WORLD CUP 2010: Portugal 0 Brazil 0 - Joga Bonito gives way to petulance in defensive draw of convenience

 
Given the runaround: Ronaldo (No 7) tries to get away from Dani Alves .In acres of space: Brazil right back Maicon takes the ball in his stride.So close: Nilmar rattles the Portugal upright

Left out: Robinho (far right) watches from the Brazil bench

This was the game that made the mouth water when the World Cup draw was made last December - but there was little samba football to report in Durban.

A draw was always going to be good enough to see both teams progress from Group G, and a stalemate is exactly what we got.

WORLD CUP 2010: Diego Maradona tells Luis Fabiano there is only one Hand of God

In black and white: Maradona's infamous handball in 1986 and Fabiano on Sunday

Luis Fabiano's second goal against Ivory Coast at the World Cup was not with the Hand of God as the Brazilian claimed, Diego Maradona said on Monday.

'No, this one was with his arm, he brought it down with his arm, it's very evident, I think there was a double handball,' Argentina's coach said laughing.

WORLD CUP 2010: Brazil coach Dunga says sorry for branding journalist 'wimp' and 'donkey'

Sorry for his harsh words: Brazil coach Dunga

aking steps to put things right: Dunga has been under pressure, he claims

Brazil coach Dunga apologised to his country's fans ahead of today's World Cup match against Portugal in Durban.
Dunga verbally insulted a Brazilian reporter after his team's 3-1 triumph over the Ivory Coast.

The former Brazil star used the words 'donkey' and 'wimp' as well as launching a verbal attack on the journalist in question in his post-match press conference.

'I'm sorry to the fans for the language I used and for the manner in which I spoke after that game,' said Dunga.

WORLD CUP 2010: Fabio Capello's England boys will wear lucky red strip again on Sunday

Red alert: Fabio Capello's side will wear their all-red strip against Germany on Sunday

Lucky omen? John Terry and Matthew Upson both scored in England's win over Germany when the sides last met

England will play against Germany in their all-red strip after the colour brought Fabio Capello luck against Slovenia.

As group winners, the Germans are technically the 'home team' when the old rivals meet in Bloemfontein on Sunday to dispute a place in the World Cup quarter-final and they will wear their traditional white shirts, black shorts and black socks.

World Cup 2010: USA out for revenge as they face Ghana in 2nd Round

Bob Bradley has his mind focused on progression

USA's reward for beating England to the summit of Group C is a second-round meeting with Ghana instead of Germany. But given that their participation at the 2006 World Cup ended at the hands of the Black Stars, Bob Bradley and his side will not underestimate Saturday's opponents as they look to build on the momentum generated by Landon Donovan's dramatic goal against Algeria.

David Beckham has made me believe I can be a star for England, says James Milner

Eye-catching: Milner produced an inspired display for England against Slovenia

Cheers mate: Jermain Defoe and Milner celebrate as England qualify for the next stage of the World Cup

James Milner says David Beckham has given him the belief that he can become a star for England at this World Cup.

Becks has been assisting England boss Fabio Capello after getting the invite to help out in South Africa.

England will need to hit top form to beat Germany... who won't be practising penalties, warns Michael Ballack

Big test: Wayne Rooney will spearhead England's battle with Germany

Michael Ballack has warned England they will need to be at their very best to beat Germany in Sunday's World Cup showdown.

The old enemies meet again in Bloemfontein for a place in the quarter-finals and German legend Franz Beckenbaur has already stoked up the fires by branding England as 'stupid' and 'burnt out'.
Now Ballack has turned up the heat on their rivals by questioning their nerves under pressure - and he also claimed that they will not be practising penalties in the build-up to the game.

Joyous Japan fans take dawn dips after Denmark win

Japanese football fans celebrated wildly as dawn broke today and police were called on to fish revellers out of rivers after the national side stunned Denmark 3-1 to reach the second round of the World Cup in South Africa.

Newspaper headlines boasted of “history in the making” after the Blue Samurai reached the last 16 for the second time, while television viewing figures nudged past 41 per cent despite the game finishing just before 5.30am local time.

World Cup 2010 : Opportunity knocks for Uruguay and South Korea in 2nd Round

Luis Suarez is a player in the spotlight

Following France's farcical implosion and England's potentially fatal failure to finish top of their group, Uruguay and South Korea know that their quarter of the draw has opened up nicely and the victors in Port Elizabeth will compete with Ghana and USA for a place in the semi-finals. It is a huge motivation for both countries as they prepare for Saturday's second-round tie.

