Buenos Aires (AFP) – The chance to see the likes of Lionel Messi or Neymar in the flesh as well as take in the sights of Russia has seen tens of thousands of Latin American fans ignore distance and cost to flock to the 11 World Cup host cities. The supporters of Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, […]

Yekaterinburg (Russia) (AFP) – Javier Hernandez said on Tuesday that a buoyant Mexico want to "accomplish the impossible" and win the World Cup in Russia, on the eve of their clash with Sweden. The Mexicans have repeatedly failed to go beyond the last 16 in recent decades, but the West Ham United striker nicknamed Chicharito […]

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – VAR has grabbed centre stage at the World Cup, with the system that was supposed to provide "minimum interference" instead having a major and highly controversial impact. The final games in Group B on Monday were heading into injury time with Portugal on course to top their group and Spain set […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – In a chaotic World Cup, Spain have lost a coach and won just one game, but remain ultimately where they want to be after winning Group B in dramatic fashion with the help of VAR. Iago Aspas's injury time equaliser to secure a 2-2 draw against already eliminated Morocco had initially […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – Lionel Messi's Argentina face their World Cup day of destiny, needing a win to have any chance of progressing to the last 16 while the Video Assistant Referee system is questioned after a chaotic night of matches. Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal and 2010 winners Spain progressed from Group B in dramatic fashion […]

Pristina (AFP) – Kosovo was collecting money Tuesday to pay FIFA fines of Switzerland players Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri and Stephan Lichtsteiner for celebrating goals with a pro-Kosovo double eagle gesture in their World Cup win over Serbia. Arsenal midfielder Xhaka and Stoke City's Shaqiri trace their roots to Kosovo, a former Serbia's province with […]

Yekaterinburg (Russia) (AFP) – Sweden coach Janne Andersson ramped up his verbal attack on Germany on Tuesday, calling the behaviour of some of their staff in celebrating their last-gasp winner "scornful". Andersson admitted that his men, who face a do-or-die clash with Mexico on Wednesday, had suffered "turbulent" times following the dramatic 2-1 defeat to […]

Moscow (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo's off-night against Iran nearly cost Portugal their World Cup dream and underlined the stark need for his team-mates to contribute more in support of the Real Madrid superstar. Ronaldo carried Portugal through their first two group games, hitting a memorable hat-trick in a 3-3 draw with Spain before netting the […]

Vatutinki (Russia) (AFP) – The German Football Association (DFB) has suspended two of its backroom staff for Wednesday's crunch World Cup clash against South Korea following an angry exchange with the Sweden bench. Media coordinator Uli Voigt and Georg Behlau, head of the backroom staff, have been told not to attend the final Group F […]

Tehran (AFP) – For many of the thousands of joyful women packed into Tehran's largest football stadium, their first ever chance to watch a game at a sports arena was a victory for freedom despite Iran's agonising World Cup elimination. Cheering and with their cheeks painted with the national colours, women showed they were just […]

Baghdad (AFP) – With the World Cup in full swing, people around the globe are glued to TV screens — but for some Iraqis, absorbing the full experience is proving trickier than confronting Lionel Messi on an epic dribble. At around $100 (85 euros), a pay TV subscription for the month-long football extravaganza is out […]

Saransk (Russia) (AFP) – Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo was fortunate to escape a red card despite a VAR review following an elbow in Monday's 1-1 draw at the World Cup. Portugal will face Uruguay in the last 16 after advancing as runners-up of Group B, but Queiroz insisted Ronaldo deserved […]

Kaliningrad (Russia) (AFP) – Spain coach Fernando Hierro said Monday his side must defend better after a last-ditch VAR-assisted equaliser earned them a 2-2 draw with Morocco and set up a second round clash with hosts Russia. The injury-time goal from substitute Iago Aspas capped a dramatic finale to a Group B that Spain ended […]

Kaliningrad (Russia) (AFP) – Spain playmaker Isco said the 2010 world champions are now facing "the moment of truth" after scraping a 2-2 draw with Morocco to secure a World Cup last-16 date with Russia. Isco scored in Monday's dramatic stalemate in Kaliningrad to earn the man-of-the-match award and his country top place in Group […]

Saransk (Russia) (AFP) – Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo should have been sent off for an elbow during Monday's 1-1 draw at the World Cup. Ronaldo was booked after 83 minutes of the Group B clash for catching Iran defender Morteza Pouraliganji, with the incident reviewed by the referee on a […]