Sacrificial Angel: Di Maria would trade in all his trophies for Copa America glory

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Ronaldo shines as Lionel Messi is stunned

Cristiano Ronaldo shines for Portugal as Lionel Messi & Argentina are stunned by Paraguay.

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Copa América stars past and present

First up, Chile, who are represented by Alexis Sánchez and Ivan Zamorano

Uruguay - Edinson Cavani and Enzo Francescoli

Colombia - James Rodríguez and Carlos Valderrama

Argentina - Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona

Brazil - Neymar and Pelé

Mexico - Rafa Márquez and Hugo Sánchez

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Memories of Maradona as Messi tore through Athletic Bilbao in the Copa Del Rey final.

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Van Gaal the Devil

Diego Maradona on the Manchester United manager: “Van Gaal is not a cool guy. He is closer to the devil than anything else.”

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Ronaldo & Messi fail to shine at Old Trafford

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Goal Hall of Fame

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Goal Hall of Fame: Diego Maradona

"El Pibe de Oro" ("The Golden Boy"), Diego Maradona led Argentina to win the 1986 World Cup, and scored two of the most of famous goals of all time against England, "The Hand of God" and "Goal of the Century".

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Hero O'Shea the toast of world's elite

In a week of international football which boasted drama, goals and even a brawl, John O’Shea’s stoppage-time leveller against Germany in his 100th appearance for the Republic of Ireland was a fitting finale.

The Sunderland centre-back, having defended resolutely for much of the encounter in Gelsenkirchen, expertly guided the ball beyond Manuel Neuer to salvage a 1-1 draw and heap more misery on the World Cup winners.

O’Shea was not the only player to enjoy a stellar Tuesday, with Cristiano Ronaldo bagging a last-minute winner against Denmark, Lionel Messi striking twice in Hong Kong and Neymar claiming four (yes, four) goals against Japan.

Ronaldo also celebrated reaching a 100 million fans on facebook.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014 12:30

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Neymar’s Brazil see off Messi and Di Maria

Brazil and Argentina met in Beijing on Saturday for an international friendly with Dunga’s men beating the World Cup finalists 2-0.

Diego Tardelli was the surprise hero for the Selecao scoring twice, his first international goals, to seal victory at the Bird’s Nest Stadium.

Lionel Messi had a rare day to forget, at 1-0 down in the first half the Barcelona star had the chance to pull his side level but saw his penalty saved by Jefferson.

Sunday, October 12, 2014 11:47

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Messi in tears as Gotze wins World Cup for Germany

Germany is the new world champions after beating Argentina 1-0, after extra-time, in the World Cup final at the Maracana on Sunday.

Substitute Mario Gotze was the hero for Joachim Low’s side, scoring the winner after taking down a cross from Andre Schurrle and volleying it past Sergio Romero.

The win was a bitter blow for Argentina, and Lionel Messi, who failed to emulate Diego Maradona although the Barcelona star was awarded the Golden Ball for being the World Cup’s best player

Monday, July 14, 2014 11:48

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Argentina hustle Netherlands out of World Cup

Argentina will face Germany at the Maracana in the World Cup final on Sunday after edging out Netherlands on penalties in the second semi-final.

The teams could not be separated after 120 minutes, with the scores still 0-0, in a game that was far removed from Brazil’s 7-1 thrashing against Joachim Low’s side in the other semi-final.

Lionel Messi and Co. will now face Germany in a repeat of the 1990 World Cup final in Rome which the Germans won 1-0.

Thursday, 10 July 2014 12:21
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Argentina 2014 Tribute

Argentina GoalToons episode:

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Ronaldo lights up the World Cup...with a new haircut?

While Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi and Neymar have been lighting up the World Cup for Argentina and Brazil respectively, Cristiano Ronaldo has endured a frustrating tournament with Portugal.

The Real Madrid star has made just one notable contribution, a stoppage-time assist against USA, while Neymar and Messi have both leapt to the top of the goalscoring charts with four strikes each.

However, highlighting his enduring stardom, Ronaldo could overshadow his rivals' achievements merely by his latest trip to the barbers. The 29-year-old has gone for a dramatic new Mohawk hairstyle that could prove a welcome distraction from his nation's struggles. 

Thursday, June 26, 2014 12:30

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Stark reality bites in Spain's Roja wedding

It's over, it's finally over. Spain, reigning world and European champions have been dumped out of the World Cup thanks to a colossal performance from Chile.

Jorge Sampaoli's side, also nicknamed La Roja, scored twice in the first half in a frantic end-to-end game of football in Rio de Janeiro.

And for Vicente del Bosque's team it was very much a case of one tournament too far for a group of players who have defined an era. There will be casualties from this exit, not least if they fail to even take home the wooden spoon in their final game against Australia.

Thursday, 19 June 2014 12:46

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Messi follows in Maradona's foosteps

Lionel Messi began his World Cup campaign in fine style with a thrilling goal to secure a 2-1 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina in Argentina’s opening game in Brazil.

The South American side have not won the World Cup since 1986 when Diego Maradona inspired his country to victory in Mexico with Messi out to emulate the Argentina legend.

Of course the 1986 tournament is famously remembered for Maradona's 'Hand of God' goal against England which was followed by a superb, individual second goal as Argentina won 2-1 on their way to being crowned world champions.

Monday, June 16, 2014 12:01

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Out of this world: Blatter predicts interplanetary football

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has insisted there is no reason why football could not be played on other planets in the future.

Speaking at a Fifa congress in Brazil, the 78-year-old said future tournaments could be contested between planets, rather than countries.

"We should wonder if one day our game will be played on other planets,” he said.

“Why not? And then instead of a World Cup we would have an inter-planetary competition.”

Thursday, 12 June 2014 12:15

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GoalToons: World Cup moments

Get animated by watching the heroes, villains and highlights of previous tournaments as you have never seen them before. Eight episodes on World Cup greatest nations. The videos are available in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Portuguese and Arabic.

GoalToons: Brazil

GoalToons: Italy

GoalToons: Germany

GoalToons: Argentina

GoalToons: England

GoalToons: France

GoalToons: Spain

GoalToons: Netherlands

GoalToons credits:

Animation Director: Omar Momani

Animation: Sameer Aburezeq

Animation Assitant: Bassem Nabil

Narration on Germany, England and Netherlands: Mike V. Derderian

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World Cup party about to get started

With the dust having settled on most nation's World Cup warm-up friendlies, attentions can now be turned to the main event with the World Cup just four days away.

England concluded their preparations in a feisty encounter against Honduras and can next be seen taking on Italy in Manaus on Saturday, while hosts Brazil kick off the tournament on Thusday.

The Three Lions flew from Miami to Rio de Janeiro straight after their 0-0 draw, while plenty of other sides, including the likes of Germany, have finally touched down in Brazil.

Sunday, 8 June 2014 12:45

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The Real deal: Messi left in Ronaldo shadow

Having already watched Cristiano Ronaldo pick up the Ballon d'Or this year, as well as Copa del Rey and Champions League winners' medals, now Lionel Messi has yet another reason to envy the Real Madrid attacker.

According to global sports marketing research group Repucom, it is the Portugal star, not the Barcelona man, who is the most marketable footballer in the world.

The former Manchester United winger has over 82 million Facebook likes, 26m Twitter followers and is "an endorser's dream", all of which means Messi must settle for second place behind Ronaldo - and not for the first time this season!

Thursday, May 29, 2014 11:30

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