Football Features

Zhirkov has possible calf muscle tendon inflammation

Zhirkov has possible calf muscle tendon inflammation

Russia midfielder Yuri Zhirkov has a suspected calf muscle tendon inflammation, the Russian national football team said on Monday. 3 Jul 2018
Pekerman hopes injured Rodriguez plays against England

Pekerman hopes injured Rodriguez plays against England

Colombia head coach Jose Pekerman said on Monday that he hoped that his side's injured midfielder James Rodriguez would be able to rejoin the squad for their World Cup round of 16 match against England. 3 Jul 2018
Falcao says childhood dream was to Play England

Falcao says childhood dream was to Play England

Colombia forward and captain Radamel Falcao said on Monday that his teammates had been dreaming about playing in such a big game as their round of 16 match against England at the World Cup since they were children. 3 Jul 2018
Belgian foreign minister Reynders to attend Belgium v Japan

Belgian foreign minister Reynders to attend Belgium v Japan

Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders will attend his country's World Cup round of 16 game against Japan, the Foreign Ministry's press service told Sputnik on Monday.  3 Jul 2018
Akinfeev says fans inspired the team against Spain

Akinfeev says fans inspired the team against Spain

Russia goalkeeper and captain Igor Akinfeev said on Monday that the support of their fans had inspired the national team to victory over Spain in the World Cup round of 16. 3 Jul 2018
Kvist and Krohn-Dehli retire after Croatia loss

Kvist and Krohn-Dehli retire after Croatia loss

Denmark midfielders William Kvist and Michael Krohn-Dehli said on Monday that they would retire from international football after their side crashed out of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. 3 Jul 2018
Most Spaniards blame Lopetegui for Russia defeat

Most Spaniards blame Lopetegui for Russia defeat

The majority of Spaniards think that their national team lost to Russia in the round of 16 at the World Cup because Julen Lopetegui was fired as Spain head coach just days before their opening match of the tournament, a poll conducted by the Spanish daily La Vanguardia revealed Monday. 3 Jul 2018
Serbian president Vucic to support Russia against Croatia

Serbian president Vucic to support Russia against Croatia

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told Sputnik on Monday that he would support Russia in their quarter-final game against Croatia at the World Cup. 3 Jul 2018
Sweden deserved to reached the knockouts - Granqvist

Sweden deserved to reached the knockouts - Granqvist

Sweden defender and captain Andreas Granqvist said on Monday that Sweden deserved their spot in the round of 16 at the World Cup for coping without Zlatan Ibrahimovic. 2 Jul 2018
Fans from 103 Countries rock up in Rostov

Fans from 103 Countries rock up in Rostov

Fans from 103 countries have traveled to the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don on free trains to attend World Cup matches. 2 Jul 2018
Croatia arrive in Sochi ahead of World Cup quarter-final

Croatia arrive in Sochi ahead of World Cup quarter-final

The Croatian national football team have arrived in Sochi, where they will play Russia in the quarter-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. 2 Jul 2018
Neymar and Gabriel Jesus both start up top against Mexico

Neymar and Gabriel Jesus both start up top against Mexico

Forwards Neymar and Gabriel Jesus were named in Brazil's starting lineup for the their round of 16 match against Mexico at the FIFA World Cup. 2 Jul 2018
Swedish dignitary to mix it with the masses ahead of World Cup showdown

Swedish dignitary to mix it with the masses ahead of World Cup showdown

A high-ranking Swedish minister will mix it with the masses marching to the stadium ahead of Sweden's Round of 16 match against Switzerland. 2 Jul 2018
Rafael Marquez thrown in to start for Mexico against Brazil

Rafael Marquez thrown in to start for Mexico against Brazil

Rafael Marquez and Javier Hernandez were named in Mexico's starting lineup for the their round of 16 match against Brazil at the World Cup. 2 Jul 2018
Over 350,000 Moscow Metro passengers watched Russia's win over Spain on the underground

Over 350,000 Moscow Metro passengers watched Russia's win over Spain on the underground

Over 350,000 Moscow metro passengers watched Russia beat Spain in the World Cup round of 16 match on screens installed in the trains. 2 Jul 2018
Granqvist hoping to avoid a shootout with Switzerland

Granqvist hoping to avoid a shootout with Switzerland

Sweden defender and captain Andreas Granqvist said on Monday that he hoped that there would be no penalty shootout in his side's upcoming World Cup match against Switzerland. 2 Jul 2018
Prime Minister lauds Russian team's effort

Prime Minister lauds Russian team's effort

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Monday that the national team's win over Spain in the round of 16 of the World Cup was a result of the players' "concerted effort." 2 Jul 2018
Sweden skipper Granqvist applauds Russia's win over Spain

Sweden skipper Granqvist applauds Russia's win over Spain

Sweden captain Andreas Granqvist said on Monday that Russia had "played great" in their penalty shootout win over Spain. 2 Jul 2018
Sweden 'inspired' by other Round of 16 results

Sweden 'inspired' by other Round of 16 results

Sweden head coach Janne Andersson said on Monday that he felt inspired by the results of the round of 16 matches at the World Cup ahead of his side's game against Switzerland. 2 Jul 2018
Golovin hails Russia history-makers as Chelsea rumours intensify

Golovin hails Russia history-makers as Chelsea rumours intensify

Russia's sought-after midfield star Aleksandr Golovin has hailed his team's "historic" win over Spain in their Round of 16 game at the World Cup. 2 Jul 2018
Swiss FA fined for delegates' bad behavior at World Cup

Swiss FA fined for delegates' bad behavior at World Cup

FIFA has fined the Swiss Football Association AUD $47,500 and issued a warning about the behavior of members of their delegation following the team's match against Costa Rica at the World Cup. 2 Jul 2018