~ FIFA World Cup 2014 [June 12 - July 13] ~

[MysteRy]

World Cup: Belguim vs Russia



Origi scores in 88th minute to give Belgium win and qualification to the the round of 16.

At halftime, it is 0-0.


Team news

Belgium make three changes to their side that beat Algeria 2-1 and it is bad news for Tottenham fans as Nacer Chadli, Jan Vertonghen and Mousa Dembele all drop to the bench. Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini, a goalscorer against Algeria, comes in, as does Arsenal's Thomas Vermaelen. Dries Mertens, who also scored in their first match, is the third new player.

 Belgium starting XI: Courtois, Alderweireld, Van Buyten, Kompany, Vermaelen, Witsel, Fellaini, De Bruyne, Mertens, Hazard, Lukaku.

Two changes for the Russians that sees former Chelsea man Yuri Zhirkov only named as one of the substitutes. Fabio Capello keeps faith with goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev.

Russia starting XI: Akinfeev, Kozlov, Ignashevich, Kanunnikov, Glushakov, Kokorin, Berezutskiy (c), Shatov, Samedov, Fayzulin, Kombarov.

[MysteRy]

World Cup: South Korea vs Algeria



Algeria win 4-2.

Algeria score again to maintain 3 goal lead. Score 4-1.

South Korea pull one goal back on 49 minutes. It is 3-1 now.

Algeria extend their lead to 3-0.

Algeria take 2-0 lead. Islam Slimani  and Alish score two goals in two minutes.


LINE-UPS

 South Korea: S R Jung, S Y Yun, Y G Kim, H M Son, C Y Park, Y Lee, J C Koo, K Y Han, S Y Ki, C Y Lee, J H Hong.

Algeria: Mbolhi, Bouguerra, Halliche, Mesbah, Feghouli, Brahimi, Medjani, Slimani, Bentaleb, Djabou, Mandi.

[MysteRy]

World Cup: USA vs Portugal



Varela scores 30 seconds before time. The match ends 2-2.

Clint Dempsey puts USA ahead 2-1.

Jenas equalises for USA. It is 1-1 after 64 minutes.

At halftime, Portugal lead 1-0.

Portugal take early lead. Nani scores.

LINE-UPS

USA: Howard, Bradley, Besler, Beasley, Dempsey (c), Bedoya, Jones, Beckerman, Zusi, Cameron, Johnson.

 Portugal: Beto, Bruno Alves, Veloso, Ronaldo (c), Moutinho, Costa, Meireles, Nani, A. Almeida, Pereira, Postiga.

[MysteRy]

World Cup: Australia vs Spain



Mata and Torres score to put Spain 3-0 up.

At halftime, Spain lead 1-0 through a David Villa goal.


Team News

Eliminated Spain make seven changes to the side that lost 2-0 to Chile. Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina replaces veteran Iker Casillas, while Fernando Torres and David Villa come into the attack. World Cup winners Xavi and Sergio Busquets have been dropped, as has Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa.

Australia bring in Newcastle Jets forward Adam Taggart for the suspended Tim Cahill, while injured Mark Bresciano is replaced by ex-Reading midfielder Oliver Bozanic.

[MysteRy]

World Cup: Netherlands vs Chile



Deepay and Fre score to win it for Netherlands 2-0. They top Group B.

At halftime, it is 0-0.


TEAM NEWS

Netherlands striker Robin van Persie serves a one-match ban after picking up two bookings.
They could also be without defender Bruno Martins Indi, who suffered concussion against Australia.

Chile head coach Jorge Sampaoli might leave out midfielders Arturo Vidal and Charles Aranguiz.
The pair have both been nursing injuries and each have a yellow card to their name, so another booking would rule them out of the next match.

[MysteRy]

Where Messi leads, Argentina must follow



Champions Nigeria have something to prove when they meet in their final World Cup Group F match on Wednesday.

Argentina were among the favourites going in to the tournament but despite a much-vaunted front four, they have yet to come alive, with the exception of some moments of match-winning magic from Lionel Messi.

 Nigeria, representing Africa's richest and most populous nation, have also laboured to convince as a team.

Nonetheless, Argentina sit atop Group F with six points thanks to their less-than-emphatic wins over Bosnia and Iran.

The Sky Blues have already qualified for the Round of 16 but will still want finish first to ensure an easier opponent - in principle at least - in the next stage.

Nigeria have four points following a dull draw with Iran and a win over first-timers Bosnia. A draw would be enough to ensure qualification but a loss to Argentina could put them in trouble.

Iran, who surprised many with their tenacious, bold play against Argentina, could still seize second place if they beat Bosnia and rack up a better goal difference.

So a game that could see as much anxiety as adventure is on the cards.

