Football

Lionel Messi scored a stunning second-half goal to push staggering Argentina to a 2-1 victory over Bosnia at the Maracana.

Van Gaal's decision to play a system based on five defenders against Spain was a tactical masterstroke as the Dutch humiliated the defending world champion 5-1.

The Azzurri have to recover physically after a draining match in the jungle venue of Manaus and prepare to face a surprising Costa Rica side.

The injury came in one of the team's final practices before Tuesday's match against Mexico in Group A.

Switzerland and Ecuador will be hoping to steal a march on their Group E opponents when they come face to face in Brasilia in Sunday's opener.

Argentina gear up for an expected breeze through World Cup Group F on Sunday against Bosnia playing in the finals for the first time.

The likes of Koke, Pedro, Fabregas, Mata and David De Gea need to be given an opportunity to take the team forward.

Greece and Colombia lock horns in the FIFA World Cup but both sides are concerned about their key strikers ahead of the Group C match.

After Marcelo's own goal in the 11th minute, Neymar scored in each half and Oscar scored in the 91st minute to give Brazil 3-1 win.

Defending champions Spain arrived here on Thursday in readiness for their World Cup opener against 2010 runners-up the Netherlands, on Friday.

Holders Spain beat Netherlands in the final four years ago and will be out to do that again to begin their title defence.

Neymar said fans could be the most important "player" in Brazil's drive for a record sixth championship.

The Netherlands flew from their training base in Rio to Salvador with an apparently fully-fit squad, giving Van Gaal a dilemma about who to play in midfield.

Here are five things you want to know before hosts Brazil set the ball rolling in the tournament's opening game against Croatia today.

Simmering civil tension and the stench of corruption threatens to sully Brazil's global soccer party when the World Cup kicks off against a backdrop of protests and unrest.

Pune FC have appointed experienced Moroccan Karim Bencherifa as coach for a two-year term ahead of the 2014-15 season.