Follow latest news, pictures, videos and analysis from the Fifa World Cup 2014 as the tournament continues
Saviour? Can Andrea Pirlo and Mario Balotelli rescue England's World Cup Photo: AFP
16.25 That concludes our coverage of the general World Cup happenings
for today - head
over to join Rob Bagchi with all the latest as the crucial Italy v Costa
Rica game gets underway. Thanks for following. Buona fortuna
azzurri.
16.20 Cristiano Ronaldo again wore a brace on his troublesome left knee
Friday as his Portugal team held its final World Cup training session before
departing for a crucial game against the United States.
The reigning world player of the year took part in some light workouts with
the first team, followed by stretching.
He was smiling and appeared at ease at practice at the team base in Campinas,
near Sao Paulo, as he took part in a playful game of keep away from
teammates. The team was set to leave later in the day for Manaus for its
matchup with the U.S. on Sunday.
AP Photo/Paulo Duarte
16.10 Actor and singer Riz Ahmed has complained of being subject to racist abuse during England's fixture against Uruguay in Sao Paulo yesterday. 'I was at São Paulo stadium, edge of seat, singing Eng-er-land. Half time I get racist abuse from England fan. 2nd half, I just can't sing it,' he said.
16.00 Less than three hours remain until England fans will learn the fate of the Three Lions. The Italy v Costa Rica game kicks-off at 5pm on BBC 1. But the recriminations from yesterday's England fixture continue. Players' union FIFPro have called for an urgent review of the protection given to players with concussion after Uruguay's Alvaro Pereira suffered a bad head injury in yesterday's game.
Pereira collapsed to the ground and lay motionless after appearing to be knocked out after Raheem Sterling's knee collided with his head in the 61st minute of the game.
AP Photo/Francois Xavier Marit
"Football is awash with incidents in which players suffer potentially concussive blows to the head and stay on the pitch," the players' union said in a statement.
"In Pereira's case, he demanded to play on, overruling advice from Uruguay's team physician for him to be immediately substituted.
"FIFPro understands that in certain moments, faced by the pressures of such an important international stage, many players would react in this way.
"But there are times, however, when the players also require greater protection against the prospect of making any rash decisions. He must be subjected to further evaluation and follow-up procedures that help determine if and when he can return to training."
15.50 A Brazilian family is counting on the fingers of a single hand its hopes for their country to win a sixth World Cup championship.
All the members of the Silva family living in Aguas Claras, a town on the outskirts of the capital of Brasilia, were born with an extra digit on each hand as a result of a genetic condition known as polydactyly.
Rather than recoil in the face of stares by curious onlookers, the 14 members of the family spanning four generations seem to embrace their physical difference with pride.
"Since the last World Cup we wanted Brazil to become hexacampeao," said Ana Carolina Santos da Silva, using the Portuguese term for "six-time champion" that would be the envy of the soccer world. "But it didn't happen, so this year we really want Brazil to achieve the sixth."
AP Photo/Eraldo Peres
15.40 Are you one of thousands who has uttered the words: 'I could play better than this?' in the course of the England campaign? If so then you might like to clarify which of Roy Hodgson's men that you wish to usurp. And before you ask, I'm came out as a deep lying playmaker. That figures.
15.30 Police are investigating claims that World Cup spectators sitting in areas reserved for disabled fans have been spotted 'jumping out of their wheelchairs'.
15.20 Former England centre-back, Rio Ferdinand, was scathing in his criticism of his old team-mates' defending last night, saying: "The defending was nightmarish, especially for Uruguay's second goal.
"It came from just a straight ball up the pitch from the goalkeeper and it was schoolboyish from England's point of view. You cannot let that happen."
15.05 Not forgetting the other game happening tonight... Suggested viewing for those of a nervous disposition instead of the Costa Rica v Italy game.
14.50
Henry Winter's thought of the day: Time to pay homage.
England's destroyer had to be Suárez, the player who has been the best in
the Premier League this year, the man voted PFA Player of the Year and FWA
Footballer of the Year. It had to be Suárez vanquishing the team
representing the FA, the organisation with which he has such history.
Barring Wayne Rooney's close-range effort, England lacked the killer touch
that Suárez had.
14.40 Vincent Kompany did not train yesterday as he had a "light groin strain", according to Belgian coach Marc Wilmots..
