Earlier in the day, fellow Group H contenders Belgium and Russia played a stalemate until the 88th minute, when Belgium’s Divock Origi scored the lone goal. With Sunday’s matches, Belgium sits atop the group with six points, followed by Algeria with three and Russia and Korea tied with one. The best two teams of Group H will take on the top two of Group G, consisting of Germany, the U.S., Ghana ...

Hours before South Korea would face Algeria in their second group match, Belgium broke a lackluster stalemate against Russia to score in the 88th minute, winning 1-0 on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro to see it through to the Round of 16. Star midfielder Eden Hazard slipped forward Divock Origi a quick assist right in front of the goal to score the lone goal of the match. It was the two teams’ fifth W...

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) ― As England endures its worst World Cup for more than 50 years, Wayne Rooney wants his teammates to remember the pain of this campaign. England is already out of contention after losses to Italy and Uruguay, its run lasting less than a week. Not since 1958 had England failed to make it to the second round of a World Cup it qualified for. This is considered a debacle in a co...

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil -- Algerian coach Vahid Halilhodzic realizes the weaknesses in his young team, and he is not shy about praising his opponents. But his squad still thirsts for to secure its first World Cup win in three decades, he said Saturday, on the eve of the match between Algeria and Korea. “I said … that the Algerian people needed this victory. But it will not be easy, because the Kor...

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil -- South Korea’s coach Hong Myung-bo doesn’t expect to play the same Algerian team on Sunday that was defeated by Belgium 2-1 last week. This time, they’re going to be faster and ready to attack, he said Saturday in Porto Alegre on the eve of Korea’s second group-stage match of the World Cup. Ahead of game day, worries lingered over the fitness of some players. After playing...

No excuses. No one to blame but themselves. Feeble defending has sent England home from the World Cup. Costa Rica's surprise 1-0 win over Italy on Friday meant that England made its most humiliating exit from a World Cup since 1958, following consecutive defeats by the Italians and then Uruguay in Group D. Back in the 1950s, millions of pounds (dollars) weren't spent on preparing the team, and ...

France thrashed Switzerland 5-2 to surge closer to the World Cup last 16 as Costa Rica booked their place in the knockout rounds with a 1-0 upset of Italy, which confirmed England's exit. Goals from Olivier Giroud, Blaise Matuidi, Mathieu Valbuena, Karim Benzema and Moussa Sissoko gave rampant France a thumping victory as the 1998 champions ran riot in Salvador. Switzerland scored consolation g...

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil ― Korea’s World Cup squad heads into its match against Algeria on Sunday with all eyes on whether it will be able to penetrate Algeria’s labyrinthine defense. Korea was able to shake off two scoreless pre-World Cup defeats in a promising display in its 1-1 draw with Russia on Tuesday with improved positioning and passing, especially in its back line. But the opening match ex...

SAO PAULO (AP) ― Before the World Cup, Uruguay was worried about Luis Suarez’s knee and Colombia was fretting over injured Radamel Falcao. Considering the wild celebrations Thursday, neither should have. Less than a month after surgery, the incomparable Suarez came back Thursday to score two vital World Cup goals, and Colombia is through to the second round despite missing its star striker. Bot...

MOGI DAS CRUZES, Brazil (AP) ― There is little not to like about Belgium defender Vincent Kompany at the World Cup. He has vision, poise and leadership ― all the qualities teams look for in a captain. Well, there is one downside ― he is injury prone. So when all players bar one came cycling down to the training pitch on Thursday, there was a sudden worry Belgium’s World Cup campaign might not lo...