latest sport news
FIFA have been forced into a climbdown over changing the age limit for the men's Olympic football tournaments but look set to scrap over-age players.
Football's world governing body withdrew a proposal to restrict players in the London 2012 Games and beyond to under-21s after warnings the sport could be kicked out of the Olympics.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter suggested a likely scenario will be to keep the existing under-23 limit but with no over-age players. Three over-age players are allowed under current rules.
Blatter insisted that football's status as an Olympic sport was not at risk but said the size of the tournaments could be threatened.
Blatter told a news conference in Nassau: "There have been declarations by some members of the IOC executive board that if we are going to lower the age limit again that we will be kicked out of Olympics.
"I spoke with [IOC president] Rogge and he said that will not be the case but we could suffer with another principle - we have 28 teams involved, 16 men's and 12 women's and we could lose that privilege.''
A task force will now be set up to look at the issue and Blatter confirmed the scenario of only scrapping the three over-age players was a strong possibility.
He added: "Only fools never change their minds. It's a possibility we remain as 23 and stop the three over-age players - we don't play the under-17 tournament with three over-age players, that would be cheating.''
Blatter said another approach was that used in the 1984 and 1988 Olympics when there was no age limit but no player could have appeared in a previous World Cup.
FIFA's executive committee had voted in favour of the under-21 limit after last summer's Beijing Olympics when Werder Bremen and Barcelona successfully challenged their obligation to release Diego and Lionel Messi for the Games.
Meanwhile, the Congress also voted in favour of a declaration to keep working towards Blatter's '6+5 plan' for limits on foreign players and ban the international transfer of players under 18.
Blatter added: "6+5 will come - it's just a question of time.
"We have to do it within the existing law and it's not incompatible with the law but we don't want to fight. I will not go against the law but the law can be amended.''
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Jun 5, 2009
Capello: No excuses for England
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England manager Fabio Capello has warned his players that fatigue will be "no excuse" if they slip-up in their World Cup qualifying double-header.
England, who have an 100% record in Group Six, play Kazakhstan in Almaty on Saturday and then Andorra at Wembley next Wednesday.
Although Capello acknowledges some of his squad might feel a little tired following a long Premier League season, he still expects England to take another giant step towards qualification for South Africa 2010 by taking maximum points.
Capello said: "The problems of players, if they are tired or not, is no excuse. We have to play, we have to win and everyone who plays has to be very strong.
"At the end of the season, the players are not fresh like when we started. But we have to play two very important games against Kazakhstan and Andorra.
"There will be no excuses that we are tired or wanting a holiday. None of that."
England are five points clear of second placed Croatia in their group and Capello has "big confidence" that England will perform well at the 2010 World Cup, if they qualify as expected.
"First we have to get through to South Africa but I think we will be a very good team if we achieve that," the Italian said. "We are very strong and we can play against all the best teams of the best countries in the world.
"I am very happy with these players, with this group and I have big confidence in the future."
Capello is also happy to see Arsenal winger Theo Walcott return to the international fold for the first time in eight month since suffering his shoulder problem.
Walcott shot to prominence with his hat-trick in the 4-1 demolition of Croatia in Zagreb earlier in the campaign.
Capello said: "I think all the players are important, not only Theo Walcott. But he is good. We are happy that he is back because it is important for us."
Capello understands Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger's concerns over Walcott suffering from burn-out, as he will join up with the Under-21s for the European Championships in Sweden after the two World Cup games. But he points to the fact that Walcott missed a sizeable chunk of the campaign with his shoulder setback.
Capello said: "Theo is one of the players that played less games last season. He was injured for four months and now he has just started to be very fit.
"I followed him in the last games he played. Stuart Pearce (Under-21 coach) spoke with him and he was happy to play for the Under-21s and so after the seniors Theo will go with the Under-21s.
"I understand also all the managers at the start of the season like to have all the team together because pre-season is very important. For this reason, I understand Arsene (Wenger).
