Colombia v Greece Match of the Day Live

you say to your players, try and wind him up? Of course, see if he

takes the bait. He can be a bit emotional. To be fair to him, he was

very controlled in both games. Let's turn our attention to today's games.

Do you know what they say, forewarned is forearmed.

Charisteas is the player who got the touch! Greece have 1 euro 2004!

Higuita has got himself into trouble! It is no surprise.

An own goal from Escobar! Gunman had shot dead and dress Escobar.

A worldwide survey this year found: Begins with the planet's happiest

people, can't imagine why that is. There is plenty to smile about, not

just Shakira. A new generation representing a new

Colombia, back in the World Cup for the first time since the Carlos

Valderrama side. Memories of that team scarred by the murder of

Escobar, who had scored an own goal in USA '94, an example of the

violence of a land out of control at the time. Two decades on, Colombia

is in a different place. It's bounced back and now in the words of

its big star, Shakira, it is loco loco for its national team. Radamel

Falcao may be a casualty, but the key man of this side is Rodriguez.

Who can replace Falcao? Carlos Bacca can. The weakness could be at the

other end. Mario Yepes is now 38. His lack of pace could be exposed.

Beware - Colombia have waited 16 years for a World Cup. Jose Pekerman

says that this is the tournament where Colombia claim a place at

football's top table. As we all know, Colombia lost star

striker Falcao before the tournament. Victor Ibarbo starts on

the wing and Rodriguez moves to a central position. He is one of the

key creative players along with Cuadrado. A defensive reshuffle

means Zapata partners Yepes. As Tim mentioned, the one to keep an eye on

is James Rodriguez. He's played in Europe since 2010. He spent three

years with Porto before moving to Monaco. He ended the season in

excellent form. He assisted more goals than any other player in Ligue

1. He is a player we should look out for in this game, Neil? Yes. I saw

him a couple of years ago and he was outstanding. It is no coincidence

that in the absence of fall fall, he's turned out -- of Falcao, he's

turned out to be the team's best player. You have a player like

Rodriguez, he is young, ?37.6 million. He has a big price tag to

live up to. The country's hopes will be riding on his shoulders. You have

seen one or two of their players in Italy. Cuadrado has caught your eye?

I think we will have a lot of fun watching him during

I think we will have a lot of fun games. He had a great season with

Fiorentina, always active, trying to dribble, scores a lot of goals.

Enjoyable to watch. Their manager is a character as well, he is

much-loved in Colombia, Pekerman. He managed Argentina in 2006. They love

him there because he's restored Colombian football to the

attractive, attacking nature they prefer? Yes. He was a personality of

the year, so it means that people are very confident about the manager

and I think he's changed, he's brought the old Colombian to the

field, while they have talent, they like to play and it will be

exciting. His daughter was born when he played in Colombia and she

convinced him to take the Colombian job. As for Greece, this is how we

expect them to line up. Gekas starts up front ahead of

Mitroglou. They are boosted by the return from fitness of

Papastathopoulos, the Dortmund centre-back who man-marked Messi

four years ago. Neil, a couple of players you know about, Samaras, in

particular. He was under your stewardship at Celtic for a while?

He can be unplayable at times. Then he can be off the boil. This is a

big tournament for Giorgos. He is 29. He is looking for a club. He is

a big-game player. Greece will look to him, particularly on the

counterattack. As the game goes on, he will get stronger. I sense from

what you said that he can be mildly irritating in the sense you don't

know what you are going to get as a manager? That must be frustrating?

He needs a bit of love. One of those! Absolutely. He's gifted,

Gary. He has the talent, he has the legs. And the hair! He has the

beard. No, he can be a hell of a player. Greece will be looking for

him to have a big tournament. Do South American teams prefer to play

against European stars, or do they prefer to play against teams that

they know how to play against? They prefer to know the team. The

European usually, they usually have a solid defence. South American

players don't like to play against solid defences so they have to move

the ball all the time to get gaps, to get space. That is why Colombia

will play. We have seen a lot of open, attacking football so far.

Greece might be the first team to park the bus? Hopefully, not! We

have seen a lot of goals until now. Let's hope for the best. That's

wishful thinking! Greece will sit in and soak it up. I think the first

goal will be crucial. If Colombia get it, they will win it

comfortably. If Greece get it, they will sit in and soak it up. As for

Colombia, the first game is always hugely important. After losing a

number of players through injury, they have had a lot of bad luck in

the build-up to this tournament. It is important to get off to a good

Stormont -- start for morale purposes. They have to play the way

they have been playing, the way they qualified. Their performances are

great. I think they will continue to play the same. There is no reason to

change that. Even if you play with European clubs, or South American

clubs. The teams are in the tunnel, Clarence. The start of the World

Cup. A degree of apprehension? This is the first game. It always brings

extra tension. But, at the end, I think Greece and the Colombians both

are quite young. So, that can help with that pressure. They need to go

on and enjoy the game. Hopefully, Cuadrado and the full-backs of

Colombia will give us some excitement. Quick predictions?

Clarence? 2-1 win for Colombia. Neil? 2-0 Colombia. Juninho? 2-1

Colombia. Plenty of goals. This is our first visit to Belo Horizonte,

Brazil's coffee capital. Simon Brotherton and Kevin Kilbane

are there. SIMON BROTHERTON: The South

Americans are the only one of the two to reach the knockout stages and

that was at Italia 90. This, though, the best crop of players that

Colombia has had in 20 years. They qualified second in South America,

they were a couple of points behind Argentina. Expectation, though,

tempered by the absence of star striker Radamel Falcao and several

other key players, although Falcao is here today. We have seen him in

the tunnel speaking with his team-mates. The coach, Jose

Pekerman, keen to keep him involved with the squad even though he cannot

play. Falcao, so key to qualifying, scoring a third of all of their

goals en route to the finals, so while Pekerman has got talented

alternatives, they have very big shoes to fill. This, the first of

six games to be played here, including England's final group

match against Costa Rica on 24th and one of the semifinals and what a

magnificent arena it is. The atmosphere at fever pitch. There are

so many Colombian fans inside the stadium.

Greece will provide stubborn and resilient opposition today. They

have a miserly defence. Eight clean sheets in ten qualifying matches.

They held Portugal and Nigeria to goalless draws recently in warm-up

games. They will aim to keep it tight at the back and catch Colombia

on the counter. Greece are looking for what would be their second ever

win at the World Cup Finals. # Oh gloria inmarcesible

Oh jubilo inmortal # En surcos de dolores

el bien germina ya # La libertad sublime derrama las

auroras de su invencible luz # La humanidad entera

que entre cadenas gime # Comprende las palabras del que

murio en la cruz. # Colombia back at the World Cup since

France '98. The Colombian fans making all the

noise in the stadium as we wait for the Greek National Anthem.

# Se gnorizo apo tin kopsi tou spathiou tin tromeri

# se gnorizo apo tin opsi pou me via metrai tin gi

# Ap' ta kokkala vgalmeni ton Ellinon ta iera

# kai san prota andriomeni chere, o chere, Eleftheria. #

APPLAUSE Greece playing at the World Cup for

the third time here in Brazil after a two-legged play-off win over

Romania. Not much history between these two on the football field.

