Portugal smash seven goals past North Korea in World Cup rout

(CNN) -- Portugal took a big step to escaping the World Cup's so-called "group of death" by crushing North Korea 7-0 in a rematch of the two nations' famous 1966 clash in South Africa on Monday.

Forty-four years ago, the communist country's team shocked the soccer world by taking a 3-0 lead after only 24 minutes of their quarterfinal in England, but the Europeans hit back to win 5-3 with four goals from star forward Eusebio.

There was to be no repeat in rain-drenched Cape Town, as Portugal found form after the disappointing opening draw with the Ivory Coast and claimed second place in Group G ahead of Friday's final round of matches.

Carlos Queiroz's team led just 1-0 at halftime thanks to a 29th-minute strike from Raul Meireles as the North Koreans again showed the fighting spirit that tested Brazil in their opening 2-1 defeat।

But the floodgates opened in the second spell as Simao Sabrosa, Hugo Almeida and Tiago scored in the space of eight minutes, then substitute Liedson netted to clinch the biggest winning margin of the tournament so far.

Captain Cristiano Ronaldo and then Tiago again compounded the Koreans' misery, giving the Portuguese a massive goal-difference advantage over the Ivorians ahead of their eagerly-anticipated showdown with leaders Brazil.

The Brazilians have already qualified for the second round, with six points from two victories, while the Portuguese have four points and the Ivory Coast one।

"We got seven goals but only three points. We need to be more ambitious and determined for the next phase," Queiroz told AFP.

"We were very determined to win this game but the game we played today will not help us overcome Brazil. We don't want Brazil to score any goals because this will put our reputation, our prestige, into question."

Portugal went close to opening the scoring in the seventh minute when defender Ricardo Carvalho hit the post with a powerful header from a corner.

Meireles, who scored the winner in the second leg of Portugal's qualifying playoff against Bosnia, broke the deadlock when he ran onto a fine threaded pass from midfielder Tiago and slotted coolly past Ri Myong-Guk.

Eight minutes after halftime, winger Simao fired a shot through the goalkeeper's legs after being set up by Meireles and Almeida.

Striker Almeida, recalled after missing the first match, then headed in Fabio Coentrao's left-wing cross on 56 minutes before Ronaldo laid on the third goal for Tiago on the hour mark.

Ronaldo, the world's most expensive player, hit the crossbar in the 71st minute as he was denied his first goal of the tournament -- a similarly spectacular effort against the Ivory Coast also smashed into the woodwork.

Liedson made it 5-0 after the besieged Korean defense failed to cut a cross by fellow substitute Duda 10 minutes later.

Ronaldo finally found the net with two minutes to play, showing his trademark cheeky skill as he pushed the ball past the keeper and then juggled the rebound on his back before slotting into the empty goal.

Tiago added his second just a minute later with a powerful header from a cross by another replacement, Miguel Veloso.

READ MORE - Portugal smash seven goals past North Korea in World Cup rout

Crisis-stricken French squad resumes training

(CNN) -- France's crisis-stricken World Cup squad resumed training on Monday a day after the players went on strike in protest over forward Nicolas Anelka's expulsion following an angry bust-up with coach Raymond Domenech.

French sports minister Roselyne Bachelot is due to hold talks with Domenech and his players on Monday and said the nation felt "great indignation" over the collapse of the team's World Cup challenge into infighting and allegations of treachery, according to Agence-France Presse.

The former world champions face a humiliating early exit from the tournament if they fail to beat hosts South Africa on Tuesday, or if group A rivals Mexico and Uruguay draw in the day's other game.

Chelsea striker Anelka flew home to London on Sunday after being dropped from the squad following an angry confrontation with Domenech at halftime in France's 2-0 defeat by Mexico.

But French captain Patrice Evra was reported to be incensed that details of the incident were leaked to the media, claiming there was a "traitor" in the French camp.

A public training session on Sunday was halted after Evra was involved in a shouting match with fitness coach Robert Duverne, who reacted by angrily throwing down his official accreditation badge.

