The entire schedule of Russia FIFA World Cup 2018

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgvObp9OswxtkZLTcZyOcZ-jq4NhyEBRspX2EBM-XPXH7BB0e-ML8aJgNrEU0AuX-xALBqC8x2AIUZ4_APN6hvmHYOVyiH-Fda8Vv0sgOllST6StnRv6Otsl1lEntXVgWwTyZbcSrAPZj/s1600/Russia-FIFA-World-Cup-2018-Schedule.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1279" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgvObp9OswxtkZLTcZyOcZ-jq4NhyEBRspX2EBM-XPXH7BB0e-ML8aJgNrEU0AuX-xALBqC8x2AIUZ4_APN6hvmHYOVyiH-Fda8Vv0sgOllST6StnRv6Otsl1lEntXVgWwTyZbcSrAPZj/s640/Russia-FIFA-World-Cup-2018-Schedule.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entire schedule of Russia FIFA World Cup 2018</td></tr> </tbody></table> <h3> <ul> <li>The FIFA World Cup 2018 will take place from June 14 to July 15, 2018.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>A total of 32 teams will be competing for the coveted trophy</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Hosts Russia take on Saudi Arabia in the opener on Thursday</li> </ul> </h3> <br /> <br /> FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia will see 32 nations competing for the coveted trophy. Each team has fielded a 23-man squad for the quadrennial event. The tournament starts from June 14 and will continue till July 15.<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp69bivGdtL20gEtQNI1cRX-G6_4sMM1HUEEZwepztdinTPX16kWN8G-oxMr7kMrH0bj7kz-UGzSIAc1ZInNqcyBGv22zVrZ9_wa41XnQ0s0kdWhWTFdcNMBSSpyplJV-Y8Eb7RdkzzSzY/s1600/Russia-FIFA-World-Cup-2018-Schedule-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1105" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp69bivGdtL20gEtQNI1cRX-G6_4sMM1HUEEZwepztdinTPX16kWN8G-oxMr7kMrH0bj7kz-UGzSIAc1ZInNqcyBGv22zVrZ9_wa41XnQ0s0kdWhWTFdcNMBSSpyplJV-Y8Eb7RdkzzSzY/s640/Russia-FIFA-World-Cup-2018-Schedule-2.jpg" width="100%" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzVCpQGblL6lf3vHTnC6cNlXPNKqRzOgWKnjOjC7zGpR9KQULw_7wYKM4dWLJ2WFjhK8NdfZPuptGXo_CVJbqLcmFGSJxI41EPzOjZ9rxgcqFfjRyxQV9JjC_dIZ7cZtlGECWmBgfKH3e/s1600/Russia-FIFA-World-Cup-2018-Schedule-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzVCpQGblL6lf3vHTnC6cNlXPNKqRzOgWKnjOjC7zGpR9KQULw_7wYKM4dWLJ2WFjhK8NdfZPuptGXo_CVJbqLcmFGSJxI41EPzOjZ9rxgcqFfjRyxQV9JjC_dIZ7cZtlGECWmBgfKH3e/s640/Russia-FIFA-World-Cup-2018-Schedule-3.jpg" width="100%" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <br /> <br /> credit: The Times Of India<br /> <br />

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ entire schedule of Russia FIFA World Cup 2018 Featured FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup Round of 16 finals quarter-finals semi-finals Sports third place The entire schedule of Russia FIFA World Cup 2018

The entire schedule of Russia FIFA World Cup 2018 The FIFA World Cup 2018 will take place from June 14 to July 15, 2018. A total of...

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England vs Colombia: England beat Colombia 4-3 on penalties to reach 2018 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJj4qWJNAZeAh1Kx_sbApzzU2enGWOOKtiq4CKQPz6Y7vEA_rYvbGH590HH5gtKrZLXBYez2GQYfg2cVB1p-JW8CF9KI6guTheqvjGta_iCuSS097RrmAcC1yogcXNREa1G5gN9YcEoQA/s1600/England-vs-Colombia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="720" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJj4qWJNAZeAh1Kx_sbApzzU2enGWOOKtiq4CKQPz6Y7vEA_rYvbGH590HH5gtKrZLXBYez2GQYfg2cVB1p-JW8CF9KI6guTheqvjGta_iCuSS097RrmAcC1yogcXNREa1G5gN9YcEoQA/s640/England-vs-Colombia.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">England beat Colombia 4-3 on penalties to reach 2018 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> <h3> <ul> <li>England defeat Colombia 4-3 on penalties after game finished 1-1 AET </li> </ul> <ul> <li>Kane opened scoring only for Mina to equalise in stoppage time</li> </ul> <ul> <li>England will play Sweden in quarter-final on 7 July in Samara</li> </ul> <ul> <li>England beat Colombia 4-3 on penalties after Eric Dier scored the decisive spot kick</li> </ul> <ul> <li>England set up quarter-final clash with Sweden</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Sweden earlier beat Switzerland 1-0 in their last 16 game to advance</li> </ul> </h3> <br /> <b>MOSCOW: </b>England finally ended their penalties curse when they beat Colombia 4-3 in a shootout after drawing their World Cup last-16 clash 1-1 following extra time after the South Americans equalised in the 93rd minute.<br /> <br /> England had previously lost all three World Cup shootouts and three of four in the European Championship but prevailed on Tuesday when Mateus Uribe and Carlos Bacca failed to convert, leaving Eric Dier to win the game for England<br /> <br /> It was the first time Colombia had been involved in a World Cup shootout and they took first blood when Jordan Henderson missed his spot kick - but for once fortune smiled on England.<br /> <br /> Earlier Harry Kane smashed in a 57th-minute penalty, his sixth goal of the tournament, and England looked to be through until Yerry Mina headed an equaliser in the third minute of stoppage time.<br /> <br /> It was England's first win in a knockout game since 2006 and earns them a quarter-final with Sweden, who were far from impressive in beating Switzerland 1-0 earlier on Tuesday.<br /> <br /> Then comes a potential semi-final against hosts Russia or Croatia with Tuesday's win appearing to vindicate - just - coach Gareth Southgate's decision to field a second-string side in the the final group game loss to Belgium to secure an easier route.<br /> <br /> Colombia's hopes suffered a huge setback before kickoff when key playmaker James Rodriguez was ruled out with a calf injury and without him they took a defensive approach and never rarely threatened.<br /> <br /> England were always the more purposeful side but they lacked the key final ball and needed a gift to take the lead.<br /> <br /> The South Americans had been getting away with blatant holding and wrestling at each of England's many corners and the referee's patience finally snapped when Carlos Sanchez hauled down tournament leading scorer Kane once too often.<br /> <br /> After four minutes of mayhem as the Colombians protested, Kane kept his cool and smashed in his third spot kick of Russia 2018.<br /> <br /> <br /> When Juan Cuadrado blazed horribly over the bar with the goal gaping 10 minutes from time with Colombia's first chance of the match it looked all over for them but there was a fiery sting in the tail of normal time.<br /> <br /> England keeper Jordan Pickford made a superb save to touch wide a furious long shot by Uribe but from the following corner - Colombia's first of the match - giant defender Mina rose highest to head in the equaliser and send the massed Colombian fans into a frenzy.<br /> <br /> <br /> England substitute Dier missed the best chance of the extra period when he headed over the bar but he made up for it in emphatic fashion with the winning penalty in the shootout.<br /> <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6C4QaE4qcfUNLc588Z7rHFyg0lTk0xEnobCdzqH3__bXZS0Ysr9TMyJMAPeiDxmzdv9bxAmMfkHL1VMWbOHU4ox90u_gZ9eOic-XydfMtfO2hoAFc_QTogRnIL3TIuvTgBtSC2M0b9Qg4/s1600/Colombia-vs-England-Infographic-FIFA-World-Cup-2018.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="762" height="720" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6C4QaE4qcfUNLc588Z7rHFyg0lTk0xEnobCdzqH3__bXZS0Ysr9TMyJMAPeiDxmzdv9bxAmMfkHL1VMWbOHU4ox90u_gZ9eOic-XydfMtfO2hoAFc_QTogRnIL3TIuvTgBtSC2M0b9Qg4/s640/Colombia-vs-England-Infographic-FIFA-World-Cup-2018.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Infographic: FIFA World Cup 2018 - Colombia vs England </td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> <br /> credit: The Times Of India<br /> <div> <br /></div>

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Colombia football team England national football team England vs Colombia Eric Dier Featured FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup Round of 16 Harry Kane Sports Yerry Mina England vs Colombia: England beat Colombia 4-3 on penalties to reach 2018 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals

England beat Colombia 4-3 on penalties to reach 2018 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals England defeat Colombia 4-3 on penalties after gam...

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Sweden vs Switzerland: Sweden beat Switzerland 1-0 to reach World Cup quarter-finals

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtpYJD86SbFoXzblXjMnXYRdlpl9H962q10EYRhyyUv4CyVRG1BEtvWdwbKDFhQuS95UUmh34nyEw_ZYxPxN9qYHmbqJQnioW-GLKBNUc0S0b3B4LUHi1ELkAIuXeOJzm3GZJGwIfX94P/s1600/Sweden-vs-Switzerland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="800" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtpYJD86SbFoXzblXjMnXYRdlpl9H962q10EYRhyyUv4CyVRG1BEtvWdwbKDFhQuS95UUmh34nyEw_ZYxPxN9qYHmbqJQnioW-GLKBNUc0S0b3B4LUHi1ELkAIuXeOJzm3GZJGwIfX94P/s640/Sweden-vs-Switzerland.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">World Cup - Round of 16 - Sweden vs Switzerland - Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - July 3, 2018  Sweden's Marcus Berg in action with Switzerland's Ricardo Rodriguez   REUTERS/Henry Romero</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> <h3> <ul> <li>A deflected shot from Emil Forsberg gave Sweden a 1-0 victory over Switzerland</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Switzerland had the lion's share of possession but were toothless in attack</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Sweden will face England in the quarter-finals</li> </ul> </h3> <br /> <br /> <b>ST PETERSBURG:</b> A deflected shot from Emil Forsberg gave Sweden a 1-0 victory over Switzerland in a dull World Cup round of 16 match in St Petersburg on Tuesday, sending the Swedes through to a quarter-final against England.<br /> <br /> Switzerland had the lion's share of possession but were toothless in attack, and bowed out in dispiriting fashion after registering four shots on target over 90 minutes, none of which unduly tested Robin Olsen in the Swedish goal.<br /> <br /> Boos and whistles rang around the St Petersburg stadium as early as the 25th minute, with both Swedish and Swiss fans alike left irate by the lack of quality and attacking verve on display.<br /> <br /> The teams went into the interval locked in a goalless stalemate, with Sweden just about shading their opponents in terms of the quality of the few clear chances created.<br /> <br /> Marcus Berg forced a fine save from Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer in the 27th minute, and Albin Ekdal squandered an excellent chance when he volleyed over the bar from 12 metres out after getting on the end of a cross from Mikael Lustig.<br /> <br /> At the other end, Blerim Dzemaili wasted Switzerland's best chance when he fired over from 12 metres, while Xherdan Shaqiri had a terrible day at the office, sending several diagonal balls from the wing sailing over the heads of his team mates.<br /> <br /> The second half started in a similarly stultifying manner, with play bogged down in midfield and both sides looking to be inching inevitably towards extra time and a penalty shootout until Forsberg struck in the 66th minute to inject a flicker of life into the contest.<br /> <br /> Picking up a pass on the edge of the penalty area, the RB Leipzig midfielder shifted the ball to his right foot and struck a low shot that deflected off Swiss defender Manuel Akanji's foot and past the wrong-footed keeper.<br /> <br /> <br /> Switzerland came to life after the goal but Sweden defended stoutly and looked threatening on the counter-attack.<br /> <br /> They broke through the Swiss cordon in extra time when the substitute Martin Olsson was released into space and brought down just outside the box.<br /> <br /> <br /> The referee first awarded a penalty but then changed his mind after consulting the video assistant referee (VAR) to award a free kick, but Sommer saved Ola Toivonen's effort.<br /> <br /> credit: The Times Of India<br /> <div> <br /></div>

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Featured FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup Round of 16 Marcus Berg Ricardo Rodriguez Sports Sweden Football Team Sweden vs Switzerland Switzerland national football team Sweden vs Switzerland: Sweden beat Switzerland 1-0 to reach World Cup quarter-finals

World Cup - Round of 16 - Sweden vs Switzerland - Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - July 3, 2018  Sweden's Marcus B...

