The World Cup-winning French team returned home to a heroes’ welcome on Monday, parading down the Champs-Elysees as hundreds of thousands of cheering fans gave a raucous welcome to the country’s newest idols. After overcoming a determined Croatia to win 4-2 in Sunday’s final in Russia, the team came back to euphoric crowds in Paris […]
2018 World Cup in Russia
Delirious French revel in World Cup victory
Hundreds of thousands of French fans partied into the night on the Champs Elysees on Sunday to mark the country’s World Cup victory, celebrating football and the power of the game to bring a tense and often fearful nation together. The country erupted in joy on Sunday after “les Bleus” clinched a 4-2 victory over […]
France set for heroes’ welcome after thrilling World Cup win
Victorious France were set to return to a heroes’ welcome on Monday after winning the World Cup for the second time with a rollercoaster 4-2 victory over Croatia which set off chaotic celebrations at home. Teenager Kylian Mbappe applied the coup de grace in Moscow as France, aided by an own goal and the video […]
Belgium beat England to secure best-ever World Cup finish
Belgium beat England in the World Cup third-place playoff on Saturday to ensure their best-ever finish as tournament top scorer Harry Kane admitted his side need to improve if they are to end their long trophy drought. Goals from Thomas Meunier and Eden Hazard secured a deserved 2-0 victory in Saint Petersburg and meant Belgium […]
France and Croatia seek World Cup glory
Croatia face France in Moscow on Sunday attempting to win their first World Cup while Didier Deschamps’ side are aiming to land their second title two decades on from their triumph on home soil. France will also be spurred on by trying to put behind them the bitter disappointment of losing the Euro 2016 final […]
Mandzukic breaks England hearts and fires Croatia into World Cup final
Mario Mandzukic scored the winning goal deep in extra time as Croatia beat England 2-1 in an utterly gripping World Cup semi-final in Moscow on Wednesday to set up a final date with France. The Juventus forward netted in the 109th minute to complete a remarkable comeback from a shattered Croatian team and take the […]
Croatia reach first World Cup final as England pain goes on
Croatia reached the World Cup final for the first time in their history on Wednesday, after Mario Mandzukic’s extra-time winner prolonged England’s suffering in major tournaments and set up a decider against France. Luka Modric’s team fell behind in just the fifth minute to Kieran Trippier’s superb free-kick but hit back through Ivan Perisic and […]
England thrive in World Cup ‘bubble’ ahead of Croatia semi-final
AFP / Paul ELLISEngland midfielder Dele Alli answers questions ahead of his side’s World Cup semi-final against Croatia As excitement builds in England in the run-up to the country’s first World Cup semi-final for 28 years, midfielder Dele Alli insists Gareth Southgate’s team are keeping a cool head in their tournament “bubble”. England’s matches so […]
Stunned silence in Tokyo as Japan World Cup dream ends
As dawn broke in Tokyo, Japan fans had dared to believe their team was about to make World Cup history. But a few short minutes later, the dream was over. At a bar in a Tokyo business district, the air went out of the room as Belgium found the net in extra time, scoring a […]
Messi, Rojo rescue Argentina from humiliating early exit
SAINT PETERSBURG: Marcus Rojo’s stunning finish four minutes from time kept Lionel Messi and Argentina’s World Cup hopes alive to see off Nigeria 2-1 on Tuesday and set up a last 16 meeting with France. Messi’s first goal of the tournament got the two-time winners off to a perfect start in Saint Petersburg, but Victor […]