Falcao flops as Colombia undone by spirited Venezuela

Colombia no doubt boast the better quality but their stars could not align. Instead they were undone by the superior levels of diligence and organisation in the Venezuela contingent here in Rancagua. The upshot of this 1-0 win for the Vinotinto is that they are again threatening to invert the natural order of football in South America. 

In 2011 they held Brazil scoreless in their first game before a run all the way to the semi-finals. Plenty of that team are still around and in Oswaldo Vizcarrondo in particular they have a player who typifies their concentrated and redoubtable approach which is still evident four years on. 

There were no indications, though, that Venezuela would come to this tournament and repeat their 2011 exploits and certainly not against the world's fourth-ranked team Colombia. Venezuela finished fourth from bottom in the 2014 World Cup South American qualification section and have enjoyed only modest successes over Honduras and Peru in the run up to this tournament. There was even a loss to Jamaica thrown in for good measure. 

However, it all came together here and they executed a gameplan to perfection. Colombia were frustrated by Venezuela's ability to keep them at arms' length in midfield with little or no space offered for James and Co. to weave their magic. The goal, when it came, was predictable in the sense that it was the most likely way Venezuela would score. Wide-men Ronald Vargas and Alejandro Guerra were too quick and skilful for the Colombian full-backs all evening; they combined before the impressive Salomon Rondon aimed a header into David Ospina's bottom corner. 

It could have been worse for Colombia as it was Venezuela, through Guerra and Vargas, who had the better of the first-half chances too.  
Simply put, Colombia could not get into gear. Their moves broke down early. Their players looked exasperated with each other as more and more passes went astray and more and more decisions were made incorrectly. Jose Pekerman tried to alter things by bringing on more and more forward players; Edwin Cardona, Teo Gutierrez, Jackson Martinez. They only seemed to get in the way of the players already malfunctioning at that end of the field.  

Radamel Falcao toiled as he has done all season for Manchester United. It is coming to crunch time for Pekerman. He has got to accept that the man, the leader, the legend revered by the Colombian public is no longer there and instead give more opportunities to Jackson Martinez. The Porto man only got a brief run out here but was still able to make a chance for Juan Cuadrado late on. 

He was the only bright point. Jose Mourinho has promised to find the real Falcao at Chelsea next season; that version he seeks is a myth but the "Special One" would do well to divert some attention the way of Cuadrado. He carried the fight to Venezuela and did not deserve to be on the losing side; Mourinho says he has high hopes for next season.

It could be a very different Colombia which lines up against Brazil on Wednesday in Santiago, starting with the dropping of Falcao. Pekerman's side are in danger of going out in the groups; a stunning turnaround from their nine points from nine in the opening phase of last year's World Cup. With eight teams progressing from 12 here, it is virtually impossible for half-decent teams to drop out at that stage. Yet, remarkably, Colombia are facing that situation. 

Argentina took a warning shot from Paraguay on Saturday that Colombia failed to heed. Venezuela proved that a team of seemingly ordinary players is always in with a chance of a random assortment of stars.

Allegri: Pogba for sale at the right price

The Bianconeri boss has conceded that "certain figures are hard to say no to" and suggested star striker Carlos Tevez could depart

Massimiliano Allegri has conceded that Juventus could sell in-demand midfielder Paul Pogba this summer for the right price.

The France international has been heavily linked with a move away from Turin, with Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain all tracking a player who could fetch a fee as high as €100 million.

Allegri is desperate to hold on to the 22-year-old but admitted that the decision is out of his hands.

"Obviously, with Paul, we're talking about a corporate choice - not a technical one: certain figures are hard to say no to," the Bianconeri boss told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

"But if Paul remains in Turin, he has to do with the right attitude and have no regrets.

"Because what we have achieved this season is only a starting point and, to build for the future, Juve need motivated young players and veterans who will convey the right spirit to their team-mates."

Carlos Tevez's future is also up in the air, with the Argentine considering a return to Boca Juniors while reports have also suggested Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain want him.