Messi's sublime strike against Iran in stoppage time in Belo Horizonte only highlighted the danger of Argentina relying on the Barcelona man too much. It wasn't supposed to be like that.

He and his fellow strikers Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria form what should have been one of the most formidable attack forces in the tournament, but so far it has been rather blunt.

The defence has also looked shaky, with central defender Ezekiel Garay repeatedly caught off guard against Iran.

"We have a few causes for concern," head coach Alejandro Sabella admitted after the close-shave against Iran.

With other Latin American teams such as Chile and previously unheralded Costa Rica powering ahead and delighting fans along the way, Argentina will need to step up the pace if they are to quickly regain what they see as their rightful place at the front.

"We know we are not playing as well as we are expected," Messi said. "But as we go along in the tournament, we will be improving and we will reach our full potential."

Argentina will be able to count on fervent support - tens of thousands of fans are expected to flood over the border into the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, a region which shares its gaucho culure but harbours an intense soccer rivalry.

Nigeria may take heart from the fact that they made a slow start in the African Nations Cup before going on to take the title last year.

The Super Eagles cannot afford to give anything away at the back but will need to hunt for goals if they are to be sure of qualifying for the Round of 16 for the first time since 1998.

Playing in their fifth World Cup, Nigeria's performance against Bosnia was an improvement on the Iran game, when they look bereft of ideas. But their defensive frailties were exposed on several occasions and that could prove fatal with a hungry wolf like Messi on the prowl.

[MysteRy]

World Cup: Cameroon vs Brazil



Fernandinho scores. Brazil lead 4-1.

Fred puts Brazil 3-1 up after the break.

Neymar puts Brazil infront again 2-1.

Joel Matip equalises for Cameroon 1-1.


Neymar puts Brazil 1-0 up.

LINE-UPS

Cameroon starting XI: Itandje, Nkoulou (c), Nguemo, Moukandjo, Aboubakar, Bedimo, Choupo Moting, Mbia, Enoh, Matip, Nyom.

Brazil starting XI: Julio Cesar, Dani Alves, Thiago Silva (c), David Luiz, Marcelo, Hulk, Paulinho, Fred, Neymar, Oscar, Luiz Gustavo

[MysteRy]

World Cup: Croatia vs Mexico



Ivan Perisic reduces margin for Croatia. It is 3-1 now.

Hernandez puts Mexico 3-0 up.

Andres Guardado doubles Mexico's lead.

Rafael Marquez puts Mexico in front. 1-0.


LINE-UPS

Croatia starting XI: Pletikosa, Vrsaljko, Pranjic, Perisic, Corluka, Lovren, Rakitic, Modric, Srna, Mandzukic, Olic.

Mexico starting XI: Ochoa, Rodriguez, Marquez (c), Herrera, Layun, Dos Santos, Moreno, Guardado, Peralta, Aguilar, Vazquez .

[MysteRy]

World Cup: Costa Rica vs England



It remains 0-0 at full time.


It is 0-0 at halftime.
Team News

The teams are confirmed. England, as expected, make nine changes from the side beaten by Uruguay.
Costa Rica make two alterations, as Roy Miller gets a start.

Costa Rica: Navas, Gonzalez, Borges, Duarte, Campbell, Ruiz (c), Brenes, Diaz, Gamboa, Tejeda, Miller

England: Foster, Cahill, Wilshere, Lampard (c), Sturridge, Smalling, Jones, Milner, Lallana, Barkley, Shaw

[MysteRy]

World Cup: Italy vs Uruguay



Full time: Uruguay 1-0 Italy. Uruguay advance to the Round of 16. Italy knocked out.

Godin puts Uruguay infront 1-0.


Italy down to 10 men. Marchisio sent off.

It is 0-0 at halftime.

Line-ups:

Uruguay: Muslera, Cáceres, Giménez, Godín, A.Pereira; González, Arévalo Rios, C.Rodríguez, Lodeiro; Cavani, Suárez

 Substitutes: Perez, Forlan, Fucile, Silva, Pereira, Stuani, Gargabo, Hernandez, Munoz, Coates, Ramirez.

Italy: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Darmian, Verratti, Pirlo, Marchisio, De Sciglio; Balotelli, Immobile

Substitutes: Paletta, Aquilani, Sirigu, Cassano, Motta, Cerci, Abate, Candreva, Perin, Parolo, Insigne.

[MysteRy]

Brazil ups security for Argentine invasion of Porto Alegre



Authorities will reinforce security for Argentina's World Cup match against Nigeria on Wednesday in Brazil's southern city of Porto Alegre, which is expected to see a huge influx of Argentine fans crossing the border.

About 80,000 Argentine fans are likely to travel to Porto Alegre, which is about 600 km (375 miles) from the frontier with Argentina, a spokesman for the local organizers of the World Cup said on Tuesday.

