Cologne (Germany) (AFP) – Substitute Lars Stindl extended world champions Germany's unbeaten run to 21 matches with a 93rd-minute equaliser in a 2-2 friendly draw against France in Cologne on Tuesday. A first international double by Alexandre Lacazette put France on the verge of a deserved victory in a clash of two of the favourites […]

Lima (AFP) – New Zealand manager Anthony Hudson said his team are preparing for an early onslaught as they face Peru here on Wednesday with a World Cup place on the line. The New Zealanders take on Peru in their Oceania-South America playoff with the odds against them after a 0-0 draw in the first […]

Johannesburg (AFP) – Kara M'bodji scored in stoppage time to give already-qualified Senegal a flattering 2-1 win over South Africa in Dakar on Tuesday in a 2018 World Cup Group D eliminator. Former France U-20 international Opa Nguette put the hosts ahead on 55 minutes and Themba Zwane missed a penalty for South Africa before […]

Dublin (AFP) – Christian Eriksen's magnificent hat-trick inspired Denmark to a 5-1 demolition of the Republic of Ireland in Tuesday's second leg of their play-off in Dublin to clinch a spot at next year's World Cup. Following Saturday’s stalemate in Copenhagen, Ireland got their home leg off to the perfect start when Shane Duffy headed […]

London (AFP) – Neymar and his Brazil colleagues were held to a frustrating goalless draw after a spirited display by a callow England team in Tuesday's friendly match at Wembley Stadium. Brazil coach Tite was able to name a first-choice starting XI, but despite the presence of Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Philippe Coutinho in the […]

Moscow (AFP) – Spain were held to a thrilling 3-3 friendly draw by World Cup hosts Russia in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday, despite a brace of penalties from centre-back Sergio Ramos. Barcelona full-back Jordi Alba's strike and Ramos' first spot-kick put the visitors in control, but goals either side of half-time from Fedor Smolov and […]

Moscow (AFP) – Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero was rushed to a local hospital in Krasnodar after he fainted in Argentina's dressing room during half-time of Tuesday's friendly with Nigeria, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed. "Aguero suffered a lypothymia (fainting without loss of consciousness), which is why he was transferred to hospital for routine […]

Moscow (AFP) – Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi scored twice as Nigeria stunned Argentina 4-2 in Krasnodar on Tuesday, while Sergio Aguero was reportedly taken to hospital after fainting in the dressing room. Sevilla midfielder Ever Banega and Manchester City striker Aguero fired Argentina, playing without the rested Lionel Messi, into a 2-0 lead after 36 minutes. […]

Rome (AFP) – Argentine legend Diego Maradona lamented Italy's failure to qualify for next year's World Cup, regretting the absence of "one of the greats" of international football. Four-time world champions Italy missed out on a place in the finals after Monday's 0-0 draw in Milan in the second leg of their European play-off sent […]

Doha (AFP) – A last-minute equaliser from Qatar's Mohammed Muntari meant Iceland warmed up for their World Cup finals debut in Russia next year without a win in two friendly matches in Doha. The 1-1 draw on Tuesday followed up their 2-1 defeat against the Czech Republic in Qatar last week. Muntari slammed home from […]

Stockholm (AFP) – After Sweden's "Miracle of Milan" booked them a berth at the World Cup finals and sent Italy crashing out, could Zlatan Ibrahimovic be set for a return from international retirement? In the minutes after the Swedes hung on for a goalless draw on Monday that secured one of the big World Cup […]

Asuncion (AFP) – When the FIFA corruption trial kicked off in New York this week, ex-South American soccer boss Nicolas Leoz was a significant absentee, watching from the comfort of his home in Paraguay. Leoz, one of the main suspects in the huge bribery and money laundering scandal being investigated by the US Justice Department, […]

Milan (AFP) – After the initial shock and disbelief, heartbroken Italians on Tuesday demanded answers as to why the one-time stars of the global game had missed the World Cup finals for the first time in 60 years. The Italian press called it an "apocalypse" for the four-time world champions, who failed to qualify for […]

London (AFP) – Former England and Manchester City winger Trevor Sinclair has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer after being held for allegedly drink driving. Sinclair was arrested on suspicion of drink driving, common assault and criminal damage on Sunday after a woman suffered minor injuries when she was hit by a […]

Milan (AFP) – Stunned Italians awoke Tuesday to the nightmarish realisation they will miss out on the World Cup finals for the first time in 60 years. Distraught fans of the one-time top dogs of the global game reacted with shock and disbelief. The Italian press called it an "apocalypse" for the team, who last […]