French star Pogba looks to be World Cup hero
St. Petersburg, July 11 (IANS) Earlier in this World Cup, 25-year-old French star Paul Pogba said that it could be the last time he appeared in the tournament. If that is the case, he will…
2018 FIFA World Cup
Hard work and VAR key factors as set-pieces rule in Russia
St. Petersburg, July 11 (IANS) Samuel Umtiti’s 51st-minute header from a corner kick booked France’s passage to the final of the FIFA World Cup. It not only presented the French side with a date in…
Belgium coach Martinez laments lack of magic
St. Petersburg, July 11 (IANS) Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez said he was proud of his footballers despite the narrow 0-1 defeat to France on Tuesday which saw them falter at the last hurdle before…
France squad takes a break after qualifying for World Cup final
Moscow, July 11 (IANS) The French national team on Wednesday enjoyed a rest day after they secured a spot in the 2018 FIFA World Cup final with a 1-0 victory over Belgium. On Tuesday night,…
Deschamps lives in present as France reach World Cup final
St Petersburg, July 11 (IANS) France coach Didier Deschamps went down his memory lane, marked by happy and sad moments, after his team’s 1-0 win over Belgium in the FIFA World Cup semi-final. Samuel Umtiti’s…
Putin congratulates Macron after France reach World Cup final
Moscow, July 11 (IANS) Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Frances semi-final victory over Belgium and advancement to the 2018 FIFA World Cup final, the Kremlin press service said. “Shortly…
Parisians sing ‘Ole,Ole’ and dance throughout night as France reaches World Cup final
By Sugandha Rawal Paris, July 11 (IANS) There was dance, music, spectacular fireworks and “Ole, ole, ole” at the the iconic Arc de Triomphe — all to celebrate the entry of France in FIFA World…
World Cup: Croatia, England aim to create history
Moscow, July 10 (IANS) Croatia’s compact side will combat England’s fast and direct football when they meet in the second semi-final of the FIFA World Cup with both teams aiming to recreate their own history…
Uruguayan football fans want plaza named for national coach
Montevideo (Uruguay), July 10 (IANS) Football fans here have launched a campaign via the municipality’s website to name a square in honour of national team coach Oscar Washington Tabarez. As of early Tuesday, the initiative…
Kiev to pay fine for Croatia’s Vukojevic for Ukraine slogan
Kiev, July 10 (IANS) The Ukrainian Football Federation (FFU) will compensate Croatia’s assistant coach and former Dynamo Kiev player Ognjen Vukojevic for the fine imposed on him by FIFA for saying “This is a victory…
Dele Alli: looking for more against Croatia
Moscow, July 10 (IANS) England’s attacking midfielder Dele Alli admits he has not been at his best so far in the FIFA World Cup in Russia, but that could be bad news for Croatia when…
Henderson, Vardy ready to face Croatia in World Cup semifinal
Zelenogorsk (Russia), July 10 (IANS) England’s central midfielder Jordan Henderson and striker Jamie Vardy on Tuesday attended the English squad’s last training session prior to their crucial semifinal match against Croatia in the FIFA world…
England team trains ahead of clash against Croatia
Zelenogorsk (Russia), July 10 (IANS) The England squad on Tuesday trained ahead of their World Cup semi-final against Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. At their base in Zelenogorsk, near Saint Petersburg, coach Gareth…
Croatia’s Mandzukic says team eager to prove themselves
Moscow, July 10 (IANS) Mario Mandzukic has said that he and his Croatia teammates won’t let fatigue get in their way when they face England in the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup on Wednesday….
Uruguay had a great World Cup, came close to semis: Godin
Montevideo (Uruguay), July 10 (IANS) Uruguay captain Diego Godin has said his team had “a great World Cup” despite losing in the quarterfinals to France, and thanked the fans who waited until the wee hours…
England wary of ‘world class’ Modric
Moscow, July 9 (IANS) England will be wary of the threat posed by Croatia veteran midfielder Luka Modric when the teams meet in their FIFA World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, according to players Eric Dier…
Uruguay was best of South American teams at World Cup: Suarez
Montevideo, July 9 (IANS) Forward Luis Suarez gave a positive evaluation on Monday of Uruguay’s performance at the World Cup in Russia, noting that the team finished in fifth place with the best results of…
Coach Deschamps says France can get even better
St. Petersburg, July 9 (IANS) France head coach Didier Deschamps views Tuesday’s FIFA World Cup semi-final against Belgium as an opportunity for his footballers to take another step towards fulfilling their full potential. Two years…
World Cup: Croatia’s Vida, Vukojevic apologise for statements after win
Moscow, July 9 (IANS) Croatian footballer Domagoj Vida and national teams coaching staff assistant Ognjen Vukojevic have apologised for their statements after the victory over Russia in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match in Sochi,…
Tactics vs talent: Belgium, France battle for place in World Cup final
St. Petersburg, July 9 (IANS) Although the Tour de France cycle race would normally be the focus of French and Belgian sports fans at this time of year, it’s a fair bet that Tuesday’s World…