"But there are also the Confederation Cup, South American World Cup games and others going on during the summer."
Capello will assess the fitness of Rio Ferdinand after Saturday's game. He has not travelled to Almaty because of a back problem.
Capello said: "Rio was not fit so he stayed in England. We have played a lot of games without him and I have big confidence in Joleon Lescott and big confidence in Matthew Upson. There is no problem for the game.
"When we return to England, we will check the condition of Rio and if he is fit, he will stay with us."
Capello was also keen to play down reports of a training ground altercation between midfielder Gareth Barry and another player after the Manchester City newcomer had been challenged.
He said: "I was a player. I am a manager. During the training sometimes, some players after one tackle push the other one but on Thursday I saw nothing. Absolutely nothing."
England manager Fabio Capello has warned his players that fatigue will be "no excuse" if they slip-up in their World Cup qualifying double-header.
England, who have an 100% record in Group Six, play Kazakhstan in Almaty on Saturday and then Andorra at Wembley next Wednesday.
Although Capello acknowledges some of his squad might feel a little tired following a long Premier League season, he still expects England to take another giant step towards qualification for South Africa 2010 by taking maximum points.
Capello said: "The problems of players, if they are tired or not, is no excuse. We have to play, we have to win and everyone who plays has to be very strong.
"At the end of the season, the players are not fresh like when we started. But we have to play two very important games against Kazakhstan and Andorra.
"There will be no excuses that we are tired or wanting a holiday. None of that."
England are five points clear of second placed Croatia in their group and Capello has "big confidence" that England will perform well at the 2010 World Cup, if they qualify as expected.
"First we have to get through to South Africa but I think we will be a very good team if we achieve that," the Italian said. "We are very strong and we can play against all the best teams of the best countries in the world.
"I am very happy with these players, with this group and I have big confidence in the future."
Capello is also happy to see Arsenal winger Theo Walcott return to the international fold for the first time in eight month since suffering his shoulder problem.
Walcott shot to prominence with his hat-trick in the 4-1 demolition of Croatia in Zagreb earlier in the campaign.
Capello said: "I think all the players are important, not only Theo Walcott. But he is good. We are happy that he is back because it is important for us."
Capello understands Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger's concerns over Walcott suffering from burn-out, as he will join up with the Under-21s for the European Championships in Sweden after the two World Cup games. But he points to the fact that Walcott missed a sizeable chunk of the campaign with his shoulder setback.
Capello said: "Theo is one of the players that played less games last season. He was injured for four months and now he has just started to be very fit.
"I followed him in the last games he played. Stuart Pearce (Under-21 coach) spoke with him and he was happy to play for the Under-21s and so after the seniors Theo will go with the Under-21s.
"I understand also all the managers at the start of the season like to have all the team together because pre-season is very important. For this reason, I understand Arsene (Wenger).
"But there are also the Confederation Cup, South American World Cup games and others going on during the summer."
Capello will assess the fitness of Rio Ferdinand after Saturday's game. He has not travelled to Almaty because of a back problem.
Capello said: "Rio was not fit so he stayed in England. We have played a lot of games without him and I have big confidence in Joleon Lescott and big confidence in Matthew Upson. There is no problem for the game.
"When we return to England, we will check the condition of Rio and if he is fit, he will stay with us."
Capello was also keen to play down reports of a training ground altercation between midfielder Gareth Barry and another player after the Manchester City newcomer had been challenged.
He said: "I was a player. I am a manager. During the training sometimes, some players after one tackle push the other one but on Thursday I saw nothing. Absolutely nothing."
Rijkaard appointed coach at Galatasaray
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Frank Rijkaard will replace Bulent Korkmaz as coach at Galatasaray, the Turkish club said on Friday.
Galatasaray did not provide further details but broadcaster CNN Turk said Rijkaard, 46, would arrive in Istanbul on Friday afternoon.