But the combative (French-speaking) Belgian said he would not take questions about the seriousness of the injury and stopped the interview when he was asked about the Belgian captain by (Flemish-speaking) Belgian channel VRT. Quelle horreur.
14.30 Many people have asked the question: how do you make Fabio Capello smile? The answer? Carve his face into a watermelon and present him with the result. But will he still be smiling at the end of the tournament?
14.20 For all of the sad news, recriminations and circular firing squads today, take a moment to consider Carlos. He is deaf and blind and so expected he would be unable to follow the tournament, despite being a football obsessive. That was until his friends built him a miniature football pitch on which he can experience the action by having his hands moved around the pitch by a friend, who replicates player positions and actions on the pitch, communicating with hand movements throughout. A touching story, spotted by the boys of Babb.
14.00 UPDATE: At the top of the hour we return to the sad news that Ibrahim Toure, the younger brother of Kolo and Yaya Toure, has died at the age of 28.
"The thoughts of everyone at Manchester City FC are with Yaya and Kolo Toure following the death of their younger brother Ibrahim," a spokesman for Manchester City's statement said.
The Manchester Evening News had reported that Ibrahim Toure had been receiving treatment for cancer in the city.
13.50 Luis Suarez has admitted that Roy Hodgson made him more determined to beat England when he denied the striker was worthy of being called a "world-class" player.
After England's defeat to Italy last Saturday, Hodgson declined an invitation to describe Suarez as a "world-class" forward who was in the same bracket as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
"He (Suarez) will only be at that level when he shows it on this particular stage (the World Cup)," Hodgson said.
Suarez today used his time in the limelight to issue a stinging riposte. He said: "It wasn't revenge, but in England they talked about the injury and the coach had words that annoyed (me).”
13.40 Our own Henry Winter has issued a call to arms to protect the future of England’s managerial talent pool.
13.30 We're in uncharted territory here - anything could happen tonight.
13.20 Can't bear the suspense? See our simulation of tonight's all-important match, Italy v Costa Rica. The men on the funny mics are Thom Gibbs and JJ Bull.
13.10 Former England striker Emile Heskey has surfaced to cast doubts on England's ability to get out of the group.
He said: "I can’t see it. It’s out of our hands now. We are clutching at straws. Costa Rica are capable of getting a draw, they looked lively in their first game, Joel Campbell in particular.
"That could very well have ended even, plus there is a final game against Costa Rica which we cannot take granted."
On Roy Hodgson's choices for yesterday's encounter he said: "I would have gone with Wilshere over Henderson. He has the ability to keep the ball moving and see a killer pass. That could have made the difference."
"Sterling was the top young player for England. He showed his true potential. You can’t build a team around one player but I would envisage him, Barkley, Henderson and Wilshere being key individuals for England for the next few years.
"For the first game, Henderson justified his place but felt he did not play with the energy he plays with in the Premier League against Italy. Maybe it was the conditions, I play in Australia and I know how much the heat can change things. In Australia, we have water breaks. FIFA should look at that with so many players going down cramp because they were dehydrated.
"It is a big surprise that England are in this position. Before the tournament, I thought we had enough to win the first game – against Italy – and get a draw with Uruguay. So it’s major disappointment."
12.55 Our man in Switzerland notes that the eternal curse of big tournament participation, boredom, has hit the Swiss camp.
Napoli midfielder Blerim Dzemaili is the latest team member to emerge from the players' hotel with a Mohawk haircut.
Rumour has it he knowingly allowed teammate Johan Djourou to inflict upon him.
Sans mohawk: AFP PHOTO / ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULATANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images
12.40 A video of an emotional Luis Suarez paying tribute to his family and previewing his side's fixture against Italy has emerged online. He magnanimously refrains from mentioning England's defending...
12.30 Uruguay's team have given their two penn'orth on the man of the moment, Luis Suarez. "Our team really revolves around him,” defender Diego Lugano said unequivocally. Edinson Cavani meanwhile said: “He did what he had to do. But we know that it can’t have been easy for him, coming back from injury, with all the pressure that surrounds a World Cup and with everything that was being said and speculated about his fitness.”
