Volgograd (Russia) (AFP) – Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima looks set to retain his place against Poland on Thursday despite his howler in the 2-2 draw with Senegal. Kawashima was given a vote of confidence for the final Group H match as he appeared alongside coach Akira Nishino at a pre-match press conference at Volgograd Arena […]

London (AFP) – England's bright start to the World Cup has infected even the normally placid British Prime Minister Theresa May with football fever as she flies the flag for Harry Kane's young team. After more than half a century of heartache, fans have started to dream that England can emulate the team that won […]

Samara (Russia) (AFP) – Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly believes the fact his team represent Africa's last World Cup hope should motivate the players rather than increase the pressure going into their final game in Group H against Colombia. It is just Senegal's second appearance at the tournament, after reaching the quarter-finals on their debut in […]

Kaliningrad (Russia) (AFP) – Beaten late on in Saint Petersburg Tuesday night by Lionel Messi's Argentina, Nigeria head home from Russia disappointed to exit at the group stage but full of optimism for future tournaments. Coach Gernot Rohr brought the youngest squad to Russia, and there is a sense with this Super Eagles team that […]

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 […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – When Neymar finally scored against Costa Rica, Brazil cheered, the superstar striker cried, and his sister... dislocated her shoulder. Brazil's SporTV reported Wednesday that Rafaella Santos was so excited at her brother's last-gasp goal in the tricky win against minnows Costa Rica on Friday that she collided with a friend […]

Stockholm (AFP) – Sweden's Sports Minister Annika Strandhall wore a Jimmy Durmaz football jersey in parliament on Wednesday in support of Sweden's World Cup player who faced a wave of racial attacks after a defeat against Germany at the weekend. Sweden was due to meet Mexico in a make-or-break final Group F match on Wednesday […]

Bronnitsy (Russia) (AFP) – Lionel Messi hit his first goal of the World Cup as Argentina narrowly avoided an embarrassing group-stage exit but vast improvements are needed if they are to go much further. Messi's effort against Nigeria, as he brilliantly cushioned the ball on his thigh before drilling into the far corner, was a […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – When Lionel Messi ran to the corner and sank to his knees, the enduring image of Argentina scrambling into the World Cup's last 16 was set. Their number 10, in the blue and white stripes, his head tilted and fingers vertical, about to be swamped moments later by adoring team-mates. But […]

London (AFP) – Naby Keita says he is intent on becoming as great a player at Liverpool as the previous player to wear the number eight shirt, their iconic former captain Steven Gerrard. Keita, who will train with the squad next Monday for the first time since he signed for a reported £48million ($63.4million) from […]

Gelendzhik (Russia) (AFP) – Gallant Iceland headed home heartbroken but unbowed after a premature end to their first World Cup adventure, ruing what might have been after a narrow defeat by Croatia. Iceland caught the public imagination with their fairytale run to the quarter-finals at Euro 2016 in France and waltzed through qualifying for Russia, […]

Kazan (Russia) (AFP) – Germany face their day of reckoning at the World Cup on Wednesday, with the holders needing a clear win against South Korea to be sure of reaching the last 16 after Lionel Messi's Argentina scraped through to the knockout rounds. Elsewhere in Russia, as the first round draws to a close, […]

Kazan (Russia) (AFP) – Joachim Loew is safe in his role as Germany coach even if the defending champions exit the World Cup early, the boss of the German FA said ahead of Wednesday's crunch clash against South Korea. Germany must win by two clear goals in Kazan on Wednesday to be sure of reaching […]

Kratovo (Russia) (AFP) – Portugal defender Cedric Soares said the European champions are more concerned about results than style ahead of a last-16 clash against Uruguay at the World Cup. Portugal will return to Sochi, the site of their thrilling 3-3 group stage draw with Spain, on Saturday to face a Uruguay side featuring Luis Suarez […]

Moscow (AFP) – Diego Maradona says he is fine after sparking a health scare following Argentina's dramatic late win against Nigeria that saw them progress to the last 16 of the World Cup. Maradona had been visibly emotional during the match in Saint Petersburg, which Argentina had to win to stay in the tournament. He […]