Football Features

Russia's Kutepov and Zobnin undergo doping tests after Uruguay game

Russia's Kutepov and Zobnin undergo doping tests after Uruguay game

Russia defender Ilya Kutepov and midfielder Roman Zobnin underwent doping control tests after their final Group A match against Uruguay, the Russian Football Union’s press service said on Monday. 26 Jun 2018
Suarez hails improving Uruguay as they beat Russia 3-0

Suarez hails improving Uruguay as they beat Russia 3-0

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez said on Monday that his team achieved the goal they were aiming for by putting in an improved performance, following their final World Cup group-stage match against Russia. 26 Jun 2018
Cherchesov says Smolnikov played to Rest Fernandes

Cherchesov says Smolnikov played to Rest Fernandes

Russia head coach Stanislav Cherchesov said Monday that he named defender Igor Smolnikov in the starting lineup in the match against Uruguay because his teammate Mario Fernandes needed some rest after Egypt encounter. 26 Jun 2018
Nigeria hope to learn from mistakes ahead of Argentina game

Nigeria hope to learn from mistakes ahead of Argentina game

Nigeria head coach Gernot Rohr said on Monday that he hopes his team will learn from their mistakes ahead of their final World Cup Group D match against Argentina in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday. 26 Jun 2018
Xhaka and Shaqiri fined $10,000 for 'Unsporting Behavior'

Xhaka and Shaqiri fined $10,000 for 'Unsporting Behavior'

Switzerland midfielders Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri have been fined just over $10,000 for "unsporting behavior" during their team's 2-1 World Cup victory over Serbia on Friday, FIFA said in a press release on Monday. 26 Jun 2018
Dzyuba says it's good timing for Russia's first loss

Dzyuba says it's good timing for Russia's first loss

Russia forward Artem Dzyuba said on Monday that 3-0 loss to Uruguay at the World Cup could have come at the right time. 26 Jun 2018
Cherchesov says level of team's previous opponents not high enough

Cherchesov says level of team's previous opponents not high enough

Russia head coach Stanislav Cherchesov said on Monday the level of his team's previous opponents was not high enough compared to Uruguay, who beat Russia 3-0 in their final Group A match on Monday. 26 Jun 2018
Argentina have to advance says Sampaoli

Argentina have to advance says Sampaoli

Argentina have to advance to the World Cup round of 16 and write a new chapter in Argentina's footballing history, team's head coach Jorge Sampaoli said on Monday. 26 Jun 2018
Sampaoli says match against Nigeria is vital

Sampaoli says match against Nigeria is vital

Argentina head coach Jorge Sampaoli said on Monday that his side's upcoming World Cup match against Nigeria would be vital for Argentina. 26 Jun 2018
Nigeria focus on qualifying for round of 16 says Rohr

Nigeria focus on qualifying for round of 16 says Rohr

Nigeria head coach Gernot Rohr said on Monday that the team focuses on qualifying from the group rather than knocking out Argentina and their star striker Lionel Messi out of the World Cup in the teams' final group-stage match. 26 Jun 2018
Egypt thank Chechen leader Kadyrov for warm welcome

Egypt thank Chechen leader Kadyrov for warm welcome

The Egyptian national football team is grateful to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov for the warm welcome and support they received during the 2018 World Cup, the team's manager Ihab Leheta told Sputnik on Monday. 26 Jun 2018
Mikel participates in group training ahead of Argentina match

Mikel participates in group training ahead of Argentina match

Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel took part in his team's training session ahead of their World Cup match against Argentina, a Sputnik correspondent reported Monday. 26 Jun 2018
Idowu says team want to reach knockout stage and knock out Argentina

Idowu says team want to reach knockout stage and knock out Argentina

Defender Brian Idowu said Monday Nigeria are striving to reach knockout stage and knock Argentina out of the tournament. 26 Jun 2018
World Cup in Russia equals penalty record

World Cup in Russia equals penalty record

The ongoing 2018 World Cup in Russia has equaled the record of penalties awarded, despite the tournament only being deep into the first round. 26 Jun 2018
Ambassadors of Latin American countries to visit Nizhny Novgorod region after World Cup

Ambassadors of Latin American countries to visit Nizhny Novgorod region after World Cup

A delegation of ambassadors from countries in Latin America will arrive in Russia's Nizhny Novgorod Region to take a closer look at the industrial potential of the region and to establish new business relations, Panamanian Ambassador to Russia Miguel Lecaro Barcenas said on Monday. 26 Jun 2018
Suarez named man of the match against Russia

Suarez named man of the match against Russia

Luis Suarez was named the man of the match as World Cup hosts Russia suffered their first defeat of the tournament after losing 3-0 to Uruguay, FIFA said via the tournament's official Twitter account on Monday. 26 Jun 2018
Salah named man of the match as Egypt lose 2-1 to Saudi Arabia

Salah named man of the match as Egypt lose 2-1 to Saudi Arabia

Egypt striker Mohamed Salah was named the man of the match as his side lost 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in their final game of the 2018 World Cup, FIFA announced on its website on Monday. 26 Jun 2018
Almost 37,000 fans attend Egypt v Saudi Arabia

Almost 37,000 fans attend Egypt v Saudi Arabia

A total of 36,823 fans attended the World Cup match between Egypt and Saudi Arabia in Volgograd, FIFA announced on its website on Monday. 26 Jun 2018
Almost 42,000 Fans attend Russia v Uruguay

Almost 42,000 Fans attend Russia v Uruguay

A total of 41,970 fans attended the World Cup match between hosts Russia and Uruguay in Samara, FIFA said Monday on its official website. 26 Jun 2018
Abbas ready to meet Netanyahu in Moscow

Abbas ready to meet Netanyahu in Moscow

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas would be ready to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Moscow, as both officials have been invited to attend the final game of the football World Cup, Palestine’s Ambassador to Russia Abdel Hafiz Nofal told Sputnik on Monday. 26 Jun 2018
Putin invites Netanyahu to attend World Cup final

Putin invites Netanyahu to attend World Cup final

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could visit Moscow after receiving an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the World Cup final, a source in the prime minister's office told Sputnik Monday. 26 Jun 2018