Features archive

June 2014

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315 articles

June 30
- El World Cup Diario, Day 19: Apologies and lies... but honest ones
- Ozil takes two hours to end his and Germany's frustration: how Stats Zone saw Germany 2-1 Algeria
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Belgium vs USA
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Argentina vs Switzerland
- Les Bleus leave it late but reach the quarters: how Stats Zone saw France 2-0 Nigeria
- World acclaims unknown €45m forward from small nation of 47m people
- The good, the bad and the Savage: telly's pundits rated and slated
- Postcards from the World Cup #7: Losing, swearing and jerk chicken with the Ghanaians
- CONCACAF helping the Americas take on the world
- In the mag: It's our party and we're inviting Ronaldo!
- World wondering if Greece might break up into smaller countries that aren’t Greece
- What Hodgson can learn from England's failure - at Euro 88
- El World Cup Diario, Day 18: Tempers, tickets and truffle shuffles
June 29
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Germany vs Algeria
- The FourFourTwo Preview: France vs Nigeria
- Robben helps Dutch stage late, late show: how Stats Zone saw Netherlands 2-1 Mexico
- England players who resist call-ups to be forced to run around aimlessly in white shirt
- Penalties settle it as Ticos make history: how Stats Zone saw Costa Rica 1-1 Greece (5-3 pens)
- El World Cup Diario, Day 17: Chickens, pigs & the Mafia - business as usual from Brazil
June 28
- Rodriguez sees off toothless Celeste: how Stats Zone saw Colombia 2-0 Uruguay
- Medel provides resistance, but Neymar and Brazil edge through: how Stats Zone saw Brazil 1-1 Chile (3-2 pens)
- The Last 16 of Justice: How the World Cup would look if the refs had got the big calls right
- How Costa Rica bamboozled Brazil 2014
- Frayed nerves and £15,000 flutters: inside the bookie's lair during a World Cup match
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Costa Rica vs Greece
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Netherlands vs Mexico
June 27
- El World Cup Diario, Day 16: First rest day sends everyone doolally
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Colombia vs Uruguay
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Brazil vs Chile
- Delightful defending and fickle Brazilians in the Milton Keynes of Brazil: why Portugal vs Ghana was ace
- Postcards from the World Cup #6: A Spanish wake and a riot of Oranje
- Weird game of football features two players, tiny balls, rackets
- South America at war: Why everyone hates Brazil (including some Brazilians)
June 26
- El World Cup Diario, Day 15: Some bad news. And the Big Bad Wolf
- Ten-man Belgium leave it late (again) to crush the Koreans: how Stats Zone saw South Korea 0-1 Belgium
- Fennec Foxes get their point and make history: how Stats Zone saw Algeria 1-1 Russia
- Dreams die in Brasilia as both teams bow out: how Stats Zone saw Portugal 2-1 Ghana
- USA make it through, but have work to do: how Stats Zone saw USA 0-1 Germany
- Boats, pink dolphins and a tribe gift shop: why I loved Honduras vs Switzerland
- No time for sentiment as Low's Germany prepare to face Klinsmann's USA – with time running out
- FFT's World Cup of Kits 2014: which nation has the best clobber?
- Hodgson's three biggest mistakes with England at the World Cup
June 25
- El World Cup Diario, Day 14: No story to see here, move along
- Rotation leaves France lacking 'je ne sais quoi': how Stats Zone saw Ecuador 0-0 France
- Silky Shaqiri proves he's ready for Messi meet: how Stats Zone saw Honduras 0-3 Switzerland
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Algeria vs Russia
- The FourFourTwo Preview: South Korea vs Belgium
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Portugal vs Ghana
- The FourFourTwo Preview: USA vs Germany
- Too little, too late for Dzeko and Bosnia: how Stats Zone saw Bosnia 3-1 Iran
- Magic Messi joins Neymar on his perch: how Stats Zone saw Nigeria 2-3 Argentina
- Better luck next time? A history of post-tournament England inquests
- Nobody can muster energy to abuse returning England team
- Who should replace Steven Gerrard for England?
