A long afternoon of football, and not all of it kind. Portugal could only manage a draw against Congo, and Ronaldo will have to wait for his moment another day. England came through Croatia four to two, Modric’s craft not quite enough to turn it. Ghana edged Panama on a fine strike from Yirenkyi, the sort of goal that decides a tight match on its own. Colombia took Uzbekistan three to one, though the scoreline flatters them; the game was closer than the numbers let on, and I had expected them to be more ruthless. Today is my grandmother’s birthday, which is its own small occasion worth marking. And Liza is home from Florida. That is the part of the day I will remember.