"Galatasaray professional football team has appointed Frank Rijkaard technical director. We wish him success in his new role," said a brief statement from the club.
Former Barcelona coach Rijkaard was set to sign a two-year deal with Galatasaray in a ceremony at 8 pm (1700 GMT), the web site of the Milliyet daily newspaper reported.
It said the deal was reached after Galatasaray chairman Adnan Polat travelled to Spain two days ago and followed the club's failure to reach agreement with Juande Ramos and Bernd Schuster.
Johan Neeskens would join Dutchman Rijkaard at the club in a deal worth around €4m, the report said.
Galatasaray, UEFA Cup champions in 2000 and 17 times domestic champions, had a disappointing season and finished fifth in the league, 10 points adrift of champions Besiktas.
Former Galatasaray captain Korkmaz had been appointed in February in place of Michael Skibbe, who was sacked after a poor run of results. Korkmaz had a contract until the end of the 2009-2010 season.
Rijkaard took charge of Barcelona in 2003 after four years of underachievement and led them to back-to-back league titles and victory in the Champions League in 2006. He left the club in May last year.
During his time at Barcelona he earned plaudits for his commitment to open, attacking football, unflappable temperament and skilful management of high-profile players.
Frank Rijkaard will replace Bulent Korkmaz as coach at Galatasaray, the Turkish club said on Friday.
Galatasaray did not provide further details but broadcaster CNN Turk said Rijkaard, 46, would arrive in Istanbul on Friday afternoon.
"Galatasaray professional football team has appointed Frank Rijkaard technical director. We wish him success in his new role," said a brief statement from the club.
Former Barcelona coach Rijkaard was set to sign a two-year deal with Galatasaray in a ceremony at 8 pm (1700 GMT), the web site of the Milliyet daily newspaper reported.
It said the deal was reached after Galatasaray chairman Adnan Polat travelled to Spain two days ago and followed the club's failure to reach agreement with Juande Ramos and Bernd Schuster.
Johan Neeskens would join Dutchman Rijkaard at the club in a deal worth around €4m, the report said.
Galatasaray, UEFA Cup champions in 2000 and 17 times domestic champions, had a disappointing season and finished fifth in the league, 10 points adrift of champions Besiktas.
Former Galatasaray captain Korkmaz had been appointed in February in place of Michael Skibbe, who was sacked after a poor run of results. Korkmaz had a contract until the end of the 2009-2010 season.
Rijkaard took charge of Barcelona in 2003 after four years of underachievement and led them to back-to-back league titles and victory in the Champions League in 2006. He left the club in May last year.
During his time at Barcelona he earned plaudits for his commitment to open, attacking football, unflappable temperament and skilful management of high-profile players.
Ibrahimovic open to Barcelona offer, says agent
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Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic would welcome a move to European champions Barcelona, according to his agent.
Reports have been rife that the two clubs are discussing a deal after Inter president Massimo Moratti was spotted meeting Barca counterpart Joan Laporta in a hotel in Spain.
"I only know that if the two clubs find an agreement we would not have trouble agreeing with Barcelona," agent Mino Raiola told reporters.
Spanish daily Marca are reporting that Ibrahimovic could cost the Catalan club £60m, while Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport claim Inter want Barca striker Samuel Eto'o and a £30m transfer fee in return for their star player.
Ibrahimovic, who finished the season as Serie A's top scorer, has previously stated that he has "won everything in Italy" and hinted that it was time to move on to a new challenge.
"I don't know what else I can still do in Italy," Ibrahimovic told Sky Italia earlier this week. "When I arrived here many criticised me, saying I was a fantastic player, but I couldn't score goals.
"Now I have won the Capocannoniere (top scorer) title and proved myself. I could not have done any better than this. I have won five Scudetti (league titles), the Super Cup, I'm missing the Coppa Italia, but that's okay."
