Madrid (AFP) – He may not have added the World Cup to his Euro 16 success and hattrick of Champions Leagues. But with another Ballon d'Or looking likely and a move to Juventus complete, Cristiano Ronaldo's status is as much that of multinational as footballer. The 33-year–old had long ago moved onto another plane in […]

London (AFP) – "Time for Lift Off! Moscow Awaits". England's Jesse Lingard captured the mood of a nation barely able to contain its excitement as the World Cup semi-final against Croatia looms. An estimated 32 million people across Britain are expected to tune in at 1800 GMT on Wednesday as Gareth Southgate's team take the […]

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. Gareth Southgate's England side are hoping their young legs can carry them past a Croatia team who have […]

Zagreb (AFP) – Excitement was building in Croatia on Wednesday ahead of the World Cup semi-final against England, with tens of thousands of fans expected to watch the match on public screens across the country. The side led by Luka Modric, have been feted as national heroes for their run to the last four in […]

Paris (AFP) – France's march into the World Cup final dominated the nation's headlines on Wednesday, with many already predicting a second title for "Les Bleus" in Moscow on Sunday no matter who they face. "The Blue Dream Continues" wrote Le Figaro after a night of celebrations by fans who poured into the streets after […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – France have a much-vaunted attack but it is their defence marshalled by Samuel Umtiti and Raphael Varane that is impressing at the World Cup — at both ends of the pitch. Centre-back Umtiti scored the only goal in Tuesday's semi-final to condemn Belgium's 'golden generation' to the third-place playoff in Russia. […]

Madrid (AFP) – Spanish authorities said Wednesday they were bringing in police backup to the party resort of Benidorm ahead of the World Cup semi-final pitting England against Croatia, after English fans caused havoc in previous games. "We've asked for extra police forces to come from other regions," Juan Carlos Fulgencio, the central government's representative […]

Moscow (AFP) – They may not make it to the World Cup final, but the schoolboy team rescued from a flooded cave in Thailand have been hailed as "heroes" by top footballers and clubs after their dramatic ordeal. Paul Pogba, Manchester United and Barcelona were among the masses around the world to breathe a sigh […]

London (AFP) – Paul Gascoigne wants Gareth Southgate's young England team to turn his tears of despair into tears of joy by winning Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against Croatia. The troubled former star, who has endured a long struggle with alcohol, dazzled at the World Cup in Italy in 1990 during England's run to the […]

Mae Sai (Thailand) (AFP) – Schooled as a monk and now hailed a hero, football coach Ekkapol Chantawong is one of several stateless members of the "Wild Boars", a team whose survival after days trapped in a flooded Thai cave fixated a country that does not recognise them as citizens. Coach Ek, the 25-year-old who […]

Milan (AFP) – US hedge fund Elliott announced it has taken over Italian giants AC Milan after the club's Chinese owners failed to repay debt, saying the deal opened "a new chapter" for the football institution. Elliott Management pledged to inject 50 million euros ($59 million) to bring financial stability to the seven-time European champions […]

Moscow (AFP) – England will seek to reach their first World Cup final since 1966 when they lock horns with a talented Croatia team on Wednesday for the right to play France for the trophy. France reached the final for the third time in their history on Tuesday when a second-half header from Samuel Umtiti […]

London (AFP) – Around 32 million people across Britain are expected to tune in on Wednesday hoping Gareth Southgate can steer England into the World Cup final for the first time in 52 years. The manager has caught the eye in Russia as much for his sartorial elegance as his success with his young team, […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – Paul Pogba dedicated France's World Cup semi-final win against Belgium to the 12 boys who survived a harrowing ordeal trapped underground in Thailand. The final five members of a young football team were rescued from a flooded Thai cave on Tuesday after spending 18 harrowing days trapped deep inside, completing an […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – France reached their third World Cup final after overcoming Belgium on Tuesday, sparking scenes of unconfined joy in Paris as tens of thousands of people poured into the streets. In scenes reminiscent of France's 1998 World Cup win, delirious crowds surged up the Champs-Elysees avenue and surrounded the Arc de Triomphe, […]