This is being put down as one of the reasons behind their bad performance in the world cup, what were they thinking? Diet is such an important part of any professional athletes conditioning. I am pretty sure that this isn't on the recommended list of things to eat going to one of the most important tournaments of your life. 

Brazilian officials say they confiscated 39kg (86lb) of caramel spread from Uruguay's football team as it arrived in Brazil for the World Cup.

The spread, called dulce de leche, is extremely popular in Uruguay but the Brazilian authorities said that as it was made with milk, it needed sanitary documentation which was lacking.

Some fans are already blaming Uruguay's shock 3-1 defeat to Costa Rica on the lack of dulce de leche.

Uruguay will play England on Thursday.

The dulce de leche was seized from the team after it landed at Confins airport near their training camp in Sete Lagoas.

This could be one of the major turning points of the war, and could be one of the major developments in current affairs world wide depending on how it goes. It really does look like the US have left a masisve power vacuum in Iraq.
The Iraqi army says it has driven off Islamist-led militants attacking the country's biggest oil refinery amid reports that most of it is in militant hands.





The army said 40 attackers had been killed, a claim which could not be verified independently.

Government forces have renewed air strikes on militants elsewhere.

Fighting is also reported in the western city of Ramadi.

The government is battling to push back ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) and its Sunni Muslim allies in Diyala and Salahuddin provinces, after the militants overran the second city, Mosul, last week.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has gone on television to tell Iraqis that gains by ISIS are a "setback" but Iraq has recovered its "national unity". He has long been accused of favouring the country's Shia Muslim majority.

Without a doubt Brazil's weakness is missing an out and out striker. while they do have some of the best midfield and defensive players in the world the lack of a recognisable and talented striker up front seems to be costing them dearly and if, as most people suspect, the chance of a Brazil-Argentina final is on the cards then we may have the best defence against the best offence. I think a lot of people would like to see that one.

The Fifa 'dream team' of 2013 featured only two Brazilians, and two defenders in that of Daniel Alves and Thiago Silva. Is this a sign? Yes. Brazil's lack of world-class strikers have been on the decline since 2006.

At World Cups gone by, Brazil have been blessed with unforgettable strikers. Careca at Mexico 1986 and Italia '90, Romario in America in 1994 and Ronaldo at successive World Cups in 2002 and 2006.

Since then many have been tried and tested to little effect. The last three Brazilian coaches, Dunga, Mano Menezes and Luiz Felipe Scolari have used 27 forwards in total.

Of those 27 nearly 16 could be considered as 'good strikers' but not great, not a world-beater, not strikers who could walk into the top European teams.

Luis Fabiano basically missed his chance after scoring three goals at the 2010 tournament as Brazil suffered a quarter-final exit against the Netherlands. He last had a call up in 2012 but was not in great shape and now finds himself warming the bench with Sao Paulo.

What about Diego Costa? What a shame. After leaving Brazil very early in his career he had only one chance with Scolari for a couple of friendly matches in March 2013 but later declared his wish to represent Spain having been granted Spanish citizenship. The Brazilian Football Confederation worked hard to avoid the embarrassing situation, kept the door open for a return but later closed it.

But this is not the saddest case. Believe me. The most forgotten striker today is Adriano. His own fault, of course. He has made many mistakes in his life and career and has had to deal with weight and depression problems. The player who once deserved the 'Imperatore' nickname is today completely out of shape. He has now joined Atletico Paranaense with his only target that of being healthy again. In Adriano, Brazil lost the chance to have another world-class striker in their midst. He had this potential, no doubt.

Finally Fred, Brazil's best bet today, inspires little confidence. Yes, he took his chance successfully in the Confederations Cup. But there are concerns because he is so often injured. Since 2009 he has had nine serious injuries. At least one every year. He was out of action for the last four months in 2013.

Brazil needs Fred. He is not in the same league as Careca, Romario and Ronaldo. But he is Brazil's best talent at present. Without him, Neymar would get overworked.

Hulk could have been key to Brazil but now that he is injured the real weakness in this Brazilian squad is showing itself.

Tonight is the night for the champions of the world to show their class, as amazing as it may seem, and if Spain should fail to do so against Chile there will likely be no way back for the current dual holders of the biggest titles in international football. The defeat against Holland may have been symbolic and shambolic, but in defending so badly when the game was gone Spain may also force themselves to attack more intensively and directly to make up their goal difference, and that is good news for us neutrals at least.

David De Gea injured buttock means Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque has a straight choice between keeping faith in Iker Casillas or putting Pepe Reina in goal after the Real captain slipped up vs the Netherlands.

At the World Cup four years ago Chile faced Spain in the final round of group matches knowing that a win would almost certainly eliminate Vicente del Bosque’s men.  As things turned out in South Africa in 2010, Spain won 2-1 and both countries qualified for the knockout stages. This time round a win for Chile would all but confirm their presence in the last 16, while almost certainly eliminating the world champions.

Chile opened this tournament in typical barnstorming style, grabbing an early two-goal lead and, despite Tim Cahill’s header, they ended up beating Australia 3-1. That was in stark contrast to Spain’s thrashing by Holland and those results have left Spain’s future in Chile’s hands again.

Arturo Vidal has been a key component in Chile’s rise to something approaching the status of third-best team in South America, behind Brazil and Argentina. The Juventus midfielder, 27, helped his country to the semi-finals of the 2007 Under-20 World Cup, he played in South Africa, where they lost in the last 16 to Brazil, and now the man with 55 caps has grander ambitions in this tournament beyond simply exacting revenge on Spain.

