Brazil gripped by Neymar fever

Brazil wait with anticipation ahead of their World Cup quarter-final clash with Colombia.

Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men edged past Chile via penalties in their tricky round-of-16 tie and the Brazil coach believes the host nation already has one hand on the trophy.

Can Neymar step up once again and deliver?

Friday, 4 July 2014 12:00

Tweet Follow @omomani

Howard’s heroics not enough to save USA

Another sublime goalkeeping display was on show at the World Cup as Tim Howard’s heroics on Tuesday evening nearly helped the USA book a place in the quarter-finals.

The 35-year-old made 15 saves against Belgium - more than any other goalkeeper has made since World Cup records began in 1966.

But despite Howard’s performance, Belgium edged through to the last eight with a 2-1 win in extra time.

The Daily Mail posted about this cartoon: America's goalie wizard! Internet tributes pour in for Tim Howard after his heroic performance in USA's World Cup loss to Belgium

Wednesday, 2 July 2014 12:00

Tweet Follow @omomani

Germany escape from Algeria

Algeria gave the world a historical performance in front of the three times world cup winner Germany, but Germany with their big experience grabbed the win in the extra halves and won 2-1.

Tweet Follow @omomani

Suarez apologises for Chiellini bite

Luis Suarez has finally held his hands up and issued an apology to Giorgio Chiellini for biting the Italy defender.

The Uruguay forward has vowed that such an incident will never happen again but reports in Spain suggest that the statement will be the foundations for the 27-year-old’s move from Liverpool to Barcelona this summer.

Tuesday, 1 July 2014 12:00

Tweet Follow @omomani

Robben dive sinks fuming Mexico

The Netherlands progressed to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in controversial circumstances on Sunday, as Arjen Robben's apparent, and flamboyant, dive resulted in a clinically dispatched penalty that sent Mexico crashing out late on.

El Tri had taken the lead in Fortaleza through a long-range screamer from Giovani dos Santos, but a volley from Wesley Sneijder followed promptly by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar's spot-kick completed a stunning turnaround.

But Robben has been harshly criticised for his theatrics and even admitted to diving in the match - though not for the penalty!

Charismatic Mexico boss Miguel Herrera, meanwhile, was apoplectic after the final whistle: "[The referee] put us out of the next stage... [Robben] dived three times, and the referee should have booked him the first time."

Monday, June 30, 2014 11:30

Tweet Follow @omomani

All hail King James!

Forget Falcao, there's a new hero of Colombia and he goes by the name of James Rodriguez... or just James, if you'd prefer.

The Monaco star put in another outstanding performance, scoring two superb goals, as the South Americans defeated Uruguay to go through to the World Cup quarter-finals.

James now has five goals to his name at the tournament in Brazil and, who knows, by the end of the World Cup he may just be a more famous 'James' than NBA star LeBron...!

Sunday, June 29, 2014 12:00

Tweet Follow @omomani

Fifa bites back in Suarez saga

After Luis Suarez's bite on Giorgio Chiellini, Fifa moved to show their own disciplinary teeth by handing the Liverpool and Uruguay forward a lengthy ban.

Football's governing body suspended Suarez from all football-related activity for four months, which means he will miss the first nine Premier League matches of the upcoming season.

The 27-year-old has also been forced to leave the Uruguay training camp, and last night jetted out of Brazil as his World Cup came to a premature, and deeply controversial, end.

Friday, June 27, 2014 11:30

Tweet Follow @omomani