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Spanish champions Atletico Madrid are lining up a £16m move for Chelsea target Jose Callejon.

Jose Mourinho is a big fan of the talented forward, who he signed during his time at Real Madrid back in 2011.

As reported by SPORT in May, The Special One has been keeping tabs on Callejon since his move to Napoli last summer and was impressed by his 15 goals during his first Serie A season.

But Mourinho and Chelsea could be in danger of missing out on the 27-year-old with Atletico ready to make their move for the striker.

The Spanish club are desperate to reinforce their attack after selling Diego Costa - ironically to Chelsea - and it is understood that they have stuck Callejon at the top of their wish list.

And so it proved, the mourning came before the funeral. By the end of 90 historic minutes Brazil, as a nation and a football team, were left to watch the lifeless body of their World Cup campaign be lowered into the ground, tears streaking down the faces of players and fans, whose ashen expressions betrayed a sense of disbelief at Germany's earth-shaking 7-1 win at the Estádio Mineirão in Belo Horizonte.

In that moment, Brazilian football was dead. It's easy to get carried away when it comes to the beautiful game such is the emotion involved but do not understate the significance of last night's result. The stats tell only half the story; Brazil lost a competitive home fixture for the first time since 1975 while suffering the worst ever defeat for a host nation in the history of the competition. It was the largest World Cup knockout defeat since 1938. 

Record defeat

But more than the endless stream of numbers and tumbling records, it is the tangible sense of disbelief and soul-shaking shock that grew each time the back of Brazil's net bulged that will ensure this game lives on and lingers in the memory. If the Maracanazo in 1950 scarred a footballing nation and condemned Moacir Barbosa to 50 years of abuse, then last night's result may well have similar repercussions.

Strange then, that it could have all been avoided.

In truth the build-up to Brazil's World Cup campaign had started months before the tournament got underway thanks to an endless stream of hyperbole and marketing campaigns, gathering pace and swarming in like wave of  before it hit the shore, starting with the curtain-raiser against Croatia. Inevitably, the wave eventually tumbled, undone by it's own momentum.

At the peak of that wave was Neymar, the poster-boy and emotional conduit for this Brazil team. They bought into the marketing, into the myth that he was their saviour. That he could make the impossible happen. And when he failed to take to the pitch last night, the wheels were set in motion for a defeat of previously unthinkable proportions.

Approach

Whether Luis Felipe Scolari wanted to or simply chose to buy into that belief that Neymar could deliver them to glory we may never know, but what is almost certain is that his willingness to perpetuate it contributed towards his team's untimely demise. And for that he will suffer.

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Last night we saw a team so emotionally caught up in its own narrative - trying to avenge their leader's misfortune - that the basics of the game were disregarded. 

Foundations

Of course the foundations were laid in the build-up to the game following Neymar's cruel, tournament-ending injury against Colombia. A country went into mourning, eulogising about the deified young forward as though he had passed.

Brazil arrived at the game wearing hats that bore the slogan "Forca Neymar", while David Luiz and Julio Cesar stood trembling and clutching a Neymar shirt while fighting back the tears during the national anthem. The story was that they'd do it for Neymar, that the World Cup was to be dedicated to their fallen comrade. Once more the tears flowed. Beforehand, Scolari spoke of using the national anthem to unify a nation. "Let’s feel that in our chests,” he told his audience while thumping his heart. The die had been cast.

World Cup legend Zico had previously fore-warned of Brazil's lack of self-control which ultimately proved to be the case against Germany. “There’s a lack of focus during the game, which can hurt Brazil. There are players who get emotional and forget the game. They need to have more control,” he said, and further encouraged by Scolari's recklessly attacking formation which offered little consideration to Germany's dominant midfield, they charged like cavaliers and paid the price, time and time again.

Rampant Germany

Germany scored three goals in 76 seconds in the first half and five overall. Perhaps the defining moment came when Fernandinho was robbed in front of his own defence before Kroos cooly slotted home to make it four. The blood drained from the faces of the crowd as they realisation of what was happening began to sink in. Fernandinho slumped into the net, Luiz stood, and stared for an eternity. It had all unravelled.

