Did Canada luck out with its World Cup playoff matchup?
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The World Cup is half over, with 54 of 104 matches complete, and the drama is just getting started
FLORIDA, USA: It’s halftime at the World Cup. Take a break, everyone. Wednesday marked the midpoint of the 104-match tournament — technically, just past the midpoint, with 54 matches now in the books and 50 remaining before a World Cup champion are crowned in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19. The US have reached the Round of 32, which shouldn’t be surprising.
Briton Onley out of Tour de France with shoulder injury
PARIS: Briton Oscar Onley, who finished fourth in the race last year, has been forced to pull out of next month’s Tour de France due to a shoulder injury, his team said on Thursday. Onley, who has had a season disrupted by injuries and illness, dislocated his shoulder in a crash during the Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes earlier this month. He crashed over a safety barrier on a speedy descent and was saved from a fall down into a ravine when he was caught in the branches of a tree,. “Further medical investigations have confirmed a significant shoulder injury,” Netcompany Ineos said in a statement. “Unfortunately, this means Oscar will be unable to compete in this year’s Tour de France.” The 23-year-old managed to finish the sixth stage in Auvergne despite his crash, but rolled over the line almost half an hour after the stage winner. He pulled out of the race before the next stage. “I’m gutted not to be able to line up for the Tour de France this year,” said the Scot. “My focus is now on recovering and getting my shoulder in a good place, but I’m really motivated to try and make something out of this season.” He has been unable to finish in three of his five stage races this year. He finished fourth overall at the Tour of the Algarve in February but then had to pull out of Paris-Nice in March with illness.
Portugal and Colombia battle for top spot to dodge heavyweights in last 32
MIAMI, June 25 : When Portugal face Colombia in their final Group K match at the World Cup, both teams will be jockeying to get a result that ensures they avoid a potential nightmare scenario in the round of 32.
Argentina set to rotate squad against eliminated Jordan, may rest Messi
KANSAS CITY, Missouri, June 25 : Argentina head into their final Group J match against Jordan on Saturday with one eye already on the knockout stage, while their rivals will be eager to sign off their first World Cup campaign on a positive note in what is effectively a dead rubber.
Fuelled by anger, South Africa take surprise place in World Cup last 32
ATLANTA, June 25 : Dismissed by the pundits as no-hopers, South Africa turned their anger into rocket fuel and blasted into the World Cup's knockout stages for the first time with a 1-0 win over South Korea on Wednesday night.
South Africans pour onto streets in pyjamas to celebrate World Cup feat
June 25 : Jubilant South Africans took to the streets in their pyjamas to sing and dance in celebration at their side's World Cup round-of-32 berth early on Thursday, helping banish the heartache of 2010 that has weighed on the side for 16 years.
The FIFA World Cup is half over — but the drama is just beginning
It's halftime at the World Cup. Take a break, everyone.