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Belgium vs Japan: Belgium snatch 3-2 win over Japan to set up Brazil clash at 2018 FIFA World Cup

<br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9D7Ot6PBG6K1kCy8etPGcF31vCqv_hHu4BzpG30FQ4FS9z4opJQKH2nBWNWxSpcElmOFc6MDcG32CBZsc850ldOopcBJveQG09xDjdbRmioYEMJhDYMJT-NgPJvJR2gfR8rq3obyc3o-/s1600/Belgium_vs-Japan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="806" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9D7Ot6PBG6K1kCy8etPGcF31vCqv_hHu4BzpG30FQ4FS9z4opJQKH2nBWNWxSpcElmOFc6MDcG32CBZsc850ldOopcBJveQG09xDjdbRmioYEMJhDYMJT-NgPJvJR2gfR8rq3obyc3o-/s640/Belgium_vs-Japan.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belgium snatch 3-2 win over Japan</td></tr> </tbody></table> <h3> <ul> <li>Belgium fought back from two goals down to beat Japan 3-2 with an added-time goal from substitute Nacer Chadli</li> </ul> <ul> <li>    Belgium became the first side to recover from a two-goal deficit to win a World Cup knockout match since Germany beat England 3-2 in 1970</li> </ul> <ul> <li>    Belgium set up a quarter-final with Brazil</li> </ul> </h3> <br /> <br /> <b>ROSTOV-ON-DON (Russia):</b> Belgium threw caution to the wind to reach the World Cup quarter-finals as substitute Nacer Chadli scored in the dying seconds against Japan to snatch a 3-2 comeback win on Monday and set up a clash with five-time champions Brazil.<br /> <br /> The distraught Japanese, who went 2-0 up with goals by Genki Haraguchi and Takashi Inui early in the second half, fell to the turf after Chadli poked the ball home from Thomas Meunier's cross four minutes into added time at the Rostov Arena.<br /> <br /> Belgium, who had taken a conservative approach to the game, got back into contention with late goals by Jan Vertonghen and substitute Marouane Fellaini before Chadli struck.<br /> <br /> "That's what happens in the World Cup. It was a test of character and a test of the team. It tells you everything about this group of players," said Belgium coach Roberto Martinez.<br /> <br /> One of the most exciting teams of the group phase, Belgium faced an embarrassing exit but finally clicked to become the first team to win a World Cup knockout game from two goals down since West Germany beat England 3-2 after extra time in 1970.<br /> <br /> Belgium's 'golden generation' have now scored 12 goals in four games in Russia ahead of a mouthwatering last eight clash with Brazil who beat Mexico 2-0 earlier on Monday.<br /> <br /> With centre back Vincent Kompany back in the lineup for the first time since picking a groin strain in a warm-up game, Belgium had looked safe at the back but uninspired up front.<br /> <br /> Both teams fought a tight midfield battle but their forwards froze in the area and Belgium's wide players, Meunier and Yannick Carrasco, did not take risks going forward, effectively turning a 3-4-3 formation into a more conservative 5-2-3 system.<br /> <br /> Japan got closest to a goal in a dull first half when Belgium keeper Thibaut Courtois let the ball slip from his hands and between his legs but recovered before it crossed the line.<br /> <br /> The Japanese were ahead soon after the break, though, when Haraguchi beat the offside trap and ran into the area to beat Courtois with a cross-shot in the 48th minute.<br /> <br /> Belgium responded but Hazard's shot rattled the post and Japan doubled their tally in the 52nd when Inui picked up the ball 25 metres out and fired a missile into the back of the net.<br /> <br /> The Red Devils were still struggling but they pulled a goal back after 69 minutes when Vertonghen looped a header from a high clearance back across goal into the far top corner.<br /> <br /> <br /> The momentum had shifted and in the 74th, Eden Hazard's cross was met by Fellaini, who equalised from close range with a powerful header.<br /> <br /> Belgium continued to push forward and both Chadli and Lukaku forced Japan keeper Eiji Kawashima into a couple of spectacular saves with powerful headers four minutes from full time.<br /> <br /> <br /> In stoppage time, Keisuke Honda's 30-metre free-kick was parried away by Courtois. The keeper then launched the ball to Kevin De Bruyne, who made a beeline through the field before finding Meunier, whose cross was met by Chadli for the winner.<br /> <br /> <br /> Source: The Times Of India

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Belgium national football team Belgium vs Japan Featured FIFA World Cup Jan Vertonghen Keisuke Honda Marouane Fellaini Nacer Chadli Belgium vs Japan: Belgium snatch 3-2 win over Japan to set up Brazil clash at 2018 FIFA World Cup

Belgium snatch 3-2 win over Japan Belgium fought back from two goals down to beat Japan 3-2 with an added-time goal from substitute N...

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Brazil vs Mexico: Brazil beat Mexico 2-0 to reach quarter-finals at 2018 FIFA World Cup

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbE4SOruc2nUysAWBNFcvtYsozvcFGUr_ChiRbeFaih6P3I_nTwYGcBMVpzs29XqikAGza77IEPRHcm6xzjey3dhVdIj_W-XyJasNKILa6dC6iR66V85rbPhOUxxepzuVdIpNO93ilD8Dy/s1600/brazil-neymar1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbE4SOruc2nUysAWBNFcvtYsozvcFGUr_ChiRbeFaih6P3I_nTwYGcBMVpzs29XqikAGza77IEPRHcm6xzjey3dhVdIj_W-XyJasNKILa6dC6iR66V85rbPhOUxxepzuVdIpNO93ilD8Dy/s640/brazil-neymar1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neymar celebrates after scoring the opening goal. </td></tr> </tbody></table> Brazil roared in the World Cup quarter-finals with a 2-0 victory over Mexico on Monday as Neymar shone with a goal and an assist that dumped the central Americans out at the last-16 stage for the seventh straight occasion.<br /> <br /> The PSG forward slid home in the second half and then teed up Roberto Firmino late on as the five-time champions beat an otherwise stubborn Mexico, whose World Cup began with such promise with a victory over champions Germany but ended in familiar fashion in the first knockout round.<br /> <br /> It was the seventh World Cup running that Brazil have reached the last eight, where they will now face Belgium or Japan, while Mexico have not made it to that stage since they hosted the tournament in 1986.<br /> <br /> Mexico, who enjoyed an enviable recent record against Brazil having won seven of their previous 15 matches against them, were a threat on the counter in the first half but then faded without ever really being put to the sword.<br /> <br /> A glaring spotlight had been on Neymar after his opening three performances saw him miss a litany of chances, frequently squander possession and spend far too long on the turf.<br /> <br /> Yet he answered a number of questions with a much more positive display and a decisive finish early in the second half from a move that he had started himself, although his propensity for histrionics were again in evidence.<br /> <br /> Minutes after the restart Brazil took the lead in exquisite fashion with Neymar starting and ending the move.<br /> <br /> He darted across the edge of the area before a perfect backheel released Willian, whose low cross fizzed into the danger area where Neymar slid in to turn the ball home.<br /> <br /> It was a choking blow for Mexico, who had been the better side for the opening half an hour, pegging Brazil back and creating several half chances.<br /> <br /> <br /> Brazil had to wait until the 88th minute to put the match to bed as Neymar was the architect, crossing for Firmino to tap the ball home.<br /> <br /> They will have to do without defensive midfielder Casemiro in the quarters, however, after he picked up his second booking.<br /> <br /> Credit: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Brazil national football team Brazil vs Mexico Featured FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup Round of 16 Igor Akinfeev Mexico Football Team Neymar Jr. Sports Brazil vs Mexico: Brazil beat Mexico 2-0 to reach quarter-finals at 2018 FIFA World Cup

Neymar celebrates after scoring the opening goal.  Brazil roared in the World Cup quarter-finals with a 2-0 victory over Mexico on Monda...

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2018 FIFA World Cup Russia: Croatia vs Denmark [1:1] but 3-2 on penalties with Danijel Subasic saving three spot-kicks

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyeDXT4aUIh5eeJp-xQh0K72Vl2PFGY4CioTgOIbmaRsCDj8F_cZEa7UtjBlYxU3tr6TMaL6NLbfKruPig4CSXmDyaU7Wb5a51SDZ5XXUrOIVrNC5okCzNxthn2GDWosxkBs8Bh7u0WT1l/s1600/croatia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="768" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyeDXT4aUIh5eeJp-xQh0K72Vl2PFGY4CioTgOIbmaRsCDj8F_cZEa7UtjBlYxU3tr6TMaL6NLbfKruPig4CSXmDyaU7Wb5a51SDZ5XXUrOIVrNC5okCzNxthn2GDWosxkBs8Bh7u0WT1l/s640/croatia.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luka Modrić (Left) plays as a midfielder for Spanish club Real Madrid and the captain of Croatia national team and Danijel Subašić (Right).</td></tr> </tbody></table> <h3> <ul> <li>Croatia win 3-2 on penalties with Danijel Subasic saving three spot-kicks</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Denmark scored within 60 seconds but Croatia equalised inside four minutes</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Croatia equalise in fourth minute after Danish first-minute goal</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Croatia to face hosts Russia in quarter-finals</li> </ul> </h3> <br /> According to GhanaSky.com analyst, this is the second time in July 1, 2018 FIFA Matches, a penalty shoot-out will decide who progresses to the quarter-finals. Denmark goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel will certainly be confident after dramatically saving Luka Modric's penalty with four minutes of extra time remaining.<br /> <br /> In extra time Denmark relied heavily on that defensive organisation that served them so well throughout the tournament. Both sides didn't look like there was any strength left to try attacking moves during extra time. And when Hareide's men needed it most, Kasper Schmeichel showed all his class to preserve the Danish chances in the penalty shoot-out.<br /> <br /> <h3> Agony and ecstasy:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTxIOG1bGr2C4vLAoJO_F5hxqvFX_lJSO5KlsINfENJP3YgVx9Uwqpv6CWnAyA-b7uWEyBK_SgICMXR73RaCCqQZWwJ-NjSKnBjgFJkAowkObZQ1Pe4tpsRYfLBRKsfwdbpRfgeWSO8hc/s1600/Agony+and+ecstasy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="768" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTxIOG1bGr2C4vLAoJO_F5hxqvFX_lJSO5KlsINfENJP3YgVx9Uwqpv6CWnAyA-b7uWEyBK_SgICMXR73RaCCqQZWwJ-NjSKnBjgFJkAowkObZQ1Pe4tpsRYfLBRKsfwdbpRfgeWSO8hc/s640/Agony+and+ecstasy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> </h3> Nothing brings out emotional extremes like a penalty shoot-out as these pictures prove.<br /> <h3> Gaolkeepers to the fore:</h3> Five penalties were saved by Danijel Subasic and Kasper Schmeichel during the shoot-out, with the latter also saving one in the final minutes of extra time.<br /> <h3> Subasic the hero:</h3> Croatia win 3-2 on penalties after Danijel Subasic saved three spot-kicks, including the opener from Christian Eriksen. Subasic equals the World Cup record for most saves in a shoot-out, equaling the mark set by Portugal's Ricardo against England in 2006.<br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguP8FOI1OdB2E0dsUFo-BkVZdw7f_KxRQXAE7kZxunYPRmojJwkyZYDyM0qtjzTEM5cl0guU6bivPUQjiXuemBYFEdC93y9_Q7gT7qnfmx5wsb5F4-RfTs_v2iDC7iajgmU7usZ3e8crYn/s1600/Danijel-Subasic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="768" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguP8FOI1OdB2E0dsUFo-BkVZdw7f_KxRQXAE7kZxunYPRmojJwkyZYDyM0qtjzTEM5cl0guU6bivPUQjiXuemBYFEdC93y9_Q7gT7qnfmx5wsb5F4-RfTs_v2iDC7iajgmU7usZ3e8crYn/s640/Danijel-Subasic.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Danijel Subašić is a Croatian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for AS Monaco and the Croatia national team.</td></tr> </tbody></table> <h3> A new record:</h3> Confirmation that Mario Mandzukic's equaliser was the earliest that both teams have scored in a FIFA World Cup. His goal tonight came at 3 mins 39 secs, eclipsing the equaliser scored by Ahmed Musa for Nigeria against Argentina at 3.52 in 2014.<br /> <br /> Mario Mandžukić is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Italian club Juventus and the Croatia national team. Besides being a prolific goalscorer, he is known for his defensive contribution and aerial power.<br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7X6KZ6x7tCNDzs-PAirtreVgsFqB41NEGBW6m1WRgXNKCM58VAyrqvb58YgXSyN42K13IrSSZLcUWXxKP4gZ2ErE8GLiYCQvl2JEPda3c_If7I5TGL4XoMQueAPc0QXWQmZnpZ_Rk_dU/s1600/MarioMandzukic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="759" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii7X6KZ6x7tCNDzs-PAirtreVgsFqB41NEGBW6m1WRgXNKCM58VAyrqvb58YgXSyN42K13IrSSZLcUWXxKP4gZ2ErE8GLiYCQvl2JEPda3c_If7I5TGL4XoMQueAPc0QXWQmZnpZ_Rk_dU/s640/MarioMandzukic.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mario Mandžukić (left)</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj682bsGexBkB2zKHWxuKB7IgIFtuteGVVmiomhd4PqrAHTimCxIs233MhmVT2ycL47vfeCnS6r_0xskJvTHV5SUgWOgr_Dk_HIFwcJj3AcJGTowHRCT6iUGc8hoTC3aZO6bp1ZG-k0D7xz/s1600/MarioMandzukic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="768" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj682bsGexBkB2zKHWxuKB7IgIFtuteGVVmiomhd4PqrAHTimCxIs233MhmVT2ycL47vfeCnS6r_0xskJvTHV5SUgWOgr_Dk_HIFwcJj3AcJGTowHRCT6iUGc8hoTC3aZO6bp1ZG-k0D7xz/s640/MarioMandzukic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> <br /> Source: GhanaSky.com but credit to: fifa.com<br /> <div> <br /></div>

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Croatia football team Croatia vs Denmark Danijel Subašić Denmark Football Team Featured FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup Round of 16 Kasper Schmeichel Luka Modrić Sports 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia: Croatia vs Denmark [1:1] but 3-2 on penalties with Danijel Subasic saving three spot-kicks

Luka Modrić (Left) plays as a midfielder for Spanish club Real Madrid and the captain of Croatia national team and Danijel Subašić (Right)...

