Argentina were given a huge scare before ending Cape Verde’s fairytale run as Lionel Messi netted his 20th World Cup goal in a 3-2 win after extra-time to reach the last 16. Messi’s sublime control and finish for his seventh goal at this tournament in four games put the defending champions in command, but the […]
Colombia overcome Ghana to reach World Cup last 16
Wasteful Colombia saw off toothless Ghana 1-0 on Friday to become the final team to qualify for the World Cup last 16. The South Americans dominated the game at Arrowhead Stadium but ended up with just Jhon Arias’s early goal to show for their superiority as they now look forward to a meeting with Switzerland […]
US turns 250 as Trump warns of ‘attack’ on American identity
America turns 250 on Saturday — a landmark birthday that coincides with a time of deep national division and a president determined to seize the festive center stage. The independence anniversary also comes in the middle of a brutal heatwave that has placed some 160 million Americans under major or extreme heat warnings, playing havoc […]
Spain, Switzerland and Protugal reach World Cup last 16
Spain put their World Cup rivals on notice with a dominant 3-0 win over Austria on Thursday thanks to a Mikel Oyarzabal double and another commanding defensive display to reach the last 16. Spain, who arrived at the tournament among the favourites and have yet to concede a goal, made a slow start with a […]
Mbappe’s French juggernaut face Paraguay, eye World Cup quarter-finals
Kylian Mbappe’s France have been the outstanding team so far at this World Cup and will be expected to get the better of Paraguay on Saturday and extend their run to the quarter-finals. Perhaps the only thing that can stop Mbappe and Les Bleus is the threat of extreme heat and possibly storms in Philadelphia. […]
Bomb blast at Damascus cafe kills nine, authorities say
A bomb blast rocked a cafe in Syria’s capital Damascus on Thursday, killing nine people and wounding 20, authorities said, in the latest challenge for the country’s Islamist leaders as they seek stability after more than a decade of war. The bombing — the deadliest since a suicide attack on a church last year — […]
Morocco down Netherlands to reach World Cup last 16
Morocco defeated the Netherlands in a penalty shoot-out to advance to the last 16 of the World Cup on Monday after a thrilling battle in Monterrey finished 1-1 after extra-time. Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made the crucial save to block the Netherlands’ fourth penalty from Crysencio Summerville before striker Ismael Saibari stepped up to blast […]
Ambitious Japan search for answers after World Cup exit
Japan will never win the World Cup unless football becomes the country’s number one sport, midfielder Daichi Kamada warned after their heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Brazil on Monday. Asia’s best side arrived in North America with ambitions of winning the tournament, and they were touted as outside favourites to go far. But they were knocked […]
Manchester City hires Enzo Maresca as manager to replace Pep Guardiola
Enzo Maresca was hired as the successor to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City on Monday, with the Italian taking on the daunting task of replacing one of football’s greatest ever coaches. Maresca has signed a three-year deal with City. There was reportedly a delay in announcing the appointment of Maresca while City negotiated with Chelsea, […]
Ben stokes set to hang up his boots after New Zealand finale
Ben Stokes has announced his retirement as England Test captain and from international cricket, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a statement issued on Sunday. “One of England’s all-time greatest captains, Ben Stokes, has decided to retire from international cricket at the end of this Test match,” the ECB said. Stokes will […]