It shouldn't take rugby analyst Brian Moore to point out last night that "passion; commitment; pride; patriotism are not deciding factors in elite level sport - composure, decision-making and execution are", but it certainly would have helped if the message was passed on to Scolari as Brazil ran like headless chickens while showing less tactical cohesion than an U11 schoolboy team.

Overran

It wasn't just Brazil's system, individuals believed the hype. David Luiz will be the butt of many jokes over the coming weeks but it's not his positional sense that should be maligned, rather his desire to fill the void and be the national hero. With him, everything was a 50-yard Hail Mary pass, or a mazy dribble to launch an attack from the back. At one point, a through-ball found him bombing up the left-wing. He wrote both his and Brazil's story in his own head, abandoning any sense of defensive responsibility. It wasn't just him, Fernandinho, Marcelo and Hulk all followed suit. One newspaper in their player ratings gave every Brazilian 0/10. Luis Gustavo wore the expression of a man trying to put out a bush fire with only an egg cup to carry water.

Brazil vs Germany World Cup 2014: Was the 7-1 semi-final defeat the worst of all-time?

Embarrassed, humbled, crushed, thumped, battered, destroyed... however you want to put it, Brazil were thoroughly humiliated by Germany in Belo Horizonte.

The magnitude of the defeat in a World Cup semi-final will forever be remembered. The manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari, described it as the "worst day of my life" and the "worst loss" in Brazil's history.

A strong assessment of Brazil's capitulation, but he might not have gone far enough.

There have been plenty of massive defeats - Tottenham beating Wigan 9-1 in the Premier League a couple of years ago, for example - but rarely do games on the biggest stages produce such embarrassment.

Brazil were so desperate to win this World Cup because they have been haunted by the defeat in the 1950 World Cup final in the Maracana.

The Roma full-back was the victim of an unfortunate incident during Brazil training but managed to walk it off and is still a possibility to replace Dani Alves against Colombia

There was a painful accident during Brazil's training session when Maxwell accidentally hit Maicon's "family jewels".

The Brazil right-back, who has yet to make an appearance in this World Cup, had to briefly suspend his training as he shook off the pain.

Fifa World Cup 2014: 6 fingers, 6 toes, one team - Brazil

Fourteen members of Da Silva have rare genetic condition called polydactyly

By Agencies

Published Saturday, June 21, 2014

Members of the da Silva family, (L-R) Bernardo de Assis, Silvia Santos da Silva, Pedro de Assis, Silvana Santos da Silva, Joao de Assis, and Ana Carolina Santos, pose for a photo in Brasilia, June 20, 2014. The da Silvas share the genetic mutation for six fingers, a condition known as polydactyly. The family has been in the local news recently as big soccer fans who with their six fingers are hoping to celebrate Brazil's sixth world title in the 2014 World Cup. (REUTERS)

Brazil have won a handful of World Cups but for one local family five is not enough.

Fourteen members of the Da Silva family were born with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot thanks to a rare genetic condition called polydactyly.

The family, who live near the capital, Brasilia, are staunchly proud of their additional digits, and say they believe they can help the national team win their sixth title in Rio de Janeiro next month.

Joao de Assis, member of the da Silva family with six relatives who all have six fingers and six toes, poses for a photo with a soccer ball at their home in Brasilia, June 20, 2014. The da Silvas share the genetic mutation for six fingers, a condition known as polydactyly. The family has been in the local news recently as big soccer fans who with their six fingers are hoping to celebrate Brazil's sixth world title in the 2014 World Cup.  (REUTERS)

"We are giving so much energy for Brazil to win the Cup, and I believe this energy will flow on to the pitch and they will play really well and win their sixth World Cup," 28-year-old Ana Carolina Santos da Silva told Reuters in the family home Aguas Claras on Friday.

The family members' sixth fingers function exactly as the others and do not hinder activities like cooking, strumming guitar or playing in goal.

Fifteen-year-old Joao de Assis da Silva sports the number 10 shirt that was worn by Brazil great Pele and the team's current young hope Neymar but he wants to be a goalkeeper.

Joao de Assis, member of the da Silva family with six relatives who all have six fingers and six toes, poses for a photo with a soccer ball at their home in Brasilia, June 20, 2014. The da Silvas share the genetic mutation for six fingers, a condition known as polydactyly. The family has been in the local news recently as big soccer fans who with their six fingers are hoping to celebrate Brazil's sixth world title in the 2014 World Cup.  (REUTERS)

"Everyone in Brazil loves football and wants to be a footballer as well when they grow up," he said, kicking a ball around the local basketball court with his two young cousins.

