Moscow (AFP) – World Cup footballers often face an unexpected hurdle as they try to cope with the intense scrutiny and pressure of the game's biggest showpiece — it can be boring... really, really boring. In the periods between matches, players are isolated at remote training camps in the countryside, surrounded by tight security and […]

Nizhniy Novgorod (Russia) (AFP) – Raheem Sterling kept his place in England's starting line-up for Sunday's Group G clash against Panama in Nizhny Novgorod despite suggestions he would be dropped for Marcus Rashford. Gareth Southgate made only one change from the team that beat Tunisia 2-1, drafting in Chelsea's Ruben Loftus-Cheek for the injured Dele […]

Lisbon (AFP) – Bruno de Carvalho, the president of crisis-ridden Sporting Lisbon, said that he will stand down after supporters voted that he should quit. A general meeting attended by 9,400 members on Saturday voted overwhelmingly by 71% for the 46-year-old's resignation. De Carvalho, who was elected in 2013 and re-elected in 2017, has been […]

Nizhniy Novgorod (Russia) (AFP) – Harry Kane-inspired England will aim to seal their place in the knockout phase of the World Cup on Sunday while Japan bid to edge closer to a last 16 berth when they take on Senegal. Victory for the Three Lions against minnows Panama in the heat of Nizhny Novgorod would […]

Moscow (AFP) – Gary Lineker updated his famous quote about the Germans always winning after Toni Kroos's dramatic late goal kept the holders' World Cup dreams alive with a 2-1 win over Sweden. "Football is a simple game, 22 men chase the ball for 82 minutes and the Germans get a player sent off so […]

Stockholm (AFP) – Sweden's Jimmy Durmaz faced a wave 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 minute in Sochi […]

Yekaterinburg (Russia) (AFP) – Japan are unlikely to win the World Cup but their fans are proving champions off the pitch in Russia with their exemplary behaviour, even cleaning up after themselves at matches. Their conduct is a healthy antidote to scenes of violence that have marred some major international football tournaments down the years, […]

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Germany's matchwinner Toni Kroos has criticised former internationals and pundits for putting the boot into the defending champions after their shaky World Cup start. Kroos's stunning free-kick five minutes into added time in Sochi sealed a 2-1 win to keep alive Germany's flagging hopes following defeat to Mexico in their opening […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – Croatia defender Dejan Lovren believes Luka Modric never gets the credit he deserves and would win the Ballon d'Or if he played for Spain or Germany. Modric has been one of the stars of the World Cup so far, scoring in each of his opening two games as Croatia have stormed […]

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Toni Kroos's last-gasp winner ensured that Germany remain right in World Cup contention but the holders are not yet safe from the threat of an ignominious group-stage exit. A 95th-minute free-kick from Kroos gave Joachim Loew's side a dramatic 2-1 victory over Sweden in Sochi on Saturday, after a Marco Reus […]

Kaliningrad (Russia) (AFP) – Spain midfielder Isco believes his side must stay true to the philosophy that brought them World Cup glory in 2010 to achieve the result they need in Monday's Group B decider against Morocco. After a breathless 3-3 draw with Portugal in their opening game, La Roja laboured to a 1-0 victory […]

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Toni Kroos rescued Germany's World Cup hopes in dramatic fashion on Saturday, curling in a stunning free-kick deep into injury time to seal a 2-1 win against Sweden. Germany's late, late show keeps Joachim Loew's on course to be the first team to retain the title in 56 years but their […]

Moscow (AFP) – FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Swiss players Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri on Saturday over their pro-Kosovo goal celebrations during the 2-1 win against Serbia. Switzerland's scorers on Friday, Xhaka and Shaqiri, celebrated their goals by making a double eagle gesture with their hands to represent the Albanian flag. Many people in […]

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Toni Kroos said his last-gasp winner to seal a dramatic 2-1 win for Germany over Sweden made amends for his earlier mistake and kept the holders' World Cup dreams alive. Kroos' mistimed pass led to Ola Toivonen's first-half goal for Sweden. However, Germany clawed their way back in Sochi with a […]

Rostov-on-Don (Russia) (AFP) – South Korea's World Cup hopes are still alive despite defeat to Mexico on Saturday but their coach Shin Tae-yong says there are problems with the country's domestic game that cannot be ignored. Korea were beaten 2-1 by Mexico after goals from Carlos Vela and Javier Hernandez put the result beyond doubt […]