Musical Starts To Thrill Audience At Fifa World Up Finals

The Final Match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ will be preceded by a spectacular musical show, with the superstar line-up of artists for the Closing Ceremony now announced. Taking centre stage at 14:20 on 13 July in the Maracana, Santana, Wyclef and Alexandre Pires will perform Dar Um Jeito, the Official Anthem of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, while Shakira will make her third consecutive appearance at the FIFA World Cup, performing La la la (Brazil 2014) alongside Carlinhos Brown. Brazilian superstar Ivete Sangalo will bring a distinctive local flavour to the show, performing a medley of well-known Brazilian songs, joined in part by Alexandre Pires.

I Was Walking On Water In '58 - Just Fontaine

The race for the adidas Golden Boot is hotting up at Brazil 2014, with James Rodriguez leading the way on five goals ahead of closest rivals Thomas Muller, Lionel Messi and Neymar. It would take a brave fan to predict who will fire their way to glory, but one thing is certain – or almost certain: Just Fontaine will not be relinquishing the adidas Platinum Boot he received on 11 June for his incredible 13 strikes at Sweden 1958.

To collect the honour, first promised by FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter several years ago, Justo travelled to Sao Paolo with his old friend Dominique Colonna, France's third-choice goalkeeper during their run to the semi-finals in 1958. "I also made him come to Nice and Reims," Fontaine told FIFA.com, recalling the clubs where the two men spent time as team-mates. "We're like an old married couple!"

Striker Shoot-Out As Quater Final Begins

One of the finest generations of goalscorers ever assembled is poised for a climactic shoot-out for the greatest prize in football as the FIFA World Cup™ quarter-finals get under way on Friday.

Karim Benzema's France play Thomas Muller's Germany and Neymar's Brazil take on Colombia, with World Cup revelation James Rodriguez, in the opening clashes of football's remaining titans.

The 56 matches so far have been packed with drama. The 154 goals at an average of 2.75 goals per game, puts Brazil 2014 firmly on course to beat the 171-goal record of France 1998.

David Luiz Leads Defenders' Fightback

Neymar may be the poster boy of this Brazilian World Cup but the reasons for the hosts’ presence in Friday’s quarter-final against Colombia can be found further back in Luiz Felipe Scolari’s lineup – and the latest Castrol Index ranking reflects this.

It was Tostao, the 1970 World Cup winner-turned-journalist, who wrote in his daily column after the tense penalty shoot-out triumph over Chile that “the stand-outs for Brazil were Thiago Silva, David Luiz and Julio Cesar” and Scolari’s two centre-halves both feature in the top ten along with Neymar.

World Cup Favorites Stumble On

THE DAY REPLAYED - The Round of 16 has concluded without a single upset, and with Argentina and Belgium having ensured that all eight group winners advanced. Yet while the list of quarter-finalists might adhere to expectations, the manner in which they secured their spots has been anything but straightforward.

Indeed, of all the teams through, only Colombia can claim to have been truly convincing, with the others more relieved than overjoyed. Argentina certainly continued that trend today, toiling against Switzerland until Lionel Messi laid on a 118th-minute winner for Angel Di Maria. And extra time was also required to settle a thrilling match between Begium and USA that somehow made it to 90 minutes without either team having scored. And while the Americans, and Tim Howard in particular, were heroic in defeat, Les Diables Rouges hung on to a 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.

We Are On The Mission: Robben

“I wouldn’t swap Robben for any player in the world. He's having an amazing World Cup."

As tributes go, Dirk Kuyt's ranks among the most glowing of Brazil 2014. And while fans of Messi, Neymar or Ronaldo may quibble with the Dutch veteran's opening statement, his latter is inarguable.

By any reckoning, Robben has been one of the outstanding players of this FIFA World Cup™. Any adjective short of 'amazing' would sell short performances that, throughout, have inspired and propelled the Netherlands.

KESHI: Nigeria Can Still Improve

Despite advancing to the round of 16 at the World Cup, Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi was not completely pleased with his team's performance in a 3-2 defeat to Nigeria on Wednesday.

Argentina struck twice through Lionel Messi in the first half, and though Nigeria responded with quick equalisers after both goals, Keshi said the Super Eagles deferred too much to one of the teams favoured to win the tournament.

BREAKING: Stephen Keshi, Vincent Enyeama, and Joseph Yobo quit Super Eagles

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has resigned his appointment after leading the team to the second round of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking after the Eagles were eliminated by France in the round of 16 match in Brasilia, Monday, the Delta State-born tactician said it was time to move on after leading his country’s national team to the Africa Nations Cup trophy last year and the ongoing World Cup in Brazil.

No Retrospective Action For Robben After Dive Admission

FIFA will not be taking action against Arjen Robben after he admitted diving during Holland's 2-1 win over Mexico.
Robben reportedly apologised for diving on one occasion in the game - but not for the

Transfer Rumours And Paper Review - Monday, June 30

Here's the latest transfer-related stories in Monday's papers...