Football

"There's a good way to go. But keep calm, we'll get there. Today was reasonably better but I am still demanding more," Scolari said.

Messi, who had an unimpressive season with Barca, will be key to Argentina's success. He has often been criticised for not replicating his Barca success with La Albiceleste.

A heavy fall on his ankle in the last minute of Saturday's warm-up match against the Netherlands has cost Ghana defender Akaminko a World Cup place.

Park Joo-ho was called into the South Korea World Cup squad on Thursday after first choice left back Kim Jin-su was forced to drop out of the 23 because of an ongoing ankle problem.

Veteran Netherlands midfielder Rafael van der Vaart will miss the World Cup after injuring a calf muscle in his right leg.

Spain, Netherlands and Chile can expect a rough ride from an Australia side desperate to buck their underdog status in the opening round of the World Cup.

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Thursday but was expected to recover in time for the World Cup.

Donovan was part of the provisional 30-man squad but did not make the final cut selected by coach Juergen Klinsmann.

Ancelotti's most impressive achievements is the way he has united a dressing room that became bitterly divided under Mourinho.

Messi has signed a new contract extension with Barcelona that reportedly makes the Argentina international the world's highest-paid football player.

Greece striker Kostas Mitroglou kept his place in the country's World Cup squad despite three forwards being dropped from the preliminary lineup.

Osasuna and Valladolid were relegated on the final day of the Spanish league season and will join Real Betis in the second division next season.

Juventus became the first team to break the 100-points barrier in Serie A when they beat Cagliari 3-0 in their final league game of the season.

Goodson was a member of the 2010 US World Cup team, and the 6-foot-4 defender is hoping that experience will help him earn a trip to Brazil next month.

After winning 21 trophies and the respect of fans, team-mates and opponents during a glittering career, Puyol bade an emotional farewell on Thursday.

In an open letter released by the Catalan club, Valdes said "the moment has arrived to say goodbye".