Spain made a statement of intent as they stormed into the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals by brushing aside Switzerland in Auckland.
Jorge Vilda’s side rebounded in excellent fashion from a heavy defeat to Japan, who joined Spain in the last eight after seeing off Norway in Wellington.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at all of Saturday’s World Cup action.
Five-alive Spain hammer Switzerland
Spain limped into the knockout rounds after being humbled by Japan in their final group game but they showed they remain a threat as they reached the quarter-finals for the first time in their history with a 5-1 win over Switzerland. A brace from Aitana Bonmati alongside goals from Alba Redondo and Laia Codina, who had earlier sent a back pass into her own net to…
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson says there will be no repeat of the club s disastrous Champions League campaign of last season.
United were eliminated from the competition at the group stage after being beaten Swiss side Basel, which capped off a poor performance in a group the then-defending English Premier League champions were expected to win, with Benfica and Romanian newcomers Otelul Galati the other teams in their pool.
United had previously reached the final in three of the previous four editions of the tournament Ferguson has warned Europe his side will not make the same mistakes again in 2012/13.
That definitely won t happen next season. There s no chance of that, he said when asked a potential repeat of the unexpected early exit.
…
Dutch Eredivisie side Heerenveen have announced on their official website that they have agreed to sign midfielder Marco Pappa from Chicago Fire.
The 24-year-old will finish the league campaign with the MLS side before joining his new club in January 2013.
The Guatemala international had been heavily linked with a switch to English Premier League, but he ultimately opted for a less demanding competition and will see a switch to Heerenveen as a stepping stone in his career.
I m very excited about taking the next step in my career and signing with SC Heerenveen,” Pappa said to club’s official website.
The Fire gave me a great opportunity in 2008 and I am thankful to Fire owner Andrew Hauptman and Frank Klopas for the support and encouragement they ha…
Suspended FIFA president Sepp Blatter says a personal attack from Michel Platini and UEFA-led changes in the 2022 World Cup voting process is at the root of the corruption scandal engulfing world football s governing body.
The United States Department of Justice indicted 14 people, including nine past and present FIFA officials, on charges of racketeering conspiracy and corruption related to the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Blatter has now revealed that an agreement had been in place for the 2022 World Cup to be hosted by the United States, only for Platini to head a European-led swing in favour for Qatar, after an alleged meeting with Qatari officials.
The Swiss told Russian news agency TASS: For the World Cups it was agreed that we go …
Former Manchester United full-back Mikael Silvestre hopes out-of-favour forward Anthony Martial does not leave Old Trafford like Paul Pogba, urging the Frenchman to remain patient.
Martial burst onto the scene at Old Trafford last season, however the 21-year-old has been handed a reduced role at manager Jose Mourinho this term amid uncertainty over his future.
The France international, who was United s leading goalscorer in 2015-16 with 17, has only started nine Premier League fixtures this season, missing the past three matches.
Silvestre a five-time Premier League winner and Champions League victor during his nine years at United has called on his countryman to bide his time in Manchester and not follow in the footsteps of Pogba, who left for Juventus in 2012 o…
Lieke Martens looks set to play through the pain barrier again when Netherlands face Sweden in the Women s World Cup semi-finals.
Barcelona forward Martens aggravated a toe injury when celebrating her last-16 winner against Japan and, though she did not train prior to the quarter-final clash with Italy, she completed 90 minutes as the Euro 2017 winners reached the last four.
Netherlands coach Sarina Wiegman noted Martens problem has not become worse so hopes the woman voted the best player in the world two years ago can be called upon once more on Wednesday.
Lieke has had this injury for quite a long time but after the match facing Japan, she had more problems with her toe, Wiegman explained.
She was able to play against Italy and the toe is injured but…
Otto Addo confirmed he is leaving his role as Ghana coach as he predicted the team will continue to improve after a promising World Cup campaign.
Addo was appointed as interim boss of the Black Stars in February, but has been juggling the role with his job as a talent coach for Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund.
Ghana would have progressed to the last 16 of the World Cup in Qatar with a win over Uruguay at Al Janoub Stadium on Friday, but ultimately finished bottom of Group H after a 2-0 defeat.
Andre Ayew missed a first-half penalty, with Giorgian de Arrascaeta s quickfire double putting Uruguay in control, albeit the win was not enough to send Diego Alonso s team into the knockout round.
In his post-match news conference, Addo announced he would be st…
Shakhtar Donetsk manager Mircea Lucescu says Manchester City are not good enough to capture the signature of Fernandinho.
Speculation in the English media on Tuesday linked the 27-year-old with a move to the Etihad Stadium, with City expected to overhaul his squad after missing out on the title.
Lucescu insisted Fernandinho will only be sold if his release clause is met, and he feels a move to City would be a step down for the midfielder.
If City want to (sign Fernandinho), the clause is 50 million euros, Lucescu told PRO TV.
If our players receive offers from teams higher than Shakhtar, we do everything possible to help them. Currently, I think Manchester City are not at our level.
The five-cap Brazil international is contracted to the Ukraini…
Luis Garcia feels Diego Simeone has no need to leave Atletico Madrid in the near future, insisting the Argentine coach is already at a big team who are moving in the right direction.
Simeone has won La Liga, the Europa League and the Copa del Rey since taking charge at the Vicente Calderon in December 2011, while he also steered the team to the Champions League final – where they lost after extra time to Real Madrid – in 2014.
His work at Atletico has seen him linked with vacancies abroad, particularly in the Premier League, despite him signing a new long-term contract in March 2015.
However, Garcia – who spent a season playing for Atletico – feels Simeone is happy in the Spanish capital and does not necessarily need to move on to enjoy further s…
Spain captain Sergio Ramos insists the squad are together following Julen Lopetegui s shock sacking as coach on the eve of the World Cup.
Loptegui was removed from his post on Wednesday following Tuesday s announcement he is to take over as Real Madrid coach.
Fernando Hierro has been drafted in as replacement for the tournament, with Spain s first Group B match taking place on Friday against neighbours Portugal.
But Ramos has moved to quell any notion that La Roja s chaotic preparations for the World Cup have had an impact on the unity in the camp.
He posted on Twitter: We are the national team, we represent a shield, the colours, the fans, a country.
The responsibility and commitment are with you and for you. Yesterday, today and tomorrow, tog…