Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live news coverage from day six of the World Cup.
We will be bringing you the latest news and gossip from Brazil as well as reaction from last night's games as Germany and the USA earned important wins in their quests to reach the second round.
Plenty of eyes will be on Belgium today as they get their campaign underway against Algeria, while Brazil and Russia are also in action.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live news coverage from day six of the World Cup. It's sure to be another busy day at the tournament with the hosts Brazil, Belgium and Russia all in action, but let's start by checking out some of the headlines from overnight...
Joachim Low praises "clinical" Germany
Jurgen Klinsmann hails "wonderful" victory over Ghana
Luis Suarez declares fitness for Uruguay's clash with England
USA defender John Brooks has warned that his team still have plenty of work to do to reach the second round of the World Cup following their victory over Ghana. The 21-year-old came off the bench to score a late winner for the Americans on Monday night as they earned a 2-1 triumph in Group G.
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has revealed that he expects a tough match when his team plays Mexico this evening. The host nation won their opening game 3-1 against Croatia, while the Mexicans saw off Cameroon 1-0.
Mexico captain Rafael Marquez has urged his teammates to seize their chance and beat Brazil this evening. The Mexicans can take a huge step towards the second round of the tournament if they defeat the host nation in Fortaleza.
Germany midfielder Mario Gotze has praised the "outstanding" performance of Thomas Muller during the team's 4-0 thrashing of Portugal. The forward netted a hat-trick on Monday as the three-time champions got their campaign off to a dominant start.
England face a crucial encounter with Uruguay on Thursday, with both teams needing a win to boost their chances of getting out of Group D. You can review our preview of that match here.
Iran captain Javad Nekounam has claimed that his side needs to improve their finishing following Monday's goalless draw with Nigeria. Despite being out of possession for much of the stalemate, the Iranians squandered a handful of good chances to earn the victory.
Big news off the pitch as Argentina star Lionel Messi has revealed that he plans to set up a personal Twitter account at some point this year. Numerous footballers from around the world use the social networking website, but Messi has so far opted against joining his fellow sportsmen.
Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel has expressed his disappointment following the team's goalless draw with Iran. The Super Eagles dominated for much of the match in Curitiba on Monday, but they were unable to breach the Iranian defence.
While there has been plenty of debate as to whether Wayne Rooney should be dropped for England against Uruguay on Thursday, we take a look at how to get the best out of the forward. Read what we think about the situation here.
Colombia striker Carlo Bacca has been ruled out of his country's remaining World Cup group games with a leg strain. The 27-year-old suffered the problem in training and will now miss fixtures against the Ivory Coast and Japan.
Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima has promised that his team will "attack" when they face Greece at the World Cup on Thursday. Kawashima and his teammates are in need of the points after losing their opening match of the tournament against the Ivory Coast.
A bit of fun for you now. Following Germany's resounding 4-0 win over Portugal yesterday, the country's Chancellor Angela Merkel joined the players in the dressing room for a quick snap. As you can see below, the team looked pretty chuffed to have her take part in their celebrations.
Australia midfielder Mark Bresciano has insisted that the team will not be overawed when they play the Netherlands on Wednesday. The Socceroos were beaten 2-1 by Chile in their opening match, while the Dutch romped past holders Spain 5-1.
Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez has claimed that his team must stifle England's attackers if they want to win Thursday's crucial showdown in Sao Paulo. Both sides head into the match needing a victory after losing their respective opening fixtures of the tournament.
France captain Hugo Lloris has backed Karim Benzema to be the team's "key man" during the World Cup. The striker scored twice on Sunday as Les Blues opened their campaign with a 3-0 victory over Honduras.
That's all from me for now, but I'm happy to say that Liam Apicella will be with you for the next couple of hours to take you through the latest news and gossip from Brazil. Enjoy!
Thank you Jack and afternoon all. There is no danger of easing me in because Wayne Rooney has spoken in response to his extra training...
"Sometimes wonder what the press are getting at. I said from the start I want to do everything I can to make sure I'm ready for these World Cup games and as part of that I was doing extra training a week before the squad joined up. That's exactly what I did yesterday, my own extra training because that's what I wanted to do," the 28-year-old has written on his Facebook page.
