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(CNN) — Iran, South Korea and Australia all booked a place in next year’s FIFA World Cup following a dramatic final round of group matches in the Asian qualifying competition.

A second-half goal from Reza Ghoochannejhad was enough for Iran to beat South Korea 1-0 in Ulsan, meaning Carlos Queiroz’s team finished top of Group A.

Victory saw Iran reach football’s premier competition for the fourth time in its history, having previously played in the first round of the 1978, 1998 and 2006 tournaments.

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CNN correspondent Shirzad Bozorgmehr said Iranians took to the streets across their country to celebrate.

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He said that cars in the capital Tehran were draped in the Iranian flag and blowing their horns as their passengers shouted “Iran, Iran.”

“This is the second national celebration in Iran in the last five days,” said Bozorgmehr.

“Following the landslide victory of Dr. Hassan Rohani last Friday in the presidential elections, huge crowds poured into the streets of Tehran and other cities to publicly celebrate Dr Rohani’s election victory.”

In his first press conference on Monday, Rohani told reporters he planned to overhaul sports in a country where soccer is the most popular game.

Despite defeat, South Korea still clinched the second automatic qualification spot as Uzbekistan fell agonizingly short against Qatar, winning 5-1 but finishing third in Group A on goal difference alone.

After the match, South Korea coach Choi Kang-Hee revealed that he would be stepping down from his post – a surprise move at first glance, although Choi did say he would only take charge for the qualifiers when appointed in December 2011.

Choi had been involved in an acrimonious war of words with Iran coach Carlos Quieroz ahead of the game and home fans hurled plastic water bottles and other items onto the pitch after taking offense at a gesture directed towards Choi by the Portuguese after the match.

South Korea’s loss meant Uzbekistan would qualify for the finals for the first time if it beat Qatar by six goals.

But Uzbekistan fell behind in Tashkent when Abdulqadir Ilyas gave the 2022 World Cup hosts a shock first-half lead.

World Sport Presents: Racism in Football

The home side bounced back in the second half, firing in five goals without reply, but the 5-1 final score was not enough to see Uzbekistan leapfrog South Korea.

Uzbekistan will now play the third-place team in Group B – Jordan – over two legs.

In Wednesday’s final Asian qualifier, the Jordanians took third place in the group when beating Oman 1-0 in Amman – with Ahmad Ibrahim scoring a vital goal just before the hour.

The result enabled the hosts to leapfrog their opponents in the group, with Jordan – seeking a maiden World Cup qualification – having trailed the Omanis by two points ahead of kickoff.

The winner of the Uzbekistan-Jordan playoff will advance to a tie with the fifth-place team from the South American competition, with the winner qualifying for next year’s finals in Brazil.

A late header from substitute Joshua Kennedy gave Australia a 1-0 win over Iraq and sent the Socceroos to Brazil.

Australia knew a win would be enough to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, but anything less than three points would give Oman the chance to clinch an automatic qualification spot.

With the score 0-0 at a rain-soaked ANZ Stadium, coach Holger Osiek drew the ire of the crowd by replacing star player Tim Cahill with Kennedy after 78 minutes.

But Kennedy justified Osiek’s bold decision by rising to meet Marc Bresciano’s right-wing cross, beating Iraq goalkeeper Noor Sabri with a well-placed finish.

Australia finished the Asian qualifying campaign second in Group B behind Japan.

(CNN) — Yael Lee-Weiss shakes her head the moment the words “boycott” and “Beitar Jerusalem” are uttered in her direction.

With the football world’s attention on Israel as it hosts the European Under-21 Championship Finals, the country’s image and politics are both very much to the fore.

For a woman who spends each and every moment combating racism and discrimination, last February’s incident when Beitar fans burnt down the club’s administrative offices in protest at the signing of two Chechen Muslims still rankles.

Beitar, a club with fiercely right-wing fans, is infamous for its racist attitude towards Arab players, but the severity of the attack still caused surprise.

“It’s about education and showing these people that their views will not be tolerated,” she told CNN in Tel Aviv.

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“From a very young age, they have an open mind and they don’t have any inhibitions. Sometimes, they are coming from a background where they need this scheme.

“We just capture the power of football and the love that children and adults have for the sport, and we are trying to educate them and give them values. They are very curious about knowing each other. We are neighbors, Arabs and Jews. The kids are curious because they hear a lot of things but they haven’t always met an Arab or a Jew and seen things with their own eyes.

“They might not have spoken to people outside of their circle but when they get to know each other, they just speak in a non-formal way without any thoughts which we see elsewhere in society.”

Another example of integration is Israel’s national Under-21 team. While it failed to progress from the group stage of the international tournament — the final of which was to be contested by Spain and Italy on Tuesday — its impact off the field should not be underestimated.

A squad including five Israeli-Arab players, two Ethiopians and a Bedouin brought attention to how, in even the most volatile regions, sport can break through barriers.

Several Arab players have represented Israel in the past, with the likes of Rifaat Turk, Walid Badir, Zahi Armeli and — perhaps most famously due to his goal in a 2006 World Cup qualifier — Abbas Suan having all worn the blue shirt.

While Arab players do not sing the Israeli national anthem, essentially an ode to the Jewish homeland, they also refrain from speaking in their native tongue during training to avoid dividing the group.

Great honor

Israel’s hosting of the U21 tournament has been mired in controversy, with protests against the country’s treatment of Palestinians.

But while the politics are debated off the pitch and around the world, the players appear happy with the progress being made.

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“It’s a great honor for me to represent Israel,” Munas Dabbur, an Israeli Arab striker who plays for Maccabi Tel Aviv, told CNN.

“I always felt that I was proud to be invited to the team and I want it to continue.

“I think this tournament can be really important for football in Israel. It’s the first time we’ve had games like this in the country and there’s been a huge push. I hope that this will continue in the future.”

It is a sentiment echoed by his Jewish teammates.

