Kazan (Russia) (AFP) – Midfield legend Andres Iniesta has pledged Spain will overcome their early World Cup woes in Russia by beating Iran on Wednesday to set up another tilt at the title. Iniesta, who scored Spain's extra-time winner on their way to victory over the Netherlands in South Africa in 2010, is playing his […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – Mohamed Salah was named in Egypt's starting line-up on Tuesday as they try to salvage their World Cup against a Russian side who know a win could seal a place in the last 16. Liverpool wizard Salah missed his team's 1-0 defeat by Uruguay on Friday as he struggles to recover […]

Moscow (AFP) – Disgraced former FIFA boss Sepp Blatter defied a ban to attend World Cup matches and arrived in Russia on Tuesday at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin. "I'm not here to comment the game. I'm here to enjoy the World Cup," Blatter told reporters before stepping inside a luxurious Moscow hotel. The […]

Moscow (AFP) – Morocco coach Herve Renard conceded it will be difficult to stop Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo when the two sides meet in Moscow on Wednesday. Ronaldo scored the 51st hat-trick of his career as Portugal and Spain played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in their opening group game at the World Cup. Morocco, who […]

Moscow (AFP) – Senegal recorded the first African win at the 2018 World Cup when they beat Poland 2-1 on Tuesday thanks to a deflected Thiago Cionek own goal and a terrible error by Polish 'keeper Wojciech Szczesny. West Bromwich Albion midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak got Poland back in the game with an 86th-minute header but […]

Saransk (Russia) (AFP) – Japan coach Akira Nishino joked about organising a parade through Saransk to celebrate a slice of World Cup history on Tuesday after his side shocked 10-man Colombia. The Japanese were widely written off as Group H contenders when Nishino was brought in as head coach in April, leaving him precious little […]

St. Petersburg (United States) (AFP) – Mohamed Salah is in Egypt's starting line-up for their World Cup match against Russia on Tuesday, the African team announced on their official Twitter feed. Liverpool wizard Salah missed his side's 1-0 defeat by Uruguay on Friday as he struggled to recover from the shoulder injury he sustained during […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – Marcus Rashford on Tuesday dismissed the idea that England are overly reliant on captain Harry Kane at the World Cup. While numerous chances went begging against Tunisia on Monday, Kane was the one who kept his nerve, the striker scoring twice in a 2-1 victory. England cannot afford to be so […]

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Neymar is famous for his stepovers, but it was his World Cup hair do-over that really got Brazilians talking Tuesday. The world's most expensive footballer was underwhelming in Brazil's 1-1 World Cup opener against Switzerland on Sunday. His coif, however, featuring shaved sides and a blond-dyed mop at the front, […]

Madrid (AFP) – Barcelona star Gerard Pique has landed himself in hot water with the club's managers over his involvement in a documentary which saw Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann announce his decision to snub the Catalan giants. Pique owns the production company that filmed "The Decision" in which the French striker mulls a possible move […]

Kazan (Russia) (AFP) – Coach Carlos Queiroz said Iran will soak up the experience of facing World Cup contenders Spain on Wednesday but warned the Lions of Persia will produce their "best game ever" as they strive to cause the shock of the tournament. Days after celebrating only their second-ever World Cup win in five […]

Tokyo (AFP) – Bars across Japan erupted with joy on Tuesday as football fans exchanged beery hugs after their team stunned Colombia 2-1 in their World Cup opener in Russia. Many supporters, the majority the worse for wear after a boozy evening glued to the television, celebrated with one for the road — while still […]

Saransk (Russia) (AFP) – Japan became the first Asian team to conquer a South American side at the World Cup on Tuesday, beating 10-man Colombia 2-1 to exact sweet revenge for a painful defeat at Brazil in 2014. Yuya Osako's 73rd-minute winner was a huge relief for the Japanese, who were thumped 4-1 by Colombia […]

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Neymar hobbled out of a training session on Tuesday, setting alarm bells ringing in the Brazil camp as they prepare for their second World Cup group game against Costa Rica on Friday. "Neymar came out of training today with a painful right ankle," said Vinicius Rodrigues, a spokesman for the Brazilian […]

Gelendzhik (Russia) (AFP) – Iceland's footballers have received a surprise morale-boosting visit in Russia by a quartet of comedians from back home, an official from the Nordic team's camp told AFP Tuesday. The funnymen made their flying visit to the team's Black Sea coast training base near Gelendzhik for an impromptu performance late-Monday. "We were […]