Deborah Afriyie's 19th-minute strike was enough to give Ghana victory over Costa Rica in Group B, but not enough to get them into the quarter-finals.

Korea DPR came from behind to snatch a 1-1 draw with Germany that secures their place in the last eight and ends Ghana's hopes.

FIFA.com hears from a Japan team desperate to smash the image of attractive but impotent football that has long haunted their national teams.

Obafemi Martins scored both goals as Newcastle United climbed off the bottom of the table with a 2-0 win against Aston Villa at St James' Park.

AC Milan's Ronaldinho was once again left out of the Brazil squad as Dunga  named his 22-man squad for a friendly with Portugal on 19 November.

Atletico Madrid coach Javier Aguirre has warned Manchester City that all the money in the world will not buy them Sergio 'kun' Aguero.

Former German international goalkeeper Jens Lehmann will not make a nostalgic final appearance in the friendly with England on November 19.

Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari says he is looking to gain at least a point from Tuesday's Champions League clash in Rome.

Gabriel Heinze, a former United player, said he was "saddened" by Alex Ferguson's claim that Real Madrid used him as bait for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will let Fernando Torres decide if he is fit to face his old club, Atletico Madrid, in Tuesday's Champions League clash.