FIFA World Cup 2018

France captain Lloris retires from international football

France captain Hugo Lloris has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 36, three weeks after his country lost the World Cup final on penalties to Argentina in Doha.

On This Day: Majestic Ronaldo scores hattrick against Spain in 2018 WC

Four years ago, Cristiano Ronaldo produced an emphatic performance as the forward bagged his maiden World Cup hattrick to help Portugal draw 3-3 against Spain in their Group B encounter of the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Sochi. 

WC celebrations rock Paris

The World Cup-winning French team returned home to a heroes' welcome yesterday, parading down the Champs-Elysees as hundreds of thousands of cheering fans gave a raucous welcome to the country's newest idols.

Deschamps hails 'beautiful' WC win but Lovren says 'France didn’t play football'

Croatia defender Dejan Lovren is scathing of France's style of play following his side's defeat in Sunday's World Cup final.

'I do not know where I am!'

Once the French have their hands on the coveted golden trophy, Griezmann grasp it and run down to fans behind the goal to show them the World Cup, before skipping back along the side of the pitch holding it aloft.

You don't give a penalty like that in a World Cup final, says Croatia coach Dalic

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic stated outright what he felt regarding the controversial penalty call following his side’s 4-2 defeat to France in Sunday’s World Cup final, saying : “You don't give a penalty like that in a World Cup final.”

Did controversies ruin the spectacle of the World Cup final?

It was the first time that Video Referee Assistant (VAR) technology was used in a World Cup final but controversial refereeing decsions ensured that a spectacle of the calibre of the final might have been marred by inconsistencies.

Young France promise even more

Energetic, disciplined and clinical, France won the World Cup on Sunday with a 4-2 victory over Croatia that, even in such a moment of achievement, still left the feeling there may be much more to come from Didier Deschamps' outstanding young team.

Reason why protesters invaded pitch during World Cup final

The World Cup final between France and Croatia was briefly interrupted when three intruders affiliated to anti-Kremlin punk band Pussy Riot ran onto the pitch before being hauled off by stewards.

June 23, 2018
June 23, 2018

Germany vs Sweden Match in numbers

After a shock 1-0 defeat against Mexico in their opening game of the World Cup 2018, Germany will be facing Sweden in their second match of the group stage and the defending champions will be looking to seal their first victory in this edition of the football extravaganza.

June 23, 2018
June 23, 2018

Shaqiri conjures Swiss win

A 90th minute run from Xherdan Shaqiri broke the deadlock and handed Switzerland a 2-1 win over Serbia in their 2018 World Cup Group E match at the Kaliningrad Stadium.

June 23, 2018
June 23, 2018

Musa gives Argentina hope

Nigeria beat Iceland 2-0 to revive their hopes of advancing into the knockout stages of the World Cup in Russia on Friday as striker Ahmed Musa dramatically marked his return to the team with two fine second-half goals.

June 21, 2018
June 21, 2018

Messi needs to get angry

Regardless of what happens to Argentina at this World Cup, Lionel Messi needs to free himself of the burden of being the Albiceleste’s only hope and play his own game – with the ferocity we have come to expect from the Barcelona great.

June 21, 2018
June 21, 2018

'King of Egypt', goodbye

With hands on hips, shoulders slightly slumped, eyes wide shut, he looked into an emptiness from the middle of the stadium. As if time just froze with the long whistle from the referee. And the king was just defeated.

June 20, 2018
June 20, 2018

Messi’s FB page video post acknowledges Bangladesh fans

Argentine star Lionel Messi’s official Facebook page posted a video, that includes Bangladeshi fans who support and express their love for Messi as well as Argentina for 2018 FIFA World Cup.

June 19, 2018
June 19, 2018

Japan stun 10-man Colombia

In a stirring match that saw the first red card of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Japan ride on goals from Shinji Kagawa and Yuya Osako to beat Colombia 2-1 in their Group H game at the Mordovia Arena in Saransk.

June 18, 2018
June 18, 2018

Neymar tells referees to ‘do their job’

Neymar, who had a rough night yesterday as Brazil only managed a draw in their Group E fixture against Switzerland has told the referees to do their job properly.

June 18, 2018
June 18, 2018

South Korea players swapped shirts to confuse ‘Swedish spies’

South Korea’s manager Shin Tae-yong made his players wear different shirts in pre-World Cup friendlies to confuse 'Swedish spies'.

June 18, 2018
June 18, 2018

Croatia’s secret weapon to stop Messi

Croatia are obviously going to have a scheme to thwart Argentina captain Lionel Messi from having as little influence in the outcome of the match as possible. However, the schemes to work, their needs to be ideas.