THE BANNER held up in the Argentine end depicted Pope Francis with his disciples on either side.

Captain Robin van Persie may miss the Netherlands’ World Cup semi-final against Argentina tonight as he is struggling with an upset stomach.

Nigel De Jong is hopeful of completing a miraculous recovery from injury to play in the Netherlands’ World Cup semi-final against Argentina tomorrow.

Arjen Robben courted further World Cup controversy by insisting he was fouled for the penalty that led to Holland’s last-gasp 2-1 win over Mexico, but apologised for diving earlier in the match.

Netherlands 2 Mexico 1

Netherlands 2 Mexico 1

Australia 2 Holland 3

Getting stuck for words beside Nigel de Jong, chasing Robin van Persie on a beach, rubbing shoulders with Diego Maradona and discussing matters GAA with Roberto Martinez. Far from your ordinary trip has been Mike Griffin’s journey to the World Cup in Rio de Janeiro.

WORLD CUP GROUP B:

Patrick van Aanholt, the Chelsea left-back who has spent the last two years on loan at Vitesse Arnhem, has been dropped from the Holland squad for the World Cup.

Derk Boerrigter believes Celtic will have to be more clinical if they are to have a hope of progressing through their Champions League group.

AC Milan 2 Celtic 0

AC Milan 2 Celtic 0

Manchester City’s much-vaunted new dynasty began with an historic goal when Sergio Aguero scored in the very last minute on the final day of the 2011-12 campaign; but now it is about to end because of a lack of them.

Rafael van der Vaart was today recalled to the Holland squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Romania after proving his fitness to coach Louis van Gaal.

Stoke 1 Manchester City 1

Manchester City were big movers last night as the Premier League champions made four dedaline day swoops.

Barclays Premier League champions Manchester City strengthened their squad with four new signings and were hoping to confirm another as the transfer window came to a hectic finale tonight.

Manchester City were the main movers on deadline day with the Barclays Premier League champions closing in on further additions to their squad with less than three hours to go until the transfer window slams shut.

Robin van Persie tops the Premier League transfers so far this summer. Here are this summer's confirmed deals so far:

Dimitar Berbatov has opted for a move to Fulham over a return to Tottenham while Rafael van der Vaart left White Hart Lane with activity increasing as the closing of the transfer window draws ever nearer.

Nigel de Jong left Manchester City for AC Milan while Scott Sinclair completed his move to the Etihad Stadium as the first big moves of transfer deadline day began to roll in.

AC Milan have confirmed the signing of Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong on a three-year deal.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has confirmed the club are close to completing the signings of Swansea winger Scott Sinclair and veteran goalkeeper Richard Wright.

Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong accepts the champions must kick their “bad habit” of falling behind to mount a successful title defence.

Liverpool 2 Manchester City 2

Mario Balotelli made his first start for Manchester City since April as the Barclays Premier League champions made five changes at Liverpool this afternoon.

Swansea last night launched a scathing attack on Liverpool’s pursuit of midfielder Joe Allen.

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has rejected reports linking his club with a bid for Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong.

Nigel de Jong has declared himself happy at Manchester City and believes he is in a “good position” with regards to his contract, which is moving into its final season.

Victory is the great redeemer.

The Netherlands 0 Denmark 1

Geography test

Johan Cruyff wasn’t impressed by the Champions League final. For him there was no glory in Chelsea’s heroic defending and improbable success.

Manchester City have no injury concerns ahead of this weekend’s climactic Barclays Premier clash against QPR.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is already turning his attention towards establishing Newcastle as permanent members of the Barclays Premier League’s top six.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has ordered his players to keep calm and carry on as they close in on the Barclays Premier League title.

Newcastle 0 Manchester City 2

Jonny Evans and Danny Welbeck have both been ruled out of Manchester United’s final home game against Swansea on Sunday.

David Silva feels Manchester City taking control of the title race with a crucial victory over United proved Roberto Mancini’s team have the mentality to close out their pursuit of the league and could help change the face of English football for years to come.

Danny Welbeck sparked an Euro 2012 worry for England when he left the Etihad Stadium wearing a protective boot on his ankle following Manchester United's 1-0 defeat by Manchester City.

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson last night accused Manchester City counterpart Roberto Mancini of “badgering” the officials after the pair clashed on the touchline during last night’s derby at the Etihad Stadium.

Vincent Kompany, the blue collar, defensive heartbeat at the centre of Manchester City’s extravagant galaxy of attacking superstars, scored the goal that settled this eagerly-awaited derby and brought his club to the brink of their first title in 44 years.

Manchester City 1 Manchester United 0