Moscow (AFP) – Brazil left-back Marcelo was forced off in the 10th minute of his side's crucial World Cup Group E clash with Serbia in Moscow on Wednesday with an injury. Visibly struggling, the Real Madrid defender was initially reluctant to leave the pitch, before being replaced by his Atletico Madrid counterpart Filipe Luis. Marcelo […]

Kazan (Russia) (AFP) – Holders Germany sensationally crashed out of the World Cup on Wednesday in one of the biggest shocks in the tournament's history — failing to make it past the opening round for the first time since 1938. In a stunning reverse by the footballing superpower who have reached either the final or […]

Kazan (Russia) (AFP) – Germany have failed to qualify from the group stages at a World Cup finals for the first time since 1938. AFP looks at five reasons why the holders performed so badly in Russia: Loew's misguided loyalty Head coach Joachim Loew has always stuck by his tried and trusted stars — but […]

Kaliningrad (Russia) (AFP) – England coach Gareth Southgate said Wednesday his team was concentrated on winning matches, not plotting a particular route through the World Cup knockout stage, ahead of their Group G showdown with Belgium. Both teams have already qualified for the last 16 and, with one of Colombia, Japan or Senegal lurking in […]

Yekaterinburg (Russia) (AFP) – Sweden coach Janne Andersson said that he took no satisfaction from seeing Germany crash out of the World Cup on Wednesday, as his side surged through top of Group F in a thrilling and nail-biting finale. Sweden, who at half-time were heading home from Russia, scored three times in the second […]

Berlin (AFP) – From chants of "goodbye" to stunned silence, Germany fans reacted with dismay to their defending champions' humiliating World Cup exit Wednesday after a first-round loss commentators called a "historic disgrace". "Our World Cup nightmare has come true," screamed the Bild daily. Even before the final whistle blew in Russia's Kazan Arena, supporters […]

Kazan Arena (Russia) (AFP) – Germany coach Joachim Loew said he felt "huge disappointment" at seeing the holders crash out of the World Cup but said they had fully deserved it after they were sensationally beaten 2-0 by South Korea on Wednesday. The four-time champions needed to beat the unfancied Asians by two clear goals […]

Cairo (AFP) – Egypt's Football Association said Wednesday the decision to base its national team in Grozny for the World Cup was taken by head coach Hector Cuper and was not politically-motivated. The team's stay in the capital of Muslim-majority Chechnya had spurred widespread criticism, especially from human rights groups over concerns of abuses by […]

London (AFP) – Gary Lineker had to modify his famous quote about the Germans always winning for a second time after Joachim Loew's holders crashed out of the World Cup on Wednesday. The former England striker once famously said: "Football is a simple game — 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at […]

Anapa (Russia) (AFP) – Ignoring detractors who blasted Denmark's dour goalless draw against France, coach Age Hareide pledged Wednesday that his side will "attack" next opponents Croatia in the World Cup last 16. The Danes face Zlatko Dalic's side in Nizhny Novgorod on July 1 for a spot in the quarter-finals. "It will be absolutely […]

Kazan (Russia) (AFP) – Holders Germany crashed out of the World Cup at the group stage on Wednesday in one of the biggest shocks in the tournament's history — failing to make it past the opening round for the first time since 1938. The four-time winners came to Russia as one of the favourites but […]

Volgograd (Russia) (AFP) – Japan coach Akira Nishino called on his players to play smart football against Poland in the heat of Volgograd on Thursday and be wary of the "world-class" Robert Lewandowksi if they want to reach the World Cup last 16. Poland are already eliminated and Bayern Munich striker Lewandowski is yet to […]

Kazan (Russia) (AFP) – Germany have been eliminated from a World Cup in the first round for the first time since the Second World War, as the holders are knocked out in the group stage for the fourth time this century. Leaving aside Uruguay — who won the inaugural World Cup in 1930 before not […]

Kazan Arena (Russia) (AFP) – Germany crashed out of the World Cup on Wednesday after a stoppage-time VAR-assisted goal from Younggwon Kim and a late second by Son Heungmin earned South Korea a famous 2-0 win. The Germans needed to beat Korea by two clear goals in their final group F match at Kazan stadium […]

Yekaterinburg (Russia) (AFP) – Sweden surged into the last 16 of the World Cup with a deserved 3-0 victory on Wednesday over a poor Mexico side, who still qualified ahead of Germany after the holders' loss to South Korea. The Swedes went through to the knockout rounds as the unlikely winners of Group F, taking […]