The saliva is already pooling on the floor in Cape Town as mouths water ahead of the first ever World Cup match between neighbours Spain and Portugal, who meet on Tuesday evening in the final Round of 16 match.

When Portugal and North Korea meet in Cape Town in Monday’s Group G duel, the world’s most publicity-hungry player will be pitted against the most private team of the tournament.

England go into Friday’s Group C qualifying match against Algeria with a point to prove — not just to their doubting supporters after an underwhelming 1-1 draw with the US, but to German legend Franz Beckenbauer.

Reigning champions Italy needed a goalkeeping blunder to come back for a 1-1 draw with Paraguay despite dominating Monday’s opening Group F match in Cape Town’s Green Point stadium.

Reigning champions Italy begin their title defence on Monday evening, in a Group F clash with a confident Paraguay that is fraught with danger.
The game in Cape Town’s Green Point stadium is the toughest test for the Italians in a group that also includes New Zealand and Slovakia. Qualification seems certain, b

France and Uruguay played out a dull goalless draw in their opening Group A match on Friday in front of 64,100 spectators in Cape Town’s Green Point Stadium.