The World Cup Group Stage In Quotes

With 48 of the 64 games at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ now in the rear-view mirror, FIFA.com takes a moment to look back over some of the most memorable quotes from the group stage.

Group A
"I don't think Neymar has even started his World Cup yet." Brazil midfielder Willian after A Seleçao swept Cameroon aside 4-1

"That was just frustration as a result of how the game was going. They're not bad guys – on the contrary, they're friends. They're always having fun together." Cameroon defender Stephane Mbia gives his insight into the altercation between Benjamin Moukandjo and Benoit Assou-Ekotto at the end of Cameroon's 4-0 loss to Croatia

We Have To Go For The Cup - Sneijder

Wesley Sneijder was the undisputed star of the Netherlands' last FIFA World Cup™ campaign, and ended the tournament clutching the adidas Silver Ball. But while the challenge of going from runner-up to winner, from silver to gold, has consumed him ever since, it seemed that he might not get the chance.

A discordant relationship with Louis van Gaal has, after all, plagued the last two years of the midfielder's career, and led to suggestions that he would be omitted from the Oranje team - perhaps even from the squad - at Brazil 2014. The first major decision Van Gaal had taken after assuming control was to strip Sneijder of the captaincy, and he was openly critical of the fitness and form of this former talisman. "I have the idea he doesn't get it," the manager added ominously.

Tourists Go Gaga Over Suarez Billboard, Laser Beams Kill Russians, And The Top Tweet Of The Cup [See Video]

IT used to be that the most snapped tourist attraction in Rio was the Christ the Redeemer statue. Today, however, it’s a billboard poster of Luis “the Irredeemable” Suarez.

The must have souvenir of a trip to Copacabana Beach today isn’t a string bikini or a Neymar top but a selfie with your body part stuck in the snarling jaws of the Uruguayan Suarez.

Woods Struggles In Return; Chalmers Takes Early Lead

BETHESDA, Md. — Tiger Woods was back on the PGA Tour for the first time in more than three months Thursday and said he felt “fantastic.”

He was talking about his back, not his game.

One day into his most recent return from injury, that’s what mattered to him.

Woods opened with two straight bogeys, made five more bogeys in a seven-hole stretch around the turn at tough Congressional and finally found his groove late in the opening round of the Quicken Loans National for a 3-over 74.

Nadal Moves On

LONDON — Uncle Toni’s reaction said it all.

This one meant a lot to him and to the tennis player he coaches, his No. 1-ranked nephew Rafael Nadal, who was in a tough spot Thursday,
one point from trailing two sets to none against the same guy he lost to — in the same stadium, same round — two years ago at Wimbledon.

As the younger Nadal began turning things around, evening the match at a set apiece on his opponent’s double-fault, the older Nadal dispensed with any sense of decorum, leaping out his Centre Court seat, punching the air, and shouting “Vamos!”

Algeria Creates History As, Goals Record as Group Stage Ends

THE DAY REPLAYED – As the group stage reached its climax at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, Portugal, Ghana, Korea Republic and Russia were all left facing early flights home along with the 12 sides eliminated before them. The tournament has come to a close too for Luis Suarez, with the Uruguay striker suspended for nine matches and four months following an incident during La Celeste's meeting with Italy on Tuesday.

Elsewhere, Algeria are revelling in a breakthrough moment after decades of frustration. Les Fennecs (Desert Foxes) recorded a 1-1 draw with Russia to seal their progress to the Round of 16 for the first time in the history, ensuring a place in the hearts of a nation for Vahid Halilhodzic and his men.

Luis Suárez Suspended For Nine Matches And Banned For Four Months From Any Football-Related Activity

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has reached a decision in the case related to Luis Suárez of Uruguay following an incident that occurred during the FIFA World Cup™ match between Italy and Uruguay played on 24 June 2014.
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has decided that:

· The player Luis Suárez is regarded as having breached art. 48 par. 1 lit. d of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) (assault), and art. 57 of the FDC (an act of unsporting behaviour towards another player).

Transfer Rumours And Paper Review – Thursday, June 26

All the latest transfer-related stories in Thursday's newspapers...

Barcelona are still interested in Liverpool striker Suarez and ready to offer £80m player-plus-cash deal that could include wingers Alexis Sanchez, 25, and Pedro, 26. (Daily Mirror)

However, Arsenal and Manchester United are set to battle it out for Chile international Sanchez. (Daily Mail)
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has denied any interest in signing AC Milan and Italy striker Mario Balotelli, 23. (Daily Mail)

Carew: Suarez Is 'Sick And Needs Help'

The Liverpool striker was banned from all football activity for four months following his bite on Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini, the third time he has been punished for sinking his teeth into an opponent.

And Carew admits he cannot understand why the Uruguayan would do something like that, and says the time has come for him to face his demons.

The former Aston Villa striker told talkSPORT’s Ian Abrahams: “He needs help, he’s sick. You can’t do what he’s doing without having some kind of problem.

“I’ve never seen anything that stupid. Not even the craziest, most aggressive footballer in the world would do something this stupid, and for the third time.

Check Out Which Teams Will Meet In The World Cup Last 16!

So that's the World Cup group games finished and while European heavyweights Spain, England, Italy and Portugal are out there is still plenty to look forward to.

It has been an enthralling tournament in Brazil so far and we can expect more of the same in the last 16 particularly with the likes of the Selecao meeting Chile and the Netherlands facing Mexico.

There also remains the potential for further upsets in the knockout stages as Nigeria meet France, Algeria mark their first appearance in the last 16 by facing Germany and Switzerland play Argentina.