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FIFA World Cup 2018: Russia defeat Spain 4-3 on penalties after match ends 1-1 after extra time

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqd99Vl6seaUeOs3vG2d4i6p63UEq7xRUkhdWcR2aJFA462Gic93lj8nAJMJva7UnEYBL544T5ZWgEoclNJ4011UogrCB69t3QkjEXxbA_iEujDY5zkR31hVyp24QtMfDMksQFIEtRd3C/s1600/Spain1-vs-Russia1-3-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqd99Vl6seaUeOs3vG2d4i6p63UEq7xRUkhdWcR2aJFA462Gic93lj8nAJMJva7UnEYBL544T5ZWgEoclNJ4011UogrCB69t3QkjEXxbA_iEujDY5zkR31hVyp24QtMfDMksQFIEtRd3C/s640/Spain1-vs-Russia1-3-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Russia defeat Spain 4-3 on penalties after match ends 1-1</td></tr> </tbody></table> <h2> <ul> <li>The Luzhniki Stadium has exploded into a sea of celebrations. The hosts, Russians are into the quarter-finals!</li> <li>Russia stun Spain with penalty shootout win to reach quarter finals, Iago Aspas and Koke miss pens.</li> <li>Russia hung on in extra time to beat Spain on penalties in a shock result that sends the hosts through to the last eight of World Cup 2018.</li> <li>Russia reach the World Cup quarter-finals for the second time in history, after they achieved the feat in 1966.</li> </ul> </h2> In a match where Spain enjoyed 79 per cent of possession, not even the positive impact of another stand-out performance from Isco could break down the Russia defence to give Spain the easy win many had predicted.<br /> <br /> Two saves from Igor Akinfeev in the penalty shoot-out gave the hosts the 4-3 win.<br /> <br /> The match still started well for Spain. Russia seemed overwhelmed by the occasion for the first time this tournament, in this their first knock-out stage match at a World Cup since Mexico 1986.<br /> <br /> The first goal highlighted this quality discrepancy early on, as abysmal Russia defending gave Spain the lead. Sergei Ignashevich seemed more concerned by bulldozing Sergio Ramos down in the six-yard box than defending the Spain corner, and with his back to the ball accidentally clipped it over the line to put Russia behind in the 11th minute.<br /> Spain's Sergio Ramos was fouled by Russia's Sergei Ignashevich, who directed the ball into his own net.<br /> <br /> But some counter-attacking from Russia late in the half gave paid off, as a Russia corner turned into a penalty thanks to Gerard Pique's flailing arm catching the ball in the air.<br /> <br /> Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov couldn't even bear to watch, turning his back on the action as the weight of the country's expectations fell on Artem Dzyuba's shoulders.<br /> <br /> But you wouldn't have guessed it, as the striker coolly slotted the penalty into the bottom-left corner of the goal in the 41st minute to the delight of the home crowd's booming cheers.<br /> <br /> Spain's frustration going into the half-time undoubtedly motivated their much more positive start to the second period - with more purposeful crossing and penetration at goal, but still struggling to create tangible goal-scoring opportunities.  Report by Molly McElwee.<br /> <br /> credit: telegraph.co.uk

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Featured FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup Round of 16 Igor Akinfeev Russia football team Sergio Ramos Sergio Ramos García Spain Football Team Spain vs Russia Sports FIFA World Cup 2018: Russia defeat Spain 4-3 on penalties after match ends 1-1 after extra time

Russia defeat Spain 4-3 on penalties after match ends 1-1 The Luzhniki Stadium has exploded into a sea of celebrations. The hosts, Rus...

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Uruguay vs Portugal 2-1 Goals & Highlights, Edinson Cavani scored two wonder goals

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pWPClIckQQN2vtrGKDnDgMoNXYhinwOJnAPXfWMl-JE9cZLvk2k77_3g4CJec5WV8JHPbj9Yzx7XfFUVAo62LU_OumGr6TY8oIsqovWoaeDU2eCDYTyt3LQ4bWT0trcj1EP9XdU8rAS-/s1600/SuarezRonaldo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="968" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pWPClIckQQN2vtrGKDnDgMoNXYhinwOJnAPXfWMl-JE9cZLvk2k77_3g4CJec5WV8JHPbj9Yzx7XfFUVAo62LU_OumGr6TY8oIsqovWoaeDU2eCDYTyt3LQ4bWT0trcj1EP9XdU8rAS-/s640/SuarezRonaldo.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luis Suárez (Left) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Right)</td></tr> </tbody></table> <h2> Edinson Cavani scored two wonder goals as Uruguay progressed to the quarters at the expense of Cristiano Ronaldo and the reigning champions of Europe.</h2> <h2> Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi crash out of World Cup on same day as Edinson Cavani brace stuns Portugal .</h2> Two sumptuous goals from Edinson Cavani set up a tantalising quarter-final meeting with France on Friday on a day when hope of a Messi-Ronaldo showdown in Nizhny Novgorod was vanquished.<br /> <br /> Yet this was not quite the fairytale for Cavani that France’s thrilling 4-3 victory over Argentina had proved for his club team-mate, Mbappe, who also scored twice, earlier in the day.<br /> <br /> There was only 10 minutes between Cavani scoring Uruguay’s decisive second, after the Portugal defender Pepe had cancelled out his opening goal, and the striker pulling up with a hamstring injury and limping off with a crestfallen look on his face.<br /> <br /> Oscar Tabarez, the Uruguay coach, said Cavani would be assessed, but with only six days until they face France, time is against him. “He felt pain,” Tabarez said. “We don’t have a lot of time for recovery but after a rest day we will have a diagnosis. Now we are worried but right now we don’t know how grave this injury is.”<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Cavani was helped off the field in a show of great sportsmanship from Ronaldo but this was the closest the Portugal captain got to making an impression on the game. The Real Madrid maestro was a virtual bystander, powerless, like Messi, to prevent his team’s exit, his misery compounded in the closing seconds when he was booked for protesting over a perceived Uruguay foul.<br /> <br /> It was actually the only yellow card of a game that, while ferociously fought, didn't descend into the slugfest many anticipated. Whether Ronaldo gets another stab at winning a World Cup in Qatar in four years time, when he will be 37, remains to be seen but Fernando Santos expects him to still be there when qualifying for Euro 2020 begins in September. “Cristiano still has a lot to give, there’s qualifying starting in September and, of course, we hope Cristiano will be with us to help these young players to grow. It’s important to have the captain’s presence there and he’s always there for us.”<br /> <br /> Portugal were certainly knocking on Uruguay’s door in the final 20 minutes but it was Bernardo Silva and others, rather than a strangely subdued Ronaldo, who led the fight, only to be repelled time and again by Uruguay’s outstanding defence, which played as big a part in this victory as its electrifying attack. And what an attack, one that will be sadly weakened if Cavani is missing against France.<br /> <br /> There have been all manner of arresting goals scored in this tournament but a pair of centre-forwards combining to convert what was effectively a 100-yard one-two provided a new category altogether.<br /> <br /> Cavani picked up the ball on Uruguay’s right touchline, about 15 yards past the halfway line, and speared a raking pass over to Suarez on the opposite side. Suarez controlled on his chest and, while Cavani made a dash for the six-yard box, the Barcelona striker cut inside Ricardo and then bent a venomous, humdinger of a cross from the edge of the penalty area over Jose Fonte and the despairing Raphael Guerreiro to Cavani.<br /> <br /> Initially, it looked as if Cavani had craned his neck quite superbly to head home from close range. In fact, the ball hit his face and bounced in but the combination play was still something to savour. “There was no scheme against that - it was an incredible play,” Santos said. “Uruguay have never scored like that. We weren’t prepared to control that sort of movement from Cavani and Suarez.”<br /> <br /> That was seven minutes in and an early reminder that, for all its pre-match billing as a bruising, cynical encounter between some of the game’s most wily and belligerent individuals, there were plenty of players on show who could play a bit, too.<br /> <br /> That is not to say the fine arts were not interspersed with some occasional dark arts. There was some play-acting from Suarez and Pepe, a late poleaxing of Fonte by the uncompromising Martin Caceres and some grizzled old-school defending from the imperious Diego Godin, whose reaction to planting his forehead into the back of Goncalo Guedes’s head was the quickest rub and a shrug of the shoulders. But for the most part it was a game played hard but fair and was all the more engrossing for it.<br /> <br /> It was slim pickings for Ronaldo throughout, though. There were shades of the 2009 Champions League final between Barcelona and Manchester United early on when he kept trying his hand from distance. One sighter was comfortably saved, another charged down and then he bludgeoned a free-kick into a wall, but, as the game wore on, he became increasingly peripheral as Portugal instead looked to Bernardo.<br /> <br /> Ronaldo’s one contribution of note was to draw the attention of Godin and his equally brilliant central-defensive partner, Jose Gimenez, away from Pepe and allow his Portugal team-mate the space and opportunity to head home Guerreiro’s corner.<br /> <br /> The goal was a frustration for Uruguay but no more. It was pretty much the only time their obdurate, highly-organised backline was breached but there is strength and balance running through this side and, within seven minutes, they were back in front.<br /> <br /> The ease with which Rodrigo Bentancur picked up possession after a long punt up field was knocked down will grate with Santos but make no mistake about the quality that followed. Bentancur swept the ball across the edge of the penalty, right to left, and into the path of Cavani, who opened up his body and stroked a sublime first-time finish low into the far corner. It would be Cavani's last contribution. But what a contribution, the kind Ronaldo must have dreamt of.<br /> <br /> credit: telegraph.co.uk<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Cavani Cristiano Ronaldo Featured FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup Round of 16 Luis Suárez Pepe Portugal Football Team Sports Uruguay Football Team Uruguay vs Portugal Uruguay vs Portugal 2-1 Goals & Highlights, Edinson Cavani scored two wonder goals

Luis Suárez (Left) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Right) Edinson Cavani scored two wonder goals as Uruguay progressed to the quarters at the ex...