Mike Egerton/PA Wire: Luis Suarez, rather popular among his teammates
Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera echoed Cavani’s thoughts. “There was a lot of criticism coming his way, saying that we’d be left with a player only 50 per cent fit,” he said. “But when I heard that I thought, ‘I’d rather have a player like him in the team anyway’. Even at three per cent fit he can still win you a game.”
12.15 BREAKING: The Ivorian Football Federation has announced the death of Ibrahim Toure, the brother of Kolo and Yaya Toure.
In a statement on its official website, the IFF said that 28-year-old Ibrahim, himself a player with Lebanon-based Al Safa, passed away hours after the Ivory Coast's 2-1 World Cup loss to Colombia on Thursday.
No reason was given for the death, other than that it occurred in Manchester, where Yaya Toure plays his club football with City.
12.00 Brazilian prostitutes and a Christian evangelical group have played a football match World Cup host city Belo Horizonte, taking over a central street to raise awareness about sex workers' rights.
Gathering just after Colombia played Greece in the southeastern city, the women set up an impromptu pitch using traffic cones for goalposts and played to the enthusiastic cheers of onlookers.
The prostitutes, calling themselves the Naked Football Club - though in fact they played in the green and yellow uniforms of Brazil - teamed up with the visiting evangelicals from the United States to take on a local university team.
REUTERS/Pilar Olivares
11.40 And if you were in any doubt, here is the England team explained by the indomitable Thom Gibbs.
11.30 Our man in the Koreas reports that Spain's stunning exit from the World Cup in Brazil has prompted state media in the North to shed their characteristic secrecy and report local surprise at the upset.
"There's no rule that says a strong team never loses of course, but I can't help but be surprised that the best team in Europe and the world suffered such a devastating loss," North Korean Football Confederation member Yu Myong Uk was quoted as saying.
Edited highlights of World Cup games have been carried with a one-day delay by state television in the reclusive country, where the sport is popular.
A North Korean stamp published to commemorate the FIFA soccer World Cup 2014 in Brazil. EPA/KCNA
11.20 Vicente del Bosque has received the backing of the Spanish Football Federation, in spite of Spain's disastrous World Cup campaign which has seen the holders exit the tournament after just two games.
The coach is under contract until after the European Championships in 2016 but admitted after Spain's 2-0 defeat to Chile, which followed the humiliating 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Holland, that his future was not certain, saying: "We need to decide what's best for Spanish football, and that includes myself."
However, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) insist they want the 63-year-old, who has won the World Cup and European Championships with Spain, to stay in charge of La Roja.
11.10 Our own Rob Bagchi writes in defence of the much maligned Adrian Chiles and makes an impassioned plea not to knock the nation's 'suffering face'.
At half-time after Luis Suarez’s first goal Chiles lapsed back into the fatalism of the fan, his words of encouragement not matched by his colour or expressions, hopes of salvation tempered by decades of disappointment. In defeat or victory, rarely has one face captured the stresses of a nation so ruefully and unambiguously.
10.55 The stand-out performance last night however came not from Lui-who-must-not-be-named or even the long-suffering England fans but from pop sensation Rhianna. Rhi Rhi spent the game trying her hand at match commentary, with a slew of pitch perfect Tweet inducements for the England side to lift their game. Phil Neville, eat your heart out.
10.45 And if those are not enough to restore your good cheer, then a recap of the best World Cup dances should do it.
10.35 And in other good news, England win the World Cup. Our rugby u-20 side romp home in their final against the Baby Boks 21-20.
10.30 On the bright side...
10.15 Japan midfielder Keisuke Honda has slammed his team's lack of creative spark following yesterday's 0-0 World Cup draw with Greece, which left them on the brink of elimination.
"We lack ideas," Japan's bleach- blond talisman said.
"We tried to attack but we just can't put the ball in the back of the net."
AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko
10.00 Meet Mark McConville, the unapologetic, ginger-wigged Scotland fan who very publicly rooted for Uruguay, who has been tracked down by Telegraph reporter Oliver Duggan. Read more about the Glaswegian here.
09.50 Following England's World Cup travails, school inspectors Ofsted have issued a damning report about the dearth of elite sportsmen coming from state schools.
09.35 Former England winger Chris Waddle has taken to the airwaves to slam the Premier League's culture after watching the Three Lions fall to the brink of World Cup exit.
