It seemed outlandish when it first reared its head, but Mario Balotelli to Arsenal is the World Cup transfer rumour that refuses to die.

Stoking the furnace this morning is Italian news outlet Tuttosport, external who claim that AC Milan will be willing to lower their £24-28m price should the Gunners throw Costa Rica striker Joel Campbell, who spent last season on loan at Olympiakos, into the deal.

After not entering the first three World Cups, England made their debut in Brazil in 1950, although it was not a bright start as they went out in the group phase and suffered an embarrassing 1-0 defeat against USA.

Four years later England drew 4-4 with Belgium and beat Switzerland 2-0 before losing 4-2 to Uruguay in the quarter-finals.

Image source, Empics

In Sweden in 1958, draws against Soviet Union (pictured), Brazil and Austria left England needing to beat Soviet Union in a play-off, but a 1-0 defeat saw England fail to reach the knockout stages.

England again reached the quarter-finals in 1962 but lost 3-1 to eventual winners Brazil.

BBC Sport Chief Football Writer Phil McNulty in Sao Paulo

"As expected, the conditions here in Sao Paulo this morning are cool and very overcast as England prepare to face Uruguay here later today.

"There could not be a bigger contrast from the extreme temperatures Roy Hodgson's side had to contend with when they were beaten by Italy in Manaus.

"England were greeted by a heavy rainstorm when they arrived here yesterday but trained in perfect conditions at the stadium last night."

"Monster. monster." That is how agent Eric Hall would doubtless describe England v Uruguay tonight. With nine hours until kick-off, these are your headlines:

• England boss Roy Hodgson says that his team will attack Uruguay tonight even though defeat could mean a first World Cup group stage exit in 56 years.

• England captain Steven Gerrard has warned his team-mates that they face a "terrible, long summer" if their World Cup campaign ends in defeat to Uruguay this evening.

• Fifa are investigating claims of discriminatory behaviour by fans from Brazil, Russia, Croatia and Mexico.

Image source, Getty Images

After the heat and humidity of Manaus, England's players are going to be playing in conditions cooler than if they were in Carlisle tonight.

By the time their crunch game against Uruguay kicks off at 20:00 BST tonight, the temperature in Sao Paulo will be around 13 degrees with plenty of cloud cover.

Pack the gillet Roy.

World Cup fever has penetrated even North Korea, external where the country's authorities have released three commemorative stamps featuring images of football players dribbling, tackling and shooting.

North Korea reached the World Cup for the first time in 44 years at South Africa 2010, but failed to qualify for this summer's tournament, edged out by Uzbekistan and Japan in the first round of qualifying.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who spent three seasons in charge of Real Madrid before returning to Stamford Bridge, says Spain's determination to stick to the playing philosophy that brought success in their last three major tournaments has proved their downfall in Brazil.

"When the best teams play always believing that their philosophy is the one, the other people learn," he told Yahoo., external

"Holland and Chile were very good from a strategic point of view, and Spain couldn't cope with it in my opinion.

"They did what I think in modern football you have to do."

Image source, AP

In the Times today, Jonathan Northcroft focuses on Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas, describing "the humiliation of an already broken man".

"On a human level, it was an act of admirable loyalty that Vicente Del Bosque kept faith with a player so key to his successes as manager of Real Madrid, then Spain," he writes., external

"On a football one, it proved sheer, self-destructive stubbornness. Pepe Reina is as distinguished a No2 as any country can boast at these finals and Del Bosque kept Reina on the bench."

Andy in Armagh on text: "Bayern Munich showed Barcelona that tiki-taka football was outdated in the Champions League a couple of seasons ago, Real Madrid then did the same to Pep Guardiola's own Bayern Munich last season.

"Now Spain have completely flopped at the World Cup against the Netherlands and Chile who have played direct counter-attacking football. I think we've witnessed the death of tiki-taka, and I for one am glad to see the back of it."

Rob in Sheffield on text: Spain will be fine - they need to be quicker in the attacking third, but with the likes of Koke, Isco, Jese, Alvaro Morata, Gerard Delofeu and Daniel Carvajal they have the players to do it.

Image source, EPA

After their team's World Cup exit, many Spanish fans' attention will doubtless turn to a summer transfer market.

It is looking like it is going to be a busy summer at the Nou Camp with Barcelona, having already brought in Croatia playmaker Ivan Rakitic, heavily linked with a move for Argentina and Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuian.

Italian newspaper Mediaset report that Napoli will try to jack the price up to around £50m before they consider doing business with the Catalans., external

The British press have given a gloomy verdict on the prospects of a Spain revival from within the generation who won the World Cup four years ago.

