France secured first place ahead of Denmark in Group C on Tuesday following a 0-0 draw in Moscow that could set up a heavyweight World Cup clash with Lionel Messi‘s Argentina in the last 16. Neither team really had much to play for and, after the nil-fest, both advance to the knockout stage with France leading the group and […]
Karim Ansarifard‘s late penalty denied Portugal top spot in Group B as Iran earned a 1-1 draw that was not quite enough to fire them into the knockout stage. Ricardo Quaresma‘s first half goal fired Portugal ahead with Cristiano Ronaldo missing a penalty and nearly saw red. A controversial VAR intervention saw Cedric Soares penalised for a handball in the area cost Portugal dearly, and […]
Saudi Arabia beat Egypt 2-1 with a last-gasp winner that cancelled Mohamed Salah‘s earlier strike in Group A early Kick Off. Saudi Arabia who finished third scored their only goals of the tournament improving from the 5-0 thrashing by hosts Russia. Mohamed Salah put Egypt ahead in the 22nd minute with when he deftly controlled a long ball from Abdalla Said that […]
Uruguay secured top spot in Group A after a comfortably 3-0 display over 10-man Russia in Samara on Monday. Luis Suarez opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a low free-kick and Denis Cheryshev deflected a Diego Laxalt shot into his own net (23) before Igor Smolnikov was sent off for a second yellow card nine minutes before half-time. Edinson Cavani poked home […]
Defender Yerry Mina headed home from six yards following a floated ball by James Rodriguez to open scoring. Striker Radamel Falcao doubled Colombia’s lead in the second half following a lovely ball by Juan Quintero. Juan Cuadrado ensured Colombia took all three points just five minutes later after a great assist by Rodriguez. Both sides headed into the Group H encounter having to avoid defeat after […]
Sadio Mane gave Senegal an early lead after Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima punched the ball on to his knee. Japan slowly grew into the game and equalised shortly after the half-hour mark through Takashi Inui‘s curler. Senegal regained the lead slightly against the run of play with a nice finish from defender Moussa Wague. Keisuke Hondapulled Japan back on to level terms after some poor […]
TONI Kroos rescued holders Germany from the brink of an unthinkable early World Cup exit, curling home a sensational winner in the fifth minute of stoppage time to seal a 2-1 win over Sweden reviving hopes of becoming the first side to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962. Before that, a Kroos error had led to Ola Toivonen giving Sweden […]
Javier Hernandez’s 50th goal for Mexico sealed their qualification from Group F and left South Korea on the brink of exiting the World Cup. Mexico dominated the first half and lead through Carlos Vela’s penalty. Andres Guardado’s cross was blocked by Jang Hyun-Soo’s outstretched arm and the referee pointed to the spot without any VAR interference. Hernandez’s record goal was a […]