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Messi and Argentina expect classic quarterfinal against old rivals Netherlands

AL RAYYAN, Qatar - Argentina captain Lionel Messi and coach Lionel Scaloni predicted a tough but beautiful encounter with the Netherlands when the sides meet in Friday's World Cup quarterfinal.

Argentina beat Australia 2-1 while the Netherlands defeated the United States 3-1 on Saturday to set up a tantalizing clash between two of the great teams of world football who famously met in the 1978 World Cup final which the South Americans won.

‘El Diablo’ Luis Suárez refuses to apologize for role in Ghana's 2010 exit ahead of rematch

AL RAYYAN, Qatar - Uruguay's Luis Suárez refused to apologize to Ghanaians on Thursday for his role 12 years ago in their biggest World Cup setback, arguing it wasn't his handball that denied Ghana a quarterfinal winner but their missed penalty that followed.

A win for Ghana against Uruguay in Friday's final Group H match could avenge their acrimonious defeat by the South Americans in 2010, when Suárez used his hand to block an extra-time winner for Ghana, who missed the resulting spot-kick and lost the penalty shootout that followed.

Netherlands need to show they're not all talk against USA in round of 16

DOHA - After much posturing, the Netherlands now need to deliver if they are to fulfill their own prophecy at the World Cup, starting with the opening clash of the knockout stage against the United States on Saturday.

There has been much talk — all from the Dutch camp — of the team's potential to go all the way in the tournament in Qatar, principally from veteran coach Louis van Gaal, who enjoys a little mental coaxing and sparring.

Hazard and Courtois make surprise media appearance to deny rumors of chaos in Belgium squad

DOHA - Belgium captain Eden Hazard has denied there is a rift in the squad but admits frank words were exchanged between the players following their surprise 2-0 World Cup Group F loss to Morocco on Sunday.

Hazard was speaking to the media along with experienced goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois on Tuesday after they replaced the players originally scheduled to talk, Yannick Carrasco and Arthur Theate.

Delirious Canelo Álvarez threatens Messi after accusing him of disrespecting the Mexican flag

World champion boxer Canelo Álvarez is mad at Lionel Messi and warned that the next time they see each other it's not going to be pleasant for the Argentine. Why is Canelo so angry? According to him, Messi disrespected the Mexican flag and the Mexican jersey after Argentina's 2-0 win over El Tri in the World Cup. 

The big problem with Canelo's story is that Messi did not disrespect any Mexican symbol, which makes the whole situation dumb. 

So why bother writing an article about it? Because fake news and toxic nationalism are viruses that need to be eradicated. 

Canada said they'd 'F' Croatia up, but it was Croatia doing all the 'F-ing'

After vowing to f**k Croatia up Sunday, Canada manager John Herdman could only watch in horror as his side showed its extreme World Cup naivety in a 4-1 defeat to the 2018 runners-up. 

Canada — the leading side in Concacaf during qualifying — is now the second to exit the tournament, following quickly in the footsteps of the host nation Qatar.

Weston McKennie praises Gregg Berhalter's tactics but admits there's one thing missing

DOHA - The United States shut out a European side at the World Cup for the first time since 1950 but left the tent-like Al Bayt Stadium without a win after Friday's tense goalless stalemate against England, a contest where they were superior for long periods.

England had crushed Iran 6-2 in their Group B opener to justify their status as one of the tournament favorites, but they were fortunate to come away with a point against Gregg Berhalter's young and energetic team.

Weston McKennie wiping his hands dry on a photographer’s vest is still making us laugh

Weston McKennie is easily one of the most likeable players on the U.S. men’s national team. Not only is he the USA’s best player, but he has such an infectious and positive personality.

Whether he’s hitting his Harry Potter goal celebration, dying his hair red, white and blue or just being hilarious, he’s just so entertaining.

His former Juventus teammate Matthijs de Ligt once told the media that McKennie was the funniest player on the team and that he “lives in a completely different world.”

¿Cuántas cabezas tienen los argentinos? El gracioso fail del Chucky Lozano

Hirving Lozano habló antes del trascendental duelo de México ante Argentina, en el Grupo C del Mundial. El Chucky alabó la calidad del rival, valoró la posibilidad de enfrentar a Lionel Messi, pero también dejó un curioso blooper a la hora de describir la humanidad de los jugadores albicelestes.

En conferencia de prensa, Lozano expresó que le gusta desafiar a los mejores y expresó en especial su admiración por Messi.

Neymar injury update: Will Brazil's driving force play again in Qatar?

Brazil opened its World Cup on Thursday with a memorable (because of Richarlison's jaw-dropping overhead kick) 2-0 victory over a dangerous Serbia team, but some of the shine was taken off by Neymar's 80th-minute exit and subsequent images of the Seleção's most important player in tears on the bench.

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