Merkel goes for goal with Germany at World Cup final

You half wonder if Germany might apologise for winning the World Cup on Sunday. After the total demolition of the Brazilian side in the semi-final, victorious German footballers tweeted a torrent of sympathy. 

Of course, it is hard to know how much is the work of PR agencies on their behalf, but the sentiment was out there and appreciated. 

"Brazil, I love you", "Brazil will always be the land of soccer" and "You have a beautiful country, wonderful people and amazing footballers" - so tweeted the victorious German footballers in an out-pouring of magnanimity which won them friends.

Germans remain uneasy about gloating - but perhaps less uneasy after Sunday.

 

Thousands have flocked to Berlin's Fan Mile to watch Germany's successful run in the competition 

In the run-up, it is true the flag has been flown from cars and balconies - but not that much in a country that has barely stopped for breath in what seems like the inevitable route to the World Cup final. 

Germans will tell you that triumphal nationalism tied to a round ball is still not fully acceptable. 

Victory assured? But, whatever the qualms, if Germany beats Argentina, there will be tumultuous celebration. It would be the first time a European side has won a World Cup in South America. The team would return to be mobbed by hundreds of thousands at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. 

 

Germans hope for a repeat of the 1974 World Cup, when West Germany's Franz Beckenbauer led his team to victory 

The excitement across Germany is high and rising at the prospect of lifting the World Cup for the fourth time after a long wait (1954, 1974, 1990 were the previous victories, and then only as West Germany). This would be the first time a united Germany has won the title. 

In Berlin, the Fanmeile (Fan Mile) is cordoned off with lines of big screens stretching through the Tiergarten and enough beer and sausage on order to feed 100,000 people. 

Across the country, beer sales are already up 15% this World Cup and a German victory would no doubt empty the barrel. 

Artificial beaches have rows of deckchairs ready for the game. Any restaurant which does not have the obligatory screen will be deserted. 

The stadium at FC Union in Berlin has been converted into a living room after fans were invited to bring their own sofas. There are now 750 of them stretched across the pitch in front of the screen. 

 

A stadium in Berlin has transformed into an open air living room for public viewings of World Cup matches 

 

The Bild front page read "7-1. No words for it!" after Brazil's catastrophic defeat to Germany in the semi-final 

Bild, Germany's most popular newspaper, is devoting acres of space to the World Cup. Headlines are so big they could be read from the Moon - or Argentina. 

There is a universal confidence in Germany that the result will turn out right. Ask anyone and they will say that Germany is a team while Argentina is Messi. 

Close down the Argentinian star, they say, and victory is assured. Probably - but there is many a slip between plan and field. 

Clenched fists The Maracana Stadium in Rio might not feel that hostile at the final. All those friendly tweets to Brazilians might work some sympathy. And Brazil and Argentina are rivals - two big beasts sharing the same turf. 

Angela Merkel will be there and a victory for Germany will be a victory for her. She has tied herself to the team in a way which has brought her support back home. 

 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel posed with the German squad after they beat Portugal in the group stage 

 

Chancellor Merkel's trademark celebratory gesture has been warmly received by fans back home 

After the 4-0 trouncing of Portugal, she was there in the dressing room, posing for selfies and for a team photo. The Forsa polling institute said there was an up-tick in support for her. 

She is not known for public displays of emotion - quite the opposite - but when Germany scores, she has a gesture which has become something of a trademark: she jumps to her feet with both her fists clenched in delight, a bit like a little girl overcome with surprise. 

It is a brilliant image which plays very well on the front pages back home. 

How many times will she rise in delight on Sunday? 

(By Stephen Evans BBC News, Berlin )

READ MORE - Merkel goes for goal with Germany at World Cup final

Soccer-Messi wins Golden Ball, Rodriguez top scorer

Soccer-Messi wins Golden Ball, Rodriguez top scorer - Argentina captainLionel Messi won FIFA's 'Golden Ball' award as the best player of the World Cup after leading his team to Sunday's final, while Colombia forward James Rodriguez finished as the tournament's top scorer with six goals.

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who kept a clean sheet as his side beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time at the Maracana to claim their fourth World Cup, was awarded the Golden Gloves as the tournament's top keeper.

Four-times World Player of the Year Messi had a quiet game by his standards on Sunday but was the driving force behind Argentina's push to their first World Cup final since 1990.

He scored four of their six goals in the group stage, set up Angel di Maria's winner in the last 16 against Switzerland and shouldered the burden of slotting home Argentina's first penalty in their shootout win over the Netherlands in the semi-finals.

Messi also won four successive man-of-the-match awards against Bosnia, Iran, Argentina and Switzerland.

While some pundits thought Messi looked jaded after the group stage and did not influence his team as much, Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella said he was a deserving winner.

