Saint Petersburg (AFP) – Neymar rounded on his critics and defended his emotional reaction to scoring in Brazil's 2-0 World Cup win over Costa Rica after he broke down in tears at the final whistle. A largely frustrating afternoon for the five-time world champions was forgotten thanks to two goals in stoppage time. Philippe Coutinho […]

Volgograd (Russia) (AFP) – Ahmed Musa struck twice to become the first Nigerian to score at two World Cups Friday as the Super Eagles secured a crucial 2-0 win over Iceland, who missed a penalty. The African side will secure a spot in the knockout stage if they beat Argentina on Tuesday in Group D's final […]

Nizhniy Novgorod (Russia) (AFP) – Coach Zlatko Dalic said that Argentina star Lionel Messi was left "powerless" by his Croatia players in the stunning 3-0 victory on Thursday that sent them into the World Cup knockout stage. Croatia outclassed the South Americans, as five-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi struggled to make an impact in a […]

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Germany coach Joachim Loew says he retains faith in his underperforming stars as the defending champions prepare for their pivotal World Cup clash against Sweden on Saturday. The 2014 World Cup winners have spent the week trying to stave off a crisis after beginning their defence of the trophy with a […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Brazilians watched their team's excruciatingly hard-fought win Friday over minnow Costa Rica in a cold sweat but it was Neymar's hot tears that really made the footballing-mad nation sit up. "Neymar's crying is the big news," declared the Blog do Menon on the leading UOL Esporte website. The world's most […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – Brazil had to battle until injury time against a dogged Costa Rica on Friday before Philippe Coutinho and Neymar scored, putting the five-time World Cup winners back on track for the last 16. The Brazilians looked to be heading for a second frustrating draw in a row before Barcelona forward Coutinho […]

The Hague (AFP) – Mark van Bommel will replace Phillip Cocu as head coach at PSV Eindhoven, the Dutch champions announced on Friday. "I think I have the experience to meet this new challenge, with a good feeling at the head of a team of this calibre," said van Bommel, who is at the World […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – It took until virtually the last kick after 96 minutes of frustration, but Neymar and Brazil have lift-off at the World Cup. For most of a sunny afternoon in Saint Petersburg, the world's most expensive player battled against his own lack of match sharpness, an inspired Keylor Navas in the Costa […]

Moscow (AFP) – Belgium coach Roberto Martinez revealed Friday he has been keeping one eye on next week's blockbuster clash with England in the lead-up to the Red Devils' Group G match against Tunisia. Barring major upsets, the June 28 tie against Gareth Southgate's men in Kaliningrad will decide who tops the group and Martinez […]

Bronnitsy (Russia) (AFP) – Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has blasted Argentina's World Cup campaign, lambasting the "anarchy" on and off the field that has left the two-time champions facing first-round elimination. In an audio recording published by Spanish media outlets, the former Argentina international said the current squad lacked leadership on and off the […]

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Germany are likely to be without centre-back Mats Hummels in Saturday's crunch World Cup clash against Sweden, coach Joachim Loew said. "Mats Hummels will probably not be able to play. He somehow dislodged a vertebra in his neck yesterday and has not improved," Loew said at Friday's pre-game press conference. "There […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – Philippe Coutinho and Neymar broke down dogged Costa Rica in injury time on Friday, sealing a 2-0 win for Brazil that propels the five-time champions towards the World Cup last 16. The Central Americans looked likely to hold on for a hard-earned draw, particularly after Neymar had a penalty award chalked […]

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Sweden's preparations for their World Cup clash against Germany have been hampered by a stomach bug that has prevented three players from travelling to Sochi, where Saturday's game will be played. Coach Janne Andersson revealed that defenders Pontus Jansson and Filip Helander, along with midfielder Marcus Rohden, were left behind at […]

Volgograd (Russia) (AFP) – Iceland and Nigeria fans soaked up the "awe-inspiring" history of Volgograd on Friday as they explored the World Cup city that was annihilated during World War II. Nazi Germany's advance into Russia began exactly 77 years ago, on June 22, 1941, and was halted in the city, then known as Stalingrad, […]

Bronnitsy (Russia) (AFP) – Argentina denied reports Friday that players want coach Jorge Sampaoli sacked before their final World Cup group game against Nigeria after a humbling 3-0 defeat by Croatia. "It's absolutely false," read a statement from an Argentine team official. "All that has been said about a players' meeting or anything else, it […]