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World Cup

Get NPR's coverage of the FIFA World Cup

Tuesday

U.S. Topples Top-Ranked Germany 2-0 To Reach World Cup Final

Carli Lloyd of the U.S. (in white) celebrates after scoring on a penalty kick Tuesday night in the Americans' 2-0 World Cup semifinal victory against Germany. Elsa/Getty Images hide caption

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Elsa/Getty Images

The Two-Way

U.S. Topples Top-Ranked Germany 2-0 To Reach World Cup Final

In a battle between a fantastic attack and a fantastic defense, the latter prevailed, as two penalty kicks — one made, one whiffed — and a late insurance goal gave the U.S. the win.

Friday

U.S. Women Take Out China, Advance To World Cup Semifinals

Goalie Hope Solo of the United States celebrates with midfielder Carli Lloyd on Friday after defeating China 1-0 in the Women's World Cup quarterfinals in Ottawa, Canada. Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images hide caption

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Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photo/Getty Images

The Two-Way

U.S. Women Take Out China, Advance To World Cup Semifinals

The win sets up a No. 2 vs. No. 1 matchup when the Americans will face Germany on Tuesday, as the U.S. continues its pursuit of its first World Cup title since 1999.

Tuesday

U.S. Women Beat Nigeria 1-0, Win Group And Advance To Elimination Rounds

Abby Wambach of the U.S. (from right) celebrates with teammates Lauren Holiday and Tobin Heath after scoring against Nigeria at the end of the first half Tuesday during the FIFA Women's World Cup in Vancouver, Canada. Ben Nelms/EPA/Landov hide caption

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Ben Nelms/EPA/Landov

The Two-Way

U.S. Women Beat Nigeria 1-0, Win Group And Advance To Elimination Rounds

The victory, thanks to a goal by Abby Wambach, eases the Americans' path toward the World Cup, while the Nigerians were eliminated by the loss.

Nigerian Soccer Fans Really Know How To Have A Ball

Nigerian fans stand and deliver cheers at a match against Australia, played during the Women's World Cup in Winnipeg, Canada. Russell Lewis/NPR hide caption

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Russell Lewis/NPR

Goats and Soda

Nigerian Soccer Fans Really Know How To Have A Ball

The U.S. team, which plays Nigeria tonight at the Women's World Cup, is a tournament favorite. But Nigeria's funtastic fans deserve a cup of their own.

Nigerian Soccer Fans Really Know How To Have A Ball

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Friday

U.S. And Sweden Struggle To 0-0 Tie In Women's World Cup

Defenders Meghan Klingenberg, left, and Becky Sauerbrunn of the United States sandwich Sofia Jakobsson of Sweden on Friday during their Group D World Cup match in Winnipeg, Canada. Wang Lili/Xinhua/Landov hide caption

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Wang Lili/Xinhua/Landov

The Two-Way

U.S. And Sweden Struggle To 0-0 Tie In Women's World Cup

The Americans had hoped for more against their trash-talking former coach, who now leads the Swedes, but Friday night's tie in Winnipeg still leaves them atop their group.

Wednesday

Monday

Brazil's World Cup Legacy Includes $550M Stadium-Turned-Parking Lot

Brazil spent billions renovating and building World Cup stadiums. Almost a year after the tournament ended, the nation is still trying to figure out what to do with them. The Mane Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia, Brazil (shown here in April 2014), was the most expensive of the stadiums — at a cost of $550 million — and is now being used as a bus parking lot. Eraldo Peres/AP hide caption

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Eraldo Peres/AP

Parallels

Brazil's World Cup Legacy Includes $550M Stadium-Turned-Parking Lot

Another lavish $215 million arena built for last year's event is now a homeless shelter. Touted as one of the best World Cups in history on the pitch, it's left a hangover of waste and mismanagement.

Brazil's World Cup Legacy Includes $550M Stadium-Turned-Parking Lot

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Friday

Sunday

U.S. Women's National Soccer Team Cements Its Dominance

The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team left its CONCACAF tournament competition in the dust. The team didn't give up a single goal all tournament. Abby Wambach, shown controlling the ball in the second half of the U.S. 6-0 win over Costa Rica in the finals, scored seven of the U.S. team's 21 goals. Mitchell Leff/Getty Images hide caption

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Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

The Two-Way

U.S. Women's National Soccer Team Cements Its Dominance

The U.S. team didn't give up a single goal in the 5-game CONCACAF tournament. They capped off their performance Sunday with a near-perfect 6-0 game against Costa Rica.

Tuesday

Sunday

Germany Wins World Cup Over Argentina With Late-Game Goal

Germany's players celebrate after winning 1-0 on extra time at the World Cup final soccer match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Sunday. Hassan Ammar/AP hide caption

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Hassan Ammar/AP

The Two-Way

Germany Wins World Cup Over Argentina With Late-Game Goal

In a tense match that saw a lot of action but no score for more than 90 minutes of play, Germany was finally victorious over Argentina to take home the 2014 World Cup title on Sunday with a 1-0 win.

Can Brazil Regain Soccer Glory With Beauty Over Brawn?

Brazil fans on Copacabana Beach were subdued during the third-place game against the Netherlands on Saturday. The national team gave them little to cheer about. Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption

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Mario Tama/Getty Images

Can Brazil Regain Soccer Glory With Beauty Over Brawn?

The World Cup ends Sunday with the Germany-Argentina match. Brazil finished its run in the tournament Saturday after two consecutive losses that have set off some national soccer soul-searching.

Can Brazil Regain Soccer Glory With Beauty Over Brawn?

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Saturday

Netherlands Dominates Brazil To Win Third Place In World Cup

Daley Blind of the Netherlands (5) celebrates scoring his team's second goal with Ron Vlaar (2), Georginio Wijnaldum (20) and Bruno Martins Indi (right) during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Third Place Playoff match between Brazil on Saturday. Robert Cianflone/Getty Images hide caption

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Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Netherlands Dominates Brazil To Win Third Place In World Cup

Coming off of a devastating loss to Germany, World Cup host Brazil's chances at redemption were dashed by the Netherlands on Saturday, who took the third place honors with a 3-0 victory.

Wednesday