World Cup Page 86 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights
Expressing Ourselves Through The Majesty Of Song
First, we formally say goodbye to our British brethen with this video. It makes me kind of miss them already, and I wasn't even rooting for them....
The Semifinal Preview, Deadspin Reader Style
Hey, many many thanks to all those who sent in their thoughts on the World Cup semifinals, to which Spain is not invited. Here are some of the finer selections....
France Continues Ownership Of Brazil
Brazil has capped a tournament full of uninspiring play with more of the same, but this time, they weren't able to get away with it. A peaking-at-the-right-time French squad got a goal from Thierry Henry, slotting home a free kick from the man of the match, Zinedine Zidane. Zidane was brilliant al...
Yeah, Thierry Henry Is France's Problem
If you're planning on watching the Brazil/France match later on today, you may notice that France doesn't suit up a lot of white guys. Of the 23-man roster, 16 of them are something other than white....
God Refuses To Save The Queen
...but Portuguese goalie Ricardo saved just about everything. God left the queen hanging out to dry on penalty kicks, after 120 minutes of scoreless play. Penalties were 3-1 in favor of Portugal, and they'll be advancing to face the winner of Brazil/France in the semifinals....
The Real Story Of The World Cup
After all the talk of diving in soccer yesterday, we couldn't possibly have been happier to receive this comprehensive study from "Information Builders." The point of the study is to look at the World Cup so far — up to but not including this morning's Germany-Argentina game — and tally which teams ...
Hirshey: Now It REALLY Begins
David Hirshey is writing throughout the World Cup....
Diver Down
An oft-forwarded Slate piece written this week attempts to answer the question: What's wrong with diving in soccer? The mock, oh-lord-god-help-me-it-HURTS! soccer move that so infuriates Americans — most memorably demonstrated in a Dave Eggers essay — is probably the biggest roadblock to the sport c...
Hirshey: France Is Dead, Long Live France!
Admit it: After weeks of watching the Beckhams , Ballacks , Figos and Tonis and the rest of the preening World Cup showponies parade their smoldering good looks and luxuriant manes around the field after a match, didn't it feel good yesterday to see a couple of ancient chrome domes like Zidane and B...
All Hail The Glorious People's Italian Football Collective!
Reverberations from Italy's 1-0 World Cup win over Australia on Monday continue. The Italians won on a disputed penalty kick in the final seconds of stoppage time, and it's caused a whole fuss. Australian assistant coach Graham Arnold told the Australia Daily Telegraph that "FIFA didn't want us here...
Hirshey: B'Day, Mate
David Hirshey will write regularly during the World Cup....
Tossing Out Cards Like A Vegas Blackjack Dealer
Well, if there wasn't a rivalry between Portugal and The Netherlands before, there certainly is now. In a bizarre game in which the referee went absolutely batshit crazy, 16 yellow cards and 4 reds were handed out, tying a World Cup record. The official went through three different ink pens with all...
England Keeps Winning Ugly
One goal on a set piece was the difference between England and Ecuador. For some reason, Ecuadorian goalie Cristian Mora, he of the pretty painted face, left Beckham about 80% of the net to shoot at, and Beckham tucked a nifty little curveball just into the left side. Beckham then celebrated with ...
At Last, Some Violence
Well, I suppose it was only a matter of time. More than 120 people were arrested after what are being described here as "brief but violent disturbances" in Stuttgart, Germany earlier today....
Maxi Pads Argentina's World Cup Resumé
I think we've got a new leader in the competition for "best goal of the World Cup." Argentina's Maxi Rodriguez chested down a pass, volleyed it off his foot, and hit a looping, hooking shot from outside the box that left Mexican keeper Oswaldo Sanchez with absolutely no chance. Just pure nastines...
Mama Said Knock You Out
Today begins the World Cup knockout round, where a ton of different clichés apply: Do or die, there's no tomorrow, win or go home, don't take any wooden nickels, etc. Only sixteen of the world's teams are privileged enough to be here....
Hirshey: Gonzo About Ghana
David Hirshey will write regularly during the World Cup....
Of Mad Dogs, Nike And Englishmen
This Nike ad featuring England young turk Wayne Rooney, apparently, is drawing all kinds of ire in England....
England Gets An Opposable Thumbs Up
World Cup fever is everywhere; and no, zoo critters are not immune. England takes on Ecuador on Sunday in Round Two, a fact that has not been lost on local monkeys. But we're not sure if British fans should feel a well of pride at viewing this photo, or be embarrassed. Metaphors abound in all direct...
Well, That Was Miserable
Yeah! Soccer! Reading through the comments from the United States-Ghana live blog — the United States lost, by the way, if you didn't hear — pretty much prepared us for the postgame comments of ESPN analyst Eric Wynalda (whom we've actually enjoyed thus far): "Bruce Arena screwed up this World Cup f...