مقال في قسم كرة القدم الإضافية عن كأس العالم: الخطر حقيقي الآن - بالإضافة إلى بات الذي علق في عاصفة

Scotland fans will have their nerves tested this week [Getty Images]

We are right on the edge of real World Cup jeopardy in this last phase of the group games. It's not quite officially the knockouts yet but it will feel like it for some.

This is when teams start to get desperate late in games. They go long, they go high and as they used to say, they get it in 'the mixer'. There will plenty of this style in open play and from set pieces from now on.

In the Premier League last season, the importance of physicality from corner kicks, wide free-kicks and long throws had become the defining style for some sides. I was interested to see if that would flow into the World Cup but I am not convinced it has yet. The set-piece coaches aren't nearly as prominent here, even if they are still lurking in the shadows ready to have their, some might say ugly, effect.

Of course there will be goals from these areas over the tournament, but it appears to be a secondary thought instead of the primary one.

Maybe the reason is that these 'special teams' plays, oh dear I seem to have gone a bit native there, are harder to organise in the short time period the national teams are together. Also, you can no longer take an entire minute to set up each set piece in this tournament.

You also can't always choose the precise players to play this way either. If your country does not happen to have a bunch of players who are good enough and also over 190cms, then it is tough to go down that road.

Norway are making giant strides

Alexander Sorloth and Erling Haaland – two of Norway's man mountains [Getty Images]

When considering the land of the giants, one team to watch out for is the Norwegians. It is not just 6'5'' Erling Haaland, but Kristoffer Ajer, Alexander Sorloth and Sander Berge who are also over 195 cms tall. The rest of the team aren't vertically challenged either so they will, and indeed already have, used this obvious advantage. The last two goals in their 4-1 win against Iraq were perfect examples and their physical attributes were important against Senegal too.

I will be at all of France's games at the start of this tournament and they do look special. The upcoming match up against Haaland and co is a totally different question however. It is a clash of styles that will be fascinating to watch.

The fact that jostling and pulling at corners is being frowned on more over here, will also help the Norwegians, making it an intriguing game on so many levels.

Reverse who gets the praise for creative endeavours

I am openly slightly biased, as I have a personal preference in watching the skilful creative types. The reality is that these guys with their intricate play are just as likely to make or score a goal as those who favour the old 'one-touch-move, lump it in there' approach.

When playing, I had a particular love of the reverse pass to befuddle a defence, so I was delighted to see a few great examples of this from some of the best creatives around.

Michale Olise to Kylian Mbappe for the opening goal v Senegal for example. The perfect defence dragging run then reverse from Vinicius Junior to Matheus Cunha for Brazil's second against Haiti was just as impressive.

It is one of those moves that you have to consider like a chess player, it is about dragging defenders out of position, developing the space and then delivering the perfectly weighted pass. It feels like you are working on a multitude of spacial and time levels. How infuriating after all that thought, intelligence and skill the striker boots it into the net with one touch and gets most of the credit.

I am not saying I am still bitter, I am just saying it feels a little unfair and I would like to redress the balance for Olise and Vini Jr.

Lightning doesn't strike twice – but Mbappe does

The rain couldn't stop Kylian Mbappe, who now has 16 World Cup goals from the same number of games [Getty Images]

Being British and specifically Scottish, remarking on the weather is something we do all the time, not usually in a positive way. Up until now however the eastern seaboard of the US has been fabulous. Generally balmy and sometimes a little cloudy to give some respite when needed.

Apart from a wild but fairly short thunderstorm in Boston the night before the Scotland v Morocco game, it had been perfect. It has been great for a game of football or a nice little run along the Charles River in Boston or The Hudson in New Jersey.

It has also been very pleasurable to co-commentate on most games. The sun has beaten down a few times but nothing a little factor 50 and a cap couldn't cope with.

In Philadelphia for France v Iraq, it was underlined that those open bowl stadiums with no cover do have one notable weakness, torrential rain is bad news. Tropical storms and electronics outside do not mix. Also sitting being drenched knowing that you can't move is suboptimal, especially with a two-hour drive back to New Jersey to consider post-match and an early flight to Miami with very limited sleep.

There was an over two hour delay, as the electrical storm passed…eventually. It didn't stop Mbappe swatting a game Iraqi side with the minimal of effort when it resumed.

Having said all that, it is a first world problem and I still wouldn't swap this trip and these opportunities for anything, however much the rain delays proceedings.

A match that will be a great watch whatever happens

Scotland are preparing to face Brazil and I am now en route to Miami to join the festivities. It will be a fun party beforehand with two fantastic sets of fans but this is serious business for Scotland.

Qualification is hanging in the balance for my country, a draw would be enough but so might a 1-0 defeat. Any more than that from Vini Jr and co. and it could be time to pack up the kilts and sporrans and head homewards.

Every Scotland fan has a second favourite team and almost every one of them agree it is Brazil. This is the game we were looking forward to most in the World Cup so far and even if it doesn't go Scotland's way, we will enjoy the spectacle and the singing. Even if you aren't following either team I reckon it will be an entertaining watch, even without the football.