In what has indisputably been a brilliant World Cup so far, there is an air of uncertainty over how things will conclude.
Originally this feeling of incertitude was down to a worry over the practicalities of Brazil as a host, its infrastructure and fears of protests overwhelming the event in terms of both symbolism and importance.
But with dissent wilting and no major disasters to speak of, it is the football that has now become the focus of this, if you will, trepidation.
At the time of writing, three of the tournament's four favourites have got their World Cup off to unconvincing starts. While the gravity of the occasion last Thursday in Sao Paulo can act as a mitigating factor in Brazil's performance, they were very fortunate to beat Croatia. The fireworks that decorated the sky behind the Itaquerao stadium were fuses lit by the hand of relief rather than joy, although Oscar's sensational late goal slapped a wide smile on a game that was otherwise more of a wry grin.
Spain were utterly filleted by the Dutch in Curitiba in one of the most significant World Cup finals results in years. Few group stage games will ever have such an impact as seeing the planet's dominant force being humiliated and pulled apart by an unfancied, youthful Dutch side. Beyond the implications for the philosophy of this Spanish side - following a season in which tiki-taka was undone on the biggest stage by direct, aggressive sides like Atletico Madrid – there may simply be an argument that it is a camp in need of refreshing. Ageing legs and a sense of helplessness threaten, or indeed portent, the end of an era and La Roja's credentials lie if not in tatters, then at least severely battered.
Argentina colonised Rio de Janeiro's Maracana for one beautiful Sunday night, but for all the promise of great things, Alejandro Sabella retreated inside his shell and stunk the place out with a 5-3-2. While he enjoyed success with that shape on a club and continental level, his time with the national team has only seen them use such a shape in away games at altitude and in the occasional friendly. While it proved a successful Plan B in securing results in breathless La Paz and the like, as a way to greet the World Cup it was desperately disappointing. While 'the sloth' is due credit for belying his nickname and reacting quickly to change Argentina's shape, there were still signs that the Albiceleste could be eminently beatable this month, and it was another example of the favourites for the World Cup simply not firing.
More than ever we are looking to the fringes for candidates, and of all the outsiders, it is the Netherlands, Colombia and France who have made the biggest impact. Louis van Gaal's Dutch produced a seismic result, but a defeat to Chile is not out of the question and will be a big test of their credentials. In many ways, the 5-1 over Spain was a freak result but similarly it could just be that of all the teams in Brazil, the Dutch are best equipped to beat a team playing like Spain. It has not been a secret that to hurt teams of the Guardiola philosophy there is a need to strike directly, quickly and early – see Borussia Dortmund's games with Bayern or Atletico vs Barca from the campaign just gone – but few teams have forwards of the cailbre of Robin van Persie or Arjen Robben who can convert the few opportunities manufactured by these guided missiles from the base of midfield. Nonetheless, the Netherlands are very much in the picture, if only because they are now favourites to win Group B and avoid Brazil in the second phase.
Colombia's win over Greece was a slightly flattering 3-0 but the Cafeteros (coffee-makers) showed glimpses of something very dangerous. It was a victory masterminded by Jose Pekerman and executed by James Rodriguez and Juan Cuadrado. As one newspaper put it, “Coffee with a Pekerman aroma”.
The Argentine coach was not a universally-popular choice to replace Leonel Alvarez as coach following a poor Copa America and indifferent start to Brazil qualification but the immense travelling support reserved their loudest cheers for him when the public address system at the Mineirao announced the teams on Saturday. Indeed, this weekend Colombia went to the polls and despite (obviously) not running for President, he received over 400,000 votes. A shrewd tactician, Pekerman identified Greece's weakness and punished it – with Colombia having twice as many attacks down their right than left. This led to a very uncomfortable afternoon for Greece full-back Jose Holebas, who was helpless against the wily dribbling skills of Cuadrado.
The only player whose reception matched that of Pekerman was James Rodriguez. The Monaco playmaker was the star of the game, but actually only demonstrated his class in brief, sporadic flashes. It was not a performance where he dominated the game, but it was one where he was by far the most dangerous player on the pitch. As an idol it is impossible to replace Falcao, but the mantle is indisputably being thrust upon James as the centre of this team, and also in footballistic terms with Pekerman switching formations and bringing him inside into a number 10 role.
This meant he was far more involved, indeed he had as many shots on goal as the rest of his teammates combined, and the young midfielder is the talisman and great hope of this team. Nobody expects anything of Colombia, but they are capable of going deep into this competition.
So to are France, who along with Holland have looked the best European hope so far. Samir Nasri was left out and Franck Ribery dropped out but yet it is their front three that looks as if it could carry them far in the tournament. Antoine Griezmann, who – no pressure – has been christened Grizou by some parts of the French press, is an exciting young talent on one flank. Mathieu Valbuena drifts in from the other wing to link play and cause general devastation while Karim Benzema is playing with a confidence and strut in front of goal that belies a stop-start season with Real Madrid. Supported by one of the most balanced and talented midfields at the World Cup, not to mention an experienced and competent defence, Les Bleus could profit from the diminished expectations that their previous failures have thrust upon them.
The World Cup has so far been everything fans have wanted in terms of entertainment, goals and atmosphere, and who is to say we won't have the first proper underdog winner in a generation?