Americans wilt at end in Amazon heat

They were less than 30 seconds away.

Maradona disrespects Argentine FA chief

Former World Cup winner Diego Maradona showed Argentine FA president Julio Grondona the finger on live television after the soccer administrator had suggested Argentina scored against Iran because "jinxed" Maradona had left the stadium by then.

Gerrard eager to weed out England shirkers

England captain Steven Gerrard has described allegations that English players have deliberately wriggled out of international duty as "disgusting" and called on those concerned to be publicly named and shamed.

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Hero an unknown last month

Teenage striker Divock Origi is Belgium's World Cup hero of the moment. Just last month, many of his teammates - never mind much of his country's media - didn't even know who he was.

World Cup kitsch: From dog jerseys to Brazil condoms

World Cup fans are expressing their love of the game in wild ways, wearing patriotic nail polish, dressing up dogs with jerseys and showing their passion under the sheets with Brazil-inspired condoms.

After the goal rush, Algerian delight

They might want to change Porto Alegre's name to Porto Algeria after the Desert Foxes' 4-2 victory over South Korea in the southern Brazilian city on Sunday.

Roger set to reign on grass

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are entering Wimbledon plagued by injury fears and self-doubt, leaving Roger Federer convinced this could be a golden opportunity to capture a record eighth title.

Surly Serena in no mood for small talk

Serena Williams sent a warning to her Wimbledon title rivals as the world No 1 completed her preparations for the grass-court Grand Slam in a feisty mood.

What to watch for

Last year's Wimbledon was the most unpredictable in memory.

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'Evolving' Brazil still wary of Cameroon

Stuttering Brazil will look to clinch its berth in the last 16 of the World Cup as it hosts already-eliminated Cameroon in their final Group A match at the National Stadium in the capital, Brasilia, on Monday.