"Having six fingers has helped me a lot playing football. I can hold the ball more easily, my hands are bigger than other people's so it's easier to reach up to get balls that go over my head," he said, showing off the impressive breadth of his hands. 

The first recorded member of the family to have six fingers was Joao's great grandmother.

Members of the da Silva family, (L-R) Bernardo de Assis, Silvia Santos da Silva, Pedro de Assis, Silvana Santos da Silva, and Joao de Assis, pose for a photo showing their hands all have six fingers, in Brasilia, June 20, 2014. The da Silvas share the genetic mutation for six fingers, a condition known as polydactyly. The family has been in the local news recently as big soccer fans who with their six fingers are hoping to celebrate Brazil's sixth world title in the 2014 World Cup.  (REUTERS)

Some surviving female family members with the trait have had their sixth toe removed in order to fit into feminine shoes, but the men have kept all six.

Far from fearing discrimination, grandmother Silvia Santos da Silva says family members born without the trait feel like the odd ones out.

"My father always looked upon this as something natural and for us, people with five fingers are the ones that are abnormal. For example, my grandson who has five fingers feels excluded from the family," she laughed.

Brazil got off to a strong start with an opening 3-1 win against Croatia but were held to a 0-0 draw by feisty Mexico.

They play Cameroon in Brasilia on Monday in their final Group A clash, and the Da Santos's will be watching with their fingers crossed that the national team can go all the way.   

Football - France v Honduras - FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 - Group E - Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre, Brazil - 15/6/14 Mamadou Sakho - France

The England contingent

Steven Gerrard and co are currently licking their wounds after Costa Rica's victory over Italy sealed their World Cup fate as they were eliminated last night.

The Argentine legend Diego Maradona believes Gerrard could have done better in England's defeat to Uruguay.

He explained: "For England, who dominated the second half but were let down by the final pass or the final touch, it was the same old story of what could have been.

Sao Paulo: Sao Paulo, Brazil: FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Mexico team for what it has called the "improper conduct of spectators" at the World Cup.

Mexican fans taunted the opposing goalkeepers in Mexico's 1-0 victory over Cameroon last Friday and in Tuesday's 0-0 tie with Brazil with a traditional cheer that ends by shouting a word widely regarded as a derogatory term used against gays.

A complaint was lodged with FIFA, soccer's world governing body, by the London-based Fare Network, an organization that combats discrimination in the sport. Fare has also registered concerns about neo-Nazi banners displayed by Croatian and Russian fans.

"FIFA takes a firm, zero-tolerance stance against any form of discrimination and racism," the federation said in a statement. FIFA regulations prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, and could result in a loss of tournament points, although first offenses generally incur a warning.

Mexicans have taken to social media and television to defend the chant.

"Why do they want to take away this cheer that identifies us, that is lovely, that is euphoric, and that is in no way homophobic?" asked Martha Figueroa, a host on "Nuestro Dia," a morning television show on the network Cadena Tres.

Piara Powar, Fare's executive director, said: "Mexicans have been arguing that this is meant as a form of calling someone a coward. But it's fairly clear that it's a homophobic chant. In the context and history that goes with it, it's being used to indicate that the goalkeeper is homosexual and thus is weak."

Homophobic slurs are nothing new to soccer stadiums around the world. During the tournament's opening ceremony, Brazilian fans directed a chant - usually reserved for opposing players and referees - against their own president, Dilma Rousseff, in an episode that caused much hand-wringing around the country.

A FIFA spokeswoman, Delia Fischer, said the organization would not comment on the proceedings. No disciplinary action has ever been taken against teams for their fans' discriminatory behavior at a World Cup tournament "to the best of our knowledge," she added.

Lina Pérez Cerqueda, the president of Cuenta Conmigo, a gay-rights group in Mexico City, said the word in question has always been "used to offend.''

Powar said he was not necessarily seeking punishment without adequate warning. Mexicans "have made the fair argument that this has never been raised with them before and is not something widely debated in Mexico," he said. "Our mission is to educate."