Again, Allegri wants Juve's top scorer for the past two seasons to at least see out the final 12 months of his contract with the club but knows that the desire of the player will be key.

"Carlos' future also depends on him," the ex-AC Milan boss added. "It is his choice.

"But then again, those who remain have to know that the work for next season will be even more intense. I do not want people stopping to rest on their laurels."

Watch: WWE's touching video tribute to Rhodes before PPV

Three days after professional wrestling legend Dusty Rhodes died at age 69, WWE on Sunday night played a tribute video to the icon on the “Money in the Bank" pay-per-view.

Born Virgil Runnels, “The American Dream," as he was affectionately known, died Thursday, reportedly after suffering a fall at home.

The three-time NWA champion was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007, with his sons Cody and Dustin -- also professional wrestlers -- giving his induction speech. Part of that ceremony was played in the tribute video.

"He was arguably the most charismatic performer of all time," Jim Ross, a longtime WWE broadcaster, said Thursday. "His amazing unique verbal styling will never be duplicated or exceeded. He was exactly what he portrayed on TV: A blue-collar, common man, who rose from being son of a farmer to being a part of American pop culture, whose memory will live forever. Therefore, for many he was truly the American dream."

You can see the video below, or click here:

Curry finally a viable Finals MVP candidate

In the Golden State Warriors' 104-91 Game 5 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, the league MVP took a big step toward being the NBA Finals MVP.

It was a game in which Stephen Curry's late 3-pointers were absurd enough to make one laugh. Maybe that's why Warriors coach Steve Kerr uttered the first crack after the game.

"I called all those plays," Kerr said of Curry's incredible isolation shots. "Those were my genius inventions."

Kerr was kidding about his involvement, but "genius inventions" was an apt description. How else to describe the way Curry used a blur of a dribble to hypnotize theoretical Curry-stopper Matthew Dellavedova? How else to describe the way he shifted from that card-shuffling routine to his deep daggers? The league MVP scored 37 points on 23 shots, but that impressive line does little to convey degree of difficulty.

Curry hasn't scored to his averages in the first four games of these Finals, leading to speculation over whether his teammate Andre Iguodala might deserve the NBA Finals MVP in the event Golden State wins the title. That speculation likely ended Sunday night. Louder is the speculation thatLeBron James might win the award in a losing effort. The series has been seen by some as a referendum, proof that the league MVP and league's best player are not the same.

James would agree with that sentiment and said as much after a game in which he claimed 40 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists.

"I feel confident because I'm the best player in the world," James said. "It's that simple." You can hardly fault James for that assessment. He'd just kept the Cavs close for much of the contest while playing point-center, a la Magic Johnson in the 1980 Finals. It's an impressive feat, and it's drawing a level of praise that might be unprecedented for the sport's most scrutinized athlete.

Curry, in contrast, hasn't produced in a way that would generate such accolades. He has received more double teams than James, and for much of the series has passed out of the trap to teammates. This worked in Cleveland's favor for the stretch where Golden State was frigid with their shooting. Still, Curry's presence was vital to the Warriors' attack, even in decoy form.

That's another reason why the game served as a reminder of just how revolutionary Curry is. The smallest guy on the floor can dictate so much of what happens, mostly with his outside shot. He might not be better than LeBron James today, and might not be tomorrow. His rise still represents a changing of the guard in basketball. Small can prevail over large, unlike in the NBA of yore. The future is here. It's smaller and quicker than the past.

Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews Comes Through When Most Needed to Tie Up Series

CHICAGO — Jonathan Toews was practically invisible during the first three games of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final.

While the Chicago Blackhawks were receiving steady contributions from their supporting cast, Toews spent most of the series wondering how to solve a line led by Cedric Paquette of all people. One assist was all Toews mustered to start the Final, a particularly troubling figure considering he was playing 21 minutes per game and his team was down 2-1 in the series. 
Maybe it was about Toews being due; maybe it was about him being clutch. Either way, the Blackhawks captain once again brought his best when the team needed it most, scoring the first goal in Game 4 as the Blackhawks defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 on Wednesday night at the United Center to even the best-of-seven series at two games apiece. 
Toews and his newly formed line with Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa did most of the heavy lifting on defense as well, silencing Tyler Johnson and his linemates during their frequent matchups in Game 4.
This is what Toews and just about all of the Blackhawks' big-name players have done this postseason—when staring into the abyss, they find a way to make the abyss blink. 