So, Rooney has felt the need to clarify the reports. Was that essential? I suppose, if nothing else, it shows just how committed he is to producing his before form for England in Brazil.
One of Rooney's Manchester United teammates - Marouane Fellaini - could be in action tonight when his Belgium side kick off their campaign against Algeria. The big midfielder has posted this on Twitter:
And staying with the Man United theme just for now, another of their players - Javier Hernandez - will be in action against hosts Brazil tonight. Both sides won their opening group fixtures last week, meaning that a win in Fortaleza for either will all but secure their passage through to knockout stages.
Here's what the striker has had to say: "We know we are going game by game, trying to get the three points and no team looks easy for us but no team looks impossible for us to beat either."
The third and final match tonight will see Russia take on South Korea. Discussing that encounter, BBC Sport's Mark Lawrenson is expecting the Russians to win through:
"I just hope Russia boss Fabio Capello has learned his lesson from the 2010 World Cup when, as England manager, he got his preparation completely wrong. Capello has some decent players in his squad and Russia should be too strong for South Korea, who have some skillful players but will have to cope when Russia play rough."
Some good news for those of a German persuasion because centre-back Mats Hummels has played down concerns over his thigh injury. The Borussia Dortmund player limped off during the 4-0 win over Portugal yesterday, sparking fears that his tournament was over. However, Hummels has insisted that he will "be fine in just a few days".
And there is further positive injury news for Italy via journalist James Horncastle
Italy, of course, got the better of England on Saturday. Next up for the Three Lions is Uruguay and goalkeeper Joe Hart is confident of denying the likes of Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani.
"We are well aware of their strikers and their pattern of finishing," he said.
To find out what England's number one had to say in full, click here.
Unsurprisingly, Scottish striker Tony Watt, who spent last season on loan in Belgium Lierse, is not supporting England in the World Cup! Instead, he will be getting behind the Belgians against Algeria tonight.
"Belgium is going to be my team," he told BeNeFoot. "I'm a big fan of the way Belgian football is after going there. I was majorly impressed with it when I left. It's all technical players."
Thomas Muller's hat-trick against Portugal yesterday saw him shoot to the top of the leading goalscorer standings. Tonight, though, Brazil's talisman Neymar has a chance to wrestle back top spot. He found the net twice against Croatia and will no doubt be looking for more against Mexico. Without the Barcelona star, Glenn Hoddle believes that Brazil would be an "ordinary team". Here's what Hoddle had to say in full.
Of course, Neymar has a highly impressive record in a Brazil shirt. From his 48 outings, he's found the net 33 times. At the age of 22, it would take a brave person to bet against him breaking the great Pele's record of 77 goals in the famous yellow shirt.
TEAM NEWS! The Belgium team to face Algeria, which starts at 5pm, has been leaked...
BELGIUM XI: Courtois; Alderweireld, Van Buyten, Kompany, Vertonghen; Dembele, Witsel; Chadli, De Bruyne, Hazard; Lukaku
That's an impressive Belgian side, it must be said! There is no room for reported Manchester United target Thomas Vermaelen nor Marouane Fellaini, but Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Nacer Chadli does feature from the beginning. Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Vincent Kompany also start.
ALGERIA XI: Mbolhi; Bougherra, Ghoulam, Halliche; Feghouli, Medjani, Bentaleb, Soudani, Taider; Mahrez, Mostefa
There are a couple of familiar faces in that Algeria team. Tottenham Hotspur youngster Nabil Bentaleb starts in midfield, while former Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra will operate in defence. Some of you may also be aware of Sofiane Feghouli, who plays for Valencia at club level.
And that, folks, is as far as I'm taking you. Jack Prescott will return shortly to look ahead a little bit more to the Belgium encounter, as well as all the other news from Brazil. Over to you, Jack...
Hello again! Right, let's get down to business. Our live tex coverage of this evening's match between Belgium and Algeria has just got underway, and you can follow it here.
Croatia midfielder Danijel Pranjic has described his country's upcoming clash with Cameroon as "all or nothing" for both teams. The two nations head into Wednesday's encounter in Manaus having lost their opening matches of the tournament.
