1. Argentina don’t care what you think Plenty of sides tried free-flowing, pacey Latin football this summer – even England had their moments. A moment. But Argentina stayed functional. They haven’t conceded once in the knockouts, they’ve not been behind in any game, and they don’t mind a lack of respect. Coach Alejandro “The Sloth” Sabella says his side are “sore, beaten and tired after the war [with Holland]. But with work, humility and seriousness, we’ll get there”; Pablo Zabaleta says their strengths are spoiling, staying “compact and tight”, “closing down” and feeding on negativity. “Sometimes, if you have all the people against you, you feel even stronger.” 2. Passion will only take you so far A series of heroic performances were undone by moments of cold quality – Switzerland, Mexico and Nigeria among those losing to cruel late strikes; and the USA stopped in extra time. But raw passion was at the heart of all the summer’s enduring images: Brazil’s maelstrom; Ivory Coast’s Serey Die in tears during his anthem; Suárez against England; Suárez against Chiellini; and the best squad meltdown for years – Ghana’s trip featuring a fist fight, suspensions, a plane load of cash and an inquiry….