Thursday's World Cup round-up

Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas faced an awkward post-match inquisition from his girlfriend Sara Carbonera, a sideline reporter for the Telecinco channel, following the defeat by Switzerland. During a post-match interview, the journalist asked Casillas: "How did you manage to muck it up?"
And a shocked Casillas replied: "I don't know what to say. I don't know if this defeat will have consequences. The dressing room is fed up."

Switzerland's Gelson Fernandes was as surprised as everyone else after scoring the winning goal in his team's historic World Cup triumph over Spain.
The St Etienne midfielder's strike seven minutes into the second half of Wednesday's Group H match proved enough for Ottmar Hitzfeld's side to beat the European champions - and left Fernandes stunned. 
"I don't think I realise what is happening right now," said the 23-year-old. "I'm a bit surprised. It's a very special moment for our country and I'm very happy. We were definitely very good against Spain and we played very well as a team." 

Argentina coach Diego Maradona has again called on referees to protect flair players such as Lionel Messi in the World Cup, urging officials to be even stricter with offending opponents.
Maradona said Messi is twice as good as any other player at the World Cup
"If we are going to see a match when the star players are not going to be mistreated then I think the referees need to be a lot stricter, and if Korea's players do something to Messi or Carlos Tevez then they need to get out the yellow cards, and if it happens a second time, then that's it," said Maradona.

Greece striker Theofanis Gekas is the latest player to call for World Cup organisers to ban vuvuzelas. Gekas was irritated by the noise in their opening game against South Korea, which his side lost 2-0.
"I do think the trumpets should be stopped. They are affecting the players as we cannot communicate properly," he stated. 

Ivory Coast striker Salomon Kalou has called on his team take inspiration from North Korea's resilient defensive display against Brazil where they lost 2-1.
Ivory Coast play Brazil on Sunday and the 24-year-old said: "I saw the first half of their match and North Korea defended really well and annoyed Brazil, they serve as a good example. We have the players who can make a difference, our strength will always be in attack but we must focus on defence."

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Spain 0-2 USA

The United States caused one of the biggest upsets in world football by beating European champions Spain in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup.
Jozy Altidore broke the deadlock on 27 minutes when he turned Joan Capdevila and beat Iker Casillas from 15 yards. 
Fulham's Clint Dempsey then doubled the lead on 74 minutes when he converted Landon Donovan's pass from close range. 
The defeat in South Africa ended Spain's world record of 15 straight wins and their 35-match unbeaten run. 
"It's exciting, a great team effort. To beat an amazing team like Spain and make the final, it's big," said US coach Bob Bradley. 
"We played as hard as we could and that's what it took. Every guy contributed, so it's a very good feeling."
US captain Carlos Bocanegra added: "I think it just shows that we can compete with the best. Now we need to do it on a consistent basis." 
The US opened the tournament with a 3-1 loss to world champions Italy before being outclassed 3-0 by Brazil but they advanced to the last four by beating Egypt 3-0. 
"It goes to show what hard work and commitment to each other can bring," stated US goalkeeper Tim Howard, who made crucial saves to deny David Villa and Fernando Torres. "Football is a funny thing." 
Victory meant the US advanced to their first Fifa final, although the achievement was slightly soured by the dismissal of Michael Bradley. 
The midfielder, son of the US coach, will now miss Sunday's showdown against either defending champions Brazil or hosts South Africa.

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Spain: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Capdevila, Pique, Puyol, Xavi, Fabregas (Santi Cazorla 68), Alonso, Riera (Mata 78), Torres, Villa.

Subs Not Used: Diego Lopez, Albiol, Arbeloa, Marchena, Pablo, Busquets, Silva, Llorente, Guiza, Reina. 
Booked: Capdevila, Pique. 

USA: Howard, DeMerit, Spector, Bocanegra, Onyewu, Clark, Dempsey (Bornstein 88), Davies (Feilhaber 69), Donovan, Bradley, Altidore (Casey 84).
Subs Not Used: Guzan, Pearce, Califf, Wynne, Beasley, Kljestan, Adu, Torres, Robles. 
Sent Off: Bradley (87). 
Booked: Donovan, Altidore. 
Goals: Altidore 27, Dempsey 74. 

Att: 40,000 
Ref: Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay).
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Wednesday's gossip column

BREAKING GOSSIP

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has dismissed speculation linking him to a move to Manchester United. The 28-year-old told AS: "There is nothing at all from Manchester (United) or any other club."(The Sun)

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is interested in signing Atletico Madrid's £45m-rated striker Sergio Aguero after giving up on Valencia forward David Villa. (Daily Star) 
Arsenal have offered Emmanuel Adebayor to AC Milan and Inter Milan as the Gunners are eager to offload the striker but will not sell him to Premier League rivals Chelsea. (Daily Mirror) 
Manchester City will make a £15m bid for Everton centre-back Joleon Lescott in the next 48 hours.(Daily Mirror) 
City's Brazilian forward Robinho has urged the club to buy Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o.(The Sun) 
Michael Essien's agent claims the midfielder could leave Chelsea this summer if the likes of "Real Madrid, Barcelona or some other club" make an offer.(The Sun) 
Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce has put Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch top of his wish list as a replacement for striker Roque Santa Cruz. (Daily Mirror) 
Aston Villa are set to bid £1m for German goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel from Energie Cottbus.(Daily Mirror) 
Celtic want to sign £5m-rated Fulham striker Diomansay Kamara. (Daily Mirror) 
The Scottish giants are also close to signing Swindon forward Simon Cox for £2.5m. (Daily Star)
Greek club Larissa are keen on signing Celtic striker Jan Vennegor of Hesselink. (Scottish Sun) 
Hearts are weighing up a move for out-of-contract Finnish striker Shefki Kuqi, who was last at Crystal Palace. (Daily Mail)
Bolton boss Gary Megson is set to pull out of a move for West Brom left-back Paul Robinson as the £1m asking price is twice the amount he wants to pay. (Various) 
Reading face a double bid from Sunderland for winger Stephen Hunt and striker Kevin Doyle.(Daily Mirror) 
Sunderland are also closing in on Tottenham striker Darren Bent - but they will need to match the Londoners' £10m valuation. (Daily Star) 
Nottingham Forest have made a final bid of £2.5m for Doncaster defender Matt Mills. (Daily Star)
Former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira is in talks over a move from Inter Milan to Paris St Germain. (The Sun) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez says the £18.5m the club has paid to sign right-back Glen Johnson from Portsmouth is over the odds.(The Sun) 
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger refused to include striker Nicklas Bendtner as part of the deal that brought Ajax defender Thomas Vermaelen to the Emirates Stadium. (The Sun) 
Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes has pleaded with manager Harry Rednapp not to sell him. (Various)
Burnley midfielder Graham Alexander is set to sign a new one-year deal with the club and at 37 he will be the oldest player in the Premier League. (Various) 
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will hold talks with defender Nyron Nosworthy, who fears he is on his way out of the club with no offer of a new deal. (Various)
Stockport County do not have a kit to play in next season after having to auction off their strip to repay debts to manufacturers Diadora. (The Sun) 
Former Sunderland managers Malcolm Crosby and Ricky Sbragia are interested in forming a double act at Motherwell. (Daily Mail)
But Motherwell chairman wants the new manager to make club skipper Stephen Craigan his assistant. (Daily Express)
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