Costa Rica will now face Netherlands in the World Cup quarter finals after a superb 5-3 penalty shoot-out win over Greece on Sunday evening. The Central Americans started the game well and they could have been ahead after just five minutes after the impressive Bryan Ruiz came close following some neat work from Christian Bolanos. Moments later and the European side would get a hold of the game, Lazaros Christodoulopoulos beat two men as he cut inside from the left wing, before sending his effort just wide of the post. Greece would then have another great chance as experienced Giorgos…
Author: Staff Writer
Football Express News understands that Liverpool have completed the signing of Adam Lallana from Southampton. The 26-year-old midfielder has been linked with a summer exit from the Saints, following the likes of Luke Shaw [Man United] and Rickie Lambert [Liverpool], who left after manager Mauricio Pochettino quit the club for Tottenham Hotspur. Liverpool have remained keen on Lallana and picked up where they left off in terms of negotiations when the former Bournemouth man returned home from international duty on Thursday. Those negotiations have gone well and it is understood that Lallana will be announced as a Liverpool player on…
A 94th minute Klaas-Jan Huntelaar penalty saw Netherlands come from behind to break the hearts of Mexico and qualify for the quarter-finals of the World Cup. In terms of international standing – this Round of 16 tie between Netherlands and Mexico was determined as a david versus goliath encounter but after 20 minutes of the game, Mexico had firmly stamped their authority on the game. Giovani dos Santos and Oribe Peralta linked up well in the opening exchanges, resulting in the latter coming close, testing Jasper Cillessen. Moments later and Hector Herrara came close but dragged his shot just wide,…
Football Express News understands that Chelsea have made developments in their pursuit of Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba. Pogba has been impressing for the Serie A title winners since he joined from Manchester United in 2012, helping them win the Scudetto in the last two seasons. Gaining interest from a number of big spending European clubs, Pogba has attracted the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea, with the latter being heavily linked in the last two weeks. Portuguese boss Jose Mourinho is a big admirer of the 21-year-old and looked to sign the midfielder whilst he was manager of…
Real Madrid are unlikely to follow up their interest in Liverpool and England winger Raheem Sterling, despite several reports in England. A report across various English national papers cited Madrid with having an interest in the Merseyside based winger, claiming that officials from the club had been tracking his performances for both club and country this summer. Further statements regarding a possible £25m bid which would be made due to the growing concerns over Cristiano Ronaldo’s injury problems – were made. However, Football Express News understands that the Spanish giants have their interest elsewhere, being linked to Monaco’s James Rodriguez…
According to a report in Tele Mundial, both Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez and Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin will be announced as Arsenal players following the World Cup. Chilean winger Alexis Sanchez has been in superb from during the World Cup and was indeed a consistent performer for Barcelona last season, but his future at the Catalan club has been heavily debated in recent weeks. Meanwhile, French international Morgan Schneiderlin is expected to follow the likes of Luke Shaw [Man United] and Rickie Lambert [Liverpool] out of Southampton this summer. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been keen to add more fire-power to his…
A superb double from James Rodriguez saw Colombia advance to the quarter final stage over Uruguay to set-up a tie with World Cup hosts – Brazil. Jose Pekerman’s side started the game well with Camilo Zuniga finding Jackson Martinez, who sent a powerful effort towards goal, which just went wide. But despite his effort going wide, it served as a statement of intent from the Colombia side as they pressed Uruguay’s goal in the opening 20 minutes. Colombia then took the lead just before the half hour mark when James Rodriguez produced arguably the Goal of the tournament so far,…
Brazil held their nerve as they beat fellow South American side Chile on penalties to advance to the World Cup quarter-finals. The game in Belo Horizonte started heated with both sides sending in some crashing tackles, which saw Brazil forward Neymar subject to a hefty challenge by Arturo Vidal. Both sides did settle down and create chances as both Marcelo and Marcelo Diaz came close with long range efforts. Hulk was then hauled down in the box by Mauricio Isla, but referee Howard Webb would wave away protests from the big forward. Moments later, however, Brazil would find themselves in…
Contribution by Asa Clark @cfcasa After scoring 36 goals in all competitions, helping them win La Liga and reach the Champions League final for Atletico Madrid, it looks like Chelsea will finally have a current and in-form world class and not forgetting a ‘Mourinho’ type striker in Diego Costa. The fee is reported to be £32million. All season the pundits, fans and even Mourinho himself have said that he needs that star player striker to complete the jigsaw. With relying too heavily on Diego Costa to fire Chelsea to Premier League and Champions League glory, isn’t Mourinho putting all his…
Napoli are reportedly ready to ramp up their pursuit of Swansea City forward Michu. According to Italian source Il Mattino, the Serie A heavyweights are still fighting to keep hold of hitman Gonzalo Higuain and know the acquisition of a replacement could be necessary. La Liga giants Barcelona are tracking the Argentina striker and could firm up their interest with an official bid when his national team’s World Cup adventure in Brazil comes to an end. The latest report reveals that Spanish hotshot Michu has been identified by compatriot Rafael Benitez, who is head coach of the Naples outfit, as…