Until Tuesday, this World Cup hadn't seen zero matches in which both teams failed to score. That set a record, but didn't make it any easier to watch France and Denmark play pat-a-cake for 90 minutes.
South Korea's men's soccer team tried to confuse scouts from Sweden's team by swapping jerseys so their opponent couldn't tell the players apart. But could a strategy like that actually work?
You'd be forgiven for confusing airport tarmacs of Russia for the catwalks of Milan: From street-ready kits to swank trophy cases to entire teams in matching suits, the World Cup aims to impress.
The tournament in London, wrapping up on Saturday, brings together 16 teams from nations, ethnic minorities and regions not part of the World Cup's geography.
It was supposed to be a simple exhibition soccer game Saturday in Jerusalem. But after Argentina cancelled it, the would-be friendly has instead become the centerpiece of some international hostility.
The bronze depiction of the U.S. soccer legend called to mind Jimmy Carter, Eleanor Roosevelt and Gary Busey. Chastain took it in stride: "It's not the most flattering, but it's nice."