Sports

"Anyone can come back," says Julio Grondona, the powerful president of the Argentine Football Association.

The eccentric Argentine took over as Chile coach in 2007, with the team in a shambolic state.

The playmaker told reporters in Barcelona that he thought he was offside when he received the assist from Fabregas.

Spain's World Cup-winning team is heading home for a massive celebration.

"When you play in a World Cup final, you also need a world-class referee," said Robben.

The poll found 63.79 per cent of journalists from 54 countries predicting a victory for Spain.

Wesley Sneijder and David Villa are jointly the leading scorers of this edition of the World Cup.

Mani the Parakeet in faraway Singapore has predicted the Netherlands will be crowned champions of this edition.

Forlan is hoping a right thigh injury will not stop him from playing in the third-place playoff.

The Spanish football federation said Fabregas had medical scans on the leg after hurting it in a closed practice on Monday.

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.