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- Nigeria v Bosnia-Herzegovina: World Cup 2014 live!
- Costa Rica angry with Fifa for drug-testing seven players after Italy
- Wayne Rooney: England need to be streetwise after World Cup failure
- Roy Hodgson says he will build a better and stronger England
- Miroslav Klose comes on to rescue Germany from defeat by Ghana
- Lionel Messi describes his late winner over Iran as wonderful moment
- Germany 2-2 Ghana: World Cup 2014 as it happened
- Wayne Rooney: England is hurting after being ousted from World Cup - video
- World Cup 2014: a ground-hoppers day-by-day diary
- England are not gifted with talent, so we need to find it and fast
- Raúl Albiol says Spain will give everything to defeat Australia
- World Cup 2014: fan fever means USA face Portugal on crest of ratings wave
- World Cup 2014: Australian players commentate Tim Cahill's wonder goal - video
- Sport picture of the day: Argentina joy; Iranian despair
- France have turned from disgrace to the team everyone wants to watch
- US womens goalkeeper Hope Solo arrested for domestic violence
- Argentina through after Lionel Messi breaks battling Iran at the last
- Robin van Persie: beating Chile and finishing top is the goal video
- Argentina v Iran: World Cup 2014 as it happened
- Yugoslavia, Hungary? Fifas World Cup T-shirt bears no resemblance to reality
- Álvaro Pereiras injury should force Fifa to revise concussion rules
- Enner Valencia and his Ecuador team-mates have France in their sights
- World Cup 2014: 17 things this tournament has taught us so far
- Hangover of defeat shows on grim faces of England players in Rio
- Hey Maracanã World Cup diary: Maradona, England and sardines
Nigeria v Bosnia-Herzegovina: World Cup 2014 live! Posted: 21 Jun 2014 03:26 PM PDT World Cup Group F updates live from Cuiabá
25 min: Bosnia win possession on the halfway line and suddenly they're running straight at the Nigeria defence. Misimovic has options left and right. He goes right but his pass isn't great, forcing Hajorvic to delay and check back inside. He tries to find Dzeko, in space on the left of the area, but he can't take the ball in his stride and Nigeria survive.
24 min: After such a lethargic start, Bosnia are in the mood now! Dzeko lays a pass off to the scheming Pjanic and then peels away, running on to the inevitable through-ball. His first touch forces him a tad wide, however, and his shot is palmed over by Enyeama. The corner comes to nothing.
22 min: That was a truly shocking piece of linesmanning from the linesman. It's not the first time it's happened in this tournament and it won't be the last at this rate. Dzeko was a yard onside. But Bosnia won't let the disappointment affect them. They shake it off and Hajorvic scoots inside from the right and looks for the far corner, drawing a good save from Enyeama, who does well to hold.
21 min: GOAL! No! Wait! Offside! Pjanic slips Dzeko through with a gorgeous pass and he slams the ball emphatically past Enyeama. The replay shows that Dzeko was well onside. Another appalling decision from the officials. Video replays, anyone? Nigeria storm forward and Ambrose's first-time clipped cross from the right just evades Musa at the far post.
20 min: Musa cuts inside and tries to curl one into the far corner but he's not yada yada yada. "Following your mbm from a wedding that I'm ignoring!" says Lucian Chase Not my own. Now England is out I'm shopping for a team to support. Like how when your marriage inevitably crumbles and endlessly disappoints you gotta look for a second wife, you know?" Costa Rica.
19 min: Pjanic's corner is overstruck but comes to Misimovic on the left corner of Nigeria's area. He ducks inside and tries to curl one into the far corner, but he's not Messi.
18 min: I hasten to add that I'm still wearing my mankini. I'm not an animal. Also, Bosnia have just won a corner on the right. "I was hoping for Medunjanin to be sent off so that I wouldn't have to listen to the BBC commentary mispronounce his name so egregiously!" says Jack Elm.
17 min: There are 12 people in this office, but not one of them has noticed that I've taken my shoes off, because I'm just a chilled-out entertainer at heart. It's that attention to detail that makes The Guardian the thriving paper we all know and love.
