Welcome to Day 9 & the day’s only game with a “big” team. Yes, it’s Keylor Navas & Los Ticos (Spanish for “the ticos”), taking on Brazil, a little-known South American team that’s just happy to be there. #AWCHQ #BRACRC ⚽️

And that’s it for another day at the #WorldCup in Russia! A lot going on yet again today, and a slightly complicated recommendation: I suggest you either (a) watch all of #DEN v #AUS, or (b) watch 1st half of #FRA v #PER and 2nd half of #ARG v #CRO. #AWCHQ ⚽️

Read not 10 minutes ago a random commenter on the Guardian live blog say, “This game will be decided by a grotesque defensive error.” Lots of time before it’s decided, but that was quite a prediction. #AWCHQ #ARGCRO ⚽️

“Three times as many fouls whistled as shots taken tells the story of this first half.” You nailed it, TV guy. Come on, 2nd half. Be better. #AWCHQ #ARGCRO ⚽️

For our final game of the day it’s time to tune back in the Messi Show. Zero goals despite a PK chance in the opener; the pressure on this poor guy must be just unbelievable. Also expected: 10 other #ARG guys & 11 #CRO ones, probably! #AWCHQ #ARGCRO ⚽️

Disappointingly defensive second half following a fun first 45. That adds up to just so-so in my book. An hour break, then: Argentina-Croatia! #AWCHQ #FRAPER ⚽️

Halftime of a nice game so far! Some lovely play, & these jerseys may be my favorites in the tournament (though I wish #FRA were solid dark blue). And how nice is it to be able to read the frickin’ players’ names! #ThatAdidasFontSucks #AWCHQ #FRAPER ⚽️

On to the 2nd match, also from Group C: that overly talented #FRA team (who barely got the 3 points from Australia in their opener) face a #PER squad that dominated their opener but failed to get any points from it. Hoping for a good one! #AWCHQ #FRAPER ⚽️

I give that #DENAUS match: two thumbs up! See you in an hour for #FRA v #PER; looking forward to my first chance to watch the South American team after I missed their last one. #AWCHQ ⚽️

That was a pretty darn good first half of soccer! Good, attacking play, and another appearance by VAR, which is certainly having a big impact on some of these games. But as a neutral, I don’t think I mind. #AWCHQ #DENAUS ⚽️