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Russia, England under scrutiny as World Cup qualifying resumes
Xabi Alonso, Franck Ribery, quarterfinal match “1. Capello faces crunch match against Portugal. It’s far too early to call it a crisis, but for all the money that Russian football has lavished on...
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Spain 1-1 France: Deschamps’ formation switch results in late France dominance
“Spain failed to win for the first time in 25 qualification matches. Vicente del Bosque continued with Sergio Busquets at the back and Xabi Alonso as the sole holding player. David Silva started on the...
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Spain’s streak ends, Belgium stays hot in Euro World Cup qualifying
“It was an incredible night of drama in the European World Cup qualifiers as Spain and Germany both conceded dramatic last-minute equalizers to end winning streaks. Meanwhile Belgium continued its...
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Valdés steps up in Casillas’ absence, backstops Spain past France
” The camera kept focusing on Iker Casillas, but his replacement took center stage. High in the stands at Saint-Denis, Spain’s captain sat watching his countrymen play France, a broken finger having...
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France 0-1 Spain: both sides use one wide player for ball retention and the...
“Spain recorded a narrow victory, and go one point clear of France at the top of Group I. Didier Deschamps used Patrice Evra rather than Gael Clichy at left-back, and the late withdrawal of Mamadou...
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Confederations Cup 2013: Spain remain team to beat in Brazil
“Despite some resistance from the Republic of Ireland at the Yankee Stadium, they outgunned Giovanni Trapattoni’s men 2-0 in their last game before the Confederations Cup campaign gets under way in...
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Spain see off Uruguay in Confederations Cup
“Goals from Pedro and Roberto Soldado helped Spain to a 2-1 victory over Uruguay in the Confederations Cup in Recife on Sunday and reinforced their position as tournament favourites. Luis Suárez scored...
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Spain 2-1 Uruguay: Del Bosque changes his midfield structure, Uruguay are...
“Spain’s level of dominance should have resulted in a much more emphatic victory. Xabi Alonso is unavailable for the Confederations Cup because of injury, and in his absence Vicente del Bosque changed...
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Brave Nigeria bow out as Spain soldier on
“A courageous Nigeria team exited the Confederations Cup with their dignity very much intact despite being on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline against European and world champions, Spain. At the final...
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As opponents adapt, Jordi Alba helping to give Spain a new dimension
“The beauty of this Spain team is that it keeps evolving. After technical skill and the ability to retain possession finally overcame the neurosis of past failure at Euro 2008, there came the years of...
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Spain beats Italy on penalties
“Jesus Navas scored the decisive penalty as World Cup holder Spain beat Italy 7-6 in a shootout Thursday after extra time ended 0-0, setting up a showdown with host Brazil in the Confederations Cup...
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Brazil 3-0 Spain: Spain unable to cope with Brazil’s pace and power on the break
“Brazil won the Confederations Cup at the Maracana after a convincing demolition of the world champions. Luis Felipe Scolari stuck with his usual side – in five games he only deviated from this XI...
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Is the need for speed more important than tika-taka tactics?
“The Confederations Cup final between Spain and Brazil was a highly anticipated clash of two opposing brands of football. In fact, while Spain are well known for playing a possession based style of...
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Hasn’t the Confederations Cup been great?
“Well, hasn’t it been great? From the opening minutes of that opening game when Neymar was firing home that impeccably executed volley, through the thrills and fun of the group games and semi-finals,...
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Brazil’s Confederations outsiders face uphill battle to be included
“Brazil was obviously joyous at winning the Confederations Cup in such convincing style — but it would only be natural if there were some places where joy was somewhat confined. Those players outside...
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Top 10 Young Football Managers
“Football, over the last couple of seasons, has been witnessing a ‘change of guard’. Players who we adored in their prime have retired, managers that headed some of the greatest sides in history have...
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The biggest problems facing World Cup contenders
“The fascinating thing about international football is that managers must cope with a very definite group of players. Whereas at club level, weaknesses can be solved by signing new players, at...
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World Cup qualifiers: Romelu Lukaku sends Belgium to Brazil
“Romelu Lukaku scored twice as Belgium beat Croatia 2-1 to secure their place at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Striker Lukaku, on loan at Everton from Premier League rivals Chelsea, scored twice in...
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World Cup Qualifying: Standings and scenarios for Tuesday’s games
“World Cup dreams will be realized, dashed or deferred on Tuesday as qualifying continues around the globe. On the home front, the U.S. booked passage to Brazil last month and then clinched first...
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2014 Fifa World Cup: Gary Lineker’s guide to the eight seeds
“England have been drawn in Group D for the 2014 World Cup, meaning they will face seeded team Uruguay as well as Italy and Costa Rica. Hosts Brazil are in Group A, reigning world and European...
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