Pedro Pinto: Heads should roll for French farce

The squad, who said they only turned out to greet fans, promptly walked off and were joined by Domenech on the bus, who then emerged to read a statement on behalf of the players to declare their unanimous opposition to the decision of the French Football Federation to send Anelka home.

"They made a decision without consulting all the players, only on the basis of the 'facts' reported by the press. Accordingly, and to mark their opposition to the highest level of French football, all players decided not to participate in the work-out."

But the players said they would "do everything individually and in a collective spirit so that France regains its honor against South Africa on Tuesday."

To add to the confusion, French team director Jean-Louis Valentin publicly announced his resignation to the media.

"Ask the players, they do not want to involve themselves any more. It's unacceptable," he told AFP. "They don't want to train. It's a scandal for the French, it's a scandal for the federation and the French team. It is a shame. As for me, it's over. I'm leaving the federation. I'm sickened and disgusted."

France's leading sports newspaper, L'Equipe, criticized Manchester United defender Evra on Monday, questioning his behavior as captain, AFP reported.

"Patrice Evra definitively showed that he confused the role of captain with being a leader of a gang. He has neither the capacity, nor the charisma nor the qualities to don the captain's armband," hew newspaper said.

Domenech meanwhile said the decision to expel Anelka was the right one but said he could have stayed if he'd apologized the next day.

"He does not have the right to say such things," said Domenech who is stepping down as national coach after the World Cup.

French bank Credit Agricole said Monday it had canceled planned television ads featuring the national team, according to AFP. French hamburger chain Quick has already canceled ads featuring Anelka.

READ MORE - Crisis-stricken French squad resumes training

Kaka sent off as Brazil dispatch Ivory Coast

(CNN) -- Kaka was controversially sent off as his Brazil team comfortably beat Ivory Coast 3-1 in Johannesburg on Sunday night to seal qualification to the last 16 of the World Cup finals.

Luis Fabiano scored twice and Elano added the other, but with two minutes left at Soccer City the Brazilians lost their talisman to a second yellow card.

In an off-the-ball incident, Ivory Coast's Kader Keita collided with Kaka and dramatically fell to the ground clutching his face, even though it had appeared the Brazilian had pushed him in the chest with his forearm.

With Real Madrid's Kaka protesting his innocence, referee Stephane Lannoy -- who appeared not to have seen the incident -- brandished a yellow card.

Having already been booked for a clumsy challenge on Yaya Toure, it meant marching orders for Kaka, who could face more than his automatic one-game ban if world governing body FIFA rules it was violent conduct.

Following an earlier 2-1 win over North Korea in Group G, this was a far more convincing performance from the five-time champions, sparked by Fabiano's superb 25th-minute opener.

Robinho and Kaka combined to leave the Sevilla striker with a shooting chance which he struck perfectly from the angle to leave goalkeeper Boubacar Barry flailing at thin air as it whistled into the roof of the net.

Fabiano's second, five minutes after the break, came after an audacious run, but television replays showed it should have been ruled out for a double handball.

Didier Drogba, who played with a cast on his fractured arm, came close to a quick response for the Africans as his header went narrowly wide with goalkeeper Julio Cesar beaten, but a third Brazilian goal was not long coming.

Kaka was sent away on the left and found space to cut the ball back for the unmarked Elano, who easily beat Barry on 63 minutes.

Elano was stretchered off shortly afterwards, caught on the shin by the studs of Cheik Tiote, to be replaced by Dani Alves.

Brazil were playing flowing football, but they were caught upfield by a quick break by Gervinho.

He was forced out, but the ball was played back in by Yaya Toure for Drogba to beat the offside trap and head his first goal of the finals for the Elephants.

The 79th-minute strike proved merely a consolation for Sven-Goran Eriksson's men, but may be important if goal difference decides the group's runner-up spot.

Portugal face North Korea on Monday.

READ MORE - Kaka sent off as Brazil dispatch Ivory Coast

French players in revolt after Anelka sent home

(CNN) -- France's World Cup squad boycotted training on Sunday in protest at the decision to send home star striker Nicolas Anelka.