Neymar da Silva Santos Junior hasn’t had the ideal World Cup so far in 2014 and the Brazil vs. Mexico game ended in a draw along with tears from Neymar. The FC Barcelona player still has the support of fans and gamers alike, which is clearly seen by videos landing on YouTube by FIFA 14 fans.

Neymar skills with clear fan support in FIFA 14

In support of Neymar Jr. after such a passionate showing during the Brazil V Mexico game, we thought an article featuring a few of the recently uploaded videos showcasing how good Neymar’s skills are would be in order.

You can see this these skill videos below this article, with the first featuring a Neymar skills compilation in FIFA 14 Ultimate Team that was uploaded only a few hours ago. This short video showcases the skills possible with Neymar in the game, and again reveals how fans are getting behind Neymar during the World Cup.

In the second video, another fan is on a mission with the so-called “Rise Of Neymar” in the first of many future episodes. This is a Rock to Glory series with FIFA 14, and their aim is to get a bronze Brazil team to gold by scoring 60 goals with Neymar.

Are you still happy with Neymar’s performance in World Cup 2014? Finally, we’ve also included an older video below the others showcasing Neymar’s skills and goals in a video that’s now had over 500,000 views and 3,700 likes on YouTube.

You can add us to your circle on Google+, follow us on Twitter, join the photo community on Pinterest, or like our Facebook page to keep updated on all the latest news.

The Copacabana felt flat on Tuesday evening as the World Cup hosts were held to a draw by Mexico in their second group game.

The famous beach in Rio de Janeiro felt a world away from the mixture of euphoria and relief last Thursday when the Brazilians overcame the Croatians in the opening match of the tournament.

Talk of the town and star of the first match, Neymar, could not score against Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who frustrated the hosts, and the Mexicans could easily have delivered only Brazil’s second group stage defeat in 44 years.

Brazil coach Luis Felipe Scolari told Brazilians newspaper O Globo: "In the end, 0-0 is not a good result, but it mirrors what the game was. The team has been good, but we are also facing selections of good quality.

"It is not a good result but you have to respect your opponent, who are very good."

NATAL, Brazil — Jurgen Klinsmann speaks with pragmatism. He books his airline tickets with hope.

The U.S. coach caused a stir in the lead-up to soccer’s championship when he said that “I think for us now, talking about winning a World Cup is just not realistic.”

But on the eve of the Americans’ opener against Ghana, he revealed this: “I booked my flight after the final.”

The U.S. has never advanced after starting with a loss, and it is grouped with the 37th-ranked Black Stars along with No. 2 Germany and No. 4 Portugal.

A two-day downpour has flooded some streets in this northeastern Brazilian beach town. While the skies started to clear a bit Sunday, the forecast was unsettled for Monday night’s game, when the Americans try to avenge losses to Ghana that knocked them out of the past two World Cups.

Klinsmann sounded just like the U.S. Postal Service.

“It’s raining. If it’s snowing. If it’s — what else? — thunder or lightning … field wet, field dry, heat, humidity, whatever,” he said Sunday. “We’re not worried about that stuff at all.”

A total of 3.11 inches of rain fell Friday and 2.95 more Saturday, according to AccuWeather’s Anthony Sagliani, and by late Saturday night cars had to navigate at least 18 inches of standing water. Natal’s City Hall declared a flood alert and evacuated dozens of residents as a precaution in the Mae Luiza neighborhood in the city’s west.

Still, the field appeared firm during workouts Sunday at the new Arena das Dunas, whose wavy, asymmetrical exterior was designed to resemble the nearby sand dunes of a city nearly as close to west Africa (1,800 miles) as to the American base camp in Sao Paulo (1,400 miles).

The forecast calls for a temperature of about 80 degrees (27 Celsius), high humidity — Natal is 400 miles south of the equator — and a slight chance of showers.

“The weather is what it is, and as players that’s not something we can control,” midfielder Michael Bradley said. “You get to this point, you’re not worried about little details, about whether the wind is blowing, whether the sun is out.”

Thousands of U.S. fans are expected. The American Outlaws supporters group chartered two Boeing 767s from Houston that brought 530 fans to Brazil, and the U.S. Soccer Federation said it sold its official allotment of about 2,000 tickets.

Ghana beat the Americans by identical 2-1 scores in the final group-stage game at Germany in 2006 and in the second round at South Africa four years ago. The U.S., appearing at its seventh straight World Cup and 10th overall, has never lost to a team three straight times in the tournament.

