GERMANY 4-0 AUSTRALIA

This was my most difficult fixture to date.

I missed two sections of this game. If those sections had been during a different match - say, Algeria-Slovenia - this would not have been a problem. Unfortunately, as I should have known, I missed Podolski's opening goal and Tim Cahill's sending off. Live. I've seen them now. Don't panic.

But, as I said, I should have known. And not just me. What is it with this "surprise" across the ITV panel at Germany being a good side?

Germany were always going to be good. If you didn't already know this, then you haven't watched a major international football tournament in the last 56 years. It's like being surprised that Brazil are good.

Only once in my lifetime have Germany taken a ropey side to a tournament:



In the next game they were beaten by, essentially, a Portugal 'B' team. But the damage had been done. England had been set up for a fall, and Germany had got their once-a-generation blip out of the way.

Back to Monday and there are problems afoot. Despite trying to work from home, it is inevitable that I will have to leave the house at some point today. Games are under threat. For one, I have to go to the Opticians.

Thankfully, today's fixtures are low-priority. I mean, come on, Italy aren't going to be any good...

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)