World Cup in brief
Barca happy with humble Suarez
BARCELONA sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta believes disgraced Uruguay striker Luis Suarez showed his softer side by apologising to Giorgio Chiellini, seemingly smoothing the way for a possible summer switch from Liverpool to Camp Nou. He said: “Suarez has shown he is humble enough to admit an error, which is very important. In this case it’s the best thing a person can do.”
Mertesacker hits back at critics
ARSENAL defender Per Mertesacker has expressed his surprise at the criticism directed at Germany following their laboured last-16 victory over minnows Algeria after extra time. He said: “Do you think just Mickey Mouse teams are in the last 16? All that matters is we’re in the quarter-finals.”
Dutch hit by De Jong injury blow
HOLLAND midfielder Nigel de Jong is set to miss the rest of the World Cup with a torn groin muscle. A statement from the Dutch Football Association read: “The 75-times capped international is presumably out for two to four weeks.”
Quarter-final line-up
FRANCE v GERMANY
Friday, 5pm
BRAZIL v COLOMBIA
Friday, 9pm
ARGENTINA v BELGIUM
Saturday, 5pm
HOLLAND v COSTA RICA
Saturday, 9pm