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France vs Argentina [4:3], France's Kylian Mbappe at FIFA World Cup 2018 was so fast that he makes quick players look slow but he sent Lionel Messi and co home

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1kV5wyTajjBrnawHojydQ7Nf1hGSgvB6JQ63s3Kzaywe7jR1zSOjQIjF1wrFUF3F1Jx_bviQWwBd5cQXqSLCLybVZRpvLbFJVv8AkiXd1PVy3pLsRjyT70Ad9v2TuufQ27MIOOEqLS4y/s1600/Kylian+Mbappe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="759" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1kV5wyTajjBrnawHojydQ7Nf1hGSgvB6JQ63s3Kzaywe7jR1zSOjQIjF1wrFUF3F1Jx_bviQWwBd5cQXqSLCLybVZRpvLbFJVv8AkiXd1PVy3pLsRjyT70Ad9v2TuufQ27MIOOEqLS4y/s640/Kylian+Mbappe.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FIFA World Cup 2018 - Round of 16, <b><a href="https://ofmtv.com/france-vs-argentina-43-kylian-mbappe-at-fifa-world-cup/" target="_blank">France vs Argentina</a></b> - Kazan Arena,  on June 30, 2018  France's Antoine Griezmann celebrates scoring their first goal with Kylian Mbappe and team mates. Credit: Reuters /Carlos Garcia Rawlins</td></tr> </tbody></table> <h2> 1. Kylian Mbappe announced himself on football's biggest stage with two fine goals that gave France victory in a classic World Cup encounter with Argentina, and a place in the quarter-finals.</h2> <h2> 2. Kylian Mbappe destroys Argentina to send Lionel Messi and co home in World Cup thriller.</h2> <h2> 3. France’s Kylian Mbappe became the first teenager to score at least twice in a World Cup match since Pele netted twice for Brazil against Sweden in the 1958 final.</h2> <h2> 4. <a href="https://ofmtv.com/france-vs-argentina-43-kylian-mbappe-at-fifa-world-cup/" target="_blank">France's Kylian Mbappe, the 19-year-old whose speed won France the penalty.</a></h2> <h2> 5. France’s Kylian Mbappe was so fast that he makes quick players look slow. What a speed, according to GhanaSky.com</h2> <h2> 6. France are into the quarter-final! Argentina are out! </h2> <h2> 7. Though much of the focus before the game was on Argentina superstar Lionel Messi, it was Mbappe who produced a brilliant performance that will linger long in the memory.</h2> <br /> It is one of the gifts of being the most talented teenager footballer in the world that Kylian Mbappe makes fast defenders look slow and slow defenders look ridiculous, although in the end this was about bigger things than just a first half demolition of poor old Marcos Rojo.<br /> <br /> Mbappe's second-half double turned the game decisively in France's favour, and inflicted more pain on Argentina in what may be their final chance to win the World Cup during Messi's prime.<br /> In doing so, the 19-year-old became the first teenager to score two in a World Cup match since Pele netted twice for Brazil against Sweden in the 1958 final.<br /> <br /> Antoine Griezmann had already hit the bar with a free-kick by the time he put France ahead from the penalty spot in the ninth minute, following a searing Mbappe run that was ended by a clumsy Marcos Rojo foul.<br /> <br /> Argentina looked unable to reply for much of the first half, until Angel di Maria hauled his side level with a stunning long-range curler shortly before the break.<br /> <br /> Thousands of raucous South American supporters were sent into raptures when Gabriel Mercado diverted a Messi shot past Hugo Lloris to give Jorge Sampaoli's side the lead.<br /> <br /> But Benjamin Pavard's stunning strike levelled the scores, and 11 minutes later Mbappe had scored twice - two clinical finishes that ensured the 2014 beaten finalists would be going home at the last 16.<br /> For the first he swept body and ball into space before driving past Franco Armani to score, while the second was swept in crisply at the end of a counter-attack as Argentina chased another leveller.<br /> Substitute Sergio Aguero did get a late consolation - a low header from a pin-point Messi cross in the 93rd minute.<br /> <h3> Les Bleus warming to Russia after sluggish start</h3> Despite their obvious attacking talent, there were still plenty of questions around this France team after a group phase during which they never really hit their stride. <br /> Les Bleus qualified comfortably as Group C winners but laboured to a <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6041288821139222559">win over Australia,</a> beat Peru unconvincingly then played out a dire draw with Denmark, the only 0-0 of the tournament so far.<br /> They must have just been waiting for the knockout stage to start, because here we finally witnessed the kind of blistering display many expected sooner, with Mbappe the embodiment.<br /> <br /> 'Glorious' Pavard strike brings France level His run for the penalty was sensational, pure athleticism coupled with bravery and belief as he drove past defender after defender; all Rojo could do was haul him down. His two goals were not bad either.<br /> <br /> Responding to concerns about his team's style, manager Didier Deschamps had made the point that under his watch tournament progress is only building in momentum. <br /> In 2014 there was the World Cup quarter-final loss to winners Germany, then the Euro 2016 final defeat by Portugal in extra time.<br /> And the Portuguese could be next for a team looking very dangerous indeed.<br /> <h3> What now for Messi and Sampaoli?</h3> This is an Argentina team around which there seem to have been so many major issues, with rumours of dressing room discontent, reports Messi was calling the shots in team selection, and a sense they were simply not getting the best from the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.<br /> During the nine minutes after the Mercado goal that put them ahead early in the second half, all was forgotten in the stands packed with light-blue-and-white striped shirts.<br /> But Mbappe's brilliance - after Pavard's stunning equalising goal - brought them crashing back to reality.<br /> That reality is this could well be the end for a generation that has failed to win a major title despite promising so much.<br /> Di Maria levels for Argentina with 'a shot from the heavens' This last-16 exit follows three consecutive defeats in major finals - the World Cup in 2014, the Copa America in 2015, and the special centenary Copa America in 2016. <br /> After that third final defeat, Messi announced his retirement, before <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6041288821139222559">changing his mind</a> a month later. Six days ago he turned 31.<br /> Following the final whistle here, all of the Argentina players lingered long on the pitch, only leaving after France had. Messi was first down the tunnel, with his head bowed and the captain's armband in his hands.<br /> <h3> Man of the match - Kylian Mbappe (France)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVYZCh72QmvPsqKLzyk0G2ZS03RD-l1KDc_bScdZHTThg-oLiTYYhJeVis9LLh4gFVfFxnKztgJlPzTU-xOkrLIWOeoH3BQwpLXHJaQTK07Yk7rsaLr1MDfCbb23m7OGz48XZdeG4A7ih/s1600/Kylian+Mbappe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="759" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVYZCh72QmvPsqKLzyk0G2ZS03RD-l1KDc_bScdZHTThg-oLiTYYhJeVis9LLh4gFVfFxnKztgJlPzTU-xOkrLIWOeoH3BQwpLXHJaQTK07Yk7rsaLr1MDfCbb23m7OGz48XZdeG4A7ih/s640/Kylian+Mbappe.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kylian Mbappe (10) became the first teenager to score multiple goals in a World Cup tournament since Michael Owen for England in 199</td></tr> </tbody></table> </h3> Kylian Mbappe became the first teenager to score multiple goals in a World Cup tournament since Michael Owen for England in 1998<br /> <h3> 'I won't decide my future today' - what they said</h3> <b>Argentina boss Jorge Sampaoli:</b> "This is very painful, especially because the players have made a huge effort. <br /> "It was a very difficult game but we have not achieved our goal here in Russia. I'm sad, I'm frustrated - I think that's quite normal. <br /> "I won't decide my future today."<br /> <b>France boss Didier Deschamps:</b> "Our team is much younger, but it's there. We answered the call, we have a lot of character and it was not easy as we were leading, then there was an equaliser, then we were 2-1 behind, but we kept fighting.<br /> "There is an excellent mentality in this group and we did everything to go further. Since I am responsible for everything, particularly when it doesn't go well, I'm very proud."<br /> <b>Man of the match Kylian Mbappe:</b> "It's flattering to be the second teenager to score twice in a World Cup match after Pele but let's put things in context. Pele is another category, but it's good to be among these people.<br /> "As I've already and always said, at a World Cup you have all the top-level players, so it's an opportunity to show what you can do and what your abilities are. There's no better place than a World Cup."<br /> <h3 class="sp-story-body__cross-head"> Messi yet to score in World Cup knockout stage - the stats</h3> <ul> <li>Messi has played 756 minutes of football in World Cup knockout-stage matches, but has failed to score.</li> <li>Messi is the only player to have delivered an assist in each of the past four World Cups.</li> <li>This was just the fifth time Argentina have conceded four or more goals in a World Cup match, and first since losing 4-0 to Germany in the 2010 quarter-finals.</li> <li>France scored with all four of their shots on target. They had scored three goals from 12 shots on target in the group stages.</li> <li>There were eight yellow cards, equalling the most shown in a single game so far at the 2018 World Cup (also Belgium v Panama).</li> <li>Seven of the eight shots on target were scored, with the exception Messi's in the 85th minute.</li> <li>France have never lost an international match in which Griezmann has scored.</li> <li>At 30.16 yards, Di Maria's equaliser for Argentina was the longest-range goal scored so far in the 2018 World Cup.</li> <li>Pavard's goal was his first for France, in his ninth appearance.</li> </ul> Source: BBC

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Argentina Football Team Featured FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup Round of 16 France football team France vs Argentina [4:3] Kylian Mbappe Lionel Messi Sports France vs Argentina [4:3], France's Kylian Mbappe at FIFA World Cup 2018 was so fast that he makes quick players look slow but he sent Lionel Messi and co home

FIFA World Cup 2018 - Round of 16, France vs Argentina - Kazan Arena,  on June 30, 2018  France's Antoine Griezmann celebrates scorin...

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England vs Belgium [0:1] - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVt9xApa3ws0lD495unsnimfhWcbeA4R7tBLU1TKW3QzRuriBhMwgc8ttGblZEKZfSnIs5xrsWHiB_1FletOLTfowtKQ1k4yKzSH3wRb8ICTxQ9WJW0-wvpcxiHoAGy5sF0BwAMrSzLZK/s1600/england+vs+Belgium.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVt9xApa3ws0lD495unsnimfhWcbeA4R7tBLU1TKW3QzRuriBhMwgc8ttGblZEKZfSnIs5xrsWHiB_1FletOLTfowtKQ1k4yKzSH3wRb8ICTxQ9WJW0-wvpcxiHoAGy5sF0BwAMrSzLZK/s640/england+vs+Belgium.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">England vs Belgium [0:1] - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™</td></tr> </tbody></table> England will face Colombia in the last 16 of the World Cup after a spectacular strike by Adnan Januzaj ensured Belgium finished top of Group G.<br /> <br /> We already knew that Gareth Southgate is an England manager not afraid to be bold. Now we know he is a gambler. For all the talk of England needing to play football without fear they have put themselves under immediate pressure by making wholesale changes and losing their final Group G fixture to finish runners-up to Belgium.<br /> <br /> OK, England have dropped into the apparently easier half of the draw and this may all turn out to be for the best but they first face Colombia, and their 30,000-strong feverish fans who will make Moscow feel like Bogota, in the last-16.<br /> <br /> If England lose that then much of the sense of progress from the tournament will wash away and they would return home having only beaten Tunisia and Panama and yet again failing to claim a big scalp.<br /> <br /> That is the worst case scenario. On the flip side they are only games against Colombia and either Switzerland or Sweden away from reaching a World Cup semi-final and that is a tantalising prospect.<br /> <br /> You can tie yourself in knots on permutations but it was Belgium coach Roberto Martinez who summed it up. “We have to focus on Japan,” he said of his side’s next opponents. “England will focus on Colombia and if you look further than that you are risking a lot.” England have taken that risk, whatever arguments Southgate puts forward on the need to rest and rotate.<br /> <br /> <br /> More immediately there was no disguising the fact it was a flat performance from England who still need something more sustaining. If the intent from the shadow team, with eight changes having been made, while Belgium went one further with nine, was to give Southgate food for thought, then he will go hungry.<br /> <br /> Hopefully, Southgate’s master plan will pay off while he could argue that the whole world appeared to be telling him that it was smarter to finish second and it would show the kind of streetwise approach that is so often lacking. Except that was not the strategy at this World Cup where England were all about winning hearts and minds and attacking the tournament. There is a sense of momentum being checked.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> For England it was only goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, John Stones – who was replaced by Harry Maguire at half-time as planned – and Ruben Loftus-Cheek who played against Panama which meant Southgate had named a different starting team for the 21st consecutive time and, by the final whistle, had used all 20 outfield players at this World Cup.<br /> <br /> Eric Dier was captain and the midfielder was one of several who struggled but, again, this forgettable match, the first time England lost to Belgium since 1936, will be forgotten if England beat Colombia.<br /> <br /> Having gone into this tie level in every way, England were top of the group on fair play, having collected fewer cautions and that metric was weighted even more heavily in their favour as Belgium were handed two more yellow cards in the first-half for tackles on Danny Rose. Those cards were cheered by their fans and it looked like the Belgians were ensuring second-place by that means.<br /> <br /> The oddness of it all was summed up by Michy Batshuayi who celebrated Adnan Januzaj’s winning goal by picking up the ball and trying to hammer it into the net. Instead, it cannoned back off the post and hit him in the face. Some will say it was even odder given it was Januzaj, a Sunderland flop re-building his career in Spain, who scored.<br /> <br /> It was a strange atmosphere. The fans, mainly the Russians, jeered first Belgium, and then England, as they kept the ball without purpose. Added to that sense of surrealism was the sight of Marouane Fellaini playing in the Eden Hazard role, out on the left of the attack.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Both sides were booed off at half-time and there was not one second added by the Slovenia referee Damir Skomina. Although Belgium were accused of not wanting to win it, they created the best chances even before they scored: Youri Tielemans sent in a dipping shot which was punched away by Pickford; Fellaini headed down with Stones inadvertently hooking the ball goalwards and Batshuayi managing to force an error by Pickford who allowed it to squirm away. Gary Cahill, though, was there to hook the ball off the goal-line.<br /> <br /> As for England? There was a Vardy header wide, a Loftus-Cheek header wide and a Cahill header wide which, as that would suggest, meant they were even more dependent on crosses and set-pieces. In fact, they were very poor at times, lacking creativity and morphing into a long-ball team.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Vardy stole away possession early in the second-half and finally there was a chance for Marcus Rashford only for him to bend his shot far wide.<br /> <br /> Moments later and Januzaj – the Manchester United wonderkid before Rashford – bamboozled Danny Rose and curled a left-footed shot that had Pickford clawing the air. Martinez did not celebrate although his players and the fans did.<br /> <br /> Rashford had his chance. He received a superb ball through from Vardy and was clear on goal – only for Thibaut Courtois to excel as he diverted the shot with his fingertips past the post. Even so, surely, Rashford had go on and score.<br /> <br /> Southgate went for it, bringing on Danny Welbeck and withdrawing Alexander-Arnold, one of the few to impress, which meant Rashford going to right wing-back. Welbeck went close, with a goal-bound shot intercepted by Fellaini. As England pushed they were almost caught on the counter with Pickford making a fine save to deny substitute Dries Mertens and Fellaini shooting into the side-netting. Belgium may not have wanted to win but their B team was better than England’s. Hopefully, England will not regret this. It would be such a shame to mess up this campaign but the dice have been rolled.<br /> <br /> source: telegraph.co.uk<br /> <div> <br /></div>