Only one previous meeting. It was won 2-0 by Colombia. It was

Only one previous meeting. It was ago, ahead of the '94 World Cup.

The Colombian quartet of Falcao, they have all been ruled out of this

game. our referee, the first referee from

the US at a World Cup since 2002. Greece have no major injury concerns

ahead of this one. Central defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos has been

passed fit to start. The big decision for coach Fernando Santos

was whether Kostas Mitroglou is ready to start after recovering from

a knee injury. He was their top scorer in qualifying, but Theofanis

Gekas gets the nod. season with Napoli after a knee

operation. We almost ready to go, Greece will

get us under way, kicking from right-to-left in the first half. The

Estadio Mineirao, a sea of yellow, with so many supporters having

travelled from: Beer for this one. -- from Colombia. We are ready to go

here. 24 degrees, the temperature. The weather, improving as the day

has gone on all stop --. Ivory Coast will play Japan later on

today. Greece, just the one win ever in the

World Cup finals, a victory over Nigeria in South Africa four years

ago. Colombia, just the one match Nigeria in South Africa four years

the last 16. They have waited a long time to get back to the

the last 16. They have waited a long finals. A football mad country.

An early first touch for spinner, who plays for Neath in France.

Gutierrez, quite a prolific of the strikers available

to Pekerman. Certainly the one he favours. He was looking for Ibarbo.

Fantastic atmosphere inside the stadium. Wonderful atmosphere. The

Greeks, totally outnumbered by the Colombian supporters here, but you

see some really good incisive play in the first few minutes by the

common begins, trying to get the ball to Gutierrez, who will be the

key to their attacking options today.

Ibarbo, Gutierrez upfront. Manolas, very

heavy in the challenge there but the referee didn't buy it.

Ospina, chosen as the best goalkeeper

Ospina, chosen as the best the qualifiers. Just 25 years of age

but a regular in the French league for the last six years already.

Yepes, a natural leader but doesn't have any pace at all. They are

trying to discourage any balls being played in behind them, playing very

deep. They are such a tough side to break down, Greece, eight clean

sheets in the qualifiers. Maybe that is why Pekerman has gone for the

searing pace of Ibarbo, to try and get round them.

Rodriguez, just nudged off the ball. Free kick to Greece.

Good play from Samaras, just allows them to get reorganised and get

settled. Interesting to see where he plays, Samaras because often the

greasy plays out on the left-hand side, which is where he seems to be

at the moment. The shot was from money artists. --

Maniatis. A decent effort. Didn't really get hold of it.

What we can expect to see, with Gekas leading the attack, is Kone

getting in behind him as much as possible. Quite right, who plays his

football for Fiorentina. It has crept in! What a start for Colombia!

Unbelievable! Armero, up from the back! He lifts the

Unbelievable! Armero, up from the stadium and we have only been

playing for five minutes! A United side who have made a

wonderful start. It was great movement from Cuadrado

down the right-hand side, a lovely little dummy from Rodriguez, really,

really good finish. A great start here for Colombia. It took a touch

of Manolas, which may have taken it away from his goalkeeper. He could

have done better with that really come he didn't really have to

stretch for the ball. It is just wide! The shot was from Kone. That

was almost the perfect response. Incisive run down the left from

Samaras. Kone on the stretch just couldn't find the target, so I'm

lucky. -- I'm lucky. The trickery of Cuadrado down the

right-hand side. It was poor from Manolas really. He should have done

better with it. He has certainly been the key man, Cuadrado, with his

runs forward down the right-hand side.

runs forward down the right-hand of parking the bus, they will have

to start of parking the bus, they will have

forward now! I think it is the thing that many

neutrals wanted, the early goal from Colombia, it will force

neutrals wanted, the early goal from out now. They will have to come out

and get themselves back in this game. It wasn't the greatest of

goals, but it is a perfect game. It wasn't the greatest of

Colombia. Armero injured a largely frustrating season, loaned by Napoli

to West Ham in the Premier League. He has played all of their

qualifying games, via a deflection, his shot ended up in the back of the

The foul was by Kone. Rodriguez is the one who makes Colombia Tech. The

guys in the studio the one who makes Colombia Tech. The

having a huge influence on this: Be aside. They try and get it to him at

every opportunity. Jose Pekerman, bags of experience, he was in charge

of his native Argentina in Germany eight years ago,

of his native Argentina in Germany to the hosts.

to make. Rodriguez has won the throw in as well.

A little bit of treatment here for Colombia's star player. Fernando

Santos, who has been in charge of Greece since the last World Cup.

Good backtracking from Ibarbo, he did everything right, but I heavy

challenge. Torosidis, having his legs taken away. It was Torosidis

who scored the winner four years ago as they beat Nigeria 2-1. Rodriguez,

back on the field for Colombia. Holebas strikes it! The Colombian

wall does its job. That is the problem without hitting

those diagonal balls, That is the problem without hitting

Papastathopoulos, as soon as Samaras vacates that side, they lose the

aerial threat from those balls. Pekerman has done a good job since

taking over, they made a lacklustre start of the qualifying campaign, he

didn't change the personnel very much but he did change the emphasis

by realising that the team's strength lay in attack, he reminded

them of the importance of the team. There was a lot of talk about that

yesterday in the pre-match press Conference, about unity and playing

as a team, which hasn't always been the case in the past. When you lose

a key player in Falcao as well, you have to be reliant on the rest of

the team to come in and fill his shoes, they have so much pace and

talent and attacking options, so whoever you play, you guarantee

there will be goals stop --. Torosidis is a squad player nowadays

for Roma. Still retained his place in the Greek starting XI. Gutierrez

of River Plate, losing out that time.

Every time the centre halves splits, Katsouranis is dropping very deep,

almost like a third centre-half at times. He has had an excellent

season, Papastathopoulos, with Borussia Dortmund.

Yepes. Was it really well. Overall, the Colombian defence have looked

comfortable, there has been no real threat going in behind them.

SIMON BROTHERTON: There have been question marks about the pace of

Yepes, and the defence, but they did have the best qualifying record in

South America. It is up front that they need to find something that

works to replace Falcao. Real determination there. Flag up

for offside. KEVIN KILBANE: He outmuscled

Samaras. It was good The ball was pushed forward towards

Gutierrez. Just offside. An incident with Cuadrado stumbling in the

penalty area. Katsouranis is such an experienced

player. It is with Cuadrado now. Ibarbo combining with Gutierrez.

That was excellent play. Really was. James Rodriguez looking for that

forward pass. Lovely one-two. Cuadrado trying his luck on the far

side. Orestis Karnezis was right behind

the ball. The Greeks are struggling to cope with the pace and

They are a tough side to beat. Only five defeats in 44 matches under

Santos in the last four years. Excellent record. The game is

Santos in the last four years. on a solid base, difficult

Santos in the last four years. down. We see

Santos in the last four years. behind, but at the start of this

game, with the movement, the attacking options for the

Colombians, they are causing problems.

