Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer in Manaus

"Already warming up, and later England will get the chance to train on the pitch at the Arena Amazonia here in the Amazon rainforest.

"So much has been made of the surface since pictures first emerged of its brown and patchy appearance. A look yesterday confirmed it is not in prime condition - it should be better for one of the opening World Cup games - but it is even and certainly did not appear a matter of huge concern with the FA when it was raised before they left Rio to fly to Manaus.

"The old argument applies to both the pitch and the conditions as England prepare to face Italy here - same for both sides. And you suspect the feeling among Hodgson's players is that they just want to play on any surface after such a long build-up.

"Hodgson will address the media later so will be able to give his own feelings on the playing surface."

So how would you use vanishing spray to your benefit? You have managed to get your mitts on a can of Fifa's magic spray and can use it as you wish. A line to keep your warring kids apart perhaps?

Tell us using #bbcworldcup on Twitter, by text on 81111 or by posting on our Facebook wall.

"Why is the referee spray-painting the pitch?" was a phrase uttered in living rooms across the globe during Thursday's opening match.

Japanese official Yuichi Nishimura wasn't trying to make the Sao Paolo pitch look in better shape than it actually was - unlike the panicking Manaus groundstaff.

No, he was dipping into his holster to fish out a Fifa official's latest gizmo - dissolvable spray. The paint is used to mark 10 yards to stop those pesky defenders edging closer to an opposition free-kick.

Just in case you need another reason to tune in to BBC One's live coverage of England's World Cup opener against Italy on Saturday evening, we can offer you one extra.

You are more likely to see the Three Lions rack up three points in Group D.

The Daily Mirror has crunched the numbers, external and England have won 73% of their World Cup group matches on the BBC, compared with 60% of those shown on ITV.

Keep it locked.

Image source, Getty Images

Robert Prosinecki was part of a stellar generation of Yugoslavian players that included the likes of Zvonimir Boban, Davor Suker and Predrag Mijatovic.

Plying his trade for Red Star Belgrade before the tournament, the 21-year-old's clever play-making in his nation's run to the quarter-finals of the 1990 World Cup captured the attention of Real Madrid, whom he signed for the following summer.

Prosinecki next appeared at a World Cup in Croatia's run to the semi-finals in 1998.

Now it is officially Friday afternoon (in the UK at least), the weekend is well within sight. So why don't you kick back and focus on the football. We won't tell the boss. Here's what is coming up...

13:30-15:00 BST: Rio Report (BBC Radio 5 live)

16:00-01:00 BST: Text/audio commentary of all matches (BBC Sport website)

16:00-19:10 BST: Mexico v Cameroon (ITV and BBC Radio 5 live)

19:30-22:10 BST: Spain v Netherlands (BBC and BBC Radio 5 live)

22:35-01:15 BST: Chile v Australia (ITV and BBC Radio 5 live)

Noon is nigh. So let's mark midday by recapping today's headlines.

• Luis Suarez has been involved in full training with Uruguay for the first time since his knee operation 21 May.

• Global players' union FIFPro has added to criticism of the pitch on which England will play Italy in Manaus on Saturday, saying: "The players deserve a quality playing surface. This isn't the case in Manaus."

• Croatia defender Dejan Lovren says referee Yuichi Nishimura's performance in their 3-1 defeat by Brazil last night was a "scandal", adding that the official "should not be at this World Cup".

Would allowing teams to challenge a set number of decisions in each match help get more refereeing decisions right? You have been putting in your penny's worth all morning.

Ben Graham:, external Like the challenge system. Doesn't disrupt flow of the game any more than players surrounding ref, enables correct decisions.

Image source, @GabbyLogan

Getting paid to travel to one of the most exciting countries in the world to cover the biggest football tournament on earth. It's a good gig.

It is not all glamour though. BBC Sport presenter Gabby Logan has been battling iron-denying bureaucracy and fashioning flight socks from sick bags, detailing life behind the scenes on her blog., external

Not sure what Joe Cole has been drinking - but it must be mind-blowing stuff. The former England international believes Roy Hodgson's side have a "great chance" of winning the World Cup in Brazil.

"I agree with what Wayne Rooney has said - it's the best squad England have had in years," says the new Aston Villa midfielder.

