2022 World Cup
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Argentina's World Cup winners led by captain Lionel Messi returned home from Qatar in the early hours of Tuesday morning ahead of a welcome home party in the nation's capital. Having beaten France in Sunday's thrilling final, the players will now spend the night at the…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Lionel Messi on Sunday won the Golden Ball for the best player at this year's World Cup after leading Argentina to victory in the final against France. Messi scored twice in the final in Doha, taking his tally of goals at the tournament to seven, and…
Staff Reporter. Geoff Hurst said he had enjoyed a "good run" after France's Kylian Mbappe became just the second player after the England great to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final. Hurst had stood alone for 56 years as the only player to score three goals in the…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Lionel Messi crowned his glittering career with victory in the World Cup on Sunday as Argentina beat France on penalties in a final for the ages, triumphing 4-2 after Kylian Mbappe's hat-trick ensured the game ended level following extra time. Gonzalo Montiel rolled in the deciding…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Brazilian football legend Pele was watching the World Cup final Sunday while receiving a foot massage in a hospital as he battles colon cancer, according to his daughter, who posted a photograph of the icon. "Foot massage and World Cup on TV," Kely Nascimento wrote. The…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Argentina prepared to face defending champions France in the World Cup final on Sunday with Lionel Messi seeking to crown his record-breaking career by winning football's biggest prize for the first time on his farewell to the tournament. After 63 matches and 166 goals, the month-long…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - David Beckham has made his first public statement on his controversial multi-million-dollar ambassador's role with World Cup hosts Qatar, telling the New York Times he believed "sport has the power to be a force for good in the world". In an article on Friday entitled "The…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Luka Modric led Croatia to the bronze medal at the World Cup on Saturday and revealed he will extend his international career into 2023 in an attempt to win the Nations League. The 37-year-old won his 162nd cap in the 2-1 win over Morocco, four years…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - Croatia beat injury-hit Morocco 2-1 in the World Cup third-place playoff on Saturday to leave Qatar on a high after again surpassing expectations following their run to the final in 2018. Despite defeat, Morocco also leave with heads aloft after becoming the first African side to…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Didier Deschamps said Saturday that France were taking "as many precautions as possible" to stop the spread of a virus that is threatening their preparations for their World Cup final showdown with Argentina. "We are trying to take as many precautions as possible, to adapt as…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Lionel Messi is hoping to crown his stellar career by leading Argentina to World Cup glory on Sunday but Kylian Mbappe's history-chasing France are standing in his way. Qatar's World Cup has been tarnished by controversy off the pitch but it concludes with the electrifying prospect…
Staff Reporter. World governing body Fifa is to reconsider the format of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, says president Gianni Infantino. The teams will increase from 32 to 48 for the competition and were set to be divided into 16 groups of three, with…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - After a mesmerising month of upsets, when several brash outsiders threatened soccer's status quo, the World Cup final will have a familiar feel on Sunday when two of the sport's super-heavyweights go toe to toe, each seeking a third title. It seems a long time ago…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Fernando Santos quit as coach of Portugal on Thursday following the team's shock World Cup quarterfinal loss to Morocco with colourful and controversial Jose Mourinho named as a leading candidate to take over. The Portuguese football federation (FPF) said in a statement that an agreement was…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Through to their fourth World Cup final in seven editions, France have become accustomed to success on the international stage and central to it all has been Didier Deschamps, a born winner as a player and now an inspirational leader as a coach. As Les Bleus…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - France ended Morocco's World Cup dream as goals from Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani gave the holders a 2-0 win in their semifinal clash and set up a showdown on Sunday with Lionel Messi's Argentina. It looked like France might make short work of their…
