A ‘psychic’ octopus which correctly guessed the outcome of Japan’s group stage matches at the World Cup has been boiled alive and sold at a fish market. Rabiot, a giant pacific octopus, was right in his predictions that Japan would beat Colombia in their opening match, draw with Senegal and lose to Poland. The creature showcased its talent by being put into a paddling pool with three baskets that had the Japanese flag, their opponent, and one that said ‘draw’.But sadly, despite his 100% track record, Rabiot, who was caught in Obira, Hokkaido, has been unable to predict his team’s result against Belgium – because he has become someone’s dinner. Pictures of what appeared to be the dismembered octopus were shared on social media, although it could not be confirmed that this was definitely Rabiot. Rabiot is not the first animal to capture the hearts and minds of World Cup fans.

Arguably the most famous was another Octopus, Paul, who called the right outcome of eight matches during the 2010 tournament from his tank at the Oberhausen Sea Life Aquarium in Germany. Sadly, Paul passed away in October 2010 aged two-and-a-half, without having the chance to pass on his psychic genes to any offspring.