Saturday's World Cup round-up

Former Germany captain Lothar Matthaus says his country have almost no chance of winning the World Cup in South Africa.
Matthaus, who won won an incredible 150 caps in a long international career, is unimpressed with the standard of coach Joachim Loew's squad.
"The problem with Germany is that they have no stars, no-one with any individual brilliance, now that Ballack is out," said Matthaus. "And their preparations have hardly been optimal."

Australia forward Harry Kewell concedes that facing Germany on the first weekend will be an uphill battle for the Socceroos.
"Let's face it, we've probably hit the hardest team in the World Cup to come up against, especially first off the bat," said Kewell. 

Winning the World Cup would still not be enough for United States forward DaMarcus Beasley to make a real name for himself in his home state of Indiana.
Michael Jackson and the Jackson family are the Hoosier state's most famous sons and former Rangers player Beasley admitted that realistically not even lifting the World Cup trophy would see him make a similar name for himself.
"Even if we won the World Cup I still wouldn't be that big a thing," said Beasley.
"But maybe I would be in the top 10. I might even get a statue."

England captain Steven Gerrard has surprisingly picked out sprint star Usain Bolt as a big inspiration.
Olympic 100 and 200m champion Bolt is a huge football fan and has asked Gerrard for a signed shirt for his growing collection. 
"Usain Bolt is an athlete I really look up to," Gerrard said. "As a sprinter he's the man isn't he? He's there to be shot at but keeps on winning. It takes some doing to be at the top of your game like he is. 
"It's a pity he's a Man United fan though. I was going to ask him to one of our training sessions when he's in England but I might not bother now." 

Paraguay have laughed off reports that Oscar Cardozo could be out of the World Cup and declared the striker could yet make next week's opening match against Italy.
Cardozo, who scored 36 goals for Benfica last season, has been struggling with an ankle injury and has been training separately from the rest of the Paraguay squad.
"I must clarify that Oscar Cardozo is not out of the World Cup, as has been implied in some media," said Paraguay team doctor Manuel Aguilar.
"What's more, neither has he been ruled out of the first game."

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Saturday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester City are targeting Benfica's Paraguayan star Oscar Cardozo. The striker, and free-kick specialist, has scored 18 league goals this season.(Daily Mirror) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Liverpool are keeping a close eye on Alex McLeish's contract talks at Birmingham, with a view to bringing in the Scot as a replacement for current Reds boss Rafael Benitez at the end of the season.(Daily Mirror) 
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says the desire to become the first team to win four consecutive league titles and a record 19th in all is driving him on this season. (Daily Mirror) 
Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has told his goalkeeper Paul Robinson that it is not too late for him to be included in England boss Fabio Capello's World Cup plans.(Daily Mirror) 
And Aston Villa duo Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor have been told similar by their boss Martin O'Neill despite missing out on Capello's last squad.(Daily Star) 
Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon's World Cup dreams are in tatters though after Spurs boss Harry Redknapp admitted he had no idea whether the 22-year-old would play again this season. Lennon has been out with a groin problem since December.(The Sun) 
Stoke striker Tuncay Sanli is taking his former club Middlesbrough to court. He claims they owe him more than £500,000 in image, sporting and economic rights.(Daily Mail) 
Everton are ready to offer 10 players new long-term deals in an attempt to ward of interest from other clubs.(Daily Mirror) 
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has told Shaun Wright-Phillips to stop talking about his desire for a new contract and concentrate on earning one on the pitch. (Daily Mail) 
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola reckons 10 points from their final 10 games of the season will be enough to keep his side in the Premier League. The Hammers currently have 27 points.(Daily Express) 
The 2012 football season will be put back by one week to accommodate the London Olympic Games which runs from 27 July to 12 August.(Daily Telegraph) 
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has admitted he would "do a Thierry Henry" and handle the ball if it meant getting England through to the World Cup final.(The Sun) 
American sports franchise Club 9 Sports claim they are close to a deal to invest in Championship strugglers Sheffield Wednesday.(Daily Mail) 

AND FINALLY

Fulham striker Bobby Zamora clearly does not rate his chances of making the England World Cup squad - he has already booked a holiday in Las Vegas during the tournament.(Daily Telegraph)

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Everton 0-2 Benfica

Javier Saviola and Oscar Cardozo scored as Benfica deservedly defeated Everton in the Europa League.
Saviola opened the scoring with a low finish early in the second half before Cardozo finished in the bottom corner. 
Cardozo appeared to be in an offside position but Benfica's attacking play was superb and earlier he hit the post and Tim Howard superbly denied Saviola. 
An unmarked Sylvain Distin had a chance for Everton from six yards late in the game but was denied by Julio Cesar. 
Benfica were full value for their victory, with Cardoza, Saviola and Angel Di Maria interchanging passes with great skill and understanding. 
The introduction of Argentine Pablo Aimar after the break only served to illustrate the difference in options between the visiting team and injury-hit Everton. 
David Moyes's team - who were thrashed 5-0 at Benfica two weeks ago - have not won in any competition since they defeated BATE on 1 October.   
But they remain second in their Europa League group and qualification remains in their own hands with two games left to play.

Everton manager David Moyes:
"We have tough games coming up and we knew the group was never going to be easy and it will prove that way, I am sure.
"I think Benfica are a good side and it was a tough game but it was tighter than the last one (where Benfica won 5-0). 
"We became a little open in the second half, maybe trying to score, and we got done on the counter for the first goal. We still had four defenders back though, and the goals weren't like the goals in Benfica. 
"One ricocheted off our player and fell to them, so I didn't think the goals were beautiful; they were poor defensive moments for us."