Messi equals Batistuta's goalscoring record and helps seal Argentina's semi-final spot

RIK SHARMA AT THE GILLETTE STADIUM: 'Congratulations to the man of the match, No 9, Gonzalo Higuain,' declared the stadium announcer proudly, before amending his statement moments later. 'Correction to the man of the match, No 10, Lionel Messi.' Higuain had threatened to steal the show, scoring two first-half goals to send Argentina on their way past Venezuela and into a semi-final clash against the United States next week in Houston, but the key figure, as it invariably is, was the Barcelona star.

Rooney is still king of the jungle: How England captain has reinvented his role to become true heart of the Three Lions

Rooney, though, is a more much more strategic thinker than popular caricature would have you believe and had an eye on the longevity of his football career. He is also England's most intelligent footballer, in the sense that he sees the game in wider focus than almost anyone. All the best English players of the modern era such as Glenn Hoddle, Paul Gascoigne and Paul Scholes had that ability and it has always been his greatest strength.