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has insisted that his players are capable of turning around their fortunes at the World Cup. The reigning champions, who face Chile on Wednesday, were beaten 5-1 in their opening game by the Netherlands last week.
Sticking with Spain, goalkeeper Pepe Reina has insisted that La Roja will not underestimate Chile when they face them on Wednesday.
USA captain Clint Dempsey has claimed that the team's victory over Ghana at the World Cup typified the spirit within the squad. Substitute John Brooks nodded home a winner with four minutes left to play to earn the victory for the Americans on Monday night.
Ghana coach James Kwesi Appiah has bemoaned his team's wastefulness in front of goal following their defeat to the USA at the World Cup.
Japan midfielder Keisuke Honda has revealed that the team will look to keep more possession during their upcoming game against Greece. The Japanese, who lost to the Ivory Coast in their opening match, must avoid defeat on Thursday if they want to maintain their hopes of reaching the second round.
Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas has laughed off suggestions that Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas should be dropped for La Roja's next World Cup match against Chile. Casillas came in for criticism following Spain's 5-1 defeat to Netherlands in their opener on Friday, but Fabregas has insisted that the skipper must remain between the sticks.
Howard Webb will referee his first game of the 2014 World Cup on Friday when he takes charge of Colombia's encounter with the Ivory Coast. The 42-year-old's lack of involvement during the opening batch of fixtures has been seen as an indication that he will feature more frequently in the latter part of the tournament.
The half-time whistle has just gone in Belo Horizonte, where Algeria have stunned Belgium be taking a 1-0 lead thanks to Sofiane Feghouli's penalty. The Belgians have been far from their best, though they started to look dangerous towards the end of the opening 45 minutes. You can read our report from that first half here.
Remember, you can also follow our live text coverage of this evening's game by following this link. It's sure to be an intriguing second half because Belgium are going to have to improve if they want to avoid an upset in their opening match.
Right, that's all from me this evening but I will now be handing you over to Pascal Lemesre to take you through the next couple of hours. Enjoy!
Ta much, Jack. Second half just underway in Belo Horizonte and Belgium have made a half-time change, with Dries Mertens on for Nacer Chadli.
Here's two great pics from the first half on our Twitter page:
Belgium just can't break Algeria down. Marc Wilmots goes with a bold move by taking off Romelu Lukaku and sending on Divock Origi. Half an hour left in Belo Horizonte.
Belgium are now level in Belo Horizonte thanks to a superb flicked header from substitute Marouane Fellaini. The Red Devils have around 15 minutes to find a winner.
GOAL! The Red Devils have turned it around as another substitute, Mertens, slams home after collecting a pass from Hazard. Here's Fellaini celebrating the equaliser:
All over in the Group H opener and Belgium have begun their tournament with a win, coming from behind to edge out Algeria 2-1. Here's our match report.
Team news is now also out for the second game of the day between Brazil and Mexico in Fortaleza. Find out who's playing here.
Our live text coverage on what should be a fantastic game between the two sides at the top of Group A can be found here. Will Neymar continue to dazzle? He's now one goal behind Germany's Thomas Muller in the scoring charts.
England news now, and Raheem Sterling has been heaping praise on under-fire fellow forward Wayne Rooney. Follow that link to cast your vote on our 'Should Wayne Rooney be dropped?' poll. Currently, 61.3% of people say that he should stay in the team.
More from Sterling, who admits that he is hoping Liverpool teammate Luis Suarez won't be fit to start for Uruguay on Thursday.
They're underway in Fortaleza after an awesome rendition of the Brazilian national anthem. Follow the game in full here.
I'm now going to pass you over to Daniel Lewis, who will guide you through the next few World Cup hours. Over to you, Dan...
Cheers Pascal! The scene is well and truly set in Fortaleza for Brazil to essentially secure their place in the next round. We'll be bringing you updates from that game, plus all the reaction from Belgium's comeback victory against Algeria earlier today.
It remains goalless between Brazil and Mexico after 30 minutes in Fortaleza, with the hosts unable to find a way through as of yet. Meanwhile, Colombia defender Cristian Zapata has warned his teammates to be wary of Ivory Coast's prolific strikeforce ahead of the clash between the two later this week.
