Now that the World Cup has taken a day off to give us a breather and remind us of our normal lives, I'd like for games to resume as quickly as possible.

A few thoughts after replaying yesterday's thrilling France v. Spain match in my head:



- While everyone wants to talk about Carlos Puyol's invisible elbow that struck down TH12 and led to France's second goal (but not us - not on a Gooner's blog) how about the fact that Spanish right-back Sergio Ramos broke the golden rule of guarding the post on that resulting free kick? Yeah the ball did bounce off him, but it slipped in between him and the post. Back to Football 101 with him! An unfortunate ending for Ramos after having a great tournament, in my opinion.

- As I've been saying, Patrick Vieira has been the key every time for France's success. Moving him into the center was the best thing France could have done to support the lone Henry up front. Right-back Willy Sagnol plays up often enough to cover the right side anyway, and he does it well, so it's been no problem.

- The passive offside rule played a giant part in Franck Ribery's goal. The Spanish defense thought they had caught Henry offside again (which he was) and slowed down, although the ball was distinctly played forward to Ribery (by Vieira, many may forget - good thinking, Patrick) and they were too far behind to be of much use, leaving Ribery only to deal with a clumsy-looking Iker Casillas.

- What were Spain thinking with that starting lineup? Aragones got it all wrong. Why start Raul ahead of Joaquin? Why play 4-3-3 against France's 4-5-1? Spain's (very talented) midfield were incredible at knocking it about, but they never got anywhere. And provided no defensive cover whatsoever. France's, on the other hand, did, and also ran all over Spain for portions of the game once they settled down. By the time Aragones realized what he'd done it was too late. Even the more defensive-minded Marcos Senna for Xavi couldn't save them. And why Luis Garcia coming in ahead of Arsenal winger Jose Antonio Reyes? Reyes is faster and puts better crosses into the box. Taller, too, when he's in the box himself. Spain is clueless in big-match situations, and it once again showed.







Now, without further ado, my all-hair starting XI (4-3-3):




Goal keeper: Santiago Cañizares, Spain.
I knew Rod Stewart liked football, but who knew he tended the nets? For Spain?






Central defender: Rafael Marquez, Mexico
Carrying on the distinguished greasy ponytail of retired slimy limey David Seaman.






Central defender: Carlos Puyol, Spain
A no-brainer. His Captain Caveman nickname owes everything to this mane.






Right-back: Juan Pablo Sorin, Argentina
Michael Bolton is putting his copyright infringement lawsuit together as we speak.






Left-back: Gabriel Milito, Argentina
With Bolton on the back line, how appropriate that Kenny G is playing on the other side.






Midfielder: Esteban Cambiasso, Argentina
Our final Argentine, this is 'fading glory' for all to see.






Midfielder: Ronaldinho, Brazil
That 'vapor trail' you think you see as he speeds by is actually droplets of Soul-Glo.






Midfielder: Mauro Camaronesi, Italy
Leaving an Italian off a hair list would be bad enough, but leaving Camaronesi off is unthinkable. If hair were criminal, he would be in Guantanimo. Camaronesi IS a bad hair day.






Striker: Loco, Angola
With a name to match his hairstyle, here he is sporting the wonderful 'leave a little in front.' Special thanks to Eric for christening it The Big Eyelash.






Striker: Bakari Kone, Ivory Coast
I think I accidentally found the ugliest picture in the world.






Striker: Fernando Torres, Spain
A spectacular mullet if ever there was one. You know you're jealous.






Honorable mention: Striker Danijel Ljuboja, Serbia and Montenegro
Classic eastern-European anti-style.