While goalkeepers lament the official match ball,Mexico goalkeeping coach Alberto Aguilar is rolling with bounces. On Monday, Aguilar used NFL footballs, hoping to prevent starter Oscar Perez from adding to a list of howling goalkeeper errors so far.

Already England's Robert Green, Algeria'sFaouzi Chaouchi and Paraguay's Justo Villarhave given up soft goals to what Nigeria'sDickson Etuhu called "the worst ball ever" in an interview with the BBC.

Despite complaints, FIFA supports its match ball. "The ball has been produced by Adidas, which is a long-standing partner of FIFA and very experienced in this field," said Nicolas Maingot, head of FIFA's media department. "It has been tested, and it has been proven."

Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon's doubts are not stayed by Maingot's affirmation. "This ball goes and goes and goes," Buffon said. "I hope the goalkeepers go, go, go, too."