The extra security measures included greater control of crowds reaching the perimeter fence at the Beira Rio stadium, similar to measures taken at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium after security breaches there, the spokesman said.

About 200 Chile fans stormed into the Maracana last week before their team's match against Spain. A few days earlier, a handful of Argentine fans climbed over the perimeter fence at also at the Maracana ahead of Argentina v Bosnia.

To help cope with the large number of Argentine fans expected in Porto Alegre, a dedicated fan zone in the city, where supporters can watch matches on big screens, will be expanded.

[MysteRy]

World Cup: Japan vs Colombia



Japan: 1-Eiji Kawashima; 2-Atsuto Uchida, 15-Yasuyuki Konno, 22-Maya Yoshida, 5-Yuto Nagatomo; 17-Makoto Hasebe, 14-Toshihiro Aoyama; 10-Shinji Kagawa, 4-Keisuke Honda, 9-Shinji Okazaki; 13-Yoshito Okubo

Substitutes: 3-Gotoku Sakai, 6-Masato Morishige, 7-Yasuhito Endo, 8-Hiroshi Kiyotake, 11-Yoichiro Kakitani, 12-Shusaku Nishikawa, 16-Hotaru Yamaguchi, 18-Yuya Osako, 19-Masahiko Inoha, 20-Manabu Saito, 21-Hiroki Sakai, 23-Shuichi Gonda

Colombia: 1-David Ospina; 4-Santiago Arias, 16-Eder Alvarez Balanta, 7-Pablo Armero, 23-Carlos Valdes; 13-Fredy Guarin, 15-Alexander Mejia, 11-Juan Cuadrado, 20-Juan Quintero; 19-Adrian Ramos, 21-Jackson Martinez

Substitutes: 2-Cristian Zapata, 3-Mario Yepes, 5-Carlos Carbonero, 6-Carlos Sanchez, 8-Abel Aguilar, 9-Teofilo Gutierez, 10-James Rodriguez, 12-Camilo Vargas, 14-Victor Ibarbo, 17-Carlos Bacca, 18-Camilo Zuniga, 22-Faryd Mondragon

Referee: Pedro Proenca (Portugal)

[MysteRy]

World Cup: Ivory Coast vs Greece



eams for Tuesday's 2014 World Cup Group C match between Greece and Ivory Coast at the Castelao arena, Fortaleza.

Greece: 1-Orestis Karnezis; 15-Vassilis Torosidis, 19-Sokratis Papasthathopoulos, 4-Kostas Manolas, 20-Jose Holebas; 10-Giorgos Karagounis, 2-Yannis Maniatis, 16-Lazaros Christodoulopoulos, 8-Panagiotis Kone, 14-Dimitris Salpingidis, 7-Giorgos Samaras

 Substitutes: 3-Giorgios Tzavellas, 5-Vangelis Moras, 6-Alexandros Tziolis, 9-Kostas Mitroglou, 11-Loukas Vyntra, 12-Panaglotis Glykos, 13-Stefanos Kapino, 17-Theofanis Gekas, 18-Giannis Fetfatzidis, 22-Andreas Samaris, 23-Panagiotis Tachtsidis

Ivory Coast: 1-Boubacar Barry; 17-Serge Aurier, 4-Kolo Toure, 22-Souleyman Bamba, 3-Arthur Boka; 9-Cheick Ismael Tiote, 20-Geoffroy Serey Die, 19-Yaya Toure, 8-Salomon Kalou; 10-Gervinho, 11-Didier Drogba

Substitutes: 2-Ousmane Diarrassouba, 6-Mathis Bolly, 7-Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro, 12-Wilfried Bony, 13-Didier Ya Konan, 14-Ismael Diomande, 15-Max Gradel, 16-Sylvain Gbohouo, 18-Constant Djakpa, 21-Giovanni Sio, 23-Sayouba Mande

Referee: Carlos Vera (Ecuador)

[MysteRy]

World Cup: Ecuador vs France



LINE-UPS

Ecuador starting XI: Dominguez, Guagua, Erazo, Paredes, Noboa, Montero, W Ayovi, E Valencia, Minda, Arroyo (c), A Valencia.


France starting XI: Lloris (c), Sakho, Benzema, Griezmann, Matuidi, Sagna, Digne, Sissoko, Pogba, Koscielny, Schneiderlin

[MysteRy]

World Cup: Honduras vs Switzerland



LINE-UPS

Honduras starting XI: Valladares (c), Figueroa, Bernardez, J Garcia, W Palacios, Bengtson, Costly, B Garcia, Espinoza, Claros, Beckeles.

 Switzerland starting XI: Benaglio, Lichtsteiner, Inler (c), Xhaka, Behrami, Rodriguez, Mehmedi, Drmic, Djourou, Schaer, Shaqiri