Moscow (AFP) – Croatia captain Luka Modric said being awarded the Golden Ball for the World Cup's best player was "bittersweet" after losing the final 4-2 to France on Sunday. "Obviously I liked the recognition and thanks to those who chose me, but clearly I would have preferred to have won the World Cup," said […]

Moscow (AFP) – Didier Deschamps said France were "swimming in happiness" after his players interrupted his post-World Cup final press conference, dancing and showering their manager in drinks as they celebrated their 4-2 win over Croatia. The coach was about to start speaking when the squad came into the room packed full of journalists at […]

Buenos Aires (AFP) – Argentina have parted company with coach Jorge Sampaoli following their poor World Cup campaign, the federation announced on Sunday. "Today the Argentine football federation and Jorge Sampaoli agreed by mutual consent to bring to an end his position as head of the national team," the AFA said in a statement. The […]

Moscow (AFP) – President Emmanuel Macron was pictured cheering from the stadium, got drenched in the rain on the pitch, then attempted to "dab" with the players in the changing room Sunday after France's victory in the World Cup. The football-loving 40-year-old leapt to his feet to celebrate France's goals as he attended the game […]

Moscow (AFP) – Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said his side had run out of luck after they conceded a controversial penalty awarded by VAR in the 4-2 World Cup final defeat against France on Sunday. With the score level at 1-1, Argentine referee Nestor Pitana changed his initial decision and awarded a spot-kick, converted by […]

Moscow (AFP) – France celebrated their second World Cup win 20 years after their maiden triumph on Sunday, overcoming a passionate Croatia side 4-2 in one of the most gripping finals in recent history. The breathless victory under stormy skies at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium means Didier Deschamps' side — balancing youthful vitality and tournament nous […]

Moscow (AFP) – President Vladimir Putin said Russia could be "proud" of its hosting of the football World Cup, judging it a success "in every respect" after Sunday's final. "We can surely be proud of how we organised this tournament," Putin said in televised comments after France's victory against Croatia. "We have made this grand […]

Paris (AFP) – France erupted in joy on Sunday as the country clinched the World Cup, with fans streaming into the streets, honking car horns and flying the tricolore flag at the start of an enormous national celebration. Cheers rang out throughout the country for each of four goals in the final as "Les Bleus" […]

Zagreb (AFP) – Heartbroken but proud Croatian fans in Zagreb cheered and wept as their "heroes" went down 4-2 to France in the World Cup final in Moscow on Sunday. On the final whistle applause from tens of thousands of Croatian fans rang out through the capital's main Jelacic square as many lit flares and […]

Paris (AFP) – Congratulations rolled in for France's football team on Sunday after their young side triumphed over Croatia 4-2 in an incredible World Cup final in Moscow. Hhere are the most notable reactions so far: – France – French President Emmanuel Macron simply said "MERCI" (thank you) to the football team on Twitter after […]

Moscow (AFP) – Croatia captain Luka Modric won the Golden Ball award for the World Cup's best player despite being on the losing side to France in a thrilling final in Moscow on Sunday. Modric was named man-of-the-match three times in Croatia's seven games in Russia, but even the Real Madrid midfielder was powerless to […]

Moscow (AFP) – France won their second World Cup 20 years after their maiden triumph on Sunday, seeing off a dogged and desperate Croatia side who refused to lie down in one of the most electrifying finals in recent years. The breathless 4-2 victory under stormy skies at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium means Didier Deschamps' side […]

Moscow (AFP) – England's Harry Kane won the World Cup Golden Boot award as top scorer with six goals. The Tottenham star topped the chart by two goals ahead of a group including Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe, who both scored in France's 4-2 defeat of Croatia in Sunday's final. Kane is the first England […]

Moscow (AFP) – France won their second World Cup 20 years after their maiden triumph on Sunday, seeing off a dogged and desperate Croatia side who refused to lie down in one of the most electrifying finals in recent years. The breathless 4-2 victory under stormy skies at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium means Didier Deshchamps' side […]

Paris (AFP) – France erupted in joy on Sunday as the country clinched the World Cup, with fans streaming into the streets, honking car horns and flying the tricolore flag at the start of an enormous national celebration. Cheers rang out throughout the country for each of four goals in the final as "Les Bleues" […]