Omri Altman, 19, plays his football in England with Premier League club Fulham and says the pictures he sees on television bear little resemblance to the country he calls “home.”

“My friends at Fulham think, ‘ Israel, oh, it’s very scary.’ They don’t want to come here to visit because they hear in the news about the things which happen here,” Altman said.

“But it’s different. You come here, it’s very quiet in most of the areas. So when teams come to play here, I hope the whole world will see that.

“I think it’s very important that the tournament has come to Israel.

“In our team, we’re all friends and everybody is the same. We are all people, it doesn’t matter where we come from and who we are. We come to play football and that’s the most important thing.”

Next generation

These words would have been noted by the next generation of talent, young hopefuls who have been watching an international football tournament in their own backyard for the very first time.

While Altman and Dabur were busy on the pitch, hundreds of young children were given free tickets to watch the games.

Some of those were from Mifalot. They hope that the example set by their nation’s young footballers can spread a message beyond the country’s borders.

While the U21 players were busy playing in modern stadiums, hundreds of others were running around fields, concrete courts and dirt tracks pretending to be an international footballer.

“I think that this project is great,” said Nasser, a Palestinian coordinator in Sussiya, in the West Bank.

“The activities and interaction greatly helped the kids get to know others who are different and to play together as one group.

“I hear the kids talking and they really enjoyed themselves.”

Moacyr Barbosa Nascimento’s life was forever changed after the 1950 World Cup. With Brazil needing just a draw against Uruguay in its final game to lift the trophy for the first time, the team lost 2-1 and he was blamed for the second goal. The goalkeeper’s perceived mistake haunted him. Twenty years later he overheard a woman in a supermarket say to her son, “There is the man who made Brazil cry.”

The Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro was the venue for the 1950 final, with 200,000 spectators packed into the purpose-built arena. The stadium has been redeveloped and a crowd of 78,000 people will watch the final of 2014 World Cup at the iconic ground.

All eyes will be on Neymar during both June’s Confederations Cup and next year’s World Cup. The attacker, who recently signed for Barcelona in a deal reportedly worth in excess of $80 million, is Brazil’s star player and must perform to his best if “La Selecao” are to satisfy an expectant public.

The Brazil team of 1970, which beat Italy 4-1 in the World Cup final in Mexico, is widely regarded as the greatest of all time. Pele, a three-time World Cup winner seen here leaping on his teammates, says Brazil must recover from the failure of 63 years ago.

Carlos Alberto, captain of the 1970 team, lifts the Jules Rimet trophy which Brazil was allowed to keep after becoming the first nation to win the World Cup three times. The former fullback thinks next year’s World Cup will come too soon for Brazil’s inexperienced team.

Luiz Felipe Scolari was the coach of the last Brazil team to lift the World Cup, in Japan and South Korea in 2002. The veteran has been reappointed in a bid to inject life into an ailing Brazil team. His results have so far left much to be desired: two wins, one defeat and four draws since November 2012.

England was Brazil’s first opponent at a refurbished Maracana earlier this month. A half-volley from midfielder Paulinho, pictured, rescued a 2-2 draw for the 2014 World Cup host.

Brazil’s most recent match, the last before the Confederations Cup starts, ended in a comfortable 3-0 defeat of France. A penalty from Lucas Moura, right, completed the scoring.

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Brazil’s most painful moment

Racism has long been a stain on football but a resurgence of incidents in recent years has prompted soccer’s authorities to launch a renewed bid to rid the game of discrimination for good. Here a Fenerbahce fan holds a banana towards Galatasaray’s Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba during a Turkish league match in May 2013.

The spark for a raft of racism reforms from the game’s power brokers came when AC Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng walked off in a match with Italian lower league side Pro Patria in January after their fans abused him with monkey noises. The game was abandoned and his protest made headline news the world over.

CNN’s Pedro Pinto stands on the spot where Boateng decided he’d had enough. He told the World Sport Presents Racism in Football documentary: “I decided to walk off the pitch because I said to myself, in this kind of environment, in this situation, I don’t want to play football anymore.”

Boateng’s AC Milan teammate Mario Balotelli has been the subject of racial abuse over a number of years. He and Boateng were abused by AS Roma fans during a match at the San Siro in May that was briefly suspended by the officials as a result. A public address announcement implored visiting supporters to stop their chants.

Balotelli has had to deal with racism throughout his career. As far back as 2009, when he played for Inter, he was racially abused by opposing Juventus fans. Here, Inter’s fans hold up banners in support of the striker.

Balotelli told Pedro Pinto he was prepared to walk off if he receives more racial abuse: “After what happened to me in (the Roma) game, I felt a little bit alone when I was home. I always said that if that happened in the stadium, like if nobody said anything, I don’t care. But this time I think I changed my mind a little bit, and if it is going to happen one more time, I’m going to leave the pitch because it’s so stupid.”

Boateng’s walk-off prompted the game’s governing body to act and FIFA president Sepp Blatter invited the midfielder to sit on a task force dedicated to tackling racism in football. A raft of reforms have now been passed that could see teams relegated or expelled from competitions.

The head of FIFA’s racism task force, Jeffrey Webb, told CNN the new measures could be “a defining moment in the fight against racism and discrimination.” He labeled the recent abuse of Balotelli and Galatasaray striker Didier Drogba as “ignorant” and “unbelievable.”

Blatter’s new-found vigor to tackle racism was at odds with his sentiments in a 2011 interview with CNN when he expressed his belief that there was no on-field racism in football and that players who think they have been abused should simply say “this is a game.” He later said his comments had been misinterpreted.

One of the most high-profile incidents in England saw Liverpool striker Luis Suarez banned for eight-matches for racially abusing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra in October 2011. Prior to the teams’ return fixture the following February, Suarez refused to shake Evra’s hand. Suarez subsequently apologized.

Former England captain John Terry was found not guilty in a criminal court of racially abusing rival footballer Anton Ferdinand but was banned for four-matches by the Football Association. He accepted the charge, a £220,000 fine and apologized, saying: “I accept that the language I used, regardless of the context, is not acceptable on the football field or indeed in any walk of life.”