Speaking about the impact he feels the Premier League - and its foreign players - has on the side he won 62 caps for, he said: "I'm not angry, I'm just fed up of talking about the same old problems.
"I'll tell you what the biggest problem is when you think about it all - the Premier League. They have a product which they sell around the world. It's entertaining but it's doing our players no good whatsoever."
Robbie Savage, Brad Friedel, Gary Lineker, Chris Waddle, Rio Ferdinand - (C) BBC - Photographer: Andrew Hayes-Watkins
09.20 Dutch actress Nicolette Van Dam resigned as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador Thursday, after a scandal erupted over her tweet of a doctored photo appearing to depict two Colombian football players snorting cocaine.
"Ms. Van Dam resigned as goodwill ambassador for UNICEF and regrets the message forwarded yesterday," UNICEF's Colombia office posted on its own Twitter page.
In a statement, the organization also offered its "most sincere apologies" to Colombian footballers Radamel Falcao Garcia and James Rodriguez, who were in the photo, for "the shameful and offensive post" from Van Dam.
09.10 Costa Rica's Keylor Navas ups the ante by Tweeting a picture of the Costa Rican flag ever so slightly higher than the Italian at the Arena Pernambuco, Recife ahead of tonight's game.
09.00 A sombre good morning to all those who have brought themselves to return to the coverage of the World Cup, having slept on last night's thankless 90 minutes. An apology to those who think we jumped the gun by publishing a 'who else can you support once England crash out?' graphic yesterday, but naturally we reproduce it below for your perusal. Stay here for all of the tournament news, trivia and gossip though we'll be going easy on the bitter recriminations that have blighted Twitter after last night's performance. We also look ahead to Italy's fixture against Costa Rica tonight and what it could mean for the Three Lions. At least it's not raining.
See it full sized here
When the team sheets were delivered England will have scanned it for the
inevitable confirmation: of course Luis Suarez was playing. And that name
should have been not in black but red ink. Suárez means danger. Or should
that be DANGER.
Even when he was not fit – and he was not remotely fit on Thursday night as he faced England. But he was fired up and that was enough. His performance was incredible.
Incredible in the true sense of the word. He defied belief. Simply defied it with a fighter’s instinct, an assassin’s cold blood and a huge, huge heart.
Suárez scored both goals with his only two efforts on target; he ran England ragged on one knee; he was taken off on a stretcher; he was in tears on the bench, burying his head into a team-mate as he could not watch the last few seconds, and he was chaired back onto the pitch at the final whistle. His status as a national hero was confirmed. His status as England’s nemesis also.
AP Photo/Paulo Duarte
16.10 Actor and singer Riz Ahmed has complained of being subject to racist abuse during England's fixture against Uruguay in Sao Paulo yesterday. 'I was at São Paulo stadium, edge of seat, singing Eng-er-land. Half time I get racist abuse from England fan. 2nd half, I just can't sing it,' he said.
16.00 Less than three hours remain until England fans will learn the fate of the Three Lions. The Italy v Costa Rica game kicks-off at 5pm on BBC 1. But the recriminations from yesterday's England fixture continue. Players' union FIFPro have called for an urgent review of the protection given to players with concussion after Uruguay's Alvaro Pereira suffered a bad head injury in yesterday's game.
Pereira collapsed to the ground and lay motionless after appearing to be knocked out after Raheem Sterling's knee collided with his head in the 61st minute of the game.
AP Photo/Francois Xavier Marit
"Football is awash with incidents in which players suffer potentially concussive blows to the head and stay on the pitch," the players' union said in a statement.
"In Pereira's case, he demanded to play on, overruling advice from Uruguay's team physician for him to be immediately substituted.
"FIFPro understands that in certain moments, faced by the pressures of such an important international stage, many players would react in this way.
"But there are times, however, when the players also require greater protection against the prospect of making any rash decisions. He must be subjected to further evaluation and follow-up procedures that help determine if and when he can return to training."
15.50 A Brazilian family is counting on the fingers of a single hand its hopes for their country to win a sixth World Cup championship.
All the members of the Silva family living in Aguas Claras, a town on the outskirts of the capital of Brasilia, were born with an extra digit on each hand as a result of a genetic condition known as polydactyly.
