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Ivory Coast 3, Korea DPR 0 - Brazil tied Portugal, 0-0

Nelspruit, South Africa- Yaya Toure and Romaric scored in the first half and Ivory Coast defeated North Korea, 3-0, on Friday at Mbombela Stadium in Group G, but was still eliminated from the FIFA World Cup.

Toure and Romaric scored in the first 20 minutes and Salomon Kalou added Ivory Coast's third goal in the 82nd minute, but the African side ended third in the "Group of Death" behind Brazil and Portugal.

Brazil tied Portugal, 0-0, in Friday's other Group G match. Brazil finished atop the group with seven points, Portugal was second with five and Ivory Coast had four. North Korea was also eliminated.

Ivory Coast entered the match needing a win, a Portugal loss and to overturn a huge gap in goal differential, but failed to build on its early start and also failed to get help from Brazil.

The long run is over: Isner wins marathon

Elizabeth Windsor decided to take in some tennis at Wimbledon yesterday. Although tickets are scarcer than elephants cavorting at Piccadilly Circus, she managed to cop a couple, and in the front row of Centre Court, no less.

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When she walked in, people began to cheer and clap and point cameras at her. She looked a sprightly, likable 84, and she is used to this kind of attention because in her day job, she is Queen Elizabeth II.

Her Majesty last had an urge to see tennis at Wimbledon in 1977, 33 years ago. Her father, King George VI-to-be, actually played Wimbledon. It was doubles in 1926, an embarrassing hackerly performance prompting his wife to veto any repeats.

As far as tennis goes these days, Her Majesty’s domain is down to one body. It belongs to a prickly Scotsman, Andy Murray. Last year, the queen sent Murray a good-luck note, and yesterday wished him well in person in a chat that followed his batting-practice victory over Jarkko Nieminen, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

U.S. defeats Algeria, 1-0

Landon Donovan's goal in extra time lifted the U.S. to a dramatic 1-0 win over Algeria on Wednesday, sending the U.S. on to the second round of the World Cup for just the third time in history.

The options were clear for the U.S. entering the game: Win and go on, or lose and go home. And that's not a scenario the U.S. has had success with, never having won a third game in a World Cup, going 0-7 while being outscored 20-6.

For more than 90 minutes Wednesday, it appeared as though that wasn't going to change. But in the first minute of extra time, after a clutch save by U.S. goalie Tim Howard, Donovan pushed the ball up the right wing on a counterattack. He fed Jozy Altidore deep in the Algerian side, but Altidore's cross to Clint Dempsey hit Dempsey's foot at about the same time Algerian goalkeeper Rais M. Bolhi did.

England defeats Slovenia, 1-0

Fabio Capello believes England can put a traumatic group stage behind them and approach the rest of their World Cup campaign "without fear" following a 1-0 victory over Slovenia.

Jermain Defoe's first-half goal ensured England's progress to the knockout stages but with Landon Donovan scoring in the dying seconds of USA's game against Algeria, Capello's side will finish second in the group. That means old rivals Germany could await in the second round if they top Group D.

The win over Slovenia draws a line under a traumatic few days for England. Following a disappointing 0-0 draw against Algeria, Capello said his side were crippled by fear, and the unity of the camp was called into question when John Terry said in a press conference he would be challenging the manager's authority at a team inquest into the Algeria result.

Maradona wants an apology

Diego Maradona said his Argentina team's easy progression to the knockout stages has silenced the critics, who he insisted should apologise for the way they dismissed his side.

Argentina's 2-0 victory over Greece - thanks to late goals from Martin Demichelis and veteran striker Martin Palermo - saw them top Group B with maximum points.

That contrasted sharply with their performances in the qualifying campaign - when they had to win their last two matches to reach South Africa.

"They (the critics) should apologise to the players, who are 100% professional,'' said Maradona. "We are doing our duty, which is to defend the Argentina shirt. Sometimes they are wrong, but those who have also criticised are wrong and should apologise.''

US, England face decisive matches

JOHANNESBURG — Group C was supposed to be a romp through the first round of the World Cup for the English and Americans.

That romp has turned into an obstacle course, and both teams have stumbled. Although each can advance to the second round Wednesday with wins, such victories hardly are givens considering how they have played.