WORLD CUP 2010: Fabio's magic formula! England boss Capello has learned some new tricks just in time for Germany

Keeping up appearances: Fabio Capello shows the strain during England's win over Slovenia

New tricks: Capello reveals his softer side as he embraces skipper Steven Gerrard at the final whistle in Port Elizabeth

Even for a manager of Fabio Capello's considerable experience and expertise, the last few weeks have been an education.

Because for all the pressure that comes with winning trophies in Milan and Madrid, there is nothing quite like a World Cup. Nothing that compares to the burden of responsibility that an international manager has to cope with at a major tournament.

WORLD CUP 2010: Joe Cole doubts he will start for England against Germany but insists he can make impact from bench

Super sub: Cole in the thick of action as he battles with Slovenia's  Bojan Jokic

Big chance: Cole comes on for Wayne Rooney and receives a rousing reception

Joe Cole admits he does not expect to start England's crunch World Cup last-16 clash against Germany on Sunday.

The former Chelsea midfielder tasted his first action of the tournament on Wednesday after being overlooked by England boss Fabio Capello for the opening two games with United States and Algeria.

7 yellow cards in ugly 1st half of Brazil-Portugal

DURBAN, South Africa — What was supposed to be a World Cup classic between two teams known for their attacking flair turned into a huge letdown Friday, with Portugal's 0-0 draw against Brazil light on quality football and full of yellow cards.

Brazil and Portugal are supposed to be friendly nations with a shared language and colonial past.

But there was no love lost in Friday's first half in Durban. Four Portugal players and three from Brazil were booked before the break.

Tempers cooled with the night air in the second half, but so did the match's intensity as the most keenly anticipated first-round fixture fizzled out and the players were jeered at the final whistle.

WORLD CUP 2010: Germany boss Joachim Low insists it's World Cup first, new contract second

That's why I am here: Germany coach Joachim Low is not distracted

Model coach: Joachim Low will concentrate on winning the World Goblet rather than worrying about his Germany deal that ends at the end of the tournament

Germany coach Joachim Low insists uncertainty over his future will not affect his side's bid for World Cup glory.

Negotiations between Low and the German Football Federation (DFB) over an extension to his deal which runs out after the tournament broke down at the start of the year.

WORLD CUP 2010: England lack fear factor! Rooney and co have failed to convince anyone so far, say Germans

On their way: Defoe's goal against Slovenia sealed England's passage through to the second round and a mouth-watering tie against Germany

Waiting to hit top gear: Rooney has played below his best in South Africa

When the German players returned to their hotel 20 miles south-west of Pretoria on the Highveld, they gathered out in the courtyard for an impromptu party and watched as a fireworks display lit up the night sky.

England, by contrast, spluttered and popped once or twice against Slovenia, but there has been no real spark, no explosion of colour to draw admiring 'oohs' and 'aahs' from a World Cup crowd.


Italian job! Fabio Capello and Steven Gerrard embrace at the final whistle on Wednesday

Bring on the English! Germany boss Joachim Loew

Fabio Capello's men have mostly been duds, disappointing everyone watching and waiting for some pyrotechnics.
The Germans were talking diplomatically yesterday about how England are 'favourites' ahead of Sunday's match in Bloemfontein, but they don't really mean it. Actually, they are happy to admit they have seen nothing yet to be afraid of.

Proof that Wayne Rooney's no longer thinking outside the box Analysis show Ronney start putting deadly balls in goal area.

Germany beware - the signs are that Wayne Rooney is beginning to find his feet at this World Cup.

England fans have been pinning their hopes on the 24-year-old, but lacklustre displays against the USA and Algeria suggested the Manchester United star was struggling to reproduce his scintillating club form on the biggest stage of all.

Germany captain Philipp Lahm anticipates a classic with England

Captain Fantastic: Philipp Lahm (right) inherited the armband when Michael Ballack was ruled out of the tournament through injury

Classic encounters: England and Germany have met in the World Cup on four separate occasions, most notably the 1966 final

Germany captain Philipp Lahm described his side's forthcoming World Cup last 16 encounter with England as a 'classic'.

A second-half goal from Mesut Ozil helped Germany beat Ghana 1-0 at Soccer City on Wednesday night which took them to the top of Group D, meaning a meeting with England in the first knockout round.

England fan who berated team in the changing room has trespassing case adjourned

Court case: Pavlos Joseph charged with two counts of trespassing after entering the England changing room

So close: Wayne Rooney watches ball fall onto the roof of the net

An England supporter accused of trespassing after he entered England's dressing room following their 0-0 draw against Algeria today had his case adjourned until next Wednesday.

Pavlos Joseph, 32, from Crystal Palace, south-east London, appeared at a special World Cup court in Cape Town this morning.
His solicitor Craig Webster requested an adjournment until June 30 because the the defence are still awaiting requested CCTV footage from inside the stadium.

Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, James Milner and Gareth Barry: Fateful five picked to end England spot jinx

On the spot: Frank Lampard will lead England's charge from the spot

Record breaker: Lukas Podolski saved penalty against Serbia was the first German miss outside a shootout since 1974

Fabio Capello has identified the five men he hopes will end England's penalty jinx if Sunday's clash against Germany goes to the wire.

Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney and James Milner will step forward if they are on the pitch at the end of extra-time and Gareth Barry is expected to be the fifth taker.

Fears over Port Elizabeth pitch adds to England woes ahead of crunch clash

Life's a pitch: Officials work on the pitch at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium after Chile's win over Switzerland

If England thought their pitch problems had been left behind at Wembley they thought wrong as they were forced to reschedule Tuesday’s training because of fears about the surface in the Port Elizabeth Stadium.

FIFA stepped in on Monday to cancel the planned sessions of both England and Slovenia inside the arena where they will play their crucial Group C game.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson tells Wayne Rooney to 'relax'

Under pressure: Wayne Rooney has struggled to find his form in South Africa

Just relax: Sir Alex Ferguson has told Rooney to enjoy the World Cup

Wayne Rooney has sought advice from Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson as he looks to drag his country out of crisis, it has emerged.

Rooney has had a miserable World Cup so far and has not looked like breaking his nine-month international goal drought in England's dismal draws with the USA and Algeria.

John Terry failed coup said Sorry for big mistake.

No doubt who's boss: John Terry had to back down

Making the news: Monday's report by Matt Lawton prompted Terry to respond

John Terry has contacted Sportsmail to apologise to Fabio Capello and his England team-mates in the wake of his astonishing press conference in Rustenburg on Sunday.

Speaking exclusively to this newspaper on Monday night, Terry said he was stung by accusations that he had undermined the manager by calling for him to make changes before it was too late at this World Cup. Capello yesterday described Terry’s outburst as a ‘big mistake’.

Steven Gerrard talks the talk ahead of must-win match with Slovenia

No exit: Fabio Capello and Steven Gerrard have issued a rallying call to the rest of the England set up

Shuffling his pack: Capello (right) has admitted he may have made some mistakes in England's first two games

Driving England forward: Gerrard will hope his reign as captain stretches beyond Wednesday afternoon

Steven Gerrard has issued a rallying call to his England team on the eve of their clash with Slovenia, calling the match a 'do-or-die' situation.

The captain is the only member of the team to have scored in South Africa so far, and he knows another blank against the smallest nation in the competition would be disastrous for the country.

Fabio Capello said he is not crazy saying England can win world Cup 2010

We can do it: Fabio Capello leads the rallying cry to his England troops, insisting they can win the World Cup

Stand and deliver: West Ham captain Matthew Upson is ready to impress alongside John Terry in defence

Fabio Capello defended his sanity as he claimed England can still emerge from their campaign in South Africa as world champions.

Capello's team must beat Slovenia on a suspect pitch in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday afternoon to be certain of reaching the World Cup's last 16.

Robert Koren gives his verdict on the Slovenian team standing in the way of England's progression

England's dream of World Cup glory could end embarrassingly early on Wednesday afternoon when they come up against the smallest nation in the tournament.

Slovenia are a largely unknown quantity yet still sit pretty at the top of Group C, two points clear of England and the USA. Avoiding defeat against the Three Lions will guarantee progression for Matjaz Kek's team.

US Team Warms Up Before England Match-England Fans Arrive for Match Vs US-Black Eyed Peas, Shakira and John Legend-South Africa parties before World Cup kickoff

South Africa draws 1-1 with Mexico in WCup opener

Mexico's Rafael Marquez, right, celebrates after scoring a goal against South Africa goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, center, during the group A match between South Africa and Mexico at the soccer World Cup in Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday, June 11, 2010.


South Africa's Siphiwe Tshabalala, right, celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Mexico goalkeeper Oscar Perez, left, during the World Cup group A soccer match between South Africa and Mexico at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Friday, June 11, 2010.

Rafael Marquez's score earned Mexico a 1-1 draw with host South Africa in the opening game of the World Cup Friday after Siphiwe Tshabalala had given the host nation a dream start.

Tshabalala finished off a well-worked move in the 55th minute to set off wild celebrations at Soccer City.

But the South Africans left Mexico defender Marquez open in the 79th minute and he collected a left-wing cross to fire the tying goal.

The South Africans were close to scoring a winner in the 90th minute when Katlego Mphela got clear of two defenders but his shot hit the near post.