Rather than recoil in the face of stares by curious onlookers, the 14 members of the family spanning four generations seem to embrace their physical difference with pride.
"Since the last World Cup we wanted Brazil to become hexacampeao," said Ana Carolina Santos da Silva, using the Portuguese term for "six-time champion" that would be the envy of the soccer world. "But it didn't happen, so this year we really want Brazil to achieve the sixth."
AP Photo/Eraldo Peres
15.40 Are you one of thousands who has uttered the words: 'I could play better than this?' in the course of the England campaign? If so then you might like to clarify which of Roy Hodgson's men that you wish to usurp. And before you ask, I'm came out as a deep lying playmaker. That figures.
15.30 Police are investigating claims that World Cup spectators sitting in areas reserved for disabled fans have been spotted 'jumping out of their wheelchairs'.
15.20 Former England centre-back, Rio Ferdinand, was scathing in his criticism of his old team-mates' defending last night, saying: "The defending was nightmarish, especially for Uruguay's second goal.
"It came from just a straight ball up the pitch from the goalkeeper and it was schoolboyish from England's point of view. You cannot let that happen."
15.05 Not forgetting the other game happening tonight... Suggested viewing for those of a nervous disposition instead of the Costa Rica v Italy game.
14.50
Henry Winter's thought of the day: Time to pay homage.
England's destroyer had to be Suárez, the player who has been the best in
the Premier League this year, the man voted PFA Player of the Year and FWA
Footballer of the Year. It had to be Suárez vanquishing the team
representing the FA, the organisation with which he has such history.
Barring Wayne Rooney's close-range effort, England lacked the killer touch
that Suárez had.
14.40 Vincent Kompany did not train yesterday as he had a "light groin strain", according to Belgian coach Marc Wilmots..
But the combative (French-speaking) Belgian said he would not take questions about the seriousness of the injury and stopped the interview when he was asked about the Belgian captain by (Flemish-speaking) Belgian channel VRT. Quelle horreur.
14.30 Many people have asked the question: how do you make Fabio Capello smile? The answer? Carve his face into a watermelon and present him with the result. But will he still be smiling at the end of the tournament?
14.20 For all of the sad news, recriminations and circular firing squads today, take a moment to consider Carlos. He is deaf and blind and so expected he would be unable to follow the tournament, despite being a football obsessive. That was until his friends built him a miniature football pitch on which he can experience the action by having his hands moved around the pitch by a friend, who replicates player positions and actions on the pitch, communicating with hand movements throughout. A touching story, spotted by the boys of Babb.
14.00 UPDATE: At the top of the hour we return to the sad news that Ibrahim Toure, the younger brother of Kolo and Yaya Toure, has died at the age of 28.
"The thoughts of everyone at Manchester City FC are with Yaya and Kolo Toure following the death of their younger brother Ibrahim," a spokesman for Manchester City's statement said.
The Manchester Evening News had reported that Ibrahim Toure had been receiving treatment for cancer in the city.
13.50 Luis Suarez has admitted that Roy Hodgson made him more determined to beat England when he denied the striker was worthy of being called a "world-class" player.
After England's defeat to Italy last Saturday, Hodgson declined an invitation to describe Suarez as a "world-class" forward who was in the same bracket as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
"He (Suarez) will only be at that level when he shows it on this particular stage (the World Cup)," Hodgson said.
Suarez today used his time in the limelight to issue a stinging riposte. He said: "It wasn't revenge, but in England they talked about the injury and the coach had words that annoyed (me).”
13.40 Our own Henry Winter has issued a call to arms to protect the future of England’s managerial talent pool.
13.30 We're in uncharted territory here - anything could happen tonight.
13.20 Can't bear the suspense? See our simulation of tonight's all-important match, Italy v Costa Rica. The men on the funny mics are Thom Gibbs and JJ Bull.
13.10 Former England striker Emile Heskey has surfaced to cast doubts on England's ability to get out of the group.
He said: "I can’t see it. It’s out of our hands now. We are clutching at straws. Costa Rica are capable of getting a draw, they looked lively in their first game, Joel Campbell in particular.
"That could very well have ended even, plus there is a final game against Costa Rica which we cannot take granted."
On Roy Hodgson's choices for yesterday's encounter he said: "I would have gone with Wilshere over Henderson. He has the ability to keep the ball moving and see a killer pass. That could have made the difference."
