Michael*

Argentina and Nigeria was another very good game. The more I see of Argentina, the less I'm convinced by them, but the brilliance of Messi could be enough to drag them through, perhaps even to the final. I can't see them winning it though, I don't think their midfield is strong enough, they've got a keeper who's barely played all season, and there are much tighter defences in the competition. Odd performance from Ecuador tonight, I thought. They played like they were happy with a draw, even though it meant they'd exit the tournament. Knowing they needed two goals, the manager didn't bring on a forward until the 90th minute, while they didn't throw the kitchen sink at a vulnerable French backline until injury time. As for France, well I guess having already achieved qualification and topping the group, they could be forgiven for going through the motions a bit, but they'll have to be back on their mettle when they face Nigeria, who looked really lively.

New one from Coves, whose debut album is one of my favourites of the year so far.

Hopefully HQs turn up at some point, but until then... Glass Magazine #17 Summer 2014 Photography: James Houston

I miss you already, Andrea. Seriously, I look away for five minutes and both of my ‘anyone but them’ teams somehow manage to sneak into the round of 16. Just like at Euro 2012, the Greeks were dreadful in their first two group games, then scraped a jammy win at the death. Who could have foreseen a Costa Rica-Greece showdown for a spot in the quarters? Luis Suarez, not such a changed man after all, I see. Here's a guy who has already missed nineteen matches for biting in his career - even if he didn't learn not to do it at the age of three like most of us, there's something just not quite right when, after all the punishments, suspensions and fines, he still can't control himself. Hopefully, Colombia run rings round Uruguay in the next game and Suarez is suspended, thereby denying him to chance to chew Bacca. Lovely moment during Colombia and Japan, with the manager bringing on Faryd Mondragon, who at 43 is now the oldest player in World Cup history. In a perfect world, the Colombians would win this tournament. Lots of teams are playing good football, but I think they're the best to watch. Pace, movement, skill, hard working players and fantastic support. And most importantly of all, cool goal celebrations.

Here's the long-awaited comeback single from Alt-J, Miley Cyrus sample and all.

Maxim USA May 2014

Alan Walter Photoshoot June 2014

Rooting for Mexico now, just so we get more of this from Miguel Herrera...

I don't know much about him, but he's described online as a Franco-Algerian journalist, so he definitely has a vested interest. I suppose you'd have to have one to even consider doing a dance like that on national TV.

Conclusive proof that Neymar is in fact good at football, the guy is almost singlehandedly carrying his team and the hopes of a nation on his back. While there were glimpses of the old Brazil, they were few and far between and the flattering nature of the scoreline was largely down to Cameroon’s complete incompetence at the back. Still have no idea what the point of Hulk is, and Paulinho looks so un-Brazilian in his play, he should be stripped of the ‘inho’ suffix to just Paul. It's already happened to Fred, Bernard and Jo. Glad to see Mexico get through to the next round, they were so impressive in all three of their group games, particularly after enduring such a torrid qualifying campaign. Their midfield was superb in their pressing, which kept Modric and Rakitic out of the game. Cracking consolation goal from Croatia though, this World Cup continues to impress, even teams facing certain elimination seem to be bringing quality. Always a bit of a pity when the group stages draw to a close and half the teams start heading home. Goodbye Modric, Rakitic and Mandzukic, adios Spain, farewell Cameroon.

French TV presenter Smail Bouabdellah celebrates Algeria's victory. This is how you do football coverage!

Partially face-saving result for Spain. Seeing the old Torres-Villa partnership one last time was terribly evocative, particularly with both getting on the scoresheet. A bit of a sad way for the Aussies to sign off, they played too well for too long to deserve elimination without a single point. Chile and Holland didn't live up to expectations at all, pretty intriguing tactical exchange though. On paper, this is one of the weaker Dutch sides I've seen at a World Cup. In reality, they're a well-drilled and super efficient outfit who look capable of going far in the tournament, although Sneijder appears a shadow of the player he was four years ago. Chile will be disappointed not to have avoided Brazil, but I have a hunch they'll beat them.

Really good ending I thought, just a shame that we'll have to wait so damn long for the final episodes. I shed a tear for old Bert, he was a marvellous character and he went out in style. The breakdown of Don and Megan's marriage, done over the phone and mostly in silent pauses, was a magnificent piece of writing.

Thanks again Raf. Hadn’t heard anything about Iron Patriot's role in the movie since Cheadle said he was going to be in it way back in 2013. Truth be told, I'd forgotten all about it, but I'm hoping it's true.

Nadejda Lana Megan Britt

If I'm not mistaken, Portugal and the USA was the last of the late night group matches. CONCACAF coming on strong at the moment. You can't help but admire the USA's attitude, they're a hell of a lot more than the sum of their parts. After a shaky opening they kept possession well, played a few telling passes, and with a bit more cutting edge up front would have helped themselves to a relatively comfortable victory. Barring the unlikely event of a fully fit Ronaldo (or a completely different Portuguese team) turning up on Thursday, I suspect Ghana will beat Portugal in the last group game, in which case it could come down to goal difference between Ghana and the USA for the final place. Promises to be very tight, nail biting stuff, wouldn't rule out a couple of late twists. I can honestly say that I didn't expect to see such a classy attacking display from Algeria last night, albeit against a Korean defence apparently comprised of holograms rather than humans in the first half. Brahimi's fourth goal was one of the best collective efforts I've seen at the tournament so far. For all the talk of African regression lately, they could quite easily occupy four places in the knockout rounds this year.

Very impressed by how cool Origi's finish was, a good goal all round. I assume Lukaku will lose his starting place now, immobile and seemingly uninterested in the play in the opposition third. Belgium look to me like they need open space to operate well, and neither Russia nor Algeria allowed them much. A Capello team, a Capello game.

I think we need a match like that about once every three or four days so we can fully appreciate the excitement elsewhere in the tournament. Pretty dire stuff for about 85 minutes, until someone gave Eden Hazard a prod. You have to hand it to Wilmots though, another one of his subs has done the business for him.

Just switched on BBC One expecting to see Messrs Henry and Seedorf discussing the World Cup, instead greeted by 'Songs of Praise'. Still better than the ITV coverage though.

Great thrill to see Lupita score a Vogue cover. She looks wonderful, and the full editorial is even better.

US Vogue July 2014 Photography: Mikael Jansson Stylist: Phyllis Posnick Make-Up: Mark Carrasquillo Hair: Bok-Hee

On the balance of play, Nigeria were good value for their win last night. Frustration for Bosnia though, especially when you consider their bad luck in Dzeko's goal being wrongly disallowed. Can't help feeling for a decent side who had a real chance of making it to the next round, only to end up with nothing.

This evening was the first time I've ever caught myself groaning at a superb goal by Messi. A well executed gameplan from Iran, which made Argentina look distinctly ordinary for long periods. Without that moment of brilliance (not to mention a rather questionable decision by the referee), they may have even come away with an upset. Germany and Ghana was the proverbial game of two halves, the second one being an absolute blast. The best thing about it was that even at the death, both teams were still trying desperately for the win. Ghana wasted a number of good opportunities, either by delaying their final passes or trying to shoot from impossible positions, but overall, they probably should have edged it. Amazing to see Klose equal Ronaldo's (the Brazilian one) World Cup goalscoring record too. And also, most importantly of all, Sulley Muntari's shorts were utterly ridiculous. Here's a gif summing up my current feelings when a game ends...