HALF TIME! Brazil 0-0 Mexico. So a goalless first half then, with Brazil so far unable to find a way through. A full report can be found here.
Earlier today Belgium came from a goal behind to pick up three points in their opening group game against Algeria. Following the clash manager Marc Wilmots claimed that his side got what they deserved by staying calm.
FULL TIME! It's all over in the second game of the day as Mexico hold Brazil to a goalless draw. Miguel Herrera's side have goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa to thank after he pulled off a string of fine saves. Check out a full report here.
Don't forget there's still one more game to be played today with South Korea and Russia kicking off in just over 30 minutes time. You can follow SM's live text commentary of the game here, while the team news can be found here.
A blow for Chile as manager Jorge Sampaoli reveals that Arturo Vidal may not be fit to face World Cup holders Spain tomorrow. The Juventus midfielder underwent an operation just last month, and lasted for an hour in La Roja's opening game against Australia.
"Memo was our saviour". The words of Mexico defender Rafael Marquez, who has saluted goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa for his heroics in El Tri's goalless draw against Brazil earlier tonight. The 28-year-old keeper is currently without a club, but that will surely soon change after his display in Fortaleza.
That's all from me. Remember, you can follow live text coverage of South Korea's clash against Russia here, while Kristian Johnson will keep you updated with all the latest from across the World Cup.
Thanks Dan! Russia and South Korea are the only two teams who haven't yet played a game in this World Cup, but the two teams have just got under way in Sao Paulo. Can they provide another enthralling game at this outstanding World Cup? You can follow all the proceedings in Joe McPhee's live coverage here.
We are half way through Russia's clash with South Korea in Sao Paulo and it hasn't quite lived up to the free-flowing games we have seen in the tournament so far. There's still more than an hour to play though, so that can change. Don't forget to follow all the action on Sports Moles live text commentary here.
HALF TIME! Half time in Cuiaba and South Korea are drawing 0-0 with Russia. You can read our report of the opening 45 minutes here. Just the one shot on target - and that's come from Russia, but it doesn't seem to have dampened the spirits of these South Korea fans...
Brazil and Mexico drew 0-0 earlier. Have a look at how the players performed in Fortaleza with our player ratings article.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY: Russia and South Korea are back out on the pitch. Can they provide a little more excitement in the second 45 minutes? Find out in Sports Mole's live text commentary here.
It's still goalless in Cuiaba between Russia and South Korea, but the second half has seen much more action than the first. There are 25 minutes left to play, so can either side find a winner? Follow Sports Mole's blow-by-blow account of the final quarter of the game here.
GOALS! Two goals! South Korea took the lead when Lee Keun-Ho's shot was fumbled by Igor Akinfeev, but Aleksandr Kerzhakov levelled just six minutes later! Less than ten minutes remain, so can either side find a winner. Follow the final proceedings here.
FULL TIME! Russia 1-1 South Korea: Igor Akinfeev gifted South Korea an opener in Cuiaba, but Aleksandr Kerzhakov levelled just six minutes later as Russia snatched a point in the Group H game. Read our match report here.
Russia manager Fabio Capello has said that he is pleased with the way his side reacted after going a goal down against South Korea in their Group H opener. Lee Keun-Ho gave the South Koreans a 68th-minute lead, but Aleksandr Kerzhakov scored with his first touch the level the game.
It is now just one day until England take on Uruguay in what is a hugely important game in Group D. Both sides lost their opening fixtures and another defeat would all but end either side's participation in the competition. As such, you may think that England would be a little apprehensive, but Adam Lallana has said that England are confident of securing all three points.
That almost concludes Sports Mole's live updates from Brazil for today, but why don't you refresh yourself of today's proceedings by checking out our match reports. In the day's early fixture, Belgium came from a goal down to defeat Algeria 2-1, before Brazil were held to a 0-0 draw by Mexico. The late match saw Russia battle back from a goal down to draw 1-1 with South Korea.
That's it for today I'm afraid, but you can join Jack Prescott at 11am as the World Cup 2014 enters the end of its first week. Thanks for joining me on Sports Mole and we hope to see you back here tomorrow for more action from Brazil!
