Defending champions Brazil staged a thrilling late rally to edge bitter rivals Argentina 3-2 in a dramatic quarter-final and keep alive their hopes of clinching a fifth Futsal World Cup title in Thailand.
The win set up a semi-final clash with Colombia, who upset Ukraine 3-1, while 2008 runners-up Spain squeezed by Russia 3-2 to secure a last four match against Italy, who beat Portugal 4-3 after extra-time in the other Wednesday night tie.
Hot favourites Brazil were two goals down and minutes from elimination to Argentina. But they halved the deficit with a long-distance strike before Falcao levelled and then smashed home the winner in extra-time.
Chile sack Borghi after Serbia defeat
Chilean national coach Claudio Borghi was sacked on Wednesday following his side’s 3-1 defeat to Serbia in a friendly in Switzerland.
The 48-year-old Argentinian, who replaced compatriot Marcelo Bielsa in February last year – paid the price for a slump in form that has seen Chile lose three successive 2014 World Cup qualifiers and slump to sixth in the standings.
“The record isn’t good after the last four matches we have played and a few minutes ago I met a couple of the federation’s directors who asked me to step down,” said Borghi.
Bonetti leaves Dinamo again
Italian coach Dario Bonetti left his post in charge of Romanian First Division side Dinamo Bucharest on Wednesday by mutual consent, the club’s major shareholder announced.
Bonetti, 51, had been in charge only since April in what was his second spell at the club, his previous reign having also lasted only several months in 2009.
A run of poor results which sees Dinamo languishing in seventh place, 16 points adrift of bitter city rivals Steaua, cost former Zambia coach Bonetti and his staff their jobs.
Germany set to tour US in 2013
Germany will play two international friendlies in the United States in May and June next year, the German Football Federation (DFB) announced.
The two-match tour will see Joachim Loew’s side play hosts the USA, coached by ex-Germany trainer Jurgen Klinsmann, in Washington DC on June 2.
The Germans will also play an international side in New York, Boston or Miami on May 29, but an opponent has not yet been decided.
With the Champions League final to be held on May 25 and the German Cup final on June 1, it is unlikely any German stars involved in those games will tour with the national side.
Barton keen on Marseille stay
QPR midfielder Joey Barton would like to stay at Marseille for the rest of his career.
The controversial Barton is on a season-long loan at the Ligue 1 club and will be eligible to make his league debut against Lille next weekend after the end of a 12-match ban given to him by the English FA.
Barton has played in the Europa League for OM and scored his first goal for the club in the 2-2 draw against Borussia Moenchengladbach earlier this month.
“I don’t know if I’ll stay. It’s not my decision. It’s between QPR and Marseille. If it was my choice, I’d stay here for the rest of my career,” Barton told RMC Radio.
Flare stuns keeper
Independiente’s Argentine league match with Belgrano was suspended before the second half could restart when a flare stunned visiting goalkeeper Juan Carlos Olave on Wednesday.
“The match is suspended. It can’t be played in these conditions,” referee Saul Laverni told reporters at Independiente’s Libertadores de America stadium after fans threw at least two more flares onto the pitch.
High-riding Belgrano were a goal up in the match, having scored four minutes before half-time.
There is a bitter internal conflict between Independiente’s club management and the ‘barrabravas’ hooligan element among their fans.
Spurs’ Dembele to miss derby
Mousa Dembele has been ruled out of Tottenham’s north London derby against Arsenal tomorrow.
Dembele has become a key player for Spurs since his deadline day move from Fulham, but he has missed the club’s last eight games with a niggling hip problem.
The Belgian had hoped to return for tomorrow’s crunch match at the Emirates Stadium, but manager Andre Villas-Boas has ruled the playmaker out of the game.
“Dembele does not have a chance, not for this game,” Villas-Boas said. “There is a 50% chance he will be back for the Lazio game.
“I think surgery at the moment is out of the question, hopefully.”