(Reuters) – Uruguay, Argentina and Colombia qualified for next year’s World Cup on Tuesday after a dramatic last round of South American fixtures that also saw Peru clinch a playoff spot against New Zealand and Chile miss out completely. Brazil were fortunate enough to escape most of the drama, having already qualified as group winners, […]
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(Reuters) – The United States will be absent from the World Cup finals for the first time since 1986 next year after a humiliating 2-1 defeat at the hands of Trinidad & Tobago in Couva on Tuesday. Despite an inconsistent qualifying campaign, the Americans entered the Ato Boldon Stadium needing only a win of any […]
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By Nick Mulvenney SYDNEY (Reuters) – Tim Cahill scored an extra-time winner to keep Australia’s World Cup hopes alive with a 2-1 win in the Asian qualifying playoff on Tuesday which dashed war-torn Syria’s fairytale bid to reach the finals for the first time. Syria fought right until the end of the 120-minute match and […]
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By Alphonso Toweh and James Giahyue MONROVIA (Reuters) – Thousands lined up at polling booths in Liberia’s capital on Tuesday for their first democratic transfer of power in 73 years in a vote haunted by a savage civil war that ended in 2003. Many Liberians on Tuesday praised 78-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner Ellen Johnson […]
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(Reuters) – Juan Martin del Potro saved four break points in the decider to battle past Georgian qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili on Monday and reach the Shanghai Masters second round. The Argentine, who prevailed 6-2 3-6 6-4, looked on course for a routine win after taking the first set in 23 minutes but world number 59 […]
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(Reuters) – Olivier Giroud’s scorpion kick strike for Arsenal against Crystal Palace last season was shortlisted for FIFA’s goal of the year award on Monday, alongside efforts from Venezuelan teenager Deyna Castellanos and goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke. Giroud scored with an improvised volley in the Premier League match on Jan. 1, producing an acrobatic flick with […]
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MUNICH (Reuters) – New Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes sounded confident on Monday that he will be able to turn things around for the German champions following a lacklustre start to the season that led to the sacking of Carlo Ancelotti. The 72-year-old Heynckes, in his fourth stint at the club, takes over with Bayern […]
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CARDIFF (Reuters) – Ireland ripped up the script by beating Wales 1-0 to secure their place in the playoffs for the World Cup finals on Monday. A night of raw emotion began with both sides needing three points to secure second spot in Group D behind Serbia and ended with Ireland’s visiting fans in delirium […]
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MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Former world number one and new mum Serena Williams is targeting a return to Melbourne Park next year to defend her Australian Open title, tournament director Craig Tiley said on Tuesday. Williams, who won her 23rd grand slam title when pregnant at the 2017 tournament in January, gave birth to daughter Alexis […]
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(Reuters) – Cristiano Ronaldo is the favourite to retain the Ballon d’Or trophy as his Real Madrid side dominated the 30-man shortlist announced by France Football on Monday. The 32-year-old, who helped Real win the Champions League and La Liga last season, is one of seven Real players on the list – the most from […]
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(Reuters) – Rory McIlroy has set his sights on becoming the best non-American golfer of all time and plans to return stronger than ever after completing an injury-marred season that has seen the Briton drop to sixth in the world rankings. After winning the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup last year, McIlroy’s campaign was stalled by […]
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ALEXANDRIA (Reuters) – Mohamed Salah scored with a last-gasp penalty to book Egypt a place in the World Cup finals for the first time in 28 years as they edged Congo 2-1 in their dramatic Group E qualifier on Sunday. The Liverpool striker’s two goals put Egypt four points clear with one match left in […]
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