In a bizarre twist, coach Raymond Domenech had to read out a statement from the team to explain their decision.

"All players without exception want to declare their opposition to FFF (French Football Federation) decision to exclude Nicolas Anelka," he said.

"For its part, the FFF has at no time tried to protect the group.

"They made a decision without consulting all the players, only on the basis of the 'facts' reported by the press."

"Accordingly, and to mark their opposition to the highest level of French football, all players decided not to participate in the work-out."

Anelka sent home after Domenech row

Despite their refusal to train, the players added that they would "do everything individually and in a collective spirit so that France regains its honor against South Africa on Tuesday."

France must beat the hosts and hope the result of the other match in Group A between Mexico and Uruguay goes their way to have any chance of qualifying for the last 16।

Their hopes were dealt a near fatal blow by a 2-0 defeat to the Mexicans on Thursday, after which it emerged that Chelsea star Anelka and under fire coach Domenech had a massive row at halftime.

Anelka was substituted but reports of his tirade against Domenech were picked up by the media, prompting the French Football Federation to take the decision to send him home on Saturday.

Captain Patrice Evra was incensed by the leak, claiming there was a "traitor" in the French camp।

As the squad came on to the training ground at Knysna on Sunday, Domenech and Evra were still in discussion on the team bus.

The pair eventually emerged, but Evra then became involved in a shouting match with fitness coach Robert Duverne, who reacted by angrily throwing down his official accreditation badge.

The squad, who said they only turned out to greet fans, promptly walked off and were joined by Domenech on the bus, after which he emerged to read out the statement.

To add to the chaos, a distraught France team director Jean-Louis Valentin publicly announced his resignation to the media.

"Ask the players, they do not want to involve themselves any more. It's unacceptable," he told AFP.

"They don't want to train. It's a scandal for the French, it's a scandal for the federation and the French team.

"It is a shame. As for me, it's over. I'm leaving the federation. I'm sickened and disgusted."

Mexico sink sorry France

2006 runners-up France have picked up just one point from their two games, a dull goalless draw with Uruguay.

But it was the lackluster display against Mexico which provoked a storm of criticism, much of it directed at Domenech, who is standing down after the World Cup finals.

Domenech, who is being replaced by Laurent Blanc, told the French Football Federation official website that Anelka could have stayed had he apologized for his halftime remarks.

"I had another chat with him (Anelka) the next day and I left open the possibility for him to apologise, something which he did not want to do," he said.

"The decision to exclude him was the right one. He does not have the right to say such things."

READ MORE - French players in revolt after Anelka sent home

New Zealand hold Italy; Paraguay outclass Slovakia

(CNN) -- Reigning world champions, Italy have been held to a 1-1 draw by New Zealand in their World Cup Group F match at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

The All Whites took a shock lead after seven minutes when Shane Smeltz turned in Simon Elliot's free kick from close range.

Replays showed that Smeltz was offside when Kiwi defender Winston Reid flicked the ball on to him, but the lineman's flag stayed down.

The goal instigated a frenzied period of Italian pressure which eventually told when referee Carlos Batres awarded a penalty after defender Tommy Smith tugged at Daniele De Rossi's shirt in the Kiwi's penalty area.

Striker, Vincenzo Iaquinta stepped up and sent keeper Mark Paston the wrong way to level the scores.

Italy continued to press in the second half but found no route through a spirited and steadfast defense expertly organized by Kiwi captain Ryan Nelsen.

Despite throwing on all his three substitutes by the 61st minute, Italian coach, Marcello Lippi and his players found their attacking edge continually blunted.

Even their long range efforts were dealt with.

In the 70th minute, Riccardo Montolivo's 25-yard drive fizzed towards goal only for keeper Paston to produce the save of the match and push the ball to safety.

The stalemate continued, but New Zealand's Chris Wood could have won it for the All Whites in the 83rd minute when he shot narrowly wide of Federico Marchetti's left post.

The result leaves Italy progression to the knockout stage in doubt. A win against Slovakia would ensure qualification, but they must rely on New Zealand getting a result against Paraguay to have any chance of topping their group.