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Belgium Football Team England football team England vs Belgium Featured FIFA World Cup Roberto Martinez Sports England vs Belgium [0:1] - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™

England vs Belgium [0:1] - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ England will face Colombia in the last 16 of the World Cup after a spectacular st...

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Colombia vs Senegal [1:0] - FIFA World Cup 2018, Colombia strike late to break Senegal who go out on yellow card tiebreaker

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJWqa4hUDgcaL6E0B-2Lz_KR-udqQ8sAn3KFGauSBvNr_odoOJ0981NawRlNPGBEX6wmGzq50t4wgXmPxLLcxFXb2bMtmb45ZSh_sQMzNlE3DrVcgYu5OAnv7waLiylBkjkxiMLZxCbEm/s1600/Colombia+vs+Senegal.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJWqa4hUDgcaL6E0B-2Lz_KR-udqQ8sAn3KFGauSBvNr_odoOJ0981NawRlNPGBEX6wmGzq50t4wgXmPxLLcxFXb2bMtmb45ZSh_sQMzNlE3DrVcgYu5OAnv7waLiylBkjkxiMLZxCbEm/s640/Colombia+vs+Senegal.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">races to the touchline to celebrate the goal that put Colombia through at the top of Group H and knocked out Senegal</td></tr> </tbody></table> Serenaded by a joyous cacophony from their yellow-shirted army of supporters, Colombia advanced to the last 16 with this victory over Senegal. The Africans, meanwhile, were evicted when, after matching Japan in terms of points, goal difference and goals scored, their inferior disciplinary record undermined them.<br /> <br /> The Colombians, however, advance into a knockout confrontation with a huge question mark over their most significant player: James Rodriguez limped out of the game after just half an hour.<br /> <br /> “I am extremely concerned,” said Jose Pekerman, the Colombia coach. “It is a tough situation for my team. It is a topic that could overshadow everything else. But right now I don’t know where he stands to be honest.”<br /> <br /> There must have been 30,000 Colombians in the Samara Arena, filling the place with an incessant Latin American rhythm. Their racket reached a crescendo when they took the decisive lead in the 74th minute when Yerry Mina powered in a header from a corner. It provoked probably the most embarrassing choreographed celebration since Brazil’s rocking babies, involving some synchronised swaying down by the corner flag.<br /> <br /> But it was not the way they mark a goal that will have stuck in the mind of their next opponents. It was the way Senegal controlled the pace and flow of the game in the first half. Here was clear indication that the Colombians are anything but unbeatable.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Pekerman’s side had been hugely impressive in their previous outing against Poland. But Senegal weren’t Poland. The way the Aliou Cisse’s side harried and badgered was a pointer to what their next opponents might do. Like a budget N’Golo Kante, Everton’s Idrissa Gueye provided real snap in the centre, sniping and breaking up play, leading a first-half squeeze which meant there was none of the space to work the ball to Juan Cuadrado like the Poles had allowed.<br /> <br /> It made matters worse when Rodriguez limped off straight down the tunnel after a flare-up of the calf problem that had constricted his contribution during the defeat to Japan. It was the last thing the Colombians wanted to see.<br /> <br /> Indeed, Senegal could have taken the lead soon after he left when the referee awarded them a penalty after Sadio Mane went down under a heavy challenge from Davinson Sanchez. But, after being advised by his earpiece to check the video replay, where it was obvious that Sanchez had got his heel to the ball, Mr Mazic over-ruled himself. It wasn’t a foul, it was a superb intervention.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> But Pekerman’s side did not allow the departure of their talisman to generate defeatism. Aware that a draw could jeopardise their further progress if Japan maintained parity with Poland, in the second half they really went for it. And they got reward, when, for the second game in succession, Mina, the Barcelona reserve centre-back, got his head to Juan Quintero’s beautifully flighted corner. John Stones and Harry Maguire, clearly, are not the only ones who know what they are doing at corner kicks.<br /> <br /> From there David Ospina was obliged to make several smart saves to keep the lead intact, as Senegal, with Cisse frantically semaphoring from the technical area what was required, desperately searched for the equaliser that would have kept them in the competition.<br /> <br /> It was a cruel way to go out for his team, the first ever to be evicted on ill-discipline. But as the coach himself said: those are the rules. And Colombia ensured they were not subject to such unfortunate arbitration. They did precisely what was needed to advance: they won the game.<br /> <br /> <br /> <b>Opta's statistical pointers</b><br /> <br /> <br /> <ul> <li>    Colombia have progressed past the World Cup group stages for only the third time, also doing so in 1990 and 2014.</li> <li>    Senegal have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last seven World Cup games, since beating France 1-0 in their first ever match in the tournament.</li> <li>    Colombia’s goal came from the first shot on target in the second half, and their only shot on target in the entire second period.</li> <li>    Senegal became the third team to be eliminated from the 2018 World Cup despite winning their opening game of the tournament (also Iran and Serbia). The last time as many as three teams failed to get through the group stages despite winning their opener was in 2002 (Argentina, Costa Rica and Russia).</li> <li>    Colombia are the only team to reach the knockout stages of the 2018 World Cup despite losing their opening match of the tournament.</li> <li>    Four of Colombia’s last six World Cup goals have come from set-piece situations.</li> <li>    Colombia had just four shots in this match, with no player having more than one.</li> <li>    Four of Yerry Mina’s five goals for Colombia have been headers.</li> <li>    Juan Quintero has been involved in three of Colombia’s five World Cup goals in 2018 (1 goal, 2 assists).</li> <li>    Colombia’s Juan Quintero has either scored (1) or assisted (2) a goal in each of his three World Cup games so far in 2018.</li> </ul> <br /> <br /> Source: telegraph.co.uk<br /> <div> <br /></div>

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Colombia football team Colombia vs Senegal Featured FIFA World Cup James Rodriguez Senegal Football Team Sports Wahbi Khazri Colombia vs Senegal [1:0] - FIFA World Cup 2018, Colombia strike late to break Senegal who go out on yellow card tiebreaker

races to the touchline to celebrate the goal that put Colombia through at the top of Group H and knocked out Senegal Serenaded by a joyo...

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FIFA World Cup 2018: Panama vs Tunisia as Tunisia clock up their first World Cup victory since 1978, as Panama bow out without a point

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSDmGG5BkSUkkHBnooDcM7rbF-yz46Oasu7ZlooQBiqv2sH_UX37eCr5Qzptx6g9fujRGrzf5s655d30hvdtBQEgG5COyBb5QVKOrpa_ZPOBs2aUUFa5Z2RmuOkQgZCHOeDpc_PaJaJ5t/s1600/Panama+vs+Tunisia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="759" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSDmGG5BkSUkkHBnooDcM7rbF-yz46Oasu7ZlooQBiqv2sH_UX37eCr5Qzptx6g9fujRGrzf5s655d30hvdtBQEgG5COyBb5QVKOrpa_ZPOBs2aUUFa5Z2RmuOkQgZCHOeDpc_PaJaJ5t/s640/Panama+vs+Tunisia.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> Tunisia bow out in victory as Panama claim unwanted tag as worst side at 2018 World Cup finals. Tunisia clock up their first World Cup victory since 1978!<br /> <br /> Tunisia bounced back from a goal down to beat Panama 2-1 in Saransk on Thursday night before both sides exited the World Cup after finishing third and fourth in Group G respectively.<br /> <br /> After taking a first-half lead through a stroke of fortune when Yassine Meriah, the Tunisia midfielder, scored an own-goal, Panama will have been confident they could earn their first point at the tournament and thus avoid claiming the ignominious tag of being the worst team at the World Cup finals.<br /> <br /> However, a spirited fightback from Tunisia saw goals from Fakhreddine Ben Youssef and Wahbi Khazri secure their first victory of the tournament and their first in 13 attempts at the finals since beating Mexico in their opening game at the 1978 World Cup.<br /> <br /> Source: telegraph.co.uk<br /> <div> <br /></div>

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Featured FIFA World Cup Panama football team Panama vs Tunisia Sports Tunisia football team Wahbi Khazri FIFA World Cup 2018: Panama vs Tunisia as Tunisia clock up their first World Cup victory since 1978, as Panama bow out without a point

Tunisia bow out in victory as Panama claim unwanted tag as worst side at 2018 World Cup finals. Tunisia clock up their first World Cup vic...

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Goals, Lucky Japan qualify for knockout stages through Fifa's fair play rules despite losing 1-0 to Poland