If Ibrahimovic were to leave for Spain, it would be another huge blow to Italy's top flight with AC Milan's Kaka also on the brink of signing for Real Madrid.
Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic would welcome a move to European champions Barcelona, according to his agent.
Reports have been rife that the two clubs are discussing a deal after Inter president Massimo Moratti was spotted meeting Barca counterpart Joan Laporta in a hotel in Spain.
"I only know that if the two clubs find an agreement we would not have trouble agreeing with Barcelona," agent Mino Raiola told reporters.
Spanish daily Marca are reporting that Ibrahimovic could cost the Catalan club £60m, while Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport claim Inter want Barca striker Samuel Eto'o and a £30m transfer fee in return for their star player.
Ibrahimovic, who finished the season as Serie A's top scorer, has previously stated that he has "won everything in Italy" and hinted that it was time to move on to a new challenge.
"I don't know what else I can still do in Italy," Ibrahimovic told Sky Italia earlier this week. "When I arrived here many criticised me, saying I was a fantastic player, but I couldn't score goals.
"Now I have won the Capocannoniere (top scorer) title and proved myself. I could not have done any better than this. I have won five Scudetti (league titles), the Super Cup, I'm missing the Coppa Italia, but that's okay."
If Ibrahimovic were to leave for Spain, it would be another huge blow to Italy's top flight with AC Milan's Kaka also on the brink of signing for Real Madrid.
Jun 2, 2009
Dubai owners to launch bid for AC Milan?
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The ruler of Dubai is preparing an offer to purchase 40 percent of AC Milan for about 400 million euros, claim reports in an Italian newspaper.
Click Here
AC Milan's owner Fininvest SpA, the holding company of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's family, could get the offer this week, MF business newspaper reported.
The bid from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum could include an option to buy the rest of AC Milan in two years, it said.
Milan have denied any talks were under way. Asked in a television interview late on Monday about sale of the club, Berlusconi said, "You, like all other journalists, are completely divorced from reality."
The ruler of Dubai is preparing an offer to purchase 40 percent of AC Milan for about 400 million euros, claim reports in an Italian newspaper.
Click Here
AC Milan's owner Fininvest SpA, the holding company of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's family, could get the offer this week, MF business newspaper reported.
The bid from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum could include an option to buy the rest of AC Milan in two years, it said.
Milan have denied any talks were under way. Asked in a television interview late on Monday about sale of the club, Berlusconi said, "You, like all other journalists, are completely divorced from reality."
Safina fights back to reach semis
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Top seed Dinara Safina survived a stern test from Belarus teenager Victoria Azarenka to reach the semi-finals of the French Open with a 1-6 6-4 6-2 win.
Azarenka attacked from the start and broke three times in the first set.
The Russian was pushed hard in a tight second set too but found it easier in the decider as Azarenka lost her way.
Safina will play Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova in the last four after the 20th seed ended Maria Sharapova's revival in style, crushing her 6-0 6-2.
Safina had steamrollered her way through her first four matches in Paris - dropping only five games in total - but found Azarenka a different proposition and was quickly a set down after some punishing rallies.
The 19-year-old moved last year's runner-up around the court effectively and had enough power to put her in trouble - taking the set in just 23 minutes.
I guess you could only ask your body to do so much. Everything fell a little short today. The pace wasn't there on my strokes, and I was five steps slower
Maria Sharapova
Safina responded to break and lead 2-1 at the start of the second set and suddenly Azarenka's serve looked vulnerable, with double faults costing her dear as she cracked again to trail 4-1.
But even then, the ninth seed refused to yield and showed the determination that has seen her win three Tour titles this year as she clawed her way back to 4-4.
Big-hitting Safina, 23, needed to reassert herself, and did so in style, immediately breaking again on her way to levelling the match.
And she maintained her momentum in the third set, keeping her cool while Azarenka allowed her emotions to run away with her - hurling her racquet around the court as the match slipped away.
