Germany was the best team in the World Cup from start to finish

Thomas Muller scored goals. Bastian Schweinsteiger bossed the midfield. Schürrle, Götze, Mesut Özil and Toni Kroos provided intelligence and creativity.

It’s hard to write about a team that doesn’t have one clear-cut star.

The narrative isn’t as easy. But Germany proved that depth and resiliency are just as important as individual brilliance in its march to the World Cup.

The German players deserved greatness and they found it.

Read more: Germany was the best team in the World Cup from start to finish | For The Win

World Cup Soccer: Holland beats Brazil 3-0 as World-Cup-2014-hosts-finish-on losing-note

Louis van Gaal will arrive in Manchester next week as a winner after heaping more misery on Brazil’s wretched World Cup campaign.

Van Gaal is set to be unveiled at Old Trafford on Thursday with his reputation enhanced from a rewarding month in South America that saw Holland qualify from the Group of Death and last night complete an impressive third-place finish.

For Brazil, while they weren’t thrashed quite as badly as they had been against Germany in Tuesday night’s historic  semi-final, a second successive heavy defeat on home soil was a  devastating end to a campaign which promised so much.

Any hope among supporters in Brazil’s capital city that their team could restore national pride after the infamous 7-1 beating by Germany lasted less than three minutes.

Silva, who missed the semi-final debacle through suspension, wasn’t strong
enough to stop van Persie from turning midway in the Brazilian half and releasing Robben.

As the Bayern forward sped towards the penalty area, Silva gave a despairing tug at the back of his shirt. The connection probably happened just outside the penalty area but Robben fell inside, and referee Djamel Halmoudi awarded a penalty that van Persie converted high and hard.

Read more: Brazil 0-3 Holland: World Cup 2014 hosts finish on losing note as Robin van Persie strikes | Mail Onlin

World Cup Soccer: More than 20 million US viewers watched Belgium game

Scientists at Facebook have published a paper showing that they manipulated the content seen by more than 600,000 users in an attempt to determine whether this would affect their emotional state.

The paper, “Experimental evidence of massive-scale emotional contagion through social networks,” was published in The Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences. It shows how Facebook data scientists tweaked the algorithm that determines which posts appear on users’ news feeds—specifically, researchers skewed the number of positive or negative terms seen by randomly selected users.

Facebook then analyzed the future postings of those users over the course of a week to see if people responded with increased positivity or negativity of their own, thus answering the question of whether emotional states can be transmitted across a social network. Result: They can! Which is great news for

Facebook data scientists hoping to prove a point about modern psychology. It’s less great for the people having their emotions secretly manipulated.

In order to sign up for Facebook, users must click a box saying they agree to the Facebook Data Use Policy, giving the company the right to access and use the information posted on the site. The policy lists a variety of potential uses for your data, most of them related to advertising, but there’s also a bit about “internal operations, including troubleshooting, data analysis, testing, research and service improvement.”

 In the study, the authors point out that they stayed within the data policy’s liberal constraints by using machine analysis to pick out positive and negative posts, meaning no user data containing personal information was actually viewed by human researchers.

And there was no need to ask study “participants” for consent, as they’d already given it by agreeing to Facebook’s terms of service in the first place.

Read more: More than 20 million US viewers watched Belgium game | AccessNorthGa

Soccer - Brazil: 2014 World Cup: Belgium advances with late goal over Russia - Mike Singer

Both teams were locked in a 0-0 stalemate before Belgian wizard Eden Hazard found Divock Origi cutting towards the goal in the 88th minute. Hazard fed the second-half sub (on for the ineffective Romelu Lukaku) and Origi, 19, buried the Belgians' best chance all morning.

The win guarantees a spot in the knockout rounds for Belgium, after its opening-match 2-1 win over Algeria. Russia, now with just one point, will face Algeria in the final match but it will also need help from Belgium against South Korea.

The game began at a furious pace but slowed considerably as exhaustion set in. Russia botched its best chance late in the first half when Alexander Kokorin couldn't find the goal off a perfect cross with his head. A late blast that darted across the box from sub Andrey Eshchenko would be their best chance in the second half.

Defenses dominated as neither team could string together many passes inside the box. The Russians played outstanding defense against Dries Mertens and Kevin De Bruyne, while Belgium's defense thwarted Russia's strong attacking midfield. It didn't necessarily live up to the billing of the best Group H match, but Belgium is through knowing it took care of business.

Read more: 2014 World Cup: Belgium advances with late goal over Russia - CBSSports.com

Football: Why Americans Call Soccer 'Soccer' - by Uri Friedman

New Zealand's largest newspaper is deeply conflicted. With the World Cup underway in Brazil, should The New Zealand Herald refer to the "global round-ball game" as "soccer" or "football"? The question has been put to readers, and the readers have spoken. It's "football"—by a wide margin.

