Day 7; Two shocks: World Champions are knocked out and Cahill scores with feet

The first of four footbally festival fantastic weeks has expired, and rather than be sad that a week has already gone, I can rest easy as there's still so long left, and so much has happened. Particularly on this, day 7, where there was so much to see that Sky Sports must be kicking themselves at not having the TV rights to the tournament, now more than ever, as they continue to broadcast mere photos of all the action.

Today saw without any doubt from mine or Radio 5 Live's Robbie Savage's mind, the best goal of the tournament so far. As well as the biggest shock yet, and probably the worst team performance so far as well, as Cameroon collapsed to Croatia.

The Netherlands, or Holland if you prefer, I know I do, have increased expectations upon themselves dramatically after pulling down Spain's trousers with a 5-1 win over the European, World, then European again - champions, in that order. Therefore, a comfortable win against Soccer Minnow-roos, Australia was the only thing foreseeable. After an initially nervy start in which Holland struggled to retain possession, formalities were expected to be carried out as Robben, who made light work of coasting past Sergio Ramos 5 days earlier, breezed past the Aussie defence and fired the Oranje 1-nil to the good. A fairly impressive goal as well. However, what followed around sixty seconds later eclipsed all that had come before thee. The 'Where were you - moment' of World Cup 2014, thus far.

If the video doesn't work, like Sky Sports, you'll have to make do with a picture.

A hopeful ball was lifted into the Holland are, from the right hand side over to the left, presumably aiming for Cahill's head which has already proven to be lethal in Brazil. But the pass doesn't find the notorious head of Cahill, it glides over his shoulder, where it met by and smashing drive of not just his weaker left foot, but his weaker body part, as the Australian renowned for heading just about everything over a foot off the ground, administers the most spectacular left foot volley at goal, slapping the underside of the crossbar for bonus points, before finding the net. Outstanding. And where was I, for this 'where you when' moment? I was on the M25 between Cobham services and Gatwick, far from Brazil, but the cries of joy from Robbie Savage through my car stereo offered great consolation. What a moment. Thank you Tim Cahill. Not even his pinch bag celebration in the corner which he profusely overused in his Everton days could retract from just how glorious and technically perfect this goal was.

With that to encourage them, as well as having started the game strongly anyway, Australia continued to panic Van Gaal on the sideline, and eventually they took the lead deservedly through a Mile Jedinak penalty, resulting in hysteria in the stadium, with inflatable kangaroos bouncing all over the place, and more Australian stereotypes in action than a Fosters advert. But cruelly, their lead didn't last long either, as Van Persie equalised just four minutes after to being puncture the floating marsupials.

Goalscorer with goalscorer and assist-er

Memphis Depay, subbed on in the second half and responsible for assisting Van Persie's equaliser and third of the tournament, then made even more of an impact (#SuperSub) with a long range effort which swerved into the bottom corner, eluding Ryan in the Australia goal who'll be disappointed with his efforts to prevent it. Although the points belonged to Holland, the highlight was unquestionably Cahill's wonder goal, and due to a booking shortly after, not for beating up the corner flag but for a late tackle, he'll miss Australia's final group and therefore the rest of tournament. At the age of 34, the striker will almost certainly be his last World Cup moment.

If Tim Cahill scoring with a body part below his chin wasn't shocking enough for the upset-hungry viewers, surely the next game provided enough of an underdog victory to satisfy, and to also please Football Hipsters and Soccer Indie-Kids, as the non-mainstream dark horses, Chile, conquered the World Cup champions, Spain, with a level of swag and ease. 

The way to counter Tiki-taka is now simple and obvious, it's in the name, counter, to be patient, wait for Spain to pass themselves and the crowd into boredom, then strike quickly, directly and make sure you finish chances. Holland perfected it less than a week ago, and Chile, whose win over Australia meant they had no real need to score, were perfectly patient, and very clinical. 

Dispossessing Spain's midfield when possible, pressing at the right time, they were able to nick a well worked first half goal through Vargas. This came before Iker Casillas, who must've left his goalkeeping ability somewhere in the changing rooms before the Champions League final last May, punched a ball to the feet of Aranguíz, whom expected a fine toe punt to beat the Spanish captain, goalkeeper, and most capped player in the tournament.

Vargas ending an era.

Try as they might, Spain couldn't reduce the two goal deficit, a sitter missed from the standing Busquets was the closest they came, but there was a feeling that an era had ended as the game progressed closer and closer to the final whistle. When it blew, there were tears from some who had been focal to this golden era in not just Spanish, but global football. For the younger players in their squad, there's a lot of work to do before Euro 2016, as this Spanish team, which took a generation to build, needs some refurbishment.

Four Spaniards gutted about the early elimination, and one Brazilian gutted he chose to play for Spain.

The 11pm kick-off always has a 'and finally' feel to it, with the often comical and peculiar goings on occurring in the latest fixtures. Last night it was Akinfeev's misbehaving fingers, day 5 brought a dramatic USA win and an over dramatic celebration, whereas day 7's late night football provided a meltdown for Cameroon.

Poor against Mexico in their opener, and in the wake of news of a row regarding win bonuses, Cameroon were in need of a win, not just to gain some extra coin for their purses, but to keep them in the tournament. They were undone however, by my favourite pass of the competition yet, as Perisic was presented with an opportunity to shoot, yet instead opted for a perfectly slid pass, like a hot knife through Philadelphia cheese, to Ivica Olic who out Croatia ahead. 

Then, the meltdown began. One of their most experienced and key players, Alexadre Song, angered by Mandzukic wanting to run on the same blade of grass that he was, smashed an elbow into the Bayern Munich striker, under the nose of the referee, who quickly brandished a red card combined with a close face to face confronting of Song, as if to say, 'Not on my pitch, mate.'

Like Pepe before he, Song had let down his team and nation, and Croatia went onto dominate as Ray Winstone of Bet 365 had predicted with his half time in play odds at 14/1, for a 4-0 Croatian win. When he gravelly voiced prophecy came true, unrest within Cameroon's ten men came to the surface. Assou-Ekotto put his crazy hair covered head, into a teammates face to underline what problems lay within their camp. A lack of team chemistry and pride, as well as inferior football ability was in show from Cameroon at the end of day 7.