"Sterling was the top young player for England. He showed his true potential. You can’t build a team around one player but I would envisage him, Barkley, Henderson and Wilshere being key individuals for England for the next few years.
"For the first game, Henderson justified his place but felt he did not play with the energy he plays with in the Premier League against Italy. Maybe it was the conditions, I play in Australia and I know how much the heat can change things. In Australia, we have water breaks. FIFA should look at that with so many players going down cramp because they were dehydrated.
"It is a big surprise that England are in this position. Before the tournament, I thought we had enough to win the first game – against Italy – and get a draw with Uruguay. So it’s major disappointment."
12.55 Our man in Switzerland notes that the eternal curse of big tournament participation, boredom, has hit the Swiss camp.
Napoli midfielder Blerim Dzemaili is the latest team member to emerge from the players' hotel with a Mohawk haircut.
Rumour has it he knowingly allowed teammate Johan Djourou to inflict upon him.
Sans mohawk: AFP PHOTO / ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULATANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images
12.40 A video of an emotional Luis Suarez paying tribute to his family and previewing his side's fixture against Italy has emerged online. He magnanimously refrains from mentioning England's defending...
12.30 Uruguay's team have given their two penn'orth on the man of the moment, Luis Suarez. "Our team really revolves around him,” defender Diego Lugano said unequivocally. Edinson Cavani meanwhile said: “He did what he had to do. But we know that it can’t have been easy for him, coming back from injury, with all the pressure that surrounds a World Cup and with everything that was being said and speculated about his fitness.”
Mike Egerton/PA Wire: Luis Suarez, rather popular among his teammates
Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera echoed Cavani’s thoughts. “There was a lot of criticism coming his way, saying that we’d be left with a player only 50 per cent fit,” he said. “But when I heard that I thought, ‘I’d rather have a player like him in the team anyway’. Even at three per cent fit he can still win you a game.”
12.15 BREAKING: The Ivorian Football Federation has announced the death of Ibrahim Toure, the brother of Kolo and Yaya Toure.
In a statement on its official website, the IFF said that 28-year-old Ibrahim, himself a player with Lebanon-based Al Safa, passed away hours after the Ivory Coast's 2-1 World Cup loss to Colombia on Thursday.
No reason was given for the death, other than that it occurred in Manchester, where Yaya Toure plays his club football with City.
12.00 Brazilian prostitutes and a Christian evangelical group have played a football match World Cup host city Belo Horizonte, taking over a central street to raise awareness about sex workers' rights.
Gathering just after Colombia played Greece in the southeastern city, the women set up an impromptu pitch using traffic cones for goalposts and played to the enthusiastic cheers of onlookers.
The prostitutes, calling themselves the Naked Football Club - though in fact they played in the green and yellow uniforms of Brazil - teamed up with the visiting evangelicals from the United States to take on a local university team.
REUTERS/Pilar Olivares
11.40 And if you were in any doubt, here is the England team explained by the indomitable Thom Gibbs.
11.30 Our man in the Koreas reports that Spain's stunning exit from the World Cup in Brazil has prompted state media in the North to shed their characteristic secrecy and report local surprise at the upset.
"There's no rule that says a strong team never loses of course, but I can't help but be surprised that the best team in Europe and the world suffered such a devastating loss," North Korean Football Confederation member Yu Myong Uk was quoted as saying.
Edited highlights of World Cup games have been carried with a one-day delay by state television in the reclusive country, where the sport is popular.
A North Korean stamp published to commemorate the FIFA soccer World Cup 2014 in Brazil. EPA/KCNA
11.20 Vicente del Bosque has received the backing of the Spanish Football Federation, in spite of Spain's disastrous World Cup campaign which has seen the holders exit the tournament after just two games.
The coach is under contract until after the European Championships in 2016 but admitted after Spain's 2-0 defeat to Chile, which followed the humiliating 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Holland, that his future was not certain, saying: "We need to decide what's best for Spanish football, and that includes myself."
However, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) insist they want the 63-year-old, who has won the World Cup and European Championships with Spain, to stay in charge of La Roja.
11.10 Our own Rob Bagchi writes in defence of the much maligned Adrian Chiles and makes an impassioned plea not to knock the nation's 'suffering face'.