The ball had already gone out. was no movement up front. Gekas and

Kone, Samaras, they were all stood was no movement up front. Gekas and

in a line. When they are behind in a match,

in a line. When they are behind in a Greece. They lack that bit

in a line. When they are behind in a and flair to go with their

resilience. Ibarbo heading away down the

left-wing. Takes Maniatis with him. You

movement from him and, of course, the overlapping run from Armero.

They have so many options going forward, Colombia. He forced his way

in at the forward, Colombia. He forced his way

Ibarbo. He was not used in forward, Colombia. He forced his way

qualifiers at all. Popped up on the score sheet in a friendly against

Belgium last November. Martinez on the bench today. Those

two have scored 50 goals between them this past season.

20 minutes in, the early strike from Pablo Armero, via a deflection,

still separates the two sides. Katsouranis is winning his 112th cap

today, a veteran from that European Championship-winning team of 2004 in

Portugal. Turns 35 next week. Cuadrado will try and help him out,

but Samaras was too big and strong. Greece looking for a creative spark

and they can't find it. It is very easy the way Colombia have set up,

the back two centre-halves, Zapata and Yepes, it is very easy for them,

there is no movement and pace going in behind them. Everything is being

played in front of them at the moment, so they are very

comfortable. He seemed to stick a leg out, didn't

he, he didn't have any conviction in his clearance? We are at the midway

point of the first half. David Ospina hasn't had anything to do in

the Colombian goal so far. Ospina a much more conventional

goalkeeper than Rene Higuita. He's seen as not a risk taker. I remember

Higuita at Italia 90 getting dispossessed off Roger Millar.

There's a lot of space in the centre.

Victor Ibarbo will try and fill the gap that is left on that far side.

Gutierrez tries to get free. Ibarbo was held up there, really good

defending there from Kostas Manolas. We saw that pace again from Ibarbo.

He is blowing the Greeks away. But excellent defending. Again, it is

easy for Ospina in the Colombia goal.

Don't forget, England's opening match against Italy in Manaus is

live on BBC One tonight. We are on air at 10.20pm, the kick-off is at

11.00pm. England against Italy, BBC One, it is 31 degrees in Manaus at

the moment by the way. All the best(!) Cooler here by several

degrees, round about 24. Perfect conditions for this opening match in

Group C. It is wonderful conditions. It's not humid like it is up in

Manaus, but it is excellent conditions to play in.

Ibarbo tangling, but losing possession and Samaras was chopped

there by Carlos Sanchez and that will be the first card of the match.

He gets a yellow card from Mark Geiger. That is why. Sanchez knows

what he is doing. Samaras is away. Good, incisive run from Samaras

there. He came over and chopped him over. A great run. Nearly joined

Bolton a couple of years ago, Carlos Sanchez. Couldn't agree personal

terms. He is with Elche in Spain. He might need to tread a little

carefully for the remainder of this match.

Greece haven't been able that central defensive pairing after

Mario Yepes and Cristian Zapata. It is so difficult for the Greek

midfield to get the ball into Gekas up front. It is easy for the

Colombians to allow the Greeks to go wide. There is no real threat with

any balls come into the box. Gekas was largely marginalised in the

qualifiers due to the emergence of Kostas Mitroglou, but he is back in

pole position now. The header was wide of the goal. It

was Torosidis who had come up. It came off his shoulder. He didn't get

hold of the header. A rare opportunity for the Greek

fans to get off their seats in the match so far.

They haven't had too much to shout about at the World Cup Finals. That

win over Nigeria in South Africa, but they have lost five of the six

games they have played at the World Cup Finals over the years, before

today. There is a reluctance within the camp to talk themselves up too

much. They are confident internally, but they don't want to give off that

impression. They have so much attacking talent. The bookies make

Greece the weakest team in the group and on paper that may be so. But it

is a position they are used to being in. Exactly. We spoke about how

difficult they are to break down and that is their strength.

The referee brings the game back for Greece. The ball does get played

into Gekas, when it does, he has to hold it up better.

and get on target. He's certainly capable of scoring spectacular

goals, we have seen this from him already in his career.

Gutierrez require a bit of treatment, the

referee So Colombia, momentarily down to ten

men. Here it is again. Just took a little back from Manolas.

The deflection carried it into the arms of Ospina. He will be key,

Samaras, he is the real spark for the national side. He hasn't found

the back of the net for them since the quarterfinals of the European

Championships, though. Zapata, the AC Milan man, swiftly

across. Just coming into the game a bit more now, Greece, much better.

Yepes, suddenly, has popped up as a centre forward!

Armero, who scored the goal that separates the two sides. Cuadrado,

trying his luck from quite some way out. It was a great run out from

Yepes, he found James Rodriguez on the right-hand side. Greece managed

to get bodies back quickly and nullify the attack.

The best effort from Greece so far. Torosidis, not getting hold of it

properly. That was the incident that caused the eyebrow injury to

Gutierrez, who is waiting to come back on and arguing with the

officials. It goes behind for a corner. He's

quick to get the going behind the goal. He got lucky there. I think he

is speaking to the assistant referee, trying to say he was

offside. And it's the first corner of the game.

Kone of Bologna to get a bit too quickly for the referee's liking. --

took it. Bags of time for Papastathopoulos.

Good little baffled that, Holebas and Cuadrado. He has had a really

good season for Fiorentina, Cuadrado. Talk of a big-money move.

Linked with Barcelona the moment. Have Greece got the craft and guile

to bring themselves back into it before the break?

Swept away by Marianne Yepes. -- Ariaudo.

Gutierrez hasn't quite got the legs to get their ahead of Manolas. He

tried to out run him, but Manolas did well.

Ten back inside the box for Greece. Yepes forward from the back.

Over the top from James Rodriguez. Holebas, the full-back, totally lost

with the ball that was played in from Ibarbo. He didn't see Rodriguez

coming in behind him. maker, James Rodriguez. He had more

chances maker, James Rodriguez. He had more

South American qualifying campaign. A good first season with Monaco.

He seemed to play better when he was more of a central figure, once

Falcao was injured. what Kone needs to try and do, get

beyond Gekas upfront. He is dropping deep at times to get on the ball,

that is what they will want. the last few minutes, Kone, more and

more influence on the Greek attack. The flag was up on the far side. It

will be Colombia 's free kick. As the stadium begins to shake,

thanks to all the: The fans there. -- Colombian fans.

centre! No free kick given by the referee there.

Zuniga was looking for the free kick there. He was looking for the

perfect goal there, Gutierrez, he just has to take the shot on. Good

incisive passing from the Colombians in the final third.

It is a corner to Colombia. Holebas felt that he was fouled. He is all

arms and legs, Ibarbo. Yes, comes in off the left-hand side, causes

problems. Holebas has to be careful, throwing the ball at the assistant.

Yepes was having to stretch for it. Aguilar was the player who replaced

Capoue when he went to Tottenham last season.

He is doing a good job, just sitting in front of the back four,

discouraging forward passes from the Greeks when they step into midfield.

Gekas hasn't had anything to work with at all in this first half.

