Moscow (AFP) – Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov believes the World Cup hosts' shock victory over title contenders Spain on penalites following a 1-1 draw in the last 16 on Sunday "is only the beginning". Captain Igor Akinfeev saved two penalties as Russia triumphed 4-3 in a dramatic shootout in Moscow to reach a first quarter-final […]

Moscow (AFP) – Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta said Sunday his international career had ended on a bitter note after his side were knocked out of the World Cup by Russia on penalties. "It was not a good way to say goodbye, but football and life are like that," said Iniesta, after his 131st and last […]

Moscow (AFP) – Spain coach Fernando Hierro said it was not the right time to contemplate his future after his team crashed out to World Cup hosts Russia on penalties in the last 16. Koke and Iago Aspas saw their spot-kicks saved by Igor Akinfeev as Russia prevailed 4-3 in a shootout following a 1-1 […]

Moscow (AFP) – President Vladimir Putin told Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov nobody was going to judge his team if they lost to Spain in the World Cup last 16 on Sunday — a match they improbably won. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said after Russia knocked the 2010 champions out on penalties in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium […]

Samara (Russia) (AFP) – Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio believes an unfettered attacking approach can help El Tri end a double hoodoo by beating Brazil on Monday to advance to their first World Cup quarter-finals since 1986. And if he gets a helping hand from Italian referee Gianluca Rocchi when it comes to monitoring Brazil […]

Samara (Russia) (AFP) – Brazil coach Tite says Neymar is back to his best as the five-time champions take on Mexico here on Monday for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals. Neymar has made a slow start to the tournament, showing glimpses of skill but drawing criticism for diving in an attempt to win […]

Rostov-on-Don (Russia) (AFP) – Japan have the spirit and mentality to reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history, coach Akira Nishino said on Sunday ahead of his side's last-16 clash against Belgium. The Asian side have reached the first knockout round twice before — in 2002 and 2010 — but […]

Moscow (AFP) – Host nation Russia stunned 2010 winners Spain in a penalty shootout to reach the World Cup quarter-finals on Sunday, holding their nerve in scenes of high drama in Moscow. Goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev was the hero, saving spot-kicks from Koke and Iago Aspas as Russia won 4-3, sparking emotional scenes as the rain […]

Moscow (AFP) – Goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev said Russia's game plan had been to hold on for a penalty shootout after the host nation beat Spain on spot-kicks Sunday to reach the World Cup quarter-finals. Spain dominated the last-16 match but after centre-back Sergei Ignashevich gifted them the opening goal on 12 minutes, Russia drew level […]

Moscow (AFP) – Russia captain Igor Akinfeev saved two penalties in a dramatic shootout as the World Cup hosts dumped title contenders Spain out in the last 16 following a 1-1 draw. Veteran Russia centre-back Sergei Ignashevich gifted Spain the opening goal on 12 minutes in Moscow when he unwittingly turned into his own net […]

Rostov-on-Don (Russia) (AFP) – Eden Hazard says Belgium have a new level of maturity as they prepare to take on Japan, eyeing a World Cup quarter-final spot against Brazil or Mexico. A so-called "golden generation" of Belgian stars are running out of time to win a major title but Hazard said they have a chance […]

London (AFP) – Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has tipped Gareth Southgate's team to beat Colombia in the World Cup last 16 but said his native Sweden would be tough opponents if they meet in the quarter-finals. Eriksson — who coached England to two successive World Cup quarter-finals, in 2002 and 2006 — said he […]

Paris (AFP) – Tour de France organisers have formally blocked four-time champion Chris Froome from competing in this year's race, Le Monde reported Sunday, but he is expected to fight the move. The Team Sky star has been under a cloud since he was found to have twice the permissible amount of asthma drug Salbutamol […]

Kazan Arena (Russia) (AFP) – France players and the world's press hailed Kylian Mbappe as an emerging superstar after the 19-year-old eclipsed Lionel Messi in a match that felt like the passing of a torch to a new generation. Mbappe's speed and power ruthlessly exposed Argentina's defence in Kazan in a thrilling 4-3 victory on […]

Repino (Russia) (AFP) – England captain Harry Kane believes he can score every time he sets foot on the pitch in Russia after netting five goals in his first two World Cup appearances. Kane leads the race for the Golden Boot but was kept in reserve by Gareth Southgate for a 1-0 defeat to Belgium that […]