Safina quickly opened out a decisive 4-1 lead before serving out for a hard-fought victory.
"She was playing well, and basically I was not doing anything to complicate it," Safina said of her slow start. "I started to fight point by point just trying to change a little bit.
606: DEBATE
Well done Safina - that was a tough test and with steely determination she passed it
MrInvisible
"She started to miss much more. I think she was missing way too much today. In third set, every time I was break up, but I was always struggling to hold my serve. I'm not really happy with my game today."
Azarenka admitted: "I had lots of chances but didn't take them.
"She stepped it up when she needed to and played well at the key moments. I just have to learn to try and do better next time."
Sharapova, who was playing in only her second tournament after nine months off with a shoulder injury, never looked like continuing her progress.
Cibulkova, 20, won the first 11 games of their match and Sharapova only got on the board after saving a match point with a rare forehand winner.
The former world number one, whose ranking has slipped to 102nd, did at least hold up Cibulkova by winning two games and saving three more match points but she was eventually beaten after an hour and 15 minutes.
"I don't really care about numbers," said Sharapova after the worst Grand Slam defeat of her career. "It's either a 'W' or an 'L', and I prefer 'W'. You know, if it's 7-6 in the third and you come out with a loss, I mean, what's the difference?"
She added: "I guess you could only ask your body to do so much. Everything fell a little short today. The pace wasn't there on my strokes, and I was five steps slower."
Cibulkova said: "It was, I think, more surprising for the people who don't know me, maybe for the crowd, but today I was playing really solid."
The other women's quarter-finals, between Sorana Cirstea and Samantha Stosur and Svetlana Kuznetsova and Serena Williams, will be played on Wednesday.
Top seed Dinara Safina survived a stern test from Belarus teenager Victoria Azarenka to reach the semi-finals of the French Open with a 1-6 6-4 6-2 win.
Azarenka attacked from the start and broke three times in the first set.
The Russian was pushed hard in a tight second set too but found it easier in the decider as Azarenka lost her way.
Safina will play Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova in the last four after the 20th seed ended Maria Sharapova's revival in style, crushing her 6-0 6-2.
Safina had steamrollered her way through her first four matches in Paris - dropping only five games in total - but found Azarenka a different proposition and was quickly a set down after some punishing rallies.
The 19-year-old moved last year's runner-up around the court effectively and had enough power to put her in trouble - taking the set in just 23 minutes.
I guess you could only ask your body to do so much. Everything fell a little short today. The pace wasn't there on my strokes, and I was five steps slower
Maria Sharapova
Safina responded to break and lead 2-1 at the start of the second set and suddenly Azarenka's serve looked vulnerable, with double faults costing her dear as she cracked again to trail 4-1.
But even then, the ninth seed refused to yield and showed the determination that has seen her win three Tour titles this year as she clawed her way back to 4-4.
Big-hitting Safina, 23, needed to reassert herself, and did so in style, immediately breaking again on her way to levelling the match.
And she maintained her momentum in the third set, keeping her cool while Azarenka allowed her emotions to run away with her - hurling her racquet around the court as the match slipped away.
Safina quickly opened out a decisive 4-1 lead before serving out for a hard-fought victory.
"She was playing well, and basically I was not doing anything to complicate it," Safina said of her slow start. "I started to fight point by point just trying to change a little bit.
606: DEBATE
Well done Safina - that was a tough test and with steely determination she passed it
MrInvisible
"She started to miss much more. I think she was missing way too much today. In third set, every time I was break up, but I was always struggling to hold my serve. I'm not really happy with my game today."
Azarenka admitted: "I had lots of chances but didn't take them.
"She stepped it up when she needed to and played well at the key moments. I just have to learn to try and do better next time."
Sharapova, who was playing in only her second tournament after nine months off with a shoulder injury, never looked like continuing her progress.
Cibulkova, 20, won the first 11 games of their match and Sharapova only got on the board after saving a match point with a rare forehand winner.