The Serbian Football Association was hit with an $84,000 fine after a brawl between their under-21 team and England’s in the city of Krusevac in October 2012. England player Danny Rose (far right) said he had been subjected to monkey chants throughout the game. The Serbian FA insisted their fine was for the altercation.

Serbian fans are renowned for creating an intimidating atmosphere, as CNN discovered at the Belgrade derby in May. Despite previous incidents, there was no hint of racism in the match, though the Serbian Football Association’s technical director Savo Milosevic did reveal they have no program in place to tackle racism.

European football’s governing body, UEFA also passed new laws on racism. They introduced a minimum 10-match ban for racist abuse by players or officials and escalating measures for clubs including fines and stadium closures for repeat offenders.

Various initiatives across Europe’s leagues help to try and combat racism and offer opportunities to those communities that are under represented at the top of the game. The Asian Stars event, recently held at Chelsea’s training ground, aims to encourage participation among aspiring Asian players at all levels of football.

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Racism in football

Germany captain Lewis Holtby wears a specially made training shirt with the Israeli flag and the words “Feeling at home” embroidered on the front to thank the host fans for making the team welcome at the European Under-21 Championship.

Holtby and teammate Toni Jantschke lay a wreath during the visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial museum before March’s friendly game against Israel.

Germany striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga told CNN that his visit to the museum in Jerusalem was “extremely moving.”

The players take a moment to pause and reflect while surrounded by photos of those who were murdered in the Holocaust.

Head coach Rainer Adrion was particularly moved by his visit, taking his time to walk around the exhibits.

DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach (center), vice-president Rolf Hocke (right) and the German ambassador in Israel, Andreas Michaelis, lay a wreath during last week’s visit of the German delegation at Yad Vashem.

Lasogga signs autographs for local children at the Hadassah Neurim Youth Village in Netanya.

Striker Peniel Mlapa hands out small German mascots to some of the children at the Youth Village.

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Remembering the Holocaust: Germany in Israel

Through the work of the NIF, the IFA began to punish clubs with fines for racist abuse.

Breakthrough

Suan was a founding member of the Kick Racism and Violence out of Football organization, and he says sport can be the vehicle which unites people in one of the world’s most troubled regions.

As one of the few Arab players to wear the Israeli soccer shirt at the time, Suan says he suffered abuse every time he touched the ball until a groundbreaking moment.

In the final minute of a qualifying game for the 2006 World Cup, Suan unleashed an astonishing effort which clinched a 1-1 draw against the Republic of Ireland, and etched his name into Israeli folklore.

That goal on March 27, 2005, represented a fundamental change for Suan. He says it was a day Israeli society finally began to realize the significance of Arab players.

“I am a Palestinian because I have a lot of brothers and cousins in the Arab countries,” he said. “And I am Israeli because I live here and don’t go out of my lands.

“I never felt discriminated against in anything that had to do with football. I didn’t let anyone do it to me. Everywhere I went, I felt not merely at home, but like the boss.

“I have a lot of Jewish friends and they are like brothers to me. But I do feel discriminated against when it comes to infrastructure and development in the Arab sector.

“But when my children have a sports lesson in a courtyard without a pitch, that’s discrimination. It makes my blood boil. It’s unacceptable that in a city like Sakhnin, there is not one tennis or basketball court worthy of the name.”

Suan’s case has been featured in two documentaries — “After the Cup: Sons of Sakhnin United” and “Divided Nation” — both of which focus on Arab citizens in Israel.

Now head of youth at Bnei Sakhnin, one of Israel’s top Arab football clubs, he lectures against racism and violence in the game, drawing on the experiences of his difficult road to the top.

“If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing,” he added.

“I pursued my career to represent the community and to bring the two peoples closer together. I paid a great personal price, but I’m satisfied.”

The scheme has also embraced the Bedouin community, where the likes of Israel international Mohammad Ghadir and under-21 player Ahad Azzam learned their trade.

But in a society where female participation is frowned upon, there is one woman who refuses to be denied.

Female Maradona

Meet Miriam Abu-Ghanem — the one they call the “female Maradona” in her town of Tel Sheva in southern Israel.

“I came out of my mother’s stomach with a ball at my feet,” she said.

“Our girls don’t play sport because they think it’s shameful. We suffer from this. I come from a supportive home, without violence or repression, but many other women suffer at home.

“There are still families where the women don’t go out to learn at all, or who suffer in marriage.”

After establishing the first women’s football league in her town and becoming the first Bedouin player in the Be’er Sheva women’s league, injury prevented her from going further.

Instead, two bachelors degrees in physical education and special education, as well as a masters in educational management, have allowed her to become the first PE teacher in the Bedouin community.

“A woman doesn’t need to request equality from anyone and doesn’t need to receive the rights of a man, but the universal rights of human beings as human beings,” she added.

“I always believed in my own capabilities … I worked very hard. I refused to stand to the side and be the forlorn girl. Now here I am.”

It is stories such as these from Suan and Abu-Ghanem which gives hope that sport can unite people — even in the most troubled of times.

Back in Tel Aviv, sitting in her office surrounded by application forms from prospective members, Yael Lee-Weiss, the international development officer, sees a chink of light at the end of the tunnel.

“It gives me hope,” she said. “They are the future and I know we won’t make the biggest changes to our world and bring about peace in one day, but we do give those children a way out and something good to look for.

“The changes will take a few years but those children are growing up.”

(CNN) — As Justin Rose emerged onto the 18th fairway and saw his ball just yards from the spot where Ben Hogan fired his famous one iron to the green in 1950, he knew it was his moment to seize the U.S. Open crown.

The 32-year-old knew if he could repeat Hogan’s par on the notoriously tricky 18th hole at Merion in Pennsylvania he could end England’s 43-year wait for a champion in America’s national championship.

