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2012 Africa Cup of Nations

Guinea gun down Botswana

Double puts Ghana in driving seat

Rodwell header clips the post

England 1 Sweden 0 (Wembley friendly 15 November 2011)
England put to rest a 43 year-old wait to beat Sweden, with a deflected goal from Gareth Barry. Midway through the first half Barry's glancing header took a slight deflection off Majstorovic to find the corner of the net past the diving Isaksson for England's 2000th international goal, and as England continued to push forward Rodwell saw his volley deflected wide in the 37th minute and 4 minutes later Jones burst through only to toe-poked the ball past the upright, but England came closest 2 minutes before the break when Rodwell's close-range header clipped the post. Downing tested Isaksson with a low shot in the 66th minute and Carson who had replaced Hart in the England goal for the 2nd half palmed away a 78th minute cross from Larsson that came close to dipping under the bar. England did enough to pick up their 2nd 1-0 win in 3 days and end the year unbeaten.
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Nani rounds off last gasp winner

United overturn City for Community Shield

Manchester United 3 Manchester City 2 (Wembley 7 August 2011)
Manchester United overcame a 2 goal deficit with 3 in the 2nd half against their city rivals to win the Community Shield at Wembley. Manchester City took the lead in the 38th minute when a free-kick was delivered onto the head of Lescott who flicked the ball past De Gea in the United goal, and City doubled their lead on the stroke of half time when Dzeko beat De Gea with a deceptive daisy-cutter from 30 yards out. United pulled a goal back in the 52nd minute when Smalling latched onto a Young free-kick to steer it past Hart, and within 6 minutes after some delightful one-touch passing Nani received the ball and swept it past Hart to draw United level. Johnson tested De Gea in the 76th minute but in the 4th and last minute of stoppage time Nani picked the ball up on the midway line, raced on to round Joe Hart and roll in the winner for Manchester United.

Diego Forlan seals Copa America victory for Uruguay

Uruguay cruise to Copa America win

Uruguay 3 Paraguay 0 Copa America final (Buenos Aires, Argentina 24 July 2011)
Diego Forlan scored twice as Uruguay outplayed Paraguay to lift the Copa America with a convincing 3-0 win in Buenos Aires. Paraguay were lucky not to have fallen behind as early as the 2nd minute when Villar saved brilliantly from Lugano's thumping header and Piri kept the ball out by handling the rebound without paying the penalty, but after 10 minutes of further pressure Suarez received the ball in the box, dragged it onto his left foot and put Uruguay ahead in off the far post. Forlan was foiled by Villar in the 33rd minute but 3 minutes before the break Arevalo robbed a Paraguayan defender and teed the ball up for Forlan to fire past Villar. After the interval Paraguay ventured briefly into their opponent's half and in the 54th minute Muslera tipped a sweet volley from Haeldo Valdez onto the bar, but Villar who was the busier of the 2 keepers made another excellent save to keep Eguren's deflected shot out in the 74th minute. Paraguay looking for a late consolation goal allowed Uruguay to launch a swift counter-attack with Cavani finding Suarez who headed the ball into the path of Diego Forlan to slot past Villar and put the icing on the cake.
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Saki Kumagai beats Solo in final shootout

Japanese girls shake the world

Japan 2 USA 2 aet, Japan win on penalties Women's Wold Cup final (Frankfurt, Germany 17 July 2011)
Japan lifted the women's World Cup in Germany after twice coming from behind to force extra- time and penalties against the U.S.A. Wambach broke free and hit the Japanese crossbar with a thunderous shot in the 28th minute and 4 minutes after the break Japan scrambled the ball away after Morgan's effort came off the post. Kaihori tipped Wambach's header over the bar in the 64th minute and 5 minutes later the deadlock was broken when Alex Morgan got on the end of a long ball dispatching it into the corner of the net, but with 10 minutes remaining the Americans failed to clear a low cross and Miyama poked the ball home to take the match into extra time. Wambach's thumping header a minute before the break in extra time once again gave U.S.A. the lead but the tireless Japanese rallied on and with only 3 minutes of the match left Homare Sawa flicked the ball in at the near post from a corner kick. Iwasimizu was shown a straight red for a desperate challenge just outside the box in the dying seconds and the World Cup final had to be decided on penalties. With the Americans failing to convert 3 spot-kicks it was Kumagai who stepped up to send the decisive kick into the top left corner and land Japan the 2011 women's World Cup.
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Mexico celebrate under 17 World Cup triumph

