A player who can’t even get a start with his club, is now on the brink of becoming the most prolific scorer in the history of the World Cup.

Argentina are studying Germany’s penalty techniques ahead of their World Cup quarterfinal on Saturday, goalkeeper Sergio Romero said.
Diego Maradona’s side are hoping to avoid a repeat of the 2006 quarterfinals, when Germany beat Argentina 4-2 in a shootout.

Referees Jorge Larrionda and Roberto Rosetti were nowhere to be seen on Tuesday at Fifa’s third open day for media to meet referees in Pretoria.
Larrionda officiated over England-Germany tie and caused international uproar when failing to spot that Frank Lampard’s shot come off the underside of the crossbar and landed clearly behind the goal-line.

The Russian Roulette of football finally made its entry on African shores as Paraguay overcame Asia’s last remaining hope Japan 5-3 on penalties after the match ended in a goalless draw at the Loftus Versfeld Arena here on Tuesday.

Argentina coach Diego Maradona believes South America will never catch up with Europe despite the continent’s stunning success at the World Cup in South Africa.
South America had five representatives in the competition and all five made it to the knockout stages, with four of them winning their groups.

Fans and aesthetes can rejoice. Spain avoided the first-round quicksand that had consumed France and Italy, with a 2-1 win over Chile in Group H here on Friday. The rewards for the hard-earned result are a place at the top of the pool and a meeting with Portugal in the next round.

Landon Donovan was moments from reliving his worst football heartache, a first-round World Cup exit, when he scored the most important goal of his life to send the United States into the knockout roun

Landon Donovan scored a dramatic stoppage time winner against Algeria here on Wednesday to send USA through to the second round as Group C winners in World Cup action here on Wednesday.

The only sound piercing the wail of the vuvuzela was the referee’s whistle, blowing over and over again for an endless series of penalty kicks as players pushed, pulled and wrestled each other to the ground.

Brazil striker Luis Fabiano struck the most controversial goal of the 2010 World Cup, using his bicep twice to control the ball before slotting it past Ivory Coast goalkeeper Boubacar Barry at Soccer City on Sunday.