Football

Netherlands captain Robin van Persie and defender Daryl Janmaat have survived a close encounter with a kite surfer on Rio's Ipanema beach.

Former England midfielder Joe Cole has joined Aston Villa on a free transfer, the Premier League club said on Tuesday.

The stadium is scheduled to host six World Cup matches, including a semi-final and will seat 61,600 fans, about 6,000 less than originally planned.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has hit out at critics who he says want "to destroy FIFA."

The AFC's executive committee has deliberated on its proposal to review the qualification process for Asian teams in future editions of the FIFA World Cup.

Brazil striker Fred says his team-mates have a simple game-plan if things don't go their way during the World Cup: get the ball to Neymar.

Ciro Immobile scored a hattrick and also set up two other goals as Italy ended their recent slump by beating Brazilian club Fluminense 5-3.

The Manchester United striker Saturday underwent tests near the team's base in Rio de Janeiro while the rest of the squad worked out in the gym.

England went unbeaten through a tricky qualifying group including Ukraine and Poland, winning six matches and drawing four, scoring 31 goals.

The 20-year-old had a big part in Leverkusen's fourth-place finish last season in the Bundesliga, scoring three goals in 29 league appearances.

The UEFA president said he's hurt by British media reports that cast doubts on his links to now disgraced Qatari official Mohamed bin Hammam.

Belgium, Algeria, Russia and South Korea will give their best for the two Round of 16 spots available from the group.

"It's a great joy to score for England," Rooney said after the 2-2 draw against Ecuador at the Sun Life Stadium.

The 36-year-old Drogba has been a talismanic figure for Ivory Coast, leading them to the last two World Cups and five successive African Nations Cup finals.

Lionel Messi, looking to score his first World Cup goals since 2006 in Brazil this month, went scoreless as Argentina cruised to a 3-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago.

Ronaldo is suffering from tendinosis in the region around his left kneecap, the Portuguese Football Federation said on Wednesday.