Enner inspires Ecuador to comeback victory
Curitiba, June 21 (FIFA.com/IBNS): A pair of predatory goals from Enner Valencia propelled Ecuador to a 2-1 comeback victory over Honduras that lifted them second in Group E, above Switzerland on goal difference. An excellent Carlo Costly strike had put the Central Americans ahead, but Valencia equalised from close-range before heading home the winner at the Arena da Baixada.
Exhilarating Bleus blast Swiss in thriller
Salvador, June 21 (FIFA.com/IBNS) France rocketed from outsiders to FIFA World Cup™ contenders with a scintillating 5-2 defeat of Switzerland in Salvador. Olivier Giroud, Blaise Matuidi, Mathieu Valbuena, Karim Benzema and Moussa Sissoko were on the score-sheet as Didier Deschamps’ side made all but sure of a place in the Round of 16, before wonder-strikes from Blerim Dzemaili and Granit Xhaka gave Swiss memorable consolations from an enrapturing encounter.
Ruiz stuns Italy, sends Costa Rica through
Recife, June 20 (FIFA.com/IBNS): Costa Rica's amazing run here at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil continued in Recife, the Central American upstarts adding Italy’s scalp to their Group D belt after opening with a win over Uruguay. Los Ticos are now through to the knockout phase for only the second time in their history, thanks to a Bryan Ruiz header just before the interval at the Arena Pernambuco.
United at Home against Home United
Barasat, June 20 (IBNS) In an interview to www.fifa.com, Basketball great Kobe Bryant, a big Football buff had underlined the importance of having a common goal as the key to success citing the example of San Antonio Spurs who upstaged favourites Miami Heat to win the NBA title after a gap of seven years.
Super Suarez makes the difference
Sao Paulo, June 20 (FIFA.com/ IBNS) Uruguay forward Luis Suarez did something which he did not manage to do in the Premier League this season – score past Joe Hart – as he netted twice in the South Americans’ 2-1 win over England in their Group D clash in Sao Paulo.
Colombia edge Elephants, near knockout stages
Brasilia, June 19 (FIFA.com/IBNS): Colombia gave themselves breathing space at the top of 2014 Group C after goals from James Rodriguez and Juan Quintero helped them to a 2-1 win over Cote d'Ivoire, putting them three points clear of Sabri Lamouchi's side.
Russia, Korea Republic in disappointing draw
Cuiaba, June 18 (FIFA.com/IBNS) Errors at either end saw Russia and Korea Republic share the spoils in Group H, with Igor Akinfeev gifting the Asian side the lead before Alexander Kerzhakov tapped in following a goal-mouth scramble to see it finish 1-1.
Ochoa excels as Mexico hold Brazil
Fortaleza, June 18 (FIFA.com/IBNS) Mexico, who suffered through a disastrous qualifying campaign in the CONCACAF zone, were inspired against Brazil in Fortaleza and earned a 0-0 draw against the much-fancied hosts.
Belo Horizonte, June 17 (FIFA.com/IBNS) Second-half goals from substitutes Marouane Fellaini and Dries Mertens enabled Belgium to come from behind and beat Algeria 2-1 in their Group H opener.
Goals dry up as Iran, Nigeria draw
Curitiba, June 17 (FIFA.com/IBNS): It was only a matter of time before the free-scoring 2014 FIFA World Cup produced its first goalless stalemate, and Iran and Nigeria provided it, playing out a 0-0 draw in Curitiba at the Arena da Baixada.
Avenged Americans beat Black Stars
Natal, June 17 (FIFA.com/IBNS) A first-minute goal by Clint Dempsey and a late winner from substitute John Brooks helped USA avenge their 2010 exit to Ghana with a 2-1 victory over the Black Stars in Natal.
German lessons for CR7's Portugal
Salvador, June 16 (FIFA.com/IBNS): Germany sent a message to the rest of the competitors here in Brazil with a 4-0 demolition of Portugal.
Benzema bags brace as Bleus beat Honduras
Porto Alegre, June 16, (FIFA.com/IBNS) France have made a perfect start to their Brazil 2014 campaign with a Karim Benzema-inspired 3-0 win over ten-man Honduras. The Real Madrid striker scored twice and had a large hand in another as Les Bleus moved to the top of Group E with an emphatic victory at Porto Alegre's Estadio Beira-Rio.
Rio De Janeiro, June 16 (FIFA.com/IBNS): Lionel Messi created one goal and scored a brilliant second as Argentina kicked off their FIFA World Cup campaign with a 2-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Last-gasp Seferovic snatches Swtizerland victory
Brasilia, June 15 (FIFA.com/IBNS):Switzerland secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Ecuador in the latest turnaround of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, with Haris Seferovic scoring in stoppage-time after Enner Valencia and Admir Mehmedi looked to have secured a point for both sides.