Saint Petersburg (AFP) – Roberto Martinez has emphatically silenced those who doubted whether he was the right man to lead Belgium's "golden generation" in their bid for World Cup glory following his struggles with Premier League club Everton. Belgium are in the last four for just the second time in their history, and will meet […]

Moscow (AFP) – England were Sunday looking forward to their first World Cup semi-final since 1990 as host nation Russia came to terms with the end of their extraordinary run following defeat on penalties to Croatia. Gareth Southgate's young team swept Sweden aside 2-0 on Saturday, sparking mass celebrations in England where at least 20 […]

Madrid (AFP) – Fernando Hierro, who stood in as Spain coach when Julen Lopetegui was sacked on the eve of the World Cup, will not continue in the role, the Spanish football federation said Sunday. Under the former Real Madrid and Spain defender, who had little previous coaching experience, 2010 winners Spain lost on penalties […]

Moscow (AFP) – Croatia defender Domagoj Vida faced possible disciplinary sanctions from FIFA after posting a clip dedicating his country's victory over Russia in the World Cup quarter-final to Ukraine. Vida scored an extra-time goal and one of Croatia's penalties in a 4-3 shootout win over the World Cup hosts in Sochi on Saturday. Croatia […]

Zagreb (AFP) – Croatian media on Sunday praised their team after the dramatic win on penalties against World Cup hosts Russia that set up a semi-final against England. "Moscow, Croatians are arriving! Dear England, it's so nice to see you again!" read the Sportske Novosti paper. "Croatian dream continues," the paper said, remembering the success […]

Berlin (AFP) – The father of Mesut Ozil said Sunday his son should quit Germany's national squad after he was "made the scapegoat" for Die Mannschaft's shock first-round defeat at the World Cup. Ozil, 29, has come in for hefty criticism in Germany after the World Champions crashed out in Russia, finishing bottom of their […]

Moscow (AFP) – England celebrated reaching the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in a generation as Russia came to terms Sunday with a heartbreaking exit from their own party. Gareth Southgate's young team swept Sweden aside 2-0, sparking scenes of unconfined joy in London and elsewhere as World Cup fever reached new heights […]

Moscow (AFP) – The impassioned shouts of "Ros-si-ya" died away on the streets and tears filled the stadium as Russia bowed out of their home World Cup in the cruellest fashion: on penalties. The men in red exceeded the wildest expectations by coming within a penalty kick here and a save against Croatia of making […]

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Luka Modric admitted Croatia were shattered after they ended Russia's World Cup hopes in another penalty shootout on Saturday to advance to a semi-final against England. Ivan Rakitic scored the winning spot-kick in Sochi at the end of a draining and rollercoaster last-eight clash that finished 2-2 after extra time. Brazilian-born […]

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Ivan Rakitic is hoping this Croatia team can go a step further after matching the country's heroes of 1998 by making it to the semi-finals of the World Cup. Barcelona midfielder Rakitic scored the decisive spot-kick as Croatia beat Russia 4-3 on penalties after a dramatic quarter-final in Sochi on Saturday […]

London (AFP) – English media heaped praise on Gareth Southgate's team for reaching the World Cup semi-finals and told the country to cancel plans for Wednesday evening when they face Croatia seeking a place in the final. "Wednesday's cancelled! Fans go wild as Three Lions reach first World Cup semi-final for 28 years," said the […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho and family members have been victims of racist insults on social media since his World Cup own goal on Friday, when Brazil was eliminated by Belgium in the quarterfinals of the World Cup in Russia. Several internet users referred to the Manchester City player as a "monkey," […]

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Croatia captain Luka Modric said his side showed character on Saturday to get through "another drama" after edging to a second straight shootout win to knock out Russia and set up a World Cup semi-final with England. Zlatko Dalic's men thought they had won the game when centre-back Domagoj Vida put […]

Zagreb (AFP) – Tens of thousands of Croatians poured onto the streets to celebrate victory in the "match of a generation" against World Cup hosts Russia on Saturday after a dramatic penalty shootout that sets up a semi-final against England. The game in Sochi was locked at 2-2 after extra-time but Croatia held their nerve […]

Samara (Russia) (AFP) – England reached their first World Cup semi-final since 1990 on Saturday, comfortably beating Sweden to set up a last-four clash against Croatia, who ended Russia's fairytale run in a nailbiting penalty shootout. Gareth Southgate's young team started their match in Samara as firm favourites and had too much for the Swedes, […]