Football Features

Costa named man of the match against Iran

Costa named man of the match against Iran

Spain forward Diego Costa was named the man of the match after his goal gave his side a valuable 1-0 victory over Iran in their World Cup Group B encounter in Kazan. 21 Jun 2018
Suarez not bothered who Uruguay face in round of 16

Suarez not bothered who Uruguay face in round of 16

Uruguay forward Luis Suarez said Wednesday that he was not bothered who his country meets in the round of 16, after the South American side booked their place in the knockout stages following a 1-0 win against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. 21 Jun 2018
Southgate suffers shoulder injury

Southgate suffers shoulder injury

England head coach Gareth Southgate dislocated his right shoulder while running, the English Football Association said on Wednesday. 21 Jun 2018
Cavani hopes weather will be cooler against Russia

Cavani hopes weather will be cooler against Russia

Uruguay forward Edinson Cavani said Wednesday that he hoped the weather would be cooler during their upcoming game with Russia than it was in Rostov, where Uruguay played Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. 21 Jun 2018
Round of 16 is not the limit for Russia

Round of 16 is not the limit for Russia

Russia should be looking to get to the quarter-finals or even further in the World Cup, the CEO of the Russia 2018 Local Organizing Committee Aleksey Sorokin said on Wednesday. 21 Jun 2018
Costa’s goal earns Spain 1-0 win against battling Iran

Costa’s goal earns Spain 1-0 win against battling Iran

Spain moved in sight of place in knockout stages of the 2018 World Cup following a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Iran in Kazan. 21 Jun 2018
No goalless draws in first 20 World Cup matches

No goalless draws in first 20 World Cup matches

No goalless draws have been registered in the first 20 matches of the World Cup for the first time since 1954. 21 Jun 2018
Costa’s goal earns Spain 1-0 win against Iran

Costa’s goal earns Spain 1-0 win against Iran

Spain moved in sight of place in knockout stages of the 2018 World Cup Following a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Iran in Kazan. 21 Jun 2018
Russia are improving with every game says Bushmanov

Russia are improving with every game says Bushmanov

Russia are improving with every game, Evgeny Bushmanov, who is the head coach of Russia’s U-21 side, told Sputnik on Wednesday. 21 Jun 2018
Griezmann fit to face Peru says Deschamps

Griezmann fit to face Peru says Deschamps

France forward Antoine Griezmann, who was spotted training separately from the rest of the squad on Tuesday, is fit to take part in the upcoming World Cup match against Peru, France head coach Didier Deschamps said Wednesday. 21 Jun 2018
Tabarez says team were too relaxed against Saudi Arabia

Tabarez says team were too relaxed against Saudi Arabia

Uruguay head coach Oscar Tabarez said on Wednesday that his team were "too relaxed" in their match against Saudi Arabia, who they beat 1-0 at Rostov Arena. 21 Jun 2018
FACTBOX: History of USSR and Russian Teams’ Participation in World Cups

FACTBOX: History of USSR and Russian Teams’ Participation in World Cups

The Russian national team’s victory over Egypt 3:1 and Uruguay’s victory over Saudi Arabia allowed the Russian team to qualify for the playoff stage of the 2018 World Cup, the first such achievement in the history of Russia. 21 Jun 2018
Godin says Russia will be difficult opponents

Godin says Russia will be difficult opponents

Uruguay defender and captain Diego Godin said Wednesday that Russia would be a "difficult opponents". 21 Jun 2018
Moscow coping well with tourist influx

Moscow coping well with tourist influx

Moscow is coping well with the influx of tourists visiting the city for the World Cup, the mayor of the Russia capital Sergey Sobyanin said. 21 Jun 2018
Pique plays 100th match for Spain

Pique plays 100th match for Spain

Spain defender Gerard Pique has made his 100th appearance for his country against Iran at the World Cup, the team said on Wednesday. 21 Jun 2018
Ignatyev says it will be easier for Russia to Face Portugal

Ignatyev says it will be easier for Russia to Face Portugal

Former Russia head coach Boris Ignatyev told Sputnik Wednesday that it would be easier for Russia to face Portugal than Spain in the Round of 16 at the 2018 World Cup. 21 Jun 2018
Uruguay not satisfied with Saudi Arabia performance says Suarez

Uruguay not satisfied with Saudi Arabia performance says Suarez

Uruguay players are not fully satisfied with their performance at this summer's World Cup, forward Luis Suarez said on Wednesday. 21 Jun 2018
Rakitic says Argentina are favorites to win World Cup

Rakitic says Argentina are favorites to win World Cup

Barcelona and Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic said Wednesday that Argentina were the favorites to win the World Cup despite drawing 1-1 with Iceland in their first game of the tournament. 21 Jun 2018
Pizzi says team improved against Uruguay

Pizzi says team improved against Uruguay

Saudi Arabia head coach Juan Antonio Pizzi said Wednesday that his team were much improved against Uruguay in comparison to their first match against Russia. 21 Jun 2018
Uruguay must be ready to die for Russia victory says Tabarez

Uruguay must be ready to die for Russia victory says Tabarez

Uruguay must be ready "to die" in order to beat Russia, their head coach Oscar Tabarez said on Wednesday. 21 Jun 2018
Tabarez says team will improve against Russia

Tabarez says team will improve against Russia

Uruguay head coach Oscar Tabarez said Wednesday that his team would try to "put in improved performance" in their final match of the group stage against hosts Russia. 21 Jun 2018