16 min: Bosnia haven't got going at all.
14 min: Onazi shoots from 25 yards. Begovic sprawls to his right to save.
13 min: Nigeria are making all the early running. Babatunde is found in space on the left, but he's just offside. The flag goes up, so there's no need for me to tell you that the ball was cut back to Odemwingie, who shot straight at Begovic. Oh.
11 min: JOHN OBI MIKEL HAS A SHOT. There is nothing left to see. Bosnia are being run ragged by Musa. He escapes down the right-hand channel this time, Bosnia's defence a sorry rabble. He can't find anyone in the box but the ball eventually comes to Mikel on the edge of the area. He sends a low daisycutter not too far wide. Begovic was worried. Meanwhile, Millings is back. "I always thought it was a retaining order, as in "I will retain you within my sight at all times." My mistake. Mind you, it could be worse. I used to think it was "re-staining".
9 min: Nigeria threaten again and they really should have taken the lead here. A pass from right to left I missed who from, sorry, sue me* - found Musa scurrying away from his marker. He would have been clean through, but he took his eye off the ball and let it run under his foot. Bosnia might want to think about dropping their defence back a yard or two.
8 min: There's no chance of either side playing for a draw here, not based on the evidence in front of us here anyway. Bosnia respond to that free-kick with a quicksilver attack up the other end, the ball worked neatly to Besic just outside the area. His strike flies over.
7 min: So, a free-kick to Nigeria, then. Mikel stands over it for a while, looking hopeful, like a forlorn child praying in vain that his mother might buy him a chocolate bar at the check-out till. No luck, he's ushered away by Odemwingie, whose curling effort flashes just wide of the left post. It took a deflection off the wall actually, but a goal-kick is awarded by those eagle-eyed officials.
6 min: Spahic plays his side into trouble with a dreadful, casual pass straight to Musa in his own half. Musa bursts past Medunjanin, who brings him down 30 yards from goal, earning himself a booking which really should be transferred to Spahic for rank incompetence of the highest degree.
4 min: Dzeko's cute little pass through to Pjanic has Nigeria worried. But the flag is up for offside. There won't be much defending tonight, which is good news. "Like Millings, I'm ignoring my children because as so often, there's an ex-Everton player on the pitch," announces Gary Naylor. "And two on the panel."
3 min: An open start here. Emenike is located with a pass over the top, Sunjic momentarily having a wee doze. He recovers to concede a corner on the right. Musa goes over to take it. It's an abysmal effort, sent straight to the man at the near post, an egregious waste of time, but the clearance only trickles as far as Onazai, 30 yards out. He blasts over. "The way Messi actually did cut in on his left was with his unique playstation sticky grace," says Mr Dresner. "It is one of those moves that is hard to keep up with even in the replay. Would have turned any defender in the world into a breathing lunging training cone that one."
And we're off! Nigeria, kicking from left to right, get the ball rolling to a piercing cheer, but it's Bosnia on the attack straight away. Dzeko muscles off his marker in the middle and spreads a pass out to Mujzda on the right. His low cross is hacked clear. "This will be the game that France may suddenly realise perhaps they're better off finishing second in their group if Bosnia finish second," says John Smith. I respectfully disagree. I doubt they want to face Messi in this form.
And here come the teams. Nigeria in their glimmering all-green, Bosnia in their shiny all-white, albeit with some blue stripes here and there. It's the little touches that really set an outfit apart. Time for the anthems. Hands on chest, eyes ahead, desperately trying to remember the words, some miming, a relieved wipe of the forehead once you realise you got away with it, no one noticed.
"Don't worry, Jacob; I'm reading," leers Mac Millings. "What's more, I'm ignoring my children to do so. Dedication, that is. Love, some might call it." Are you forgetting the restraining order, Millings?
It's just been asked on the BBC whether it's harsh to wonder whether Iran should have let Lionel Messi cut on to his left foot. Well that's it, isn't it I know what he's going to do, but that doesn't mean that I can stop him.