With thoughts of his late father Ken swirling round his mind, Rose struck a near-perfect approach shot and duly completed par.

When Phil Mickelson failed to birdie the same hole moments later, Rose had sealed his first major triumph.

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“I just had to stand up there and be counted,” he told CNN World Sport. “It was a major, it was my moment, it was stand up and deliver.

“It was a special moment when I walked over the hill and saw my ball sitting right there on the up slope in the middle of the fairway.

“Hogan definitely popped into my mind because I know he hit the green and two-putted to get into a playoff.

“Someone had chirped from the crowd ‘Rose, a good iron shot, two putts and its yours.’ And in a sense that was all I was trying to do at that point.”

Rose held his nerve at the end of a day that fluctuated wildly, as crowd favorite Phil Mickelson desperately tried to nail down victory in a tournament he had finished runner up in five times.

An audacious chip in for eagle from Mickleson at the tenth hole swung the momentum his way but Rose responded immediately, with birdies at the 12th and 13th.

And as he negotiated the fiendishly difficult closing stretch of holes in just one-over-par, it left Mickelson needing a birdie on the last to force a playoff.

He couldn’t, which left an emotional Rose with his own special moment on Father’s Day, as he remembered his dad Ken, who lost his battle with cancer in 2002.

“I’ve thought about my dad quite a bit this week,” Rose explained to Living Golf anchor Shane O’Donoghue.

“Saturday I was driving to the course and I looked in the rear view mirror and saw my eyes and that was one thing my dad always knew — he could tell by the look in my eyes if I was going to play well or not.

“I thought ‘I wonder how my dad thinks I’m going to play today.’ I always knew the U.S. Open finishes on Father’s Day and I’d been in contention most of the week and I really wanted that moment I could share with him and honor him.

“He sacrificed so much for me and taught me the game. I’ve seen Rory (McIlroy) celebrate with his dad, G-Mac (Graeme McDowell) celebrate with his dad.

“I’ve always thought that moment must just be so special and for me, today, it was special in my own way.”

The new world No. 3 burst onto the scene as an amateur at the 1998 British Open when he finished fourth. But that early promise stalled as he missed 21 cuts in a row after turning professional.

He has steadily been working his way towards the summit of the game with notable victories on the PGA Tour and a stellar showing for Europe in the Ryder Cup at Medinah last year.

But he revealed it is only recently he has felt his game was equipped to capture one of golf’s major prizes.

“I’ve been a pro a long time now — 14 or 15 years — but not until recently have I felt truly ready,” he said.

“You try and kid yourself you are ready but this is one of the first majors I’ve ever played where I came in knowing if I go about my business I’m going to be hard to beat.

“It’s just a really nice feeling to have that cleared off the plate now fairly early and it’s a lot of boyhood dreams paying off.”

(CNN) — The San Antonio Spurs are one win away from winning the 2013 NBA championship after a 114-104 victory over the Miami Heat in Game Five of the Finals.

Spurs star guard Tony Parker showed no signs of the hamstring injury which hampered him during Game Four, scoring 26 points to delight the AT T Center crowd.

“It was a physical game. Great game. I was just trying to pace myself better, if I can say that, during the game,” the Frenchman told reporters.

“Or else I’d be out of gas like I did in Game Four, where in the second half I didn’t have enough juice and my hamstring was kind of fatigued. In this game I was trying to take my time and it helped.”

Miami Heat players LeBron James and Dwayne Wade hug after the Heat defeated the San Antonio Spurs 109-93 in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Thursday, June 13. The series is tied at 2-2. See photos from Game 3.

LeBron James of the Miami Heat tries to pass around Manu Ginobili during the fourth quarter.

Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat drives past Manu Ginobili in the fourth quarter.

Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs drives on Miami’s Norris Cole in the second half of the game.

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs shoots over Chris Bosh in the third quarter.

Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat battles for the ball against Tim Duncan of the Spurs in the first half.

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs reacts in the third quarter.

LeBron James of the Miami Heat goes up for a shot against Tim Duncan during the first half.

LeBron James of the Miami Heat takes a shot over Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs.

The Spurs’ Tony Parker lays the ball up against Udonis Haslem of the Heat.

LeBron James boxes out Kawhi Leonard.

LeBron James of the Heat defends the ball against Kawhi Leonard.

The Heat’s Chris Bosh goes up for a shot against Tim Duncan, left, and Manu Ginobili.

Tim Duncan of the Spurs puts pressure on LeBron James as he vies for position.

Head coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the first quarter.

Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs loses his footing as Dwayne Wade goes for the ball.

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Photos: Game 4 of the NBA Finals

Danny Green of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates with teammate Gary Neal as they take on the Miami Heat during Game 3 of the 2013 NBA Finals on Tuesday, June 11, in San Antonio. The Spurs defeated the Heat 113-77 and lead the series 2-1. See photos from Game 2.

From left, Miami Heat’s Mike Miller, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James talk during a break in the game.

Miami’s Chris Andersen goes for a rebound against the San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan, right, and Danny Green, left.

San Antonio’s Tim Duncan and Miami’s LeBron James battle for position.

Gary Neal of the San Antonio Spurs makes a three-pointer over Mike Miller of the Miami Heat during the second quarter.

Danny Green of the San Antonio Spurs reacts after making a three-pointer. Green has hit 12 straight threes going back to Game 2 and finished with 27 on the night.

Cory Joseph of the San Antonio Spurs and Norris Cole of the Miami Heat go after a loose ball in the second half.

The San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat face off in Game 3 of the 2013 NBA Finals on Tuesday, June 11, in San Antonio.

Mario Chalmers of the Miami Heat goes up for a shot against Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs in the first half.

Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles under pressure from Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat.

Manu Ginobili, right, congratulates Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs after scoring during the first half.

Chris Bosh, left, and LeBron James, center, of the Miami Heat box out Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs.

Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs drives on Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat in the first quarter.

LeBron James of the Miami Heat reacts after a call in the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs.

