Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid have dismissed as "absolutely untrue" reports of a 310 million-euro ($360-million) bid for Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar that sparked rumours he could serve as a replacement if superstar Cristiano Ronaldo leaves the Spanish giants. The colossal transfer claim, which would dwarf the 222 million-dollar deal that made Neymar the world's most expensive player […]

Nizhniy Novgorod (Russia) (AFP) – Luis Suarez is confident Uruguay can nullify the threat from France's teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe, as they prepare for their World Cup quarter-final clash later this week. Talking to reporters at the South American team's Bor training camp near Nizhny Novgorod, where Friday's last-eight match takes place, Suarez said he […]

Berlin (AFP) – Germany coach Joachim Loew will remain in his job despite the World Cup holders' shock elimination in the group phase in Russia, the German Football Association (DFB) said on Tuesday. The DFB said Loew, who has been in the job for 12 years, had told German football chiefs he wanted to carry […]

London (AFP) – England international defender Calum Chmbers is willing to battle to gain a first choice place at Arsenal after signing a long term contract on Tuesday. The 23-year-old — whose international career has stalled since joining Arsenal from Southampton in 2014 with the last of his three caps coming four years ago — […]

Nizhniy Novgorod (Russia) (AFP) – Streetwise and tough yet with a razor-sharp edge, Uruguay have moved serenely into the World Cup quarter-finals, ignoring the chaos that has swamped former winners Argentina and Spain. Uruguay have shown in Russia they are extremely difficult to beat yet sometimes underwhelming — all things you could have predicted from […]

Warsaw (AFP) – Adam Nawalka is standing down as coach of Poland after his team's disappointing World Cup performance. Poland left Russia propping up their first round group after defeats to Senegal and Colombia, before salvaging some pride with a closing 1-0 win over Japan. "I feel responsible for the fact that at the World […]

Moscow (AFP) – England chase their first win in a tournament knockout match for 12 years on Tuesday as they face Colombia after the World Cup draw opened up invitingly for Harry Kane's team. In a tournament full of surprises, Gareth Southgate's young England team are the only former champions left in the lower half […]

Berlin (AFP) – Germany coach Joachim Loew will remain in his job despite the World Cup debacle which saw the holders crash out after the group stages, according to reports on Tuesday. Both Germany's best-selling daily Bild and Sport Bild magazine say the 58-year-old will stay on to rebuild the national team, which finished bottom […]

Moscow (AFP) – A new injury to James Rodriguez, this time to his right calf, has thrust the mercurial Juan Fernando Quintero back into the foreground ahead of Colombia's World Cup clash against England. For the 25-year-old Quintero, it will be another chance to direct his team's attack after the playmaker showcased his often latent […]

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid have dismissed as "absolutely untrue" reports of a 310 million-euro ($360-million) bid for Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar. The colossal transfer claim was made by Spain's public television station TVE on Monday evening. Real were quick to knock it down, saying in a statement they had not been consulted by TVE before […]

Rostov-on-Don (Russia) (AFP) – Eden Hazard admitted memories of Belgium's shock Euro 2016 defeat to Wales haunted him during their stunning 3-2 last-gasp win over Japan to reach the World Cup quarter-finals. "We are just so happy to go through," said Belgium captain Hazard, who was the man of the match in Rostov, as his […]

Tokyo (AFP) – From Tokyo bars to a Buddhist temple, for millions of Japanese football fans the emotions were the same — pinch-me optimism to crushing disappointment, all in the space of 25 agonising minutes. As dawn broke over the country, during the closing stages of Japan's last 16 match with Belgium in Rostov-on-Don, the […]

Rostov-on-Don (Russia) (AFP) – Belgium produced one of the great World Cup comebacks on Monday to beat Japan 3-2 and set up an attractive-looking quarter-final clash against Neymar's Brazil. Substitute Nacer Chadli was Belgium's hero on a humid night in Rostov-on-Don, scoring in the fourth minute of injury time to seal the dramatic victory. Japan […]

Rostov-on-Don (Russia) (AFP) – Eden Hazard praised Belgium's fighting spirit after the Red Devils came from two goals down to beat Japan 3-2 and advance to a World Cup quarter-final showdown against Brazil. "We are just so happy to go through to the quarter-finals," said Belgium's captain Hazard, who was the man-of-the-match in Rostov. "Things […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – A frustrated talent at club level, Xherdan Shaqiri tends to save his best for the big international stage with Switzerland and is putting himself in the shop window at the World Cup. Relegated from the Premier League with Stoke City this season, Shaqiri's sprint from halfway and finish in the final […]