Spain captain Iker Casillas has said he finds it strange that the format of the draw for the World Cup finals allowed the holders to be placed in the same group as Netherlands, the team they beat in the final in 2010.
The many moods of the fans at the World Cup in Russia
Photos of the World Cup final match between Germany and Argentina.
In a tournament that well before the quarter-final stage exceeded the 145 goals scored in South Africa in 2010, goalkeepers have stolen the limelight with a string of scintillating performances.
The predictions by the world's biggest wealth manager were based on a statistical model using the results from the previous five tournaments and controlling for factors such as team strength and success in the qualification phase.
The first batch of 22 Indian shooters, accompanied by 13 support staff, has departed for Buenos Aires to compete in the first ISSF World Cup of the year.
Netherlands goalkeeper Tim Krul made a dramatic entrance off the bench to save two penalties in a shootout win over Costa Rica on Saturday following a 0-0 draw after extra time, sending the Dutch into a World Cup semi-final with Argentina.
Uruguay sealed their spot at the 2014 World Cup finals after a goalless draw at home to Jordan in the second leg of their intercontinental playoff on Wednesday saw them advance 5-0 on aggregate.
India defeated South Africa 4-1 in their final practice game to round off their warm-up campaign ahead of the hockey World Cup on a positive note in The Hague, Netherlands on Thursday.
The much anticipated encounter between India and Pakistan on inaugural day of the hockey World Cup would be one of the most exciting matches of the 12-team quadrennial event, feels veteran Dutch goalkeeper Guus Vogels.
Bosnia beat Iran 3-1 in their Group F finale on Wednesday to record their first World Cup win and deny the West Asians any chance of reaching the knockout stage.
Fans speak their minds out on banners and placards at the Football World Cup. A glimpse of the action in the stands.
Reader Santosh Turumalla sent us these pictures from the World Cup in South Africa.
He has been in superb form ahead of the World Cup and will vie with Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, as well as Lionel Messi of Argentina, Fernando Torres of Spain and Brazil's Kaka to be the leading light of the tournament and bring home the trophy.
Pakistan Hockey Federation is still awaiting the No Objection Certificate from its government to send its national squad for the Junior Hockey World Cup, to be held in Lucknow from December 8.
Born in Buenos Aires in 1936, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church died on Monday aged 88.
England manager Roy Hodgson borrowed a line from the hit movie Forrest Gump on Monday when he described his thoughts ahead of this week's draw for the World Cup.
Uruguay will head to the World Cup on a winning note after beating Uzbekistan 3-0 in a chilly warmup in front of their own fans on Thursday.
Dortmund's Mario Goetze has suffered with muscular problems in recent months, prompting a comprehensive internal investigation into the possible causes, the club said on Monday.
Maradona death trial stirs emotions, anger in Argentina
In total, he has scored 788 career goals.
Its diplomats and officials are quick to present world leaders with jerseys autographed by soccer star and Argentina's World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi, much to the recepient's delight.
Radamel Falcao's hopes of playing at the World Cup finals hung by a thread on Thursday after his Ligue 1 club Monaco announced the Colombia striker required surgery on a left knee injury.
Individual genius triumphed over collective organisation as Lionel Messi's magnificent stoppage time goal for Argentina cruelly left Iran with nothing after an outstanding defensive display from Carlos Queiroz's team.
"Mateo, Luka and Marcelo are the best Croatia midfield in history. I don't think it can be repeated. When you pass them the ball it is safer than having your money in the bank," the defender said.
The intricate play and tight triangles Croatia were attempting only had to falter in a tiny way, and when they did Argentina were ready to pounce.
Lautaro said Argentina dominated the match against the Saudis and did not deserve to lose, having three goals ruled out for close offside calls by VAR.
Clubbed in a veritable group of death for next year's World Cup, Australia believe they can spring a surprise while fellow Asian qualifiers Japan, South Korea and Iran were more cautious with their optimism despite being dealt kinder draws.
Saudi Arabia took third place in Group C and will feature in a fourth phase of qualifiers in October alongside Indonesia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Oman.
The 35-year-old also paid tribute to Messi, who played for Real's arch-rivals Barcelona.
Argentina clinched a comfortable win in a friendly against Indonesia, making it two wins from two for the world champions on their short tour of Asia.
Julian Alvarez bagged Argentina's second from close range in the 57th minute after fatal hesitation from Ryan with the ball at his feet following a backpass.
An inspired performance from Douglas Costa helped Brazil to a 3-0 win over Peru on Tuesday and lifted them into third place in the South American qualifying group for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Adidas can declare itself the winner over arch rival Nike in the upcoming soccer World Cup even before the first match kicks off as it is kitting out the most teams.
Neville said that within next week or two, Manchester United will have to "magic up a bit more money" or bring someone on loan.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
The beautiful Rio de Janeiro sunset that was aired live during Germany's one goal victory against Argentina during their World Cup final clash has reportedly been treated with Uruguayan Luis Suarez 's bite meme.
Soccer fans across Germany will be hoping a "psychic" cephalopod's fabled skills of prophecy have failed him after Paul the octopus predicted a German loss in their World Cup semi-final with Spain.
The Dutch also face the possibility of the majority of the 80,000-odd crowd cheering on Argentina as a surprisingly small number of orange-clad Dutch supporters have travelled.
Rediff.com brings you the best quotes of the day from Brazil!
