Diego Lugano, who captained Uruguay to a memorable semi-final appearance at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, has announced his retirement to bring down the curtain on a glittering 19-year playing career. A stoic but athletic centre-back, Lugano enjoyed a fruitful decade-long career for La Celeste, which ended in 2014. Lugano debuted during the unsuccessful qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup, before appearing on the world stage in 2010 as Uruguay finished fourth, and he also represented his nation four years later in Brazil. Lugano earned 95 caps, winning the Copa America in 2011, and featuring at the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013. Now 37,... FIFA.com -
Tag: boots
Vardy the big plus as Dutch cool England’s boots
England have a new man of the moment in Leicester City's rags-to-riches hero Jamie Vardy. After hitting his first international goal with a brilliantly instinctive backheel in Saturday's 3-2 victory over Germany in Berlin, Vardy struck his first Wembley goal last night and produced an impressive all-round performance in the 2-1 defeat against an under-strength but impressively disciplined Netherlands side.It was not just his goal. His hunger had two Dutch players scrambling to clear the ball in an early incident in their box which epitomised the forward's tireless harrying of opponents. In the second half he nearly had a second goal with a long-distance drive that warmed goalkeeper...