World Cup highlights: Suarez says sorry

World Cup waves goodbye to Africa

Africa's last representatives, Nigeria and Algeria, made World Cup history for the continent and left with heads held high after last 16 games against France and Germany respectively.

Before this year Africa had never had two teams make the knockout stage of the same tournament. Like Cameroon (in 1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010), the Nigerians were hoping to reach their first quarterfinal after twice stalling at the last 16, in 1994 and 1998.

Goalkeepers again starred, both in France's 2-0 win over Nigeria and Germany's 2-1 extra time marathon against an Algerian team whose bravura has been among the many revelations of the surprise-packed tournament.

It was Algeria's first taste of World Cup knockout football, having never advanced from the group stages in three previous attempts.

Adding to a miserable day for Africa, Cameroon's football federation said it was to investigate claims of match-fixing, especially the game against Croatia. Cameroon lost all three group matches, including a 4-0 defeat by Croatia.

Robben won't change despite penalty furor

Arjen Robben said sorry for one first-half dive against Mexico but don't expect another apology from the Netherlands forward just for being himself.

Robben said he won't change his playing style or personality after winning the decisive stoppage-time penalty in the Netherlands' 2-1 win against Mexico.

Robben provoked a furor after Sunday's second-round match by telling Dutch broadcaster NOS he had dived in a first-half incident, though not for the penalty when he was challenged by Mexico captain Rafa Marquez.

"I don't change myself, that is my personality. I think it's good," Robben said, appearing calm, smiling and relaxed at a team news conference.

Suarez says sorry

After a few days of reflection, Luis Suarez has acknowledged what millions saw on TV that he did bite an opponent during a game at the World Cup.

In addition, he said he's sorry and promised it will never happen again.

Ending a unified protest in Uruguay by everyone from Suarez to teammates, fans and even the country's president that the star striker had done nothing wrong, the Liverpool player on Monday offered an apology to Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.

"I deeply regret what occurred," Suarez said in a statement posted on Twitter. "I apologize to Giorgio Chiellini and the entire football family. ... I vow to the public that there will never again be another incident like (this)."

The Uruguay striker was banned for four months from all football by FIFA for biting the shoulder of Chiellini during the team's 1-0 win over Italy in their group-stage game in Brazil.

Neymar may sideline golden boots

Neymar is having doubts about what to wear in World Cup matches. The Brazil star attracted attention in the second-round match against Chile after changing his boots at halftime. He played the first half with golden boots made especially for him by Nike, but returned after the break wearing his regular orange ones.

Neymar said he decided to make the change because he didn't feel comfortable with the newer footwear, which he had been using for only a couple of days before Saturday's match.

Neymar's exclusive golden model, which has the drawing of a spray can on its sole, is expected to be sold for more than $500 in Brazilian stores.

Enyeama will rue late error

Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama had become an expert at repelling opponents in French Ligue 1 where he plays for Lille, but he couldn't keep up the resistance at the World Cup.

After a string of crucial saves in Nigeria's tense second-round match against France on Monday, he flapped at a corner amid a mass of bodies and parried the ball straight to Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba who was lurking at the back post.

It was a cruel way for Enyeama's tournament to end as he had been one of the best goalkeepers on show, rivaling Mexico's Guillermo Ochoa. For all his great saves, Enyeama will likely be remembered for his 79th minute error against the French which was compounded by an injury time own goal in a 2-0 defeat.

He kept clean sheets against Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina in the group stage, with the only goals he conceded coming against a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina in a 3-2 defeat.