If you've forgotten what football is, watch Portugal. Or Mexico. Both went through to the next round in a Latino bragging-rights match in Gelsenkirchen yesterday that was strong on technique, intelligence, sound passing and style. Either of them would embarrass England.
It was so at odds with England's nervous performances so far. Memorably in the second half, the Mexican centre back Ricardo Osorio spotted a lame sideways pass by Petit to Maniche 10 yards outside his own area, moved on to the ball, evaded two tackles, passed wide, drew the defence in the other direction, switched inside, picked up a return pass and, wonder of wonders, found himself inside Portugal's box. It was stopped there - but that's the dividend of invention and daring. And it was replicated throughout by others. Both sides played without fear. The structure was loose, but coordinated.
As Tottenham, the club invented for romantics, say in their motto: To dare is to do. Danny Blanchflower would not have looked out of place in Gelsenkirchen yesterday.
It's the sort of football, Gerrard and Lampard are capable of - yet where does Lampard shoot from? 30 yards out. And that's because he has to carry the ball unaided through an England midfield that is caught between going forward and hanging back. At Portugal-Mexico, there was total thinking: every player on the pitch looked to get and hold the ball, use it cleverly, and turn the defence. The movement was almost without a rest direct and well thought out. There was no room for doubt.
The epitome of that thinking was Mexico's crazy striker, José Fonseca. Now that he's back in the side after a tiff with Ricardo La Volpe, he gives full vent to his passion for scoring. He was almost irresistible as he bullied his way through. He scored a fine twisting header and worried the life out of Portugal's defence until he tired at the end.
Viva el fútbol!
Kevin Mitchell is the Observer's chief sports writer