Difficult for the Greeks to get the ball into his feet, but that is

largely down to the role of Sanchez and Aguilar in front of him.

Lopez had three separate June the qualifiers, seven yellow

cards. -- during the qualifiers. Last couple of minutes of the first

half. SIMON BROTHERTON: Victor Ibarbo.

Interception by Katsouranis. Decent play here by Greece. Not much

room to manoeuvre. They are still coming forward. Kone! Brings a save

from Ospina. KEVIN KILBANE: That was much better.

Good, incisive run from Gekas, getting forward, getting inside.

Good cover from Sanchez. Once it's fallen to Kone, decent strike. You

can see what he is trying to do. Comfortable save, it really was. It

looked great. Greece trying to build-up a head of

steam with half-time on the horizon. All hands on deck for Colombia. One

minute of added time. So, finally, David Ospina required

to make a save. It was a decent effort. The first effort on target

from Greece in the match. That's the key for Greece, to get

forward. It is to get the ball into Gekas's feet and they have to get

support around him. Colombia look a team who have got more

possibilities, don't they? Yeah, they do. Certainly with Ibarbo

coming off the left-hand side and the real raw pace from Cuadrado down

the right-hand side. And there goes the half-time

whistle. Colombia, having made an excellent start, scoring in the

sixth minute of the game through that man there, Pablo Armero,

latterly of West Ham in the second half of the current season, the shot

deflecting in off Manolas. Ospina, with little to do in the Colombian

goal, just making that save from Panagiotis Kone shortly before the

break. First half reaction and analysis coming up. In Belo

Horizonte, it is Colombia 1, Greece 0.

The atmosphere at fever pitch with so many Colombian fans inside the

stadium. And the first match in Group C is under way. Lovely bit of

skill. It's crept in! What a start. We have only been playing for five

minutes. A united side has made a wonderful start.

GARY LINEKER: Another open half of football and this tournament is very

colourful. The Colombians are enjoying themselves, Juninho? They

are enjoying it. You could see by the dancing. Ramirez is very famous

in Brazil by his dancing. The full-backs like to go forward to

give option to the frontline. After they scored the goal, they stepped

back and give some space to Greece to play. It can be a dangerous

second half. It has been an intriguing second half? We got what

we wanted, Colombia to get the first goal, so Greece have to come out now

and get something out of the game. They have had plenty of possession,

but no penetration at the minute. They have had plenty of possession,

Clarence, this World Cup, it seems to me to be the opposite of the one

four years ago. This has been a refreshing start? We did well

criticising that four years ago. They are all going for the win. And

that makes it all much more exciting. Also for Greece, they have

qualities. It is very good that they scored so early. As we said,

Colombia has great players up front. They are creating a lot of important

chances. Clarence, Greece's last three, in their three World Cups,

they have conceded a goal in the first seven minutes of all three

games that they have played, which is not the way to start? No.

games that they have played, which a story beside everything. Greece

didn't come out as they wanted. Looking at this game, Cuadrado has a

lot of skills. He gave the space, he went into space.

We have Cuadrado ready to go. Look at the space behind the left-back.

He's been doing this the whole season with Fiorentina. The two

strikers are positioned very well. One is coming to the ball and the

other one could receive One is coming to the ball and the

directly and go for the goal. One is coming to the ball and the

Then the presence in the box of the two strikers.

Then the presence in the box of the post and the left-back, another

midfielder coming in and the left-back finishing. It was a great

attack. This is Colombia. A lot of attacking players, you know. This

has to be hard to see as a goalkeeper, the ball going in that

slowly(!) It takes some beating, this fella! A team that prides

themselves on their defensive record, their line there was

terrible. The centre-halves trying to play offside. They get in behind

them. Colombia playing, they like to play offside. They get in behind

push people forward, which is great to see? Yes, when Colombian player

has the ball, they always think forward. That is good for them.

That makes the game quicker. about - the Greeks, to be fair, they

came back and had their chances? about - the Greeks, to be fair, they

straight after the Colombian goal, they get this chance.

Samaras on the overlap. This is where you want Samaras in these

positions. That is a great chance, Gary. That should have been the

equaliser. You always feel at a set-piece, anything could happen.

This is the one that would be driving me crazy. Samaras, with all

his ability, you want him to drive into the box and get a shot off. He

stops the ball, and there is no conviction. That is really poor. If

Greece are to get back into the game, they need Samaras to step up.

They get a break here, Gekas, Samaras should get there first, he

doesn't. It breaks to Kone. Samaras should get there first, he

shot, but a comfortable save. They are still in the game at 1-0. If

anything, Colombia looked slightly weak defensively? Yeah, I mean, I

wouldn't say Greece are the most creative team. They have had three

or four very good chances. When you give attacking full-backs going

forward and you lose the ball in transition, there is all the space

to exploit. What have you made of the Greek team

so far? A little bit slow. There's no vertical balls. I think they need

to risk a little bit more, to play the ball forward. Sometimes when it

is too slow, like Neil said, it is easy to mark. The Colombian players

are quick, so they go back quickly as a back four, so Greece needs to

play faster than they did. Clarence, I know you have had a real look at

Colombia's tactics in that first half? Yes. What Juninho saying about

Greece being slow, especially after the first goal.

Here we have the precision game of Colombia. Always somebody free,

always somebody making a run. First touches, quality play, they have the

always somebody making a run. First players for it in front. Cuadrado,

always somebody making a run. First he comes to the ball, he goes in the

space, then they take their position off Cuadrado. If Cuadrado goes

right, another player will off Cuadrado. If Cuadrado goes

position. Here again, you know, Cuadrado getting the ball again,

always trying to, as Juninho said before, trying to make a run up

front, trying to create something and that always worries a defender.

Look how many Greece players are there. I haven't seen Greece coming

in the game. Here again, first touch, running players, he tried to

shoot at goal. It was not a bad idea to pass it. Again, Cuadrado, you

know, pushing forward, making pressure. Good to see.

Cuadrado has spooked the left-back. He doesn't know whether to go with

him or drop off. He has him on toast! Doesn't know whether to stick

or twist. It is now just over five hours to kick-off in Manaus and

counting. We can go back to the Arena Amazonia

with Dan and Guy. Welcome back to the Amazon, everybody! We have given

Danny Murphy and Philip Neville a lie down. We have Guy Mowbray, who

hopefully will be calling more than three games. In the build-up to

this, England have been asked a lot of questions about the psychological

scars of that game two years ago. Are they still there? I don't think

so. I don't think footballers think like that. We do, we dig out all the

stats and the history. But when it comes to playing the next game, I

don't think they look back and think about things in any detail. Of

course, tactics will be prepared in accordance with how Pirlo dictated

the game. Less than half the team playing that day will be playing in

this one. They didn't lose the game. They got a battering in the great

context of it, but they didn't lose a game. England have not lost a

competitive international since 4-1 against Germany, 22 games unbeaten.

Italy, seven games without a win, that is mainly friendlies, but they

have drawn six and lost one. They are not in great form. They have a

problem with Buffon being out. They have an inexperienced defence.

