BERLIN (AP) - Ukraine doesn't care how it got to the second round. Tunisia was furious at the way it was knocked out. Despite a lackluster performance, a disputed penalty shot by Andriy Shevchenko lifted Ukraine to a 1-0 victory over 10-man Tunisia on Friday, making the World Cup newcomers the first former-Soviet...

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany (AP) - Spanish coach Luis Aragones was far from satisfied with his team's win over Saudi Arabia, even though it was accomplished with nearly all substitutes. Center back Juanito Gutierrez headed in the winner in the 36th minute as Spain clinched first place in Group H on Friday with a 1-0 victory over Saud...

BERLIN (AP) - Spain and Ukraine did exactly as expected Friday, each winning its match to eliminate Saudi Arabia and Tunisia from the World Cup.

Spain won its third straight game at this year's tournament, with a team of reserves beating Saudi Arabia 1-0 in Kaiserslautern to confirm the feeling it may be about to...

NUREMBERG, Germany (AP) - Heads bowed, American soccer players walked off the field. There was nothing to celebrate. Three and out. Time to head home. They said goodbye to the World Cup with a 2-1 loss to Ghana on Thursday, said so long to some of the stars of 2002 and perhaps to coach Bruce Arena, too.

"I got a little choke...

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - In his debut as a World Cup starter, Lionel Messi did everything but give Argentina victory. It didn't matter. In a 0-0 draw with the Netherlands on Wednesday, the Argentines confirmed their role as title contenders and easily earned a second-round match against Mexico.

Fielding four second-string p...

HAMBURG, Germany (AP) - U.S. captain Claudio Reyna retired from international competition Friday, a day after his final World Cup game ended with a loss and an injury.

Reyna, who turns 33 on July 20, joined the national team in 1994 and was on the U.S. World Cup roster for the fourth time. He became captain in 1998, shortl...

(AP) - We wuz robbed, all right. Just not by the ref. Instead, blame a smart coach who turned timid at the wrong time and a team that never developed a real sense of urgency.

Then throw in the bosses at U.S. Soccer who, despite pockets stuffed with cash from Nike and other top-drawer sponsors, failed to fi...

ROME (AP) - Italy's soccer prosecutor has accused two former Juventus executives of trying to influence referees in an indictment ordering trial for them and 24 others

Soccer executives, officials and referees, as well Serie A clubs Juventus, AC Milan, Fiorentina and Lazio, were cited. The four teams risk demot...

BERLIN (AP) - Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi was suspended for four matches and U.S. defender Pablo Mastroeni received a three-match ban after FIFA's disciplinary committee reviewed their red cards at the World Cup.

De Rossi elbowed Brian McBride in the face during the 1-1 draw at Kaiserslautern last Saturday,...

(AP) - Now that the World Cup is underway, AP writers will be filing periodic, behind-the-scenes reports during soccer's largest spectacle:

THURSDAY, June 22:

NUREMBERG, Germany _ American players bowed their heads. The U.S. fans in red, white and blue, so hopeful hours earlier, had forlorn looks, some on ...