Moscow (AFP) – Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov said he received a congratulatory call from President Vladimir Putin after the World Cup hosts pummelled Saudi Arabia 5-0 in the tournament's opening match on Thursday. Cherchesov's team entered the match at Moscow's 80,000-seat Luzhniki Stadium under intense pressure to put on a worthy performance. Russia were without […]

Kazan (Russia) (AFP) – Japan captain Makoto Hasebe promised Thursday that a late change of coach will not damage morale when they begin their World Cup quest against Colombia next week. Four years after failing to win a game at Brazil 2014, Japan's plans for an improved campaign in Russia were hit when the federation […]

Madrid (AFP) – Julen Lopetegui said Thursday that the day he was sacked as Spain coach was the "saddest" since the death of his mother as he was officially unveiled as Real Madrid's new manager. "Yesterday was the saddest day of my life since the death of my mother. But today is the happiest day […]

Warsaw (AFP) – Poland striker Robert Lewandowski was honoured on Thursday with his own postage stamp as the national post office kicked off the World Cup with one bearing the Bayern Munich star's portrait. Poland Post said that the 29-year-old "has for years been one of the best strikers in the world and is the […]

Madrid (AFP) – Julen Lopetegui said Thursday that the day that he was sacked as Spain coach was the "saddest" since the death of his mother as he was officially unveiled as Real Madrid's new manager. "Yesterday was the saddest day of my life since the death of my mother. But today is the happiest […]

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Skipper Sergio Ramos urged Spain to put the drama of the past 48 hours behind them as they look to focus on their World Cup opener against Portugal in Sochi on Friday. Coach Julen Lopetegui was sacked on Wednesday after Real Madrid confirmed he would take over at the Bernabeu for […]

Moscow (AFP) – The mood was buoyant and politics was left on the touchline as thousands of Russian and foreign fans crammed into a Moscow fan zone to watch Thursday's World Cup opener, erupting in cheers as Russia crushed Saudi Arabia 5-0. Flag-waving supporters from all over the world chanted "Russia!" as the host team […]

Moscow (AFP) – British pop star Robbie Williams caused a stir during his performance at the World Cup opening ceremony in Moscow on Thursday by making an obscene gesture to a camera. The former Take That frontman raised his middle finger at the end of his performance at the Luzhniki Stadium after appearing to mouth […]

Moscow (AFP) – Russia kicked off their World Cup in style on Thursday, thumping Saudi Arabia 5-0 in front of an ecstatic crowd in Moscow after President Vladimir Putin officially opened the tournament. Putin told the 80,000-strong crowd at the Luzhniki Stadium before the match kicked off: "I congratulate all of you at the start of […]

Moscow (AFP) – Denis Cheryshev struck twice for Russia as the World Cup hosts thumped Saudi Arabia 5-0 in the opening match of the tournament in Moscow on Thursday. Iury Gazinsky scored after 12 minutes and Cheryshev added a second before the break after coming on as an injury replacement for Alan Dzagoev. Artem Dzuyba […]

Saint Petersburg (AFP) – Morocco coach Herve Renard has welcomed the support of Louis van Gaal as fans in the Netherlands rally behind his squad — containing five Dutch-born players — at the World Cup. The Atlas Lions begin their first World Cup campaign for 20 years against Iran in Saint Petersburg on Friday. But […]

Moscow (AFP) – Russia kicked off their World Cup in style on Thursday, scoring early against Saudi Arabia in front of an ecstatic crowd in Moscow after President Vladimir Putin officially declared the tournament open. After a performance from British pop star Robbie Williams, Putin told the 80,000 crowd at the Luzhniki Stadium: "I congratulate all […]

Moscow (AFP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin officially opened the World Cup on Thursday at a ceremony in Moscow's 80,000-seat Luzhniki Stadium. Minutes before Saudi Arabia kicked off the tournament against host nation Russia, Putin said: "I congratulate all of you at the start of the most important championship in the world." "Love for football unites […]

Sochi (Russia) (AFP) – Portugal coach Fernando Santos is convinced that Spain will still go far at the World Cup despite the turbulent events of the last 48 hours, as the sides prepare to meet in their opening game on Friday. The Iberian neighbours clash in Group B in the Russian Black Sea resort city […]

Yekaterinburg (Russia) (AFP) – Luis Suarez has "matured a great deal" and is primed to lead Uruguay's assault on the World Cup, coach Oscar Tabarez said on the eve of their opening game in Russia. Barcelona striker Suarez, a controversial figure who has had numerous run-ins with football authorities throughout his career, was thrown out […]