Nizhniy Novgorod (Russia) (AFP) – South Korea's clash against Sweden is a must-win game if either team wants to qualify for the knockout stage of the World Cup, coach Shin Tae-yong admitted on Sunday. Ratcheting up the pressure before the Group F clash in Nizhny Novgorod, Shin Tae-yong said both sides had to target three […]

Nizhniy Novgorod (Russia) (AFP) – South Korea's coach Shin Tae-yong said Sunday he deliberately made his team wear different numbered shirts in recent friendlies to confuse World Cup opponents who cannot tell his players apart. He said all but star player Son Heung-min and captain Ki Sung-yueng were given different shirts in games against Bolivia […]

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Hernan Dario Gomez leads minnows Panama into their World Cup debut on Monday mindful that Iceland's efforts in holding Argentina have shown that "anything can happen". Panama caused a sensation by qualifying for Russia from the CONCACAF zone at the expense of the United States, but they have been handed just […]

Kazan (Russia) (AFP) – Australia captain Mile Jedinak put on a brave face but admitted the frustration was palpable a day after the Socceroos' World Cup campaign was compounded by a historic but controversial VAR decision. Making its World Cup debut at Russia 2018, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) is the latest technological measure introduced […]

Samara (Russia) (AFP) – Aleksandar Kolarov's brilliant second-half free-kick gave Serbia a 1-0 victory over Costa Rica in their opening World Cup group match in Samara on Sunday. The Roma defender made the crucial breakthrough early in the second half with a magnificent effort, and although Serbia missed chances to further extend their lead, they […]

Novogorsk (Russia) (AFP) – One of the architects of Russia's World Cup bid thinks the host nation's upcoming clash against Mohamed Salah's Egypt will be their most important of the group stage. Russia are coming off a rousing 5-0 opening match win over Saudi Arabia and are in prime position to qualify for the last […]

Gelendzhik (Russia) (AFP) – Iceland's battling 1-1 draw against Argentina in their first-ever World Cup match was a "schoolbook" example of how to keep Lionel Messi quiet, the coach of the Nordic minnows said Sunday. Alfred Finnbogason cancelled out Sergio Aguero's opening goal before Hannes Halldorsson saved a Messi penalty in the second half on […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – Almost 10,000 miles separate Yekaterinburg and their school in Montevideo but for a group of Uruguayan children, Jose Gimenez's 89th-minute winner felt within touching distance. As they bolted out of the classroom door and sprawled around the playground outside, some leapt, others soared with their arms outstretched, and the rest just […]

Paris (AFP) – France coach Didier Deschamps said on Sunday his key forward Antoine Griezmann "must do more", after a disappointing performance in their opening 2-1 World Cup win against Australia. The Atletico Madrid star was well marshalled by the Socceroos' defence for long periods on Saturday. He won and scored the penalty that gave […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – A space for gay and ethnic minority football fans in Saint Petersburg during the World Cup was forced to relocate at the last minute in a move activists believe was politically motivated. The owners of the building that was set to host Diversity House, where fans could meet and watch matches, […]

Dakar (AFP) – When shy youngster Sadio Mane turned up in Dakar far from his home town, nobody imagined that one day he would become a globally renowned forward for Senegal and Liverpool. But from humble origins he has scaled the heights and on Tuesday the lightning-quick player will have a nation behind him as […]

Gelendzhik (Russia) (AFP) – Four years ago Sweden's Gustav Svensson, then on the books of Ukrainian club Tavriya Simferopol, fled the country after Russia invaded the Crimea peninsula in 2014. Now, the midfielder is back in the region at Sweden's World Cup training base in Gelendzhik, less than 200 kilometres (124 miles) along the Black […]

Kratovo (Russia) (AFP) – Portugal's Adrien Silva refused to be drawn on comparisons between teammate Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina's Lionel Messi after wildly contrasting fortunes for the global stars in their opening games at the World Cup. Ronaldo rescued Portugal with a hat-trick in a thrilling 3-3 draw with title contenders Spain, while Messi missed […]

Rostov-on-Don (Russia) (AFP) – Neymar makes his World Cup bow on Sunday as five-time winners Brazil kick off their quest for redemption while defending champions Germany launch their bid for back-to-back titles. Four years after injury cut short his World Cup and Brazil went on to suffer a humiliating 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany without […]

Moscow (AFP) – Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio pledged his team would go on the attack against defending World Cup champions Germany when the two sides meet in their opening game on Sunday. Germany defeated Mexico 4-1 on the way to hoisting the Confederations Cup trophy in Russia last year, but Osorio said he will […]