A quiet word to beat the World Cup anoraks

The World Cup may be a wonderful tournament and this could be one of the best ever, but let’s face it, the group stage can turn into a drag.

Occasionally an outsider pops up to make it memorable — North Korea and Pak Doo Ik in 1966, Cameroon and Roger Milla in 1990, as holders Argentina were beaten sensationally by Cameroon on the opening day.

West Germany were shocked in their 1982 World Cup opener against Algeria — who were only deprived of a place in the next round by a shabby fix between Germany and Austria.