A weedy little fullback himself, Sven was in awe of the power, speed and courage of his gladiators, so he was too timid to discipline them. He saw himself as the chief babysitter to the royal family.

Alexandre Abreu Gontijo saw Brazil’s old boys outplayed by France’s old boys. They love Zidane, but support their expats.

Thierry rarely gets the better of Lucio, but France have shown they can win without Thierry playing well.

Don’t be too amazed if the new, larky, frivolous Sven goes 4-4-2. WonderWayne is wasted in a 4-5-1 and England will be happier with Crouch and Rooney

People here like to devalue the French title in 1998, remembering Ronaldo’s problem, and because France were the hosts when they beat us 3-0 in that final

Wayne Rooney went off with a broken metatarsal. When Rooney went off, it was like losing four players.It was obvious that Portugal would win.

Argentina coach Jose Pekerman disembowelled the best-balanced team in the tournament.They scored the vital first goal and then surrendered in Berlin.

When Spain played France, youth lost to experience by 3-1 after scoring first. Same again, I hope.

It’s intriguing that Arsene Wenger is interested in Saviola, a tiny link-poacher who steals into scoring positions and works across the line to knit attacks together.

Our Rio correspondent Alexandre Abreu Gontijo is worried that coach Parreira is making Brazil as dull as they were in USA 94.