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs dunks the ball over Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat.

LeBron James of the Miami Heat looks to pass as he is guarded by Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs.

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs shoots over Udonis Haslem, center, and Chris Bosh, left, of the Miami Heat.

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Photos: Game 3 of the NBA Finals

Mike Miller of the Miami Heat reacts after making a three-pointer in the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs during Game 2 of the 2013 NBA Finals on Sunday, June 9, in Miami. The Heat defeated the Spurs 103-84 to tie the series 1-1. See photos from Game 1.

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs bows his head while taking on the Miami Heat during Game 2.

Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat tries to drive around Danny Green of the San Antonio Spurs in the third quarter.

LeBron James of the Miami Heat blocks the shot of Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs in the fourth quarter.

Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs uses a screen from Tim Duncan to get around LeBron James of the Miami Heat in the third quarter.

LeBron James of the Miami Heat goes up for a shot against Danny Green of the San Antonio Spurs.

LeBron James of the Miami Heat shoots over Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs during Game 2.

Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat and Manu Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs go after a loose ball.

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs goes to the basket against Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat during Game 2.

Danny Green of the San Antonio Spurs makes a three-pointer over Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat in the first quarter.

LeBron James of the Miami Heat drives against Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs.

Manu Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs goes up for a shot between Chris Bosh, left, and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat.

Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket against Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat.

It’s a packed-in crowd at Game 2 of the 2013 NBA finals at American Airlines Arena in Miami.

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs and Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat go for the jump ball at the start of Game 2.

Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat reacts in the first quarter while taking on the San Antonio Spurs.

Chris Andersen of the Miami Heat dunks the ball in the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs.

Danny Green of the San Antonio Spurs reacts after making a three-pointer in the first quarter against the Miami Heat.

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs goes up for a shot over Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat.

Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat blocks the shot of Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs in the first quarter.

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Photos: Game 2 of the NBA Finals

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Argentine Manu Ginobili turned in his finest performance of the series so far, adding 24 points and 10 assists.

The Spurs opened up a 20-point lead in the third quarter, with the crowd showing their appreciation with chants of “Ma-nu” as Gregg Popovich’s team closed on a first NBA title since 2007.

“I was having a tough time scoring, and I needed to feel like the game was coming to me, and I was being able to attack the rim, get to the free-throw line, and make a couple of shots,” said Ginobli.

“So it felt great when I heard that. To feel that I really helped the team to get that 20-point lead, it was a much-needed moment in the series. So I’m glad to see it happen.”

For the Heat, LeBron James and Dwayne Wade both scored 25 points as Miami continued a run which has seen the 2012 champions alternate between wins and losses over its last 12 playoff games.

Tuesday’s Game Six will see the series return to Miami’s American Airlines Arena, which will also stage Game Seven if it is required.

(CNN) — The score looked close, but Spain’s domination was all too apparent as the world champions began the Confederations Cup with a 2-1 victory over Uruguay on Sunday.

The eight-nation tournament is a warm-up for next year’s World Cup in Brazil, but on this evidence Vicente del Bosque’s team will once again be favored to lift the trophy.

“It’s very difficult to generate any kind of danger when you don’t touch the ball,” said Uruguay striker Luis Suarez, who scored a superb late consolation with a curling free-kick that matched the one by Italy’s Andrea Pirlo against Mexico earlier in the day.

“Spain is the best side in the world. They are a candidate to win the World Cup,” Suarez added.

His team trailed after 20 minutes of the Group B opener in Recife when Pedro’s volley was diverted into the net by captain Diego Lugano, completely wrongfooting goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.

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If that effort had a slice of luck, Spain’s second in the 32nd minute was straight from the counter-attacking guidebook.

Suarez lost the ball deep inside the opposing half, and seconds later it was in the Uruguay net as striker Roberto Soldado finished off a clever pass from Cesc Fabregas which beat the offside trap.

Read: Neymar stunner sets up Brazil win

With Spain in control, Uruguay’s frustrations grew — and the team which finished fourth at the 2010 World Cup and won the South American title the following year could have gone 3-0 down as Fabregas hit the inside of the post.

Suarez, who has been publicly courting a transfer from Liverpool to Real Madrid, showed flashes of the brilliance which made him one of the top scorers in the English Premier League last season.

His 88th-minute set-piece was too good for keeper Iker Casillas, who started the match despite being frozen out at Real in 2012-13 under the Spanish club’s former coach Jose Mourinho.

Italy joined hosts Brazil on three points in Group A after beating Mexico 2-1 at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.

Veteran Juventus midfielder Pirlo celebrated his 100th international appearance with the opening goal in the 27th minute, curling a superb right-foot shot past goalkeeper Jose Corona.

Read: ‘The man who made Brazil cry’

Javier Hernandez leveled before halftime from the penalty spot after Andrea Barzagli brought down Giovani dos Santos, but striker Mario Balotelli showed great strength to hold off two defenders and fire a 78th-minute winner.

However, he was booked for taking his shirt off in celebration — earning a rebuke from coach Cesar Prandelli.

“Mario needs to stop showing off his muscles. With celebrations like that, he’s only going to pick up pointless yellow cards,” Prandelli said.

“As for Pirlo, I don’t have words to describe what he did today. He’s the epitome of football and an example to everyone. He deserves a big round of applause. He gave us the lead and controlled the game.”

Mexico coach Manuel de la Torre said his players had hoped to play a cautious game and wear down the four-time World Cup winners.

“But we were up against a great side who were very well organized and made the most of their individual assets. That’s what made the difference,” said De la Torre, whose team suffered a first defeat since August.

(CNN) — It is one of the world’s richest clubs — and it needs fixing.

Enter Manuel Pellegrini — a man who knows his nuts and bolts when it comes to putting together a racing machine to rival those across Europe.

The 59-year-old Chilean, nicknamed “the engineer” thanks to a university qualification in civil engineering, is the coach Manchester City believes will get its new “holistic” project firing on all cylinders.

