Tag: World Cup

Maradona needs medical treatment after Argentina victory

  SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia (AFP) — Paramedics tended to Argentina legend Diego Maradona after he fell ill after cheering on his country as they scored late against Nigeria to stay in the World Cup on Tuesday, according to reports. Maradona, 57, had been visibly emotional during the match in Saint Petersburg that Argentina had to win to stay in the tournament. When Marcos Rojo scored the winning goal in the 86th minute, Maradona leaned over the […]

UPDATED: Late goal rescues Argentina World Cup hopes; sets up France last-16 match

  By Kierran Cunning Agence France Presse Marcus Rojo’s stunning finish four minutes from time kept Lionel Messi and Argentina’s World Cup hopes alive to see off Nigeria 2-1 on Tuesday and set up a last 16 meeting with France. Messi’s first goal of the tournament got the two-time winners off to a perfect start in Saint Petersburg, but Victor Moses’s 51st minute penalty had Jorge Sampaoli’s men headed for a humiliating group stage exit […]

VAR drama as Portugal and Spain reach World Cup last 16

  by John Weaver © Agence France-Presse MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and 2010 winners Spain progressed to the World Cup knockout rounds on a Monday night of high drama dominated by VAR decisions, as Uruguay pipped Russia to top spot in their group. Spain ended up topping Group B by virtue of goals scored after an injury-time strike by Iago Aspas — confirmed by the video assistant referee — rescued a 2-2 draw […]

JUST IN: Spain and Portugal reach World Cup knockout round

MOSCOW, Russia (AFP)–Spain and Portugal reached the World Cup last 16 on Monday on a dramatic evening dominated by VAR decisions. Spain, who topped Group B, drew 2-2 with Morocco with a late equaliser that was referred to the video assistant referee and Iran held Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal to a 1-1 draw.

World Cup last 16 qualifiers

Teams that have qualified for the last 16 of the World Cup after two group matches and those that have been eliminated: Group A Qualified: Russia, Uruguay Eliminated: Egypt, Saudi Arabia Group B Eliminated: Morocco Still in contention: Spain, Portugal, Iran Group C Qualified: France Eliminated: Peru Still in contention: Denmark, Australia Group D Qualified: Croatia Still in contention: Iceland, Nigeria, Argentina Group E Eliminated: Costa Rica Still in contention: Brazil, Switzerland, Serbia Group F […]

Germany’s Kroos brings World Cup holders back from brink

By Andy Scott Agence France Presse SOCHI, Russia (AFP)–Germany coach Joachim Loew said his team were rewarded for not losing their nerve at the most critical moment as a 95th-minute free-kick from Toni Kroos secured a 2-1 win over Sweden here Saturday that brought the World Cup holders back from the brink. The 10-man reigning champions were in deep trouble when Kroos stepped up to steer in his dramatic winner in the final minute of […]

Argentine fans weep as World Cup dream fades

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AFP) — The party at the Buenos Aires fanzone fell flat as a crowd expecting a Messi-inspired Argentina World Cup revival could only watch in horror at as the nadir of Nizhny Novgorod unfolded. “We lost very badly, they really humiliated us this time,” said 22-year-old Joaquin. “And now, on top of that, we’re depending on Nigeria!” After the abject 3-0 loss to Croatia, the team will have to beat Nigeria in their […]

Messi’s Argentina staring at World Cup exit after Croatia humbling

by David Harding Agence France Presse Lionel Messi’s Argentina were on the brink of a humiliating World Cup exit on Thursday after they were humbled 3-0 by Croatia on a dramatic day at the World Cup that saw the European side join France in the knockout rounds. Argentina knew they had to chase a win in Nizhny Novgorod after their disappointing 1-1 opening draw against Iceland but instead collapsed in the second half to leave their campaign in […]

Serbia take on Switzerland with Brazil looming

by Patrick Galey © Agence France-Presse KALININGRAD, Russia (AFP) — Serbia will attempt to wrap up qualification to the World Cup knockout rounds on Friday as they take on a Switzerland team brimming with confidence after grabbing a draw with Brazil. The Serbs control their own destiny in Group E after an opening 1-0 win against Costa Rica on Sunday, which came courtesy of a stunning Aleksandar Kolarov free-kick. Victory over Switzerland in Kaliningrad on Friday […]

France vows to up the ante as World Cup rivals flounder

by Peter Stebbings © Agence France-Presse YEKATERINBURG, Russia (AFP) — With their title rivals failing to fire, France has vowed to ramp up the intensity and put their stamp on the World Cup with victory over Peru on Thursday. Didier Deschamps’s team were far from fluid against Australia in their opening game in Russia, needing VAR (the Video Assistant Referee) and consequent Antoine Griezmann penalty, then an own goal about 10 minutes from time, to snatch […]

Russia sours return of Egypt’s Salah to close in on last 16 of World Cup 2018

by Kieran Canning Agence France Presse SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia — The return of Mohamed Salah from injury couldn’t prevent World Cup hosts Russia from virtually sealing their place in the last 16 by beating Egypt 3-1 on Tuesday. An own goal by Egypt captain Ahmed Fathy opened the floodgates on a sodden night in Saint Petersburg before goals from Denis Cheryshev and Artem Dzyuba furthered Russian hopes they can defy pre-tournament expectations with a deep […]

Senegal beats Poland for first African win at 2018 World Cup

by Guy Jackson Agence France Presse Senegal recorded the first African win at the 2018 World Cup when they beat Poland 2-1 on Tuesday thanks to a deflected Thiago Cionek own goal and a terrible error by Polish ‘keeper Wojciech Szczesny. West Bromwich Albion midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak got Poland back in the game with an 86th-minute header but Senegal hung on at Moscow’s Spartak Stadium. In a match billed as a straight fight between super-strikers Robert Lewandowski and […]