"He scores goals and has those big moments in big-time games," Sharp said of Toews. "Good for him. Nothing fazes him. He tries to win every battle out there, and he usually does. That's why he's the captain of the team."
Brandon Saad, who is cementing his position as part of the Blackhawks core that shines brightest during adverse conditions, scored the winner six minutes and 22 seconds into the third, with an assist from Patrick Kane.
Goaltender Corey Crawford, who has been inconsistent at best in this series, stopped 24 of 25 Tampa Bay shot attempts and allowed his teammates to survive a Lightning onslaught in the final two minutes with four massive saves. 
Sharp and Marian Hossa assisted on Toews' goal. The Blackhawks' top six forwards—Toews, Saad, Hossa, Sharp, Kane and Brad Richards—accounted for 14 of the team's 19 shots against a suffocating Lightning defense that wasn't offering much in Game 4. 
It seems physically impossible to throw a team on your back when it's against a wall, but that's what the Blackhawks' stars did again Wednesday.
"I think everybody in the locker room felt we needed to play better and take a step in our team game," Sharp said. "The so-called big guys always have that pressure on their shoulders. They want to make that difference. I think that's why we've been a successful team here for the last seven, eight years is because those guys love those moments and want the puck on their stick." 

Maybe it's cliche—no, it's definitely cliche—but Toews is the leader of this team and sets that all-important tone in games of this magnitude. "It's mostly the captain here," the 22-year-old Saad said. "You watch and learn the way he plays and competes. His passion out there is bar none."
Toews has a career-high 10 goals this postseason, with seven either putting the Blackhawks ahead or pulling them into a tie. He scored the first two goals of Game 7, against the Anaheim Ducks, during the Western Conference Final and two late goals in Game 5 to send the contest to overtime. 
In Game 4 against the Lightning, the Blackhawks were worked over pretty hard during a first period that saw the Lightning hold a 9-2 edge in shots. Rookie Andrei Vasilevskiy, who got the surprise start between the pipes for the injured Ben Bishop, didn't need to move while replacing a goaltender who can barely move.
Toews didn't exactly beat Vasilevskiy with a five-hole breakaway goal early in the second period, but his goal that banked off the goaltender came after Sharp had a breakaway chance. A few seconds later, Hossa whipped a puck from the blue line that hit a cutting Sharp and came to rest for Toews to indirectly shoot home.

 

The best Blackhawks were finally the best Blackhawks.
"No matter what the situation, whether down in the series, down in a hockey game, whatever it may be, we play our best with our backs against the wall," Kane said. "I'm not saying we played our best hockey game, but we found a way to win.
"This team has a lot of experience, and we can draw from [the] best situations to help us. We know these are great opportunities that aren't really going to come around every season or every couple [of] years, we want to take advantage of them." 
It's a best-of-three now, and with Lightning coach Jon Cooper saying after the game that he expects Bishop to play at some point in this series and not necessarily Game 5 in Tampa on Saturday, a third title in six years is there for the Blackhawks' taking.
And if the Blackhawks hoist the Cup in the next week, it will almost definitely be because Toews and this team's elite forwards made it happen. 
"They have the experience, and they have the killer instinct to be those key players and to get it done," said Andrew Desjardins, an acquisition at this year's trade deadline. "I think skill obviously helps. They're all-around players. When you have world-class players like that, they find a way."

Emergence of Matthew Dellavedova Has Made Cavs' Nightmare a Potential Fantasy

CLEVELAND — In February, when the Cleveland Cavaliers were still evolving, when Kyrie Irving was still spry and Matthew Dellavedova was a quiet curiosity, David Griffin made some inquiries, scouring the league for another point guard.

