'Tim Howard for President', as best World Cup delivers again
World Cup whispers: Howard's heroics, Europe back in the game, Neymar fitness fears
TIM HOWARD FOR PRESIDENT
A career in politics awaits Tim Howard after his astonishing performance in Salvador took US to the brink of glory in their last-16 clash with Belgium and prompted a Twitter campaing to make him President. Howard withstood an attacking onslaught from Belgium for over an hour and a half, fending off shot after shot and setting a new record for the number of saves in a single World Cup game: 16. By the end of extra time he’d earned a new nickname – “the Human Wall” – while tributes to his performance, led by ABC's Good Morning America, flooded in from around the world.
TOP EIGHT INTO THE LAST EIGHT
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A narrow 2-1 win over the USA made Belgium the eighth group winners to make it through to the quarter-finals at this year’s World Cup. It’s the first time in tournament history there hasn’t been an upset in the last 16 and all eight of the group frontrunners have made it through. The pick of the quarter-finals will see France take-on Germany at the Maracana, while hosts Brazil face a tough test in Fortaleza against Columbia. On the other side of the draw Holland take-on Costa Rica, while Argentina play Belgium.
EUROPE BACK IN TOUCH
After being comprehensively outplayed by American sides in the opening days of the tournament Europe's pride has been restored after four teams made it through to the last eight. No European team has ever won the tournament in America, but the last eight includes four teams from each side of the Atlantic. Each continent is guaranteed at least one semi finalist, and two of the quarter finals pit New World against Old.
NEYMAR FITNESS FEARS PERSIST
Brazil's quarter-final clash with Colombia is being billed as the game of the tournament so far, but will Brazil's star man Neymar be able to take part? He picked up knocks to his knee and thigh itook part in a swimming session with other members of the squad this week. However he has also been sporting strapping on his right knee and had a noticeable hobble as he got off the team coach on Tuesday.
THE BEST TOURNAMENT EVER?
With a breather until the quarter-finals this weekend there is time to reflect on a thrilling tournament. Already there have been more goals than the 2010 event in South Africa managed and there are still eight games to go. So far James Rodriguez is winning most goal of the tournament polls while every day appears to throw up a new contender for game of the tournament. For Henry Winter of the Daily Telegraph, and no doubt many others, Brazil is the "most magnificent" tournament he has witnessed.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Discovering Perthshire, a Scottish wonderland
In Depth Make your own magic in this gateway to the Highlands
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Forsyte Saga: 'faultless' production with a 'pitch-perfect' cast
The Week Recommends Theatrical adaptation of John Galsworthy's novels is a 'must-see' show
By The Week Published
-
US economy still strong in final preelection report
Speed Read It grew at a solid 2.8% annual rate from July through September
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Pelé obituary: remembering the greatest footballer of all time
Why Everyone’s Talking About The Brazilian footballer, who died aged 82, was blessed with extraordinary skill in every aspect of the game
By The Week Staff Published
-
Iconic soccer legend Pelé dead at 82
Speed Read
By Rafi Schwartz Published
-
PSG’s striker situation: keep Kylian Mbappe by selling Neymar or risk losing both?
In Depth Star forwards continue to be linked with Spanish football’s top two clubs
By The Week Staff Published
-
Neymar and Mbappe wanted: PSG stars linked with Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City
Speed Read Premier League clubs and Euro giants are keeping tabs on the Paris pair
By The Week Staff Published
-
‘Operation Neymar’: PSG reject opening offer from Barcelona
Speed Read Real Madrid and Juventus also keen on the Brazilian forward
By The Week Staff Published
-
Neymar and PSG hold talks with Real Madrid but he is waiting on Barcelona
Speed Read Brazilian is unhappy in Paris and a return to La Liga is on the cards
By The Week Staff Published
-
Neymar transfer news: Barcelona offer PSG £90m plus choice of players
Speed Read Brazilian’s potential return to the Camp Nou could impact Premier League summer transfer window
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sports shorts: Djokovic, Hamilton and England's glory
Daily Briefing Ten things from the world of sport on Monday 15 July
By The Week Staff Published