Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed

Cinderella, in the form of Japan, has finally arrived at the party. I suppose that Morocco's qualification at the expense of Belgium also defied expectations, but Japan knocking out Germany has to be the definitive David and Goliath story of the ongoing World Cup.

A straightforward knockout would have been spectacular enough, but no one in that group was interested in a linear narrative. All four teams in Group E looked like they would go through at various points during Thursday night's double header and, in the end, of course, it was Spain and Japan who prevailed. It was breathtaking, legendary stuff that will be retold for many a decade. 

Admittedly I have been guilty of being frustrated by tournament underdogs flattering to deceive. I suppose I had not really thought deeply about the nuances of the Cinderella narrative.

To begin with, Cinderellas are rare. Moreover, the Cinderella story begins with an unexpected and short-lived triumph, is followed by a passage of great tribulation, and ends with enduring euphoria. As faithfully as Japan stuck to the script, I suppose that it was unfair to expect Iran and Saudi Arabia to do the same.

Suarez is no stranger to controversy, and many have harshly criticized his lack of ethics in doing what he did. When it comes to this particular incident, however, I am squarely on Suarez' side.

In a way, one Cinderella is enough though, especially when the players and fans conduct themselves with such dignity and class.

One of yesterday's compelling stories is the match between Uruguay and Ghana. It is a restaging of the famous encounter between the countries at the 2010 World Cup. In that game, forward Luis Suarez cleared the ball from the goal line with his hands, requiring Ghana to win by converting the ensuing penalty, which Asamoah Gyan had missed. The game then went to penalties, and Uruguay beat Ghana by a score of 4-2. 

Suarez is no stranger to controversy, and many have harshly criticized his lack of ethics in doing what he did. When it comes to this particular incident, however, I am squarely on Suarez' side. He did what he had to do to help his country progress, even if that came at the expense of his personal participation and reputation. It was the Pavlovian response of a man driven by an intense desire to win. Far from being nefarious, I thought the act was heroic.  

He had gone on to become an Anfield legend at Liverpool, something that excuses all manner of sins for me. Except perhaps the biting, as even a diehard Kopite like myself has trouble forgiving that. But not the handball. Never the handball.