"I think Lionel reached the pantheon of the greats a while back," Sabella told reporters. "Yes, I think he deserved it. He played a great World Cup to get us where he did.

"I think it's very deserved."

Germany forward Thomas Mueller was runner-up to Messi and Netherlands winger Arjen Robben was third.

Mueller also came runner-up behind Rodriquez for the Golden Boot award. The Germany forward finished with five goals, one behind the Colombian.

France midfielder Paul Pogba was named young player of the tournament, while Colombia took the Fair Play Award after receiving just five yellow cards in five matches in Brazil.

FIFA also praised their positive play and the behaviour of their players and officials. (Editing by Ed Osmond and Ken Ferris)

READ MORE - Soccer-Messi wins Golden Ball, Rodriguez top scorer

Ghana take aim at South Africa after big Cup win

Ghana take aim at South Africa after big Cup win - Ghana's Black Stars are keeping their feet on the ground ahead of Tuesday's decisive Africa Cup of Nations Group C clash against South Africa after a dramatic win over Algeria.

On Friday, skipper Asamoah Gyan returned from a bout of malaria to sink tournament favourites Algeria in stoppage time in Mongomo as the Black Stars bounced back from a 2-1 loss to Senegal with a 1-0 success against the continent's best team.

Ghana forward Asamoah Gyan (L) scores a goal past Algeria defender Carl Medjani during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations group C match in Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea on January 23, 2015 (AFP Photo/Carl De Souza) 

A win over South Africa on Tuesday will guarantee the four-time African champions passage to the last-eight of the competition, while a draw and Algeria failing to beat Senegal on the same night could also get them past the group stage.

However, Ghana coach Avram Grant said his "new generation" of Black Stars aim to do the business against a South African team who have impressed him.

"Nothing has been decided yet in this group," insisted former Chelsea manager Grant.

"Yes, we may have beaten the number one team in Africa, but we now face South Africa, who qualified for this tournament ahead of a big team like Nigeria.

"They played very well in their first game even though they eventually lost (3-1) to Algeria. They are a fantastic team.

"We are a young team who have shown we do not give up and so we will come into any game to win it."

The returning Gyan proved to be Ghana's hero despite admitting to having "some physical problems", and now the striker is looking ahead to the next game.

"South Africa have shown they are a very good side right from the qualifiers and so we do not expect an easy match against them," he said.

"It was a team effort against Algeria, everybody working for everybody, and we will count on this again against South Africa."

Meanwhile, Marseille star Andre Ayew declared that Ghana should not be written off as genuine contenders at this Cup of Nations despite not yet finding their best form.

"This is not the best Ghana, many of us like Gyan and I are not 100 percent fit, but we can do a lot more," he said.

"Even after the win against Algeria, we cannot afford to get over-confident. We're happy, but won't take anything for granted. Algeria is past and next is South Africa. It will be a very tough battle on Tuesday.”

He added: "Expectations back at home must now have risen, but Ghana have always dealt with the pressure even though it could be difficult."

The Black Stars last won the Cup of Nations in 1982, although they have reached the last four of the previous four editions, even losing in the final to Egypt in 2010 in Angola. ( AFP )

READ MORE - Ghana take aim at South Africa after big Cup win

Ronaldo, Real sink Sevilla to claim Super Cup

Ronaldo, Real sink Sevilla to claim Super Cup - Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to ensure a successful Wales homecoming for his team-mate Gareth Bale as Real Madrid comfortably won the UEFA Super Cup in Cardiff by beating Sevilla 2-0 on Tuesday. The former Manchester United star struck in each half to earn a brace and underline Madrid's dominance of a game they controlled throughout.

The Spanish giants thrilled a capacity 33,500 crowd at Cardiff City Stadium with their all-singing, all-dancing game, and Sevilla's players were often reduced to a spectating role. Bale, who joined Real from Tottenham Hotspur in a world record £86m deal last summer, also stamped his class on proceedings, delivering a precision cross from which Ronaldo scored his opener.

© Getty Images

And when he pounced again early in the second period, there was no way back for UEFA Europa League title holders Sevilla as the 2014 UEFA Champions League winners showcased their enviable quality. Real coach Carlo Ancelotti paraded his awe-inspiring wealth of playing talent, with major summer signings James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos joining Bale and Ronaldo in a team captained by goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

James and Kroos both had their moments, with the electric speed of Colombian international Rodriguez's pass a regular highlight, while Bale's former Spurs colleague Luka Modric worked tirelessly in midfield.

Although the Spanish domestic season does not start for almost another fortnight, Real already look in ominous form, suggesting they will not only challenge for another European crown but also seriously threaten Atletico Madrid's reign as La Liga champions.