“It’s going to be like they’re coming for revenge,” said Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan, whose overtime goal was the difference in the 2010 match.

Teams that won their openers have advanced 85 percent of the time since the 32-nation format began in 1998. Just 9 percent of nations starting with a loss advanced, and 58 percent of those beginning with draws reached the knockout rounds.

“This is just an awesome moment, because that’s the biggest stage you can have, where you kind of want to show that you improved, and nothing better than against the team that beat you the last two World Cups,” Klinsmann said. “So this, as we mentioned before, is like start the whole World Cup with a final.”

Ghana lost a shootout to Uruguay in the 2010 quarterfinals. The Black Stars are the youngest of the 32 World Cup teams with an average age of 25 years, 6 months, according to FIFA, while the U.S. is the 12th-oldest at 27 years, 10 months.

“Now people back home believe we can do more, which puts pressure on the players,” Gyan said.

Barring late injuries, Tim Howard will be in goal, and Fabian Johnson figures to start at right back, Geoff Cameron and Matt Besler in central defense and DaMarcus Beasley at left back. Kyle Beckerman, Jermaine Jones and Bradley anchor the midfield, and Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore will be up front. The fourth midfielder likely will come from among Alejandro Bedoya, Graham Zusi and Brad Davis. Beasley would become the first American to play in four World Cups.

The Americans will wear their red white and blue road uniforms. While confident, Ghana coach James Appiah sounded wary. “America years back I believe was more interested in baseball,” he said. “They are a big football country now.”

For days there has been talk of a moment that would get the world's attention. A show of force that no one could ignore. A way of making sure the lights and the perfect green grass of the World Cup don't rob the people of Brazil of their voices.

Last night was that night.

Unwilling to just sit back and watch, protesters demanding adequate funding for education, healthcare and housing gathered by the thousands.

Their target was simple – march eight blocks from the metro station to the Maracana Stadium where Argentina was taking on Bosnia.

This was the first match of the World Cup played in Rio. And the reason most protesters thought this was the right time to take on the military police to achieve their goals.

Vicente del Bosque says Spain's defensive collapse was "inexplicable" after they were thrashed 5-1 by Netherlands in their opening World Cup game.

The reigning world and European champions were stunned as Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben netted twice each in the Group B clash on Friday.

Del Bosque said his players had discussed the loss in the dressing room afterwards and that the defeat left them in a 'delicate situation' ahead of matches against Chile and Australia.

"I feel bad, I’m disappointed, but [we] have enough courage to get over the defeat. We came out well and then the first half ended in a draw," he told TVE.

"The dressing room has responded well because we’re a squad of professionals and good guys, both those who’ve played and those that didn’t. There are no accusatory glares.

"There was an uplifting conversation and it’s good for the team. We have to talk about it."

Xabi Alonso had given Spain a 27th-minute lead from the penalty spot before the Dutch dominated the second half after Van Persie's stunning diving header just before half-time.

Robben netted twice after the break alongside efforts from Van Persie and Stefan de Vrij as the Netherlands cruised to victory in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final rematch.

Del Bosque, who refused to blame goalkeeper Iker Casillas for the loss, said his team would need to improve their defence.

"It’s inexplicable, I’m speechless. We didn’t shore up the defence, but we handled ourselves well," he said.

"Today we were very loose and we’ll have to put something in place that we should’ve had for Van Persie and Robben.

"In the first half we found space. We found avenues with (Andres) Iniesta and (David) Silva ... everything seemed to be going well until we were on our back heels.

"They left us depressed while they were in a state of euphoria."

The 65-year-old is confident his men can reach the knockout stages and feels they share the favourites role in their group alongside France

By Stefan Coerts from Brasilia

Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld is optimistic about his side's chances of qualifying for the knockout stages of the World Cup and feels they are as good as group rivals France.

The Swiss kick off their Group E campaign with a match against Ecuador at the Estadio Mane Garrincha on Sunday and Hitzfeld cannot wait to get started, having set his sights on a spot in the round of 16.

"France and Switzerland are both favourites in this group. We have done better than France in the past few years when you look at results and we have been slightly more consistent, but they have a lot of potential and should be regarded as favourites, too," the Switzerland boss said at a press conference.

