberto's goal in the 1970 final:



One of the greatest goals of all time - this one, not Maicon's.

I can only assume Townsend is suffering from altitude sickness.

THE STORY SO FAR

Match of the tournament: South Africa 1-1 Mexico

Player of the tournament: Thomas Muller (Germany)

Goal of the tournament: Tshabalala (South Africa v Mexico)