People will be getting carried away! It is a very even contest. During

the World Cup, the referee has been a central figure. What do you know

about the gentleman who will be taking control of tonight's game?

That is something the players will have been relieved at. They will

have taken ones glance. He is a referee whose style they will be

familiar with. He was the top man for the Champions League Final. He

let that flow. That could have sparked, that game. He let that

flow. I'm hopeful that we won't notice him too much. Guy will be

calling the game tonight. His seat will be up there in the main stand,

in the blue bits. During the World Cup, we are asking you to get

involved to show us where you will be watching the World Cup games. Use

the hashtag on Twitter and Facebook. This was my World Cup seat in one of

the airports in Rio, watching Brazil's opening game. Quite a few

missed their flights after that one! We want you to keep sending them

through. I support England and this is my World Cup seat! His name is

Roger. He supports Uruguay. We have had loads of pictures sent in. This

is Benjamin knight. He has an impressive man cave. Dean might be

standing, but those look like three perfect World Cup seats! Well done

to Dean and poor Diane Ward whose seat has been sabotaged by the cat!

Finally, our man Rio has been out in Rio before the match tonight and he

had a pretty good view, too. What a beautiful city. I'm having the time

of my life. The next time you see me in a seat, I will be in the studio

with Gary and the boys. Take care. GARY LINEKER: Great stuff. England's

women footballers have been in action today. They won 3-0 in

Belarus to stay top of the group. They remain on course for next

year's World Cup. They have won all seven qual fillers now without

conceding a goal. Imagine if England do that in their next seven games!

The second half of Colombia versus Greece is coming up. First, a

reminder there are plenty of ways to enjoy our coverage over the next

five weeks. Who are we going to phone? We are not. You can share in

all the excitement of the World Cup thanks to the BBC. But we are going

there. Watch the evening games at home and join the conversation, here

or here. Also ideal for catching those late-night games in bed. Catch

the late afternoon games on the go, listen on Radio Five Live. How do

you do that with a phone? Are you working for the BBC?

The second half is coming up shortly.

game goes on, the more Greece will have to take chances?

I guess, it will give Colombia more chances to counterattack. Sometimes

when you are leading in these games up, it can lead to an element of

caution? Subconsciously, you can go deeper at 1-0, that invites pressure

from the opposition. They need a goal, Greece, they will be positive

in their thinking. Colombia, more of the same? They will start the same,

the coach will ask them to start as they started first half and maybe

after a while set back, weight and counterattack. They look to me like

a team that likes to go forward, I think

a team that likes to go forward, I same? Absolutely, absolutely. OK, we

can hand back to Estadio Mineirao, they are about to kick off the

second half. They are still in the tunnel, but we can rejoin our

commentators. Colombia's players, gathering ahead

of the second half. Greece, their opponents, don't concede goals

easily although they did concede early today. In many respects, they

are similar to the team that played under Otto Rehhagel for although the

years, they are tough to break down. But the current coach, Fernando

Santos, is trying to give them a more attacking edge. They are going

to need it in this second half. more attacking edge. They are going

do you think Santos will have been suggesting to his players at

half-time? You heard Neil Lennon suggesting getting

half-time? You heard Neil Lennon Gekas, they might need to bring

Mitroglou on to give them a different option upfront. Overall,

they are not causing any problems for the Colombian defence. You have

been impressed with Carlos Sanchez and Aguilar in the holding

positions? Yes, they have done a great job in discouraging forward

passes to Gekas. That has been the platform for Colombia to build up

from, allowing the front four to get forward and really cause problems

for the Greek defence. As the teams come out, no changes made by either

manager at half-time. There is the man who has

manager at half-time. There is the goal that separates the two sides. A

big crowd here in Belo Horizonte for this one, 50 7174. The stadium,

hosting six matches in the World Cup, including England against Costa

Rica and one of the semifinals. Greek support, dotted amongst a sea

of yellow. Yes, incredible support for the Colombians, certainly making

a lot of noise here. The referee, from the United States,

gets as underway. He was one of the officials at the Olympic Games in

London a couple of summers ago. Have Greece got the credulity and

conviction to take the game to Colombia, who looks threatening when

they break forward? -- creativity and conviction stop --.

Zuniga always looks to get forward. He has got real attacking quality.

Only just making it to the World Cup, he missed so much time in the

last season with only injury. When you have two holding midfielders,

you know you always have cover. No penalty says the referee. He was

well placed behind the plate. -- the play. It was great feat from

Samaras, a good incisive running about the beat to all three players.

He clearly signalled to the referee, no penalty.

It was aimed towards Gutierrez, but away by Papastathopoulos.

Samaras tried to pick out money at his, but it was Yepes who stretched

to clear the ball -- pick out money at his.

I mentioned before this is the best: B team the Valder Rama, Asprilla,

Higuita days. Will we see more of them in the second half. -- the best

face macro team. -- Colombia team. We are getting to the stage now

where Fernando Santos, the Greek coach... There is a Radamel Falcao,

who is here with his team-mates. The crowd in the stadium, reacting to

seeing him on the big screen. Invited to spend a couple of days

with the team around this match. He is a huge miss for them. Would be a

huge miss for anyone. is a huge miss for them. Would be a

this delivered that one in at a fair old rate of knots. -- Torosidis.

Heavily reliant on the likes of Torosidis to get forward. Difficult

for them to get behind the Colombian back line, in the first half

especially. Rodriguez is seeing a bit more of the ball in this second

half. A little slip there in the centre by

Manolas. It was a good challenge in the end by Katsouranis. He cut the

through ball out. Rodriguez, looking to pull a few strings now for

Colombia. Ibarbo was upended there. That is going to be the second card

of the game. It goes to Papastathopoulos. He was actually

sent off in the opening match of Euro 2012, rather harshly. Not so

harshly booked today. Heavy challenge, tackle from behind as

well. The US official deemed it a yellow card.

Not a bad spot from Colombia 's point of view to get a free kick.

You would imagine Rodriguez here, with his ability.

The referee is finally happy that the wall is back far enough.

The wall did its job. The shot was no threat whatsoever from Cuadrado.

The wall did its job, it was a big wall. A change coming shortly from

Fetfatzidis is going to come on in Greece, the first of the match.

Fetfatzidis is going to come on in the next minute or two.

Fernando Santos needs an injection into this Greek side. Very much

lacklustre into this Greek side. Very much

the second half so far. Fetfatzidis is usually used as an impact sub by

his club is usually used as an impact sub by

will be looking for him to make an impact here. He has just finished

Armero just loves to come forward at Genoa.

Armero just loves to come forward at every opportunity, he was fouled by

Salpingidis, who will be booked. He had the space to go into. A good run

from left-back. Driving inside. He just caught him around the back

of the car. Second Greek player to go into the book in the

The diving header from Ibarbo, in the end very comfortable for

The diving header from Ibarbo, in Greek keeper. A really good ball to

the far post. Rodriguez, conceding the free kick

for his challenge. He is very talented on the ball, Rodriguez, but

that was good defending from Papastathopoulos. Monaco paid

that was good defending from of money for him, 37 million.