We in the U.S., of course, would disagree. And now we have a clearer understanding of why. In May, Stefan Szymanski, a sports economist at the University of Michigan, published a paper debunking the notion that "soccer" is a semantically bizarre American invention. In fact, it's a British import. And the Brits used it often—until, that is, it became too much of an Americanism for British English to bear.

The story begins, like many good stories do, in a pub. As early as the Middle Ages, Szymanski explains, the rough outlines of soccer—a game, a ball, feet—appear to have been present in England. But it wasn't until the sport became popular among aristocratic boys at schools like Eton and Rugby in the nineteenth century that these young men tried to standardize play. On a Monday evening in October 1863, the leaders of a dozen clubs met at the Freemasons' Tavern in London to establish "a definite code of rules for the regulation of the game.”

They did just that, forming the Football Association. The most divisive issue was whether to permit "hacking," or kicking an opponent in the leg (the answer, ultimately, was 'no').

Read more: Why Americans Call Soccer 'Soccer' - Uri Friedman - The Atlantic

Brazil and Mexico: World Cup tie seems fitting for off-field rivals

Going into the game, Brazil was favored to beat Mexico on Tuesday in the group stage of the FIFA World Cup.

The atmosphere had been decidedly friendly as tens of thousands of fans from both sides met in the streets in a lighthearted rivalry.

At the stadium, the chants from the Mexican crowd could be heard rising above those of the Brazilians at times: “Si se puede” (“Yes, we can”) and the refrain from the song “Cielito Lindo”—“Ay, ay, ay, ay, canta y no llores” (“Ay, ay, ay, ay, sing and don’t cry”).

In the end, there was no need for tears from either side. The game ended in a scoreless tie — fitting, perhaps, for two countries who remain locked in another type of competition.

Read more Brazil and Mexico: World Cup tie seems fitting for off-field rivals - Los Angeles Times

Soccer World Cup: US beats Ghana 2-1 in team's opening Group G game at World Cup

Clint Dempsey scored in the first minute and rookie substitute John Brooks scored a late game winner as the U.S. defeated Ghana 2-1 Monday in the World Cup opener for both.

The victory gave the Americans a measure of revenge against the tiny West African county that knocked them out of the previous two World Cups and put the U.S. and Germany on top of the Group G, with Ghana and Portugal at the bottom.

Dempsey's goal came on a low shot just 32 seconds into the match. Ghana dominated much the rest of the game, and Andre Ayew leveled in the 82nd minute.

Just four minutes later, Brooks --  a 21-year-old who came on at halftime because Matt Besler was injured -- scored off a corner from Graham Zusi. It was the first time an American sub had ever scored in the World Cup.

Dempsey's goal made him the first U.S. player to score in three different World Cups and was the fastest ever scored by an American in the tournament.

Read more: US beats Ghana 2-1 in team's opening Group G game at World Cup | Fox News

World Cup Soccer: France vs. Honduras: Final score 3-0, Les Bleus win scrappy contest - by Jack Sargeant

France started their World Cup campaign with a 3-0 victory over an extremely physical Honduras side in Porto Alegre on Sunday. Honduras came into the game looking to make up the deficit in technical quality by brute force, though that strategy backfired when Wilson Palacios was sent off and Les Bleus took the lead on the stroke of halftime before netting two more goals in the second half.

The victors made a surprisingly haphazard start to the match and initially struggled to break down Honduras' robust defensive structure. Luis Fernando Suárez's side was happy to commit tactical fouls and attempt to disrupt Les Bleus' attacking flow, and with the exception of a Blaise Matuidi chance that was tipped onto the crossbar by goalkeeper Noel Valladares, they were rather impotent early on.

Midway through the first half, France rattled the woodwork for a second time when Antoine Griezmann leaped to head Patrice Evra's deep cross against the bar. The team grew ever more frustrated, and midfielder Paul Pogba was especially unimpressed with Honduras' physicality. He kicked out at Palacios after being repeatedly stamped on after 26 minutes, with both players lucky to escape with only yellow cards.

However, their personal feud didn't end there, and was reignited with significant consequences inside the final couple of minutes of the first half. Palacios barged the Frenchman over in the box and earned his second yellow card, as well giving away a penalty kick. Karim Benzema stepped up to stroke the ball into the top corner, giving a relieved France the lead on the stroke of halftime.

Any French fears that Honduras would make the second half as difficult as the first were allayed within three minutes of the restart, when goalline technology awarded its first ever World Cup goal. A close-range Benzema volley rebounded off the post and against the hand of Valladares, with the ball crossing the line before the embarrassed Honduras keeper had time to sweep it to safety.

Read more: France vs. Honduras: Final score 3-0, Les Bleus win scrappy contest - SBNation.com

Soccer: Netherlands win but fail to impress against Wales

Arjen Robben scored the first goal and made the second to give the Netherlands a winning send off before they head to the World Cup but again it was a far from convincing performance as they beat Wales 2-0 in Amsterdam on Wednesday.

