The radio buzzed, the sound of thousands of chanting fans nearly drowned out the two commentators currently explaining what should be a simple win for the World Champions. Their opponents had never got out of their group in four attempts. Of those they had lost three and drawn one of their opening matches. Today was the first day of the tournament and whilst most neutrals prayed for a shock there was little chance of that happening.

"The World Cup is underway," one commentator declared as the World Champions kicked off.

Less than a minute into the game and the first shot was reeled off, "here come the World Champions, it's played out to the right. Flores skips past his man with ease, cuts inside, the cross is deep into the box. Sanchez, just wide. A wonderful cross and a powerful header, just off target, this may be a sign of things to come. There is going to be a lot of defending for them today."

The Champions continued to surge forward, a few minutes later, "through the middle this time, great turn from Sanchez, oh, just wide again. They are getting closer and closer, you just feel it will happen soon and when it does the floodgates could open.”

The other commentator made their analysis, “yes, it is clear why they are World Champions, you usually get cagey affairs in World Cup openers but they have been driving forward and are definitely on the front foot. Sanchez and Costa are great strikers and the service to them has been fantastic. The midfielders are pulling players out of position to allow them to get in on goal. It is only a matter of time.”

As the half came to a close still the World Champions could not find that elusive goal, “shot after shot continue to reign down on the goal but still no breakthrough. Steve, what do you think the manager will say at half time?”

“More of the same please, they have been a little unlucky really. Some great skill and movement, they are running the defence ragged, sooner or later the defence will make a mistake.”

“And there it is, the half time whistle, still goalless here but the defending Champions have put on a display. The only thing lacking is the ball hitting the back of the net.”

And so the second half started, and so the chances started again. The underdogs were camped in their own half but all the commentators could say were things like, “Sanchez with an open goal, oh what a goal line clearance, somehow the teams remain level,” and, “the ball is whipped in, great header from Costa and a wonderful save. The keeper was at full stretch to tip that over,” or even, “Flores spins past one, darts past a second and slams in the shot, oh my word, how close was that?”

On the 87th minute the commentators were perplexed, “they will be wondering how this is still level, chance after chance has gone begging. They won the World Cup four years ago with better finishing than this, they will need to up their game as the tournament progresses.”

Three minutes later and the unthinkable happened, “forward come the Champions, maybe one last chance to win, Hecter on to Flores, he goes round the outside, the cross is in but once again it is met by Martin’s head. That is a huge clearance, anywhere will do now. Somehow it’s found Donaldson, the lone man up front and he has only three players between him and the goal. Great control to take one out, it’s just one defender and the goalkeeper, Donaldson pushes it to the right and goes left. He has left Benitez in his wake, now he bares down on goal. Surely not, surely he can’t. Donaldson steps to the left, DONALDSON. Oh my word, he has just curled it beautifully around the keeper. The net ripples and it is not who you expect to have done it. Who would have seen that coming? The World Champions one nil down deep within stoppage time. Donaldson, Christian Donaldson is surely a national hero now.”