1. Catenaccio is dead

Or at least resting. Hardly any buses have been parked – most matches, with a few exceptions, have been free-flowing. Among the explanations so far: sides are trying to emulate Spain’s one-time-dominant tiki-taka; the heat is causing more gaffes; formations are more fluid; the international talent gap is closing; and the spate of early strikes has forced sides to attack. The goals per game stats are the best since 1958 – which was also the last time England folded in the group stage.



2. Never judge a nation by the size of its entourage

England’s looked world-beating: 72-strong, including a turf specialist, a chef and a psychiatrist. It bought them five days of live action in Brazil. The FA say the £105m spent on St George’s Park will take time to pay off – but the problems run deep. As grassroots facilities moulder and state school sport declines, England’s top league banks £1.8bn a year.



3. Handshakes don’t solve racism

Sepp Blatter’s plan didn’t work, after all. The sad reality was an investigation into reported racist chants, anti-semitic banners and homophobic slurs – the latter focused on Mexico fans' “puto”/”fag” chant. Mexican TV host Martha Figueroa says the critics should lay off. “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?”

4. Vanishing foam is here to stay

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Referee Enrique Osses makes his mark. Photograph: Ruben Sprich/Reuters

Holland’s Bruno Martins Indi was royally indignant when a smudge of it landed on his boot, but otherwise the shaving-style spray – a mix of butane, isobutane and propane plus water and a foaming agent – has been a hit with officials, fans and broadcasters. It will be used in the Champions League next season.

5. Tim Cahill has still got it

The 34-year-old former Everton and Millwall midfielder hit a goal for Australia guaranteed to be part of every 2014 World Cup highlights montage. “I score goals like that every day in the garden," he said. "People only ever expect me to score headers.”



6. Spying has moved on

Snooping on training camps used to be done by men in bushes – now it’s done by drone. France complained to Fifa after spotting one monitoring their leg-stretches at Botafogo’s Santa Cruz stadium, causing the tournament’s first set-to. Didier Deschamps: “We want no invasions of privacy.” Hugo Lloris: “It was a clever device. We heard it. Then we saw it. What could we do but kick balls at it?”

7. It is possible to make a decent World Cup ball

Facebook Twitter Pinterest J-Lo, Sepp Blatter and a Brazuca. Photograph: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

2010’s Jabulani beachball took a pasting – David James calling it “dreadful” and “horrible”, Hugo Lloris calling it “a disaster”. This year’s Brazuca has flown far better, thanks to a rougher surface aimed at giving it “more grip, touch and stability”. It also fits the 2014 zeitgeist – being made in a Pakistan factory by minimum-wage workers on £101 a month.

8. Being a natural co-commentator is not genetic

The BBC’s answer to Gary Neville, Phil Neville, made 445 people upset enough to phone the BBC with official complaints. It was a tough debut, but he took it well: “1st live co-comm last night. Sometimes u have to take the criticism - thanks for the feedback (ahhahaha)!”

9. ITV chose the wrong Diamond Lights singer

For all Glenn Hoddle’s steady, grammar-teasing analysis, Chris Waddle’s biennial England rant on Five Live was last week’s headline-making punditry. His verdict spread the blame between the Premier League, the media and the ethos, and gathered pace as it went on. “It’s not about wanting the best 11 flair players. We never, ever, ever learn.”

10. Japan fans are the game’s most civilised

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Japan fans collect rubbish post-match. Photograph: Hassan Ammar/AP

Images of the visitors carrying out post-game litter-picking sweeps – a show of respect to the hosts – caused national pride back home, with the Kyodo News agency reporting: “Despite defeat, the charisma of Japan fans wins hearts in Brazil.” Brazil’s Globoesporte said the gesture was an eye-opener for a country “where it is not uncommon to see urine raining in stadiums – and unfortunately even flying toilets … It’s undoubtedly the lesson of the World Cup. It teaches us much.”

11. Timing matters when it comes to TV adverts

As England fans reeled after the Uruguay defeat, ITV offered up a soothing commercial break – with ads featuring the good news that Joe Hart doesn’t have dandruff and Daniel Sturridge really enjoys a chicken teriyaki sub.

12. Anthems sound better a cappella

Fifa limits instrumental backing to 90 seconds, but Brazil, Chile and Colombia fans do the rest on their own. “When we hear the anthem sung like that, we get extra motivated,” says Thiago Silva. The best individual anthem-reaction was Ivory Coast’s Serey Die, who burst into tears. “It was the excitement of serving my country.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Serey Die during Ivory Coast's anthem. Photograph: Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters

13. Spotting yourself on the big screen can change everything

The host broadcaster’s match directors are staying consistent in two key areas: 1) Cutting to a lingering shot of an attractive female fan once every seven minutes; 2) Cutting to a group of miserable fans whose side are trailing and waiting to see if they instantly switch to hysterical waving. They always do.

14. Pundits can wear cardigans

The Daily Mail: “Thierry Henry praised for stylish cardigan”; The Telegraph: “Henry bringing fashion to the football masses”; the Times ran “cardigan watch”, the Guardian a cardigan stylewatch, and the Radio Times ran a “get the look” guide to buying it. It costs £505. Clare Balding: “I like Henry’s cardigan very much. That is the limit of my football analysis.”

15. No one shakes hands anymore

Players and officials have upgraded Fifa's Handshake for Peace into a hand clasp plus optional shoulder bump. Brazil’s only handshake of note so far was a mascot trying to greet Lionel Messi and being left hanging. “I didn’t see him,” said Messi. “I’d never do such a thing to a boy.”

16. There's no piece of kit that can’t be swapped

The tournament’s over-tight shirts – a tough look for middle-aged fans in replica tops – have been widely swapped as usual, but so have shorts – former Sevilla team-mates Ivan Rakitic (Croatia) and Stéphane Mbia (Cameroon) surprising stewards in the tunnel post-match.

17. Mascots should know better

The controversy around the official 2014 mascot, Fuleco the armadillo, started early – campaigners pointing out that the endangered species it represented was going to be much more endangered by the World Cup. Then came this: Fuleco, designed to appeal to 5-12 year olds, appearing on stage at a Fan Fest to do some bump-and-grind dancing with models.