Humble Costa Rica exceed all expectations

Of the 32 teams who played at this World Cup, Costa Rica have gone the furthest in exceeding expectations, providing the tournament with a genuine David to take on soccer’s Goliaths.
Source: Reuters-Global Times | 2014-7-7 8:57:54

Higuain, the Valdano to Messi’s Maradona?

With a single swish of the right boot in his side's World Cup quarterfinal against Belgium, Gonzalo­ Higuain finally showed there may be more to ­Argentina than Lionel Messi after all.
Source: AFP | 2014-7-7 8:57:53

Man of the day

Costa Rica’s goalkeeper Keylor Navas jumps to make a save during the quarterfinal match against Netherlands at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on Saturday (Brazilian time).
Source: AFP | 2014-7-7 8:57:53

Krul saves Netherlands

The Netherlands survived a nerve-wracking penalty shootout against Costa Rica on Saturday, with substitute goalkeeper Tim Krul the unlikely hero, to set up a World Cup semifinal against Argentina after the South Americans beat Belgium 1-0.
Source: Reuters | 2014-7-7 8:57:53

Van Gaal's decisions crucial for Netherlands

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal had a masterplan in mind for the penalty shootout against Costa Rica on Saturday and not for the first time at this World Cup his tactical decisions paid off.
Source: Xinhua | 2014-7-6 16:23:58

FIFA punishes Brazilian team media officer

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee on Saturday decided to suspend Rodrigo Santos Paiva, the media officer of the Brazil national team, for four matches and fined him 10,000 Swiss Franc (about $11,200 ) following an incident that occurred during half-time of the World Cup match between Brazil and Chile.
Source: Xinhua | 2014-7-6 11:01:07

Pinto blames referees for owing Costa Rica two penalties

Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto believed that his team should be given two penalties from the referee in the match against Holland in the World Cup quarter-final on Saturday.
Source: Xinhua | 2014-7-6 10:16:12

Messi, Ozil, LeBron wish Neymar well

Lionel Messi was among a host of sport identities to show their support for Neymar after the Brazil forward was ruled out of the World Cup with injury.
Source: Xinhua | 2014-7-6 9:23:49

Higuain lifts Argentina 1-0 win over Belgium in quarterfinal

Gonzalo Higuain scored his first goal at the Brazil World Cup here on Saturday, helping Argentina beat Belgium 1-0 to advance to semis for the first time since 1990.
Source: Xinhua | 2014-7-6 9:14:13

Sabella: Hope remains Di Maria could return to play

Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella said here Saturday that hope remains Angel Di Maria could return to play in Wednesday's semifinal.
Source: Xinhua | 2014-7-6 9:13:14

Wilmots: Referee goes easy on Messi

Belgium coach Marc Wilmots said here Saturday that the Italian referee Nicola Rizzou had gone easy on Messi during the World Cup quarterfinal.
Source: Xinhua | 2014-7-6 9:12:47

Higuain, jinx terminator

Gonzalo Higuain scored his first goal at the Brazil World Cup Saturday, helping Argentina breaking the jinx of non-semifinalists for 24 years.
Source: Xinhua | 2014-7-6 9:08:27

Netherlands, Argentina to fight for World Cup final berth

The Netherlands and Argentina will face each other in the World Cup semifinals after respectively beating Costa Rica and Belgium in their quarterfinal matches on Saturday.
Source: Xinhua | 2014-7-6 9:07:53

Last-minute substitute keeper Krul saves Netherlands in penalty shootout

Substitute goalkeeper Tim Krul produced two decisive saves in the penalty shootout to lift Netherlands 4-3 over Costa Rica after a scoreless 120-minute play in the last quarterfinal match of 2014 World Cup on Saturday.
Source: Xinhua | 2014-7-6 9:06:07

Manufacturing 'Team China' scores at soccer showcase

China doesn't have a squad playing in this year's ongoing World Cup but another "Team China" is enjoying a shining moment thanks to soccer's showcase in Brazil. That team is busy making the souvenirs that many World Cup fans crave and it's also scored a goal for China's vastly improved manufacturing sector.
Source: CCTV.com | 2014-7-5 14:39:18

Neymar out of World Cup

Neymar is out of the World Cup after suffering a fractured vertebra in Brazil's 2-1 victory over Colombia on Friday.
Source: Xinhua | 2014-7-5 10:48:56

Neymar to miss semifinals: Soclari

Brazil's road to Maracana may become rocky as their top scorer Neymar injured his low back despite their 2-1 win over Colombia in quarterfinals here on Friday.
Source: Xinhua | 2014-7-5 10:48:31

Jogo bonito mania

Children play soccer in Rocinha, Brazil’s largest and most populous favela located in Rio de Janeiro’s South Zone, on Tuesday.
Source: AFP | 2014-7-4 23:58:01