Chile stunned Spain 2-0 to secure a place in the knockout phase with a Group B game to spare and eliminate the FIFA World Cup™ holders. Eduardo Vargas and Charles Aranguiz sent the South Americans in at the break at a two-goal cushion, and though the Iberians tried relentlessly to get back into the game […]
World Cup Match replay: It was a mixed day for royalty in Brazil. The FIFA World Cup kings (Spain) had their reign stunningly ended. A beloved Sydneysider arguably made sure of being crowned his country’s all-time greatest with a memorable masterstroke. And King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima were so exhilarated by seeing the country they rule take […]
World Cup Match replay: Coaches like to point out that their squads have 23 first-teamers, a saying that acquired greater significance than usual on Tuesday, when no fewer than four players came off the bench in the second half to score goals and make decisive contributions. For the likes of Belgium, Korea Republic and Russia, who […]
World Cup-Belgium 2-1 Algeria: Second-half goals from substitutes Marouane Fellaini and Dries Mertens enabled Belgium to come from behind and beat Algeria 2-1 in their Group H opener. There was as much relief as joy for Marc Wilmots’ side at Belo Horizonte’s Estadio Mineirao, although they ultimately merited a win that had looked unlikely until the coach […]
World Cup: Errors at either end saw Russia and Korea Republic share the spoils in Group H, with Igor Akinfeev gifting the Asian side the lead before Alexander Kerzhakov tapped in following a goal-mouth scramble to see it finish 1-1. The final pair of sides to take their bows at 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil provided unconvincing […]
World Cup memorable moments of the fifth day matches. There can be no doubt that Matchday 5 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ was one of premieres and series. Not only did Thomas Muller score the first hat-trick of the tournament in Germany’s 4-0 thumping of Portugal, but Nigeria and Iran recorded the first goalless draw – […]
Ghana 1-2 USA: John Brooks could not have asked for a better FIFA World Cup debut. On what was only his fifth senior appearance for USA, the defender came off the bench to nod the winning goal against Ghana – a team that had beaten the Stars and Stripes in the group phase of Germany 2006 […]
The first draw of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ came on Monday afternoon, in the 13th match of the tournament. While that number brought the well-organised Asians no misfortune, the same could not be said for their African opponents, who went away with less than they had hoped for. Chances were few and far […]