Germany call Lahm & Klose after Argentina defeat

World champions Germany sank to a 4-2 international friendly defeat to Argentina on Wednesday night, in a rematch of the World Cup final.

Angel Di Maria was the star of the show, scoring once and assisting three times as Joachim Low's side were impressively dismantled by Argentina, who were without talisman Lionel Messi.

Germany of course were beginning life without Philipp Lahm and Miroslav Klose following the duo's retirement from international football, and the duo were certainly missed as Argentina gained a modicum of revenge.

Thursday, 4 September 2014 12:12

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The World Cup is over, let the transfer window rush begin!

With the World Cup now well and truly over, our attention returns to the Premier League and the summer transfer window. There have been a number colossal deals so far - Cesc Fabregas, Alexis Sanchez and Luis Suarez to name but three - and there seems no sign of the elite clubs holding back in the market.

With the likes of Diego Costa, Filipe Luis, Arturo Vidal, Toni Kroos, Paul Pogba and Sami Khedira all supposedly available, it really is a race to see who can snap up which superstar the fastest.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014 12:41

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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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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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Argentina 2014 Tribute

Argentina GoalToons episode:

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Germany 2014 Tribute

Germany GoalToons episode:

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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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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.

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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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Half-fit Ronaldo overrun by ruthless Germany

Poor Ronaldo. He spent all week battling an ongoing knee problem to make Portugal's opening game in Group G against Germany, only to be shackled over the course of a 90 minute 4-0 defeat.

Tendonitis may have restricted his training time in the lead up to the game but the 29-year-old looked fit enough and did draw Manuel Neuer into a couple of good saves.

But when all was said and done (and Pepe had received his marching orders), Ronaldo could do nothing to drag his side away from a heavy defeat.

Tuesday, 17 June 2014 12:22

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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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Klose and Ronaldo become striker masters

Cristiano Ronaldo and Miroslav Klose etched their way into the record books on Friday after netting for their countries once again.

In Belfast, Ronaldo hit his first international hat-trick to surpass Eusebio’s record and become Portugal’s second highest goalscorer as Paulo Bento's men beat Northern Ireland 4-2 in a chaotic match.

The Real Madrid star has now scored 43 times for his country, and is just four goals behind Pauleta who is Portugal’s leading goalscorer.

Meanwhile, over in Munich, Klose’s 33rd minute strike, ensured he became Germany’s joint highest goalscorer.

The forward bagged his 68th international goal, in a 3-0 win over Austria, equalling Gerd Muller’s record.

Saturday, September 7, 2013 11:51

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Race to Rio continues as stars face World Cup qualifiers

The race to qualify for World Cup 2014 continues in earnest this weekend with many top stars in action for their countries.

The world’s most expensive footballer, Gareth Bale, should feature for Wales although Real Madrid’s newest recruit is highly unlikely to make it to Rio.

Another big summer signing Mesut Ozil is in action for Germany, who are closing in on qualification, while Manchester United new-boy Marouane Fellaini will face Scotland with Belgium.

Elsewhere expect to see Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suarez and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in action as club football takes a back seat this weekend.

Friday, 6 September 2013 11:50

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Ronaldo might need helping hand to reach Brazil 2014

 

If Cristiano Ronaldo is not worried, he probably should be. Portugal are labouring in qualification for another major tournament - this time, Brazil 2014.

Friday's 3-3 draw away with Israel has left Paulo Bento's men third in Group F, four points behind Fabio Capello's Russia, who also have a game in hand.

If they win, the gap will extend to seven, in all likelihood condemning Portugal to a life-and-death scrap with Israel for second place and passage into a nail-biting qualifying playoff.

There also remains the distinct possibility that Ronaldo, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his or any generation, will not even make it to the World Cup next year.

Missing out could potentially deal a fatal blow to the Real Madrid superstar's hopes of adding a World Cup winner's medal to his heaving collection, and hand Lionel Messi a decisive advantage in their epic rivalry.

With this in mind, he needs all the help he can get. 
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Platini's Euro 2020 vision gets the green light

 

Friday brought confirmation from Uefa that the year 2020 will, for the first time, see the European Championships spread across 13 cities from all over the continent.

Michel Platini, president of the governing body, has been the biggest proponent of the idea and finally sees it come to fruition.

And now the stars of the next decade of international football, including the likes of Paul Pogba, Stephan El Shaarawy and Mario Gotze, can start to plan their triumphant EuroTrip!
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Rampant Germany hit Ireland for six

 

Even the most optimistic of Republic of Ireland fans may not have been expecting to defeat Germany, but the 6-1 hammering in Friday's World Cup qualifier certainly wasn't part of the plan for Giovanni Trapattoni's men.

Doubles from Marco Reus and Toni Kroos, alongside goals for Mesut Ozil and Miroslav Klose, ensured Joachim Low's men secured a rampant win at the Aviva Stadium.

And while Andy Keough may have grabbed a late consolation goal, there is no denying that the Irish were smashed out of the park by their German counterparts...
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Europe's finest begin long road to Brazil

 

The first round of qualifying fixtures for World Cup 2014 kick off this weekend and it's a chance for many of us to see the star names which made Euro 2012 such a memorable tournament.

With Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas leading the way, the Real Madrid captain will be hoping that Vicente Del Bosque's side will be able to become the first team to retain the trophy since Italy did so back in 1938.

Roy Hodgson's England side will be hoping to make an impact on the latter stages in Brazil, as well a few of the other familiar faces such as Italy, Portugal and Germany...
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It's-a-me, Mario

 

Mario Balotelli put in a dazzling match-winning performance for Italy in the second Euro 2012 semi-final, scoring twice to seal a 2-1 win over Germany.

The Manchester City striker, who has so often hit the headlines for the wrong reasons, produced two wonderful finishes to ensure his side's smooth passage into the final, where they will meet Spain on Sunday.

In fact, if he can repeat the form he showed against Joachim Low's side then the world champions will have plenty to fear from Italy's newest hero.


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