Brazil needed two injury-time goals to defeat a dogged Costa Rica on Friday as Philippe Coutinho and Neymar scored to put the five-time World Cup winners back on track for the last 16. The Brazilians looked to be heading for a second frustrating draw in a row before Barcelona forward Coutinho poked the ball through […]

Germany can ill afford another slip-up when they take on Sweden at the World Cup on Saturday, as the defending champions attempt to follow Brazil’s lead by belatedly springing into life. Joachim Loew’s side slumped to a 1-0 defeat against Mexico in their opening Group F match, paying the price for a calamitous first half […]

An energetic effort from Saber Kazemi overwhelmed Korea and provided plenty of cheer for enthusiastic local fans in the FIVB Volleyball Nations League on Friday. Both teams were playing for pride having been eliminated from the finals race and favorites Iran proved too strong with a hard-fought 3-1 (27-25, 23-25, 25-22, 25-23) triumph – their […]

MOSCOW – Iran national football team striker Karim Ansarifard believes Team Melli will defeat Portugal and qualify for the 2018 World Cup knockout stage. Despite their defeat against La Roja, Iran’s fate is still in their own hands. Whatever happens in Spain’s final group match against Morocco, the Iranians know that a win over Portugal […]

Uruguay and host nation Russia progressed to the World Cup knockout rounds on Wednesday as Cristiano Ronaldo took an early lead in the race for the Golden Boot. A single goal from Luis Suarez was enough to give Uruguay victory against Saudi Arabia, leaving them on six points along with Russia and condemning Egypt and […]

Lionel Messi is under increased pressure to redeem himself when Argentina face Croatia in Thursday’s pivotal match after eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo scored his fourth goal of the World Cup to send Morocco packing. France will be looking for a second World Cup Group C win against Peru Thursday while Australia need to bounce back […]

We thought Iran would be lucky if it could just end the game against Spain with as less goals received as possible, but it was actually Spain whose single winning goal was a fortunate deflected shot. The Wednesday match against Spain was fast-paced and breathtaking. Iran had enjoyed its top of the group position with […]

Host nation Russia have one foot in the last 16 of the World Cup after a resounding 3-1 win over Egypt on Tuesday despite the return from injury of Mohamed Salah. After a tight first half in a rain-drenched Saint Petersburg, Egypt captain Ahmed Fathy scored an own goal before goals from Denis Cheryshev and […]

Senegal coach Aliou Cisse warned World Cup rivals that the West Africans had added tactical expertise to their enormous talent Tuesday after they opened their campaign with a convincing 2-1 win over Poland. Cisse conceded there was an element of luck as Senegal benefited from a deflected Thiago Cionek own goal and a terrible error […]

In catching Colombia cold at the Mordovia Arena, Japan earned their first ever win over Los Cafeteros, avenging their 4-1 defeat to the same opponents at Brazil 2014, and picked up three precious points in their bid to advance from Group H. The game began at a frenetic pace, with Japan forcing a penalty that led to […]