Football Features

Pekerman says Japan deserved to beat Colombia

Pekerman says Japan deserved to beat Colombia

Colombia head coach Jose Pekerman said on Tuesday that Japan were the better side in their World Cup encounter in Saransk, which saw Japan win 2-1. 20 Jun 2018
Byshovets says he liked Croatia's performance

Byshovets says he liked Croatia's performance

Former Russia head coach Anatoly Byshovets told Sputnik on Tuesday that he "liked" Croatia's performance during their 2-0 win against Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup. 20 Jun 2018
Presidents of Senegal attend Poland match

Presidents of Senegal attend Poland match

Senegalese President Macky Sall and FIFA President Gianni Infantino are attending the FIFA World Cup Group H match between Poland and Senegal, which is taking place at Moscow's Spartak Stadium, FIFA's press service said on Tuesday. 20 Jun 2018
Icelandic vikings and Russian cossacks to hold singing competition

Icelandic vikings and Russian cossacks to hold singing competition

Icelandic Ambassador to Russia Berglind Asgeirsdottir will attend a unique singing competition between Icelandic "Vikings" and Russian Cossacks, which will take place on the Day of Iceland in Volgograd on Friday, the Volgograd Region administration said in a statement Tuesday. 20 Jun 2018
Over 18 million Russians watched World Cup opener

Over 18 million Russians watched World Cup opener

About 18.05 million Russians watched the television broadcast of the 2018 World Cup opening game between Russia and Saudi Arabia, FIFA's press service reported Tuesday. 20 Jun 2018
First-ever Balalaika Day to take place in Sochi during

First-ever Balalaika Day to take place in Sochi during

Visitors to the 2018 World Cup in Russia will have an opportunity to witness the first-ever Balalaika Day that will take place in Sochi on Saturday, the city's Deputy Mayor Irina Romanets said on Tuesday. 20 Jun 2018
Mexico should be wary of South Korea's counterattacks

Mexico should be wary of South Korea's counterattacks

Mexico striker Raul Jimenez said on Tuesday that his team should be prepared for South Korea's potency on the counter attack ahead of their Group F game on Saturday. 20 Jun 2018
Uruguay hold full-squad training session ahead of Saudi Arabia

Uruguay hold full-squad training session ahead of Saudi Arabia

Uruguay held a full-squad training session on Tuesday ahead of their upcoming game against Saudi Arabia, with the first 15 minutes of their practice being open for journalists. 20 Jun 2018
Fraudsters steal $1.1 million from Chinese company

Fraudsters steal $1.1 million from Chinese company

Unidentified fraudsters have stolen at least $1.1 million from one of China’s largest tour operators after signing a deal to sell World Cup tickets, a source in the Russian law enforcement agencies told Sputnik Tuesday. 20 Jun 2018
Mexico need to forget about Germany win says Fabian

Mexico need to forget about Germany win says Fabian

The Mexican national team must forget about their victory over Germany and focus on their next games, Mexico midfielder Marco Fabian said Tuesday. 20 Jun 2018
Osako named man of the match against Colombia

Osako named man of the match against Colombia

Japan Forward Yuya Osako was named the best player of the match after heading home the winning goal in Japan's 2-1 victory over ten-man Colombia, FIFA said Tuesday via the World Cup's official Twitter account. 20 Jun 2018
Mostovoi says Russia must reach knockout stages

Mostovoi says Russia must reach knockout stages

Former Russia midfielder Aleksandr Mostovoi said Tuesday that Russia must reach the knockout stage at the 2018 World Cup. 20 Jun 2018
Lewandowski starts for Poland against Senegal

Lewandowski starts for Poland against Senegal

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski was named in Poland's starting lineup as the 29-year-old is set to captain the national team in their first World Cup match against Senegal, FIFA said via the tournament's official Twitter account Tuesday. 20 Jun 2018
Japanese princess to attend two matches in Russia

Japanese princess to attend two matches in Russia

Japanese princess Hisako Takamado, who arrived in Saransk on Tuesday to support Japan in their World Cup match against Colombia, will also attend the team's next game, the Japanese Embassy in Russia told Sputnik Tuesday. 20 Jun 2018
Japan beat 10-man Colombia 2-1 in Saransk

Japan beat 10-man Colombia 2-1 in Saransk

Japan, who are playing at their sixth straight World Cup, got off their campaign to a winning start after defeating ten-man Colombia 2-1 in Saransk on Tuesday. 20 Jun 2018
Ignatyev praises Dzyuba after Egypt performance

Ignatyev praises Dzyuba after Egypt performance

Former Russia head coach Boris Ignatyev told Sputnik Tuesday that Russia forward Artem Dzyuba "deserved all the plaudits" for his performance in Russia's 3-1 victory against Egypt in St. Petersburg. 20 Jun 2018
Almost 41,000 supporters attend Japan v Colombia

Almost 41,000 supporters attend Japan v Colombia

A total of 40,842 fans attended the World Cup match between Japan and Colombia, which took place in the Russian city of Saransk on Tuesday, FIFA said via the tournament's official Twitter account on Tuesday. 19 Jun 2018
12 free trains to carry fans to Russia v Egypt

12 free trains to carry fans to Russia v Egypt

Twelve free trains will carry fans to St. Petersburg for the FIFA World Cup match between Russia and Egypt, the 2018 World Cup Transport Directorate said on Tuesday. 19 Jun 2018
Germany were not 100 % ready for Mexico says Neuer

Germany were not 100 % ready for Mexico says Neuer

Germany players were not 100 percent ready for their first 2018 FIFA World Cup match against Mexico, but they will play better in the next match against Sweden, Germany goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer said Tuesday. 19 Jun 2018
England draw in a record TV audience in the UK

England draw in a record TV audience in the UK

The FIFA World Cup match between Tunisia and England was the most viewed TV event of the year in the UK. 19 Jun 2018
Colombia's Carlos Sanchez receives first red card of Russia 2018

Colombia's Carlos Sanchez receives first red card of Russia 2018

Colombia midfielder Carlos Sanchez has become the first player of the 2018 FIFA World Cup to be shown a red card. 19 Jun 2018