Real predictably monopolised possession in the early stages, but Bale's first involvement almost saw him put through by Ronaldo, but the Welsh international went to ground and could not get a shot off. Bale then saw a shot deflected narrowly wide as pressure began to mount, and when Ronaldo was sent crashing to the turf, the referee gave a free-kick that Ronaldo dipped just over the bar.

Casillas was not called into action until the 20th minute, and he had to be alert at his near post to block a Vitolo shot as Sevilla displayed a counter-attacking hunger after being penned deep inside their own half. Ronaldo should have put Real ahead following Karim Benzema's excellent approach work, yet having eased past two Sevilla defenders he shot straight at advancing Sevilla goalkeeper Beto.

It was a let-off for the underdogs, but Ronaldo was not to be denied 15 minutes before the break, finishing from close range for his 17th goal in ten appearances against Sevilla after Bale's inch-perfect cross created a gilt-edged opening. Sevilla could have few complaints, having played second fiddle for long periods as Real's masterful exhibition of passing meant they enjoyed prolonged periods of control.

Casillas was pressed into his second save of the game as half-time approached, deflecting a Daniel Carrico effort high and wide, but Real had no further scares in securing a 1-0 interval advantage. And Ronaldo stamped a defnitive mark on proceedings just four minutes after the break when he rifled a powerful left-footed shot into the corner of Beto's net to double Real's lead.

Despite having effectively wrapped the game up, Real showed no intent to take their foot off the accelerator and Ancelotti will have been thrilled with their desire during the closing stages of a one-sided encounter. James went desperately close to making it 3-0, but his powerful drive was superbly turned around the post by Beto, then Modric was narrowly off-target with a shot from outside the box.

Emery sent on former Arsenal player Jose Antonio Reyes among his late substitutions, but Real were already in cruise control and they comfortably closed the game out as they added more silverware to a bulging Bernabeu trophy cabinet. ( fifa.com )

READ MORE - Ronaldo, Real sink Sevilla to claim Super Cup

Forster focused on Euro 2016

Forster focused on Euro 2016 - Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster hopes to once again use the Champions League to keep himself in England contention.

The imposing shot-stopper forced his way into Roy Hodgson's World Cup squad this summer, having come to prominence through a pair of virtuoso displays against Barcelona in Europe two seasons ago and continued his form consistently with the Hoops.

Fraser Forster wants a Champions League return to boost his Euro 2016 hopes

This season's continental campaign begins with Tuesday night's second qualifying round first leg against KR Reykjavik in Iceland.

Forster told the Sunday Post: "Playing in the Champions League has definitely been good for me in terms of exposure. But it's been good for all of us and for the club too.

"We've all seen how big the Champions League nights are and it would be nice to get back in the group stages but Reykjavik will be a tough away game and we need to play as well as we know we can."

Forster did not get to sample the action in Brazil, with Manchester City's Joe Hart the established first choice and Ben Foster getting the nod for the dead rubber against Costa Rica.

But the 26-year-old is determined it will not be his last taste of tournament football and has Euro 2016 in France as his next target.

"One of my goals last season was to try to get into that squad and I was delighted to achieve that," he said. "Our performances were really good in the tournament and it was just unfortunate we didn't really get what we deserved out of the games.

"The Euros are now only a couple of years away so I'm already setting my sights on that."

Forster was not the only Celtic player to travel to the World Cup, with defenders Efe Ambrose and Emilio Izaguirre key figures for Nigeria and Honduras respectively.

And new coach Ronny Deila is expecting all three to play a key role on Tuesday.

Deila said: "All our players who are at the World Cup are ready to play in this game. Fraser, Efe and Emilio have all come straight from the World Cup so, of course, they are ready to play.

"Everyone is available for this match and we want to put as strong a team as we possibly can on to the pitch. We really want to win but we will need a good performance up in Iceland."

One exception to that is captain Scott Brown, who will miss up to three months of the season with a serious hamstring tear.

New signing Craig Gordon joins Lukasz Zaluska in providing competition for Forster.

READ MORE - Forster focused on Euro 2016

No mercy as Houghton leads dominant England

Football - No mercy as Houghton leads dominant England - Steph Houghton's team are crushing their World Cup qualifying group - and she doesn’t understand Germany's wish not to humiliate Brazil. 

After going 5-0 up in the World Cup semi-final, Mats Hummels has since revealed that the Germany team did not want to humiliate the hosts in their own back yard.

New England captain Houghton doesn’t understand that attitude. She’s been part of an intensely successful World Cup qualifying campaign that so far has resulted in 38 goals scored (and one conceded) in their eight games.

Steph Houghton is leading England to next summer's World Cup in Canada (The FA)

“If you’re 5-0 up at half-time, you have to go out there and get more,” she says, in a tone that doesn’t invite argument. “Yes, you respect your opponents – but you do that by looking at them, seeing where their strengths are and working out how to deal with them - and then exploiting their weaknesses.”