Staff Reporter. Morocco captain Romain Saiss and centre back partner Nayef Aguerd have been passed fit to play while France have been forced into two changes for Wednesday’s World Cup semifinal. French-born Saiss was carried off in Morocco’s quarterfinal win over Portugal on Sunday, after starting the game with a…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi will put their friendship aside when France play Morocco in the World Cup semifinals on Wednesday and both may try to honour a promise they made. "After we play against Morocco, I have to destroy my friend," Mbappe said in a…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - Lionel Messi has confirmed he will play his last World Cup game when Argentina take on France or Morocco in Sunday's final in Qatar. Messi lead Argentina to a 3-0 win over Croatia in their semifinal on Tuesday and will earn his 172nd cap at the…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - An inspired Lionel Messi scored from the penalty spot and Julian Alvarez struck twice as Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 on Tuesday to reach their second World Cup final in eight years. The two-time world champions, backed by a huge majority of the crowd at the Lusail…
Staff Reporter. Argentina made two changes in the starting eleven that won on penalties against the Netherlands for Tuesday's World Cup semifinal against Croatia, who named an unchanged line-up. Nicolas Tagliafico will start as left full-back in place of suspended Marcos Acuna while Leandro Paredes comes into midfield with defender…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni brushed off accusations of poor sportsmanship on Monday as the South Americans prepared for a World Cup semifinal showdown against Croatia. After three weeks of pulsating action in Qatar, just four teams are left standing as the tournament heads into its home…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - Croatia are hoping Argentina's bad-tempered World Cup quarterfinal qualification over the Netherlands with 16 yellow cards and one red will not spill over into Tuesday's semifinal, coach Zlatko Dalic said on Monday. The Argentines eventually prevailed on penalties after squandering a two-goal lead but the game…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - After putting Belgium, Portugal and Spain to the sword in Qatar, Morocco is looking to bring another soccer superpower to their knees when they face France in the World Cup semifinals on Wednesday in a match heavy with political and social overtones. Morocco, the first African…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Lionel Messi and Argentina's World Cup dream remains alive but an indefatigable Croatia side inspired by the enduring brilliance of Luka Modric stands in their way in Tuesday's semifinal in Doha. Argentina have recovered from the shock of losing their opening game in Qatar to Saudi…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Yassine Bounou has learned to be patient in his career, but the Morocco goalkeeper with a show-stopping nickname is proving he more than belongs on the big stage at this World Cup. An unused squad member at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2018…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Cristiano Ronaldo left the World Cup in tears on Saturday, walking off down the tunnel with his dreams of winning the trophy in tatters. Morocco earned a shock 1-0 quarterfinal victory over Portugal, the north Africans' joy the stark opposite of Ronaldo's misery. The Portuguese forward,…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Olivier Giroud scored the winner and Harry Kane missed a late penalty as holders France beat England 2-1 in a tense World Cup quarterfinal on Saturday. Aurelien Tchouameni had swept France into a first-half lead only for Kane to equalise from the spot nine minutes into…
Staff Reporter. World governing body, Fifa on Saturday announced it had opening disciplinary procedures against Argentina and the Netherlands after a series of ugly incidents marred their bad-tempered World Cup quarterfinal. A World Cup record 18 yellow cards were shown as Argentina defeated the Dutch 4-3 on penalties on Friday…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Morocco became the first African nation to reach the World Cup semifinals as Youssef En-Nesyri's first-half goal sealed a tense 1-0 victory over Portugal on Saturday at Al Thumama Stadium. The Atlas Lions, also the first Arab team to make the last four, added Portugal to…
Staff Reporter. Tite has quit as manager of Brazil after their shock elimination from the World Cup, bringing an end to his six-year stint in charge of the national side. Brazil were the favorites to win the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but that hope was dashed on Friday when…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - One of America's leading soccer reporters, who made headlines when he was detained at the Qatar World Cup for wearing a rainbow shirt, died Friday while covering the quarter finals in Doha, according to his wife and the US Soccer federation. Grant Wahl, 48, helped build…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Argentina set up a semifinal showdown with Croatia after beating the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties following a thrilling 2-2 extra-time draw in a World Cup quarterfinal classic. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was the hero in the shootout for the South Americans after Argentina squandered a Lionel Messi-engineered…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - Croatia battled past tournament favourites Brazil 4-2 on penalties on Friday to reach the World Cup semifinals following a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes. The 2018 runners-up came through their second consecutive shootout after beating Japan also on penalties in the last 16 and will now…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Neymar equalled Pele's record of 77 Brazil goals after scoring against Croatia in the World Cup quarterfinals on Friday. The forward fired home from close range in extra-time to put Brazil ahead and match Pele's tally, achieved between 1957 and 1971. Neymar's strike, which saw him…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Brazil seek to become the first team through to the World Cup semifinals on Friday, while Argentina could set up a blockbuster all-South American clash if they get past the Netherlands. After three weeks of pulsating action, just eight teams are left standing as the 32-nation…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Morocco head into Saturday's last-eight clash with Portugal knowing they are only one step away from making history as Africa's first World Cup semifinalists, but they face a buoyant opposition fresh from scoring six goals against Switzerland. Walid Regragui's Moroccans are in uncharted territory after a…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Cristiano Ronaldo said Thursday that Portugal were "too united to be broken by outside forces" after it was reported he had threatened to walk out on the squad after being benched against Switzerland. The 37-year-old striker was dropped for the last-16 clash earlier this week, with…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Brazil coach Tite has hit back at criticism of his players' dancing goal celebrations in their World Cup win over South Korea, dismissing suggestions they showed a lack of respect. The tournament favourites produced some carnival football as they crushed the Koreans 4-1 on Monday and…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Spain sacked coach Luis Enrique on Thursday after the 2010 champions were dumped out of the World Cup by Morocco at the last-16 stage earlier this week. "Both the president, Luis Rubiales, and the sporting director, Jose Francisco Molina, have told the coach their decision," the…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) on Thursday denied Cristiano Ronaldo threatened to abandon the World Cup squad after being benched against Switzerland. The 37-year-old striker was surprisingly dropped for the last 16 clash on Tuesday, with his replacement Goncalo Ramos netting a hat-trick in the 6-1…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - Lionel Messi's hopes of winning an elusive World Cup will come up against the tactical scheming of veteran coach Louis van Gaal as Argentina face the Netherlands in Friday’s quarterfinal at Lusail. Messi, 35, once again carries his nation's hopes on his shoulders as he looks…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - While Kylian Mbappe dominates the headlines for France, Antoine Griezmann's performances in a new midfield role have also been crucial for the holders on their run to Saturday's World Cup quarterfinal against England. Griezmann had a difficult start to the season at Atletico Madrid and has…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - Portugal's Goncalo Ramos scored a hat-trick on his first World Cup start to help his side demolish Switzerland 6-1 on Tuesday and send them through to the quarterfinals for the first time in 16 years, setting up a clash with Morocco. Portugal coach Fernando Santos had…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Achraf Hakimi struck the decisive penalty to send Spain crashing out and Morocco into the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time, winning 3-0 in a shoot-out on Tuesday after a 0-0 draw. Spain coach Luis Enrique had claimed his players prepared by taking 1,000 penalties…
Staff Reporter. (Reuetrs) - Portugal coach Fernando Santos benched skipper and all-time top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo for their World Cup last-16 clash against Switzerland on Tuesday, with veteran defender Pepe taking the captain's armband. Ronaldo, the first player to score in five World Cups, has only one goal in Qatar…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - Moroccans have been flying into Qatar for their team's knockout World Cup match against Spain on Tuesday as fans already in the country have been trying desperately to get their hands on tickets. The last Arab and African side left in World Cup, Morocco has been…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Neymar returned from injury to help inspire Brazil to a 4-1 victory over South Korea on Monday as the favourites cruised through to the quarterfinals of the World Cup. The world's most expensive player had sat out his team's last two matches with a sprained ankle…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - Neymar makes his return to Brazil's starting line-up for Monday's World Cup last-16 tie against South Korea. The world's most expensive footballer is back for the game at Doha's Stadium 974 after missing Brazil's last two matches with an ankle sprain he suffered in their opening…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Croatia reached the quarterfinals of the World Cup on Monday with a dramatic 3-1 penalty shoot-out win over Japan after a tense last-16 clash ended 1-1. Mario Pasalic struck the winning penalty to send Croatia through after Ivan Perisic had pulled Croatia level in the 55th…
