Sachsenring (Germany) (AFP) – Championship leader Marc Marquez said he will use his victory in last week's epic Assen race as motivation going into Sunday's German Moto GP at Sachsenring. The Repsol Honda rider finished atop the podium in the Netherlands after an incredible race that saw the first 15 riders cross the line just […]

Moscow (AFP) – A young and daring England made millions of fans believe the World Cup was "coming home" but old traits of failed campaigns returned at the wrong time to see a historic opportunity to reach a first World Cup final for 52 years slip away. A long night in Moscow on Wednesday, that […]

Moscow (AFP) – Manager Gareth Southgate said England "left everything out there" after falling to an extra-time defeat by Croatia in the World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday. England were hoping to reach a first World Cup final since 1966, but let an early lead slip to lose 2-1. "I think in the first half we […]

London (AFP) – An initial wave of elation turned to heartbreak as 30,000 beer-soaked fans in London's Hyde Park on Wednesday watched England lose an early lead in the World Cup semi-final against Croatia and come up short once again. "I'm really, really sad," said a tearful Laura Russon, 31, clutching an empty bottle of […]

Zagreb (AFP) – Tears and cries of joy, hugs and chants, firecrackers and flares — Croatia was on fire late Wednesday after their victory against England set up a first ever appearance in a World Cup final. "Croatia in World Cup finals! It is so beautiful! Miracle of all miracles in Russia!" the state-run HRT […]

Moscow (AFP) – Croatia reached the first World Cup final in their young history on Wednesday, prolonging England's decades of pain as they set up a decider against France with a 2-1 win. Luka Modric's team fell behind in just the fifth minute but hit back through Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic to win a […]

Moscow (AFP) – England captain Harry Kane could not hide his desperate disappointment after his side's 2-1 extra-time defeat against Croatia in the semi-finals of the World Cup in Moscow on Wednesday. "We're gutted. It hurts, it hurts a lot," Kane said after the match at the Luzhniki Stadium. "It's going to hurt for a […]

Moscow (AFP) – Mario Mandzukic scored the winning goal deep in extra time as Croatia beat England 2-1 in an utterly gripping World Cup semi-final in Moscow on Wednesday to set up a final date with France. The Juventus forward netted in the 109th minute to complete a remarkable comeback from a shattered Croatian team […]

Moscow (AFP) – Mario Mandzukic struck an extra-time winner as Croatia defeated England 2-1 on Wednesday to advance to the World Cup final for the first time in the country's history. Kieran Trippier's maiden international goal fired England ahead early in Moscow, but Ivan Perisic levelled in the second half before Mandzukic sent Croatia through […]

Doha (AFP) – FIFA said Wednesday it is preparing to take legal action in Saudi Arabia against pirate broadcasters illegally showing World Cup matches in the kingdom. In a statement, issued only four days before the end of the tournament, football's governing body also called on Saudi Arabia and other countries to crack down on […]

Moscow (AFP) – England will attempt to reach the World Cup final for the first time since 1966 on Wednesday when they face a talented Croatia team for the right to play France for football's biggest prize. In front of 80,000 spectators at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium, Gareth Southgate's England side are hoping their young legs […]

Zagreb (AFP) – Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic gave her US counterpart Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May Croatia jerseys Wednesday ahead of the World Cup semi-final against England. The president posted photographs on her Twitter account showing her with Trump and May holding red and white jerseys bearing their respective names in meetings […]

Rome (AFP) – Chelsea are closing in on naming Maurizio Sarri as their new head coach and signing Napoli midfielder Jorginho, the Serie A club's president Aurelio De Laurentiis revealed on Wednesday. The Blues have been chasing Sarri, who is still under contract with Napoli despite Carlo Ancelotti becoming their new coach, as the replacement […]

London (AFP) – Ukraine international Andriy Yarmolenko will flourish at his new club West Ham because manager Manuel Pellegrini is the perfect coach to get the best out of him, according to director of football Mario Husillos. The 28-year-old forward — scorer of 35 goals in his 77 appearances for his country — signed a […]

Rome (AFP) – Italian media was bubbling with enthusiasm Wednesday after Serie A club Juventus announced the 100 million-euro "deal of the century" and wrestled superstar Cristiano Ronaldo from European champions Real Madrid. The country's number one daily the Corriere della Sera led the cries of joy at Ronaldo's arrival by acclaiming a "dream come […]