Fifa World Cup

Luiz Felipe Scolari has resigned as Brazil manager after the hosts suffered two of their worst defeats in World Cup history, the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation says.

Argentina forward Lionel Messi did not deserve to win the World Cup "Golden Ball" as the tournament's best player, according to his compatriot and former great Diego Maradona.

Fifa awarded Lionel Messi the 'Golden Ball' as the top player of the World Cup after the Argentina captain led his side to the final at the Maracana where they lost to Germany 1-0 in extra time.

It might not be the way Brazilians wanted the World Cup to end but the final between Argentina and Germany will provide a nerve-jangling climax to the best tournament in history - even though the goals that have lit it up may not flow.

Germany scored five goals in 18 astonishing first-half minutes on their way to a 7-1 semi-final mauling of Brazil which shattered the host nation's hopes of winning their sixth World Cup.

Substitute goalkeeper Tim Krul's penalty shootout heroics for the Netherlands against Costa Rica in the quarter-final have not convinced coach Louis van Gaal to promote him to the starting lineup for the World Cup semi-final against Argentina.

Napoli have backed their Colombia defender Juan Zuniga over his challenge on Neymar that forced the Brazil forward out of the World Cup with a fractured bone in his back.

Netherlands goalkeeper Tim Krul was back defending himself, less than 24 hours after making two stunning penalty saves against Costa Rica to book his team's place in the World Cup semi-finals.

Gonzalo Higuain's superb early strike secured a nervy 1-0 win for Argentina against Belgium and sent the South Americans through to the last four of the World Cup for the first time in 24 years on.