Russia’s impressive running statistics at the World Cup are based on hard work and motivation, not doping, national team coach Stanislav Cherchesov has insisted.

Uruguay captain Diego Godin bristled at the suggestion that his team might resort to a physical approach to neutralise Egypt forward Mohamed Salah on his return from a shoulder injury in their World Cup opener today.

Ryan Giggs defended Gareth Bale’s contribution after he suffered his first defeat as Wales manager to Uruguay in the China Cup final.

Colombia 2 Uruguay 0

Fifa will investigate the Luis Suarez alleged biting incident with Liverpool’s Uruguay striker likely to face a lengthy ban if found guilty.

FIFA has announced it will investigate the Luis Suarez alleged biting incident with Liverpool’s Uruguay striker likely to face a lengthy ban if found guilty.

Costa Rica 3 Uruguay 1

ACCORDING to FIFA and the Ballon d’Or voters, the coach of last year was Pep Guardiola.

Luis Suarez’s eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra could be increased if he appeals.

Gustavo Poyet has branded the eight-match ban handed out to Luis Suarez as “incredible” and says he backs his fellow Uruguayan “to the death”.

DIEGO FORLAN scored twice as Uruguay last night clinched a record 15th Copa America title with a comfortable win over Paraguay in Buenos Aires.

JOACHIM LÖW insists his Germany side can leave the World Cup with their heads held high after exceeding expectations in South Africa.

MIROSLAV KLOSE is hoping to shake off a back injury ahead of Germany’s match with Uruguay tonight in what will be his last chance to write his names in the history books of the World Cup.

IT WASN’T quite Total Football but 32 years after losing to Argentina in Buenos Aires and 36 after losing to West Germany in Munich, the Dutch are back in the World Cup final and ready to shake off the shadows of Krol, Cruyff and Neeskens.

Uruguay 2 Holland 3

URUGUAY coach Oscar Tabarez says his side will feel no embarrassment when they line up against Holland in the World Cup semi-final at the Green Point stadium tonight.

URUGUAY are warming to their role as the World Cup’s pantomime villains ahead of today’s semi-final against the Netherlands (kick-off 7:30pm), despite suggestions that Oscar Tabarez’s side could face a frosty reception from fans in Cape Town.

Sulley Muntari wants Ghana’s “fantastic adventure” to continue and have the whole of Africa bursting with pride by becoming the first country from that continent to reach a World Cup semi-final.

THE coaches of Uruguay and Ghana last night brushed aside conspiracy theories claiming English referee Howard Webb was replaced as the man in charge of today’s World Cup quarter-final because of the controversy over Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal.

URUGUAY coach Oscar Tabarez has told his players to hold on to their World Cup dreams after seeing them book their place in the quarter-finals.

Oscar Tabarez is determined to keep the people of Uruguay partying by extending their country's stay at the World Cup finals.

URUGUAY coach Oscar Tabarez said his side had been insulted by claims they would play for a draw against Mexico – and duly proved it as a first-half from Luis Suarez was enough to help Uruguay secure top spot in Group A and progress into the last 16 of the World Cup.

MEXICO coach Javier Aguirre has stressed the importance of winning tonight’s Group A match against Uruguay and insists his side will not settle for a draw that would take both teams through.

SOUTH AFRICA coach Carlos Alberto Parreira believes his side will be more confident going into today’s potentially crucial World Cup showdown with Uruguay having got their first game under their belts.

France winger Florent Malouda admits he found it "frustrating" to be kept on the bench until the last 15 minutes of last night's World Cup stalemate with Uruguay.

France 0 Uruguay 0

CONTROVERSIAL French coach Raymond Domenech remains unrepentant about his side’s controversial qualification for the World Cup as they prepare for tonight’s opener against Uruguay.

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez has vowed to stick to his principles against World Cup group rivals France.