- El World Cup Diario, Day 13: Back home (via the realm of despair)
June 24
- Rodriguez & Martinez send Blue Samurai home: how Stats Zone saw Japan 1-4 Colombia
- Greasy Greece slip into last 16 as Samaras picks his perfect moment: how Stats Zone saw Greece 2-1 Ivory Coast
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Ecuador vs France
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Honduras vs Switzerland
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Iran
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Nigeria vs Argentina
- Azzurri bow out after losing game of patience: how Stats Zone saw Italy 0-1 Uruguay
- England not completely pointless: how Stats Zone saw Costa Rica 0-0 England
- Iran's liberated expats making the most of their Brazilian bash
- Postcards from the World Cup #5: unwavering hope, drum solos and Hoddle confusion with the Koreans
June 23
- El World Cup Diario, Day 12: Goal storm helps World Cup overcome s*** storm
- Neymar brilliance slays Lions in Brasilia: how Stats Zone saw Cameroon 1-4 Brazil
- Marquez the hero as Mexico qualify: how Stats Zone saw Croatia 1-3 Mexico
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Greece vs Ivory Coast
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Japan vs Colombia
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Costa Rica vs England
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Italy vs Uruguay
- Villa signs off in style, holders depart with a smile: how Stats Zone saw Australia 0-3 Spain
- Pace and patience outstrip possession: how Stats Zone saw Netherlands 2-0 Chile
- Could wing-wizard Cuadrado help Colombia forget Falcao and earn himself a big move?
- Postcards from the World Cup #4: shishas, lamb and howling with the Iranians
- El World Cup Diario, Day 11: Permutations, push bikes and finger pointing aplenty
June 22
- Ronaldo the gift and the curse for Portugal: how Stats Zone saw USA 2-2 Portugal
- Algeria come of age with first half blitz: how Stats Zone saw South Korea 2-4 Algeria
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Croatia vs Mexico
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Cameroon vs Brazil
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Netherlands vs Chile
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Australia vs Spain
- Hazard comes good but Lukaku keeps struggling: how Stats Zone saw Belgium 1-0 Russia
- Not even Pjanic can save Bosnia from early exit: how Stats Zone saw Nigeria 1-0 Bosnia
June 21
- El World Cup Diario, Day 10: England's 'more-gutted-than-you' world still in motion
- Klose has his say in second half thriller: how Stats Zone saw Germany 2-2 Ghana
- The FourFourTwo Preview: USA vs Portugal
- The FourFourTwo Preview: South Korea vs Algeria
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Belgium vs Russia
- Pressure pays off when Messi gets accurate: how Stats Zone saw Argentina 1-0 Iran
- Matt Besler: The Premier League is a dream – I'll consider offers after the World Cup
- Shola Ameobi: 'It'll feel weird not going back to Newcastle – but there is a time to go'
- Why substitutes are deciding this World Cup - and why Roy Hodgson's haven't
- El World Cup Diario, Day 9: Costa Rica do England a huge favour
- Long balls, crosses and shots from distance: how Stats Zone saw Honduras 1-2 Ecuador
June 20
- Have Les Bleus found a new attacking Holy Trinity? How Stats Zone saw Switzerland 2-5 France
- Cheshire landlord gives travelling England fans somewhere to drown their sorrows
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Nigeria vs Bosnia-Herzegovina
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Germany vs Ghana
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Argentina vs Iran
- Ruiz and friends send England home: how Stats Zone saw Italy 0-1 Costa Rica
- Uruguay 2-1 England: Suarez answers critics with goals, answers
- Everything you need to know about... Mattia De Sciglio
June 19
- El World Cup Diario, Day 8: Down and as good as out
- Party poopers Greece grind out a draw: how Stats Zone saw Japan 0-0 Greece
- Suarez the difference as end nears for England: how Stats Zone saw Uruguay 2-1 England
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Honduras vs Ecuador
