Four goals from Lionel Messi put third-placed Valencia to the sword on a night when Barcelona could have scored a dozen but for the efforts of visiting goalkeeper Diego Alves.

ANDRES INIESTA insists Spain’s Euro 2008 final victory over Germany will give them no psychological advantage when the sides meet in the last four of the World Cup.

NEW ZEALAND’S World Cup fairytale came to an end in Polokwane after a goalless draw with Paraguay but they return home better for the experience.

AZ Alkmaar’s dream season shows no sign of slowing up after Co Adriaanse’s men maintained their shock title challenge with a comfortable 2-0 defeat of ADO Den Haag this afternoon.