Tahiti-tamer Torres targets Golden Boot

 

The much maligned Chelsea striker has not found it so easy to hit the back of the net in recent years, having struggled since moving to Stamford Bridge from Liverpool for £50 million.

So it was understandable when he filled his boots against Tahiti at the Confederations Cup on Thursday, bagging four of Spain's 10 goals in the biggest victory ever in a senior Fifa competition.

Despite missing a penalty, the striker is now in the driving seat to win yet another Golden Boot thanks to his target practice against the Oceania minnows. 

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It's raining goals for Buffon and Kawashima

 

Italy's epic 4-3 victory over Japan will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest ever Confederations Cup matches.

Supporters were treated to a feast of football as goals from Daniele De Rossi, Mario Balotelli and Sebastian Giovinco, as well as an own goal from Atsuto Uchida, sealed Italy's place in the semi-finals of the competition.

Do spare a thought for the two goalkeepers involved, though, with Gianluigi Buffon and Eiji Kawashima facing a downpour of goals over the 90 minutes in the Itaipava Arena Pernambuco. 
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Spanish production line creates latest batch of winners

 

Spain continued their domination of world football on Tuesday when their Under-21 side defeated Italy in the final of the European Championship in Israel.

Thiago Alcantara netted a first-half hat-trick, with Malaga playmaker Isco also on the scoresheet to cap a sensational tournament on a personal level, in the 4-2 victory.

With the likes of Xavi, Carles Puyol, Iker Casillas and Fernando Torres approaching the end of their time with the full national side, Spain fans need not fear as their production line continues to churn out the next generation of superstars. 
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Running scared: Tahiti & Nigeria get ready for Spain test

 

Nigeria thumped Tahiti 6-1 in Monday's Confederations Cup clash but a far tougher test awaits both nations before Group B reaches its conclusion.

Far from being bullish about their chances, both sides could be forgiven for packing up and heading home early ahead of their respective fixtures against the might of Spain - world and European champions no less.

Vicente del Bosque's powerhouse kicked off their campaign in Brazil with a 2-1 win over Uruguay and will expect to take maximum points from their final two group games. 

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Kicking & screening: Balo bares all after Confederations Cup winner

 

Despite scoring the winner against Mexico in Italy’s Confederations Cup opener, Mario Balotelli still managed to end up in coach Cesare Prandelli’s bad books.

The former Manchester City man sealed a 2-1 victory for the Azzurri at the Maracana and promptly took off his shirt to celebrate.

Balotelli was promptly booked for his actions leaving a frustrated Prandelli to warn the striker against picking up cheap yellow cards. 

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Neymar carries Brazil to Confederations Cup opening win

 

Not only is the pressure on Neymar and Brazil to deliver at next summer's World Cup, but Luiz Felipe Scolari's side are also expected to impress at the Confederations Cup this month.

Barcelona's latest recruit got Brazil off to a flying start on Saturday as his stunning strike in the third minute helped Brazil secure a 3-0 victory over Japan. 

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Football's biggest names land in Brazil ahead of Confederations Cup

 

With the World Cup under a year away, host nation Brazil stage the 2013 Confederations Cup with the rest of the world set to get a glimpse of what the country has to offer.

The hosts kick off proceedings on Saturday evening against Japan, with the likes of Oscar, David Luiz, Hulk and Neymar all expected to be in action.

And if that game alone does not boast enough big names, Spain have a star cast including Juan Mata, Fernando Torres and Andres Iniesta, Italy have Mario Balotelli and Andrea Pirlo, and Uruguay boast Edinson Cavani and, of course, Liverpool striker Luis Suarez. 
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Paper talk: Ronaldo rubbishes contract renewal rumours

 

Cristiano Ronaldo has set tongues wagging all over the world by announcing via Twitter that "all the news about my renewal with Real Madrid are false".

President Florentino Perez has previously insisted the forward wanted to stay with Los Blancos for many more years despite reported interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.

Reports in Spain also suggested Ronaldo was close to signing a new deal that would keep him at the club, until 2018, but in the wake of the forward’s comments that seems to be just paper talk. 

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Lewandowski trapped as Dortmund refuse to budge

 

Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski’s future remains the topic of fierce speculation as BVB attempt to hold onto the Poland international.

The 24-year-old enjoyed a stellar season last time out scoring 36 times in all competitions for Dortmund to become one of Europe’s hottest properties.

Dortmund have recently insisted they will not allow the striker to move to Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich this summer, although they have stopped short of ruling out at summer exit entirely.

Real Madrid, Manchester City and Manchester United have all been linked with Lewandowski but for the moment at least, the striker seems to be going nowhere.
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Neymar & Messi under the microscope at Barcelona

 

Neymar’s big-money move from Santos to Barcelona will place the Brazilian under huge scrutiny according to Michael Laudrup.

The Swansea boss has explained that while Neymar has been a "great player" back home in South America, he faces an entirely different challenge in La Liga

The Brazilian has been branded as too small and thin to succeed by many, and while Laudrup says he does not want to compare Neymar with Messi, the Argentine superstar has proved that size simply does not matter. 
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