Ivory Coast convincingly beat North Korea 3-0 on Friday, but the comprehensive win was not enough to prevent the Africans from going out of the World Cup.
Just as he seemed to be returning to something near his peak, Kaka will have to endure the frustration of missing Brazil's final group game against Portugal as he serves a one-match suspension for his sending-off against Ivory Coast.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Portugal winger Nani on Sunday said he will take just week to recover from the shoulder injury that ruled him out of the World Cup, raising questions why he did not stay in South Africa for the tournament.
A summary of sports events and persons who made news on Thursday.
News of all that transpired on and off the football field.
Cristiano Ronaldo hailed Pele after he surpassed the Brazilian great's goal-scoring haul
The Davis Cup will remain an annual tournament despite persistent complaints from some players that it over-burdens an already-crowded schedule, the head of the sport's governing body said on Tuesday.
The Germans were desperate to impress in front of a home crowd to make amends for their shock 2018 World Cup first-round exit, but instead they rarely broke through the French rearguard.
Former Brazil, Portugal and Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has been named coach of Bunyodkor, the Uzbek champions said on Tuesday.
Harold Mayne-Nicholls, who led the teams which inspected bids to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, has been banned from all football for seven years.
Give us your take on Wednesday's games in the World Cup!
Have you joined the rediff fan club to support your favourite football team in the World Cup 2006?
Have you joined the rediff fan club to support your favourite football team in the World Cup 2006?
Organisers of the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix have bowed to local sensitivities by banning the traditional champagne podium celebration.
Chelsea coach Antonio Conte declared himself 'a serial winner' after leading his side to a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup final on Saturday and said it was up to the club to decide whether to fire him.
Chelsea sacked manager Luiz Felipe Scolari on Monday after seven months in charge, saying that results and performances 'appeared to be deteriorating at a key time in the season'.
Morocco are looking for an upset win over the European champions at the Luzhniki Stadium to realistically keep alive their interest in the tournament but mindful that the genius of the Portugal captain could send them towards an early exit.
A look at the last 16 team as Euro 2020 enters the knockout phase.
Indian football saw a big jump in the FIFA rankings on Thursday, rising 24 places to go up to 147 spot.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal will retire from football when he leaves his job at Old Trafford, he was quoted as saying by The Daily Telegraph on Thursday.
Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney will not face disciplinary action over an alleged "stamping" in last week's Champions League match against AaB Aalborg, UEFA said on Monday. Rooney tangled with Kasper Risgard and his foot made contact with the Aalborg player's chest during the game at Old Trafford, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov was in bullish mood ahead of their final Group A showdown with Uruguay on Monday, dismissing suggestions his men under pressure because of their status as World Cup hosts.
AC Milan and Brazil playmaker Kaka was awarded the 2007 Ballon d'Or on Sunday.
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard, also tipped for the job, has been appointed vice-captain.
'We're in disbelief because anyone who watched the game could see that it was not a penalty,' said Australian midfielder Tim Cahil, after his side lost to Italy.
Barcelona legend Xavi believes nobody will ever be able to replace his former teammate Lionel Messi with respect to his abilities and achievements. Comparing the Argentine with Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi said that Messi was way above the Portugal's Euro 2016 winner. The 36-year old said, "There will be many good players in the future but no one would come close to Messi's level, when he eventually decides to call it quits."
Alexandre Pato showed why he is regarded as Brazil's next superstar. He marked his international debut with a superb goal to earn his team a 1-0 win over Sweden on Wednesday. The 18-year-old only made his first appearance for AC Milan two months ago but is already being heralded as a phenomenal young talent.
Cristiano Ronaldo struck the winning goal to help Real Madrid become European champions, while Marin Cilic made an impressive comeback after a ban to claim the US Open crown in September. Also, Germany defeated Argentina to become football world champions. Rediff.com brings you the last instalment of the Best Sports Photos of the Year!
Carlos Tevez has been included in the squad for the first time in three years for next month's friendlies in England against Croatia and Portugal.
The 23-year-old has reinvented himself as a midfielder to great effect, scoring three times and playing a key role in the quarter-final win over Portugal.
It will be more of a shock if the 1998 World Cup semi-finalists do not progress against a battered, bruised but not yet broken Turkish side in the quarter-final of Euro 2008.
When Michel Platini revamped the European Championship, turning the finals from a tough, lean 16-team tournament in 2012 into a flabby, 'roll up, anybody's welcome' 24-side affair in 2016, it was not surprising he ran into a blizzard of rebukes.
The prize is awarded to the most valuable player in the 32-team tournament. The decision will be announced on Monday.
