Articles
Mats Hummels makes Germany ‘a different beast entirely’
With Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng in central defence and Philipp Lahm at right back, Joachim Loew's 'minor tactical switch' made Germany unassailable against France, writes Gary Meenaghan.
Germans take the heat, and ‘with passion and desire’ reach fourth straight semi-finals
'We have the passion and desire and it intensifies with every match' Mats Hummels told Gary Meenaghan after Germany's 1-0 win over France on Friday to reach the World Cup semis.
World Cup Diary Day 23: Pope Francis, Spiderman and Rio’s cast of characters
Gary Meenaghan files from Copacabana, where the industrious are going to creative lengths to bank off World Cup tourism.
Messi’s magic makes Belgians recall Maradona’s feats
Belgian players who faced Argentina in 1982 and 1986 say Lionel Messi is the 'one who has to be watched', much as Diego Maradona was back then. Gary Meenaghan reports.
Manuel Neuer, Germany’s sweeper-keeper ‘Terminator’
Manuel Neuer, a 'blonde-haired, big-necked, Terminator-like presence', writes Gary Meenaghan, who, if France are to get past Germany, must get past their keeper.
Argentina clearly more than Lionel Messi and ‘10 others’
'If Argentine is Messi and 10 others,' writes Gary Meenaghan from Brazil, 'it is not because the others are average: it is because Messi is on a different level entirely'.
World Cup Diary Day 20: Fans are always happy with ‘anthems’
Despite the popular criticism of Pitbull and Jennifer Lopez's 'We Are One', Gary Meenaghan finds fans in Brazil are liking the World Cup anthem well enough.
Argentina’s relieved Sabella: ‘Luckily, we were able to win the game’
Gary Meenaghan talks to coach Alejandro Sabella after Argentina's narrow victory over Switzerland minutes from the end of the extra-time on Tuesday at the 2014 World Cup last-16.
On this form Algeria must be favourites to win the 2015 African Cup of Nations
The Desert Foxes' performances were a shining light in a dark World Cup for African teams.
Joachim Loew hails German fight: ‘It was a victory of will, our strength of will’
After a narrow, at-times scary win on Monday German coach Joachim Loew told Gary Meenaghan the difference was 'We were in better physical shape than Algeria'.
World Cup Diary Day 19: Ramadan off the agenda for Algeria
Gary Meenaghan files from Brazil, where the topic of whether Algerian players would fast for Ramadan has become a contentious issue.
Familiar tinge to Porto Alegre no home comfort for Germany against Algeria
Joachim Loew’s men downplay the fact they are in a city rich in German ancestry, writes Gary Meenaghan from Porto Alegre
Without Vincent Kompany, Belgium’s American challenge all the tougher
Belgium's 'poor level of performances has caused their standing to be questioned' writes Gary Meenaghan, noting that missing Vincent Kompany will only bring more doubt into the equation against the US.
World Cup Day 18: Julio Cesar takes hero turn