A year after leading City to its first league title in 44 years, Roberto Mancini was relieved of his duties and cast aside with the club’s patience finally exhausted with the Italian.

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Bust-ups with key players, disillusionment with the club’s transfer policy and fury at the board’s refusal to dampen speculation over his future sealed Mancini’s fate.

“Last season, City was a bit like a car which had all the best parts and was great when it fully functioned,” Times football writer Rory Smith told CNN.

“But it didn’t function enough and that has been the problem. They’ sleepwalked through most of the season.”

City are at a crossroads — the club’s owner Sheikh Mansour and chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak were left to watch great rival Manchester United wrestle back the league title, while the club’s European ambitions were blown apart.

Read: Mancini sacking no surprise for Balotelli

The impotent showing of Mancini’s team in the FA Cup final defeat by Wigan proved the final straw.

“The club was not where it needed to be,” a source close to the City owner told CNN.

Winning is a must — but City are looking to build a project and a long-term future to avoid becoming something of a Chelsea — a club which chops and changes managers more often than any other in the Premier League.

Holistic approach

In its statement issued following Mancini’s sacking, City claimed it wanted to “develop a holistic approach to all aspects of the football club.”

That word, “holistic” caused much mirth on social networking sites, with images of scented candles being used as floodlights and the sounds of dolphins being piped into the stadium through the PA system being thrown around on Twitter.

“I can see why the word made people laugh, but ‘holistic’ is the right word,” Smith added.

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“Pellegrini’s man management skills are excellent and people really look up to him.

“He won’t take any trouble from players either, players who talk back or who criticize him public.

“Mario Balotelli wouldn’t have lasted as long under Pellegrini.”

City’s superstar players won’t faze Pellegrini — egos will be left at the front door and those who fail to comply will quickly be shipped off elsewhere.

Record total

During his reign at Real Madrid four years ago, in which he led the side to a second place finish with 96 points, Pellegrini successfully dealt with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Kaka and Xabi Alonso.

Critics point out that he spent over $300 million only to finish second — but he did that with a total of points only four fewer than the La Liga record after finishing runners up to a magnificent Barcelona side.

It should also be pointed out that Pellegrini had little say in the purchases of those star players — with the orders coming from club president Florentino Perez.

Not even the “Special One” Jose Mourinho managed as many points in his debut season at the Santiago Bernabeu, despite spending millions more in an effort to catch Barcelona.

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“But I do have a couple of reservations. First, Pellegrini has always appeared to do better at smaller clubs, which can be built up such as Villarreal and Malaga.

“And also, the style of football is more South American than European. It’s more technical and isn’t really the ‘Barcelona way’.

“But he’s a very thoughtful and cultured man, he likes reading and he’s into his art and by all accounts is a very nice guy. I think he’ll be accepted by journalists, but what about the fans?”

Mancini’s departure has been welcomed with dismay by a large section of City’s support and Pellegrini’s rather quiet demeanor may do little to placate those who had already flirted with the prospect of luring the charismatic Mourinho, before his appointment by Chelsea.

(CNN) — As Justin Rose emerged onto the 18th fairway and saw his ball just yards from the spot where Ben Hogan fired his famous one iron to the green in 1950, he knew it was his moment to seize the U.S. Open crown.

The 32-year-old knew if he could repeat Hogan’s par on the notoriously tricky 18th hole at Merion in Pennsylvania he could end England’s 43-year wait for a champion in America’s national championship.

With thoughts of his late father Ken swirling round his mind, Rose struck a near-perfect approach shot and duly completed par.

When Phil Mickelson failed to birdie the same hole moments later, Rose had sealed his first major triumph.

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“I just had to stand up there and be counted,” he told CNN World Sport. “It was a major, it was my moment, it was stand up and deliver.

“It was a special moment when I walked over the hill and saw my ball sitting right there on the up slope in the middle of the fairway.

“Hogan definitely popped into my mind because I know he hit the green and two-putted to get into a playoff.

“Someone had chirped from the crowd ‘Rose, a good iron shot, two putts and its yours.’ And in a sense that was all I was trying to do at that point.”

Rose held his nerve at the end of a day that fluctuated wildly, as crowd favorite Phil Mickelson desperately tried to nail down victory in a tournament he had finished runner up in five times.

An audacious chip in for eagle from Mickleson at the tenth hole swung the momentum his way but Rose responded immediately, with birdies at the 12th and 13th.

And as he negotiated the fiendishly difficult closing stretch of holes in just one-over-par, it left Mickelson needing a birdie on the last to force a playoff.

He couldn’t, which left an emotional Rose with his own special moment on Father’s Day, as he remembered his dad Ken, who lost his battle with cancer in 2002.

“I’ve thought about my dad quite a bit this week,” Rose explained to Living Golf anchor Shane O’Donoghue.

“Saturday I was driving to the course and I looked in the rear view mirror and saw my eyes and that was one thing my dad always knew — he could tell by the look in my eyes if I was going to play well or not.

“I thought ‘I wonder how my dad thinks I’m going to play today.’ I always knew the U.S. Open finishes on Father’s Day and I’d been in contention most of the week and I really wanted that moment I could share with him and honor him.

“He sacrificed so much for me and taught me the game. I’ve seen Rory (McIlroy) celebrate with his dad, G-Mac (Graeme McDowell) celebrate with his dad.

“I’ve always thought that moment must just be so special and for me, today, it was special in my own way.”

The new world No. 3 burst onto the scene as an amateur at the 1998 British Open when he finished fourth. But that early promise stalled as he missed 21 cuts in a row after turning professional.

He has steadily been working his way towards the summit of the game with notable victories on the PGA Tour and a stellar showing for Europe in the Ryder Cup at Medinah last year.

But he revealed it is only recently he has felt his game was equipped to capture one of golf’s major prizes.

“I’ve been a pro a long time now — 14 or 15 years — but not until recently have I felt truly ready,” he said.

