With poor Michael Owen now on crutches at home, everyone is looking at Sven’s “squad” and his narrow options in attack.

Compact, skilful and quick, Simao Sabrosa shared the left flank with Luis Figo as Big Phil’s jogadors ran rings round Mexico in the first half.

Sven didn’t say it in words but his actions said it loud and clear : I scored a huge own-goal by bringing Theo Walcott as one of my four strikers.

We don’t know how much Wayne Rooney can do tonight, or how long he can play for. All we know is that England are rubbish without him.

Fernando Torres has everything : dribbling skills, heading ability, awareness, chutzpah, perseverance. He leads the line, kills you with diagonal pace, goes in where it hurts, and keeps coming back for more.

Ronaldinho Gaucho said today in the Brazilian newspaper Folha De São Paulo, “I am better in Barcelona than Brazil, because in my Spanish club, I play closer to the opposite goal than in the national team.”

Second half, France were ridiculously arrogant, complacent and misguided, playing as if they were 4-0 up rather than 1-0 up.

Endorsements are OK for golfers, tennis players and athletes.But do they work so well with footballers like Ronaldo, Zidane, Beckham and Henry?

Two hours before the kick-off our office closed, like all Brazilian offices, even those of the government.

Diego Maradona, wearing a blue and white striped shirt, is getting rather excited. They should take Diego to a first aid room and give him a sedative and some oxygen.