Quelle horreur This is better. The need for points is opening up the 2nd round of group matches and throwing up some exciting games and some upsets too.

The whole best team v fortunate runners up in the next round logic is all over the place at the moment with only Argentina impressing, but they are yet to be tested defensively. The French look like going home with their tales between their frogs legs. Raymond Domenech's swansong reminds me of Sven's four years ago. Even 37-year old ex-Chicago Fire stud Cuauhtemoc Blanco scored. The Mexicans would have been celebrating wildly in the streets of Chicago last night.

And sacré bleu, the French press are up in arms. The L'Equipe said "No sadness, no grief, above all no anger ... You can only laugh at the fact that those players are big in the head and not so big below the belt." At least Irish eyes were smiling.

Serbia turned over the Germans, who missed a penalty. Whatever next? And the USA were very unfortunate not to win earlier, Altidore's goal really should have stood and the Yanks showed great spirit in coming back aided by some inspired decision making by coach Bob Bradley. To continue the Chicago connection, Bradley was very successful when Chicago Fire's manager between 1998-2002.

Incidentially I am warming to Diego Maradona. Obviously as mad as a box of frogs but football throws up too many dullards these days, and his passion is infectious. Never thought I would say that.

I'm off home in the next half-hour to watch the England match with my 7-month old daughter. I'll try to keep a lid on the language. Then out for dinner later with friends where hopefully the beer won't be flat.  ¶ 14:41