Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo cannot beat Uruguay all by himself. That is the message from Portugal coach Fernando Santos to his team ahead of Saturday's World Cup last-16 clash in Sochi. Ronaldo has scored four times in Russia but Portugal have already shown that they can win without him — they beat France […]

London (AFP) – Newcastle United on Friday completed the signing of South Korea international Ki Sung-yueng on a free transfer after the midfielder decided to leave relegated Swansea at the end of the last Premier League season. The 29-year-old has signed a two-year deal and becomes Newcastle's second signing of the summer following the arrival of Martin […]

Kazan Arena (Russia) (AFP) – Coach Jorge Sampaoli has called on Argentina to lift their game to the level of "genius" Lionel Messi when they look to seal a World Cup quarter-final place with victory over France on Saturday. The tone of Argentina's so far ragged bid for the title was set when Messi missed […]

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Criticised for his lack of sharpness in Uruguay's opening game at the World Cup, Luis Suarez insists he is in better shape now as he goes head to head with Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in the last 16. The 31-year-old had a desperate day in front of goal as Uruguay eventually […]

Montevideo (AFP) – Argentina and Uruguay have helped stoke up the excitement at this World Cup but it's the calming effects of mate — a herbal tea both countries claim as their national drink — which may be their lasting gift to the tournament. Aficionados like Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have been helping to […]

Moscow (AFP) – FIFA referees committee chairman Pierluigi Collina said on Friday he was "pleased" with the impact of the video assistant referee (VAR) system during the group stage of the World Cup. After experiments in different FIFA tournaments, Serie A in Italy and the German Bundesliga this season, VAR has made its World Cup […]

Kazan Arena (Russia) (AFP) – France coach Didier Deschamps admitted France must raise their game as they prepare to face Argentina and Lionel Messi in a World Cup last 16 clash on Saturday. Two years after losing to Portugal in the final of Euro 2016, a star-studded but underperforming French side desperately need to find […]

Moscow (AFP) – FIFA said video assistant referee (VAR) crews conducted checks on 335 incidents during the World Cup group stage, helping achieve a 99.3 percent rate of correct decisions. The VAR system is being used at a World Cup for the first time in Russia. "335 incidents were checked by the VAR team. All […]

Bondy (France) (AFP) – Only a short cycle up the canal from central Paris towards the French capital's deprived northern suburbs lies Bondy, the hometown of boy wonder Kylian Mbappe. Until recently, next to the canal and the busy flyovers, on the side of a block of flats, was a mural of Mbappe, arms crossed […]

London (AFP) – Marouane Fellaini signed a new two-year contract with Manchester United on Friday, ending speculation the Belgium midfielder would join Arsenal. Fellaini's United deal was due to expire this weekend and Arsenal's new boss Unai Emery was reported to have made an approach to sign him. Having originally offered Fellaini only a one-year […]

Moscow (AFP) – Complaints spreading on social media from fans, reporters and officials at the football World Cup have cast a spotlight on sexist behaviour during the competition in Russia this month. Here are five of the issues: – Obscene songs, phrases – Clips have spread online of fans from various countries singing obscene songs […]

Moscow (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi take centre stage as the World Cup shifts into high gear at the weekend with the start of the knockout matches in the loaded top half of the draw. Football heavyweights France, Argentina, Portugal and Brazil are all clustered in one section of the competition, with only […]

London (AFP) – Southampton signed Norway forward Mohamed Elyounoussi from Swiss club Basel in a deal worth a reported £16 million ($21 million) on Friday. Morocco-born Elyounoussi agreed a five-year contract with the Premier League club and Saints boss Mark Hughes said: "Mohamed is clearly another very exciting addition to our attacking options." The 23-year-old […]

Moscow (AFP) – FIFA said it had no plans to change its fair play criteria that allowed Japan to qualify for the last 16 of the World Cup at the expense of Senegal in controversial circumstances. Japan and Senegal were both locked on four points in Group H with identical goal differences and the same […]

Kaliningrad (Russia) (AFP) – Gareth Southgate is finally experiencing the level of scrutiny that comes with being England manager at a World Cup as his gamble to make eight changes in losing 1-0 to Belgium comes under the microscope. By finishing second to the Red Devils in Group G, England avoided a loaded top half […]