BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) ― Cristiano Ronaldo finally made his mark at the World Cup ― but it came too late to spare Portugal an early exit from Brazil. The world player of the year broke his scoring drought at the tournament with an 80th-minute winner in Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Ghana on Thursday. That result, however, left the Portuguese level on four points with United States in Group G but w...

RECIFE, Brazil (AP) ― With Thomas Mueller in a perfect position to pounce on a rebound, American cheers for yet another spectacular Tim Howard save didn’t last long. The U.S. goalkeeper was unable to cut down the angle after diving to punch away a deflected ball, and Mueller did what he does so well ― calmly drive a first-time shot inside the far post for his ninth goal in nine career World Cup ...

CURITIBA, Brazil (AP) ― Algeria qualified for the World Cup knockout stages for the first time, with Islam Slimani’s headed equalizer giving his team a 1-1 draw against Russia on Thursday and enough competition points to move into the second round. Algeria was the last team to secure a spot in the Round of 16 when it placed second to Belgium in Group H. Its progress means Africa has two represen...

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― Luis Suarez exits the World Cup with one of the longest bans in tournament history, and his reputation once again in tatters. The Uruguay forward, widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, was banned by FIFA from all football for four months on Thursday for biting an Italian opponent in an incident that marred the team’s victory and progression to the second ...

SAO PAULO, Brazil ― Belgium may be sitting comfortably atop Group H, but the team’s quest for points ahead of the round of 16 means it will play as hard in its match against South Korea as in any other game, coach Marc Wilmots said Wednesday. After victories over Algeria and Russia, Belgium has sealed its entry to the knockout rounds even before its final group match against a struggling South K...

TOKYO (AFP) ― Japan turned their attention Thursday to the hunt for a new national football coach after Alberto Zaccheroni resigned in the wake of a winless World Cup, with former Mexico and Espanyol manager Javier Aguirre seen in the frame. The Japan Football Association has offered the Mexican veteran, who led his nation to the last-16 twice in 2002 and 2010, a four-year deal with an annual wa...