Salpingidis goes off. And his replacement, Fetfatzidis. His plan

was pretty good at the end of the season, he got a couple of goals in

the last few matches of the season. They will be looking for a little

creativity and trickery from him. SIMON BROTHERTON: The challenge by

Samaras. He's conceded SIMON BROTHERTON: The challenge by

here. Taken quickly by Cuadrado. It will be Colombia who have the

corner. KEVIN KILBANE: It was not a great

ball from Rodriguez, it was underhit. Great movement across the

near post from Aguilar. A simple finish from him. Aguilar made the

goal, though. It fell so nicely for Gutierrez. Great moment for the

River Plate striker. He will be feeling the pressure. It is he who

is leading the attack in the absence of Radamel Falcao. He has been

chosen above Bacca and above Martinez, who have scored a hatful

of goals this season. He had a decent qualification. His movement,

his work rate creates the space for Falcao.

Holebas for Greece. The crowd in a celebratory mood here. We still have

just over half an hour to go. Can Greece fight back?

Torosidis! He nearly found Samaras there, who tried to cut in. Good

ball from Torosidis. there, who tried to cut in. Good

from Samaras. Looking for a bit more from Gekas up front. He is very

static in his movement. Katsouranis is trying to get things

moving for Greece. The foul committed by Abel Aguilar.

Katsouranis with the free-kick. The deflection is adjudged to have

come off the Greek player. It will be a goal kick to Colombia. It

certainly looked a foul. Good feet from Fetfatzidis. Yeah. He's thrown

himself over. We have seen players go over very easily. Yepes won't

like it much if Fetfatzidis starting running at him. -- if Fetfatzidis

starts running at him. Just inside the last half-hour of

this World Cup match in Belo Horizonte. Foul by Cuadrado.

Greece prepare to make another change. Kostas Mitroglou, I think,

will be coming on in the next few minutes here. Two goals down.

Final words of instruction from the coach, Fernando Santos.

Torosidis It's off the bar. Gekas so close.

Now, are Greece going to get caught at the other end? It is James

Rodriguez for Colombia. Still Rodriguez. In tend, there was time

for Greece to just thump the ball out of play. So close to getting a

goal back there. That sums up Gekas's day. Brilliant chance for

him. How did he miss? He has to score there.

Theofanis Gekas hasn't reduce that deficit. It's the last

touch of the ball that he will have today. He will have plenty of time

to sit on the bench and reflect on it now. Gekas is off and Kostas

Mitroglou of Fulham is on. He was their top scorer in qualifying. As

Fulham fans will know, he's had a knee problem which has kept him out

for most of the second half of the season. It's kept him out of the

starting line-up. Fully fit and match-sharp, he would be the man to

lead the line up front. That has been the problem for the coach,

Fernando Santos. He feels he is not quite right. This is a good

opportunity for him. Just spare a thought for Gekas going off with

that miss, the last kick of the game. Free-kick

Look at the space here for Rodriguez.

Greece trying to find a goal that help out

Greece trying to find a goal that would at least give them a foothold

in the match. would at least give them a foothold

on the counter. It is very slow. In it comes from Torosidis. It was me

on the counter. It is very slow. In who put in the delivery for Gekas a

few Jackson Martinez is preparing to

come on. Strong words being spoken amongst

the Greek defenders at the moment. There is Jackson Martinez. He scored

20 goals in 30 matches in the league for Porto this season. Some

instructions from Jose Pekerman to Victor Ibarbo during a break in

play. Back with the game now. Gutierrez.

Rodriguez was adjudged to have committed a foul under the referee's

nose. Greece playing South American

opposition for the third time in the World Cup Finals, beaten by

Argentina in the other two. They have an awful lot to do here in what

remains of this game, the final quarter of this match.

Here comes the first of those changes, Alexander Mejia, a

defensive midfield player is going to come on to replace Abel Aguilar.

This is his ninth cap. All nine have come off the bench.

Jackson Martinez will have to wait a little longer. Mitroglou offside.

He went too early, Mitroglou. Good defensive organisation there. Yepes,

the captain at the far side. It was aimed towards Teofilo

Gutierrez, the scorer of the second goal. A bit of space.

The shot was deflected wide. That is better from Samaras. A good touch.

Here it is once again. It was Yepes who came out to make the block.

Again, they got bodies around the ball. It's difficult for the Greeks

to play around them. 20 minutes to go.

It will be interesting if Greece could get a goal now. Away off the

captain's head, Yepes, towards Cuadrado.

Whipped in there towards Kostas Mitroglou. Decisively punched away

by Ospina. Rodriguez is in an acre of space. He

was also offside for a good portion of that play. Just managed to move

back in time. Armero, the scorer of the first

goal. Colombia are comfortable in

possession. Rodriguez turning into the challenge

of Maniatis. I think Rodriguez wanted it played a

bit more quickly, but Colombia are happy to take their time.

There was only Samaras going beyond Mitroglou, no support at all. They

need a goal to get them back in the game. That effort from Mitroglou

struck the hand of Yepes. A difficult one for the referee to

call. It was outside the box anyway, I think. Jackson Martinez,

call. It was outside the box anyway, ready to come on a few minutes ago,

has put his bid back on and Santiago Arias is coming on instead.

Pablo Armero, who gave them such a fast start with that early goal,

here it is again. He is replaced and predictably gets a standing ovation

from the largely Colombian crowd. Santiago Arias, a right back with

PSV, normally, he made his international debut in the final

qualifying game and kept his place for the friendlies when Zuniga was

injured. He did really well against a Eden Hazard when they play Belgium

last year. Playing at left-back at the moment. Greece look more

purposeful. He just pushed it too far, Cuadrado.

Plenty of space for him to run into, it

Cuadrado won't get there, it will be a goal kick. He had a simple pass on

Tommy didn't need to clip it. And now Jackson Martinez does get an

opportunity. Gutierrez, who scored the second goal here from close

range, after 58 minutes, is replaced for the final quarter of an hour.

That is one that for the final quarter of an hour.

have been proud of, a predator in the six yard box!

have been proud of, a predator in who scored 29 goals in all

competitions in the past season, makes his World Cup bow.

Arias decided he had an opportunity to test the keeper. Always looking

to get onto his right foot. Good movement on his left from James

Rodriguez. Don't forget, England's opening

match against Manaus is live tonight at 10:20 p.m.. The match kicks off

at 11 p.m.. Here in Belo Horizonte, the clock is

ticking a bit for Greece. They prepare to make another change.

Karagounis is going to come on, the midfielder.

Here comes the change now, with Kone the man to be replaced.

Karagounis has been around the block a few times. Captain for so many

years, record appearance holder, winning his 136 Capcom he will

finally retire from international duty at the end the World Cup. This

is his fifth major international tournament. Incredible career.

He has missed a couple of the the final of the year rose ten years

ago and was also suspended for the quarterfinal of the European

Championship in Poland. Better pressure, that is what they

need to do. Mitroglou, going forward, looking to close down

Yepes. Pekerman, looking more animated as well on the touchline.

Papastathopoulos felt he was being held by Jackson Martinez.

