Kazan Arena (Russia) (AFP) – Spain coach Fernando Hierro admitted his team had been on the ropes before a lucky Diego Costa goal handed them their first win of the World Cup on Wednesday as dogged Iran came close to causing a major upset. The victory in Kazan puts the 2010 winners on course for […]

Kazan Arena (Russia) (AFP) – A lucky Diego Costa goal handed World Cup hopefuls Spain their first win of the World Cup although dogged Iran came close to causing a major upset on Wednesday. The victory in Kazan puts the 2010 winners on course for the last 16. Costa, who scored twice in a 3-3 […]

Moscow (AFP) – The decision to allow Moroccan midfielder Nordin Amrabat to take to the field at the World Cup on Wednesday just five days after suffering concussion has been criticised by players' union FifPro. The Watford winger was substituted in Morocco's opening 1-0 defeat by Iran on Friday after a clash of heads with […]

Samara (Russia) (AFP) – Kasper Schmeichel said Denmark would not be fazed by the number of Australian fans supporting their team in a "tough" World Cup clash in Samara as they target a place in the knockout phase. The Scandinavian side kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 win against Peru, in which the goalkeeper […]

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Whatever becomes of Brazil at this World Cup will inevitably be seen through the prism of Neymar and his state of fitness, but Philippe Coutinho has already shown that he could hold the keys for Tite's side. Coutinho's trademark, curling strike from outside the box in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Switzerland […]

Repino (Russia) (AFP) – England manager Gareth Southgate admitted his World Cup celebrations will be more muted for the remainder of the tournament after dislocating his shoulder while out running on Wednesday. Southgate leapt from the bench in joy as Harry Kane scored an injury-time winner to get England's campaign off to a winning start against Tunisia […]

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Four years after injury robbed him of a World Cup winner's medal in Brazil, Germany are set to turn to Marco Reus to help rescue their Russia 2018 campaign. The 29-year-old Borussia Dortmund forward was one of the few Germans to look dangerous in Sunday's shock 1-0 defeat to Mexico after […]

Bogota (AFP) – Colombia's foreign ministry has urged fans of "Los Cafeteros" (The Coffee Growers) at the World Cup to be on their best behaviour after a series of embarrassing incidents. The foreign ministry was forced to act after fans boasting of their bad behaviour on the social networks drew outrage. One Colombian fan, Guillermo […]

Moscow (AFP) – Uruguay and host nation Russia progressed to the World Cup knockout rounds on Wednesday as Cristiano Ronaldo took an early lead in the race for the Golden Boot. A single goal from Luis Suarez was enough to give Uruguay victory against Saudi Arabia, leaving them on six points along with Russia and […]

Rostov-on-Don (Russia) (AFP) – Uruguay booked their place in the World Cup knockout stage along with Russia on Wednesday, as Luis Suarez scored the winner on his 100th international appearance in a 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in Rostov-on-Don. The South Americans take on the hosts in their final Group A match on June 25 […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – Mohamed Salah's World Cup campaign arguably ended when Egypt's talisman tumbled to the turf in the Champions League final in Kiev on May 26. Uruguay administered the last rites on Wednesday but the Pharaohs already knew the writing was on the wall. Salah returned to action for the first time in […]

Yekaterinburg (Russia) (AFP) – Peru are contesting their first World Cup in 36 years — and their legions of fans who travelled to Russia are determined to make the most of it. A generation of football fans from the South American country have never seen their nation play at football's top table. That is until […]

Moscow (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo said Portugal have room to improve at the World Cup after his early goal secured a 1-0 win over Morocco as the European champions edged closer to the last 16. "Our expectation is to continue our work and try to improve in the group phase," Ronaldo said after his fourth-minute […]

Nizhniy Novgorod (Russia) (AFP) – Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli again defended star player Lionel Messi on Wednesday and said his side's World Cup match against Croatia was effectively a must-win. The beaten 2014 finalists go into Thursday's crucial Group D clash desperate for three points after a disappointing 1-1 draw with minnows Iceland in their […]

Gelendzhik (Russia) (AFP) – Ahead of a crunch Group F tie with Germany on Saturday Sweden captain Andreas Granqvist said Wednesday he was "surprised" by the World Cup holders' tactics in their shock 1-0 opening loss to Mexico. The German defence was ripped apart by Mexico's counter attacks, leaving Joachim Loew's side under intense pressure […]