And on the subject of football in the US, national team manager Jurgen Klinsmann has written a letter to help fans get out of work to watch their match against Germany at 17:00 BST.

In the letter posted on Twitter, Klinsmann told bosses all over the country: "I understand that this absence may reduce the productivity of your workplace but I can assure you that it is for an important cause."

Image source, Twitter

Football in the United States. Not always been a big deal, right?

But things are changing. The 2-1 victory over Ghana attracted the biggest US television audience for a "soccer" match - 16 million people. The draw with Portugal smashed that record, with an average of 24.7m viewers.

"Soccer is finally beginning to gain genuine ground on America's three heartland sports of American football, basketball and baseball," writes Ben Smith.

Diego Lugano says Uruguay team-mate Luis Suarez does not have a case to answer over his alleged bite on Giorgio Chiellini.

Luis Fernando Suarez quit as Honduras manager after their World Cup elimination.

Alan Shearer says Wayne Rooney should be England's next captain when Steven Gerrard steps down.

Marcos Rojo's first goal for Argentina helped his country to a 3-2 win over Nigeria to ensure they finished the group stage with three wins from three.

Defender Rojo forced the ball home with his knee as he attacked a delivery from a corner.

Rojo, 24, tells Fifa.com:, external "To score my first goal for Argentina, and for it to come at the World Cup and to secure three points for us - that's what dreams are made of.

"I couldn't ask for more, although it wasn't a particularly beautiful goal."

As the group stages draw to a close today, here's what you can watch and where you can watch it.

From 06:00: World Cup Catch Up (BBC Sport website/iPlayer)

16:30-19:10: USA v Germany (BBC One & BBC Radio 5 live)

16:30-19:10: Ghana v Portugal (BBC red button & BBC Radio 5 live)

20:30-23:15: South Korea v Belgium (ITV Three & BBC Radio 5 live)

20:30-23:05: Algeria v Russia (ITV 4 & BBC Radio 5 live)

Rob: Rooney captain? That will sum up England completely. He is the problem, not the solution - how can you make a captain out of a player whose form has been questionable and then has to be selected as he's the skipper?

Dave: Cannot believe anyone can want Rooney for England captain with all of his history after the FA sack John Terry for his behaviour. The captaincy needs to go to a much younger player so that he can grow alongside the new younger players coming into the squad.

Ecuador coach Reinaldo Rueda says refereeing decisions did not go his side's way in the 0-0 draw with France.

Ivory Coast referee Noumandiez Doue sent off Antonio Valencia in the 50th minute after the Manchester United winger fouled French defender Lucas Digne.

"Some of the decisions made by the referee did not favour us,'' Rueda said.

"It's quite regrettable what happened. I believe this is now in the hands of the committee that assesses the behaviour of referees. This was not the ideal behaviour in many split decisions."

Image source, Getty Images

Away from the World Cup, Athletic Bilbao say they have rejected an offer of £28m for Ander Herrera from Manchester United.

United are interested in signing the 24-year-old Spain midfielder.

But the Spanish club said in a statement:, external "The club wishes to report that this week it rejected an offer from Manchester United, estimated at 36m euros, to transfer the federation and economic rights of Ander Herrera."

United, however, are confident a deal can still be done.

Tawanda M:, external Brilliant individual players win games but solid teams win the World Cup.

Nick Douglas:, external Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal! Wouldn't have made it to the World Cup without him.

YanDje Ontoy:, external Luis Suarez for Uruguay, They are just another average team without him up front.

Ghana's government has sent more than $3m (£1.8m) in cash by plane to Brazil to pay the appearance fees owed to the national team at the World Cup.

Deputy Sports Minister Joseph Yamin told Ghanaian radio station Citi FM the players "insisted" on cash payments. He added: "The government had to mobilise the money and a chartered flight to Brazil."

Ghana must beat Portugal in their final Group G game on Thursday to have any chance of staying at the World Cup.

Striker Mario Balotelli has refused to be a scapegoat for Italy's World Cup exit after being deemed "not really Italian" by some fans.

The 23-year-old, who was adopted after being born to Ghanaian immigrant parents, responded angrily to those who have questioned his nationality.

The former Manchester City player wrote on Instagram: "I am proud to have given everything for my country."

BBC Radio 5 live

Amy Lawrence of the Guardian: "The bit I like best is that Suarez's lawyer happens to be a member of the Uruguayan FA. There's also a geographical element that comes in. There's an Argentine member of Fifa leaning to make sure the sanctions are kept to a minimum.

"I don't think he'll play any further part in this World Cup. I also have a horrible feeling he might not be a Liverpool player by the start of the season. At least now they have a slightly more palatable reason for selling him that isn't footballing or financial."

Dominic King of the Daily Mail: "If he owned up there would be more compassion for him. Controversy has hounded him for three or four years. He should be remembered for being an outstanding player, but this is sullying that."

Ben Dewison:, external Oscar. Brazil are favourites and no-one else makes space for others and creates like he does.

Cedric Sarah:, external Messi for Argentina. Has scored all but one goal for his team and single-handedly put them through to the last 16.

Ajayi Oluwaseun:, external Arjen Robben, in their recent matches he was awesome and I strongly believe in them.

The Messi masterclass, Shaqiri the show-stopper and the Suarez saga. Catch up on all the big talking points from day 14 in Brazil with BBC Radio 5 live's Pint-sized World Cup. Everything you need to know in under five minutes.

Image source, PA

A woman poses in front of a poster of Luis Suarez in Rio, with a not-too-subtle nod to the ongoing controversy surrounding the Uruguay striker.

Wayne Rooney should be England's next captain if Steven Gerrard retires from international football, according to Alan Shearer.

Gerrard, the 34-year-old that has won 114 caps, is considering his future following England's early exit from the World Cup.

In his latest BBC Sport column, Shearer said: "Rooney is not only England's best player but he has the experience to go along with that, and he was mature enough to deal with the scrutiny that he was under at the start of this tournament.

I know myself that being England captain brings added pressure, but Rooney will be used to that because of who he is and what he has achieved.

Image source, Getty Images

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi said Lionel Messi "was from Jupiter" after the Argentina forward scored twice in their 3-2 win over the African nation.

Keshi said: "There are good calibre players in the team but Messi is from Jupiter."

Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker compared Messi to the great Diego Maradona.

He said: "I don't think since Maradona we've seen anyone quite like Messi on the field."

Which players are key to their team's chances?

Hugo Twigg:, external James Rodriguez without a doubt. Columbia would be out if wasn't for him.

i-am-in-u:, external Certainly Argentina can't do anything without Messi, but for him they would have been out at the group stage, closely followed by Robben/RVP for Netherlands.

Agee:, external Vincent Enyeama of Nigeria.

Image source, Getty Images

Alberto Zaccheroni has quit as Japan coach after his side failed to reach the last 16 at the World Cup.

The Italian, 61, who replaced Takeshi Okada in 2010, had said originally he would wait until he returned to Japan before considering his future.

Zaccheroni's side finished bottom of Group C, collecting only one point. Under Zaccheroni, Japan won the AFC Asian Cup in 2011, beating Australia 1-0 in the final in Qatar.

Honduras coach Luis Fernando Suarez has announced he is stepping down from the role following his team's elimination at the World Cup group stage.

The Central American nation lost all three of their matches - against France, Ecuador and Switzerland - to finish bottom of Group E.

"I think a change is necessary for the benefit of the Honduran team," said Suarez, 54, after Wednesday's exit.