“You try and kid yourself you are ready but this is one of the first majors I’ve ever played where I came in knowing if I go about my business I’m going to be hard to beat.

“It’s just a really nice feeling to have that cleared off the plate now fairly early and it’s a lot of boyhood dreams paying off.”

(CNN) — Tahiti were handed a harsh introduction to the Confederations Cup as African champions Nigeria inflicted a 6-1 defeat on the minnows Monday.

But the team from the South Pacific at least had the consolation of scoring a memorable first goal in a senior FIFA competition to the delight of the crowd in the Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte.

Trailing 3-0 in the 54th minute, a corner was met by Jonathan Tehau, who headed home emphatically.

It was no more than Tahiti deserved for a spirited display and they celebrated in trademark style by forming a circle and pretending to use canoe paddles.

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But 15 minutes later, Tehau, one of three brothers in the squad, then undid his heroics by turning Nigeria’s fourth past his own goalkeeper.

Nnamdi Oduamadi went on to complete his hat-trick for the Super Eagles and Uwa Echiejile grabbed his second to complete the rout, but even at the final whistle all the plaudits were for Tahiti and they went of a lap of honor.

The tiny nation of less than 200,000 people had qualified for the Confederations Cup by winning the Oceania Nations Cup, beating the might of New Caledonia in the final after favorites New Zealand had exited at the semifinal stage.

Boasting only one full time professional, few had given them much of a chance against Nigeria, who have a population of over 160 million and have a clutch of players from leading European clubs.

Read: Confed Cup wins for Spain and Italy

Tahiti coach Eddy Etaeta and his players showed visible signs of emotion as their national anthem was played — each of them with flowers around their neck — a national custom.

Nigeria had arrived late on Sunday for the competition, reportedly as a result of a dispute of bonus payments, and despite the scoreline, would have left coach Stephen Keshi with some concerns.

Tahiti immediately took the game to them, but Nigeria went ahead after just five minutes due to a huge slice of fortune as Echiejile’s shot took a big deflection off Nicolas Vallar before finding its way into the net.

Oduamadi scored two more before halftime, but at the other end Tahiti also had opportunities.

Tehau’s goal was undoubtedly the highlight but the 138th ranked team in the world will have their work cut out with further Group B fixtures against world champions Spain and Copa America winners Uruguay.

Etaeta told the official FIFA website that his team’s first appearance on the international stage had been a dream come true.

“I was deeply moved, almost crying. We watch World Cups on TV. Today we were actors. Tahiti was watching. Our president sent us a message and suspended a cabinet meeting for it.”

Spain won their opener against Uruguay 2-1 Sunday and play Tahiti Thursday in the Maracana Stadium in Rio.

Uruguay and Nigeria also meet then in a match likely to decide second spot in the group.

Keshi knows they will need to improve on their display in the opener.

“It was a little bit difficult to up our game,” he told AFP.

“When you know you’re playing against, with all due respect, the Tahiti team, you think everything’s easy. They showed us that they can play football. Congratulations to them.”

Brazil, Mexico, Japan and Italy make up Group A of a tournament which is contested every four years by the winners of FIFA’s six confederations, plus the hosts and the reigning World Cup champions.

(CNN) — The San Antonio Spurs are one win away from winning the 2013 NBA championship after a 114-104 victory over the Miami Heat in Game Five of the Finals.

Spurs star guard Tony Parker showed no signs of the hamstring injury which hampered him during Game Four, scoring 26 points to delight the AT T Center crowd.

“It was a physical game. Great game. I was just trying to pace myself better, if I can say that, during the game,” the Frenchman told reporters.

“Or else I’d be out of gas like I did in Game Four, where in the second half I didn’t have enough juice and my hamstring was kind of fatigued. In this game I was trying to take my time and it helped.”

Miami Heat players LeBron James and Dwayne Wade hug after the Heat defeated the San Antonio Spurs 109-93 in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Thursday, June 13. The series is tied at 2-2. See photos from Game 3.

LeBron James of the Miami Heat tries to pass around Manu Ginobili during the fourth quarter.

Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat drives past Manu Ginobili in the fourth quarter.

Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs drives on Miami’s Norris Cole in the second half of the game.

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs shoots over Chris Bosh in the third quarter.

Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat battles for the ball against Tim Duncan of the Spurs in the first half.

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs reacts in the third quarter.

LeBron James of the Miami Heat goes up for a shot against Tim Duncan during the first half.

LeBron James of the Miami Heat takes a shot over Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs.

The Spurs’ Tony Parker lays the ball up against Udonis Haslem of the Heat.

LeBron James boxes out Kawhi Leonard.

LeBron James of the Heat defends the ball against Kawhi Leonard.

The Heat’s Chris Bosh goes up for a shot against Tim Duncan, left, and Manu Ginobili.

Tim Duncan of the Spurs puts pressure on LeBron James as he vies for position.

Head coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the first quarter.

Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs loses his footing as Dwayne Wade goes for the ball.

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Photos: Game 4 of the NBA Finals

Danny Green of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates with teammate Gary Neal as they take on the Miami Heat during Game 3 of the 2013 NBA Finals on Tuesday, June 11, in San Antonio. The Spurs defeated the Heat 113-77 and lead the series 2-1. See photos from Game 2.

From left, Miami Heat’s Mike Miller, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James talk during a break in the game.

Miami’s Chris Andersen goes for a rebound against the San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan, right, and Danny Green, left.

San Antonio’s Tim Duncan and Miami’s LeBron James battle for position.

Gary Neal of the San Antonio Spurs makes a three-pointer over Mike Miller of the Miami Heat during the second quarter.

Danny Green of the San Antonio Spurs reacts after making a three-pointer. Green has hit 12 straight threes going back to Game 2 and finished with 27 on the night.

Cory Joseph of the San Antonio Spurs and Norris Cole of the Miami Heat go after a loose ball in the second half.

The San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat face off in Game 3 of the 2013 NBA Finals on Tuesday, June 11, in San Antonio.

