1 England are accustomed to quarter-final exits, but it is glory or bust for France. They reached successive World Cup semi-finals in 1982 and 1986, but failed even to qualify in 1990 and 1994. They were champions in 1998 but finished bottom of their group in 2002; then they were runners-up in 2006 but again ended up last in their group this year.
Their only point this time has come in a goalless draw against Uruguay — just as it did in 2002.
2 The award of a corner raises expectations, but should it? This World Cup has had 327 corners, only six of which have led to a goal — ie, a goal has resulted within a few seconds of the kick being taken. That is a rate, roughly, of one goal per 55 corners. It takes about 30 seconds for a corner to be taken and the immediate outcome to be played out (an attempt on goal, or a clearance, or whatever), so a hypothetical match that consisted merely of a succession of corners would feature about 180 corners (two in each minute).
At the present World Cup rate of one goal per 55 corners, that means a little more than three goals per game — not much more than the normal rate of about 2½ goals per game.
3 Thrill-seekers should avoid England at the World Cup. They have recorded more goalless draws than any other team — ten — and have never exceeded three goals in 90 minutes in their 57 finals games. They have twice scored four after extra time, including their 1966 final triumph against West Germany.
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4 The match between Uruguay v Mexico was widely tipped to be drawn yesterday, yet it is the only one of Rustenburg’s four games so far not to have finished level.