Mexican boys on top of the world

Mexico 2 Uruguay 0 Under 17 Wold Cup final (Aztec stadium, Mexico City 10 July 2011)
Mexico won the under 17 World Cup by beating Uruguay 2-0 in a packed Aztec stadium. The hosts took the lead just after the half-hour mark when a cross from the right was headed back at the far post for Antonio Briseno to volley in with a side-footer from just inside the 6 yard box, and despite Uruguay hitting the post twice, it was Mexico who played quick neat football until the end when in stoppage time Gonzales broke through and squared the ball for Giovani Casilias to force past Jonathan Cubero and confirm victory for the young Mexicans.
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Dos Santos eludes Tim Howard for forth

Mexico storm back to US gold

USA 2 Mexico 4 Gold Cup final (Pasadena, California 25 June 2011)
In a pulsating final Mexico came from an early 2 goal setback to once again show superiority over their northern neighbours and lift the Gold Cup on American soil. The Americans had suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Panama but reached the final by getting past Canada 2-0, Guadeloupe 1-0, Jamaica 2-0 and Panama 1-0 in the semi-final while Mexico swept aside El Salvador 5-0, Cuba 5-0 and Costa Rica 4-1 before getting the better of Guatemala 2-1 and defeating Honduras 2-0 in extra time to reach the Pasadena final. The U.S.A. took the lead totally against the run of play when Michael Bradley met a corner-kick with a glancing header in the 8th minute, and despite bombarding the American goal, Mexico fell further behind in the 23rd minute when Dempsey played Donovan through to double the lead with a clinical finish, but 6 minutes later Barrera raced onto a long ball from Hernandez to knock it past Howard. Mexico drew level in the 36th minute when Dos Santos cut in from the right and fired in a low shot which was blocked by Goodson only for Guardado to toe-poke under the body of keeper Howard, and 5 minutes after the break Barrera curled in a low shot past Howard with the outside of his right foot to give Mexico the lead. Giovani dos Santos sealed the win for Mexico 14 minutes from time when he dribbled the ball away from a frantic Tim Howard to float it exquisitely over the heads of the American defenders into the top corner

Edwin van der Sar beaten by David Villa in Champions League final

Barcelona run away with Champions League

Barcelona 3 Manchester United 1 Champions League final(Wembley 28 May 2011)
Spanish champions Barcelona produced another sublime performance to brush Manchester United aside at Wembley and lift the European Cup. Manchester United started well and dominated the first 10 minutes of the match but Barcelona began to control the game and took the lead in the 27th minute when Pedro lost his marker to receive a pass from Xavi and stroke the ball past van der Sar at the near post. Barcelona were ahead for only 7 minutes when Rooney interchanged with Giggs and side-footed the ball into the top corner, but the Catalan side showed their class in the 2nd half and in the 54th minute Messi curled a low ball past van der Sar from outside the area. And in the 69th minute after another typical run from Messi the ball fell to David Villa who curled it into the top right corner past the diving van der Sar to put the match beyond United and secure Barcelona the European Champions League title.

Falcao leaping header wins Porto Europa Cup

Porto edge neighbours in Euro final

Porto 1 Braga 0 (Europa League final, Dublin 18 May 2011)
A goal from Radamel Falcao was enough to win Porto the 2011 Europa League against Braga in Dublin. The prolific Colombian striker got on the end of a cross to head the ball past Artur and put Porto ahead with his 17th goal of the competition a minute before the break. Braga had a clear chance less than a minute after the interval when Mossoro broke through, but he was denied by the outstretched leg of Helton in the Porto goal. Despite a more competitive 2nd half, neither side managed to threaten their opponent's goal sufficiently and Porto picked up their 3rd title of the season with the Portuguese Cup final against Vitoria Guimaraes still to come.

Yaya Toure smashes in Manchester City FA Cup winner

Man City end cup drought

Manchester City 1 Stoke City 0 FA Cup final (Wembley 14 May 2011)
A goal from Yaya Toure against Stoke City 16 minutes from time landed Manchester City the FA Cup and their first piece of silverware in 35 years. A rasping shot from Tevez in the 5th minute was beaten away by Thomas Sorensen who in the 24th minute flew across the goal to tip away Balotelli's curler. David Villa's close-range effort bounced over the Stoke goal 10 minutes before the break, and in the 62nd minute Kenwyne Jones got on the end of a through ball for Stoke, but Joe Hart blocked his toe-poke. The decider came in the 74th minute when the ball fell into the path of Yaya Toure who smashed it in from 10 yards out.      

