First, it was the election of Ramon Calderon and then came the appointment of Fabio Capello as the new manager. Now, Real Madrid has signed Emerson and Fabio Cannavaro. From the ruins of terrible season last season – and the year before and the year before that – there are signs that the rebuilding of Real Madrid may take considerably less time than many (including myself) thought in May.

Capello has been successful wherever he has coached and although the last two titles with Juventus are now tainted – revoked – it is doubtful that he would have signed for Madrid if he had not been guaranteed full control over the team. Something that his predecessors under the “reign” of Florentino Perez were never granted.

Capello has identified the Real Madrid team “spine” as the priority. Few people would take issue with Iker Casillas in the goal. Cannavaro will slot into the centre of the defense with Sergio Ramos or Ivan Helguera. Ramos can also slot in at right back.

Emerson is an interesting signing. Capello had him at Roma and he moved to Juve almost as soon as Capello has signed the contract. Now, he is off to Real.  But what about Emerson’s performances against Arsenal in the Champions League and during the World Cup with Brazil? It looked to me as if he had lost a step and could not handle the pace of the game. Obviously, Capello thinks quite differently.

Real continues to pursue Ruud van Nistelrooy from Manchester United but perhaps the most interesting player to watch will be Antonio Cassano. He was unfit and overweight when he arrived during the transfer window last January and his appearances were limited.

Now he should have his weight under control and pre-season training under his reduced belt. The fact that Italy won the World Cup without him must also sting. Capello struggled with him at Roma but he did get some great performances from him.

In May, it looked like the resurrection of Real Madrid might be a five-year project – now they may be poised to be the comeback story of the 2007 European season.  

Brazil could not have asked for a better start. They get an early lead and Ronaldo removed a potential-#### off his back as he becomes the most prolific scorer in the history of the World Cup Finals.

It was a great transition from Emerson and Lucio - knocking the ball around at the back - to Kaka to Ronaldo who beats a poor attempt at an offside trap.

The best stuff from Brazil has come from Kaka. Although 2-0 up, Brazil has not convinced me that they are the best team at this tournament - yet.

Ghana finished the half strongly and the second Brazilian goal (and Brazil's 200th WCF goal) came against the run of play. Mensah did everything right with his header from a late corner except putting it wide of Dida.

With the start of the World Cup just a day away, injuries and sickness are front and centre. The Rooney recovery still dominates the headlines although I have a feeling that the true test will come when Sven decides to give young Wayne his first serious action.

As English fans rejoice at the news of Rooney’s recovery, a doubt about Steven Gerrard’s fitness for the first game has now surfaced. Gerrard’s name joins the likes of Gattuso (Italy), Ballack (Germany), Isaksson (Sweden), Ronaldo (Brazil) and Cisse of France as either being doubtful for their countries opening game or – in the case of Cisse – out of the competition altogether. 

Moreover, these are just the players we know about. As in other World Cups, countries that can avoid injuries to key players have an advantage but often an understudy gets a chance to play Hamlet and pulls off a standing ovation or two.

 Pele was injured and missed most of the 1962 Finals in Chile. His replacement Amarildo scored and set-up goals in the final while Garrincha became the star of the tournament.

Four years later Jimmy Greaves – the Michael Owen of his generation except better – damaged his shin during group play. Alf Ramsay brought in Geoff Hurst who at that time was considered largely untested. Hurst scored the only game of the quarterfinal against Argentina and then had a hat trick in a winning cause against West Germany in the final.

A legend was born.

Few people remember that the injury to Emerson – while playing goalie during practice – sent tremors through the Brazilian camp four years ago. Gilberto Silva was the beneficiary and earned himself a move to the Premiership based on some great performances.

Of course, sometimes the injuries are just too much to overcome. Think about the 1994 Final with Baggio on the limp and Baresi struggling badly. However, World Cup history has shown that often a very dark cloud has a silver lining. Who will step forward this time?