After years of construction delays and budget overruns, the World Cup kicks off in Brazil on Thursday under a cloud of discontent at home even as happy foreign fans pour in for the tournament.
Images from UEFA Europa League semi-finals played on Thursday.
Fernanda Colombo Uliana, a 25-year-old assistant referee, is fast becoming an internet sensation. It is not just because of her model-like looks, but also her flag-waving work.
Higuain had a disappointing Copa America tournament in July, scoring two goals during the competition and missing his spot kick as Argentina lost on penalties to Chile in the final.
Images from the FIFA World Cup qualifiers matches.
Images from football action around European leagues played on Sunday
Bruno Fernandes and Edinson Cavani scored twice each as Manchester United took a giant step towards the Europa League final with a 6-2 drubbing of AS Roma in their semi-final first leg at Old Trafford on Thursday.
Having headed into the match tied on 47 league goals with West Ham's former stalwart Paolo Di Canio, Antonio was delighted to have surpassed the Italian as he celebrated by lifting a cardboard cut-out of himself at the side of the pitch.
Nothing went right for the 29-year-old World Player of the Year whose performance reached a low point when he contrived to drill a 30-metre free kick into a one-man Germany wall.
The soccer world was in mourning on Tuesday as clubs, players and fans from around the globe sent tributes and support to Brazilian side Chapecoense following a deadly air crash in Colombia that killed 76 people, including several players.
Brazil forward Neymar has been ruled out of the Copa America after suffering a serious ankle injury in a 2-0 friendly win over Qatar.
Kaka has dropped out of the Brazil squad for the Centenary Copa America due to injury and will be replaced by Paulo Henrique Ganso, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said.
Images from the football matches played across Europe on Wednesday.
Brazil held 10 presumed Islamist militants in isolation cells at a maximum security jail on Friday as police combed their computers and mobile phones for information about possible threats to next month's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Mumbai upped the ante and started creating a few chances after going behind.
Tam Arlines, Brazil's largest, said Airbus 320 was carrying 170 passengers and a crew of six when it crashed into the airline's own offices across the airport, located within Sao Paulo city limits.
Much has been written about that afternoon, and the Brazilian's career and epic rivalry with Frenchman Alain Prost, with questions still asked about what caused the crash. What is certain is that it changed Formula One, triggering a major safety review and altering the course of sporting history.
Former Formula One driver Mark Webber has "no recollection" of the high-speed crash that left him "bruised and concussed" at the World Endurance series race in Brazil.
Organisers of the 2014 Soccer World Cup conducted the first and only official test of facilities at Sao Paulo's still-incomplete Arena Corinthians stadium on Sunday, 25 days before it will host the opening match between Brazil and Croatia.
A Brazilian man, who claimed he turned 126 last week, could be the world's oldest living person ever documented, according to reports.
Ridiculed for fakery at the recent soccer World Cup, Neymar bounced back at cards this week with the aid of some well-timed bluffs, finishing an impressive sixth place in the 288-strong field of a Brazilian Series of Poker event.
Mumbai and New Delhi may feature in the top 10 in the next 10 to 20 years.
Manchester Utd's Fred receives racist abuse after defeat by Liverpool.
Photos of the World Cup semi-final game between Argentina and Netherlands
All the action that transpired on and off the football field
Brazilian newspapers and websites were unanimous on Tuesday that the national team's 7-1 hammering by Germany in the World Cup semi-final was the greatest shame in the country's illustrious footballing history.
Images from the World Cup qualifying matches played on Wednesday night.
At the opening ceremony in Sao Paulo, attended by President Dilma Rousseff and a clutch of visiting heads of state, Pele was a notable absentee despite living not far away in Santos.
Portugal have denied midfielder Raul Meireles was making an insulting gesture toward the referee after teammate Pepe was sent off against Germany on Monday, saying he was simply passing on tactical instructions from coach Paulo Bento.
Publisher Simon & Schuster says the book focuses on the company's early years.
ODD PIX: From junkyard fashion to dinner in the sky
Paulo Dybala upstaged his fellow Argentine Lionel Messi by scoring two exquisitely taken goals to set Juventus on the way to an emphatic 3-0 win over an underwhelming Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday.
For Sao Paulo's most popular football team, the World Cup has provided a new home after 100 years playing in rented stadiums. Thousands of neighbours, however, say it has left them homeless.
The companies have asked for digital curfew passes as e-retailers feel if more lockdowns are ordered after April 14, it is extremely difficult and time-consuming process to acquire the passes from local authorities.
Olympic judo medallist Flavio Canto is among those giving his time and money to battle the COVID-19 outbreak in Brazil. Dunga is also working with business contacts and former players - including ex-Brazil internationals Jorginho and Edmilson and Paulo Cesar Tinga - to help disadvantaged communities in his home state of Rio Grande do Sul.
Cristiano Ronaldo will lead Portugal's World Cup campaign after being named in their provisional 30-man squad for the finals on Tuesday, despite currently being out with a hamstring injury.
The Netherlands have concerns over striker Robin van Persie, who was suffering from stomach problems ahead of their semi-final game against Argentina in Sao Paulo.
Brazil launched a desperate appeal to have skipper Thiago Silva's ban for their World Cup semi-final against Germany overturned on Sunday but Argentine hopes of seeing Angel Di Maria in action were ended by injury.
Be it protests or a kind word, football fans think out loud through these banners at the World Cup in Brazil!
If the past is any guide, we should be in for something memorable on Wednesday in Sao Paulo when the Netherlands meet Argentina in the World Cup semi-final at the Corinthians arena.
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