Staff Reporter. France's protest about Antoine Griezmann's goal being ruled out in the game against Tunisia in their final World Cup Group D game has been rejected by Fifa's disciplinary committee, the governing body said on Monday. "The Fifa Disciplinary Committee has dismissed the protest submitted by the French Football…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Football legend Pele wished the Brazilian national team luck on Monday for their World Cup last-16 match against South Korea, saying he would be watching from hospital, where the 82-year-old icon has been undergoing treatment. Fans worldwide have been on edge over the health of the…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - England overcame a pedestrian start to surge to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Senegal on Sunday as goals by Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka swept them into a mouth-watering World Cup quarterfinal clash with holders France. England took a long time to impose themselves…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - England manager Gareth Southgate recalled Bukayo Saka to his forward line in place of their Qatar top scorer Marcus Rashford for the World Cup last-16 clash against Senegal on Sunday. Saka, who started England's first two Group B games and scored twice in the opener against…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - Kylian Mbappe was in another league yet again, while the ever-reliable Olivier Giroud netted a record goal, to send defending champions France into the quarterfinals of the World Cup with a 3-1 victory against Poland on Sunday. Les Bleus, who will face either Senegal or England…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Lionel Messi produced a moment of trademark quality to score the opener in a 2-1 win over Australia and send Argentina into the quarterfinals of the World Cup on Saturday. Messi's 789th goal in his 1 000th career appearance – but first in the knockout rounds…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - Argentina replaced striker Angel Di Maria with Alejandro Gomez alongside Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez in attack against Australia in Saturday's World Cup last 16 clash. That was coach Lionel Scaloni's only change in the starting line-up from the last game against Poland. Di Maria, who…
Staff Reporter. Denzel Dumfries set up the first two goals and netted a decisive third to ensure a 3-1 victory for the Netherlands over the United States at the Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday and a spot in the World Cup quarterfinals, thwarting their opponent’s efforts at a late comeback.…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles have been ruled out of the rest of the World Cup with knee injuries, the Brazil team announced on Saturday. The South American team said the pair, who were hurt during Friday's 1-0 defeat to Cameroon, both underwent tests on Saturday…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - Key attacker Christian Pulisic was included in the United States line-up for Saturday’s last-16 game at the Qatar World Cup against the Netherlands at the Khalifa International Stadium. But striker Josh Sargent, who was also injured in their last group stage game, a win over Iran…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - World Cup favourites Brazil are racing to overcome injuries to key players as they prepare for their last-16 match against South Korea on Monday, after a heavily changed side lost 1-0 to Cameroon on Friday night. Neymar is still recovering from an ankle injury suffered in…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - Switzerland reached the World Cup knockout round for the third successive tournament after prevailing 3-2 over Serbia on Friday to finish runners-up in Group G and set up a last 16 showdown with Portugal. In a contest that ebbed and flowed at breakneck speed in the…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - A late goal by skipper Vincent Aboubakar ended Cameroon's 20-year wait for a win at the World Cup as the Indomitable Lions bowed out in style by beating a much-changed Brazil 1-0 at the Lusail Stadium on Friday. With qualification to the last 16 already in…
Staff Reporter. Brazil coach Tite will rotate his squad in their final Group G match on Friday against Cameroon to keep most of his key players fresh for a likely last 16 match on Monday if they finish top. With their ticket already booked for the next round after two…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - South Korea talisman Son Heung-min is still without a goal at this World Cup but he ran himself into the ground on Friday to ensure his team reached the last 16 in dramatic fashion. The Asian side simply refused to accept that their World Cup dream…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - Giorgian de Arrascaeta scored twice in six minutes to give Uruguay a 2-0 win over Ghana on Friday but it was not enough to prevent them crashing out of the World Cup on goals scored. It was the