Moscow (Russia) (AFP) – The internet turned cruel for Germany fans on Thursday as online mockery swept the globe following the defending champions' shock World Cup elimination. A stream of memes and jokes flooded social media after a stunning 2-0 defeat to South Korea condemned Die Mannschaft to their earliest exit in 80 years. "Don't […]

Sydney (AFP) – Australia must shed their inferiority complex and stop thinking of themselves as the "underdog", former national coach Ange Postecoglou said Thursday after their early World Cup exit. The Socceroos limped out of the tournament in Russia with a 2-0 defeat to Peru in Sochi on Tuesday, again paying for a lack of […]

Washington (AFP) – Wayne Rooney will arrive in Washington on Thursday to finalise his long-awaited Major League Soccer move to D.C. United, a source with knowledge of the situation told AFP Wednesday. The former England captain and Manchester United star is expected in the US capital to tie up the details of a two-and-a-half-year contract […]

Seoul (AFP) – South Korean fans rejoiced Thursday and called for national service exemptions after their team went out of the World Cup in a blaze of glory, eliminating defending champions Germany with a shock 2-0 victory. In one of the great World Cup upsets, Kim Young-gwon and Son Heung-min both scored in injury time […]

Kaliningrad (Russia) (AFP) – England and Belgium battle it out for top spot in their group on Thursday as the remaining teams at the World Cup digest Germany's astonishing exit from the tournament in Russia. Both sides — packed with Premier League talent — have sailed through Group G, winning their two games and are […]

Nizhniy Novgorod (Russia) (AFP) – Costa Rica coach Oscar Ramirez admitted he was unsure about his future after his team exited the World Cup Wednesday and he faces becoming the first World Cup managerial casualty. Ramirez has been under growing pressure back home after a disappointing Costa Rica followed up their 2014 quarter-final heroics by […]

Nizhniy Novgorod (Russia) (AFP) – Switzerland's coach insisted he was right to field a full-strength side against Costa Rica, even though two experienced defenders will miss the last 16 clash against Sweden with bookings. Captain Stephan Lichtsteiner and Fabian Schaer — who have almost 150 caps between them — are ruled out of the match […]

Moscow (AFP) – Brazil and star striker Neymar rediscovered their attacking flair with a confidence-boosting 2-0 win over Serbia Wednesday to get their World Cup campaign back on track. The victory fired Brazil into the last 16 and sent the Selecao's fans into party mode at Moscow's Spartak Stadium, raising hopes a sixth title is […]

Moscow (AFP) – Brazil eased into the World Cup knockout stages after defeating Serbia 2-0 here Wednesday, with superstar Neymar sparkling in a win which sets up a last 16 clash against Mexico. Paulinho put Brazil ahead with a superb dinked finish on 36 minutes before Neymar swung in a cross for Thiago Silva to […]

Mexico City (AFP) – Mexican fans plunged into anguish Wednesday by their team's drubbing by Sweden were left cheering for South Korea — exploding into celebration when the Asian side defeated Germany, putting Mexico into the World Cup knockout stage. Brimming with optimism after their team upset Germany in their World Cup opener and then […]

Moscow (AFP) – Brazil eased into the World Cup knockout stages after defeating Serbia 2-0 here Wednesday, with superstar Neymar sparkling in a win which sets up a last 16 clash against Mexico. Paulinho put Brazil ahead with a superb dinked finish on 36 minutes before Neymar swung in a cross for Thiago Silva to […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – Germany's defence of their World Cup crown ended in the group stage after they suffered a stunning defeat to South Korea on Wednesday. The four-time champions' exit amounts to one of the greatest shocks in the tournament's history, allowing Sweden and Mexico to go through while in Group E, Brazil and […]

Samara (Russia) (AFP) – Jose Pekerman has refused to entertain the prospect of seeing Colombia's stuttering World Cup campaign end with their final Group H clash against Senegal on Thursday. Despite following a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Japan with a decisive 3-0 win over Poland, Colombia need to beat the on-form Africans in Samara if […]

Kazan Arena (Russia) (AFP) – South Korea coach Shin Tae-yong hailed the unfancied Asians' momentous 2-0 World Cup victory over holders Germany on Wednesday but admitted it left him feeling "a little bit empty". A pair of late goals from Kim Young-gwon and Tottenham forward Son Heung-min, combined with a superb display from goalkeeper Jo […]

Nizhniy Novgorod (Russia) (AFP) – Switzerland moved through to the World Cup last 16 on Wednesday, after a draw over Costa Rica but will be without captain Stephan Lichtsteiner because of suspension. A 93rd minute own goal by the unfortunate keeper Yann Sommer from a Bryan Ruiz penalty gave the central American side a deserved […]