Violent Chile

Brazil friendly sees Medel employ UFC tactics to stop Neymar

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Mario Balotelli has been issued a warning by his former manager Roberto Mancini: "Mario is at risk of following the same path as Adriano. I hope that he wakes up one morning and realises that he is wasting everything."

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Goal Hall of Fame

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Goal Hall of Fame: Ronaldo

El Fenomeno (The Phenomenon), Ronaldo scored twice in the 2002 World Cup final, and received the Golden Boot as the tournament's top goalscorer.

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Goal Hall of Fame: Pele

Simply the Best! Pele managed to win three World Cups for Brazil (1958, 1962 and 1970) the only player ever to do so.

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Goal Hall of Fame: Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Zidane secured for France its first World Cup in 1998, by scoring two goals out of three in the final against Brazil

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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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Scolari makes swift return to management

Barely a month after Brazil's World Cup ended in humiliation, disappointment and a P45 for Luiz Felipe Scolari, the much-maligned coach has already returned to management.

Felipao was appointed the new head coach of Gremio - a club he left 18 years ago - on Tuesday, having only resigned from his post in charge of Brazil on July 14.

Scolari will be officially unveiled to the press on Wednesday evening - but will he receive a warm welcome after his struggles with the national team?

Wednesday, July 30, 2014 14:00

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Brazilian footballer Fred shared my cartoon

My colleagues in Goal notified me that Brazil and Fluminese striker Fred shared my cartoon on his Facebook the last August.

Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/fredgoloficial9/photos/a.473370862699825.90891.252475658122681/537280912975486/?type=1&theater

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Germany crush Brazil’s dreams

The hopes of a nation were left in tatters on Tuesday evening as Germany crushed Brazil to reach the World Cup final.

Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men were left stunned after Joachim Low’s side picked them apart in the first half, scoring five goals in the space of 18 minutes.

Andre Schurrle netted twice after the break to complete the demolition, and to add insult to injury, Miroslav Klose broke Ronaldo’s record to become the all-time record scorer in the World Cup.

Wednesday, 9 July 2014 12:00

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Brazil head to the barber without Neymar

The World Cup is hotting up with just four teams left in the competition as hosts Brazil prepare to face Germany in the first semi-final clash in Belo Horizonte.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's side head into the clash without captain Thiago Silva, who is suspended, but more importantly without starman Neymar who suffered a fractured vertebrae against Colombia.

The Barcelona forward has been Brazil's talisman in this competition scoring four goals for the hosts and will be a big miss against Joachim Low's side.

Tuesday, 8 July 2014 11:32

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Ozil slammed for 'walking' through World Cup

Germany legend Paul Breitner has urged Joachim Low to drop Mesut Ozil from his starting side for the semi-final against Brazil.

"If [Low] is bold, he'll say: 'I will not play with only 10 people' and drop Mesut Ozil," he told TZ.

"That would be the next step for world titles and above all a big step for the good of the team. Nine men are torturing themselves for 90 minutes and he's going for a walk.

"That's not what you do at a World Cup."

Monday, July 7, 2014 12:00

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Brazil rocked by Neymar injury

Brazil are into the semi-finals after edging past Colombia but they face the remainder of the World Cup without Neymar.

The Barcelona forward has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament with a broken vertebra following a challenge by Juan Zuniga.

Saturday, 5 July 2014 12:00

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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

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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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Neymar carries Brazil into last 16

Brazil and Barcelona ace Neymar has lived up to his billing as the poster boy for this summer's World Cup as his double against Cameroon helped the Selecao on their way to top spot in Group A and a place in the last 16.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's men ran out 4-1 winners over the African side, with Neymar twice putting his side ahead in the first half before they romped to victory late on.

Neymar has now scored four of Brazil's seven goals at this summer's showpiece, topping the tournament's scoring charts, and if the home nation are to claim a sixth World Cup title then they are likely to do so on the back of their star player, who has carried the side into a last-16 clash with Chile.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014 10:00

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Klose equals Ronaldo's World Cup record

Germany striker Miroslav Klose hit the headlines yet again on Saturday as he bagged his 15th World Cup goal and a place in the history books.

The 36-year-old came off the bench to level the scores against Ghana, in an entertaining 2-2 draw, with a goal that sees him equal Ronaldo’s record that has stood since 2006.

Next up for Germany is their final group game against USA, with Klose able to move clear at the top of the standings should he find the target again.

Sunday, June 22, 2014 11:47

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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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Neymar the star of the World Cup circus

The World Cup kicked-off in Brazil on Thursday with the hosts securing a 3-1 victory in their opening game against Croatia.

The hosts survived conceding an own goal to clinch the win with Neymar scoring twice before Oscar poked home a late third.

However, the game was not without controversy with Croatia furious at the award of Brazil’s penalty, while Niko Kovac's side were also denied a goal when Ivica Olic was adjudged to have fouled goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

Friday, 13 June 2014 12:25

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