Colombia started its first World Cup campaign in 16 years in dazzling fashion, beating Greece 3-0 to open Group C on Saturday in front of a big, loud pro-Colombian crowd.   Left...

“Debacle.” “Terrible.” “A resounding failure.” No, not the words of an enraged media ready to sink the knife into their backs, these are in fact the words of...

On a rainy night in Talinn four years ago, Salvatore Sirigu's Italy career looked finished before it had really begun.   With Gianluigi Buffon still recovering from a back...

Luiz Felipe Scolari knows a thing or two about difficult World Cup starts, and he's advising Brazilians not to panic.   Following Brazil's struggles in a 3-1 win over Croatia in the...

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon says he doesn't expect to face England in their World Cup opener on Saturday, following an ankle injury in training.   Buffon, who picked up the injury...

The heat and humidity will be a factor, and so will the poor playing surface, when the Amazonian jungle city of Manaus hosts England and Italy in its first World Cup match on...

It's a contest of brawn and bravado against pace and finesse.   The muscular Ivory Coast team could not be more different at first glance from the compact Blue Samurai of...

Only eight countries have ever won the World Cup, and in Brazil three of them face Group D underdog Costa Rica.   Coach Jorge Luis Pinto greeted them with a warning: "We respect...

England captain Steven Gerrard says there can be no excuses for World Cup failure as they prepare to face Italy.   Roy Hodgson's side finished their build-up by training in the heat...

Colombia's 16-year wait for a return to the World Cup was miserable enough for its supporters. Now they're coming to terms with a few setbacks before Colombia's Group C...