Sports / 2014 World Cup

World Cup winners and losers

European stalwarts won title for the fourth time when substitute Mario Goetze volleyed in a brilliant goal seven minutes from the end of extra time.

Spain's reign ends as Chile prove too hot to handle

2014-06-19 06:43

Holders Spain, who first showed signs of vulnerability at the Maracana a year ago, were eliminated from the World Cup on Wednesday when a 2-0 Group B defeat by Chile at the same stadium ended one of the greatest dynasties of the modern game.

World Cup highlights: Instant hero of Mexico

2014-06-18 15:53

Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa stole the limelight with a series of blinding saves in the goalless draw with Brazil to boost hopes his team can advance to the knock-out stages.

Alcapas attract Beijingers to World Cup

2014-06-18 14:45

Two alpacas, a kind of animal that is still mysterious to many Chinese, appeared at Sanlitun, Beijing, on Tuesday for a World Cup related business promotion. Their cute look attracted large crowds.

Top 10 own goals in World Cup history

2014-06-18 13:54

Looking back the World Cup history, besides wonderful goals, there are also some interesting own goals.

Nude photos distract Croatia's Cup campaign

2014-06-18 11:52

Croatia's coaches are urging their players to focus on facing Cameroon at the World Cup rather than lamenting the publication of photos showing some of them bathing nude at their training complex's swimming pool in Brazil.

Some stars shining at World Cup, others remain dim

2014-06-18 11:50

After just one match each, Robin van Persie and Lionel Messi have already equaled their goal tallies from their previous two World Cups combined.

World Cup-themed cakes on sale

2014-06-18 10:38

Cakes with the theme of the World Cup Football were sold at a store in east China's Jiangsu province.

Explosion hits world cup viewing center in Nigeria

2014-06-18 10:31

An explosion hit a viewing center where a world cup match was being televised in Nigeria's northeastern state of Yobe on Tuesday night. Casualties remain unknown, local police said.

Russia draws 1-1 with South Korea in World Cup

2014-06-18 08:15

Alexander Kerzhakov scored with one of his first touches after coming on as a substitute to earn Russia a 1-1 draw with South Korea on Tuesday in a World Cup match marked by the first big goalkeeping error of the tournament.

Shocking lightning photos in Fujian

2014-06-18 08:05

A man wearing specially made clothes kicks football as if he is performing under a blitz of lightning at Heshang county, Changle city, East China's Fujian province.

World Cup birthday boys celebrate at the double

2014-06-18 07:50

Mathematicians have found 16 of the 32 teams with 23-man squads at the tournament in Brazil have players who share a birthday.

On the ball

2014-06-18 07:29

Sporting goods companies have ramped up ball production amid the global soccer competition.

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