France, Croatia Have 50-50 Chances to Win FIFA World Cup – Senior Croatian Lawmaker

France, Croatia Have 50-50 Chances to Win FIFA World Cup – Senior Croatian Lawmaker

MOSCOW, July 15 (Sputnik) - The two national teams that qualified for the final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia — Croatia and France — have equal chances of winning the tournament, with Croatia's advantage being its motivation to win the competition for the first time, Deputy Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Furio Radin told Sputnik on Sunday. 15 Jul 2018
King of Belgium to Personally Congratulate National Team For Third Place at World Cup

King of Belgium to Personally Congratulate National Team For Third Place at World Cup

BRUSSELS, July 15 (Sputnik) - King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium have congratulated their national football team for winning the third place play-off against England at the World Cup in Russia and will receive the players for the reception in their residence, local media reported on Sunday. 15 Jul 2018
Argentina Football Association Arranges Head Coach Sampaoli's Exit Terms - Reports

Argentina Football Association Arranges Head Coach Sampaoli's Exit Terms - Reports

MOSCOW, July 15 (Sputnik) - Argentine Football Association (AFA) has settled the terms of exit of their head coach Jorge Sampaoli following the team's performance at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, local media reported on Sunday. 15 Jul 2018
Croatian President Thanks Russia for Hosting 2018 World Cup in Russian Language

Croatian President Thanks Russia for Hosting 2018 World Cup in Russian Language

BELGRADE, July 15 (Sputnik) - Croatian president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic thanked Russia for being 'excellent hosts' of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russian language in a video recorded on her way to Moscow where she will attend tournament's final match between France and Croatia, the president’s administration told Sputnik on Sunday. 15 Jul 2018
Most Russians See France as Favorites in World Cup Final, Still Support Croatia - Poll

Most Russians See France as Favorites in World Cup Final, Still Support Croatia - Poll

MOSCOW, July 15 (Sputnik) - Most Russians will support Croatia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup final, even though they think France will most likely score a victory, a poll conducted ahead of the match by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM) revealed on Sunday. 15 Jul 2018
France to Face Croatia in FIFA World Cup Final in Moscow on Sunday

France to Face Croatia in FIFA World Cup Final in Moscow on Sunday

MOSCOW, July 15 (Sputnik) - France will face Croatia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup final match at Moscow's 78,000-seater Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday at 18:00 local time (15:00 GMT). 15 Jul 2018
Putin Communicates With Ex-Madagascar President After Concert at Moscow's Bolshoi Theater

Putin Communicates With Ex-Madagascar President After Concert at Moscow's Bolshoi Theater

MOSCOW, July 15 (Sputnik) - Russian President Vladimir Putin communicated briefly with former President of Madagascar Didier Ratsiraka in the lobby of Moscow's Bolshoi Theater. 15 Jul 2018
Putin Thanks FIFA President for Trust in Selecting 2018 FIFA World Cup Host Country

Putin Thanks FIFA President for Trust in Selecting 2018 FIFA World Cup Host Country

MOSCOW, July 14 (Sputnik) - On Saturday Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked FIFA President Gianni Infantino for the trust given to Russia when selecting the 2018 FIFA World Cup host country. 15 Jul 2018
Putin Says Russia 'Thankful' to World Cup Guests for 'Millions of Kind Words'

Putin Says Russia 'Thankful' to World Cup Guests for 'Millions of Kind Words'

MOSCOW, July 14 (Sputnik) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday that Russia was "thankful" to the 2018 FIFA World Cup guests for "millions of kind words" they said about the country. 15 Jul 2018
Putin Says Russia Prepared for FIFA World Cup 'Fundamentally and Responsibly'

Putin Says Russia Prepared for FIFA World Cup 'Fundamentally and Responsibly'

MOSCOW, July 14 (Sputnik) - Russia has prepared for holding the 2018 FIFA World Cup "fundamentally and responsibly" and the country is happy that the football championship has been held successfully, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday. 15 Jul 2018
Belgium, England Deserved to Play in FIFA World Cup Final - Russian Deputy Prime Minister

Belgium, England Deserved to Play in FIFA World Cup Final - Russian Deputy Prime Minister

MOSCOW, July 14 (Sputnik) - Belgium and England, who played in the World Cup third place play-off, deserved to play in the final, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Olga Golodets said on Saturday. 15 Jul 2018
FIFA President Infantino Says Russia 'Truly Football Country'

FIFA President Infantino Says Russia 'Truly Football Country'

MOSCOW, July 14 (Sputnik) - FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Saturday that the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia had proved that Russia was a "truly football country." 15 Jul 2018
Croatian footballers' pro-Ukrainian comments incident over

Croatian footballers' pro-Ukrainian comments incident over

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Olga Golodets said on Saturday that the incident of Croatian side's representatives making controversial pro-Ukrainian comments following their victory over Russia was over. 15 Jul 2018
Belgian commentator says 'spa-si-bo' to Russia for 2018 World Cup Organization

Belgian commentator says 'spa-si-bo' to Russia for 2018 World Cup Organization

Commentator from the RTBF broadcaster in Belgium Rodrigo Beenkens thanked Russia for the organization of the 2018 World Cup at the end of his commentary of the third place play-off match between Belgium and England on Saturday. 15 Jul 2018
Mourinho: France favorites to win World Cup, Croatia have chances

Mourinho: France favorites to win World Cup, Croatia have chances

Manchester United head coach Jose Mourinho said on Saturday that France were the favorites to become the winners of the 2018 World Cup final match, but their opponents Croatia still had chances. 15 Jul 2018
Witsel says World Cup third place is 'also a victory'

Witsel says World Cup third place is 'also a victory'

Belgium midfielder Axel Witsel said on Saturday that finishing in third place at the 2018 World Cup in Russia was "also a victory" for his side. 15 Jul 2018
Courtois says Belgium are happy to finish third at World Cup

Courtois says Belgium are happy to finish third at World Cup

Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said on Saturday that his team was happy to finish third at the 2018 World Cup even though they came for victory at this summer's tournament in Russia. 15 Jul 2018
Southgate: England not among world’s best four teams

Southgate: England not among world’s best four teams

England head coach Gareth Southgate said on Saturday that his side were not among the top four teams in the world despite finishing fourth in the 2018 World Cup. 15 Jul 2018
Injured midfielder Chadli proud of team and believes in future success

Injured midfielder Chadli proud of team and believes in future success

Belgium midfielder Nacer Chadli said on Saturday that he was "proud" of his team, and that they would achieve success in the future, following their 2-0 win over England in the World Cup third place play-off. 15 Jul 2018
Martinez: Belgium made history after finishing third

Martinez: Belgium made history after finishing third

Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez said on Saturday that his players have made history for their country after finishing third at the 2018 World Cup. 15 Jul 2018
Martinez: Belgium played football that neutral fans enjoyed

Martinez: Belgium played football that neutral fans enjoyed

Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez said on Saturday that his side played a brand of football that neutral fans "really enjoyed" at this summer's tournament. 15 Jul 2018