The former world number one, whose ranking has slipped to 102nd, did at least hold up Cibulkova by winning two games and saving three more match points but she was eventually beaten after an hour and 15 minutes.
"I don't really care about numbers," said Sharapova after the worst Grand Slam defeat of her career. "It's either a 'W' or an 'L', and I prefer 'W'. You know, if it's 7-6 in the third and you come out with a loss, I mean, what's the difference?"
She added: "I guess you could only ask your body to do so much. Everything fell a little short today. The pace wasn't there on my strokes, and I was five steps slower."
Cibulkova said: "It was, I think, more surprising for the people who don't know me, maybe for the crowd, but today I was playing really solid."
The other women's quarter-finals, between Sorana Cirstea and Samantha Stosur and Svetlana Kuznetsova and Serena Williams, will be played on Wednesday.
Inspired Gonzalez sees off Murray
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Andy Murray's dream of winning a first Grand Slam title in Paris was ended by Fernando Gonzalez, who outclassed him to reach the French Open semi-finals.
The British number one knew all about the Chilean's huge forehand but could not cope with it in the first set.
Murray responded strongly to level the match but only won seven points as the 12th seed ran away with the third set.
Gonzalez kept up the pressure in the fourth, sealing a 6-3 3-6 6-0 6-4 win, and he will meet Robin Soderling next.
Soderling's defeat of defending champion Rafael Nadal in the fourth round had opened up Murray's half of the draw but the Scot, who had never gone past the third round at Roland Garros before this year, was unable to produce the performance he needed to take advantage.
"I have to give him a lot of credit," said Murray afterwards. "I've played against him before and he hits it hard, but today he was hitting it huge.
I had my chances but didn't take them and he came up with some big shots in the mean time
Andy Murray
"It's easy to look from the side and think you could have done this, you could have done that, but the guy was just hitting it so hard."
"The start of the third set was disappointing. I had a couple of chances to hold serve and I didn't take them, and at the end of the match I played poorly."
Gonzalez, 28, is an expert on clay who came into their quarter-final in superb form and he maintained that standard for most of the match, producing some stunning shots.
Murray matched him for most of the first set but could not find a way past his opponent's fearsome forehand and, at 3-4, was broken for the first time when he followed his first double-fault at 30-all with a poor approach shot on break point that was a gift for Gonzalez.
There was no way back in the first set for the Scot but he managed a vast improvement in the second, digging in from the back of the court and patiently waiting for errors.
Gonzalez was still going for big winners but mistakes were creeping into his game and, after he cracked on serve at 2-3, Murray kept his cool to serve out for the set.
At that stage it looked like the third seed was on top but he inexplicably collapsed, winning just seven points in the third set as Gonzalez wrapped it up without the loss of a game in just 24 minutes.
606: DEBATE
Not everyone will be able to hit that many winners against Murray, so hats off to Gonzo
knee_high
The fourth set was a lot closer but the damage was done and more mistakes by Murray - and some fantastic tennis by Gonzalez - quickly put him in trouble again when he was broken to trail 3-5.
Murray responded brilliantly when Gonzalez served for the match, breaking back to love, but his frustrating day was summed up when he promptly disintegrated again in the next game to hand victory to his rival.
"I guess he's a better clay-court player," added Murray, who has never won a title on this surface. "I had my chances but didn't take them and he came up with some big shots in the mean time.
"No-one's hit the ball that big. If that happens, sometimes you've got to say, 'too good'.
"If you look at some of the shots he's hit, he's hitting forehands from a metre wide of the tramlines on some points - and hitting winners off them.
"Even if you try to hit a ball to his backhand, he runs around and spanks a winner. You can't do a whole lot about that."
Gonzalez, who had not dropped a set in his four previous matches, said his tactic was to try to put Murray under pressure.
The world number 12 explained: "I was playing really hard and I tried to dominate with my forehand.
