Dublin (AFP) – Aleksandar Kolarov's fierce second half strike gave Ireland their first 2018 World Cup qualifying defeat and put Serbia in complete control of Group D on Tuesday. The Roma fullback's goal came ten minutes after half time, and despite a spirited performance from the hosts the Serbs held on despite having Nikola Maksimovic […]

Vaduz (AFP) – Alvaro Morata and Iago Aspas struck twice as Spain dished out another 8-0 thrashing to Liechtenstein on Tuesday to edge ever closer to booking their place at the World Cup in Russia next year. Italy's 1-0 win over Israel means Spain remain three points clear of the Azzurri at the top of Group […]

Tehran (AFP) – Omar Al Soma's stoppage-time equaliser took war-torn Syria into Asia's World Cup play-offs on Tuesday, as South Korea and Saudi Arabia both booked their spots at next year's tournament. Syria were 2-1 down against Iran and heading out when Al Soma threaded his shot through goalkeeper Alireza Salimi's legs in the third […]

Tehran (AFP) – Omar Al Soma's stoppage-time equaliser extended war-torn Syria's World Cup fairytale on Tuesday, as South Korea booked their spot to reach the tournament for the ninth straight time. Syria were 2-1 down against Iran and heading out, but in the third added minute Mardek Mardkian slid a pass to Al Soma, who […]

Los Angeles (AFP) – United States coach Bruce Arena believes his team's World Cup qualification rivals have been given extra motivation by the US government's hardline immigration stance, it was reported Tuesday. Arena, whose team faces Honduras later Tuesday in a crucial World Cup qualifier, said a crackdown on illegal immigration by President Donald Trump's […]

Doha (AFP) – China's faint hopes of qualifying for next year's World Cup finals in Russia finally ended on Tuesday, despite securing the victory they needed in Qatar. Syria's draw in Iran and Uzbekistan's draw with South Korea meant that two late goals to secure a 2-1 win in Doha were ultimately futile in China's […]

London (AFP) – England Women manager Mark Sampson said his "conscience is clear" on Tuesday following accusations of bullying, discrimination and racism by striker Eni Aluko. Sampson, 34, was cleared of wrongdoing after an internal inquiry by national governing body the Football Association and an independent investigation. Amid ongoing criticism from Nigeria-born Aluko, Sampson has […]

London (AFP) – Injured Liverpool right-back Nathaniel Clyne is likely to be out of action for a significant amount of time, manager Jurgen Klopp revealed on Tuesday. Clyne, 26, has not played yet this season due to a back problem, but there was surprise on Monday when he was left out of Liverpool's squad for […]

Melbourne (AFP) – Australia beat Thailand 2-1 in their final World Cup qualifying group game on Tuesday, but they faced a nervy wait to see if it will be enough to book their ticket to Russia 2018. The Socceroos were searching for a big win to put pressure on their Group B rivals Saudi Arabia, […]

Madrid (AFP) – Diego Simeone committed his future to Atletico Madrid by agreeing a two-year contract extension to remain as coach of the Spanish giants until 2020, Atletico announced on Tuesday. "The renewal of Diego Pablo Simeone is now a reality," Atletico said in a statement. "Our coach has signed a new contract that ties […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Barcelona's under-fire president Josep Maria Bartomeu launched a counter-attack on his critics on Tuesday by insisting a four-year contract extension for Lionel Messi has been signed by the player's agent and father, Jorge Horacio Messi. Barca announced an agreement with the five-time World Player of the Year in July, but Messi himself […]

Wellington (AFP) – New Zealand wrapped up the Oceania World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday with a 2-2 draw with the Solomon Islands and now face an intercontinental play-off. If they are to make the World Cup in Russia next year, New Zealand must now win a home-and-away series in November against the fifth-ranked South American […]

Damascus (AFP) – For the first time in Syria's conflict, sport has come to the defence of the deeply-fractured country's unity, with regime backers and foes alike dreaming of World Cup 2018 qualification. All eyes and ears will be on Tuesday night's game away to Iran, the government's ally in the six-year conflict but a […]

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – The late Dutch legend Johan Cruyff's philosophy of attacking football is still relevant despite the emphasis placed on results by club owners, former Netherlands international Wim Jonk told AFP. The 50-year-old was asked by a dying Cruyff to keep the flame of 'Cruyff Football' burning. And he said the young […]

Stuttgart (Germany) (AFP) – With six goals in eight internationals, Timo Werner seems to be the answer to Germany's quest for a world-class striker, yet the fleet-footed forward remains unpopular with some German fans. The 21-year-old, a classic striker, netted twice in Monday's 6-0 thrashing of Norway, but Germany must wait until their next World […]