Yekaterinburg (Russia) (AFP) – Senegal coach Aliou Cisse told star man Sadio Mane to step up at the World Cup even though the Liverpool forward got on the scoresheet in a thrilling 2-2 draw with Japan on Sunday. Substitute Keisuke Honda equalised with 12 minutes left as Japan twice pegged back Senegal in a captivating […]

Nizhniy Novgorod (Russia) (AFP) – Harry Kane struck a hat-trick as England demolished Panama 6-1 on Sunday to ease into the World Cup last 16 alongside Group G rivals Belgium. Kane, who now has five goals in Russia, leapfrogged Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku in the race for the Golden Boot as the Central Americans […]

Gelendzhik (Russia) (AFP) – Sweden's Jimmy Durmaz has denounced as "unacceptable" messages of racial hatred and even death threats after he gave away the foul that led to Toni Kroos's late winner for Germany at the World Cup. Abusive comments on the 29-year-old substitute's Instagram account poured in after Germany won 2-1 in the 95th […]

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Neymar received the support of his Brazil teammate Fagner on Sunday after his tears at the end of their World Cup win over Costa Rica and subsequent criticism at home. The world's most expensive player scored the second goal in the 2-0 victory over Costa Rica in Saint Petersburg on Friday […]

Yekaterinburg (Russia) (AFP) – Substitute Keisuke Honda equalised with 12 minutes left as Japan twice pegged back Senegal in a thrilling 2-2 draw on Sunday that leaves World Cup Group H wide open. All eyes will now be on the other group match later in the evening between Poland and Colombia following this stalemate at […]

Nizhniy Novgorod (Russia) (AFP) – England are through to the World Cup last 16 in style after trouncing Panama 6-1 in Nizhny Novgorod on Sunday. Here AFP looks at six things we learned from the match. Lingard is becoming an England star Jesse Lingard scored England's best goal on Sunday, did the shoo dance celebration […]

Repino (Russia) (AFP) – Qualification for the last 16 secured with a game to spare, Harry Kane leading the race for the Golden Boot and a record World Cup win after thrashing Panama 6-1 — England could not have wished for a better start in Russia. Even accounting for soft opposition in the World Cup […]

Bronnitsy (Russia) (AFP) – Diego Maradona has requested a meeting with Argentina's players in an attempt to inspire the struggling squad ahead of their crucial final World Cup group game against Nigeria. The two-time world champions must beat Nigeria in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday if they are to avoid a premature exit following a disastrous […]

Kaliningrad (Russia) (AFP) – Morocco coach Herve Renard Sunday said his team had been victim to a "total injustice" in becoming the first nation knocked out of the World Cup before their final Group B clash with Spain. Morocco were eliminated after losing 1-0 to Portugal in Moscow after a 95th-minute own goal saw them […]

Nizhniy Novgorod (Russia) (AFP) – England coach Gareth Southgate was keeping his feet firmly on the ground after England's 6-1 World Cup group-stage rout of Panama, declaring "I didn't particularly like the performance". With a grin Southgate explained to the BBC: "I'm being hyper-critical, but I didn't like the start, I didn't like the goal […]

London (AFP) – Soaking up the sunshine with a pint in hand, England fan Ife Runtwe reflected on his team's five-star first half against Panama, calling it the "best England experience I've had in my life." The 25-year-old IT worker was one of around 50 happy, but slightly bemused fans who had spilled out of […]

Volgograd (Russia) (AFP) – Mohamed Salah looks likely to start against Saudi Arabia in Volgograd on Monday as Egypt go in search of a first-ever World Cup win in a battle to avoid finishing bottom of Group A. But Egypt's 45-year-old goalkeeper Essam El Hadary may have to wait for an appearance off the bench […]

Nizhniy Novgorod (Russia) (AFP) – Hat-trick hero Harry Kane says "it's all coming together" for England at the World Cup after Gareth Southgate's side sailed into the last 16 with a 6-1 rout of Panama on Sunday. Kane's treble and two goals from John Stones, with Jesse Lingard also on the scoresheet, meant England joined […]

Nizhniy Novgorod (Russia) (AFP) – England recorded their biggest ever World Cup finals win by thrashing an ill-disciplined Panama 6-1 on Sunday to breeze through to the knockout stage after two games. A hat-trick from captain Harry Kane — which means he is now the leading scorer in the tournament with five goals — two […]

Bronnitsy (Russia) (AFP) – Veteran Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano insists relations between the players and coach Jorge Sampaoli are not strained after reports of unrest within the team camp. Sampaoli was roundly criticised for his game plan following a 3-0 loss to Croatia in Argentina's second group game at the World Cup, sparking rumours the […]