Robin Soderling
Soderling celebrates after reaching his first Grand Slam semi-final
"I know he's not used to the ball bouncing high because he doesn't play on clay much. I took every chance that he gave me and that was really important in the fourth set."
He progresses to only his second Grand Slam semi-final, where he will meet Soderling after the 23rd seed from Sweden crushed Nikolay Davydenko to triumph 6-1 6-3 6-1.
Soderling, who like Gonzalez possesses a powerful forehand, recovered from a slow start to end up an easy winner and explained: "I was a little bit lucky in the beginning.
"I saved two break points in the first game and I broke him straightaway. So instead of maybe being down 2-0 I was up 2-0, and then I think from then I played very well."
Davydenko, who turned 28 on Tuesday, was given the runaround and said afterwards: "He played faster.
"It was very good control from the baseline. Normally, he never had this. I tried to run, but I am not Nadal."
The remaining men's quarter-finals take place on Wednesday, with Juan Martin del Potro taking on Tommy Robredo and Roger Federer playing Gael Monfils.
Andy Murray's dream of winning a first Grand Slam title in Paris was ended by Fernando Gonzalez, who outclassed him to reach the French Open semi-finals.
The British number one knew all about the Chilean's huge forehand but could not cope with it in the first set.
Murray responded strongly to level the match but only won seven points as the 12th seed ran away with the third set.
Gonzalez kept up the pressure in the fourth, sealing a 6-3 3-6 6-0 6-4 win, and he will meet Robin Soderling next.
Soderling's defeat of defending champion Rafael Nadal in the fourth round had opened up Murray's half of the draw but the Scot, who had never gone past the third round at Roland Garros before this year, was unable to produce the performance he needed to take advantage.
"I have to give him a lot of credit," said Murray afterwards. "I've played against him before and he hits it hard, but today he was hitting it huge.
I had my chances but didn't take them and he came up with some big shots in the mean time
Andy Murray
"It's easy to look from the side and think you could have done this, you could have done that, but the guy was just hitting it so hard."
"The start of the third set was disappointing. I had a couple of chances to hold serve and I didn't take them, and at the end of the match I played poorly."
Gonzalez, 28, is an expert on clay who came into their quarter-final in superb form and he maintained that standard for most of the match, producing some stunning shots.
Murray matched him for most of the first set but could not find a way past his opponent's fearsome forehand and, at 3-4, was broken for the first time when he followed his first double-fault at 30-all with a poor approach shot on break point that was a gift for Gonzalez.
There was no way back in the first set for the Scot but he managed a vast improvement in the second, digging in from the back of the court and patiently waiting for errors.
Gonzalez was still going for big winners but mistakes were creeping into his game and, after he cracked on serve at 2-3, Murray kept his cool to serve out for the set.
At that stage it looked like the third seed was on top but he inexplicably collapsed, winning just seven points in the third set as Gonzalez wrapped it up without the loss of a game in just 24 minutes.
606: DEBATE
Not everyone will be able to hit that many winners against Murray, so hats off to Gonzo
knee_high
The fourth set was a lot closer but the damage was done and more mistakes by Murray - and some fantastic tennis by Gonzalez - quickly put him in trouble again when he was broken to trail 3-5.
Murray responded brilliantly when Gonzalez served for the match, breaking back to love, but his frustrating day was summed up when he promptly disintegrated again in the next game to hand victory to his rival.
"I guess he's a better clay-court player," added Murray, who has never won a title on this surface. "I had my chances but didn't take them and he came up with some big shots in the mean time.
"No-one's hit the ball that big. If that happens, sometimes you've got to say, 'too good'.
"If you look at some of the shots he's hit, he's hitting forehands from a metre wide of the tramlines on some points - and hitting winners off them.
"Even if you try to hit a ball to his backhand, he runs around and spanks a winner. You can't do a whole lot about that."