If you write something on the internet at this hour and no one reads it, does it make a sound?
Luckily my bosses aren't reading this, it's far too late.
Sorry, I would talk to you more, but I have various oddjobs to do.
Nigeria, with added Peter Odemwingie: Enyeama; Ambrose, Oshaniwa, Yobo, Omeruo; Mikel, Onazi; Babatunde, Odemwingie, Musa; Emenike.Subs: Ejide, Uzoenyi,Gabriel, Egwuekwe, Moses, Odunlami, Azeez, Nwofor, Uchebo, Ameobi, Agbim. Bosnia-Herzegovina: Begovic; Mujdza, Sunjic, Spahic, Lulic: Besic, Medunjanin, Pjanic; Hajrovic, Dzeko, Misimovic. Subs: Fejzic, Vrsajevic, Bicakcic, Kolasinac, Vranjes, Ibisevic, Susic, Ibricic, Visca, Hadzic, Salihovic, Avdukic.
Evening. No time for a preamble tonight, I've been busy doing data entry. Here's what you need to know: Nigeria were dismal when they drew with Iran in their first game, Bosnia-Herzegovina were unlucky to lose to Argentina, both sides need to win, football's a game of two halves and it's a funny old game. Kick-off: 11pm BST. Continue reading...![]() |
Costa Rica angry with Fifa for drug-testing seven players after Italy Posted: 21 Jun 2014 02:38 PM PDT Diego Maradona accuses Fifa of discrimination Fifas decision shows lack of respect to the players The Costa Rican Football Federation is furious at Fifa for ordering seven of its teams players to undergo drug tests in the aftermath of the famous World Cup win over Italy. Diego Maradona has accused world footballs governing body of discriminating against Costa Rica and a source at the countrys federation has told the Guardian that they feel offended by the abnormal procedure. Continue reading...![]() |
Wayne Rooney: England need to be streetwise after World Cup failure Posted: 21 Jun 2014 02:30 PM PDT Roy Hodgson has moved us forward, striker says Rooney: England were too honest against Uruguay At the side of the pitches in Urca, there was a man from Sky talking of the dead men not walking, but doing their stretches. Luke Shaw misplaced a pass in one of Englands training routines and Roy Hodgson could be heard bellowing his disapproval. Television cameras were lined up along the side with the greatest views, Guanabara Bay to the front, Sugarloaf mountain to the right. Yet the audience was smaller than usual. The television crews from South America, Australia and various parts of Africa and Asia, with their lorries parked all the way down to the ocean, have moved on already. Hodgson will offer his thoughts on Sunday when he and Steven Gerrard appear before the microphones. One will say he wants to stay; the other will be asked to confirm if this is the end. Gerrards retirement from international football is not official yet but when it was put to Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart that it was the captains last tournament, nobody from the Football Association thought it was worth correcting. Frank Lampard will not be making an announcement but, at 36, he will be done as well after Tuesdays game against Costa Rica. Third in line for the captaincy, Rooney will take on the armband when the qualifying process for Euro 2016 begins in Switzerland in September. Continue reading...![]() |
Roy Hodgson says he will build a better and stronger England Posted: 21 Jun 2014 02:30 PM PDT We have a very strong basis for a team, manager says Barkley, Shaw and Wilshere may start against Costa Rica Roy Hodgson has insisted his enthusiasm to lead England has not been dimmed by his teams toils in Brazil and the manager is convinced this group of players will be better and stronger as they move forward towards the 2016 European Championship. Englands elimination from the World Cup was confirmed on Friday when Costa Rica beat Italy 1-0 with this their briefest appearance at the tournament, amounting to three group games and 10 days, in 60 years. Hodgson is considering giving the likes of Ross Barkley, Luke Shaw and Jack Wilshere starts in Tuesdays final match against the group leaders, Costa Rica, when Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard are expected to bring the curtain down on their international careers. Continue reading...![]() |
