Yekaterinburg (Russia) (AFP) – Lionel Messi is under pressure to deliver for Argentina against Croatia on Thursday after France became the third team to reach the World Cup knockout stage. The Barcelona forward had a first game to forget, failing to convert a penalty as the two-time world champions drew 1-1 with Iceland in their […]

Yekaterinburg (Russia) (AFP) – Teenager Kylian Mbappe became France's youngest World Cup goalscorer as they beat Peru 1-0 on Thursday to reach the last 16 and condemn the South Americans to an early exit. France, one of the pre-tournament favourites, join Uruguay and hosts Russia in the knockout rounds with one group game to go. […]

Lagos (AFP) – A singer in Nigeria released a defiant song this week celebrating the country's fake World Cup jerseys and defending the right to wear them. The neon green and white zig-zag jerseys worn by the Super Eagles have been the fashion hit of the tournament and a point of pride in Nigeria. But […]

Moscow (AFP) – Belgium will "go for the throat" to kill off their World Cup tie against Tunisia early, defender Thomas Meunier promised Thursday, as they hope to pile pressure on England in the race for supremacy in Group G. Belgium lead the group after a 3-0 win over Panama in their opening match, but […]

Volgograd (Russia) (AFP) – Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr says that his side are looking to turn up the heat on Iceland in a sweltering Volgograd on Friday as they bid to keep their World Cup campaign alive. The Super Eagles must avoid defeat after opening Group D with a 2-0 loss to Croatia, while Iceland […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – Brazil coach Tite said he will not tell Neymar to be more of a team player as he insisted the Paris Saint-Germain star is fit for Friday's crunch World Cup clash with Costa Rica. The world's most expensive player had been an injury doubt after hobbling out of training on Tuesday […]

Lyon (AFP) – Lyon of French Ligue 1 said on Thursday that their premises had been searched as part of a long-running investigation into the use of flares at a match, notably by club president Jean-Michel Aulas. The investigation relates to the way the team's supporters group celebrated their anniversary when Lyon hosted Marseille on […]

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Under-fire Germany star Sami Khedira on Thursday laughed off a cheeky offer of early flights home for the holders from a Swedish reporter ahead of their crunch World Cup clash. Holders Germany will be under intense pressure in the Group F clash in Sochi on Saturday against Sweden after suffering a […]

Gelendzhik (Russia) (AFP) – Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland — Nordic friends and rivals — are celebrating Midsummer in style, all unbeaten at the World Cup and eyeing progress to the knockout stages. Deep linguistic, cultural and social links mean players and fans of the teams keep a close eye on how their cousins are doing. […]

Samara (Russia) (AFP) – Australia captain Mile Jedinak hit a second-half VAR-assisted penalty to secure a 1-1 World Cup draw with Denmark on Thursday that left the Socceroos' last-16 hopes hanging by a thread. Bert van Marwijk's men travelled to Samara needing a win after their unfortunate 2-1 defeat to France in their Group C […]

London (AFP) – Brazilian international midfielder Fred completed his move to the team he says are the "biggest club in the world" Manchester United for a reported £50 million ($67 million) on Thursday. The 25-year-old — who missed Brazil's opening 1-1 draw with Switzerland at the World Cup because of an ankle injury — gives […]

Volgograd (Russia) (AFP) – Iceland midfielder Johann Berg Gudmundsson has not recovered from the calf injury he picked up against Argentina and is set to miss Friday's crucial Group D clash with Nigeria. Iceland's coach said Thursday that the injury means he will make changes to his line-up but boldly predicted his side, who held […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – Neymar will play in Brazil's vital World Cup match against Costa Rica on Friday despite injury fears, coach Tite has confirmed. The world's most expensive player was given a rough ride by the Swiss in a 1-1 draw on Sunday, suffering 10 fouls during the match, the most for any player […]

Nizhniy Novgorod (Russia) (AFP) – No-one expected Egypt, Morocco or Saudi Arabia to win the World Cup but for all three to crash out on the same day was a disaster for Arab football. Between them they have so far mustered no points, the tournament's biggest thrashing and just one goal — and that was […]

Yekaterinburg (Russia) (AFP) – Lionel Messi is under pressure to deliver when Argentina face Croatia on Thursday after his eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo streaked clear at the top of the World Cup goalscoring charts. The Barcelona forward had a first game to forget, failing to convert a penalty as the two-time world champions drew 1-1 […]