Robben made up for his profligacy at the weekend, when he missed a host of chances in a 1-0 win over Ghana in Rotterdam, to bury a snap effort from close range just after the half hour mark. The winger struck home a rebound after Robin van Persie’s angled effort had been stopped by the legs of goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey. 

He should also have had a goal seven minutes earlier after some mazy skills but his shot was fortuitously blocked by defender Chris Gunter. 

The Bayern Munich attacker then set up substitute Jeremain Lens for a second in the 76th minute after a swift counter attack created by an interception and clever pass forward from Wesley Sneijder. Robben collected and squared for Lens to easily tap home. 

The Dutch performance will have done little to strike fear into their opponents as they depart for Brazil on Thursday, just over a week before they play Spain in their opening Group B match in a repeat of the 2010 final.

Read more: Netherlands win but fail to impress against Wales - International Soccer News | Football Results, Fixtures & Tables - Wed, Jun 04, 2014

Soccer World Cup Friendly: Netherlands-Ecuador ends 1-1 in World Cup tuneup

Robin van Persie scored with a trademark left-foot volley to give a new-look Netherlands a 1-1 draw with Ecuador in a pre-World Cup friendly on Saturday.

Van Persie controlled a long pass from Jordy Clasie on his chest and immediately smashed it past Maximo Banguera in the 37th minute to cancel out a ninth-minute strike by Jefferson Montero that gave Ecuador a surprise lead.

"We saw a magnificent goal," coach Louis van Gaal said. "A fantastic pass by Clasie and the way Van Persie finished it was phenomenal."

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal started with the formation he plans to use in Brazil — a five-man defense, three in midfield and two attackers. He hasn't yet settled on which players will play where and the sometimes stuttering Dutch performance showed that they still need to get used to playing it.

Read more: Netherlands-Ecuador ends 1-1 in World Cup tuneup

World Championship Soccer: Netherlands beats Andorra 2-0 and qualifies for Brazil

Netherlands are the first European side to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil after a double from Robin van Persie saw them beat Andorra 2-0.

The Netherlands won’t be happy with their performance, especially the first half, but they are now assured of their place in Brazil next year, thanks to Turkey’s 2-0 win over Romania, meaning no side in group D can catch them.

The real work for Dutch trainer Louis van Gaal now begins as he seeks the best eleven to take to next summers World Cup.

Read more: Andorra 0-2 Netherlands Match Report - Football Oranje

Why Netherlands Are a Better Bet Than Germany at World Cup 2014 - by Alex Richards

Ah, Netherlands and Germany—something akin to the Montagues and Capulets in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet: As far as nations being footballing foes, rivalries don't come much more fierce than that between the European pair.

Next summer—barring the most ridiculous set of unforeseen events—the duo will both embark to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup.

And the pair will likely represent Europe's greatest hope—outside reigning champions Spain and European Championship finalists Italy—of coming away from South America with the trophy.

Certainly, Germany's performances in recent years have seen them marked as the coming force of European football, with a plethora of outstanding talent available to coach Joachim Loew.

In contrast, following the Netherlands dismal showing at Euro 2012 under Bert van Marwijk, where they lost each of their three group matches, new coach Louis van Gaal has rejuvenated the Dutch setup, mixing fresh ideas with new personnel.

Read more: Why Netherlands Are a Better Bet Than Germany at World Cup 2014 | Bleacher Report

World Cup Soccer: Netherlands crush Hungary 4 - !

The Netherlands somewhat inexperienced "new team" crushed Hungary 4-1 in Budapest.

Although many of the new players still haven't completely settled in, Louis van Gaal will be happy with the performance that his team put in on Tuesday. Jordy Clasie still looked very much like a youngster and gave away a penalty, but he mostly performed well, along with Holland's young defense, in a 4-1 victory over Hungary.

The Oranje took the lead early off of a great header by Jermain Lens, who was a late addition to the squad when Arjen Robben picked up an injury in warm-ups. Luciano Narsingh set him up with a beautiful cross in the 3rd minute, and Lens applied the finish.

Just five minutes later, Hungary were surprisingly level. Clasie took down Zoltan Gera in the penalty area and Balazs Dzsudzsak stepped up to bury the penalty. Unfortunately for the home side, that would be the highlight of the match for them. It turned into a rout shortly afterwards.

Bruno Martins headed in a free kick by Wesley Sneijder in the 19th minute and it was all Netherlands until the end of the match. Lens completed a brace by capitalizing on a poor header by Akos Elek shortly after halftime and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar came off the bench to score the fourth goal of the afternoon, assisted by Lens.

EU-Digest

Soccer:- Sneijder: I would be happy to captain Netherlands

Wesley Sneijder says his Netherlands teammates should put the past behind them, and has not ruled himself out of taking the captain's armband.

The Dutch experienced a disastrous Euro 2012 campaign as they lost all three of their groups games before heading home at the first hurdle.

Putting that experience firmly to one side, the Inter Milan playmaker says he is open to the prospect of leading his side as they look to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Read more: Sneijder: I would be happy to captain Netherlands - Yahoo! Sports