Miroslav Klose comes on to rescue Germany from defeat by Ghana Posted: 21 Jun 2014 02:08 PM PDT The validity of Kevin-Prince Boatengs claim that Germany lack leaders when the pressure is on will be revealed in time. In the searing heat of Fortaleza they lacked the incisiveness and steel that shaped their destruction of Portugal, but not the time-honoured precision of Miroslav Klose. The 36-year-old climbed off the bench to join Ronaldo as the World Cups all-time leading goalscorer as Joachim Löws team survived an almighty scare by Ghana and the World Cup was treated to yet another enthralling classic. Africa has a tale of World Cup redemption in Brazil at last, though Ghana know they could have had much more. They led impressively, deservedly with 19 minutes remaining and Germany running short of options. Löw opted for a trusted source, 14-goal Klose. The record-equalling No15 arrived within moments of his introduction to salvage a point for a Germany side that, for all Löws pre-match warnings, could not avoid the second-game syndrome that has afflicted so many teams in Brazil. Now they must gain a positive result against their former manager Jürgen Klinsmann and the USA in Recife on Thursday to advance. Germany usually do but they were unable to silence Kevin-Prince Boatengs accusation as they had intended. Continue reading...![]() |
Lionel Messi describes his late winner over Iran as wonderful moment Posted: 21 Jun 2014 02:06 PM PDT Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella says striker is genius Carlos Queiroz claims his Iran side should have had penalty If Argentina were perhaps fortunate to beat Iran 1-0 with a stoppage-time goal in Belo Horizonte, a result that means La Albiceleste are through to the last 16, their luck was twofold. They might have already been behind to an Iranian team who had three good chances of their own. But mainly Argentina are simply lucky to have Lionel Messi, who afterwards described his stoppage-time winner as a wonderful moment. As soon as I got the ball at the end we were all in attack because we wanted to put Argentina through with a win, Messi said. Obviously I was very happy with the strike and then I heard people screaming and smiling. Continue reading...![]() |
Germany 2-2 Ghana: World Cup 2014 as it happened Posted: 21 Jun 2014 02:06 PM PDT Miroslav Klose equalled the World Cup scoring record as both teams served up a thrilling second half in Fortaleza Continue reading...![]() |
Wayne Rooney: England is hurting after being ousted from World Cup - video Posted: 21 Jun 2014 02:03 PM PDT England forward Wayne Rooney says side must pick themselves up and finish their disappointing World Cup campaign on a high. England were bundled out of the tournament thanks to two losses to Italy and Uruguay. Rooney says the side's form has been better than in previous World Cup outings, and it is disappointing to see their run end so early. England play their final group match against Costa Rica on Tuesday Continue reading... ![]() |
World Cup 2014: a ground-hoppers day-by-day diary Posted: 21 Jun 2014 02:00 PM PDT Brazil in brief, with star-spotting in Brasília, matches in a taxi, fans filled with joy and flying with downcast Aussies Continue reading... ![]() |
England are not gifted with talent, so we need to find it and fast Posted: 21 Jun 2014 02:00 PM PDT More coaches means a better chance of a really good coach; better coaches means more chance of really good young players Englands last game, against Costa Rica, has got to be the worst game you can play in a World Cup. Ordinarily, you lose a game, and you go home. But to stay on and play for nothing? On the biggest stage in the world? Thats unheard of in English football. And its bound to be painful. There is no pride left to salvage, no opportunity for points that might redeem the side. And whatever tactics Roy Hodgson employs, it will be a no-win situation for him. If the team put in a great performance with a change of personnel, everyone will question why he didnt play them in the first place. If the team loses, the whole enterprise will be further consigned to failure on an epic scale. It is an impossible task. Continue reading...![]() |
Raúl Albiol says Spain will give everything to defeat Australia Posted: 21 Jun 2014 12:58 PM PDT Its a World Cup game, not a friendly in Vietnam Albiol and David Silva vow to continue after tournament Raúl Albiol has dismissed suggestions that already-eliminated Spains match against Australia in Curitiba on Monday does not matter, saying that they must win their final game to avoid finishing bottom of their group. Its the World Cup, not a friendly in Vietnam, he said. Both Albiol and Manchester Citys David Silva also confirmed that they plan to continue with the national team after the tournament. Albiol was speaking at Spains base just outside Curitiba, where they carried out their last training session. They will return to Spain following the Australia game, after the former champions became the joint-first team to be knocked out of the 2014 World Cup, along with the Socceroos. Continue reading...![]() |