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQAt6NFOpAJon4qb0_P9eoYONFsXnJCsWiEG99baqq1-sP7yFUmjxg1npicdUk59UKaCWIjQEpDM8tTOgio8WCWEvxFwLALRXCUTg3p5MjkM6Y8c5t8HnemvpnkTxTIhjx66k2HU6SHpR/s1600/Japan+0+%25E2%2580%2593+1+Poland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="720" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQAt6NFOpAJon4qb0_P9eoYONFsXnJCsWiEG99baqq1-sP7yFUmjxg1npicdUk59UKaCWIjQEpDM8tTOgio8WCWEvxFwLALRXCUTg3p5MjkM6Y8c5t8HnemvpnkTxTIhjx66k2HU6SHpR/s640/Japan+0+%25E2%2580%2593+1+Poland.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Japan vs Poland [0:1]</td></tr> </tbody></table> kira Nishino is a lucky man indeed. Unconvincing, barmy and lucky. Maybe the stifling heat in Volgograd had got to the Japan coach? How else to explain his thought process?<br /> <br /> Nishino rolled the dice not once, but twice here in a fog of muddled thinking and, in the end, was only spared total humiliation back home courtesy of the fair play rule. No one, least of all his players, could quite fathom his decision to make a raft of bewildering changes with everything still to play for against Poland. And no less bemusing was his insistence that Japan run down the clock for the final 10 minutes of the match amid a cacophony of boos inside the Volgograd Arena, despite the knowledge that a second Poland goal or a Senegal equaliser against Colombia would have sent his team crashing out.<br /> <br /> “It was a very tough decision, of course,” Nishino said as he embarked on a rambling defence of his perverse masterplan. “‘What if?’ was always there. There was ‘What if?’ on our pitch. There was another ‘What if?’ on the other pitch, and what I chose was to stay put and keep the status quo. I wanted to make sure that ‘What if?’ was not going to take place on our pitch, so I decided that I was going to rely on the other match’s result.”<br /> <br /> Get the logic? No, nor do I. Japan were heading out after falling behind to Jan Bednarek’s volley shortly before the hour mark and, at that point, Nishino looked like a ghost. It was possible to tell just by looking at that deeply worried expression on his face that he knew he was heading for an almighty fall if something did not give. And then Colombia came to the rescue, or rather the towering figure of Yerry Mina did.<br /> <br /> The 6ft 5in defender’s winning goal against Senegal may just have earned him a place on Nishino’s Christmas card list. It also helped that the lamentable Robert Lewandowski missed a glorious chance to double Poland’s lead right before Mina spared Nishino’s blushes. The Bayern Munich striker might be on the Christmas card list, too.<br /> <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_k_YyYx7L1kYZZ4aafkcNSHOOHtnouKeaINjGppoRBDO1l2MwywR4GHJzSbq3vc5Wj1xRYDR8YkHrR3cp4McXYxW9Vqy69taK5b6lCJU6ZsDTlZU1igkUs36bl07AwMayNEyWE0f8xwL/s1600/poland-celebrate-vs-japan-world-cup-2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="720" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_k_YyYx7L1kYZZ4aafkcNSHOOHtnouKeaINjGppoRBDO1l2MwywR4GHJzSbq3vc5Wj1xRYDR8YkHrR3cp4McXYxW9Vqy69taK5b6lCJU6ZsDTlZU1igkUs36bl07AwMayNEyWE0f8xwL/s640/poland-celebrate-vs-japan-world-cup-2018.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jan Bednarek scored the only goal of the game Credit: Getty images</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> <br /> With the same points, goal difference and goals scored as Senegal, Japan went through by virtue of having two fewer yellow cards than their opponents. It was the footballing equivalent of heading straight past Go in Monopoly and avoiding being sent directly to jail. Japan’s prize is not £200 in this instance but a place in the last 16.<br /> <br /> Japan have their weaknesses, and a madcap coach, but their next opponents should, at the very least, know that their next opponents have lived a charmed life so far in Russia. They played against ten men for 87 minutes in their opening 2-1 win against Colombia after Carlos Sanchez’s red card for handball and got away with an awful goalkeeping error from Eiji Kawashima in their 2-2 draw against Senegal. Now this.<br /> <br /> <br /> Japan needed a point before the game to guarantee their progress but Nishino elected to rest six players who started against Senegal, including his four scorers in the tournament, star players Takashi Inui and Shinji Kagawa and captain Makoto Hasebe.<br /> <br /> Although indebted to a fine save from Kawashima to keep out a header from Kamil Grosicki in the first half, Japan were in control and had spurned chances of their own to score. Then Poland exposed Japan’s weakness at defending set-pieces, Bednarek volleying home Rafal Kurzawa’s free-kick from inside the six-yard box and Nishino really would have been sweating in Volgograd’s 100 degree heat had Lewandowski not ballooned Grosicki’s pinpoint cross over from close range.<br /> <br /> But no sooner had Lewandowski blazed over, Colombia scored and Japan had a foot back in the last 16. And Nishino’s reaction? To send on Hasebe with the instruction to settle for what they had, even though there were no guarantees it would be enough.<br /> <br /> “When I put on Hasebe I told him what was in my mind: ‘Do not go for any high risks.’ I told him not to concede any yellow cards, go 4-1-4-1, defensive, and then I told him to tell the team to ‘stay put’. And we went through. Therefore it was perhaps the right decision by me and for the team.” Talk about gambling with a country’s fortunes.<br /> <br /> Source: telegraph.co.uk<br /> <div> <br /></div>

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Featured FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup Round of 16 Japan football team Japan vs Poland Poland Football Team Sports Goals, Lucky Japan qualify for knockout stages through Fifa's fair play rules despite losing 1-0 to Poland

Japan vs Poland [0:1] kira Nishino is a lucky man indeed. Unconvincing, barmy and lucky. Maybe the stifling heat in Volgograd had got to...

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Sweden brush aside Mexico to top table and seal progress to knock-out stages as Group F winners

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKlvrxaNVOB1zTDMdAR842kGP_wjI6jVj30NZmdBgzCMhCqCYg0SJd_iB_fC_2qMs_bFftLZlusM94vOLPrGjCoMsdVbU2y6k5uduwSH9KOTdjwij03FuFqDPrpRg921jMuVyntObn2mJ/s1600/Sweden+vs+Mexico.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="720" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKlvrxaNVOB1zTDMdAR842kGP_wjI6jVj30NZmdBgzCMhCqCYg0SJd_iB_fC_2qMs_bFftLZlusM94vOLPrGjCoMsdVbU2y6k5uduwSH9KOTdjwij03FuFqDPrpRg921jMuVyntObn2mJ/s640/Sweden+vs+Mexico.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweden brush aside Mexico to top table</td></tr> </tbody></table> Sweden bounced back from the disappointment of last weekend's last-minute defeat to Germany in emphatic style on Wednesday with a 3-0 victory over Mexico as Janne Andersson's side sealed their progress to the knockout stages as Group F winners.<br /> <br /> After finishing the first half goalless, Sweden broke the deadlock five minutes into the second half through full-back Ludwig Augustinsson before captain Andreas Granqvist doubled their lead from the penalty spot just after the hour mark.<br /> <br /> Sweden's place in the last 16 was secured after Mexico defender Edson Álvarez put to ball into the back of his own net when the ball bounced off his hand as he tried to clear a cross.<br /> <br /> Despite suffering their first defeat of the tournament, Mexico joined Sweden in the knock-out stages after Germany failed to beat South Korea in Kazan as the world champions were eliminated from the World Cup.<br /> <br /> <br /> <b>Some stats for you</b><br /> <br /> <ul> <li>    Sweden have now reached the Last 16 of the World Cup on each of the last four occasions in which they have qualified for the tournament.</li> <li>    This was Sweden’s biggest win in a World Cup game since they defeated Bulgaria 4-0 in 1994 in a third-place playoff match.</li> <li>    Mexico have reached the Last 16 in each of the last eight World Cup tournaments they have taken part in.</li> <li>    Andreas Granqvist is the first Swede to score two or more goals in a single World Cup tournament since Henrik Larsson in 2002 (3 goals).</li> <li>    This was Mexico’s worst defeat at the World Cup since they were defeated 0-6 by Germany in 1978.</li> <li>    Mexico full-back Edson Alvarez scored the seventh own-goal of this tournament – more than there has ever been in any previous World Cup.</li> <li>    Ludwig Augustinsson’s opener for Sweden was the first goal he has ever scored at international level with the senior team, with what was his first shot at this tournament.</li> <li>    Mexico had 20 shots today but failed to find the net with any of them – they last had more shots without scoring in a World Cup game against Germany in 1978 (22).</li> <li>    Mexico’s Jesús Gallardo was shown a yellow card after just 15 seconds in this game – it is the fastest anyone has ever been shown a card at the World Cup.</li> <li>    This was the first game of this year’s World Cup tournament in which both teams named unchanged line-ups from their previous matches.</li> </ul> <br /> <br /> source: telegraph.co.uk<br /> <br />

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Andreas Granqvist Edson Álvarez Featured FIFA World Cup Ludwig Augustinsson Mexico Football Team Sports Sweden Football Team Sweden vs Mexico Sweden brush aside Mexico to top table and seal progress to knock-out stages as Group F winners

Sweden brush aside Mexico to top table Sweden bounced back from the disappointment of last weekend's last-minute defeat to Germany i...

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Five reasons for Germany’s historic exit from Russia FIFA World Cup 2018

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpiY6bKIbXQPn7t14KrIgxVoDAtgS_GQqnSn2sd2pWMQayE9Ob4WAueML940OCQjbDA5R6aAIr2s0h8m9SegEYcJwN9TGYmZKlU3z-dsZg2v0SQDyZwhcHzK5xImyKlDZRdwzHKT0FEEQ/s1600/germany+team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1440" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpiY6bKIbXQPn7t14KrIgxVoDAtgS_GQqnSn2sd2pWMQayE9Ob4WAueML940OCQjbDA5R6aAIr2s0h8m9SegEYcJwN9TGYmZKlU3z-dsZg2v0SQDyZwhcHzK5xImyKlDZRdwzHKT0FEEQ/s640/germany+team.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Germany’s national team have already left their FIFA World Cup 2018 </td></tr> </tbody></table> Germany’s national team have already left their FIFA World Cup™ base in Vatutinki and returned home, leaving hotel staff to commence the big clean-up as members of the media begin packing their bags too.<br /> <br /> The overriding emotion is one of tremendous disillusionment – after all, nobody expected this. While there were some portents of doom in the run-up to the tournament, neither the team nor the media seemed able or willing to take notice of them. As a result, Germany became the third successive world champions whose title defence ended after the group stage. <b>FIFA </b>set out to search for the reasons behind <em>Die Nationalelf’s</em> failure.<br /> <br /> <div class="col-xs-12 col-sm-10 col-md-8 col-sm-offset-1 col-md-offset-2 d3-o-article__body-part--text fi-o-article__body-part--text"> <strong>"Everything works out alright in the end!"</strong><br /> For many years this has been Cologne’s optimistic motto, and the national team appear to have adopted it as their guiding principle at this World Cup. After underperforming in a 2-1 defeat by Austria and narrow 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia in the run-up to the tournament, everyone assumed that the team stepping onto the pitch at the start of Russia 2018 would be transformed, as if at the flick of a switch.<br /> <br /> Yet this was not to be. The problems encountered in the warm-up games continued unabated against Mexico and were also evident against Sweden and Korea Republic. "Before the Mexico match I felt as though we had a sense of self-importance," Joachim Low said immediately after Germany’s exit. Clearly this was something he was unable to overcome. Incidentally, Cologne were relegated this season.<br /> <br /> Stat - Germany only led matches for one minute at this World Cup<br /> <br /> <strong>Key players with issues</strong><br /> While many of Germany’s players have shown undeniable quality for their clubs this season, too many of the individuals expected to play a key role in Russia significantly underperformed. Ahead of the tournament, the main topic of discussion was whether Manuel Neuer would be able to get back to his best after a lengthy injury break. While these fears proved to be unfounded, Mesut Ozil, Julian Draxler and Thomas Muller continued the poor form they had already shown for their clubs, Jerome Boateng was still on his way back from injury, Toni Kroos remained largely anonymous and Sami Khedira failed to provide <em>Die Nationalelf</em> with some much-needed stability.<br /> Stat - Germany scored two goals at Russia 2018 – less than at any previous World Cup. Only Panama have scored fewer (one goal).<br /> <br /> <strong>Sticking with world champions</strong><br /> This is a common theme for all former world champions when they exit their next tournament, and for good reason. After all, it is understandable that coaches choose to place their faith in players who have already won a major trophy in the hope that they can continue to build on this success. While this does not necessarily mean that every remaining member of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™-winning squad has passed the peak of their powers, it would have made sense to give exciting young players such as Julian Brandt more playing time, given the aforementioned drop in form among many of the old guard.<br /> Stat - Germany spent 43 per cent of their playing time in their opponents’ half, more than any other team. Spain and Argentina are next on the list with 36 per cent and 32 per cent respectively.<br /> <br /> <strong>Predictability</strong><br /> While many within the Germany camp spoke of being surprised by Mexico’s tactics after the first World Cup game, the reverse was certainly not true. All three of <em>Die Nationalelf’s</em> opponents had a fairly accurate idea of how they would play and prepared themselves impeccably. Korea Republic even anticipated and neutralised Germany’s tendency to switch between wings in the last match. Despite their high lines and possession-focused play, Joachim Low’s side lacked cutting edge and an element of surprise in the final third. Although this is something that Leroy Sane could have offered his country, the Premier League’s best young player of the 2017/18 season was left at home to the surprise of many. Even set pieces – one of their greatest strengths in 2014 – provided little threat this time around.<br /> <br /> Stat - Germany only converted around four per cent of their chances – the worst ratio of any team at the tournament. The next lowest figure was seven per cent, with Russia leading the way on 38 per cent.<br /> <br /> <strong>Failure to convert chances</strong><br /> It is certainly not the case that Germany failed to create any goalscoring opportunities at all, even if the number of clear-cut chances was extremely limited. <em>Die Nationalelf</em> missed several glaring opportunities in the Sweden match alone, and could have scored a couple of goals at 0-0 against Korea Republic. The defending champions lacked the kind of reliable finisher evident in many other teams at this tournament. Thomas Muller was unable to fulfil this role as many hoped he world, as were Timo Werner and Mario Gomez. <br /> <br /> Stat - Germany had 67 attempts on goal. In comparison Brazil had 56 and Spain 45.<br /> <br /> So what now? There is no doubt that the rebuilding process will last much longer than Germany’s World Cup adventures in Russia. On arriving in Frankfurt on Thursday afternoon, DFB president Reinhard Grindel explained that an agreement had been reached "for the management to submit their initial sporting analysis to the DFB (German Football Association) board over the coming week, after which point I also expect that the coach will make a statement on his future". According to Grindel, the DFB’s task now is to "pave the way for the radical changes we now need to make". The exact nature and extent of these changes will become clear over the coming weeks and months.<br /> <br /> Source: FIFA.com</div>

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Featured FIFA World Cup Germany football team Mario Gomez South Korea Football Team South Korea vs Germany Sports Thomas Muller Five reasons for Germany’s historic exit from Russia FIFA World Cup 2018

Germany’s national team have already left their FIFA World Cup 2018  Germany’s national team have already left their FIFA World Cup™ bas...