Gonzalez, who had not dropped a set in his four previous matches, said his tactic was to try to put Murray under pressure.
The world number 12 explained: "I was playing really hard and I tried to dominate with my forehand.
Robin Soderling
Soderling celebrates after reaching his first Grand Slam semi-final
"I know he's not used to the ball bouncing high because he doesn't play on clay much. I took every chance that he gave me and that was really important in the fourth set."
He progresses to only his second Grand Slam semi-final, where he will meet Soderling after the 23rd seed from Sweden crushed Nikolay Davydenko to triumph 6-1 6-3 6-1.
Soderling, who like Gonzalez possesses a powerful forehand, recovered from a slow start to end up an easy winner and explained: "I was a little bit lucky in the beginning.
"I saved two break points in the first game and I broke him straightaway. So instead of maybe being down 2-0 I was up 2-0, and then I think from then I played very well."
Davydenko, who turned 28 on Tuesday, was given the runaround and said afterwards: "He played faster.
"It was very good control from the baseline. Normally, he never had this. I tried to run, but I am not Nadal."
The remaining men's quarter-finals take place on Wednesday, with Juan Martin del Potro taking on Tommy Robredo and Roger Federer playing Gael Monfils.
Spain name strong squad for Confederations Cup
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Spain squad: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Reina (Liverpool), Diego Lopez (Villarreal); Raul Albiol (Valencia), Alvaro Arbeloa (Liverpool ), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Xabi Alonso, (Liverpool), Sergi Busquets (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Villarreal), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Xavi (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), David Silva (Valencia), Juan Manuel Mata (Valencia), Albert Riera (Liverpool); Daniel Guiza (Fenerbache), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), David Villa (Valencia).
Spain squad: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Reina (Liverpool), Diego Lopez (Villarreal); Raul Albiol (Valencia), Alvaro Arbeloa (Liverpool ), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Xabi Alonso, (Liverpool), Sergi Busquets (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Villarreal), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Xavi (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), David Silva (Valencia), Juan Manuel Mata (Valencia), Albert Riera (Liverpool); Daniel Guiza (Fenerbache), Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Fernando Torres (Liverpool), David Villa (Valencia).
Barry completes £12m move to Manchester City
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Gareth Barry has complered his surprise move from Aston Villa to Manchester City for a fee of £12m.
The 28-year-old England international was heavily linked with a move to Premier League rivals Liverpool last summer but the Reds were unwilling to meet Villa's asking price of £18m.
He has signed a five-year contract at Eastlands after 12 years and more than 400 games for Villa.
It is thought Barry will be paid £80,000-a-week at City.
Barry had been offered a lucrative new deal to keep him at Villa Park while manager Martin O'Neill and Villa owner Randy Learner had both said they would be willing to run down the 28-year-old's existing contract if it meant keeping him for another season.
Barry has previously expressed his desire to join a club in the Champions League but City finished six places and 22 points behind this season's top four, all of whom qualified for Europe's top club competition.
City did not even qualify for next season's revamped Europa League with Everton, Villa and Fulham claiming the three places for English clubs.
Gareth Barry has complered his surprise move from Aston Villa to Manchester City for a fee of £12m.
The 28-year-old England international was heavily linked with a move to Premier League rivals Liverpool last summer but the Reds were unwilling to meet Villa's asking price of £18m.
He has signed a five-year contract at Eastlands after 12 years and more than 400 games for Villa.
It is thought Barry will be paid £80,000-a-week at City.
Barry had been offered a lucrative new deal to keep him at Villa Park while manager Martin O'Neill and Villa owner Randy Learner had both said they would be willing to run down the 28-year-old's existing contract if it meant keeping him for another season.
Barry has previously expressed his desire to join a club in the Champions League but City finished six places and 22 points behind this season's top four, all of whom qualified for Europe's top club competition.
City did not even qualify for next season's revamped Europa League with Everton, Villa and Fulham claiming the three places for English clubs.
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