Nothing like the knockout phase of an international football tournament to set the pulse racing. The last five minutes of the match when the underdog is desperately clinging on to their lead and the favourite is throwing everything at them (including their goalkeeper) feel like eternity (for the supporters, that is). Not to mention the drama associated with the golden goal or a penalty shootout.

If it were up to me, I would decree that there are to be no more draws in football matches. The Americans had the right idea when they ruled that all drawn matches would be decided by penalty shootouts (this decision was subsequently reversed). What is the point in watching two mediocre teams battling it out for ninety minutes, without even the consolation of seeing something conclusive? The teams' supporters may be happy with a well-deserved draw, but not neutral observers. We would also be spared the abomination of a win netting three points while a draw gets only one.

BTW, I have never seen a header so powerful that the ball bounces back into the area of play after hitting the back of the net.