Rome (AFP) – Former Lazio and AS Roma football stars clinched a 4-1 victory over a team of young migrants on Saturday in a match to raise public awareness of the plight of refugees in Italy. Under the hot Roman sun, AS Roma legend Damiano Tommasi led his team including '98 World Cup winner, French […]

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Toni Kroos rescued Germany's World Cup hopes in dramatic fashion on Saturday, curling in a stunning free-kick deep in injury time to seal a 2-1 win against Sweden. The defending champions were in desperate trouble when Ola Toivonen put the Swedes ahead in the first half and even though Marco Reus […]

Berlin (AFP) – Fans danced in the rain in Berlin on Saturday as defending champions Germany avoided an embarrassing World Cup exit with a 2-1 win over Sweden. Supporters watching on big screens at the Brandenburg Gate huddled nervously under grey clouds and drizzle, before throwing their umbrellas away as Toni Kroos' late winner saved […]

Kazan Arena (Russia) (AFP) – Poland coach Adam Nawalka pledged to push Colombia towards the World Cup exit door when the sides meet in an "intense" clash on Sunday even though influential defender Kamil Glik remains a doubt. A 2-1 defeat to Senegal in their Group H opener has left Poland in desperate need of […]

Rostov-on-Don (Russia) (AFP) – Mexico placed one foot in the World Cup's last 16 and left South Korea on the brink of elimination after goals from Javier Hernandez and Carlos Vela clinched a 2-1 victory in Rostov on Saturday. Hernandez became the first Mexican player to score 50 goals for his country, after 104 appearances, […]

Moscow (AFP) – Belgium and Mexico powered towards the last 16 of the World Cup on Saturday with convincing victories as defending champions Germany prepared for a crunch clash with Sweden aiming to avoid a humiliating first-round exit. Tournament dark horses Belgium produced an imperious display to overwhelm Tunisia, with Premier League stars Romelu Lukaku […]

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Mesut Ozil has been dropped for Germany's must-win World Cup clash against Sweden in Sochi on Saturday. The much-criticised Arsenal playmaker drops out as coach Joachim Loew makes four changes to the side that lost 1-0 against Mexico in the opening game of their trophy defence last weekend. Mats Hummels is […]

Nizhniy Novgorod (Russia) (AFP) – A "relaxed" Gareth Southgate on Saturday played down a row with the media over England's "leaked" team selection for their World Cup match against Panama and said that would not be his starting line-up. A spat between the England camp and the British media erupted earlier this week after photographs […]

Moscow (AFP) – Roberto Martinez revealed that Romelu Lukaku is an injury doubt for Belgium's World Cup blockbuster tie against England after the in-form striker picked up an ankle injury on Saturday. Lukaku and Eden Hazard both netted twice as the Red Devils routed Tunisia 5-2 in Moscow to leave them top of Group G […]

Kaliningrad (Russia) (AFP) – Serbia's coach has reacted to his team's World Cup defeat to Switzerland by calling for the referee to be put on trial in the Hague, in a reference to the war crimes tribunal for the ex-Yugoslavia. Serbia were furious when German referee Felix Brych failed to award a penalty in Friday's […]

Kazan Arena (Russia) (AFP) – Coach Jose Pekerman hinted James Rodriguez could start in a must-win clash against Poland Sunday when Colombia will need to "score quickly" to increase their chances of World Cup survival. A troublesome calf injury has meant James, the star of Brazil 2014, was restricted to a late substitute's appearance when […]

Moscow (AFP) – Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku scored his second World Cup double in as many matches on Saturday to draw level with Cristiano Ronaldo in the race for the Golden Boot. Lukaku was under pressure coming into the tournament to prove himself on football's biggest stage after a disappointing campaign in Brazil in 2014 […]

Roshchino (Russia) (AFP) – Croatia can match their historic run to the World Cup semi-finals 20 years ago thanks to Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic forming the best midfield on show in Russia, according to defender Vedran Corluka. Rivals at club level with Real Madrid and Barcelona, Modric and Rakitic have teamed up at international […]

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Neymar has now "totally recovered" from the foot injury that required surgery and saw him miss the end of the club season, Brazil's team doctor said on Saturday. However, winger Douglas Costa will miss the side's final World Cup Group E outing against Serbia on Wednesday. "I would like everyone to […]

Yekaterinburg (Russia) (AFP) – Senegal dangerman Sadio Mane says he has no intention of falling into Japan's "trap" for Sunday's pivotal World Cup encounter. Japan coach Akira Nishino said he plans to hound the star striker out of the game and is prepared to put three men on Mane if necessary. The Asian team will […]