Howard Nurse
Football editor

"Tickets for today's Group H match between Belgium and Russia are in hot demand. One Belgian journalist told me earlier that tickets trading on the black market rocketed in price last night to $1,200 (£705) per ticket.

"People really are paying these prices, believe it or not. I met a fan from the United States who paid $1,000 (£587) to buy a ticket at the last minute for the Spain-Chile game on Wednesday. It's all about experiencing a World Cup game at the Maracana."

Chris Bevan
BBC Sport

"There are not that many Belgians to be found on the Copacabana ahead of their game with Russia at the Maracana today but the Red Devils supporters that are out and about in Rio are pretty easy to spot. Every single one I saw seemed to be wearing a wig of some sort - assuming the Marouane Fellaini fans I met are not sporting an entirely natural look."

Conor McNamara
BBC Radio 5 live in Manaus

Image source, @ConorMcNamaraIE

BBC Sport commentator Conor McNamara on Twitter:, external "Manaus. Hot as a hair dryer in your face. I'm commentating on USA v Portugal with Pat Nevin on 5 live."

Scott Loom asked BBC Sport's Phil McNulty: "FA v Big Premier League clubs. Do other countries have the same problem with their respective leagues?"

"I'm sure all countries have their issues, Scott, but again I'm not sure this is an FA v Big Clubs question," replied McNulty.

"Don't forget six Liverpool players (including new signing Rickie Lambert) have played at this World Cup so not sure you can accuse Liverpool - a very big club - of somehow obstructing England's progress. They're helping it."

You can read more of Phil McNulty's Q&A session on BBC Sport's Facebook , externalpage.

Clint Dempsey's goal v Ghana (29 seconds) was the fifth-fastest in World Cup history.

USA have kept only one clean sheet in their past nine World Cup games.

Belgium's victory over Algeria was the first time they have won a match in which they conceded first in more than four years.

Divock Origi - 19 years and 59 days - became the youngest Belgium player at the World Cup. Emile Mpenza was 19 years and 344 days old when he played in 1998.

Sofiane Feghouli's goal against Belgium was Algeria's first World Cup goal since Djamel Zidane scored against Northern Ireland in 1986.

Brave Front:, external English fans and media need to separate performance and result. The 2014 squad superb with the former, unlucky with the latter.

Clivus:, external Premier League works perfectly. Only 30 England-qualified players in it, therefore self-selecting. If not world-beaters, so be it.

Duncan Martin:, external Change the manager. Lots of good young players, doing well in premier league, stifled under Roy. FA won't - happy with failure

Dan Roan
BBC Sport in Rio

With England manager Roy Hodgson and captain Steven Gerrard expected to attend a news conference at 17:00, BBC Sport's Dan Roan tweets:, external "Big day for FA media department, who'll be busy preparing Roy Hodgson for his media conference today. He'll explain why he should stay in charge."

Have you seen the goals from last night yet? No? Well, Lionel Messi's winner for Argentina against Iran is pretty special for starters.

Then there's the matter of Miroslav Klose scoring a record-equalling goal as Germany fought back to draw 2-2 with Ghana and there was plenty of controversy as Nigeria beat Bosnia-Hercegovina 1-0.

The USA go into their second match of the tournament tonight - against Portugal - boasting the best disciplinary record of the 32 teams involved.

They conceded just 12 fouls in their opener against Ghana and are yet to pick up any cards.

Germany are the only other team in the tournament yet to collect a card.

Uruguay are the tournament bad boys so far. They have been shown four yellow cards and one straight red.

Peter:, external Make futsal a part of the curriculum in PE. Invest in scouting networks and give ALL children a chance to play.

Chris Knaggs:, external Funny the media is not suggesting changes to the media. This needs to change as the number one priority.

Eduardo:, external The English attitude to the game is regressive. No one applauds a square 50-yard pass or wild 30-yard shot like we do.

Image source, Dejan Lovren / Facebook

Here's a picture Dejan Lovren posted on Facebook, external of the Croatia team relaxing in front of the TV yesterday.

Joe Clock:, external Quotas too simplistic, players need to play on merit not charity, skews economics. Bridging Under-21 to Premier League gap is far more important.

DP Hodgson:, external Premier League teams need eight players developed in England in their squads, but have no obligation to play them in any game. See the problem?

Jonathan Aitken:, external Top Euro clubs aren't interested in English players. Improve youth coaching and encourage players to move to different leagues.

Image source, Getty Images

Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp was pretty outspoken on Sportsweek this morning.

He said England 'do not have a prayer' of winning the 2022 World Cup and claimed that some English players he has worked with did not want to play for their country.

Thanks for your suggestions on measures to improve the England team. Please, keep them coming...

Charlie Wood:, external The prevention of stockpiling by big clubs would also go a long way, players need to play in their formative years.

Matthew Stewart:, external Where were the likes of Will Hughes or James Ward-Prowse? Michael Carrick and other Manchester United players all suffered for David Moyes' inadequacies, too.

Matthew Frost:, external How can you blame the Premier League? Only eight French and three Belgians play in their national leagues. Players need to go abroad.

You might think it's all cocktails and samba out in Rio but, in her latest blog,, external BBC Sport's Gabby Logan explains why this is one trip where early nights are to be treasured.

Image source, Getty Images

It is safe to say Edin Dzeko isn't very happy with referee Peter O'Leary. The New Zealand official incorrectly ruled out an early strike from the Manchester City striker for offside in Saturday's match with Nigeria. Nigeria went on to win 1-0, sending Bosnia-Hercegovina out of their first World Cup.

When asked what happened to Bosnia's campaign, Dzeko said: "The referee happened. We are going home. We are sad because of that, but the referee should go home, too. Because he changed the result, he changed the game and that's why we lost.

"The referee was shameful for this competition."

The latest headlines this Sunday lunchtime:

USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann wants to put Cristiano Ronaldo 'in his place' in tonight's Group G match.

Former Reading striker Jason Roberts sympathises with the pressure Ronaldo is under.

Brazil legend Pele posts video, external praising Argentina striker Lionel Messi.

Dave in London: We sure do tend to over analyse England's demise - as long as we have no defenders on posts at corners, as long as we play with one centre half 10 yards in front of the other, as long as we're not brave enough to play one pass instead of three, we will always fail - rabbits in headlights!

Joe, Milton Keynes: We really can't expect England to win anything when the best team and champions in our country don't have a single outfield English player to contribute to our starting 11. We're not even the best in our own country, let alone the world. A minimum of three English players in the starting 11 of Premier League sides must be adopted but never will because of the opposing interests of the Premier League and FA - another fundamental problem.

Image source, Reuters

We think this is deliberate. Either that, or Cristiano Ronaldo's barber slipped midway through the restyle. See if the Real Madrid star can cut USA down to size at 23:00 BST, with live coverage on BBC One.

Dan Roan
BBC Sport in Rio

Day three of the England Inquest here in Rio and Roy Hodgson is up in front of the media later explaining what went wrong and why he should stay.