The U.S. team fell behind to both England and Slovenia before rallying for two draws. England also has two ties, the second with Algeria causing all kinds of angst back home.

Not since 1958 in Sweden has England failed to advance past the group stage once it's qualified for the tournament. The Americans have not been so successful, but their hopes were high when they came to South Africa after finishing second to Brazil at the Confederations Cup a year ago.

Spain vs. Honduras: At World Cup, Spanish get back on track with win

JOHANNESBURG -- Spain couldn't afford any more missteps in this World Cup, not after dropping its debut match in spectacularly disappointing fashion. On Monday night at Ellis Park, a team desperate to remain in the Group H race and resurrect its championship aspirations performed with style and grace against badly overmatched Honduras.

David Villa scored twice in the 2-0 victory, but Spain squandered numerous other opportunities. Villa, brilliant on the left side of the attack, should have had four goals. The misses could prove costly if the round-of-16 berths are decided by goal differential.

With the satisfactory result, Spain (1-1) moved into second place, three points behind group front-runner Chile (2-0), the Spaniards' opponent Friday in Pretoria. A victory in the finale by the reigning European champions would leave the teams even on points. Chile has a plus-two goal differential, Spain plus-one.

Chile Vs. Switzerland on World Cup 2010

The second scheduled football match today, June 21, 2010 in the World Cup 2010 in South Africa will about to start at 4PM at Nelson Mandela Bay. The game is between Chile vs. Switzerland.

Looking back at their previous World Cup 2010 football matches, Chile faced Honduras at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit last Wednesday and Chile won with a final score of 1-0. In contrast, Switzerland faced Spain on the same day at Durban Stadium and Switzerland won with a final score of 1-0 against Spain. With that said, which team is likely to win in this World Cup 2010 football match? Is it Chile or Switzerland?

First-Place Yankees Greet First Day of Summer

It's not a natural pairing, to be sure, but Teixeira hit big home runs on both Saturday and Sunday to help the Yankees win the series from the Mets and pass the Rays to take sole possession of first place. Hopefully he won't take any fashion cues from the pop star, the world isn't ready to find out that Teixeira wears a bra and fishnets under his uniform, but perhaps her own streak of big hits rubbed off on Tex.

Lady Gaga, as you can tell from her ubiquity, is taking advantage of every opportunity that comes her way. Teixeira has done that from time to time this season but he hasn't been as consistent a hitmaker as the Yankees' unlikely lucky charm. He may be getting into a groove -- sorry to mix pop star metaphors -- as he's got a 1010 OPS over the last 13 games but we're still cautious about proclaiming him totally alive.

Portugal revives World Cup campaign, eliminating NKorea after 7-0 rout

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Portugal revived its World Cup campaign with a 7-0 rout of North Korea in Group G on Monday, eliminating the Asian team from the competition.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored the sixth goal of the game, his first in a competitive match for the national team since the 2008 European Championship.

Ronaldo also set up Tiago's first goal in the 60th. Tiago added another for the 2006 World Cup semifinalists in the 89th, while Raul Meireles, Simao Sabrosa, Hugo Almeida and Liedson also scored.

"This is a great result for us," Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz said. "We have to continue now."

The win moves Portugal into second place in Group G with four points, two behind Brazil. The Ivory Coast has one point, and North Korea is out of the tournament after two straight losses.

Brazil coasts into World Cup second round with 3-1 win

A World Cup match involving Brazil bears a different vibe than the other in the tournament. It's not just a game; it's an event. Everything is magnified.

You see the difference in the rush of activity on the access roads seven hours before kickoff, in the burst of camera flashes and in the balloons floating from the upper deck. You hear it in the waves of drums and song, a rhythm rudely interrupted by the vuvuzela scourge.

After making its 2010 debut in a side theater last week, the green-and-yellow ensemble took center stage Sunday evening at Soccer City Stadium, the mammoth showcase of this South African World Cup.

With Kaka orchestrating the attack before his late ejection and Luis Fabiano scoring twice, Brazil rolled to a 3-1 victory over Ivory Coast in front of 84,455 spectators.

While Germany, England, Italy and France -- holders of nine World Cup titles among them -- are in danger of missing the elimination stage and European champion Spain slipped in its opener, the five-time champion Selecao needed just its first two matches in Group G to secure passage to the round of 16.