Mario Chalmers of the Miami Heat goes up for a shot against Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs in the first half.

Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles under pressure from Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat.

Manu Ginobili, right, congratulates Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs after scoring during the first half.

Chris Bosh, left, and LeBron James, center, of the Miami Heat box out Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs.

Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs drives on Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat in the first quarter.

LeBron James of the Miami Heat reacts after a call in the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs.

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs dunks the ball over Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat.

LeBron James of the Miami Heat looks to pass as he is guarded by Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs.

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs shoots over Udonis Haslem, center, and Chris Bosh, left, of the Miami Heat.

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Photos: Game 3 of the NBA Finals

Mike Miller of the Miami Heat reacts after making a three-pointer in the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs during Game 2 of the 2013 NBA Finals on Sunday, June 9, in Miami. The Heat defeated the Spurs 103-84 to tie the series 1-1. See photos from Game 1.

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs bows his head while taking on the Miami Heat during Game 2.

Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat tries to drive around Danny Green of the San Antonio Spurs in the third quarter.

LeBron James of the Miami Heat blocks the shot of Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs in the fourth quarter.

Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs uses a screen from Tim Duncan to get around LeBron James of the Miami Heat in the third quarter.

LeBron James of the Miami Heat goes up for a shot against Danny Green of the San Antonio Spurs.

LeBron James of the Miami Heat shoots over Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs during Game 2.

Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat and Manu Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs go after a loose ball.

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs goes to the basket against Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat during Game 2.

Danny Green of the San Antonio Spurs makes a three-pointer over Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat in the first quarter.

LeBron James of the Miami Heat drives against Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs.

Manu Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs goes up for a shot between Chris Bosh, left, and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat.

Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket against Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat.

It’s a packed-in crowd at Game 2 of the 2013 NBA finals at American Airlines Arena in Miami.

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs and Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat go for the jump ball at the start of Game 2.

Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat reacts in the first quarter while taking on the San Antonio Spurs.

Chris Andersen of the Miami Heat dunks the ball in the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs.

Danny Green of the San Antonio Spurs reacts after making a three-pointer in the first quarter against the Miami Heat.

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs goes up for a shot over Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat.

Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat blocks the shot of Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs in the first quarter.

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Photos: Game 2 of the NBA Finals

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Argentine Manu Ginobili turned in his finest performance of the series so far, adding 24 points and 10 assists.

The Spurs opened up a 20-point lead in the third quarter, with the crowd showing their appreciation with chants of “Ma-nu” as Gregg Popovich’s team closed on a first NBA title since 2007.

“I was having a tough time scoring, and I needed to feel like the game was coming to me, and I was being able to attack the rim, get to the free-throw line, and make a couple of shots,” said Ginobli.

“So it felt great when I heard that. To feel that I really helped the team to get that 20-point lead, it was a much-needed moment in the series. So I’m glad to see it happen.”

For the Heat, LeBron James and Dwayne Wade both scored 25 points as Miami continued a run which has seen the 2012 champions alternate between wins and losses over its last 12 playoff games.

Tuesday’s Game Six will see the series return to Miami’s American Airlines Arena, which will also stage Game Seven if it is required.

(CNN) — The score looked close, but Spain’s domination was all too apparent as the world champions began the Confederations Cup with a 2-1 victory over Uruguay on Sunday.

The eight-nation tournament is a warm-up for next year’s World Cup in Brazil, but on this evidence Vicente del Bosque’s team will once again be favored to lift the trophy.

“It’s very difficult to generate any kind of danger when you don’t touch the ball,” said Uruguay striker Luis Suarez, who scored a superb late consolation with a curling free-kick that matched the one by Italy’s Andrea Pirlo against Mexico earlier in the day.

“Spain is the best side in the world. They are a candidate to win the World Cup,” Suarez added.

His team trailed after 20 minutes of the Group B opener in Recife when Pedro’s volley was diverted into the net by captain Diego Lugano, completely wrongfooting goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.

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If that effort had a slice of luck, Spain’s second in the 32nd minute was straight from the counter-attacking guidebook.

Suarez lost the ball deep inside the opposing half, and seconds later it was in the Uruguay net as striker Roberto Soldado finished off a clever pass from Cesc Fabregas which beat the offside trap.

Read: Neymar stunner sets up Brazil win

With Spain in control, Uruguay’s frustrations grew — and the team which finished fourth at the 2010 World Cup and won the South American title the following year could have gone 3-0 down as Fabregas hit the inside of the post.

Suarez, who has been publicly courting a transfer from Liverpool to Real Madrid, showed flashes of the brilliance which made him one of the top scorers in the English Premier League last season.

His 88th-minute set-piece was too good for keeper Iker Casillas, who started the match despite being frozen out at Real in 2012-13 under the Spanish club’s former coach Jose Mourinho.

Italy joined hosts Brazil on three points in Group A after beating Mexico 2-1 at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.

Veteran Juventus midfielder Pirlo celebrated his 100th international appearance with the opening goal in the 27th minute, curling a superb right-foot shot past goalkeeper Jose Corona.

Read: ‘The man who made Brazil cry’

Javier Hernandez leveled before halftime from the penalty spot after Andrea Barzagli brought down Giovani dos Santos, but striker Mario Balotelli showed great strength to hold off two defenders and fire a 78th-minute winner.

However, he was booked for taking his shirt off in celebration — earning a rebuke from coach Cesar Prandelli.

“Mario needs to stop showing off his muscles. With celebrations like that, he’s only going to pick up pointless yellow cards,” Prandelli said.

“As for Pirlo, I don’t have words to describe what he did today. He’s the epitome of football and an example to everyone. He deserves a big round of applause. He gave us the lead and controlled the game.”

Mexico coach Manuel de la Torre said his players had hoped to play a cautious game and wear down the four-time World Cup winners.

“But we were up against a great side who were very well organized and made the most of their individual assets. That’s what made the difference,” said De la Torre, whose team suffered a first defeat since August.