“I am optimistic that we can show what we can do at the World Cup. We are a disciplined team and everybody wants to work hard. We are stronger than in 2010. 

"We started a new project in 2011 with young players and have some experienced players as well. We have the perfect mix and the atmosphere within the team is very good. 

"Three finals await and Ecuador are the first up. They’re a strong team. There's more to Ecuador than Antonio Valencia and Felipe Caicedo. They are very strong on the counter-attack. And they have two superb centre-backs and fast wing-backs. Switzerland must be at their best to win this game."

"After that we have France, who are favourites as well. And in the end we want to seal qualification against Honduras. We will take each opponent seriously and will prepare in the best way possible."

Switzerland were eliminated in the group stages at the 2010 World Cup, despite a 1-0 win over eventual 

Nottingham Forest are refusing to rule out further attacking additions, but may have to free up space in their squad first.

Having identified that the acquisition of proven marksmen had to be a top priority this summer, Forest have moved quickly to dip into the early-summer market.

Matty Fryatt has been snapped up on a free transfer at the end of his contract at Hull City, while a calculated risk has been taken on Dutch forward Lars Veldwijk on the back of his efforts for Excelsior.

With the likes of Dexter Blackstock, Simon Cox, Darius Henderson, Rafik Djebbour, Jamie Mackie and Jamie Paterson also on the books at the City Ground, Forest are now well-stocked in the attacking department.

It is, however, an area that will be continually assessed, with it possible that incoming boss Stuart Pearce will open exit and arrivals doors before the summer window closes.

"Much may depend on what happens during the pre-season period, when it comes to other players moving on."

Brian Eastick

First-team coach Brian Eastick told the Evening Post when pressed on whether Forest would be chasing another frontman: “That is a question for Stuart, really, but what I would say is that is an area where no manager can ever have enough options, within his squad.

“Much may depend on what happens during the pre-season period, when it comes to other players moving on.

“I am not saying for definite that we will definitely bring in another player in the forward area.

“But, if a player became available, who Stuart felt would give the team an advantage, I am sure we would consider it.”

Forest have also tied up permanent deals for David Vaughan and Danny Fox, with the pair having taken in loan spells on Trentside last season, but Eastick insists there is no rush for business to be completed.

He added: “No, it’s not about the timing of the signings, it is about the quality of the signings for us.

“In an ideal world, you have your squad completely put together for the start of pre-season. But that very rarely happens.

“Stuart is delighted with the work we have done so far. We just wanted to get the right men.”

Despite an unmatched passion for soccer, Brazil is racked by unrest as the World Cup opens within its borders this week. Protesters say that the billions spent on the tournament should have been used to improve basic public services, like schools, hospitals, public transportation and housing.

Here’s a look at the numbers:

Number of World Cup championship titles won by Brazil, which is the favorite to win this summer: 5

Date Brazil was announced as the 2014 World Cup host, after bidding unopposed: Oct. 30, 2007

Cost of building stadiums, airports and transportation in preparation for the World Cup, in billions of U.S. dollars: 11.5

Percent of that cost that came from public funds: 85

Number of foreign tourists expected to attend the World Cup in Brazil: 600,000

Amount each visitor is expected to spend, in U.S. dollars: 2,500

Amount Brazil has spent per visitor to host the tournament, in U.S. dollars: 18,000

Number of Brazilian stores, bars and shops allowed to use an image of the World Cup mascot not sold by FIFA, the sport’s governing body: 0

Width of the exclusion zone around stadiums within which FIFA controls the movement of people and may forbid the sale of products, in kilometers: 2

Number of street vendors in South Africa who lost their incomes during the 2010 World Cup: 100,000

Percent of Brazilians who oppose hosting the World Cup because it takes money from schools, healthcare and other public services: 61

Rank of Brazil, among nations with the highest income inequality: 17

Percent of the Brazilian population below poverty line, defined as living on $2 or less per day: 11

Estimated annual cost of corruption by Brazilian government officials, as a percentage of GDP: 1.4 - 2.3

Public spending on health, as a percentage of GDP: 3.8

Miles of traffic jams in São Paulo recently when subway workers went on strike for higher wages: 125

Amount FIFA will profit from the 2014 World Cup, mainly by selling television and marketing rights, in billions of U.S. dollars: 2