World Cup 2014: fan fever means USA face Portugal on crest of ratings wave Posted: 21 Jun 2014 12:24 PM PDT
The tactical build-up to the USAs World Cup game against Portugal on Sunday largely focuses on how the American team can stop one man, Cristiano Ronaldo. Off the field, however, the talk is around spectators in their tens of thousands and viewers in their millions: as sure a sign of the sports development in its final frontier as the dramatic 2-1 win over Ghana on Monday. Continue reading...![]() |
World Cup 2014: Australian players commentate Tim Cahill's wonder goal - video Posted: 21 Jun 2014 12:20 PM PDT Socceroo players Ryan McGowan and James Holland got behind the mic to relive Tim Cahill's superb goal against Holland. Australia were beaten 2-3 by the Dutch on Wednesday, ending their chances of progressing to the knockout stages of the tournament. They play Spain in Curitiba on Monday Continue reading... ![]() |
Sport picture of the day: Argentina joy; Iranian despair Posted: 21 Jun 2014 11:52 AM PDT A great wide shot which encapsulates two extremes of emotion following Lionel Messi's injury time winner in Argentina's World Cup group game against Iran. The Iranians were as magnificent as Argentina were poor, but there was nothing they could do about another moment of exquisite Messi brilliance Continue reading... ![]() |
France have turned from disgrace to the team everyone wants to watch Posted: 21 Jun 2014 11:42 AM PDT Didier Deschamps side are now among the favourites for the World Cup and if they become champions he will be only the third person to win the tournament as a player and a coach From national disgraces to the side everyone wants to watch in Brazil, it has been some turnaround for Didier Deschamps and his France squad. The 2-0 defeat to Ukraine in the first leg of their play-off back in November left Les Bleus on the brink of elimination and led to headlines featuring the view of the far-Right Front National leader, Marine Le Pen, that ultra-liberalism applied to football was to blame for their demise. Yet since Mamadou Sakhos two goals helped France qualify for Brazil on a dramatic night in Paris, everything seems to have been going rather well for Deschamps the man who captained his country to World Cup glory on home soil in 1998. Fridays 5-2 destruction of Group Es top seeds, Switzerland, was the culmination of some impressive performances that have seen France installed as fourth favourites to win the competition, even if Le Pen is probably yet to be convinced Continue reading...![]() |
US womens goalkeeper Hope Solo arrested for domestic violence Posted: 21 Jun 2014 11:18 AM PDT Accused of assaulting sister and 17-year-old nephew Incident took place during party at her house in Seattle Hope Solo, goalkeeper for the United States womens soccer team, was arrested early on Saturday morning for striking her sister and teenage nephew during a dispute at her home in a Seattle suburb, police said. Police who responded to a 911 call at Solos house in Kirkland a little after midnight could hear noise from the disturbance from the street, according to a police statement. Continue reading...![]() |
Argentina through after Lionel Messi breaks battling Iran at the last Posted: 21 Jun 2014 11:12 AM PDT What a World Cup this is turning out to be. Even a snatched 1-0 win can have a ring of something quietly sensational about it. In Belo Horizonte Iran produced a stirring performance against an Argentina team of all the attacking talents, at first defending like trench-bound soldiers then coming out in the second half to cause problems of their own down their opponents vulnerable flanks, not least when Reza Ghoochanejad sprinted on to a long pass after an Argentina corner and almost scored what could have been a sensational winner with three minutes left. Football can be cruel, though. With the match in stoppage time it was Lionel Messi, after a relatively quite game, who scored the goal that put Argentina through to the last 16, reward for persistence to the last as Messi jinked inside and produced out of his back pocket a sublime left-foot shot into the far corner. As the Estádio Mineirão erupted with blue and white joy, Irans players crumpled. They had been disciplined and inventive against an Argentina team that lacked incision against a well-organised defence. Genius, though, does come in handy on these occasions. Continue reading...![]() |
