The sad red shirts of Costa Rica go out (Allsport)
DIVE BOOMERS TEST FIFA INTEGRITY
What are the chances of two teams of 'simulators' meeting in the final?
A Brazil-Italy final would be welcomed by many people but perhaps not the referee.
He would have to judge who was diving or 'simulating' as FIFA politely calls it and who had been really fouled.
Brazil ignited the debate through Rivaldo's ludicrous play-acting when Hakan Unsal aimed the ball at him in their opening match.
FIFA, so hot on feigning injury in the PR hype before the tournament, responded with a fine the equivalent of a few taxi fares to the airport for the Barcelona star.
Now Italy have surpassed all previous contenders by getting two people booked for being tripped by the invisible man in the same match.
Christian Panucci and Francesco Totti bit the turf in hopeful anticipation only to look up and see Brazilian official Carlos Simon brandishing the yellow card.
Of course, it's unfair to single these sides out as Senegal's El Hadji Diouf blatantly won a penalty against Uruguay with a swallow dive over a grounded keeper.
And England are in the last 16 thanks to a waft of air from Mauricio Pochettino's right foot that tipped over Michael Owen.
So far, FIFA's derisory fine for Rivaldo's early antics has succeeded in just encouraging others to try it on.
Perhaps a few heavy suspensions might now do the trick.
There have been a few tears around the Far East in the last couple of days.
The cold hand of defeat has tapped on a few shoulders as thoughts turned to packed bags and flights home.
Argentina blubbed inconsolably after their inadequate 1-1 draw with Sweden but few eyes will be red around the rest of the world.
Brazilian papers printed huge headlines saying goodbye with an underlying - and not so underlying - tone of glee.
Needless to say, they garnered even less support around England.
But one team I will be sorry to see go are Costa Rica.
They confirmed all earlier thoughts about their skill, flair and simple enjoyment of the game in their hugely entertaining 5-2 defeat by Brazil in full-on Samba mode.
But only goal difference eventually meant that Turkey and not the cavalier Central Americans progressed to the second phase.
They started the match needing only a point to qualify but made no attempt to close out the game.
While England used their 0-0 against Nigeria to suffocate the match, Costa Rica provided a breath of fresh air.
For eight second-half minutes, after cutting the Brazilian lead to just 3-2, Costa Rica were briefly in round two before Rivaldo and Co cut loose once again.
But in the silky Wilmer Lopez they had one of the best midfielders in the competition, an energetic attacking full-back in Carlos Castro, a solid defence marshalled by Mauricio Wright and a flamboyant late turn by sub Winston Parks, who almost back-heeled his way through the Brazilian defence on several occasions.
Even subdued Manchester City striker Paulo Wanchope came alive at Suwon and joined in the festive football.
People may bemoan the early exit of world champions France but Costa Rica will be as big a loss any of the early departures.
No less an authority as Pele said barely a decade ago that an African side would win the World Cup by 2000.
Cameroon set the 1990 World Cup alight and only a touch of rash defending allowed England to snatch a quarter-final victory away from them.
Africa may have been coming the force then but they have failed to live up to it unless Senegal can continue to shock the gaints.
The start of the new Millennium has seen the Asian sides establish themselves on the world stage.
They may have been roared on by passionate home crowds but Japan and South Korea have produced an exhilirating brand of football.
Organised but attractive, aggressive but fair, the Far Eastern challenge has given huge promise of even better to come in the future.
On the face of it, China have failed to join in the party.
They bowed out after the 3-0 defeat to Turkey without a single point a goal.
You had to feel sorry for them when Chen Yang's superb half-volley smacked against the inside of the post.
But if the game really takes off among the billion or so population, China may yet be the country that all the others fear in the coming years.
Mexico may not be the most talented players in the tournament - though their unbeaten run to win Group G suggests they are not far off.
But they are certainly the proudest.
Arm crossed across their chest, standing upright and rigid, each player has belted out their national anthem like it really means something to represent their country.
Chile were the passionate anthem belters of France '98 though skipper Ivan Zamorano's off-key rendition probably didn't please a worldwide listening audience.
Now Mexico have won this tournament's singing contest by several megawatts.
Without wishing to sound an apologist for French right-wing leader Jean-Marie Le Pen by demanding that every one in a team, black or white, sing the national anthem, it's clear the Mexicans are thinking about more than win bonuses at this World Cup.
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