Zigic header gives Birmingham Wembley lead

Birmingham give Gunners cup-final blues

Birmingham 2 Arsenal 1 (Carling Cup final Wembley 27 February 2011)
Arsenal's 6 year wait for a major trophy continues as Birmingham struck late at Wembley to win the Carling Cup. Birmingham started positively and should have had a penalty within 2 minutes but play was wrongfully brought back for offside and the Blues had to wait until the 28th minute to take the lead when Roger Johnson headed a corner onto the head of Zigic who flicked the ball past Szczesny in the Arsenal goal. Szczesny blocked an effort from Zigic in front of goal in the 34th minute but 5 minutes later Wilshere rattled the Birmingham crossbar and Arshavin picked up the rebound, turned past 2 defenders and pulled the ball back for van Persie to volley home. Nasri stung the palms of Foster with a swerving shot moments before the break and Fahey struck the inside of Arsenal's upright in the 58th minute, but the Gunners piled on the pressure with Foster making vital saves from Bendtner and Nasri until Birmingham substitute Obafemi Martins pounced on a misunderstanding between Koscielny and Szczesny to knock in the 90th minute winner for the Blues.

2011 Asian Cup

Tadanari Lee volleys winner for Japan

Japan win forth Asian title

Japan 0 Australai 0 (1-0 aet) (January 29)
Tadanari Lee scored an extra-time winner against Australia to give Japan their 4th Asian Cup. Both teams defended efficiently enough to ensure a goalless first half, but Australia came close 3 minutes after the break when a cross troubled the Japanese keeper and was cleared off the line. Kewell had an excellent chance to break the deadlock when he ran onto his own header to face Kawashima in the 72nd minute but the keeper stuck out a foot to block his effort, and with 3 minutes remaining the Japanese keeper was quick off his line to once again deny the Australian danger man. Kawashima was at full stretch in the 103rd minute keeping out a Robbie Kruse header, but in the 109th minute Nagatomo delivered a delicious cross from the left flank to the unmarked Lee who found the corner of the net with an exquisite volley for his first international goal and Japan's Asian Cup winner.

