Fabregas row takes Spain to a new lowMessi hailed as a ‘genius’, as Argentina sneak into last 16‘Rivaldo’s Gamble’ – Soccerlens Tom’s World Cup Day 11 Predictions

Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas involved in Spain bustup

New Chelsea signing Cesc Fabregas has been involved in a training ground bust-up with beleaguered manager Vicente del Bosque, with the state of affairs surrounding the deposed World Cup champions going from bad to worse.

According to the Daily Mail, Fabregas was asked to leave yesterday’s training session after Del Bosque became dissatisfied with the 27-year-old’s apparent lack of effort and intensity.

After a few words from the Spain boss during training, Fabregas was seen dejectedly handing over his training bib to teammate Xabi Alonso, before departing the ground on a bicycle.

Spain’s World Cup journey came to an abrupt end last week, with La Roja dumped out of the competition after successive defeats to the Netherlands and Chile.

This bust-up marks a new low for the former world champions, who have only a dead rubber match against Australia to look forward to in Group B.

Read more:

Spain 1-5 Netherlands: Match report and full stats

Spain 0-2 Chile: Match report and full stats

Spain World Cup 2014 Team Page

Cesc Fabregas signs for Chelsea

Leo Messi hailed after stunning matchwinner against Iran

Argentina superstar Lionel Messi has been praised after his injury-time stunner saved his side’s blushes against Iran, with the 26-year-old once again dragging his misfiring nation across the finish line in Brazil.

La Selección were kept at bay by World Cup minnows Iran for 90 minutes in Belo Horizonte yesterday, with Alejandro Sabella’s side indebted to their talisman Messi for yet another wonderful effort to ensure their progression to the last 16 in South America.

“We have a genius who is called Messi and fortunately he is Argentine,” said Sabella after the match at the Estádio Mineirão,

“Iran made life hard for us but with Messi, everything is possible.”

Messi’s 91st minute effort took his tally to two in two games at the World Cup, with his first the killer blow in the match against Bosnia & Herzegovina last week. His brutal intervention at the end of the game yesterday broke Iranian hearts, while also further propelling the 26-year-old towards footballing immortality.

“It was a very difficult match and Iran played a great World Cup match,” continued Sabella,

“But that last play from Lionel, no one could have stopped it. Not even two goalkeepers could have stopped that Lionel shot.”

Read More:

Analysis: How Iran nearly pulled off an incredible result against Argentina

Argentina 1-0 Iran: Match Report + Full Stats

Argentina World Cup 2014 Team Page

Iran World Cup 2014 Team Page

‘Rivaldo’s Gamble’ – Beat Soccerlens at predicting Brazil 2014

Brazilian legend Rivaldo took the ultimate gamble in the 2002 World Cup, hurling himself to the floor in what was a successful attempt to get an opposition player sent off; and now you have the chance to indulge in similarly heart-pumping risk taking, taking on Soccerlens in the SuperBru 2014 World Cup Prediction Game, and if you come out on top in the Soccerlens pool at the end of the tournament, you win a £100 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check the World Cup roundups for our latest predictions, and links to the game. It’s free to join, and comes with no balls booted at you by over-zealous Turks.

Soccerlens Tom’s World Cup Day 11 Predictions:

Click the predicted score for the full match preview

Belgium 2-1 Russia: A tight, entertaining game (I hope), with both sides improving dramatically, but Belgium’s for the taking.

South Korea 2-0 Algeria: Despite their strong performance against Belgium, I expect Algeria to run out of steam against South Korea on Sunday, with 21-year-old Son Heung-min to run the show.

USA 1-2 Portugal: It seems like an eternity has gone by since Portugal’s 0-4 hammering at the hands of Germany, and I’m thinking Cristiano Ronaldo may still have something big to add to this World Cup.

What do you think Make sure you sign up and get involved in the action!