SPAIN 0-1 SWITZERLAND

Now we're cooking on gas: ladies and gentlemen, the 2010 World Cup has officially started...

Let it be known that I've got a lot of time for Spain and I don't particularly take any great pleasure in seeing the most complete side in the competition get beat. But this game, and this result, was just what the football doctor ordered.

There was a lot of pressure on Spain going into this: as the pre-tournament favourites there was a growing sense that we couldn't judge the World Cup until we'd seen them play. And the match schedule had seemingly saved the best until last as Spain and Switzerland became the 31st and 32nd team to make their entrance. We were not disappointed.

But our confirmation did not take the form we expected - and thank goodness. Finally we have a proper football story to talk about rather than whingeing on about vuvuzelas and jabulanis.

Until this point everything had gone according to the script: France rubbish, Argentina wasteful, England calamitous, Italy slow starters, Germany good, Holland disappointing etc.

So thank you Switzerland - any team managed by Walter Matthau deserves the support of a neutral from time to time:



THE STORY SO FAR

Match of the tournament: Spain 0-1 Switzerland

Player of the tournament: Thomas Muller (Germany)

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