Amount of taxes Brazil waved for FIFA, in millions of U.S. dollars: 250

The Croatia World Cup flyer Arsenal and Spurs must target

Both north London outfits require fresh blood in their full-back ranks

The Croatia World Cup flyer Arsenal and Spurs must target

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FOOTBALL - WORLD CUP 2014

Brazil V Croatia

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Brazil3/10

Draw4/1

Croatia12/1

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With the footballing delights of Neymar, Luka Modric, Marcelo and Ivan Rakitic set to be on show in Sao Paulo during the World Cup’s opening fixture, the performance of emerging Croatia full-back Sime Vrsaljko may go largely unnoticed.

The Genoa regular is expected to get the nod at left-back from coach Niko Kovac for the clash against Brazil, which the tourists are 11/1 to win, with stalwart Ivan Strinic failing to make the plane through injury and deputy Danijel Pranjic struggling for fitness.

Vrsaljko started out as a midfielder at Dinamo Zagreb before being converted into a right wing-back, but the 22-year-old will showcase his versatility once again by playing on the other side of defence at the Arena de Sao Paulo.

Plenty of plaudits will be patting the six-footer on the back if he successfully prevents Brazil right-forward Hulk feeding Selecao goal-getter Fred, and rumoured former suitors Arsenal and Spurs should be keeping keen eyes on Vrsaljko’s contract situation in northern Italy.

North London’s biggest guns were confirmed fans of the Zadar native – alongside Manchester United and Manchester City – during his time in Dinamo’s famed academy.

The Rossoblu won the race for his €4 million signature last summer, but with no prospect of European football any time soon at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, coach Gian Piero Gasperini would struggle to keep hold of Vrsaljko if a Champions League heavyweight came calling.

Despite finishing outside the Premier League’s top-two for the ninth season in a row, Arsenal fit this particular bill.

Bacary Sagna is a racing certainty to leave the Emirates this summer, and with growing doubts surrounding Kieran Gibbs’ ability at the top level, the full-back ranks are in clear need of replenishment by Gunners coach Arsene Wenger.

However, new Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino will be even more desperate to secure the services of a new left-back once he’s settled into his new surroundings, with only injury-prone converted winger Danny Rose, Belgium centre-half Jan Vertonghen and previously-discarded Cameroon international Benoit Assou-Ekotto currently able to play there.

The Argentine will struggle to lure Luke Shaw from old club Southampton, with Chelsea and Manchester United thought to be buttering up the teenage England man, so Vrsaljko could be seen as a more realistic – and significantly cheaper – target.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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Winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be fit to play at the World Cup after damaging his medial knee ligament against Ecuador in a warm-up game, according to manager Roy Hodgson.

"I think he will make the tournament without a shadow of a doubt. That's good news," Hodgson said after his side were held to a 0-0 draw by 10-man Honduras at the weekend.

A disconsolate Oxlade-Chamberlain (pictured) had hobbled off during the 2-2 draw with Ecuador last Wednesday at the Sun Life stadium in Miami.

England were relieved to get through their latest test ahead of the finals in Brazil without more injuries but captain Steven Gerrard was unhappy with the Honduras tackling.

I don't understand the referee when the ball is being kicked into a player's chest. That should have been a straight red card STEVEN GERRARD

Striker Daniel Sturridge was lucky to escape without injury when Emilio Izaguirre booted the ball against his midriff, having just brought him down with a reckless challenge.

"I don't understand the referee when the ball is being kicked into a player's chest," said Gerrard. "That should have been a straight red card and with 10 men it could have been different."

Fellow World Cup qualifiers Honduras were eventually reduced to 10 men in the 65th minute when right back Brayan Beckeles was shown a second yellow card for catching Leighton Baines in the head with his arm as they jumped for the ball.

"We're quite frustrated in the dressing room. We thought the referee was poor, they were doing some stupid fouls," added Gerrard, who was frustrated that England had failed to score. "Maybe we could have moved the ball a bit quicker, but there were some horrific challenges. I certainly got caught by one."

Gerrard said he was withdrawn at half-time as a precaution, with Hodgson not wanting to risk his skipper's fitness.

"I had a tight groin in midweek so it was always the plan for me to play just 45 minutes," he said.