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Switzerland vs France
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Italy vs Costa Rica
- Dribbling, blocking and awful crosses: how Stats Zone saw Colombia 2-1 Ivory Coast
- Postcards from the World Cup #3: Mussels, fruity beers and sulky Vertonghen
- Spain 0-2 Chile: Tiki-taka licked, chewed up and swallowed with a grimace
- How full-backs are making this World Cup brilliant – and why England need more from theirs
- El World Cup Diario Day 7: Not a matter of life or death
- Croatia cruise thanks to illogical Song: how Stats Zone saw Cameroon 0-4 Croatia
June 18
- Why England needn't fear Uruguay
- Why Brazilians want Uruguay to beat England
- Spanish empire falls to hyperactive Chile: how Stats Zone saw Spain 0-2 Chile
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Japan vs Greece
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Uruguay vs England
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Colombia vs Ivory Coast
- Socceroos fight hard but fall in the end: how Stats Zone saw Australia 2-3 Netherlands
- How's your team doing so far? 32-team World Cup report card
- El World Cup Diario, Day 6: The view from on high
- Kerzhakov to the rescue after Akinfeev howler: how Stats Zone saw Russia 1-1 South Korea
June 17
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Cameroon vs Croatia
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Spain vs Chile
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Australia vs Netherlands
- Frustration for Fred as the hosts draw a blank: how Stats Zone saw Brazil 0-0 Mexico
- Super subs key to seeing off Fennec Foxes: how Stats Zone saw Belgium 2-1 Algeria
- Goal Control develops independent thought, skips Russia-Korea
- Things could be about to get worse for Diego Costa, the most hated player in Brazil
- Pass-shy USA leave it late to punish wasteful Black Stars: How Stats Zone saw Ghana 1-2 USA
- Why the man who slipped Arsenal's net is Brazil's unsung star at the World Cup
- El World Cup Diario, Day 5: The end of innocence
June 16
- Nigeria prove it's not worth getting cross: how Stats Zone saw Iran 0-0 Nigeria
- The golden boy who can do no wrong: why Brazil is bonkers for Neymar
- Kobe Bryant in Brazil: from court to the football cage
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Russia vs South Korea
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Brazil vs Mexico
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Belgium vs Algeria
- Muller provides positioning masterclass to move level with Maradona: how Stats Zone saw Germany 4-0 Portugal
- Everything you need to know about... Dries Mertens
- A visit to the mighty Maracana makes thought of returning to Wembley seem like a chore
- Postcards from the World Cup #2: Pork belly, beer buckets and a horse's head with Colombians
June 15
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Ghana vs USA
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Iran vs Nigeria
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Germany vs Portugal
- Maracana made to wait for Messi magic: how Stats Zone saw Argentina 2-1 Bosnia
- El World Cup Diario Day 4: The morning after the early morning before
- Domination, destruction and technology: how Stats Zone saw France 3-0 Honduras
- Cross-town traffic and late heartbreak: how Stats Zone saw Switzerland 2-1 Ecuador
- Focus on Low to make Germany successful, not just progressive
- Sabella in Yorkshire: How the Argentina boss came to Sheffield United (because they couldn't afford Maradona)
- England 1-2 Italy: Three Lions have no answer to Rooney
- Aurier goes from zero to hero: how Stats Zone saw Ivory Coast 2-1 Japan
- El World Cup Diario, Day 3: A full day on the Scuffelbrau
June 14
- Bold England beaten by Balotelli in Manaus: how Stats Zone saw England 1-2 Italy
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Argentina vs Bosnia-Herzegovina
- The FourFourTwo Preview: France vs Honduras
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Switzerland vs Ecuador
- The biggest shock so far? How Stats Zone saw Uruguay 1-3 Costa Rica
- Rodriguez rises high, Gekas sighs: how Stats Zone saw Colombia 3-0 Greece
