The Manchester United forward sought to clear up his extra training sessions following heavy criticism, while his domestic team-mate changed the game for Belgium against Algeria

He’s been criticised and lambasted from every corner of the media since his disappointing display against Italy, but now Wayne Rooney has hit back at his detractors.
The Manchester United forward took to Facebook to dispel rumours that he was forced to train with the England reserves after the Azzurri match, insisting he was in actual fact snapped during extra training sessions which he had opted to take on himself.

While Rooney was putting in the hours, the rest of the squad were clearly up to no good, tormenting birthday boy Paul Small, the England masseur and treating him to an ice bath, whether he wanted one or not.

Elsewhere, the kids in Brazil have clearly struck a chord with the professionals out on international duty, with a whole host of them bunking of school to appear on the social media accounts of the world’s biggest stars, while Belgium kick off their tournament with a hard fought win over Algeria.

As the first round of group games nears its conclusion, Goal rounds up the best of the World Cup on social media…