Just looking for a bit more from the Greeks going forward, just need a

goal to get themselves back into the game, they have offered very little.

As it stands, Greece are going to have to get something from their

second match against Greece in a few days time. Colombia, facing Ivory

Coast in Brasilia in their second match. Could be a game to savour.

Throw into Greece as we go into the last ten minutes of the match.

What do you think about the impact of Ibarbo, who was chosen ahead of

What do you think about the impact Martinez? I think he has played

well, started on the left-hand side, come in off the left-hand side to

support Gutierrez for the majority of the game. He has caused problems,

got lots of, talent, certainly an eye-catching player.

Most of Karagounis's appearances these days do come off the bench.

He's not really a 90 minute man these days. But he is still an

integral part of the Greek setup, an influential part.

Torosidis was challenged by Zuniga. Again, it has got to be Samaras who

provides the spark, the forward-thinking pass. They need to

get him on the ball. He is the only one. The only one that's really

looking to create something. If Greece could just sneak a goal,

it might set us up for a grandstand finish, but few signs of it at this

moment. The touch back from Martinez was a

little heavy. He had runners around him will

Samaras tried to place it and couldn't quite find the bottom

corner. It was a really good run from Torosidis as well. Cut back to

Samaras, he tried to bend it in the far corner, away to bend it in the

far corner, awaited -- I'm lucky. They weren't favoured to get out of

the group, Greece, it will get much more difficult for them now,

particularly when you say they have to play Japan and Ivory Coast. There

are no comfortable games at the World Cup, but it has been

comfortable from a defensive point of

Martinez found himself rapidly surrounded. He did well to buy the

foul, The free kick, conceded by

Karagounis. Victor Ibarbo, The free kick, conceded by

who is going to take it. Sanchez has done a good job shielding the

It's already turning into a excellent, he has done a great job.

It's already turning into a celebratory mode for the Colombian

fans. SIMON BROTHERTON: Samaras is making

tracks far side. KEVIN KILBANE: There's been very

little going in behind him as well, so he's found it easy playing

alongside Sanchez. Into the last three minutes of the 90. Good play

by Samaras. Still going. Trickery from Cuadrado. Possession

from Colombia. Once he took the touch, Martinez was

trying to find Cuadrado on the right-hand side, but the pass was

poor. That is what you get from Martinez. He gives the ball away

cheaply at times, but he can score goals.

The final whistle very much on the horizon. Just over a minute

remaining of the 90, plus any added-on time.

Rodriguez, he has time, he has space. He's got Martinez in the box

if he needs him. Greece, just as they have done in

all but one of the matches they have ever played in the World Cup Finals,

are going to lose this one. It will be six defeats from seven in the

World Cup and six matches from seven in which they have failed to score,

unliss -- unless they can get a late one here. Very good performance from

Colombia today. They are a strong side.

That's a poor ball. High, loopy cross, easy for the defence to deal

with, really. What have you made of Colombia today? Lots of talk going

into the tournament - maybe a year ago, they were one of the fancied

sides but the Falcao injury changed things. They have had other injuries

to players who are not so well-known, but are also very

important. How do you feel they have looked today in this opening match?

I think the top two will probably come from them or the Ivory Coast.

Judging them on today's performance, they have been comfortable, they

have looked solid at the back and they have a lot of pace and power

going forward. Once they get out of the group, it will be difficult to

stop them with the pace and power they have got. Difficult to play

against. They have bags of support here as well.

Greece will rue that missed chance in the second half when Gekas

rattled the cross bar with a free header from close range. It was a

terrible miss. He should have scored.

We are almost finished here in Belo Horizonte.

Perhaps time for one last attack from Colombia.

Cuadrado is eager to burst forward. Cuadrado, Rodriguez! 3-0!

James Rodriguez completes the job. Three goals, three points,

impressive start for Colombia! It's a quickly-taken free-kick. It was

quickly played into Cuadrado. Great run from him forward and a wonderful

finish at the end of it. Really good, incisive run from Cuadrado on

the right-hand side, really good finish from him into the far corner.

They used to call Carlos Valderrama "the king" and Rodriguez is "the new

King". Going forward, they have been a

threat. They have looked really clinical when they have got into

positions today. A strong Colombian side and they will be difficult to

stop in this World Cup. It rounds off a successful sun-drenched

afternoon in Belo Horizonte for Colombia. Virtually the last kick of

the match. We have had more than our three

minutes now. Just seconds remaining. Greece have been well beaten.

Colombia ending the match nicely. A comfortable win for Jose Pekerman's

team. The final score in Belo Horizonte - Colombia 3, Greece 0.

GARY LINEKER: Let the carnival begin! A joyous start for the

Colombians and begin! A joyous start for the

supporters. A vibrant yellow mass will be celebrating this victory, we

suspect, long into the night. Eclipsing the support for the Host

Nation, I think! Great scenes. Great scenes. And a

great day for Colombian football. Three points and they lead the

group. Japan play the Ivory Coast in the other first round of matches.

That's all three South American teams have won so far, Juninho? Yes,

that is a good start. It is good to see a team play always forward with

a forward mentality and Colombia did that in the whole game. The ball was

down and Cuadrado wants to play quick for the third goal and that

was why the goal was scored. It's quick for the third goal and that

good. Colombia, they quick for the third goal and that

expectation and they played well. Which is always the key. You have to

cope with that expectation. In the end, three goals, Clarence, they

will be delighted? Yes, none of us got it right, though! Close. We had

a 2-0 and 3-1. A lot of goals again. Colombia gave us what we expected

from them. They were unpredictable. They scored

another second fast goal which, of course, gave them all the

possibility to play the game they wanted and to wait for the moment.

Great celebration, too. Great celebration. This is what we want to

see, this is what the World Cup is about. The

see, this is what the World Cup is shambles? Samaras can't let anyone

get across him. That is his area. It is not a good delivery. The guy gets

in between the goalkeeper and defender and it is a tap-in. That is

a poor challenge from Samaras and he should know better. Greece shot

themselves in the foot today. That makes it 2-0. Then they get a great

chance when Gekas misses the header. That would have made it

chance when Gekas misses the header. the third goal, in the last minute.

They play with a joy, with a freedom. Spectacular football, the

last minute of the game. It is a great finish. Nutmegs, backheel, lot

of flair in this team and a lot of pace as well. They will cause

of flair in this team and a lot of problems. Beautiful finish. Good

finish from Rodriguez, who calls himself "James". Jimmy in Scotland!

We talked about Rodriguez pre-match and he lived up to expectations?

Absolutely. Was wonderful to watch. Always with great presence in the

attack, but also defending. What I have seen of the Colombian team,

they have really defended as a team. That created a lot of difficulty

with the Greeks, who don't have a lot of creative players. The Greeks

had some chances, one in particular, Gekas's, how did he miss this? It's

a point of the game that you can't miss the chances. It could be a

reaction from Greece. It is easy. Head down and... This was our 2-1!