It was not a commentary on Irving, the Cavaliers' explosive young All-Star, or on Dellavedova, the scrappy backup. It was simple due diligence by Griffin, the Cavaliers general manager.
Stars get hurt. Depth is critical for a contending team. And Dellavedova, as of midseason, was just an untested, undrafted, anonymous understudy. So Griffin made some calls.
"Because you had a 23-year-old starter and a young kid in Delly," Griffin explained Wednesday. "Having veteran presence, like we have at every other position, would have been great. But just there was never an opportunity to get it done."
File this under The Great What-ifs of the 2015 NBA Finals, a series that is now being defined in part by the Cavaliers' point guard odd couple.
One is a superstar, the other a burgeoning legend.
One left Game 1 on crutches. The other left Game 3 on a stretcher.
Irving will not play again in this series after breaking his kneecap last week.
Dellavedova is playing to exhaustion and had to be hospitalized Tuesday night because of dehydration after helping the Cavaliers take a 2-1 lead over the Golden State Warriors.
If the Cavs win the series, ending this city's 51-year championship drought, Dellavedova will be enshrined as a local hero. Irving will serve as an asterisk.

Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images

And if Griffin had been successful in his trade discussions four months ago? That might have been Norris Cole—a prime target earlier in the season—sitting at the Finals podium instead of Dellavedova.
"We would have added a point guard at the buyout deadline," Griffin said. "It doesn't mean that Delly would have been in jeopardy. Most people carry three of them. We weren't. So adding a third was something we would have wanted to do all along."
Had the Cavaliers found a third point guard, perhaps that player would have soaked up some of Irving's minutes in this postseason and spared him the wear and tear that caused his foot and knee issues. These are the nagging questions that can haunt a team well into the summer.
Though at the moment, the Cavaliers are too busy celebrating the happy emergence of the kid they call Delly.
The 24-year-old guard from Australia is the toast of the town, his legend growing with every game. He scored a playoff career-high 20 points in 39 minutes Tuesday night and spent the rest of his time hounding Stephen Curry, the league's Most Valuable Player.
When it was over, a thoroughly spent Dellavedova was seen being taken from the arena by ambulance for what the team later described as "severe cramping." He was given intravenous fluids at the arena before heading to the Cleveland Clinic for more treatment.
"I felt like I've pushed the limit a few times, but that's probably the tightest I've been," Dellavedova said Wednesday, looking and sounding replenished. "I'm feeling good now, though."
If anything, the trip to the hospital only enhanced the second-year guard's reputation as the Cavaliers' resident bulldog. Over the course of this postseason, Dellavedova has scrapped with the Bulls' Taj Gibson and the Hawks' Al Horford, veterans twice his size—getting both players ejected for retaliating.
Although he wields a solid three-point shot, it is the scrapping that Dellavedova is most renowned for: the dives for loose balls, the grabbing and clutching and general annoyance. Indeed, a reporter asked directly Wednesday if he is an "annoying" player.