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Andres Iniesta scores the winner in the World Cup final The World Cup final Spain on top of the World Spain 1 Netherlands 0 after extra time (Johannesburg) 11 July 2010 Andres Iniesta scored late in extra time as European champions Spain lifted the World Cup for the first time and condemned the Netherlands to their third defeat in a World Cup final. Stekelenburg made a diving save to keep out a header from Ramos in the 5th minute and 6 minutes later Ramos got into the box and drove the ball across goal but Heitinga diverted it over the bar. Casillas got down to turn a shot from Robben round the post just before the break and got the better of Robben again in the 61st minute with a trailing foot as the Dutchman was through on goal. Heitinga allowed a low cross to reach Villa in front of goal in the 69th minute but made amends with a last ditch block, and in the 77th minute Spain came close again but Ramos saw his free header from a corner fly over the bar. Robben ran towards goal in the 83rd minute but the physical presence of Puyol and the reaction of Casillas averted the danger, as did the foot of Stekelenburg 5 minutes into extra time when Farbregas was through on goal for Spain. A minute later Mathijsen headed the ball over from a corner and in the 101st minute a shot from van Bronckhorst was deflected into the side netting. Heitinga who was one of the 13 players booked in this match received his 2nd yellow and took an early shower for a foul in the 109th minute and with 4 minutes of extra time left the ball broke to Iniesta in the box who hammered it past Stekelenburg into the far corner to win the World Cup for Spain. Click here for other World Cup match reports Africa Cup of Nations Final Mohamed Gedo celebrates winning goal Sunday January 31st Egypt keep cup The Pharaohs of Egypt won the Africa Cup of Nations for an unprecedented 3rd time in a row with a 1-0 win over an energetic young Ghana team in the heat of Angola. The experienced Egyptians kept the Black Stars of Ghana at bay allowing them very few openings and with 20 minutes left Hassan Shehata sent on super sub and top goal scorer Mohamed Gedo who in the 85th minute played a one-two with Zidan and curled the ball into the far corner past the diving Kingson in the Ghana goal to win the match and tournament for Egypt. (Egypt 1 Ghana 0) Read 3rd match play off and all other match reports from the Africa Cup of Nations 2010 German keeper Nadine Angerer flying high against England German girls finish off England Germany 6 England 2 Women's Euro final (Helsinki 10 September 2009) Germany continued their domination of women's football by thrashing England 6-2 in the final of Euro 2099 in Finland. Grings laid the ball on for Prinz to roll past Brown in the 19th minute and 3 minutes later Melanie Behringer let fly from 41 yards to double the German lead, but within 2 minute England pulled a goal back when Kelly Smith ran onto a long ball in the box and dribbled her way along the by-line to present Karen Carney with a tap-in. Five minutes into the 2nd half Krahn's volley came off the post and Kim Kulig knocked the rebound into the roof of the net, but 5 minutes later Kelly Smith skilfully beat a German defender in the box to fire past Angerer in the German goal. Inka Grings restored Germany's 2 goal lead with a firm header in the 62nd minute and caught England's defence flat-footed on the counter attack to cue the ball up for a shot past Brown in the 73rd minute. Birgit Prinz lashed in the 6th a few minutes later to cap a magnificent victory for Germany. How they reached the final Lucio header wins the final for Brazil Confederations Cup Final 28 June 2009 - South Africa Brazil end the American dream (Brazil 3 USA 2) Brazil came from 2 goals down to win the Confederations Cup with 3 goals in the 2nd half against the USA. Clint Dempsey helped a Jonathan Spector cross past Julio Cesar in the 10th minute, and when Charlie Davies raced towards goal on the counter-attack and passed the ball to Landon Donavan, the American striker beat his marker with one swift move and dispatched the ball into the bottom corner to make another shock result a distinct possibility, but Brazil came out in the 2nd half with all guns blazing, and within a minute Luis Fabiano had turned the ball past Tim Howard to reduce the deficit. Brazil were unlucky not to be level on the hour-mark when Howard pushed a downward header by Kaka onto the underside of the bar from what looked to be behind the goal line, but in the 74th minute Kaka ran down the left side and fed Robinho whose shot came off the underside of the bar for Luis Fabiano to nod past the despairing Howard. With 6 minutes remaining Brazilian captain, Lucio, rose to meet a corner-kick with a decisive header which he steered in off the upright to give Brazil the 2009 Confederations Cup. Confederations Cup full match reports and pictures Di Maria strikes gold in Beijing Argentina retain Olympic gold Saturday August 23rd Argentina 1 Nigeria 0 (2008 Olympics Final in Beijing) A single goal against Nigeria in the final was enough to give Argentina gold in the scorching Beijing heat. A through ball from Messi in the 58th minute fed Angel di Maria who lifted the ball past Nigeria keeper Ambruse Vanzekin to decide the match. Nigeria created very few chances and had to settle for silver as the midday sun took its toll. Brazil had won bronze a day earlier with a convencing but somewhat flattering 3-0 win over Belgium. In the women's final Carli Lloyd struck a powerful low shot past Brazilian keeper Barbara 6 minutes into extra time to win the USA another gold. Bajramaj scored both goals as Germany defeated Japan 2-0 for the bronze. More .... Spain win Euro 2008 Sunday June 29th Spain 1 Germany 0 (Euro 2008 Final in Vienna) Spain Reign in Europe A stylish Spanish side were crowned champions of Europe after beating Germany in the final of Euro 2008. Lehmann reacted well to save Metzelder from an own goal as he intercepted a low cross in the 14th minute and had to rely on luck in the 23rd minute as a header from Torres came off the inside of the post. Ten minutes later Fernando Torres showed strength, pace and accuracy to shrug off Lahm and dink the ball past Lehmann into the far corner of the goal. Ballack came close for Germany with a shot on the hour-mark, but Spain continued to create chances and Lehmann was forced to make a brilliant reflex save to push a free header from Ramos over the bar in the 67th minute with Frings clearing off the line to keep out Iniesta's shot from the ensuing corner. A cross in the 81st minute was headed back across the face of the German goal by Guiza, but the sliding Senna failed to connect. The final whistle marked Spain's biggest achievement since 1964. German women win World Cup again Germany queens of the world Germany 2 Brazil 0 ( Women's World Cup Final ) China September 30 Germany successfully defended their title beating the flamboyant Brazilans 2-0 in the final. Brazil who failed to capitalize on their first half territorial supremacy, were punished in the second half when the deadly Birgit Prinz struck in the 52nd minute. Brazil were handed a lifeline but Marta saw her spot kick saved by the invincible Angerer. Simone Lauder put the cup beyond the reach of Brazil with a header in the 86th minute. Germany win the World Cup without conceding a goal in the entire tournament. USA 4 Norway 1 ( Third place play-off ) - USA claimed 3rd place in the world with a convincing 4-1 win over Norway. Abby Wambach deflected a Chalupny shot to wrong-foot the Norwegian keeper in the 30th minute and forced the ball over the line after it had come off the post at the start of the second half. Lori Chalupny (58) and Heather O'Reilly (59) put the match to bed before Ragnhild Gulbrandsen scored a consolation goal with a looping header in the 63rd minute. Copyright © 2007 by Ziaian All rights reserved. Archive of Match Reports Copa America 2011 Women's World Cup 2011 Under 17 World Cup 2011 Asian Cup 2011 Africa Cup of Nations 2010 Confederaions Cup 2009 Africa 2008 Euro 2008 International and national matches Women 2007 Copa America 2007 Asian Cup 2007 2007 UEFA under 21 World Cup 2006 Africa 2006 Euro 2004 . . .