"The Brazilian team can go the whole way," Ivory Coast Coach Sven Goran Eriksson said. "To beat Brazil, you have to be almost perfect."

Brazil (2-0) has not played with the grace and artistry of past campaigns, but with Dunga, the team's coach, preaching substance, discipline and power, that method wasn't necessarily in the script.

With the latest triumph, Brazil continued South America's unbeaten stroll through the tournament, a 7-0-2 record produced by its five participants. Brazil also further exposed the shortcomings of Africa, which is 1-7-4 and facing the embarrassing prospect of losing all six teams in the first round.

Ivory Coast (0-1-1) was the continent's best hope for long-term success with a lineup that boasted five players from English Premier League clubs, including Chelsea striker Didier Drogba. His right forearm in a cast that was hidden by a green sleeve, Drogba made his first start since suffering a fracture in the Elephants' final tune-up.

He had played the final 24 minutes of the scoreless draw with Portugal, and posed the greatest threat to Brazil, which labored to a 2-1 victory over group lightweight North Korea in its opener.

The Elephants showed promise at the start, using pace in midfield to create mild chances and clinical tackling to interrupt Kaka's runs. But in the 25th minute, the Real Madrid star combined with Robinho and Fabiano to produce the first goal.

Capping an eight-touch possession, Robinho pushed the ball to Fabiano, who back-heeled to Kaka. In tight space, Kaka broke away from one defender and beat Didier Zokora before slotting a pass past Kolo Toure to Fabiano for a ferocious eight-yard shot from an acute angle. The ball streaked over goalkeeper Boubacar Barry and hit the roof of the net.

There was more to come five minutes into the second half, when Fabiano beat Siaka Tiene to a header, chipped the ball over Zokora and then did the same to Toure. In settling the ball, however, Fabiano appeared to use his right arm before striking a low shot into the right corner for his 27th goal in 40 international matches. When the Elephants protested, French referee Stephane Lannoy tapped his chest to indicate a fair play.

When asked if he had handled the ball, Fabiano started laughing before saying, "It hit my shoulder but it was a beautiful goal, like a painting."

Brazil added another goal in the 62nd minute as Kaka beat Toure to the end line and crossed back to Elano, who had gotten a step on Siaka Tiene and tapped in from eight yards for his second goal in two matches.

Drogba scored in the 79th on a 10-yard header, and although the outcome had long been decided, the Elephants had some fight left in them. The match unraveled, however, with unnecessary challenges, theatric falls and several confrontations.

Kaka received a yellow card in the 85th minute, and with the tone becoming nastier, he elbowed Kader Keita in the chest. For dramatic effect, Keita reached for his face and crumbled to the ground. When the commotion died down, Lannoy sought out Kaka and showed him a second yellow and a red card, which will prevent him from playing in the group finale against Portugal.

Italy Vs. New Zealand 1-1 after first half

NELSPRUIT, South Africa — Vincenzo Iaquinta equalized with a 29th-minute penalty kick as Italy pulled into a 1-1 tie against New Zealand after the first half of the World Cup Group F match.

Shane Smeltz gave New Zealand a stunning lead in the seventh minute, tapping into the net after Simon Elliott's free kick to the back post deflected off Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro's hip as Cannavaro fell.

Fabio Capello will have a clear message for his England players

Fabio Capello will have a clear message for his England players during a crisis meeting on Sunday night: "Just play".

Former England captain John Terry confirmed during a press conference that Capello would hold a meeting with the players to allow grievances to be aired after the failure to beat USA and Algeria left England needing a victory in their final game to progress.

However, Capello is not planning a dressing down within the dressing room but instead wants to explain to the players that they need to play without fear in the final group match against Slovenia.

A source close to Capello told Soccernet: "Fabio wants to tell the players to 'play', to play their natural game, to forget about all the criticism, to forget about what people think, to focus purely on their own game and that of the team.

Paraguay beat Slovakia 2-0

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa — Enrique Vera and Cristian Riveros scored and Paraguay beat Slovakia 2-0 on Sunday to move closer to advancing at the World Cup.

Playing with a three-man front line spearheaded by Roque Santa Cruz, Paraguay controlled the tempo from the start at Free State Stadium.

Paraguay leads Slovakia 1-0 after 75 minutes

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa — Paraguay leads Slovakia 1-0 with 15 minutes to play in their Group F match at the World Cup on Sunday.