- What the cream of Euro 2012 have to do in Brazil
- Why Gerrard's switch to deep provides England with Pirlo-esque potential
- Ignazio Abate: 2006 victory still stirs unbelievable emotion in Italy
- Meet the new Pirlo looking to shatter England's World Cup dream
- Thrills, spills and cross after cross: how Stats Zone saw Chile 3-1 Australia
- Ciro Ferrara: 'England have tactical problems in midfield and Gerrard's getting old'
- Casiraghi: 'England has a lot of quality in attack – Barkley could cause a lot of trouble'
- Giuseppe Bergomi: 'I regret not playing in England – I could have joined Coventry'
- Costacurta: 'England's weakness is mental - they seem paralysed by anxiety'
June 13
- Postcards from the World Cup #1: bongo drums, tramps and Caipirinhas in Camden
- El World Cup Diario, Day 2: Crushing disappointments
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Ivory Coast vs Japan
- The FourFourTwo Preview: England vs Italy
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Uruguay vs Costa Rica
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Colombia vs Greece
- Sickly Spain stunned by brilliant Oranje: how Stats Zone saw Spain 1-5 Netherlands
- Apples, bungalows and copper mines: England in Chile '62
- Wing-backs and woeful shooting: how Stats Zone saw Mexico 1-0 Cameroon
- Brazil 3-1 Croatia: Brazil no longer neutrals’ favourites
- Everything you need to know about... Eric Choupo-Moting
- Russia somehow have three points, FIFA confirm
- Integrity, the Crystal Maze and 64 years of success: England's alternative World Cup history
- Steve McManaman: Suarez? Balotelli? Cavani? Give it a rest – we've got Sturridge
- The Roy Hodgson story: Elks, owls, erotica and headaches
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Chile vs Australia
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Spain vs Netherlands
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Mexico vs Cameroon
June 12
- El World Cup Diario, Day 1: Paps, selfies, ceremonies and finally some football
- Croatia left fuming over Fred flop in Sao Paulo: how Stats Zone saw Brazil 3-1 Croatia
- The all-time World Cup Perfect XI
- Five reasons why Croatia can spoil Brazil's party
- Ten World Cup starlets Premier League scouts are certain to be watching
- Beware, Brazil: 10 World Cup opening-game shocks
- Opening ceremonies: a blotted history
June 11
- 60-second dossier: Taskmaster Capello looking to rally defensively rigid Russia
- The FourFourTwo Preview: Brazil vs Croatia
- 60-second dossier: Fennec Foxes rising up the rankings and could spring a surprise
- 2010: FourFourTwo's immediate reaction
- Back of the Net's alternative World Cup 2010: Vuvuzelas, bad balls and revolting Frenchmen
- Kagisho Dikgacoi on World Cup 2010: "Everyone went mad..."
- 60-second dossier: Belgium's Red Devils must spread the burden in absence of Benteke
- 60-second dossier: South Korea short of striker needed to emulate Class of '02
- Alternative Group H Preview: Camus, Capello and the threat of Wigan
- What the hell happened to France at the 2010 World Cup? High farce and high treason in the Highveld
- Gordon Banks: I thought I'd got lucky with that Pele save – now it makes me proud
June 10
- Ranked! The 10 best goals of World Cup 2002
- Ranked! The 10 best goals of World Cup 2010
- Ranked! The 10 best goals of World Cup 2006
- 60-second dossier: Portugal's plight hinges on the fitness of talismanic Ronaldo
- Mario Gotze: Germany have demonstrated that we stand for a modern brand of football
- 60-second dossier: Free-scoring Germany must make do without leading light Reus
- Sol Campbell: One-on-One
- 60-second dossier: Gyan the man if Ghana are to get through tough group
- Back of the Net's guide to Brazil's 2014 World Cup stadia
- Alternative Group G Preview: Germany's enemies, rubbish nicknames and Radiohead
- World Cup 2006: Italy's band of brothers shrug off Calciopoli bombshell to win big
- Back of the Net's alternative World Cup 2006: Cote d’Ivoire (or is that Ivory Coast?), Materazzi's nipples
- Ranked! The 10 best players of World Cup 2006
- Power, corruption and lies in FIFA: is this the beginning of the end for Sepp Blatter?