first time in two decades that la Celeste…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Louis van Gaal has his sights set on an emotional World Cup run as the outspoken Netherlands coach prepares for Saturday's last 16 clash with the United States. If Van Gaal's side make it to the latter stages of the World Cup in Qatar it would…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Belgium coach Roberto Martinez stepped down on Thursday following his side’s World Cup first-round exit, saying he had made the decision to end his six-year tenure some time ago and would have left even if they had been crowned champions. "This was my last game as…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - Japan staged their second stunning turnaround of the World Cup to beat 2010 champions Spain 2-1 on Thursday to surge into the last 16 along with their beaten opponents and dump Germany out in one of the greatest nights for the Samurai Blue. Staring at the…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - Four-time champions Germany sensationally crashed out of the World Cup despite a 4-2 victory over Costa Rica in their last Group E match on Thursday, tumbling out at the first hurdle for the second consecutive time. Germany finished third in the standings, behind Spain on goal…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Romelu Lukaku missed a string of late chances as Belgium crashed out of the World Cup in the group stage after a 0-0 draw with Croatia on Thursday which sent the 2018 runners-up into the knockout phase. Croatia had a penalty award controversially cancelled by VAR…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Morocco powered into the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time in 36 years on Thursday with a 2-1 victory over eliminated Canada. Goals from Hakim Ziyech and Youssef En-Nesyri ensured the North Africans finished top of Group F ahead of 2018 World…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - Australia will put their bodies on the line to stop Lionel Messi and spring a surprise against Argentina in the World Cup last 16, tough-tackling Milos Degenek warned on Thursday. The defender, who made his World Cup debut in Australia's 1-0 group win over Denmark on…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - Mexico scored twice in five second-half minutes in a thrilling last-ditch effort to stay in the World Cup on Wednesday, beating Saudi Arabia 2-1 but agonisingly missing out on the last 16 on goal difference. Goals from Henry Martin and Luis Chavez soon after the interval…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Lionel Messi had a penalty saved but Argentina still advanced to the last 16 of the World Cup as Group C winners after a 2-0 victory over Poland on Wednesday. Poland also went through as runners-up although a 2-1 win for Mexico over Saudi Arabia in…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Australia reached the last 16 of the World Cup for only the second time in their history with a 1-0 win over a disappointing Denmark on Wednesday. Winger Mathew Leckie scored the winner on the hour with a smart run and finish to end Denmark's Qatar…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - French-born Wahbi Khazri scored the only goal of the game as Tunisia claimed a famous 1-0 win over holders France at the World Cup on Wednesday, but it was not enough for them to reach the last 16. France coach Didier Deschamps, whose team were already…
Staff Reporter. North African side Tunisia have it all to do in their final World Cup Group D clash against champions France at Education City Stadium on Wednesday but are very much still alive in terms of a last 16 place. THE PERMUTATIONS Victory for Tunisia against already qualified France…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Jens Mueller has been following World Cups since the 1970s and says he has never seen "so little enthusiasm" from fellow Germans for their team at a major tournament. The mood would usually be "a bit more euphoric", the 58-year-old says at a small, crowded Berlin…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - The United States stormed into the World Cup last 16 on Tuesday by beating Iran 1-0 at a cacophonous Al Thumama Stadium after Christian Pulisic bundled the ball home in a Group B showdown shrouded by decades of enmity between the two nations. Pulisic's 38th minute…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - England marched into the last 16 of the World Cup as Group B winners after Marcus Rashford's double and a Phil Foden strike justified their first starts of the tournament in a 3-0 hammering of an outclassed Wales on Tuesday. Wales, who needed a four-goal victory…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - Winger Ismaila Sarr kept his cool to score a first half penalty and captain Kalidou Koulibaly netted a second goal as Senegal beat Ecuador 2-1 at the Khalifa International Stadium on Tuesday to earn a place in the last 16 of the World Cup. Sarr scored…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - Netherlands eased past already eliminated World Cup hosts Qatar 2-0 to top Group A and reach the knockout stages on Tuesday after Cody Gakpo netted his third goal in three games. For Qatar, the tournament ended as it started with a loss at the Al Bayt…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - France