By Tim Stannard

England and Belgium face high expectations in World Cup debuts

Like a structural catastrophe at a hilltop dairy, some big cheeses have fallen hard already at the World Cup.

France was agonized by Australia, Argentina incompetent against Iceland, Germany mauled by Mexico, and Brazil sozzled by the Swiss. Monday sees some more established names entering the World Cup fray on day five of the competition, although it feels like week nine after 12 games played already.

First up under the spotlight of truth it’s Belgium – a team stacked from top from bottom with the likes of Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne but still surrounded by doubts that a footballing two plus two can equal four to see the Belgians go far.

“Everything starts with the belief that we have the capacity to win - and we have it,” boomed Belgian goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, ahead of the opening Group G clash against a Panama side expected to struggle.

That clash is followed by England taking on Tunisia, another team stuffed with exclusively Premier League talent from the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

Once again, the tuna fish of truth are swirling around the squad with high expectations set to be pulled into the trawler net of reality. The goals of Harry Kane might not be enough to carry a team admired in England for being a pleasant group of characters for once – sorry John Terry - but too meek and mild to win anything.

Head to the beIN SPORTS Facebook page at half-time for both of these games for a full soon-to-be-award-winning 360 degree no-hiding-pace-from-the truth punditry experience.

Mexico mayhem as Germany ruminates

Time to swing back around to Sunday’s rather surprising results with Mexico coach, Juan Carlos Osorio, casting all doubters into the punishment desert by masterminding a 1-0 win against the reigning world champions.

“One out of seven!” was the immensely optimistic front cover of Mexican daily, Record, counting down the number of matches needed to be crowned new World Champions. “Heroes!” yelled Cancha.

Over in Germany, and Bild was in feisty mode telling national team manager, Joachim Low that, “this was a World Cup boycott…the worst defensive performance in years.” “The joy of others,” mused Die Welt going for an optimistic lean by celebrating Mexico’s win.

Down in Brazil and the draw has been taken less than well with some complaints at the refereeing and a foul they consider to have been made on Miranda for the Swiss goal.   – “Blocked!”  screams Lance! Elsewhere, much of the talk used the word ‘polemico’ to describe the setback which casts Brazil’s ability to top the group into doubt.

Head to the XTRA at 7PM ET / 4PM PT for a look back at all the hot World Cup stories.

Zlatan has himself to blame for World Cup exile

King Zlatan news!

The Swedish striker is currently having a corporate-sponsored, media-tinged jolly in Russia while the LA Galaxy lost out in the US Open Cup to the Portland Timbers. And fellow Nordic legend, Henrik Larsson, has revealed why the footballer was not out on the pitch playing for Sweden against South Korea.

And the message was that it was largely his own fault for not contacting the national team coach to let him know that he was up for a return to the team after retiring. A fair point from the ex-Barca man.

“He never called the coach. That's what the manager said when he took over,” claimed Larsson. 

Annnnnnd it didn't matter anyway, as Sweden bored their way to a 1-0 against South Korea on Monday. 

Jorginho edges closer to Man City man

TRANSFER TRACKER TIME!

While much of the transfer market has slowed down with most players at the World Cup, that not a problem for the Italians! That’s why Jorginho’s move from Napoli to Manchester City is inching closer with the player’s agent claiming that “there’s a five-year contract ready.”

Another Serie A midfielder is also in the news – but this one is on World Cup duty - with Serbia’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic again liked with Juventus for a huge fee. However, Lazio has poo-poo-ed the idea with club president Claudio Lotito promising that “we’ve never put him up for sale.”

And finally, Jose Mourinho is still set on a former charge in Chelsea’s Willian with a reported offer of $70million for the 29-year-old currently on duty with Brazil.

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The life philosophy of Sports Burst is that if you are not upsetting someone, then you are not trying hard enough. Sports Burst is a daily trawl and troll through the morning's sports news to bring you fact-nuggets to make you both smile and swear. Hopefully at the same time.