That kind of resolute, unsympathetic toughness isn’t surprising from a player who established her career at the all-conquering Arsenal and forced her way in to become a crucial part of Hope Powell’s England squad.

Now, under new manager Mark Sampson, she’s been handed the skipper’s armband, replacing long-serving Casey Stoney.

“It does seem like a new era, of course,” says Houghton. “Hope was there for a long time, so it’s going to feel like that. I’m loving every minute of it, to be honest. It’s a great honour. I’m still quite young as a captain so it’s a bit overwhelming at times.”

One of the criticisms that was levelled at Powell prior to her departure was that she relied heavily on selecting a trusted core of players rather than seeking to pick the best available squad.

Sampson, however, seems to be very intent on choosing his squad according to form. That has led to a call-up for the likes of Birmingham’s Jo Potter, after an absence of seven years, in preparation for the upcoming friendly against Sweden, to be played at Hartlepool United’s Victoria Park.

Pia Sundhage’s team are likely to have few weaknesses for Houghton and her colleagues to exploit. Even in a friendly, they will, however, prove a sterner challenge than England’s recent opponents in competition.

“We need that kind of test going into the World Cup,” she says, and then adds quickly, “assuming we qualify.”

It’s hard to envisage a situation where they wouldn’t, with one point required to seal their place in next summer’s tournament in Canada and two matches left - one versus Wales in Cardiff, and finally another away game, against Montenegro, recipients of a 9-0 thrashing back in April.

And after such a dominant display during qualifying, expectations for England in 2015 will be high.

Yet they were also high last summer when Powell’s team disappointed so drastically at the European Championships, taking just a single point from their group stage, and forcing the manager’s departure.

It was particularly galling bearing in mind the high hopes for potential success following Team GB’s impressive displays in the London 2012 Olympics, when Houghton was the poster girl for the team and across tabloid front pages after scoring the winner against Brazil.

“You have to take the rough with the smooth,” she says. “The Olympics were so successful, and the nation does expect – you see that with the men’s team. We’re desperate to put things right.”

So as Houghton mentioned, the men’s team’s failure at the World Cup means that imminent international footballing success now depends on the women.

She laughs. “Yep. No pressure!” ( Eurosport )

READ MORE - No mercy as Houghton leads dominant England

Messi's World Cup ends on a bitter note

Messi's World Cup ends on a bitter note -- Lionel Messi's final act in the 2014 World Cup was lifting a free kick high over the bar, wasting Argentina's last chance to equalize in the final against Germany.

It was far from a fitting finish for the four-time world player of the year.

This was supposed to be Messi's World Cup, just like the 1986 tournament belonged to another Argentine great, Diego Maradona.

But after carrying his team through the group stage in Brazil with four goals, Messi seemed to run out of steam.

He created chances in the final Sunday but, like the rest of the team, lacked the finishing touch to turn the game for Argentina.

''I'm hurt for losing the way we did. We were close to penalties,'' Messi said. ''I think we deserved a little better, we had chances.''

He was a picture of disappointment as he collected the trophy for the tournament's best player, and then stood in silence at the entrance to the player's tunnel, watching the Germans receive the trophy.

''At this moment, I don't care at all about that prize, only lifting the trophy matters,'' Messi said.

Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella said he thought Messi deserved the best player award, ''because he played an extraordinary role. He was the fundamental factor in the team.''

Messi has won everything there is to win with club team Barcelona, but many critics say he needs a World Cup title to be considered among football's all-time greats.

''He's been there for quite a while already, in the pantheon of the greats,'' Sabella said, when asked to compare Messi with players like Maradona and Brazil's Pele.

Germany's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, recipient of the Golden Glove trophy, stands next to Argentina's Lionel Messi after he receive the Golden Ball trophy following Germany's 1-0 victory over Argentina after the World Cup final soccer match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, July 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Messi stood out in an otherwise mediocre Argentine team in the group stage, scoring against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran and twice against Nigeria.

The free kick he curled inside Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama's left post was a masterpiece. Then, game by game, Messi's influence started waning.

Against Switzerland he had little impact until extra time, when he drilled a hole in the Swiss defense and set up Angel Di Maria's winning goal. In the next game, against Belgium, he started the movement that resulted in Gonzalo Higuain's first-half winner and helped Argentina keep possession as the Belgians tried to level the score.

Man-marked by Nigel de Jong, Messi struggled to find space in the semifinal win over the Netherlands, and besides a few runs and deft passes into the area against Germany, he didn't rise to the occasion.

His last chance came in the final seconds of extra time as he was given a free kick about 10 meters (yards) from the area. Messi wiped the sweat off his face, took aim and sent his final shot of the World Cup well over the target. ( sports.yahoo.com  )

READ MORE - Messi's World Cup ends on a bitter note