Football

The award is handed out to the player voted as the tournament's best, however, it came after a losing effort against Germany in the final.

Alves says there is "no demerit" in replacing Scolari with a foreign coach following Brazil's humiliating World Cup exit.

Argentina winger Angel Di Maria may still have a role to play in Sunday's World Cup final against Germany despite a thigh injury just days ago.

Germany will feel no pressure in the final against Argentina as they have the experience to cope with the biggest stage of all, Schweinsteiger said.

Brazil's injured striker Neymar will attend Saturday's third place play-off when the battered World Cup hosts take on the Netherlands.

The Netherlands' World Cup hopes faded through the last three games and finally ended with a 4-2 shootout loss to the Argentines at Itaquerao Stadium.

Netherlands coach Gaal has revealed that two of his players refused to step up to take the first penalty shoot-out against Argentina.

"The expectations on the team in their home country might have crippled them. We know all about that from our own experience in 2006," loew said.

Argentine reporter covering the World Cup has been killed in a car accident caused when a vehicle being chased by police slammed into his taxi.

TV channels in Kerala went berserk, saying injured Neymar was likely to come to the state to undergo ayurveda treatment for his injured back.

It was not clear if De Jong is fit to play against Argentina or if Van Persie has a fitness problem.

Thiago Silva branded Colombia defender Juan Camilo Zuniga a coward for the tackle which put star striker Neymar out of the World Cup.

Now exactly 60 years after their first World Cup trophy, Germans have a heavy sense of entitlement that they deserve to triumph for a fourth time.

Aguero has missed past two matches with a hamstring injury but looked untroubled during a light training session.

Argentina midfielder Maria's absence would be a significant blow to the South Americans' hopes of winning the tournament for the third time.

Chile striker Mauricio Pinilla accused Paiva of punching him in the face, while Paiva admitted slapping him.