Brazilian footballers

Brazil daily: Neymar to join Barça this summer

Agencia EFEMay 21, 2013 13:00

Rio de Janeiro, May 21 (EFE).- Brazilian striker Neymar signed a deal last week with FC Barcelona committing him to join the club after representing his country in this summer's FIFA Confederations Cup, Rio daily O Globo reported Tuesday. The 21-year-old Santos FC player, considered the latest in a long line of Brazilian soccer phenoms, had put off making the move to Europe but has now signed an agreement requiring him to join the Spanish powerhouse in July, according to sources close to the player cited by O Globo.

Football: Lippi's Guangzhou poised for Asia's last eight

Agence France-PresseMay 20, 2013 04:45

Marcello Lippi's Guangzhou Evergrande will look to sweep aside the challenge of Central Coast Mariners and book their spot in the AFC Champions League last eight for the second year running this week. The Chinese domestic double-winners hold a 2-1 advantage from last week's round of 16 first leg, when goals from Lucas Barrios and Muriqui secured a stylish win at the Mariners' ground in Gosford, Australia.

Football: Chelsea claim last-gasp Europa League triumph

Agence France-PresseMay 15, 2013 17:15

A 93rd-minute header from Branislav Ivanovic gave Chelsea a stunning 2-1 victory over Benfica in the Europa League final on Wednesday as the London club claimed the trophy for the first time in heart-stopping fashion. The game in Amsterdam seemed destined for extra time after Fernando Torres' superb 60th-minute opener for Chelsea was cancelled out by an Oscar Cardozo penalty, only for Ivanovic to net a dramatic winner with a looping header in stoppage time.

Football: Benfica v Chelsea Europa League final teams

Agence France-PresseMay 15, 2013 14:25

Starting line-ups in the Europa League final between Benfica and Chelsea at Amsterdam Arena in Amsterdam on Wednesday: Benfica (4-2-3-1) Artur; Andre Almeida, Luisao (capt), Ezequiel Garay, Melgarejo; Nemanja Matic, Enzo Perez; Eduardo Salvio, Nicolas Gaitan, Rodrigo; Oscar Cardozo Coach: Jorge Jesus (POR) Chelsea (4-2-3-1) Petr Cech; Cesar Azpilicueta, Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole; David Luiz, Frank Lampard (capt); Oscar, Juan Mata, Ramires; Fernando Torres Coach: Rafael Benitez (ESP)

Football: Benfica put faith in coach Jesus

Agence France-PresseMay 13, 2013 16:12

Benfica coach Jorge Jesus is hell bent on ending a European drought which has encompassed six losing finals stretching back to the 1960's as the Eagles take on Chelsea in Wednesday's Europa League final in Amsterdam. It was in Amsterdam that the Portuguese giants saw off Real Madrid to land a second straight European Cup having defeated Barcelona the season before - but since then the Lisbon outfit have suffered only heartbreak.

Football: Chelsea overcome Basel to reach Europa final

Agence France-PresseMay 2, 2013 17:30

Chelsea reached the Europa League final for the first time in their history after surviving a first-half scare to defeat Swiss champions FC Basel 3-1 in the second leg of their semi-final on Thursday. Leading 2-1 from last week's first leg in Switzerland, Chelsea risked elimination after Mohamed Salah's well-taken goal in first-half injury time put the visitors 1-0 up on the night.

Football: Chelsea overcome Basel to reach Europa final

Agence France-PresseMay 2, 2013 17:30

Ex-cop gets 22 years in Brazil murder case

Agencia EFEApril 28, 2013 17:31

Brasilia, Apr 28 (EFE).- A former Brazilian police officer was sentenced to 22 years behind bars for the murder of the lover of Bruno Fernandes, the former goalie for the Flamengo soccer club, who already received a similar sentence for being the mastermind behind the killing, judicial officials said. Marcos Aparecido dos Santos, known as "Bola," was found guilty of murdering Eliza Samudio, whose body has not yet been found.

Late Luiz lifts Chelsea, Fenerbahce edge Benfica

Thomson ReutersApril 25, 2013 19:06

LONDON (Reuters) - Brazilian David Luiz scored deep into stoppage time to keep Chelsea on track for a second successive European final after a 2-1 victory at Basel in their Europa League semi-final, first leg on Thursday. Fenerbahce, who wasted a first-half spot-kick, also gained an advantage by beating Portuguese club Benfica 1-0 in Istanbul with a 72nd-minute header from Egemen Korkmaz.

Football: Brazil need to improve - Scolari

Agence France-PresseApril 25, 2013 07:01

Brazil need to improve before next year's World Cup on home soil, coach Luiz Felipe Scolari admitted, after he saw his side held again in a friendly on Wednesday. "We still have a lot of work to do... We know that we're not ready, everyone knows it," he added following the 2-2 draw against Chile in Belo Horizonte. The five-time world champions - who qualify automatically as hosts for next year's showpiece event - were without their European-based stars for the match but did have Ronaldinho, Neymar and Alexandre Pato in their line-up.