Robin van Persie: beating Chile and finishing top is the goal video Posted: 21 Jun 2014 11:07 AM PDT Although they have already qualified for the World Cup last 16, Holland are desperate to finish top of Group B at the expense of next opponents Chile. The South Americans set up a table-topping clash with Holland following their 2-0 win over Spain. Van Persie says drawing with the Chileans will be a tough ask, but nothing short of finishing top will do as Brazil lie in wait for the group runners-up Continue reading... ![]() |
Argentina v Iran: World Cup 2014 as it happened Posted: 21 Jun 2014 11:01 AM PDT Iran were as magnificent as Argentina were poor, but there was nothing they could do about the moment of exquisite Lionel Messi brilliance that decided this game at the death ![]() |
Yugoslavia, Hungary? Fifas World Cup T-shirt bears no resemblance to reality Posted: 21 Jun 2014 10:51 AM PDT The official garments being sold on Copacabana beach include some countries which didnt even qualify for the tournament Continue reading... ![]() |
Álvaro Pereiras injury should force Fifa to revise concussion rules Posted: 21 Jun 2014 10:39 AM PDT Uruguayans decision to continue playing after blow to the head sustained against England at the World Cup is a stark warning The debate sparked by the blow from Raheem Sterlings knee that left Álvaro Pereira flat out on the Arena de Corinthians pitch during Uruguays victory over England may feel familiar. In English football, Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and his clash with Romelu Lukaku last season similarly brought to public attention an issue that it is vital all sports address with urgency. Continue reading...![]() |
Enner Valencia and his Ecuador team-mates have France in their sights Posted: 21 Jun 2014 10:37 AM PDT Reinaldo Rueda calls on his players to raise their game Ecuador can reach the knockout stages by beating France Continue reading... ![]() |
World Cup 2014: 17 things this tournament has taught us so far Posted: 21 Jun 2014 10:34 AM PDT Brazil 2014s early lessons: Catenaccio is dead, Japan fans are hygenic, and bump-and-grind mascots should know better Or at least resting. Hardly any buses have been parked most matches, with a few exceptions, have been free-flowing. Among the explanations so far: sides are trying to emulate Spains one-time-dominant tiki-taka; the heat is causing more gaffes; formations are more fluid; the international talent gap is closing; and the spate of early strikes has forced sides to attack. The goals per game stats are the best since 1958 which was also the last time England folded in the group stage. ![]() |
Hangover of defeat shows on grim faces of England players in Rio Posted: 21 Jun 2014 10:11 AM PDT England camp next to Sugarloaf Mountain suffers from morning-after mood as Roy Hodgson struggles to lift spirits at training in preparation for teams final World Cup match The worst possible sight the morning after is the debris of last nights party. The hangover sits heavily on your head and in your mouth, and all those half-drunk glasses of wine spark pangs of regret, yes, but also embarrassment. How could you have been so blithely gleeful last night when youre so clear-thinkingly miserable now? This was the inescapable sensation upon walking into the England training camp on Saturday morning, the day after Costa Rica trounced Italy and dropkicked the England team back across the Atlantic. Its a gorgeous camp, no question, a repurposed military base next to Sugarloaf Mountain with its own luxurious little beach, and its grandeur, once no doubt seeking to elevate the team, now makes them look more full of hubris than ever. Military guards hover around but no one is carrying out security checks, because, really, no one carrying contraband is going to try to break into a dead ducks camp. Continue reading...![]() |
Hey Maracanã World Cup diary: Maradona, England and sardines Posted: 21 Jun 2014 10:00 AM PDT Also featuring: Alex Songs chop, Tahiti trolling Spain, Sepp annoying the neighbours, and Miss Bumbums question Continue reading... ![]() |
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