- World Cup 2006: When Germany learned to love its national team – and each other
- Hallo! Scuffles, handbags and headbutts mar Germany's showpiece at World Cup 2006
- Lucky landlord gets his local recreated in Rio de Janeiro
June 9
- Matt Holland on World Cup 2002: "I still look back and think ‘What if?’"
- Back of the Net's alternative World Cup 2002: Pants, b*llix, buffets and besmirched integrity
- 60-second dossier: Nigeria need goals or they'll be relying on Enyeama's heroics
- 60-second dossier: Bosnia look to Dzeko to help them make a splash on World Cup debut
- 60-second dossier: Pressure mounting on Messi to take Barca form to world stage
- Stop! Forget everything you know about Pele – it's all wrong...
- Alternative Group F Preview: initiations, low expectations and a sloth
- Meet the Bosnian defender hoping to stop Messi and Aguero
- 2002: When dodgy decisions took South Korea to the semis – and infuriated Europe's big guns
- How Beckham banished the ghosts of '98 – and saved my birthday
- Keane, McCarthy and a divided nation: Ireland's 'Princess Diana moment' at World Cup 2002
- Korea and Japan 2002: the tournament defined by pernickety politics, reffing raps and brilliant Brazilians
- Meet Ogenyi Onazi, Nigeria's criminal-chasing midfield nuisance
- Ranked! The 10 best players of World Cup 2002
June 8
- Nicked underpants, WAGs unleashed and Mexican raves: England's World Cup base camps
June 6
- 60-second dossier: Ecuador still to prove they can cause damage away from Quito
- 60-second dossier: Bengtson Honduras' best hope of causing an upset in Group E
- 60-second dossier: Efficient Switzerland could prove silent assassins
- 60-second dossier: Watch out world if fight club France stay friends
- Fulham inform Hangeland of release via LSD-induced hallucination
- Alternative Group E Preview: Altitude sickness, boredom and anthem-offs
- Back of the Net's alternative France '98: Scandinavians, Keegan's powers and Loved Jackets
- The inside story of England 2-2 Argentina at France '98 – told by the men involved
- Why Blaise Matuidi is the key player for France's World Cup hopes
- Craig Burley on France '98: "You may as well play Brazil, score a goal, dye your hair and get sent off"
- Davor Suker on France '98: "It was the realisation of a dream for me"
- Allez Les Bleus! How France's multiracial Rainbow Warriors united a nation in '98
- Bonjour! How France '98 provided more drama, excitement and scandal than ever before
June 5
- 60-second dossier: Uruguay's Jekyll and Hyde style make them Brazil's entertainers
- 60-second dossier: Balotelli must be at his net-bulging best for Italy to thrive
- Alternative Group D Preview: Balo to Panama, Joel Campbell's rampage and replica kits
- Back of the Net's alternative USA '94: Awful penalties, minding ornaments and everyone being Irish
- Meet the Costa Rican keeper who could break English hearts at the World Cup
- Remembered! The biggest shock and best game of USA '94
- What Roy Hodgson learned with Switzerland at USA '94
- Yordan Letchkov on USA '94: "The Germans congratulated us. They behaved like gentlemen"
- Alexi Lalas: "Before USA '94 I was a punk who never thought about my place"
- Boring, boring Brazil? Why the Seleção's 1994 winners were unloved back home
June 4
- Oleg Salenko on USA '94: "Do something special and you're remembered forever"
- Gheorghe Hagi on USA '94: "Whenever I lost at rummy, we'd play well the next day. I won, and we lost to Sweden"
- Howdy! How remortgaging a house saved the 1994 World Cup
- 60-second dossier: Ivory Coast won't have a better chance to reach last 16
- Alternative Group C Preview: Orange is rubbish, Toure is rubbish, Greek names are rubbish
- Everything you need to know about... Serge Aurier
- Back of the Net's alternative Italia '90: Popular opera, Shilts and the outlawing of Ireland
- Why World Cup 1990 was the tournament of the great goalkeeper
- Everything you need to know about... Shinji Okazaki
- Colombia's Birdman on Italia '90: "Did I want to be a lawyer or Colombia's No.1 fan?"
