Van Gaal calls in Krul support

The Netherlands progressed to the semi-finals of the World Cup on Sunday, but not before Louis van Gaal had time to pull a masterstroke substitution that helped his side triumph against Costa Rica.

After an entertaining 120 minute battle in which neither side managed to find a breakthrough, the match was sent to penalties. But with just seconds left of extra-time, Van Gaal made the extraordinary decision to take off No.1 Jasper Cillessen and replace him with Tim Krul.

The Newcastle shot-stopper duly rewarded his manager's gutsy change, diving the right way on all five penalties, unnerving the Costa Rican penalty takers and making two powerful saves to win the contest. Despite his heroics, though, he will return to the bench against Argentina!

Sunday, July 6, 2014 12:30

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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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Barca go fishing for Suarez with Sanchez as bait

In order to land their prized catch, Barcelona are prepared to offer Alexis Sanchez to Liverpool in the deal for Luis Suarez.

However, as Goal revealed on Wednesday, Arsenal have lodged a £32 milion offer for the Chile international.

Will Sanchez be the next star to move to the Premier League?

Thursday, 3 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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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

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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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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

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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

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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

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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

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