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

"Am I an annoying player?" Dellavedova replied, seeming both amused and nonplussed. "Well, I've never played against myself, so..."
After considering whether he'd find a player like himself annoying, Dellavedova allowed, "Yeah, I think I would."
That Dellavedova was even relevant enough to field such questions had everything to do with Irving's bad luck. He was playing one of his best games of the postseason last Thursday in Oakland, dueling Curry and providing LeBron James with a badly needed scoring partner, when misfortune struck. Irving drove, landed hard on his left leg and simultaneously collided with the Warriors' Klay Thompson, fracturing Irving's left kneecap.
"It's a tough situation to be in, especially in the Finals at the biggest stage," Irving said Wednesday, addressing the media for the first time since undergoing surgery.
Without Irving on the court, the Cavaliers offense sputtered last Thursday, allowing the Warriors to pull away in overtime for the Game 1 victory. With Irving declared out for the series—and with Cleveland having already lost star forward Kevin Love to a shoulder injury—oddsmakers and commentators quickly buried the Cavaliers. There was talk of a sweep.
A week later, it's the Cavaliers who are in command of the series thanks in large part to Irving's scruffy understudy, the one who has inspired countless Teen Wolf memes on Twitter.
"I'm definitely not surprised as much as everyone else is," Irving said of Dellavedova, recalling his first time competing against him in a summer workout three years ago. "First time I went to Vegas, first time I played against him, he commanded my respect. Whether that be in a pickup game or us playing a scrimmage in practice, it was going to be hard-fought, and I knew exactly what I was getting myself into. So once you step into that—I want to call it a ring with Delly—you better be ready to rumble."
Most people, Cavaliers officials included, could not have seen any of this coming. The 6'4", 200-pound Dellavedova was a lowly regarded prospect after a four-year career at Saint Mary's College in the California Bay Area. He signed a partially guaranteed, minimum contract with the Cavaliers in September 2013 to compete for the role of third-string point guard behind Irving and Jarrett Jack.
The Cavaliers traded Jack to Brooklyn last summer in a rush to clear salary-cap room to sign James. That was the first among many events that opened the door for Dellavedova's unlikely rise.
Given the chance, Griffin would add another point guard today if the rules permitted. The Cavaliers need all the bodies and ball-handlers they can get. But they're happy enough with the way things have evolved.
"Right now, we're benefiting from the fact that Delly just refuses to feel limitation," Griffin enthused. "He refuses to believe that there's something he cannot do."
Griffin, who came up in the Phoenix Suns organization, recalled a favorite motto of Suns legend Dick Van Arsdale, who was fond of saying, "Them's that can, do."
"Delly can exceed expectations because that's all he's ever done," Griffin said. "It's all he knows how to do. It's not like you take a kid who grew up being one thing and had to figure out how to be tough. This kid's only here because he has this. So it's what he does."
How big is Dellavedova now? On Wednesday, an Australian reporter asked James—known as "The King"—if he would endorse the knighting of his teammate as Sir Dellavedova.
James chuckled but quickly embraced the idea. "Whatever that guy wants or needs, I'm all for."

Ozil targets Premier League title with Arsenal next season

The German is "proud" of the Gunners' FA Cup win, in what he describes as the hardest season of his career, but feels improvements can be made on home soil and in Europe

Mesut Ozil has targeted winning the Premier League title with Arsenal next season.

After suffering a worst start to a campaign for over 30 years, the Gunners yet again failed to mount a credible challenge for top spot as Chelsea claimed a first league crown in five years in dominant fashion.

Ozil, though, feels a number of injuries to first-team players - including the likes of himself, Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere - hampered Arsenal's progress but is now confident of improvement home and abroad.

"We had bad luck with injuries this season," he is quoted as saying by Kicker. "But next season we can win the Premier League and go further in the Champions League."

Ozil missed three months of the season, which he calls his "hardest", with a knee ligament injury but returned as Arsenal won 13 of their last 17 league games to finish first and retained the FA Cup.

He said: "It was a very long season. I guess it was the hardest in my career. The first time in my life I had to deal with a serious injury. It feel it was a consequence of playing a lot games without a break over years.

"I was happy with the second half of the season. I wanted to show everybody that I'm back. Winning the FA Cup means it was a successful year. I'm proud of that win.

"My best moment [of the season] was the first game back after my injury against Stoke City. The fans cheered a lot when I was brought on. That was a brilliant feeling and helped me a lot.

"From then on I understood: no matter what happened, the club and the fans are always with me.

"But the most important think is the opinion of my coach. I have a lot more self-confidence when he is with me. I always had that feeling with Arsene Wenger."

Ozil has been deployed in a number of different position this season, across midfield and even as a slighter deeper central role to his preferred No.10, but is happy to perform where ever needed.

"My favorite position is No.10 but I would never try to play for myself or to persuade my coach," he added.

"Marco Reus had bad luck with an injury just before the world Cup so I had to play as a winger. I could've played much better elsewhere, but that wasn't important because we worked as a team."