Coach Lippi said his team lacked "lucidity."

"The result is 1-1 so we just have to pull up our socks and win our next game because we don't want to go home early," Lippi said, AFP reported.

"We are in a difficult situation but we are not in a panic situation. We will have to win the next match."

For New Zealand, a team ranked 73 places below Italy in FIFA's official world rankings, the result is one to savor.

"It's an incredible result and it's way above anything we have achieved before against the stature of our competitors," New Zealand's coach Ricki Herbert said, AFP reported.

"Anything is possible and we're doing okay for a team who some say shouldn't be playing at this World Cup," he added.

Paraguay outclass Slovakia

In the other match in Group F, Paraguay beat Slovakia 2-0 at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.

Cristian Riveros' 86th minute strike sealed a comfortable victory for the South American team after midfielder Enrique Vera had given them the lead in the first half.

The result leaves Slovakia needing to beat Italy in their final group match this Thursday to have any chance of progressing to the next round.

Paraguay, meanwhile, are almost certain to qualify and need just a point against New Zealand to reach the last 16.

Paraguay's win was never really in doubt as they pressed forward from the opening whistle, while Slovakia was content to sit back and defend.

Paraguay took a deserved lead in the 26th minute.

Lucas Barrios picked up the ball outside the Slovakia penalty area before slipping the ball through to Enrique Vera who, with Zendo Strba and Jan Durica bearing down on him, clipped the ball with the outside of his boot past Slovak keeper Jan Mucha.

The goal stirred a defensive-minded Slovakia into life forcing them onto the front foot, but their new found urgency failed to create any chances of merit as a succession of promising moves came to nothing.

Roque Santa Cruz should have doubled Paraguay's in the 38th minute, when he latched onto a loose ball on the edge of Slovakia's penalty area. The Manchester City striker fired low, but straight at Mucha, who comfortably saved with his feet.

Santa Cruz turned provider in the second half, breaking down the left past Slovakia's Vladimir Weiss in the 72nd minute.

His cross found an unmarked Vera in the penalty area but he directed his header inches wide of Mucha's right post.

But the win was confirmed when Paulo Da Silva was given an age to tee up Riveros on the edge of the box who wasted no time in smashing the ball past Mucha.

Weiss went close for Slovakia in injury time, but he and his team toiled fruitlessly in search of a goal for most of the game while Paraguay, who with Santa Cruz, Nelson Haedo Valdez and Barrios had class to spare in midfield.

READ MORE - New Zealand hold Italy; Paraguay outclass Slovakia

Lorenzo takes charge in MotoGP title race

(CNN) -- Spain's Jorge Lorenzo extended his lead in the MotoGP title race with a commanding victory in the British round at Silverstone on Sunday.

The Yamaha rider was claiming his third win of the season and had a near seven seconds advantage over runner-up Andrea Dovizioso of Italy on his Honda.

Ben Spies of the United States took the final podium position.

It leaves Lorenzo with a 37-point lead over Dovizioso in the title race for which he now looks a warm favorite after his teammate Valentino Rossi broke his leg at Mugello a fortnight ago.

Defending champion Rossi is set to be sidelined for at least three months and Lorenzo is aware that Yamaha hopes now rest with him.

"It was a very important day. It was a race where it was easy to crash and make a mistake but I concentrated hard and won the race," he told the official MotoGP website.
Lorenzo, who started from pole position, swapped the lead twice with fellow Spaniard Dani Pedrosa on the opening lap, but had things his own way thereafter.

Pedrosa faded to finish eighth while other established big names were also out of the leading positions.

2006 world champion Nicky Hayden held third place on his Ducati until being passed by compatriot Spies on the final lap.

Casey Stoner, the 2007 title winner, finished just behind his teammate Hayden, with Frenchman Randy de Puniet in sixth.

France's Jules Cluzel won the earlier Moto2 race with Spaniard Marc Marquez, riding a Derbi, winning the 125cc category.

READ MORE - Lorenzo takes charge in MotoGP title race