The pattern of the half was established early on, with Scotland trying to run the Pumas off their feet and Argentina defending in committed fashion.

BBC: Scotland 6-9 Argentina

The next short-term pattern is that the second half of July tends to be negative (about 70% of the time).

FORBES: Late-July Is Rarely Pleasant For Stocks

Mr Jarraud pointed out that until now, "carbon sinks" such as the oceans had reclaimed half of all atmospheric carbon dioxide, but that pattern would not necessarily continue.

BBC: Greenhouse gases hit record high

To their credit, the hosts refused to buckle in the face of their exalted opponents, but the second half followed a similar pattern to the first and it was not too long before the Blues were ahead.

BBC: Southend 1-4 Chelsea

The pattern of the game stayed the same in the second half with Perm pushing strongly for the first strike on the artificial surface.

BBC: Amkar Perm 1-0 Fulham (agg 2-3)

The opening 15 minutes were similar to the pattern set in the opening few minutes of the first-half.

BBC: Bantams down Magpies

If this pattern of growth were resuming, it would be good news: nearly half the world economy would be bouncing back.

ECONOMIST: BRICs, emerging markets and the world economy

"In the first 20 minutes of the second half we were a bit all over the place but after that we played our pattern and that worked well, " said the Wasps star.

BBC: England's balance pleases Ashton

In a half of few chances, it was by far the closest either side had come to a breakthrough, and the pattern of play was almost identical in the second.

BBC: John Terry