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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Uruguay 2014 Tribute

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Germany 2014 Tribute

Germany GoalToons episode:

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Italy 2014 Tribute

They left early but here is a tribute to their fans.

Watch Italy GoolToons 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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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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