England found themselves short on ideas about how to break Honduras down, even in the latter stages with the numerical advantage.

Sturridge had the best chance of the game after 22 minutes but his weak shot missed the far post and he was guilty of wasting two other good opportunities before a crowd of 45,379 at the Sun Life. The match was suspended for 43 minutes in the first half due to the threat of lightning

"It's time for the real thing now," Hodgson said. "Honduras were quite physical and it was one of the most frustrating games I have been involved in for a long time. I thought the tempo of our play and effort to score in the second half was commendable.

"I will take the draw and take the fact we got away without any injuries."

Honduras coach Luis Fernando Suarez, whose team lost their previous warm-up game 4-2 to Israel, was delighted with the draw, saying: "A result like that against England can make people in Honduras believe and give them optimism."

England's opening World Cup game is against Italy on Saturday, followed by meetings with Uruguay and Costa Rica in group D. Honduras start versus France before facing Ecuador and Switzerland in group E.

Zamalek coach Ahmed Hossam 'Mido' has hinted that his club's opponents TP Mazembe of DR Congo could have bribed Ghanaian referee Joseph Lamptey.

The Whites lost 0-1 to their Congolese hosts on Sunday in the third round of the African Champions League group stage.

The defeat left the Cairo giants at the bottom of Group A with three points, three behind leaders Mazembe. They still have three matches in hand ahead of the semifinal.

After the match's final whistle, Zamalek players tried to attack Lamptey, but the technical staff headed by Mido stopped them.

"Always I refuse to give excuses for the defeat, but I think that the referee's performance was clear for all," Mido said in TV declarations after the match.

"African football will not move forward if the referees' faults remain like that.  

"In 2009, Egyptian referees Yasser Abdel-Raouf officially accused Mazembe officials of offering him a bribe. I can't rule that they did that again with today's match referee.

"Mazembe is a strong team, especially when they play at home. We played well, but we weren't a tough opponent for them. Anyway, I would like to thank my players.

"We still have three matches in the group stage, two of them at home. Getting a positive result in all of them guarantees us a place in the semifinal."

Under the guidance of rookie coach Mido, Zamalek seek the prestigious Champions League accolade for the first time since 2002.

Mido is burdened with ending Zamalek’s 10-year wait for a league triumph to end the hegemony of arch-rivals Ahly, who have won seven consecutive titles since 2004.

They will have to beat Ittihad El-Shorta in their final game of Egyptian Premier League Group B on 14 June if they are to advance to the final four-team playoff to determine the champion.

"We will forget the Champions League and only concentrate on continuing our domestic league campaign successfully," concluded Mido.

Zamalek will resume their Champions League battle when they host Mazembe on 26 July.

6 World Cup TV broadcasting milestones

6 Jun 2014

If the news has so far passed you by, you may be interested to hear that Brazil is hosting a footballing shindig this summer and it's getting started in less than a week. In past years, it hasn't been uncommon for the World Cup to be a testing bed for the latest TV tech.

This summer's tournament is no exception – and this time it's Ultra HD 4K. We've already heard how Sony and FIFA have joined forces to produce three live matches in the format, but now the BBC has confirmed it'll be carrying out broadcast trials, albeit privately.

MORE: Ultra HD 4K TV – news, reviews and everything you need to know

We'll be watching, perhaps not literally, with great interest to see how Ultra HD 4K gets on in Brazil at the 2014 World Cup. But with the countdown to the big kick off nearly at its end, we cast our mind back to past TV milestones to see how we arrived at this stage.

MORE: How to watch the 2014 FIFA World Cup on TV and online

1954: First televised World Cup

It wasn't until the fifth World Cup – held in Switzerland – that the TV cameras turned up to capture proceedings. The Eurovision network had gone live, which let the BBC show a handful of games from the tournament to audiences back home.

Until the launch of ITV in 1955, the BBC had all the aces when it came to British TV. But the fledgling commercial network made its presence felt in 1958 with the start of what is now common dual-network coverage of the tournament.

But if you think live coverage of the World Cup – however restricted – was now a matter of course, 1962 proved otherwise as the technology to broadcast from Chile just wasn't in place. The BBC went solo as delayed coverage two days old was as good as it got.

The first Telstar satellite went live just after the 1962 tournament, but 1966 saw football "come home" and meant that live coverage was almost a formality..