RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― Mario Goetze lived up to the billing of being Germany’s wunderkind by scoring the goal that ensured Germany became the first European team to win the World Cup title in South America.Goetze came off the bench in the 88th minute and netted the winner in the 113th minute of the final against Argentina with a perfectly taken volley.Andre Schuerrle, another substitute, broke away down the left flank, outstripped tiring Argentine defenders and sent a cross into the penalty area.

SoccerJuly 14, 2014

Lionel Messi, who lost out on the World Cup title after Argentina's 1-0 loss to Germany in Sunday's final, was named the Golden Boot player of the tournament.The Barcelona legend and four time Player of the Year was a key part in Argentina's march to the Maracana stadium, picking up four man of the match performances.He scored four goals at the tournament, but failed to pick up the one honour eluding him after Germany substitute Mario Goetze's 113th minute goal dashed the South Americans' dream

Latest NewsJuly 14, 2014

Germany's players celebrate with the World Cup trophy after winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup final football match between Germany and Argentina 1-0 following extra-time at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sunday. (AP-Yonhap)RIO DE JANEIRO -- Second-half substitute Mario Goetze broke a scoreless deadlock in extra time in the World Cup final with Argentina to crown Germany the victors of soccer’s biggest international tournament on Sunday night at Maracana Stadium.Andre Schurrle s

SoccerJuly 14, 2014

BRASILIA (AP) ― Luiz Felipe Scolari declined to make a decision on his future Saturday, saying it will be up to the Brazilian football confederation to decide whether he will continue as Brazil’s coach after the World Cup.Following Brazil’s 3-0 loss to the Netherlands in the third-place match, Scolari said he will let the confederation analyze his performance and decide whether he should remain as coach despite failing to succeed at the home tournament.The coach, who was loudly booed by the crow

SoccerJuly 13, 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― Brazilians already downhearted at missing out on reaching the World Cup final watched in dismay Saturday as their national team lost to the Netherlands 3-0 in the third-place match.Across the nation, fans hoping for some measure of redemption were crushed as Brazil failed to score and said their only solace was that the country managed to put on a good World Cup show for the world.Brazilian soldier Julio Cesar Carioca compared his connection with Brazil’s team to life itsel

SoccerJuly 13, 2014

Robin van Persie (second from left) of the Netherlands scores against Brazil at the World Cup on Saturday. (EPA-Yonhap)BRASILIA (AP) ― When it was all over, it was the Netherlands receiving a standing ovation from the Brazilian crowd. Brazil walked off the field to boos, after another demoralizing loss to end its home World Cup.The Netherlands’ remarkable campaign ended on a high note after Robin van Persie and Daley Blind scored early goals to help give the team a 3-0 win over Brazil in the thi

SoccerJuly 13, 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO -- On the eve of the World Cup final, Argentina head coach Alejandro Sabella said his team would have to be focused, fast and cautious to play “the perfect match” against favorites Germany."We must have great concentration. We have to … occupy spaces very quickly. We (can’t) risk the ball in areas where we cannot take any chances,” especially against a physical and tactical rival with such a strong mindset, he said on Saturday at Maracana Stadium ahead of the team’s final practice

SoccerJuly 13, 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Germany is not simply coming to the World Cup final off the biggest semifinal victory in World Cup history. Coach Joachim Low said Sunday’s final against Argentina was not even the biggest challenge that he has faced in his career. German football has been working up to this day for a decade, and Low is not afraid.“I have no fear whatsoever because I know it is going to be a match between two teams who have had fascinating duels in the past,” he said on Saturday at Maracana Sta

SoccerJuly 13, 2014

Brazil's traumatic World Cup ended with more pain on Saturday as they lost 3-0 to a superior Netherlands side in the third-place play-off at the Mane Garrincha National Stadium in Brasilia.Still struggling to digest their record-breaking 7-1 loss to Germany in the semi-finals, Brazil had a similarly disastrous start against the Dutch, with Robin van Persie opening the scoring from the penalty spot inside three minutes.With injured star Neymar watching on from the bench, Daley Blind then capitali

SoccerJuly 13, 2014

 Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari admitted on Friday that a traumatic last six weeks both on and off the field will mark him for the rest of his life."Lots of things have changed and have impacted on my life for better or for worse. In the coming days I will try to get on with my life, that I have left behind a little bit in recent days," said Scolari ahead of Saturday's World Cup third-place play-off against the Netherlands in Brasilia."I will talk a bit with my family about everything that hap

SoccerJuly 12, 2014

BRASILIA (AP) ― Neymar became emotional when talking Thursday about the injury that ruled him out of the World Cup, saying that if the knee to his back had been slightly more to one side he “could be in a wheelchair” right now.The Brazil striker cried as he recalled the injury, saying “God blessed” him and prevented a more serious injury. Neymar had to stop talking for several seconds, lowering his head and putting a hand in front of his eyes.“It’s difficult to talk about a move that (happened)

SoccerJuly 11, 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO ― As Brazil and the Netherlands lick their wounds, Germany and Argentina are busy with preparations for Sunday’s World Cup final ― the third time the two sides have met in soccer’s most important fixture.Spectators widely see the two deserving of their places in the final, but the way they earned their tickets to the final this week could not have contrasted more. Germany on Tuesday handed Brazil the biggest semifinal defeat in World Cup history, a result that undoubtedly left a l

SoccerJuly 11, 2014

PORTO SEGURO, Brazil (AP) ― Germany has taken the “tiki-taka” passing game so intrinsically used by Spain to another level at the World Cup in Brazil, by adding ruthless efficiency to the possession philosophy.Germany is one win from capturing its fourth World Cup title following the astonishing 7-1 demolition of host Brazil in the semifinals.Spain beat Germany at two major tournaments and coach Joachim Loew was so impressed by the Spanish game that he has taken over many aspects and, of course,

SoccerJuly 10, 2014

SAO PAULO (AP) ― It was Argentina’s joy, and another sting for Brazil.The Argentine soccer team beat the Netherlands on Wednesday to win a berth in the World Cup championship match ― doing it on archrival Brazil’s soil, and just a day after Brazil was humiliated in a 7-1 loss to Germany.Thousands of Argentina fans who traveled to Brazil for the tournament wept, kissed and raised their hands to the sky when their team won 4-2 on penalty kicks, sending it to the final for the first time in more th

SoccerJuly 10, 2014