The World Cup is just three days old, but it's already exceeding expectations.
Eight games played, 28 goals scored, a red card and plenty of excitement has made the tournament unmissable viewing.
Group A
Holders Brazil got past Croatia in the opening game with a little help from the officials to claim three points and the top of Group A.
Marcelo turned into his own net as Croatia took the lead in the opening few minutes.
Brazil looked nervous early on, but Neymar settled the nerves when he equalised with a shot from outside the area before the hosts were handed a very large slice of luck.
Neymar went down easily in the area and the Japanese referee pointed to the spot.
The Brazilian golden boy picked himself off the ground to give his side the lead - just - with the Croatian keeper getting a strong hand to the ball.
Oscar rounded off the win with a shot from the edge of the area late on to give Brazil the perfect start.
The officials were in the news again in the other game in Group A as Mexico overcame Cameroon 1-0.
Peralta scored the only goal just after the hour mark after the Mexicans had seen two goals wrongly ruled out in the first half.
Group B
The Netherlands produced the performance of the tournament so far as they dished out a serving of humble pie to holders Spain in a rematch of the 2010 final.
Louis van Gaal's side didn't just beat the world champions, they decimated them.
It was all going well for Spain when they took the lead through a Xavi Alonso penalty midway through the first half, but the Dutch equalised just before the break with an early contender for goal of the tournament.
Robin van Persie latched on to a Danny Blind pass, but still had it all to do as he escaped the clutches of the Spanish defence. The Dutch captain knew exactly what he was doing as he headed brilliantly over Casillas from 16 yards into the net.
The goal came at a perfect time for the Dutch team and they didn't hold back after the break as Arjen Robben gave them the lead before De Vrij added a third, heading in from a free kick.
Spain had no response as van Persie embarrassed Casillas by picking the ball off his toes to add a fourth before Robben finished the scoring off to make it 5-1.
Having seen the Netherlands batter Spain it was all up for grabs for Chile and Australia as they opened their World Cup in Group B.
It was the South Americans who, as expected, were too strong for the Socceroos, although they were made to fight for their 3-1 victory.
Australia looked like they were going to fall apart as they allowed Chile to take a two goal lead inside the first 15 minutes.
Alexis Sanchez was allowed too much space to turn the ball home before Valdivia added a second.
Australia pulled a goal back with a Tim Cahill header after 35 minutes and had a second effort disallowed as they pushed the Chileans all the way.
Jean Beausejour grabbed the deciding goal in injury time to leave the Australians in trouble in the group.
Group C
Columbia started well in Group C as they beat Greece comfortably 3-0.
The South Americans opened the scoring early as Armero profited from some less than competent Greek defending.
Gutierrez added a second after 58 minutes, prodding in from a corner, before James Rodriguez wrapped up the win in injury time.
In the other Group C game the Ivory Coast decided to leave Didier Drogba on the bench against Japan, with Wilfried Bony leading the line.
It was Japan who took the lead though, as Honda showed quick feet to control and hit a shot high into the top corner after 15 minutes.
Japan had chances to add to their advantage but could not take them, before the match turned on its head with two goals in two minutes.
First Bony headed home from a delicious cross from Aurier, and the full back then turned provider again for Gervinho, who headed in at the near post.
Japan goalkeeper Kawashima will feel he should have done better with Gervinho’s effort, but he did enough to keep the Ivory Coast at bay as he dived full length to keep out a Drogba free kick.
The Blue Samurai couldn’t find a way back and Ivory Coast held on for an important 2-1 win.
Group D
Costa Rica almost stole the headlines from the Dutch as they inflicted the biggest shock of the tournament so far by beating Uruguay 3-1.
Edinson Cavani had given the Uruguayans the lead, but Arsenal's Joel Campbell levelled early in the second half.
Goals from Duarte and Urena settled the game, whilst Uruguay had the dubious distinction of claiming the first red card of the tournament as Pereira was sent off for hacking down Campbell in injury time.
And what of England? Their opening game against Italy didn't go quite according to plan.
After a bright start Roy Hodgson's men failed to close the Italians down at a corner and fell behind to a Marchisio shot which arrowed into the corner.
England levelled quickly when Sturridge turned in a brilliant Wayne Rooney cross to leave the sides locked at 1-1 at half time.
The goal led to a bizarre incident as physio Gary Lewin was stretchered off with a dislocated ankle caused as he celebrated the equaliser.
Balotelli had an effort cleared off the line before Candreva hit the post as England were exposed at the back once again before the break.
It was only a matter of time until Italy restored their lead and the goal duly arrived as England once again stood off Candreva and allowed him time and space to pick out Mario Balotelli at the far post.
Balotelli made no mistake with the header, but questions will be asked about the England defending.
England came close to equalising for a second time as Rooney found space in the area, but pulled his shot just wide of the near post.
Baines struck a free kick which tested Sirigu, whilst Pirlo struck the bar with his own free kick at the other end in injury time with Hart roted to the spot.
It was England's first opening game defeat since 1986 and leaves them with much to do to make the knockout stages.