"The reason for the lower expectation is that these young players in the squad are at the start of their careers. It's going to be exciting and I think we have got a great chance of doing it."

Joey's optimism is admirable - soon he will be telling us that Villa can qualify for Europe next season...

The Brazilian media are understandably far more upbeat than their Croatian counterparts this morning.

Folha do Sao Paulo, external cover the big game with the headline - "Brazil open the Cup with comeback goal and boos for Dilma" referring to the less-than-warm greeting for president Dilma Rousseff.

Correio Braziliense, external admits a certain amount of good fortune in the hosts' win, referring to referee Yuichi Nishimura as the "Japanese angel".

"Careful with little Luis!" screams Uruguayan paper Tribuna as talisman Luis Suarez returns to full training.

The Liverpool striker, 27, pulled on his boots for the first time since his knee operation on 21 May as he hopes to be fit for Saturday's opener against Costa Rica.

Image source, @Christian_ESEM/twitter

Heard of bring your own beer - but bring your own sofa? Those Germans are often stereotyped for their innovation and efficiency, and this bright-spark idea only reinforces that.

Bundesliga II club Union Berlin have lined up 750 sofas inside their stadium, meaning World Cup fans really don't have to leave their settees this summer.

Paul Kilpatrick, via text: Why the continual focus on the referee? Pundits, press and in particular the players need to focus on the cause. Fred dived. Fred cheated.

Japan defender Maya Yoshida is ready to renew his rivalry with some familiar faces in Saturday's World Cup clash against Ivory Coast in Recife.

The Southampton player, 25, has faced a number of the Ivorians - including Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure, Swansea striker Wilfried Bony and ex-Arsenal forward Gervinho - in the Premier League.

"I played against Gervinho on my debut at Emirates Stadium and one of his goals was from my mistake," says Yoshida. "I've played against Toure as well but we won that time and know Bony from Vitesse Arnhem and Swansea City.

"For 90 minutes we have to concentrate."

Image source, SNS

The Croatian media are feeling aggrieved this morning after their side were on the rough end of controversial decisions from referee Yuichi Nishimura in defeat to Brazil last night.

The popular Jutamje newspaper , externalleads its front page with a headline asking "Where is the Brazilians' pride?" and quotes coach Niko Kovac claiming his side were the victims of a theft.

"Defeated but not humiliated" is the opinion of on the popular Croatian news website Index, , externalwhich adds that "the Japanese referee destroyed Croatia and spoilt the opening game... Nishimura did not live up to the task. It was clear that Brazil had to win the opening game so all the controversial decisions were made in favour of the host team."

Brazil goalscorer Oscar:, external Thank you God for everything and the Brazilian fans for all the support! This goal was for my wife and my daughter!

Would allowing teams to challenge a set number of decisions in each match help get more refereeing decisions right?

Your views have been coming in on #bbcworldcup on Twitter and via text on 81111.

Jamie Lang:, external If it's a non-contact game there should've been a penalty at every corner kick. Croatia scored a legit equaliser too. DRS soon.

Eddie de Oliveira:, external I'm half-Brazilian and saying it was never a penalty and Neymar should have been sent off for the foul on Modric. Poor refereeing.

Ben Graham:, external Like the challenge system. Doesn't disrupt flow of the game any more than players surrounding ref, enables correct decisions.

Only just tuning in? Then let's recap on the main stories from Brazil. These are your headlines at 11:00 BST.

• Croatia defender Dejan Lovren says that referee Yuichi Nishimura's performance in their 3-1 defeat by Brazil last night was a "scandal", adding that the official "should not be at this World Cup".

• Brazil forward Neymar says his two-goal performance in the victory against Croatia was beyond his wildest dreams.

• Global players' union FIFPro have added to criticism of the pitch on which England will play Italy in Manaus on Saturday, saying: "The players deserve a quality playing surface. This isn't the case in Manaus."

Image source, Getty Images

Left-back Leighton Baines says that the spirit in the England camp is better than it has ever been during his international career.

"For the time I've been involved with England, this is as good a group as there's been," he told the Football Association website., external

"There's a real good spirit throughout the camp and part of that is probably down to the preparation we've been doing.

"We've been working hard but have obviously been spending a few weeks together that has enabled us to get that kind of club feel to the international set-up."