- The biggest shock of Italia '90: when Cameroon axed Argentina
- Salvatore Schillaci on Italia '90: "When Italy went out I spent two hours smoking and crying"
- The lost brilliance of Yugoslavia at Italia '90: "The team was far better than the country"
- Gary Lineker on Italia 90: "Really, it boiled down to Germany being jammy"
- In the mag: World Cup special! Messi, Costa, Cavani...
- 5 flabbergasting faux-pas moments of Italia '90
- Roger Milla on Italia '90: "I didn't think my legs were up to it, to be honest"
June 3
- Booze, togas and a persistent Mariachi band: The story of Scotland at Mexico 86
- Alternative Group B Preview: Ballgowns, boxing and cartoon characters
- Gary Lineker's 1986 World Cup in pictures: "Look at those nut-huggers Barnso is wearing..."
- "Uday Hussein shaved my perm" - Iraq's fear-filled venture to Mexico '86
- El Capitán: the gamble that won the 1986 World Cup for Argentina
- Everything you need to know about... Bruno Martins Indi
- Remembered! When France and Brazil produced a classic – and appalling penalties – in '86
- Meet the Chilean sensation hoping to shoot down Spain and Holland
- Back of the Net's alternative Mexico '86: half-hearted waves, moral victories and sweaty delirium
- Prandelli's plans hit a snag, but Verratti provides England with new food for thought
- Josimar on Mexico '86: 'The blondes came and the training went - I wasted it all'
- The big interview: Emilio Butragueno - "I scored four goals, but it wasn't one of my best games"
- Gary Lineker on Mexico '86: "I think the linesman saw the Hand of God and bottled it"
- Hugo Sanchez, the home favourite who didn't quite shine at Mexico '86
- Denmark '86: The best team never to reach a World Cup semi-final
- Remembered! The dirtiest and best games of Mexico '86
- Olé! The chaotic story behind a 1986 World Cup which had everything
June 2
- Back of the Net's alternative 1982 World Cup: Farce, oranges, war and teeth
- Alternative Group A Preview: NKOTB, Riot Grrrl, lions & AFC Wimbledon
- Hola! World Cup 1982: How pre-tournament farce made way for triumph
- Bernard on Dinho, Big Phil, Japan and London
- Meet the young Cameroon striker catching the eye of Premier League scouts
- Spain '82: Best game, dodgiest game and biggest shock
- Ranked! The best 10 goals of Spain '82
- Meet the new boss: All change across Europe as managerial merry-go-round starts to turn
- Ranked! The 10 best players of the 1982 World Cup
- 82: New Zealand's All Whites win hearts and minds - just not any points
- 82: Socrates on the World Cup's fun-loving losers
- Levy ‘just thought Pochettino would be a bit taller’
- 82: The original and harshest Group of Death
- The big interview: Alan Rough - "We knew what they could do, and hoped they didn’t do it against us. But they did!"
- Norman Whiteside, record breaker, on Spain '82 - "I walked into a media storm"
- 82: The most amusingly disorganised World Cup ever
- The story of Hungary's 10-0 rout of El Salvador in 1982