Amsterdam (AFP) – A searing first-half strike from Paul Pogba handed France a 1-0 win at rivals the Netherlands as Belgium and Portugal clocked up 6-0 victories and Christian Benteke grabbed a slice of World Cup qualifying history. Criticised by coach Didier Deschamps for his performance in Friday's 4-1 win over Bulgaria in Paris, the […]

Despite a horrendous playing surface, the US limped away from Havana on Friday with a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Chris Wondolowski and Julian Green. In a region notorious for poor playing surfaces, Friday’s game against Cuba took the cake with dead patches and bumps everywhere (there was also no running water in the […]

Faro (Portugal) (AFP) – Christian Benteke set a new World Cup record for the fastest goal in the competition, including the finals, scoring after seven seconds in Belgium's qualifier against Gibraltar on Monday. The 25-year-old Crystal Palace striker picked up the ball in the first action of the Group H qualifier in Faro and racing […]

Barcelona (AFP) – Full-back Sergi Roberto and goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen have returned to Barcelona from international duty injured, the Spanish champions said on Monday. Dutch back-up keeper Cillessen is expected to be out for three weeks after suffering an ankle ligament injury while Roberto also faces a spell on the sidelines with a groin injury […]

Ljubljana (Slovenia) (AFP) – England captain and all-time leading goalscorer Wayne Rooney has been dropped to the bench for the World Cup qualifier away to Slovenia on Tuesday, interim manager Gareth Southgate said. Liverpool's Jordan Henderson will lead the side out in Ljubljana as England look to maintain their perfect start to qualifying. Manchester United […]

London (AFP) – England captain Wayne Rooney is in line to be dropped to the bench for the World Cup qualifier away to Slovenia on Tuesday, several British media outlets reported Monday. The BBC said that, in the absence of any last-minute injuries, interim manager Gareth Southgate would leave Rooney, now among the substitutes as […]

The Hague (AFP) – The Netherlands' largest trade union and one of its members are threatening to sue FIFA for failing to halt alleged abuses of workers' rights in 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar, the union said on Monday. The FNV Bondgenoten "together with (a) Bangladeshi worker wants to take FIFA to court to demand […]

Berlin (AFP) – Germany are not only targeting another win in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Northern Ireland but want a perfect 12 points on the road to Russia with wins in both of their remaining games this year. Victories away to Norway and at home to the Czech Republic by the same 3-0 scorelines […]

London (AFP) – England goalkeeper Joe Hart expects Slovenia to push the side hard when the teams meet in a 2018 World Cup qualifier in Ljubljana on Tuesday. Victories over Slovakia and Malta have propelled England to the top of Group F. But Hart is taking nothing for granted given Slovenia were the only side […]

Madrid (AFP) – Spanish defender Gerard Pique has announced that he will end his international career after the 2018 World Cup amid renewed controversy over his political views. The Barcelona star, who supports independence for Catalonia, came under fire again after Sunday's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win against Albania. Pique, who played in the Spain […]

Melbourne (AFP) – The Tim Cahill factor threatens Japan's hopes of re-energising their World Cup campaign in a crucial qualifier against Australia in Melbourne on Tuesday. Talismanic Cahill is in line for a recall for the Socceroos against the Blue Samurai in the Asia qualifying Group B encounter after playing only a few minutes as […]

Berlin (AFP) – Kyle Lafferty says Northern Ireland must 'work their socks off' in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Germany as they chase a first victory over the world champions for 33 years. Lafferty scored two goals off the bench in Saturday's 4-0 win over minnows San Marino in Belfast, the same night Germany beat […]

Berlin (AFP) – It was not long ago that Thomas Mueller's lack of goals was a hot topic in football-mad Germany. The 27-year-old failed to score in six matches at Euro 2016 leaving some wondering if the Bayern Munich star had lost his goal touch. But after 599 minutes without scoring for the national team, […]

Madrid (AFP) – Controversial Spanish defender Gerard Pique insisted Sunday that he will end his international career after the 2018 World Cup. The Barcelona star has come under regular fire for his performances on the field and his support off the pitch for his pro-Catalan stance. "The World Cup in Russia is going to be […]

Madrid (AFP) – Key defender and captain Sergio Ramos suffered a left knee strain in Spain's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win in Albania on Sunday which could sideline him from the Real Madrid team for three games. Ramos was hurt late in the game after falling awkwardly following an aerial duel before he was eventually […]