When I was growing up (in slightly simpler times) the main thing everyone knew about South American football was that the commentators got very, very excited when they scored a goal.
So it seems somewhat appropriate that now in 2014 the World Cup, back in South America for the first time since 1978, has gone absolutely goal crazy.
Thirty-three goals in 10 games so far in Brazil, no draws, and only three of the teams – Cameroon, Greece and Honduras – have failed to score.
And what's even better is that most of the big players have already come to the party – Neymar, Messi, Balotelli, Benzema, van Persie and Robben have all been on target.
Yesterday's three games brought three goals each, but most of the chat will be about France's second – with the use of the goal-line technology causing much confusion for commentator Jonathan Pearce.
In his defence, the first "judgement" when the ball had hit the post was not really needed, and you can understand the confusion.
As for the rest of the game, well, France were good. Honduras were exactly as they were in their warm-up against England. In that game, they reached a point where they were fed up with kicking England and started whacking each other, but here at least they didn't reach that point – although they were lucky to finish with just the one red card.
That said, it could have been a different game had Paul Pogba seen red for his kick out at Wilson Palacios in the first half. I think a former England captain's 1998 indiscretion pales into insignificance against that one, and that he was booked shows that the referee saw it and somehow deemed it not a red card offence.
And sure enough, it was Pogba who won the penalty for the opener – fouled, of course, by Palacios. It was a foul, no doubt about it, but the former Manchester United man looked to me to throw himself down to the ground just to make sure.
Benzema tucked that away, and then his shot led to the second, before there was no doubt whatsoever about the third, which put him joint-top of the early goalscoring chart.
Then it was all eyes on the Maracana, where for some reason the commentators wanted it to be a massive deal that it was the first time Messi had played there.
Argentinian fella, played all his career in Spain – is that a surprise? After being given an early helping hand by an unfortunate own goal, Argentina – the team I personally expect to win this whole shindig – got off and running, and it was that man Messi who clinched it with the second, running through and smashing in via a post.
It was a good job they got that second as Vedad Ibisevic pulled one back. Bosnia-Herzegovina's World Cup debut showed promise, and with Iran and Nigeria to come, they will fancy their chances of reaching the last-16.
The day's other game had another comeback, this one thanks to a late winner, as Switzerland beat Ecuador in the other game in France's group.
And now we're on to Monday's action, which starts with a cracker between Germany and Portugal at the usual commuting time of 5pm, which presents the working folk with a dilemma.
I may be happy with the radio coverage on my drive home, but I think it might be hard to convince the other half that I simply HAVE to watch Iran against Nigeria when I get home. But I may try and play on her lack of football knowledge to make it happen.
Then at 11pm comes the other game in Group D between Ghana and the USA, again, not an easy sell, but we'll give it a go…
