GO ON, admit it. It’s been kinda weird having two days without any football, hasn’t it?

After something approaching a solid fortnight of international games, the wait for the quarter-finals has been almost unbearable.

And that’s without the anticipation of England matching up against the world’s giants. Still, life goes on, and so does the globe’s premier single-sport competition.

While it would have been fun to watch England take on Maradona’s Argentina side – apart from the high likelihood of extreme humiliation – it was not to be.

But what great ties remain.

Brazil v Holland is the standout, of course, two nations with reputations for exciting, attacking football.

I suspect the uncharacteristically solid Brazilian side will edge past the Dutch, but it should make for good viewing.

Uruguay v Ghana may not be anyone’s idea of a classic match-up, but these are two good sides who have played well and thoroughly deserve a place in the last eight. Uruguay have a World Cup heritage going back to the dawn of the competition, when they won the very first one in 1930, while Ghana are aiming to become the first African side to reach the semis. I just think Forlan and co will have too much experience for their opponents.

The one I’m really looking forward to, though, is tomorrow’s Argentina-Germany match.

I’ve developed such a soft spot for Diego’s wackiness as Argentina boss, and the entertaining swagger of his team, that I’m even in danger of forgiving him for that infamous Hand of God incident. Plus, I backed them to win before the tournament kicked off, so guess where my sympathies lie.

Finally, hot favourites Spain play previously unfancied Paraguay. Easy win? Well, perhaps, but the only side to put out a South American side so far has been another South American side, when Brazil beat Chile.

Will we have a final four from the same continent? It’s going to be a tough one, but I reckon Spain will edge it.

So, some intriguing games over the next couple of days. Certainly more fun than watching Andy Murray's brave but inevitable semi-final defeat.

Who’s missing that drab old England side now?