Moscow (AFP) – France are world champions for a second time as Les Bleus ran wild while Croatia's energy reserves ran dry to win a thrilling World Cup final 4-2 in Moscow on Sunday. Didier Deschamps's men also had luck on their side as they led 2-1 at half-time thanks to Mario Mandzukic's own goal […]

Moscow (AFP) – Goals from Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe, as well as a controversial VAR-awarded penalty, helped France beat Croatia 4-2 in an incredible World Cup final in Moscow on Sunday to lift the trophy for the second time in their history. In a match that had a bit of everything, Mario Mandzukic scored […]

Turin (Italy) (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo has landed in Turin ahead of his official unveiling as Juventus' superstar summer signing on Monday afternoon, the Serie A champions announced on Sunday. "Now arriving in Turin: @Cristiano!" the club wrote on its Twitter account, alongside a photo of Ronaldo with his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez in front of […]

Moscow (AFP) – The World Cup in Russia has been hailed as a success by foreign visitors but treated with more caution by locals dubious that their seemingly new-found freedoms will survive once the circus moves on. Russia's vibrant world of social media is often a good place to measure the nation's pulse after something […]

London (AFP) – West Ham have signed Lazio's Brazilian midfielder Felipe Anderson for a club-record transfer fee on a four-year deal, the Premier League side announced on Sunday. The 25-year-old moves after five years in Serie A to the London Stadium in a deal reported to be around £35 million (40 million euros). "The deal […]

Moscow (AFP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin knows the legacy of his World Cup will be judged partly by the fate of the stadiums after the tournament and he is determined they are put to good use. Russia has spent at least $4 billion (3.4 billion euros) on arena construction and refurbishments for the […]

Zagreb (AFP) – Excitement reached fever-pitch levels in Croatia as the small nation counted down to its first-ever World Cup final against France on Sunday. France, the 1998 winners, are firm favourites to win the match at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium but Croatia, led by Luka Modric on the pitch, have the players to spring a […]

Paris (AFP) – French fans dared to dream of a World Cup victory on Sunday as they prepared to watch the final on a sunny summer weekend after a tournament that has lifted spirits and led to a rare sense of national unity. Across the country, parks, bars and balconies have been transformed into a […]

Moscow (AFP) – Kylian Mbappe and Luka Modric — at different ends of their careers — have dazzled in Russia to help propel France and Croatia to Sunday's World Cup final. Four years ago Germany were in the same position, but the holders were sent home in the group stages, while another chance of World […]

Paris (AFP) – French fans dared to dream of a World Cup victory on Sunday as they prepared to watch the game on a sunny summer weekend after a tournament that has lifted spirits and led to a rare sense of national unity. Football fever has slowly built over the last four weeks as the […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Former Spain World Cup winner Fernando Torres, who has signed for Japanese side Sagan Tosu, said Sunday he will do his best to lead the team to victory in the J-League. The former Liverpool, Chelsea and Spain striker, who left Atletico Madrid this summer after returning to his boyhood club in 2015, […]

Washington (AFP) – England career goals leader Wayne Rooney was thrilled at his triumphant Major League Soccer debut Saturday, assisting on a goal in DC United's 3-1 victory over Vancouver. The 32-year-old striker, star attraction in the opening match for United's new 20,000-seat stadium, entered in the 58th minute. Former Manchester United star Rooney helped […]

Paris (AFP) – French fans dared to dream of a World Cup victory on Sunday as they prepared to watch the game on a sunny summer weekend after a tournament that has lifted spirits and led to a rare sense of national unity. Football fever has slowly built over the last four weeks as the […]

Washington (AFP) – England all-time goals leader Wayne Rooney made a triumphant Major League Soccer debut as a reserve Saturday, assisting on a goal in DC United's 3-1 rout of Vancouver. The 32-year-old striker, the star attraction in the opening match for United's new 20,000-seat stadium, entered in the 58th minute and helped set up […]

Moscow (AFP) – Croatia face France in Moscow on Sunday attempting to win their first World Cup while Didier Deschamps' side are aiming to land their second title two decades on from their triumph on home soil. France will also be spurred on by trying to put behind them the bitter disappointment of losing the […]