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South Korea vs Germany [2:0] Goals & Highlights, South Korea knock Germany out of the FIFA World Cup 2018

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubKzk46audYgc88TxfCcOPjLNxpS5EX7bEGxSxjjLUXEcQWPTVeXavTfTeec3zyoTMiUeg-hKl47X-KUSUyRMH_bKx2ti7ZGr2uCI8zU00ZUFf0JfUcj7bn1XBniUfQJwXGI3diObS1Fb/s1600/south-korea_vs-germany.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="800" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhubKzk46audYgc88TxfCcOPjLNxpS5EX7bEGxSxjjLUXEcQWPTVeXavTfTeec3zyoTMiUeg-hKl47X-KUSUyRMH_bKx2ti7ZGr2uCI8zU00ZUFf0JfUcj7bn1XBniUfQJwXGI3diObS1Fb/s640/south-korea_vs-germany.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">South Korea knock Germany out of the FIFA World Cup 2018</td></tr> </tbody></table> Germany had progressed past the group stage of the World Cup sixteen times in a row, but booked themselves a premature exit this year after losing to South Korea in stoppage time.<br /> <br /> Kim Young-gwon sealed their fate with a 94th minute goal, which was initially disallowed as off-side but a VAR decision saw the decision overturned as the ball came off Niklas Süle.<br /> <br /> Tottenham's Son Heung-min then added insult to injury scoring a 96th minute second Korean goal.  Though South Korea do not go through to the knock-out stages, the win is the first in their history against Germany.<br /> <br /> <b>Much-changed systematically below:</b><br /> France 1998 wins<br /> France 2002 out<br /> Italy 2006 wins<br /> Italy 2010 out<br /> Spain 2010 wins<br /> Spain 2014 out<br /> Germany 2014 wins<br /> <a href="https://ofmtv.com/south-korea-vs-germany-02-goals-highlights/" target="_blank">Germany 2018 out</a> (for first time in history)<br /> <h3> <a href="https://ofmtv.com/south-korea-vs-germany-02-goals-highlights/" target="_blank">Germany dumped out of the World Cup by South Korea</a>.</h3> The opening half saw a much-changed German side, with former talisman Thomas Muller starting on the bench, performing with a lack of quality that has defined their tournament.  In the second half the world champions were better and had plenty of attacking chances but just couldn't find the back of the net.<br /> <br /> South Korea's goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo was dominant throughout, in particular denying Leon Goretzka a 48th-minute header which was on its way to the bottom left corner if not for the keeper's quick hands.  Centre-back Mats Hummels missed an open goal header in the 86th minute in what was Germany's best chance to grab a winner.<br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7cDQu2_wHX-OwNVKiSpSTYAFl0zRm5LVPPrBpOsjWNNd1U-S9gcSbbhbgoSkcKUOxe-nKYvbUCZROCNW2cNzSUIdP4SKTjQ06VHEZBVSDKACcuTEnhCtlZrDYsqLUtCqKsN6cy8R9X8i/s1600/Kim+Young.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7cDQu2_wHX-OwNVKiSpSTYAFl0zRm5LVPPrBpOsjWNNd1U-S9gcSbbhbgoSkcKUOxe-nKYvbUCZROCNW2cNzSUIdP4SKTjQ06VHEZBVSDKACcuTEnhCtlZrDYsqLUtCqKsN6cy8R9X8i/s640/Kim+Young.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kim Young-gwon sealed their fate with a 94th minute goal</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> The result meant that Mexico survive and will progress to the last-16 despite their 3-0 loss to Sweden, who go through as the group winners.<br /> <br /> <br /> <b>Opta's statistical pointers:</b><br /> <br /> <ul> <li>  - Germany are the fourth defending champions to be eliminated from the Group Stage at the World Cup in the last five tournaments (also France 2002, Italy 2010, Spain 2014).</li> <li>  - This is only the second time that Germany have been eliminated from the First Round at the World Cup having last done so in 1938 – however, this is the first time it has happened when the First Round has been in a group stage format.</li> <li>   - South Korea have been eliminated from the group stage at consecutive World Cup tournaments for the first time since they failed to progress from this stage in each of their first five appearances at the World Cup (1954, 1986, 1990, 1994 & 1998).</li> <li>   - Germany’s tally of two goals scored at this World Cup is the second fewest managed by a defending champion in the competition, only ahead of France’s zero in 2002.</li> <li>    - This was Germany’s first ever defeat against an Asian nation in a World Cup match in what was their sixth such match.</li> <li>   - Germany have failed to score in two of their three World Cup games in 2018, as many as their previous 15 World Cup matches combined.</li> <li>   - This was South Korea’s first clean sheet at the World Cup since a 2-0 win over Greece in 2010; they had gone eight without a shutout before this match.</li> <li>   - South Korea have beaten Germany in a World Cup match for the first time, having lost each of the previous two meetings in the competition.</li> <li>   - Son Heung-Min’s goal for South Korea (95:52) was the latest goal Germany have ever conceded in a World Cup match (excluding extra-time).</li> <li>   - Since the 2010 edition, Germany have lost both of their World Cup matches in which Thomas Müller has not started (also lost 0-1 to Spain in the 2010 semi-final), compared to 80% when he has started (12 wins in 15 games).</li> </ul> <br /> <br /> source: telegraph.co.uk<br /> <div> <br /></div>

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Featured FIFA World Cup Germany football team Mario Gomez South Korea Football Team South Korea vs Germany Sports Thomas Muller South Korea vs Germany [2:0] Goals & Highlights, South Korea knock Germany out of the FIFA World Cup 2018

South Korea knock Germany out of the FIFA World Cup 2018 Germany had progressed past the group stage of the World Cup sixteen times in a...

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Australia vs Peru at FIFA World Cup 2018, Australia fall at the last as Peru score two in final World Cup group game

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxStfGeJ9g-41WunN6DZuXX2vaH3b3PSOGDxuznPsZb0Jha5qC-qF7COBqtAcFiRBH2vsZQTn3qSoOnZp8xzHp1ojfNYg-BQtKUGp6yljIG2z2DWBmxy3K3YqeTgl8p2E2JUIlRLRswdCE/s1600/Australia+vs+Peru.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxStfGeJ9g-41WunN6DZuXX2vaH3b3PSOGDxuznPsZb0Jha5qC-qF7COBqtAcFiRBH2vsZQTn3qSoOnZp8xzHp1ojfNYg-BQtKUGp6yljIG2z2DWBmxy3K3YqeTgl8p2E2JUIlRLRswdCE/s640/Australia+vs+Peru.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Australia vs Peru at FIFA World Cup 2018</td></tr> </tbody></table> Australian sport has not had too many weeks as bad as this one. Beaten in the rugby by Six Nations champions Ireland, who claimed their first series victory down under for 39 years with a 2-1 win, Australia’s cricketers were then subjected to a first ever 5-0 series whitewash by England in the one day internationals.<br /> <br /> Now the country’s football team have completed an unwanted hat-trick for a proud sporting nation. With Denmark  claiming a point against France, victory over Peru would still not have been enough to secure Australia a place in the last 16 of the World Cup but, on a muggy afternoon in Sochi, they exited the tournament with something of a whimper.<br /> <br /> Bert van Marwijk, who now steps down as Australia’s coach, could point to a flurry of missed chances in both halves, a  profligacy that felt all the starker when framed against Peru’s ruthlessness for whom Watford’s Andre Carillo scored a stunning volley and Paolo Guerrero what could yet prove his last goal for his country.<br /> <br /> But, as Van Marwijk acknowledged afterwards, goals always threatened to be hard to come by for his side. Their two against France and Denmark both came from Mile Jedanik penalties and, just when Van Marwijk needed his attack to  ignite, instead it was found sorely wanting.<br /> <br /> “Against France, we were at  least equal, and against Denmark even better and this was the same but we couldn’t score and that’s something this squad are lacking at this level.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> If you create chances, you have to score,” the Dutchman said. “I saw France and Denmark against Peru and in both games they had chances to win both those games like we did so you can come to the conclusion that France and Denmark had more luck than either of us.”<br /> <br /> Peru’s journey also ended here but their first World Cup for 36 years has been a celebration from start to finish. This was a perfect send-off for their wonderful supporters, who have enriched this tournament with their passion and joy  and who filled four-fifths of the Fisht Stadium.<br /> <br /> Tom Rogic, Matthew Leckie,  Aziz Behich and substitute Tim Cahill, who became the first Australian to appear at four World Cups, all had notable opportunities to score but the game will be remembered for a bullet from Carrillo and a 35th international goal for Guerrero, whose appearance in Russia remains controversial after he tested positive for traces of cocaine in his urine.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> The game was 18 minutes old when Carillo scored, drilling a sublime angled volley into the  far corner from Guerrero’s measured pass after Trent Salisbury had failed  to deal with a long ball forward. Australia will kick themselves that they  failed to make more of their chances but Peru’s centre-half pairing of Anderson Santamaria and Christian Ramos made a number of fine blocks and  interceptions to deny Rogic, Leckie, Behich and Cahill.<br /> <br /> Peru claimed a fortuitous second when Christian Cueva’s cross deflected off the inside of Jedanik’s heel into the path of Guerrero, whose shot took a touch off Mark  Milligan as it flew in. A Swiss tribunal temporarily lifted Guerrero’s 14-months drugs ban after he argued the positive test was a result of  drinking “coca tea”, which Peruvian players use to combat altitude sickness, but, at 34, there is no guarantee he will play for Peru again if he loses his appeal.<br /> <br /> Ricardo Gareca, the Peru coach, also faces an  uncertain future with the Argentine admitting he needs to take some time to consider if he wants to carry on. “There are lots of different issues to look at and I need to think it over with a cool head because coaching the national team is a huge responsibility,” he said.<br /> <br /> <br /> Source: telegraph.co.uk<br /> <br />

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Australia football team Australia vs Peru Bert van Marwijk Featured FIFA World Cup Marcos Rojo Paolo Guerrero Peru Football Team Sports Australia vs Peru at FIFA World Cup 2018, Australia fall at the last as Peru score two in final World Cup group game

Australia vs Peru at FIFA World Cup 2018 Australian sport has not had too many weeks as bad as this one. Beaten in the rugby by Six Nati...

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Nigeria vs Argentina [1:2] - Marcos Rojo saves Argentina's FIFA World Cup 2018 dream with late winner to send Nigeria home