Written by Andrew
Eight games played, 28 goals scored, a red card and plenty of excitement has made the tournament unmissable viewing.
Group A
Holders Brazil got past Croatia in the opening game with a little help from the officials to claim three points and the top of Group A.
Marcelo turned into his own net as Croatia took the lead in the opening few minutes.
Brazil looked nervous early on, but Neymar settled the nerves when he equalised with a shot from outside the area before the hosts were handed a very large slice of luck.
Neymar went down easily in the area and the Japanese referee pointed to the spot.
The Brazilian golden boy picked himself off the ground to give his side the lead - just - with the Croatian keeper getting a strong hand to the ball.
Oscar rounded off the win with a shot from the edge of the area late on to give Brazil the perfect start.
The officials were in the news again in the other game in Group A as Mexico overcame Cameroon 1-0.
Peralta scored the only goal just after the hour mark after the Mexicans had seen two goals wrongly ruled out in the first half.
Group B
The Netherlands produced the performance of the tournament so far as they dished out a serving of humble pie to holders Spain in a rematch of the 2010 final.
Louis van Gaal's side didn't just beat the world champions, they decimated them.
It was all going well for Spain when they took the lead through a Xavi Alonso penalty midway through the first half, but the Dutch equalised just before the break with an early contender for goal of the tournament.
Robin van Persie latched on to a Danny Blind pass, but still had it all to do as he escaped the clutches of the Spanish defence. The Dutch captain knew exactly what he was doing as he headed brilliantly over Casillas from 16 yards into the net.
The goal came at a perfect time for the Dutch team and they didn't hold back after the break as Arjen Robben gave them the lead before De Vrij added a third, heading in from a free kick.
Spain had no response as van Persie embarrassed Casillas by picking the ball off his toes to add a fourth before Robben finished the scoring off to make it 5-1.
Having seen the Netherlands batter Spain it was all up for grabs for Chile and Australia as they opened their World Cup in Group B.
It was the South Americans who, as expected, were too strong for the Socceroos, although they were made to fight for their 3-1 victory.
Australia looked like they were going to fall apart as they allowed Chile to take a two goal lead inside the first 15 minutes.
Alexis Sanchez was allowed too much space to turn the ball home before Valdivia added a second.
Australia pulled a goal back with a Tim Cahill header after 35 minutes and had a second effort disallowed as they pushed the Chileans all the way.
Jean Beausejour grabbed the deciding goal in injury time to leave the Australians in trouble in the group.
Group C
Columbia started well in Group C as they beat Greece comfortably 3-0.
The South Americans opened the scoring early as Armero profited from some less than competent Greek defending.
Gutierrez added a second after 58 minutes, prodding in from a corner, before James Rodriguez wrapped up the win in injury time.
In the other Group C game the Ivory Coast decided to leave Didier Drogba on the bench against Japan, with Wilfried Bony leading the line.
It was Japan who took the lead though, as Honda showed quick feet to control and hit a shot high into the top corner after 15 minutes.
Japan had chances to add to their advantage but could not take them, before the match turned on its head with two goals in two minutes.
First Bony headed home from a delicious cross from Aurier, and the full back then turned provider again for Gervinho, who headed in at the near post.
Japan goalkeeper Kawashima will feel he should have done better with Gervinho’s effort, but he did enough to keep the Ivory Coast at bay as he dived full length to keep out a Drogba free kick.
The Blue Samurai couldn’t find a way back and Ivory Coast held on for an important 2-1 win.
Group D
Costa Rica almost stole the headlines from the Dutch as they inflicted the biggest shock of the tournament so far by beating Uruguay 3-1.
Edinson Cavani had given the Uruguayans the lead, but Arsenal's Joel Campbell levelled early in the second half.
Goals from Duarte and Urena settled the game, whilst Uruguay had the dubious distinction of claiming the first red card of the tournament as Pereira was sent off for hacking down Campbell in injury time.
And what of England? Their opening game against Italy didn't go quite according to plan.
After a bright start Roy Hodgson's men failed to close the Italians down at a corner and fell behind to a Marchisio shot which arrowed into the corner.
England levelled quickly when Sturridge turned in a brilliant Wayne Rooney cross to leave the sides locked at 1-1 at half time.
The goal led to a bizarre incident as physio Gary Lewin was stretchered off with a dislocated ankle caused as he celebrated the equaliser.
Balotelli had an effort cleared off the line before Candreva hit the post as England were exposed at the back once again before the break.
It was only a matter of time until Italy restored their lead and the goal duly arrived as England once again stood off Candreva and allowed him time and space to pick out Mario Balotelli at the far post.
Balotelli made no mistake with the header, but questions will be asked about the England defending.
England came close to equalising for a second time as Rooney found space in the area, but pulled his shot just wide of the near post.
Baines struck a free kick which tested Sirigu, whilst Pirlo struck the bar with his own free kick at the other end in injury time with Hart roted to the spot.
It was England's first opening game defeat since 1986 and leaves them with much to do to make the knockout stages.
Written by Andrew