Reuters Football - World Football

Messi scores as Barca reach Club World Cup final

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:38:58 GMT

ABU DHABI, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi scored within two minutes of coming on as a substitute to help Barcelona complete a 3-1 comeback win over Mexico's Atlante on Wednesday and reach the Club World Cup final against Estudiantes.

Auckland shock Mazembe to finish fifth in Club World Cup

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:52:18 GMT

ABU DHABI, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Substitute Riki van Steeden scored in the dying seconds to give Auckland City an upset 3-2 win over 10-man TP Mazembe for fifth place in the Club World Cup on Wednesday.

Estudiantes beat eight-man Pohang to reach final

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:27:17 GMT

ABU DHABI, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Midfielder Leandro Benitez scored twice as Estudiantes of Argentina reached the Club World Cup final with a 2-1 win over eight-man Pohang Steelers of South Korea on Tuesday.

Bitter Pohang coach blames referee for semi-final loss

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:02:05 GMT

ABU DHABI, Dec 15 (Reuters) - A bitter Pohang Steelers coach Sergio Farias blamed the referee and the tournament's structure after seeing his eight-man team lose 2-1 to Estudiantes in the semi-final of the Club World Cup on Tuesday.

U.S. to face Honduras next month in California

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:45:04 GMT

WASHINGTON, Dec 15 (Reuters) - The United States will play fellow World Cup finalists Honduras on Jan. 23 in Carson, California as part of their build-up to next year's tournament.

Big-match pressure is not a burden, says Veron

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:08:31 GMT

ABU DHABI, Dec 14 (Reuters) - The pressure a soccer player feels before a big match is nothing compared to the pressure felt by a low-paid worker worrying about where the next meal will come from, Juan Sebastian Veron said on Monday.

Messi's World Club Cup hopes boosted after beach workout

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:20:41 GMT

ABU DHABI, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi's chances of lining up for Barcelona against Atlante in their Club World Cup semi-final on Wednesday have increased, according to coach Pep Guardiola, after the player trained on a private beach.

Messi doubtful for Barcelona's Club World Cup semi

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:25:24 GMT

ABU DHABI, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi could miss Barcelona's Club World Cup semi-final against CONCACAF champions Atlante on Wednesday because of an ankle injury.

South American roundup-Solano's "U" win Peruvian title

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:32:06 GMT

BUENOS AIRES, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Nolberto Solano led Universitario to victory in the Peruvian league championship at the weekend.

Banfield win first Argentine league title

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:07:22 GMT

BUENOS AIRES, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Banfield won their first Argentine league championship despite losing 2-0 away to Boca Juniors on the final day of the season on Sunday.

Monterrey win Mexican Apertura championship

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 20:08:43 GMT

MEXICO CITY, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Monterrey won the Mexican title for the third time on Sunday with a 2-1 away win over Cruz Azul, securing a 6-4 aggregate victory.