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU__QJ6phJIh_2mfbKf1Yigdy-A9DQ0Fa-nZr2pJ8IfLevS7CwL_nfAdOn1C1Mzj5p_ijrDM9A-H3IyoqYJjOFkSHvrC-2LVSFbWhFhOMXyJgOy5t2vA0M6YlJO8ITbjUqLvGZHvPfoCj2/s1600/Nigeria+vs+Argentina.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU__QJ6phJIh_2mfbKf1Yigdy-A9DQ0Fa-nZr2pJ8IfLevS7CwL_nfAdOn1C1Mzj5p_ijrDM9A-H3IyoqYJjOFkSHvrC-2LVSFbWhFhOMXyJgOy5t2vA0M6YlJO8ITbjUqLvGZHvPfoCj2/s640/Nigeria+vs+Argentina.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nigeria vs Argentina  [1:2] - Marcos Rojo saves Argentina</td></tr> </tbody></table> In the end it was not a Messi moment but an extraordinary volley from the right-boot of Marcos Rojo which saved Argentina at this World Cup, which sent them into the last-16 and which prolonged the international career of the best player the planet has probably ever seen. <br /> <br /> <div> Lionel Messi scored and scored a brilliant goal but, in itself, it was not enough against Nigeria who are out and will depart Russia with a sense of injustice and not least because at the identity of the man who sent them out. The Manchester United defender had already gone unpunished after catching Leicester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho with a ridiculously high boot in the penalty area in the first-half and Rojo survived another spot-kick appeal - which even went to VAR after the referee Cuneyt Cakir was told to double-check it - when he headed the ball against his own arm in the second-half. <br /> <br /></div> Then as Argentina seemed to be subsumed by their angst, by the devils which have gripped them and the weight of expectation which has overwhelmed them Messi intervened again. Except it was to roll a simple pass down the right touchline for Gabriel Mercado to send in a cross. Quite what Rojo was doing there in the first place who knows but such was Argentina’s plight at that point - when they had lost all shape and formation - that they needed something unlikely.<br /> <br /> Instead of Gonzalo Higuain, instead of Sergio Aguero, who had also come on by that stage, it was the centre-half to strike the sweetest of volleys which tore past goalkeeper Francis Uzoho and into the net. There were 86 minutes on the clock. Just four minutes plus injury-time to go.<br /> <br /> That clock was so close to ticking down but on an increasingly feverish and desperate night in St Petersburg, a night when the city and the stadium was turned into a fervent sea of blue and white clad, chanting Argentinians they saved themselves and will go forward from Group D, runners-up to Croatia, to face France, after collecting just four points from three unconvincing performances.<br /> <br /> When that final whistle went all control was lost. The bench exploded onto the pitch, the players slumped in God-like prayer, including their little God Messi, who actually stood motionless in this maelstrom deep in his own thoughts and communications. Coach Jorge Sampaoli had also earned his reprieve even if his influence on this squad is so damaged that he will not remain in his post, come what may.<br /> <br /> Even at half-time the cameras cut to the tunnel to catch Messi giving a team-talk while the rumours were that his team-mate Javier Mascherano had helped select the starting XI which was, in fact, the oldest ever to appear at a World Cup with an average age of 30 years and 189 days.<br /> <br /> It felt like a team out of touch, out of time and out of this tournament despite their undeniable, dervish effort. But there was only one thirty-something who matters and Messi was not bowing out. Not now. Not yet. This World Cup has been a brilliant festival of football but it was lacking one thing. It was lacking Messi. And he gave it. His first-half goal was simply beautiful in every aspect. It came as Ever Banega, one of five changes made by Sampaoli or, rather, by the players as the coach drowns in a sea of revolt, flighted a glorious pass forward which picked out Messi.<br /> <br /> The forward took it down on his thigh, as he sprinted, cushioned it with his left-foot,  accelerated to give him sufficient space ahead of defender Kenneth Omeruo, of Chelsea, and slammed a right-footed shot back across Uzoho. The goalkeeper was left grasping air, the ball was in the net and Messi was scampering off in celebration. In the stands Diego Maradona folded his arms across his chest and raised his eyes to the heavens in relief. And with that it was the 100th goal of this World Cup, Messi became the first player to score in this competition as a teenager, in his 20s and in his 30s and 660 World Cup minutes without a goal ended for him.<br /> <br /> Messi had been stationed out towards the right-wing in this re-worked team but, for 45 inspired minutes, he simply used that as his launch-pad. It was his finely-weighted pass that split the Nigerian defence to send Higuain through only for Uzoho to smother and he stepped up to take the free-kick after Leon Balogun tripped Angel Di Maria. From it Messi swung his shot left-footed across goal with the ball cannoning back off the far post. It would have gone in but for a finger-tip touch from the diving Uzoho.<br /> <br /> Nigeria have proved themselves to be far better in the second-half of matches and so it proved again. If one of Messi’s tunnel messages was to concentrate, not do anything stupid then it was not heeded by Mascherano who foolishly held Balogun at Nigeria’s first corner after the re-start. The penalty was given and Victor Moses calmly stroked it beyond debutant goalkeeper Franco Armani to level the scores.<br /> <br /> Argentina were stunned. Suddenly panic set in as they desperately tried to regain the initiative. The body language of both sets of players switched and Iheanacho’s replacement, Odion Ighalo, shot wastefully wide and was later denied by Armani when he had to score. By now nerves were frayed. Argentina escaped the penalty appeal, a draw would not be enough but, through Rojo, they grasped the lifeline.<br /> <br /> <br />  source: telegraph.co.uk

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Argentina Football Team Featured FIFA World Cup Lionel Messi Marcos Rojo Nigeria Football Team Nigeria vs Argentina Sports Victor Moses Nigeria vs Argentina [1:2] - Marcos Rojo saves Argentina's FIFA World Cup 2018 dream with late winner to send Nigeria home

Nigeria vs Argentina  [1:2] - Marcos Rojo saves Argentina In the end it was not a Messi moment but an extraordinary volley from the ri...

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Iceland vs Croatia [1:2] - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Highlights

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WtNzCUaF8m9NJYoSBgbkOM6NUvhbCLW159hiSwwULxVUNc5UNKCMFSJ_bWo8c9111mXO6I2S05d73z6kGdKEX_K4GqbwYRlc-XY6JCtzKdYurGnDvl-oFqLV27n82DEAhjObOIngTAev/s1600/Iceland+vs-Croatia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WtNzCUaF8m9NJYoSBgbkOM6NUvhbCLW159hiSwwULxVUNc5UNKCMFSJ_bWo8c9111mXO6I2S05d73z6kGdKEX_K4GqbwYRlc-XY6JCtzKdYurGnDvl-oFqLV27n82DEAhjObOIngTAev/s640/Iceland+vs-Croatia.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iceland vs Croatia [1:2] - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia</td></tr> </tbody></table> Iceland failed in their attempt to reach the World Cup knockout stages for the first time as Croatia secured a late win to top Group D on maximum points.<br /> <br /> The Nordic nation knew they had to win to stand any chance of reaching the last 16 and their colourful support looked dejected in Rostov-on-Don where their side missed key chances late in the first half.<br /> <br /> Alfred Finnbogason and Birkir Bjarnason both went close before the interval but Milan Badelj stylishly slammed home for Croatia after the break.<br /> <br /> That forced Iceland to chase the game and they hit the bar through Sverrir Ingason before Gylfi Sigurdsson won and converted a penalty to level when Dejan Lovren handballed.<br /> <br /> In the dying minutes, with Argentina leading Nigeria 2-1 some 1,100 miles away in St Petersburg, Iceland knew a win would see them jump ahead of the South American nation in second place.<br /> But their attacks became less frequent as Croatia took more control and Ivan Perisic - one of only two players to retain his place from the win over Argentina - fired across the keeper to win it for Croatia in injury time.<br /> His side now face Denmark in the last 16 on Sunday, while Argentina will play France on Saturday.<br /> <h3> Spirited Iceland's missed chance</h3> Croatia win Group D and have conceded just one goal in their three wins so far<br /> With a population of around 300,000, Iceland's achievement in becoming the smallest nation to reach the World Cup understandably saw their fans wear faces of pride and disappointment on the final whistle.<br /> They arrived in southern Russia knowing even a win may not be enough if Nigeria had beaten Argentina, but the manner in which they missed chances at key moments - against a side sporting nine changes from their last game - will perhaps feel like an opportunity wasted.<br /> Heimir Hallgrimsson's side were the lowest scorers of the European sides who qualified automatically for the tournament and a lack of end product undoubtedly proved key in their exit.<br /> They had grown into the opening 45 minutes as a Croatian side showing little intent ended the period on the back foot despite having 65% possession.<br /> Finnbogason side footed fractionally wide into the side netting from 18 yards, Bjarnason could only drive against the legs of keeper Lovre Kalinic and Aron Gunnarsson was denied by a one-handed save on the stroke of half-time.<br /> Iceland's players found their family members in the crowd afterwards but the likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson appeared dejected<br /> Badelj made them pay as, moments after rattling the bar from 30 yards, he powered a shot into the ground which flew into the net.<br /> The instant fight shown epitomised the qualities which have endeared Iceland to so many with Ingason heading to force a save and then planting another header onto the bar from the resulting corner.<br /> Sigurdsson lifted home a penalty which Lovren conceded with his first touch on the pitch but Iceland - perhaps finally feeling the effects of long spells out of possession, succumbed to Perisic's powerful left-foot strike.<br /> Defeat added pain to their exit but, as was the case in Euro 2016, they have remained competitive on a grand stage.<br /> <h3> Croatia's fresh faces maintain momentum</h3> Milan Badelj (left) drove the ball into the floor powerfully and it fizzed into the net for Croatia's opener.<br /> In contrast to Iceland's frustration, Croatia appear a side rejuvenated under Zlatko Dalic, who only took charge with one World Cup qualification match remaining.<br /> His side were beaten to top spot in qualifying by Iceland but have not yet lost a competitive game under his charge and this win - with a much-changed line-up - perhaps points to a confidence running through the squad.<br /> <br /> Only Perisic and Luka Modric remained from the 3-0 win over Argentina but the likes of Fiorentina midfielder Badelj - who added an assist for the winner to his own strike - showcased the depth the eastern European country boast.<br /> <br /> Real Madrid's Mateo Kovacic came into the side and in 82 minutes, completed 78 of his 79 passes in a composed display, while former Tottenham defender Vedran Corluka was robust and completed a game-high nine clearances.<br /> <br /> This was far from an intense or overly impressive display by the group winners but they spent long spells keeping possession without ever looking like over-exerting themselves. Ultimately, the result only adds to their momentum.<br /> <br /> They have now won three World Cup matches in a row for the first time and in doing so, win a group at the tournament for the first time too.<br /> Dalic says he is convinced the last-16 will not be the end for his side. They look set to arrive in Nizhny Novgorod for Sunday's meeting with Denmark fresh and dangerous.<br /> <h3> Analysis - Could Croatia and their 'animal' win it?</h3> <strong>Perisic fired his winner left-footed across the keeper</strong><br /> <b>Former England and Man Utd defender Phil Neville:</b> The teams underneath the top sides have relaxed and enjoyed the tournament. I can't see Argentina improving that much, Germany have problems in their camp, France have not impressed me.<br /> It might be a World Cup when we have a Leicester City-type winner.<br /> Croatia have probably been the best team in the competition. In terms of consistent performances they have been the best team in the competition. If Denmark play like they did today, I can't see them beating Croatia.<br /> I like the style of play. They are solid at the back, the three in midfield control the game and Mario Mandzukic is an animal up front.<br /> <b>BBC Sport South American football expert Tim Vickery:</b> What a midfield Croatia have. They are the team who could do serious damage. I saw them at Anfield when they played Brazil and in the first half Brazil couldn't get out of their own half.<br /> <h3> Man of the match - Mateo Kovacic</h3> In addition to completing 99% of his passes, Mateo Kovacic won four tackles - a high for Croatia. With 98 touches he saw more ball than anyone on the pitch and, in a display in which Croatia were happy to keep the ball for long spells, his role was pivotal.<br /> <h3> 'Waiting to show our power' - manager talk</h3> <b>Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic:</b> "We have three wins, nine points, with a goal difference of 7-1. That only goal we got was from the penalty, so we have to be happy.<br /> "The first place was our goal, we did it. I am convinced that this game in the Round of 16 will not be our end, we are waiting for Sunday to show the true power, this is the day of truth for us."<br /> <b>Iceland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson:</b> "We have not played many games like this one, against a strong team like Croatia, and created so many chances so we are disappointed with that but I am proud of the performance and the character.<br /> "We were unlucky today but we can carry our heads high and say we did everything we could."<br /> <h3> Croatia like the second-half - the key stats</h3> <ul> <li>Ivan Perisic has scored three World Cup goals for Croatia - only Davor Suker (6) has scored more.</li> <li>Gylfi Sigurdsson's penalty for Iceland was the 17th scored at the 2018 World Cup, equalling the most penalties scored in a single World Cup tournament (also 17 in 1998).</li> <li>Croatia scored with both of their shots on target in this match.</li> <li>Sigurdsson became the second player to have scored a goal and missed a penalty at the 2018 World Cup, after Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.</li> <li>Milan Badelj scored only his second goal for Croatia, with this his first since netting against Malta in September 2011 during qualifying for Euro 2012.</li> <li>Of Croatia's last 11 goals at the World Cup, 10 have been scored in the second half.</li> </ul> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vngQH17oN0kV_lbvF8BvpluPv2jpdT48PoMvxeUT12oc3Jnq6DyyrWu2AKjcg2TQkDlneTbgWLWYSHd1wf3vtICoaHGn1eHMDfBTb30WzviQxuRsqxnSVbluMPSP7okXm4zEuFm0uvqN/s1600/iceland+vs+croatia.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="744" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vngQH17oN0kV_lbvF8BvpluPv2jpdT48PoMvxeUT12oc3Jnq6DyyrWu2AKjcg2TQkDlneTbgWLWYSHd1wf3vtICoaHGn1eHMDfBTb30WzviQxuRsqxnSVbluMPSP7okXm4zEuFm0uvqN/s640/iceland+vs+croatia.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Source: BBC

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Aron Gunnarsson Croatia football team Featured FIFA World Cup Iceland football team Iceland vs Croatia Luka Modrić Sports Iceland vs Croatia [1:2] - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Highlights

Iceland vs Croatia [1:2] - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Iceland failed in their attempt to reach the World Cup knockout stages for the fir...

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