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

Mexico will face Louis van Gaal’s impressive Dutch side in the World Cup knockout stages after seeing off Croatia last night.

CROATIA 1 MEXICO 3

Veteran skipper Rafael Marquez has warned Mexico they face their toughest challenge yet as they attempt to book their place in the World Cup finals second round.

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari believes Mexico are good enough to cause his side plenty of problems when the two Group A leaders clash in Fortaleza on Tuesday.

Everton could be set to complete the permanent return of Steven Pienaar after agreeing for Tim Cahill to move to New York Red Bulls.

THE Los Angeles Galaxy claimed the upper hand in their MLS Western Conference semi-final against the New York Red Bulls after a 1-0 win in a fiery first leg last night.

David Beckham is set to play against former club Manchester United after being named in the Major League Soccer All-Star squad to face the Red Devils later this month.

DANI ALVES was trying to sound measured.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola admits the Catalan club are losing their battle to sign Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.

TWO GOALS by Carlos Tevez – one hugely-controversial and the other a wonderful strike – sent Argentina through to a World Cup quarter-final reunion with Germany last night.

Argentina 3 Mexico 1

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.

It would have been an altogether different spectacle in South Africa had our boys taken their rightful place among the nations of the earth. At least Sepp will know better the next time we ask for special dispensation.

THE Republic of Ireland may not be in South Africa but supporters of the Boys in Green will have savoured France’s defeat to Mexico last night, a result that leaves Raymond Domenech’s side staring at the prospect of saying an early ‘au revoir’ to the 2010 World Cup.

France 0 Mexico 2

World Cup Group A

South Africa 1 Mexico 1

South Africa 0 Mexico 0

Gabriel Milito moved a step closer to his first competitive appearance for Barcelona in over 18 months after being included in Pep Guardiola’s squad for Wednesday’s crucial Champions League encounter with Dynamo Kiev.

Rafael Marquez has signed a new contract to keep him at Barcelona until June 2012.

BARCELONA are sweating on the fitness of playmaker Lionel Messi ahead of their two huge matches this week.

Barcelona are sweating on the fitness of superstar Lionel Messi ahead of their two huge matches this week.

WHO’S the best player in the word? Barcelona star Lionel Messi? Real Madrid ace Cristiano Ronaldo? Liverpool striker Fernando Torres?

MICHAEL ROCHE, one of Bernard Dunne’s closest friends in boxing circles, said yesterday that the now former WBA world super bantamweight champion should not even consider retirement at this stage.

BERNARD DUNNE has yet to address the challenge of the No 1 contender to his WBA super bantamweight crown, Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym, but his promoter Brian Peters is already planning the Dubliner’s future ahead of that fight.

Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez is targeting the club‘s upcoming trip to the United States to make his return to the squad following injury.

Park Ji-sung has been named in Manchester United’s Champions League final starting line-up to face Barcelona in Rome tonight.

BARCELONA’S Thierry Henry and Andres Iniesta continued their respective bids to be fit for the Champions League final as they returned to squad training yesterday, but not at the same intensity as their team-mates.

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi insists he is not looking at the Champions League final as a chance to get one over Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo in the race for this year’s Ballon d’Or.

BARCELONA midfielder Andres Iniesta is confident he will be fit for the Champions League final against Manchester United after tests yesterday showed no long-term damage to his right thigh.

Barcelona forward Thierry Henry was not in the squad to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final.

BARCELONA could be without former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry for their crucial Champions League semi-final return leg against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tonight.

CHELSEA’S interim coach Guus Hiddink has called on his players to overcome Barcelona with a combination of “intelligence and emotion” in their Champions League showdown at Stamford Bridge tonight.

Barcelona could be without former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry for their crucial Champions League semi-final return leg against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

BARCELONA have dismissed reports that Thierry Henry has been ruled out of tomorrow night’s Champions League second leg showdown against Chelsea.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has included striker Thierry Henry in a 21-man squad for Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Chelsea.

Guus Hiddink does not believe Champions League opponents Barcelona will be significantly weaker without their two first-choice central defenders.

BARCELONA have reached an agreement with Bayern Munich to sign French star Franck Ribery, according to reports in Spain.

MARTIN O’NEILL has backed proposals which could see his former club Celtic and Rangers becoming part of a revamped Barclays Premier League.

Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez is set to be sidelined for up to 10 weeks with the knee injury he sustained during last night’s Champions League clash with Chelsea.

CHELSEA�S defensive discipline earned them a precious goalless draw against Barcelona last night to make them slight favourites to reach their second successive Champions League final.