will look to keep their World Cup momentum going when they face Tunisia even though they have qualified for the knockout stages, and coach Didier Deschamps will make changes for the game on Wednesday. The defending champions advanced to the last 16 after a 4-1…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Bruno Fernandes scored twice to give Portugal a 2-0 victory over Uruguay on Monday and send them into the knock-out stages of the World Cup alongside France and Brazil. The Manchester United midfielder scored a cross-cum-shot nine minutes into the second half and then added an…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - A Brazil side lacking spark without the injured Neymar needed a late strike from Casemiro to edge out Switzerland 1-0 on Monday as the five-time winners secured their place in the World Cup last 16 with one game to spare. The Brazilians had been frustrated by…
Staff Reporter. Mohammed Kudus netted twice as Ghana edged out South Korea 3-2 in a dramatic and fluctuating World Cup Group H game on Monday to stay in contention for the next round. Ghana led 2-0 at halftime but allowed South Korea back into the match as Cho Gue-sung netted…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - Cameroon striker Vincent Aboubakar came off the bench to score one goal and set up another as the Indomitable Lions rescued a point in their 3-3 draw with Serbia on Monday that ended a run of eight successive World Cup losses for the African side. The…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - Two of the most intimidating strikers in world football, Argentina's 35-year-old Lionel Messi and Poland's 34-year-old Robert Lewandowski, line up against each other on Wednesday with a last 16 place at stake in the World Cup. Messi has scored twice in Argentina's extraordinary start to the…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - Germany gave themselves hope of avoiding another early World Cup exit when they snatched a 1-1 draw with Spain as substitute Niclas Fuellkrug fired home an 83rd minute equaliser that cancelled out Alvaro Morata's opener. The result leaves Germany facing a must-win match against Costa Rica…
Staff Reporter. Kai Havertz paid the price for Germany's shock defeat by Japan in their World Cup opener as he was replaced by Leon Goretzka in the line-up to face Spain on Sunday. The Chelsea forward struggled to make an impact in the 2-1 stumble on Wednesday and coach Hansi…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Croatia got their World Cup campaign back on track as Andrej Kramaric's double inspired a 4-1 win that eliminated Canada in Sunday's Group F grudge match in Doha. Zlatko Dalic's side were stunned by Alphonso Davies's second-minute opener at the Khalifa International Stadium. But Hoffenheim forward…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou will be fit to play against Canada in the World Cup on Thursday after being replaced moments before facing Belgium in Sunday's Group F match, team doctor Abderrazak Hefti said. Bounou was named in the starting line-up and lined up with his…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Morocco jeopardised Belgium's World Cup hopes as Abdelhamid Sabiri and Zakaria Aboukhlal's late goals secured a surprise 2-0 triumph in Doha on Sunday. Belgium, third in Russia four years ago, could have qualified for the last 16 with victory but instead produced another insipid display after…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Costa Rica stunned Japan 1-0 thanks to a late goal at the World Cup on Sunday to blow Group E wide open and hand a potential lifeline to Germany. Japan, who shocked four-time champions Germany 2-1 in their opener in Qatar, could have taken a giant…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - Ghana coach Otto Addo is looking forward to renewing a long-standing relationship with South Korea's Son Heung-min when the teams clash at the World Cup on Monday. Ghana, who lost their opening game to Portugal, are seeking of their first points in Group H against the…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - Lionel Messi kept his dream of winning his first World Cup alive by rifling in the opening goal in Saturday's 2-0 victory over Mexico in World Cup Group C, proving he was far from done in the tournament. The Argentine, competing in his fifth World Cup…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - Kylian Mbappe scored a second-half double as France became the first team to book their spot in the World Cup knockout stage on Saturday by defeating a feisty Danish team 2-1 in a tense encounter. After a goalless first half in which the defending champions dominated…
Staff Reporter. (AFP) - Robert Lewandowski scored the first World Cup goal of his prolific career on Saturday when he netted in Poland's 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia, bursting their bubble following the team's giant-killing act against Argentina. Barcelona forward Lewandowski made sure Poland took a big step towards the…
Staff Reporter. (Reuters) - Germany go into their second World Cup Group E game against Spain on Sunday knowing it is like a final, Germany coach Hansi Flick said on Saturday, with his team facing possible elimination if they are defeated again. Asked whether the four-time world champions were still…