Psychologically, it kills the Greeks. Absolutely. They are right

in the game again. What a miss. I would have scored that one! In the

six losses that they have had out of their seven World Cup matches, they

have failed to score. A lot of good crosses in today? Down the

right-hand side, second half, with Armero getting forward quite a bit,

Torosidis put in two or three fantastic crosses. For a centre

forward, sometimes you have to gamble. Here, it's out of his feet,

he is going to hit this area, gamble and get across the defender. The

goalkeeper catches it at his feet. If someone gambles, it's a goal.

There is not much more Torosidis can do. The delivery is brilliant. The

ball bounced in the six-yard box. You know, Gary, as a striker

yourself... You have to go BEFORE the cross. The ball is bouncing

before it reaches the goalie's torso. There are three great

opportunities for Greece to get back into the game. It was a frustrating

afternoon for Samaras, he is your man. You are equally frustrated with

his performance like you are still his manager? Yes, he showed some

good things. I think overall he was probably Greece's best attacking

player. This is what he is good at. Diving? Yeah, maybe. He got up very

quickly and said it wasn't a penalty. He is looking for it when

he shouldn't have been. He should have carried on. People

underestimate when you are at high-speed, a little touch can be

enough to make you fall. A penalty for Brazil, Juninho? If it was a

yellow shirt! He is capable of doing that. He didn't do enough of that in

the game. For most of the time, there wasn't enough end product.

Overall, Colombia are very good. You have slight concerns about part of

their game, Clarence? Absolutely. They could do this against Greece,

of course, as I said, who had great difficulty in creating. We are in

the middle of the second half and you get to the little touches, five

players, six players in such small area and open for counterattack.

Now, Greece wasn't capable of enjoying those spaces. But here

again, look how many players in a short distance. They try to get the

result home after 20 minutes. short distance. They try to get the

mean, with any other team that has a bit more capacity to do the

counterattacks in a proper way, that could be a difficulty for them. OK.

It is a beautiful day in Rio. It is 3.00pm, it is Saturday. And the

beach is packed, as you might expect. Somewhere down there is Alan

Shearer and Rio Ferdinand. They are with Mark Chapman.

How do you want England to play? Attacking, open, enjoyable football.

I want to be off my seat. I want to be jumping. With pace? Yes. We have

enough pace in the squad to really give teams a go and I think the

Italian manager, he will be preparing for our forwards and

attacking players to be coming at them with pace and being direct,

Welbeck, Sturridge, Sterling and Wayne Rooney. You wouldn't want to

be playing against that any week. We're hearing it will be well back,

on one side, I think if England played to their potential, with

fast, flowing, attacking football, we can get a result in this. I don't

think anyone should fear the Italians. As fans, we are excited,

nervous, before an opening game at a World Cup, how difficult did you

find it to control your emotions? You take in all the media, all the

news, reported speaking about it, you see the people back home, the

expectations, but this time we are lucky, the expectations are more

realistic, it's allowing our players to be more relaxed. They are

travelling around the city, hopefully they will go out there

with a bit of freedom. Coming out of that tackle, you are like a coiled

spring, you want to perform and do well. That's most important thing.

Did you feel nervous? A little bit, I think, it was more excitement. You

want to play, perform and prove to people you are capable of playing

there and being one of the better players. As a captain, what

responsibility did you feel to make sure your team was calm before you

went out there? That's the most important thing, that's where

experience comes into it, you can sense the excitement and nerves with

the inexperienced guys, it's your job as the coach, manager, to settle

things down. Because you have settled down, watched the opening

games as a group, now the time is to deliver. The talking stops, now you

have to go and perform. We talk about not losing your opening group

game but you don't go out just for our point, do you? You don't, you

you go out and make sure you get points on the board. Especially in

the group we are in, it's a sticky group and we have got to make sure

that we go into the game against Uruguay still with something to play

for. I'm worried about his head, which probably go in. Let's go, it's

burning! They should use a whole bottle of

suntan cream on that head. A beautiful place to be this afternoon

on that beach. Very popular as well, to English players. Back in Manaus,

Denny is with Philip Neville and Danny Murphy. We are still here.

These two players are appalled that they have had to come in so early.

The game kicks off in a couple of hours time. We had a chat during

that game fair, England often come to a major tournament and they are

tired, that has been used as an excuse in the past but only Jack

Wilshere who played in the cup final, nobody was involved in the

Champions' League final, but since May the 11th, other than friendlies,

they had almost a month to get ready for this, will that have an impact?

I was always a player and felt I needed to carry on, I don't like big

gaps between games, some players like the momentum of playing

gaps between games, some players in, week out. The tarring fact in

our league is we play such a high tempo game, we play a lot of games,

that is where we talk about the tiredness -- tiring faxed. I don't

get is that important that the players have had an extra week.

Would this the right mindset? Steven Gerrard was talking about having no

regrets, making sure they don't think, I wish I had done that? You

have to get the mental approach spot on. You have, and 60% of the squad

have never been to a major tournament before, they are

experiencing this for the first time. It is up to the experienced

players to pass on their knowledge and when they come out here today,

we will know if they are ready to play in a World Cup. He said, your

biggest regret was being injured and missing out on the World Cup. There

are some any great footballers who have never been on the stage, and

there are some for whom it will be a last World Cup, or their only World

Cup. This is their opportunity to go out there, grab it and take centre

stage. For the young lads, it is harder to take on the enormity of

it. Where is the older players, Stevie Gerard, Frank Lampard, they

probably understand it'll be the last one so they will enjoy it more.

What is more important is playing with courage and bravery. That is

where the really good players shine and the other players just drop a

little bit. We will see if the likes of Raheem Sterling, Ross Barkley,

Daniel Sturridge, if they can grasp it and take it on board and become

superstars. That is it and take it on board and become

Gerrard said, make sure you have no regrets. It has been a World Cup so

far for the big names, robin van Persie, Sanchez, Neymar, so many big

names will be behind us on the pitch tonight. Who will shine in Manaus?

We have some breaking news for you. West Brom have announced that Alan

Irvine will be their new coach. He has agreed a 12 month rolling

contract. But the job you were in for, Neil? No. Are you ready to go

back? Enjoying the break at the moment, it is an absolute privilege

to be here. Clarence, have you include your management spell, do

you want to pursue that? Of course, I have to finish that a

relationship! Sorting things out! It has been a great pleasure having all

three of you, and Juninho, thank you as well. That is it from us for the

moment. We will be back in just a few hours with England against

Italy. This time, there is no pressure and no expectancy at all,

much! England. Our nation. Throughout the

land, history framed and hung on walls. Memories and reminders of

glory. England are the world champions. The immortals tried again

but bowed out with grace when faced by the greatest. Since then it has

been far from simple. The Wilderness past but fortune remained

consistent. Celebration and hope extinguished by villainy. And

genius. In equal measure. He won't need them. Oh, you have to say that

magnificent! When the fires burnt brightest, we built and built

belief. Ended in tears and despair. So close. Heartbreak. England are

out of the World Cup! New light emerged but faded. Redemption gained

in small doses. Calamity never far away. Deja vu. Again, not again. A

familiar refrain. Surely that was in! Now a new gallery of heroes,

carrying the hope and expectation of a nation to hang on walls. New

memories and reminders of glory. Perhaps.