“We have our style and we will keep to it. We keep working in the same way and we’re not going to change that. We hope to play Spain and get all three points. If that eliminates them, so be it,” Vidal said. “We came to Brazil with the hope of becoming world champions and for that to happen you have to get through different stages and past your rivals.”

Despite Chile’s and Spain’s differing fortunes last Friday, Chile’s manager, Jorge Sampaoli, has made sure that his men are not complacent, and Vidal added: “We have played several times against Spain but every game is different. We have watched those matches and we have analysed the mistakes we made.

“They were friendly matches, though. We can only compare with the match played in South Africa but still that was different.” Sampaoli is also likely to tweak his line-up, with Gary Medel in the middle of a defensive three and with a five-man midfield, as Chile prepare for an onslaught.

Vidal did not exactly cover himself in glory against Australia. He helped Juve win Serie A but had a knee operation last month and has been playing catch-up since for fitness. That may have explained his substitution after an hour against Australia, although not his reaction.

By the dugout, the man nicknamed The Warrior kicked out at a water bottle. He swiftly realised the error of his ways. “Nobody likes to be off the pitch,” he said. “I always want to play. But, if I’m not playing, I support my team-mates from the bench. The other day something bad happened and I apologised to my teammates.” There will be no need for apologies should he help guide Chile past Spain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdqVI-OqGtM

Captain Clint Dempsey had given the U.S. the lead in the first minute with the sixth-fastest goal in World Cup history, but Ghana tied the match in the 82nd minute through Andre Ayew. With the U.S. under intense pressure not to allow a second Ghana goal, Brooks popped up with the winner, a header from a corner, four minutes from full time.

And what an important win it could prove to be.

here are the links to the first two goals for all of you interested in seeing just how quickly a goal can change a game. 

Hakan Sukur

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIXPc3wAOvg

Vaclav Massek

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvaH9KLUW6E

Without doubt the local interest will be focussed on Brazil v Mexico, a rerun of the 2012 London Olympic final which Mexico won, and a game many are suggesting might be an upset after the opening night shenanigans vs Croatia. Of course the Brazilians didn’t have their full roster than fateful night at Wembley and are on home soil here, but there is a massive amount of pressure on Neymar and company, and that won’t make this game any simpler.

Hulk left training on Sunday as a precaution, but is expected to start this match anyway although the home side have a more-than adequate replacement in Bernard if need be. Mexico have no injury concerns at this stage, at least according to their team, and if they can overcome their opponents it will set us up for an interesting end to the group and the evening, as the final game will surely feature a large ‘neutral’ element in the crowd

So tonight sees one of the dark horses take centre stage as they try to show the world the team that they have become. A lot of people are talking about the loss of Benteke and while he does offer something to a team there is no doubt that at times he can be a little lethargic. Still his fire power and strength will be missed in the squad. The real question will be then who will step in to fill in his shoes up front. Without a doubt the players below are all capable of scoring. It has been mentioned that this may just be a step to far for this Belgian squad and they may even crash out but for me I think they have the drive and the talent to really go far.


A huge blow to Belgium'sWorld Cup plans was the injury to Christian Benteke, who is without doubt their best striker in terms of bringing others into play.

With this in mind, further pressure has been added onto Kevin De Bruyne's shoulders as he will need to link play more than ever in red this summer.

The 22-year-old was tremendous throughout Belgium's qualification process, finishing as their top-goalscorer with four, and will certainly be a player to watch should he feature against Algeria as expected.




Algeria, who usually shape up with an attacking mentality, could vary their selection slightly and use defensive-minded Hassan Yebda to stifle Wolfsburg man De Bruyne on Tuesday.


Eden Hazard



Eden Hazard won't just be a key player to watch againstAlgeria due to the aforementioned requirement to support Vertonghen, but also in terms of needing to replicate his club form with Chelsea last season for his national team in Brazil.


The 23-year-old, who has scored just six goals from 45 Belgium caps, sometimes looks isolated as he doesn't get the important overlap of the left-back - which allows him to cut inside more often - with Belgium like he does at Chelsea.


He is firmly seen as one of the untouchables in Wilmots' side for his obvious quality, though, and could be crucial in helping expose Algeria's lack of pace at centre-back by supporting Romelu Lukaku as much as possible with service and support.







Vincent Kompany

If anyone epitomizes the revival of Belgian football, it is central defender Vincent Kompany.

Kompany was a prodigy at 17 with Anderlecht, and in 2012 he was the rock on which Manchester City built its first Premier League title in 44 years.

Now 28, he continues to be the anchor



for one of the richest teams in one of the world's toughest leagues after he captained City to a second title in three years.

Beyond his positioning and physical prowess, Kompany is best known for his leadership qualities, earning him the undisputed captaincy of the Belgian national team.

Romelu Lukaku






An all-out striker has never been Belgium's forte. And amid the glittering array of goalkeepers, defenders and playmakers, it is up to Romelu Lukaku to impose himself as the team's fearful frontman.

Lukaku already did so in the match that qualified Belgium for the World Cup, scoring two first-half goals in Croatia that effectively muzzled the home team.

A striker that uses body and bulk rather than sweet skills, Lukaku keeps bouncing back. At 20, he has already faced several setbacks at Chelsea, but when he went to West Bromwich Albion and, this season, to Everton, he always proved there was plenty left in him.

To back it up, he scored a hat trick in Belgium's 5-1 warm-up win over Luxembourg.