Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and 2010 winners Spain progressed to the World Cup knockout rounds on a Monday night of high drama dominated by VAR decisions, as Uruguay pipped Russia to top spot in their group. Spain ended up topping Group B by virtue of goals scored after an injury-time strike by Iago Aspas — confirmed […]
2018 World Cup in Russia
‘Crazy’ or in love, Russia dances to Latin World Cup beat
Latin American countries have sprung a World Cup surprise by filling Russia’s 11 host cities with tens of thousands of fans from Mexico and Colombia to Peru and Argentina. And some of the Europeans who did show up said their friends back home told them they were crazy to go. The contrasting cast of supporters […]
On the brink, Argentina handed a final shot at World Cup salvation
Held by Iceland and humiliated by Croatia, Argentina’s World Cup could already have been all but over, but Lionel Messi and the rest of Jorge Sampaoli’s troubled squad have one final shot at redemption against Nigeria on Tuesday. Victory against the Africans, who Argentina have beaten in all four previous World Cup meetings, will secure […]
Germany rescue World Cup hopes with dramatic Kroos winner
Toni Kroos rescued Germany’s World Cup hopes in dramatic fashion on Saturday, curling in a stunning free-kick deep into injury time to seal a 2-1 win against Sweden. Germany’s late, late show keeps Joachim Loew’s on course to be the first team to retain the title in 56 years but their fate is still not […]
Argentine fans weep as World Cup dream fades
The party at the Buenos Aires fanzone fell flat as a crowd expecting a Messi-inspired Argentina World Cup revival could only watch in horror at as the nadir of Nizhny Novgorod unfolded. “We lost very badly, they really humiliated us this time,” said 22-year-old Joaquin. “And now, on top of that, we’re depending on Nigeria!” […]
Pressure on Messi against Croatia after Ronaldo scores again at World Cup
Lionel Messi is under increased pressure to redeem himself when Argentina face Croatia in Thursday’s pivotal match after eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo scored his fourth goal of the World Cup to send Morocco packing. France will be looking for a second World Cup Group C win against Peru Thursday while Australia need to bounce back […]
All eyes on Salah as World Cup hosts take on Egypt
World Cup hosts Russia face an Egypt side buoyed by the likely return of star man Mohamed Salah on Tuesday knowing a win will all but guarantee a place in the last 16. Liverpool wizard Salah missed his team’s defeat to Uruguay on Friday as he struggles to recover from the shoulder injury sustained during […]
Salah makes World Cup headlines for Chechnya photo
GROZNY: Mohamed Salah, a star attraction ahead of football’s 2018 World Cup in Russia, has made headlines for a smiling photo with Ramzan Kadyrov, strongman of Chechnya where his Egypt team have set up camp. “Mo Salah was woken from his sleep so a man accused of ‘torture and extrajudicial killings’ could have a photo […]