The Paraguayans broke through in the 27th minute when midfielder Enrique Vera ran onto Lucas Barrios' pass and angled a shot into the bottom left corner of the net.

Slovakia had struggled to contain Paraguay's three-man forward line of Barrios, Nelson Valdez and the recalled Roque Santa Cruz in the first half at Free State Stadium. Getting the start, Santa Cruz was twice denied by busy goalkeeper Jan Mucha.

Slovakia improved in the second half but couldn't provide forwards Robert Vittek and substitute Filip Holosko with any clear openings.

Paraguay nearly doubled its lead in the 72nd minute but Vera headed wide off Santa Cruz's cross.

Tiger Woods surges at US Open but Dustin Johnson

Saturday, Woods truly returned. He did so at Pebble Beach Golf Links, where 10 years ago this week he recorded one of his most historic victories. He did so in the third round of the U.S. Open, which he entered -- if this is even possible -- as something of an afterthought. He did so after bogeying two of his first three holes, somehow turning around his day -- and the entire tournament -- with an oh-no-here-he-comes 66.

And he did so as Dustin Johnson -- a 25-year-old South Carolinian who hits the ball, as Woods said, "for miles" -- matched him shot for shot.

"I played better," Woods said, and he smiled. Johnson, though, was able to duplicate those pearly whites, because his own 66 thrust him into the lead at 6-under-par 207. He is three strokes ahead of Irishman Graeme McDowell, who played icily until bogeys at 16 and 17, but still managed 71. They are the only men ahead of Woods, whose 15th major championship -- an unlikely notion after his first three holes -- is within reach.

"It does feel good to play this well going into a final round," Woods said, "and I put myself back in the tournament."

Jamel Turner shot; 17-year-old girl dead

Police say an Ohio State football recruit Jamel Turner is in critical condition and a 17-year-old girl is dead after both were shot multiple times early Saturday morning in Youngstown.

Turner, a defensive end who played high school ball at Ursuline High School in his native Youngstown, signed with the Buckeyes in February.

Brian Cushing Suspended Games Of The Season | The NFL's Steroid Policy

Brian Cushing Suspended Games Of The Season | The NFL's Steroid Policy on Trends Hot Topics --- Brian Cushing Suspended Games Of The Season | The NFL's Steroid Policy. Bad news for those of you who enjoyed the fact that young stud linebacker Brian Cushing. Brian Cushing will miss the first four games of the season for violating the NFL's steroid policy.

Yeah..Brian Cushing has been suspended the first four games of the season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Texans GM Rick Smith says the Texans are "disappointed" with the events. That Cushing appealed the decision probably means that he'll deny any wrongdoing. So he'll have that in common with everyone else in sports ever nailed for performance-enhancers.

Nick Rogers Died On Car Accident | The Former NFL Linebacker

Nick Rogers Died On Car Accident | The Former NFL Linebacker on Trends Hot Topics --- Nick Rogers Died On Car Accident | The Former NFL Linebacker. Nick Rogers, One of the former linebacker has died caused by car accident. The Fulton County Medical Examiner's office says Rogers was killed about 1:30 a.m. Monday when his car hit a utility pole in College Park, near Atlanta. Nick Rogers was only 30 years old at the time of his death which happened in suburban Atlanta.

Chelsea Vs. Liverpool Live Streaming | Chelsea Win 2-0

Chelsea Vs. Liverpool Live Streaming | Chelsea Win 2-0 on trends Hot Topics --- Chelsea Vs. Liverpool Live Streaming | Chelsea Win 2-0. The Premier League fixture between Liverpool and Chelsea will be played at Anfield on Sunday, 2nd May 2010, kick-off set for 1:30 PM.

Last season’s match at Stamford Bridge saw Liverpool ending with Chelsea’s fantastic 86-game unbeaten run at home in the Premier League. A deflected shot by Xabi Alonso was enough to inflict the damage and break one of the finest statistics records in history.

Liverpool 0-1 Chelsea. Steven Gerrard, captain of Liverpool Football Club, plays a suicidal blind backpass down his own inside-left channel. Drogba, lolling around in the centre, pounces, rounds the advancing Reina on the outside, and strokes the ball into the gaping net. Oh me, oh my, you couldn't have scripted that. You may possibly hear about it again.

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