"Some players tried to claim that this was not the end of an era but it is," writes Spanish football expert Sid Lowe in the Guardian. , external

"Not just because for the first time in eight years they have been defeated but because of the way they were defeated: the team that had gone ten consecutive knock out games without conceding had now let in six goals in two games."

"The denouement was always going to arrive at some point, but few expected it to come with such alarming speed and in such unceremonious fashion. First-round knockout," adds BBC Sport's David Ornstein.

Ten o'clock, not quite on the dot. Here are your headlines.

• England boss Roy Hodgson says that his team will attack Uruguay tonight even though defeat could mean a first World Cup group stage exit in 56 years.

• Sergio Ramos says that excuses are for losers, but insists Spain can still return to the top of the world game with the current generation of players.

• Fifa are investigating claims of discriminatory behaviour by fans from Brazil, Russia, Croatia and Mexico.

Some more comments on Twitter about Spain's failure to qualify for the knockout stages of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Ian Robertson:, external The explanation for Spain's demise goes deeper than just bad goalkeeping as one penalty goal from two games would indicate.

DeathApeDisco:, external A certain romanticising of Spain. They've won a lot, but often looked a little toothless. Add defensive errors, disaster.

Kofi Tawiah Quansah:, external This should not be the end of an era but rather a changing of guard is needed. Youth and experience is key.

Keep your comments coming in to us on Twitter, using #bbcworldcup, text us on 81111 (UK only) or leave a message on the BBC Sport Facebook page., external

Image source, Getty Images

As sure as night follows day, when a team performs well in the World Cup, Premier League teams get linked to their star men.

Just hours after Chile's win over Spain in the Maracana, Spanish radio station Cope published a story linking Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool with Alexis Sanchez., external

The article, which is based on information from Chilean journalist Rodrigo Norambuena, claims that Juventus are leading the chase for the 25-year-old Barcelona attacker.

A 10-match club ban for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic in 2012-13 has given Liverpool and Uruguay striker Luis Suarez a 'bad-boy' image in this country, but that reputation has been mocked in his homeland.

Image source, Not specified

An advert on Uruguayan television shows Suarez as an office worker at a finance company, although he doesn't make many friends as he kicks a photocopier, throws paper balls at a colleague and destroys someone else's computer before diving to the floor when a colleague pats him on the back.

The video can be watched on the BBC News website.

There will be some sore heads and empty desks in Santiago this morning.

After Chile swatted aside world champions Spain to book their place in the knockout stage, thousands of fans flooded out onto the streets of the capital to celebrate.

This was the scene in Plaza Baquedano as captured by Instagram user fotosaereas., external

Image source, Fotosaerus

Some World Cup gossip stories from around the world for you.

Portuguese surgeon Jose Carlos Noronha has warned Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, 29, he is putting his career at risk by playing at the World Cup with a knee injury. nbcsports.com, external

Image source, AP

Fifa has denied a claim from Argentina World Cup winner Diego Maradona that he was prevented from attending his side's opening match in the Maracana. Daily Mail, external

Greece midfielder Giannis Maniatis, 27, booked himself a flight home after a dispute during training, but was persuaded to stay. Guardian, external

England's crucial Group D clash with Uruguay is given the big-fight treatment in the Sun this morning with England captain Steven Gerrard and Liverpool team-mate Luis Suarez mocked up nose to nose.

Image source, The Sun

The Daily Mail keep up the boxing theme. Their headline is "It's a knockout" as they pit Liverpool strike-partners Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez against each other in a personal match within the match.

Image source, Daily Mail

There will be plenty of build-up here on that match ahead of kick-off at 20:00 BST.

Andrew, Coventry: This Spanish team were more than capable of getting out of that group if they were more incisive and direct with their passing. They had numerous opportunities to get beyond the Chilean defence but decided to pass back or to the side instead of forward.

Ben, Eastbourne: Spain lacked tactical diversity. Arrogant and foolish to state that you will only play one way. Now adapt or die.

Dom, Ipswich: Short sightedness has brought upon the end of an era for Spain. They failed to blood new young players into the national set-up, in addition to the failure to adapt their playing style, particularly as opposing teams gradually figured out how to counter tiki-taka. The end was inevitable, and it may prove a long climb back to the top.

Your thoughts on the defending champions' early exit and whether they current generation can return to the top of the world game are coming in on text and Twitter, via #bbcworldcup., external

Ex-England striker Kevin Davies tells BBC Radio 5 live World Cup Breakfast: "Uruguay's performance in the last game was poor. Their captain is injured. Their right back is suspended. Suarez - how fit is he? It's an opportunity to go and win this game. I'm quietly optimistic.

"England started really well against Italy. They need to come out of the blocks tonight fast, but they seem full of confidence. If we take the game to Uruguay, we can win."

Live commentary of the match is on BBC Radio 5 live.