[SPAIN-GERMANY] The Spaniards controlled the game and outshot Germany over 90 minutes, but depended on defenderCarles Puyol heading home a corner kick for a 1-0 win that sends them to the World Cup final for the first time in history. The 2008 European champion meets the Netherlands, which isalso looking for its first World Cup […]
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Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Spain marksman David Villa faces another daunting test
[UNDER THE MICROSCOPE] A miserable scoring drought plaguing Fernando Torres would probably have halted Spain’s World Cup campaign earlierif not for the sharp finishing of David Villa, who is a co-leading scorer in the tournament with five goals. Coach Vicente del Bosque has stayed withTorres in the starting lineup but may be finally forced to […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Chelsea pursues record transfer for Fernando Torres
Fernando Torres may have been a bust so far at the 2010 World Cup, but Chelsea hasn’t lost interest in the Spanish striker. New Liverpoolmanager Roy Hodgson wants to keep Torres, but Chelsea is prepared to offer a record British transfer fee for the 25-year-old striker. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is reported to be in […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Octopus Paul picks German loss
The news from the the Sea Life aquarium in Oberhausen was not good for German fans on Tuesday. Octopus Paul, who has been perfect with his picks in Germany’s first five games, has selected Spain tobeat Germany in Wednesday’s semifinal in Durban. The octopus has made his selections by eating a mussel from one of […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Blanc: French players must be disciplined
In his first press conference since being named France’s new national team coach, Laurent Blanc said certain players could face sanctions for their role inthe strike that rocked the Bleus’ camp during their disastrous World Cup. “I clearly cannot act as if nothing had happened in South Africa,” he said. “I followed these events withgreat […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Germans given slight edge
[GERMANY-SPAIN] Germany has beaten Spain twice in the World Cup, knocking the hosts of out the 1982 tournament, and they tied their third meeting. It’s giventhe edge in Wednesday’s meeting of the Euro ’08 finalists in Durban (TV: ESPN/Univision, live, 2:30 p.m. ET). For more on the game and the predictions of Soccer America editors […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
My World Cup: The Best Ever? Or the Worst Ever?
By Paul Gardner It is to be expected that each World Cup will, from now until eternity — or until television and the marketers and the sponsors and the hype-merchantsbury the whole thing under the relentless flow of their infantile antics — will be the best ever. We shall be told that, over and over […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, What They're Saying
What They're Saying
“The Germans have played a brilliant World Cup so far. We’re also at the top of our game, I think. It will be a game between two rivals who enjoy having the ball, and I think it will bea beautiful battle.” — Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta on Wednesday’s rematch of the Euro ’08 final between […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
My World Cup: The final four
So all that fuss about how the Latin American countries were dominating this World Cup has gone up in a puff of smoke. The notion was, of course, generated by statistics, and given life byour dear friends at ESPN, who seem to enjoy that sort of thing more than they enjoy the actual soccer. It […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Messi exits South Africa without a goal
[REACTION] This was supposed to be the World Cup at which Lionel Messi would prove his critics wrong. He would duplicatethe success with Argentina he has had with Barcelona. But the 23-year-old star was left in tears after Argentina fell to Germany, 4-0, in Saturday’s quarterfinals. He was not a factor in the game andfinished […]