PARAGUAY 0-1 SPAIN

And so I took a deep breath and started to give a shit about the World Cup again.

The only thing that brought me back to this point was the realisation that Spain could still save the day, and in turn save football. If there was going to be any justice, then this Spanish side would win the World Cup (I won't spoil the ending for you). And because of this, because the future of football itself was at stake, this scrappy game was full of tension. In short: it was a proper Quarter Final.

A proper quarter final lacks the quality of a semi, but marks the point in the tournament where players and fans alike start to think "two more wins and we're in the final". That's enough to make an Englishman freeze (see 2002 & 2006).

This seizing up of the bowels has led to a rash of QF penalties in living memory. And not just shoot outs. Two for Linekar in 1990, not to mention one for Cameroon in the same game. Two missed in this match (plus one chalked off from Alonso).

But if you're looking for a truly significant World Cup Quarter Final penalty miss (and let's face it: who isn't?), look no further than Brazil versus France from 1986. One of the great World Cup matches, Platini's France were European Champions; Brazil, tournament favourites, boasted arguably their best squad since 1970.

Give it to Zico!*



[*Storyteller 2 circa. 1982]

THE STORY SO FAR

Match of the tournament: Slovakia 3-2 Italy

Player of the tournament: Thomas Muller (Germany)

Goal of the tournament: Tevez (Argentina v Mexico) - [2nd goal]