Paris (AFP) – After 23 seasons as one of the unmovable pillars of Italian football, Gianluigi Buffon is experimenting with life abroad as he signs for Paris Saint-Germain at the age of 40. The veteran keeper has remained rooted in his native Italy through almost 900 club games for Parma and then Juventus and a […]

Paris (AFP) – Veteran Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has joined Paris Saint-Germain on a one-year deal, the French Ligue 1 champions announced on Friday. The 40-year-old 2006 World Cup winner joins the big-spending Parisian side days after his contract with Juventus ended in June. "We all feel an immense pride in welcoming Gianluigi Buffon into […]

Samara (Russia) (AFP) – England manager Gareth Southgate called on his players to "keep making history" he targets a first World Cup semi-final appearance since 1990 when they take on Sweden in Samara. Southgate's youthful side ended England's 12-year wait to win a knockout match at a major tournament after they scraped past Colombia on […]

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Croatia have ended up on the losing side in previous meetings with the host nation at the World Cup, but they are relishing facing Russia in the quarter-finals on Saturday. The teams clash at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi having both reached this stage thanks to penalty shootout victories in the […]

Paris (AFP) – President Emmanuel Macron will attend France's World Cup semi-final in Russia, his office confirmed Friday, as ally Britain pursues a diplomatic boycott of the tournament over a nerve agent attack. Macron had promised to attend the match if France reached the semi-finals Tuesday in Saint Petersburg, and the confirmation came shortly after […]

Nizhny Novgorod (Russia) (AFP) – France coach Didier Deschamps warned there is more to come from his side after they comfortably beat Uruguay 2-0 on Friday to become the first side to reach the World Cup semi-finals. A fine header from Raphael Varane and an Antoine Griezmann shot that was fumbled by Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando […]

Nizhny Novgorod (Russia) (AFP) – France became the first nation to book their place in the World Cup semi-finals on Friday, making an ominous statement of intent in easing past Uruguay 2-0 as Neymar's Brazil prepared to take on Belgium. Uruguay were dealt a devastating blow before kick-off in Nizhny Novgorod when Paris Saint-Germain forward […]

Nizhny Novgorod (Russia) (AFP) – A disappointed Oscar Tabarez conceded that his Uruguay side were second best in their World Cup quarter-final loss to France on Friday, which saw the European side progress to the last four. The veteran coach, who has been in charge of Uruguay for 12 years in his second spell as […]

Nizhny Novgorod (Russia) (AFP) – France coach Didier Deschamps said his side can still get better despite beating Uruguay 2-0 to reach the World Cup semi-finals on Friday. Raphael Varane's fantastic header and a goalkeeping howler by Fernando Muslera to gift Antoine Griezmann a goal saw France ease to victory in a far more comfortable […]

Nizhny Novgorod (Russia) (AFP) – France became the first team to reach the World Cup semi-finals as goals from Raphael Varane and Antoine Griezmann gave them a deserved 2-0 victory over Uruguay on Friday. It is the first time France have been in the last four since 2006 and sets up a mouth-watering clash against […]

Berlin (AFP) – Defender Gotoku Sakai has become the third Japanese player to retire from international duty on the heels of the squad's heartbreaking World Cup exit following a last-gasp defeat to Belgium. "I have always tried to support the team, but I couldn't return the trust with performances," the 27-year-old Sakai, who plays for […]

Berlin (AFP) – In the wake of their shock World Cup exit, Germany team boss Oliver Bierhoff has said Mesut Ozil should have been dropped over a pre-tournament scandal involving Turkey president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Ozil, 29, is one of a group of senior players slammed for woeful performances in Russia as Germany finished bottom […]

Moscow (AFP) – Harry Kane is leading the race for the World Cup Golden Boot as he bids to become the first England player to win the prize since Gary Lineker 32 years ago. The clean-cut skipper is on the fast track to virtual sainthood in England, matching Lineker's tally of six goals from 1986 […]

Prague (AFP) – Czech goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik has moved from Swiss top-flight side Basel to Sevilla in La Liga on a three-year deal, his agent said Friday, without disclosing the price. "I was happy at Basel, I spent wonderful years there and I'd like to thank the club," the 29-year-old said on the website of […]

London (AFP) – Manchester United and their new big signing Brazilian Fred will face Leicester City in the first game of the Premier League season after their home match was moved to Friday, August 10, due to television demands. United's neighbours and reigning champions Manchester City will have to wait until Sunday for their first […]