At half-time after Luis Suarez’s first goal Chiles lapsed back into the fatalism of the fan, his words of encouragement not matched by his colour or expressions, hopes of salvation tempered by decades of disappointment. In defeat or victory, rarely has one face captured the stresses of a nation so ruefully and unambiguously.
10.55 The stand-out performance last night however came not from Lui-who-must-not-be-named or even the long-suffering England fans but from pop sensation Rhianna. Rhi Rhi spent the game trying her hand at match commentary, with a slew of pitch perfect Tweet inducements for the England side to lift their game. Phil Neville, eat your heart out.
10.45 And if those are not enough to restore your good cheer, then a recap of the best World Cup dances should do it.
10.35 And in other good news, England win the World Cup. Our rugby u-20 side romp home in their final against the Baby Boks 21-20.
10.30 On the bright side...
10.15 Japan midfielder Keisuke Honda has slammed his team's lack of creative spark following yesterday's 0-0 World Cup draw with Greece, which left them on the brink of elimination.
"We lack ideas," Japan's bleach- blond talisman said.
"We tried to attack but we just can't put the ball in the back of the net."
AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko
10.00 Meet Mark McConville, the unapologetic, ginger-wigged Scotland fan who very publicly rooted for Uruguay, who has been tracked down by Telegraph reporter Oliver Duggan. Read more about the Glaswegian here.
09.50 Following England's World Cup travails, school inspectors Ofsted have issued a damning report about the dearth of elite sportsmen coming from state schools.
09.35 Former England winger Chris Waddle has taken to the airwaves to slam the Premier League's culture after watching the Three Lions fall to the brink of World Cup exit.
Speaking about the impact he feels the Premier League - and its foreign players - has on the side he won 62 caps for, he said: "I'm not angry, I'm just fed up of talking about the same old problems.
"I'll tell you what the biggest problem is when you think about it all - the Premier League. They have a product which they sell around the world. It's entertaining but it's doing our players no good whatsoever."
Robbie Savage, Brad Friedel, Gary Lineker, Chris Waddle, Rio Ferdinand - (C) BBC - Photographer: Andrew Hayes-Watkins
09.20 Dutch actress Nicolette Van Dam resigned as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador Thursday, after a scandal erupted over her tweet of a doctored photo appearing to depict two Colombian football players snorting cocaine.
"Ms. Van Dam resigned as goodwill ambassador for UNICEF and regrets the message forwarded yesterday," UNICEF's Colombia office posted on its own Twitter page.
In a statement, the organization also offered its "most sincere apologies" to Colombian footballers Radamel Falcao Garcia and James Rodriguez, who were in the photo, for "the shameful and offensive post" from Van Dam.
09.10 Costa Rica's Keylor Navas ups the ante by Tweeting a picture of the Costa Rican flag ever so slightly higher than the Italian at the Arena Pernambuco, Recife ahead of tonight's game.
09.00 A sombre good morning to all those who have brought themselves to return to the coverage of the World Cup, having slept on last night's thankless 90 minutes. An apology to those who think we jumped the gun by publishing a 'who else can you support once England crash out?' graphic yesterday, but naturally we reproduce it below for your perusal. Stay here for all of the tournament news, trivia and gossip though we'll be going easy on the bitter recriminations that have blighted Twitter after last night's performance. We also look ahead to Italy's fixture against Costa Rica tonight and what it could mean for the Three Lions. At least it's not raining.
See it full sized here
When the team sheets were delivered England will have scanned it for the
inevitable confirmation: of course Luis Suarez was playing. And that name
should have been not in black but red ink. Suárez means danger. Or should
that be DANGER.
Even when he was not fit – and he was not remotely fit on Thursday night as he faced England. But he was fired up and that was enough. His performance was incredible.
Incredible in the true sense of the word. He defied belief. Simply defied it with a fighter’s instinct, an assassin’s cold blood and a huge, huge heart.
Suárez scored both goals with his only two efforts on target; he ran England ragged on one knee; he was taken off on a stretcher; he was in tears on the bench, burying his head into a team-mate as he could not watch the last few seconds, and he was chaired back onto the pitch at the final whistle. His status as a national hero was confirmed. His status as England’s nemesis also.
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