Football

The only time the usually-prescient Paul erred in the past was in picking a Germany-Spain matchup in the 2008 Euro.

Iker Casillas said the semi-final will be more important even than their Euro 2008 victory.

Nigerian President last week suspended the team from international competitions for two years.

The Portugal star has become a father, his website said, although the mother's identity is being kept a secret.

Captain Diego Lugano is having tests after damaging the ligaments in his right knee.

Hodgson saved Fulham from relegation in 2008 and guided the west London club to an all-time best seventh place a season later.

Dutch club Ajax Amsterdam's former coach Henk Ten Cate feels that the Netherlands can upset five-time champions Brazil.

Villar, who turned 33 on Wednesday, plays for Valladolid in the Spanish league.

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez announced the starting lineup on Wednesday.

Villa showed the sort of scoring touch against Portugal that Ronaldo has been lacking for his national team.

The war of words has begun with the two bitter rivals set to clash in the quarter-finals.

Van Persie's irate reaction at being substituted in the 2-1 win over Slovakia threatened to derail preparations.

Villa scored his fourth goal of the tournament in the 63rd minute of the match.

While Portugal thumped North Korea 7-0, they failed to score in their other two group matches.

Brace from Thomas Mueller and a strike each from Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski eased Germany into the quarters.

The German camp expects England to come out hard in the classic clash on Sunday.