Новости за 14.06.2018

Forget Argentina, Nigeria are Croatia's toughest opponent in their bid to progress to the round of 16 at the World Cup, according to Andrej Kramaric. Croatia – who finished third in 1998 – will face Nigeria in their Group D opener in Kaliningrad on Saturday. Spearheaded by captain and five-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, Argentina and Croatia are expected to vie for the top two spots. However, Kramaric views Nigeria – one of the most talked about teams in the build-up, not necessarily for their football... Читать дальше...

Antoine Griezmann has rebuffed Barcelona's advances and announced he will remain at Atletico Madrid beyond the World Cup. The 27-year-old France star ended months of speculation by confirming on Thursday his decision to remain with the club he joined from Real Sociedad in 2014. Griezmann looked likely to be swayed by ongoing interest from Barca, with the LaLiga champions' president Josep Maria Bartomeu in May revealing he had spoken with the player's agent. Lionel Messi also voiced public support for the move... Читать дальше...

Julen Lopetegui claims Luis Rubiales was "the first person to know" about his appointment as Real Madrid's new head coach, and said he wished the president of Spanish football's governing body had not sacked him from the national team. The former Porto boss was dismissed on Wednesday – just two days before Spain's first World Cup match against Portugal – following Tuesday's announcement that he was to take charge at Santiago Bernabeu, replacing Zinedine Zidane. Rubiales said the sacking could have... Читать дальше...

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez says the club did not show disloyalty to Spain in naming Julen Lopetegui their new coach directly before the World Cup. Lopetegui's appointment as the successor to Zinedine Zidane was announced on Tuesday, much to the fury of Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales. The 51-year-old was then sensationally sacked by Spain on the eve of the World Cup, with Rubiales claiming he had only been given the courtesy of a "20-second" conversation with Perez to discuss the move. Читать дальше...

Herve Renard is delighted to have Louis van Gaal backing his Morocco team at the World Cup and credits Ajax star Hakim Ziyech as a key factor in the North African team's growing Dutch fanbase. Morocco kick off their Group B campaign against Iran in St Petersburg on Friday, with the build-up to kick-off in the section dominated by the shock sacking of Spain boss Julen Lopetegui. Potential unrest for the favourites could open the door to Renard's Morocco, who have gifted playmaker Ziyech back at... Читать дальше...

Newly appointed Real Madrid head coach Julen Lopetegui said leaving his role with Spain was the saddest day of his life after the death of his mother. Lopetegui was announced as Zinedine Zidane's successor on Tuesday, prompting the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to dismiss him from his position as national team coach less than 24 hours later, just two days before their opening World Cup game against Portugal. An emotional Lopetegui reflected on the lowest point of his career in football... Читать дальше...

Spain captain Sergio Ramos likened Thursday's news conference to a "funeral" as he cut short his pre-match media commitments having fielded numerous questions about the sacking of Julen Lopetegui. Lopetegui's shock departure dominated headlines on the eve of Spain's World Cup Group B opener against neighbours Portugal in Sochi, where Ramos and new head coach Fernando Hierro fronted a huge media contingent inside Fisht Stadium. Ramos was asked about the decision to sack Real Madrid-bound Lopetegui... Читать дальше...

Spain will have been unsettled by Julen Lopetegui's shock departure on the eve of the World Cup – but only for a couple of hours, according to Morocco boss Herve Renard. Lopetegui's decision to accept a dream job at Real Madrid put paid to his World Cup ambitions, with the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) reacting furiously to being left in the dark over the negotiations and sacking the ex-Porto head coach. It means Spain enter Friday's opener against Portugal in Sochi on a particularly uneven keel... Читать дальше...

This was everything Vladimir Putin could have dreamed of.  If Putin required vindication - and quite frankly he doesn't, not many question the Russian president - for spending more than £8bn on bringing the World Cup to a country still stricken by widespread poverty, he would point to the events at the Luzhniki Stadium on Thursday afternoon. The revamped bowl on the banks of the River Moskva rocked, initially to the songs of a British pop star, and then to the cheers of the Russian public as their... Читать дальше...

1. Saudi Arabia’s slapstick defendingFirst came Taisir Al-Jassim's unfortunate tumble, which allowed Yury Gazinsky a completely free header to open the scoring at Russia 2018. Then there was the synchronised slides of a pair of Saudi defenders who were utterly fooled by Denis Cheryshev’s neat touch, flying past him to give the Russian substitute space to lash the ball home for 2-0.For all the endeavour that Saudi Arabia showed early on, some woeful play at the back completely undid them – and the... Читать дальше...

Germany midfielder Sami Khedira is expecting a difficult test from Mexico when the World Cup holders begin the defence of their title on Sunday. Khedira is one of a number of players in Joachim Low's squad that tasted victory in Brazil four years ago and will play a key part in Germany's quest to become only the third nation to retain their the crown. Mexico, regulars in the competition and a side expected to advance to the knock-out stages, present Die Mannschaft with their first hurdle and Khedira is wary of the challenge they present. Читать дальше...

Russia star Alan Dzagoev requires a scan on a hamstring injury that could rule him out of the rest of the World Cup. Playmaker Dzagoev went down midway through the first half of Russia's tournament opener against Saudi Arabia on Thursday. "Alan Dzagoev damaged the muscles in the back of the thigh," Russia said in a brief statement.  "The terms of treatment will be determined by the results of the upcoming MRI [scan]." Despite Dzagoev's injury, Russia led 2-0 at the break in Moscow thanks to goals... Читать дальше...

Denmark coach Age Hareide picked out Paolo Guerrero as the "star player" for World Cup opponents Peru but called the Flamengo forward's work rate into question. Guerrero was cleared to play at the World Cup when a Swiss supreme court judge granted an interim order to freeze the 34-year-old's 14-month ban, which he received for testing positive for a metabolite of cocaine. The availability of Guerrero came as a huge boost for Peru coach Ricardo Gareca, who saw his veteran captain score five times... Читать дальше...

Uruguay defender Diego Godin says his nation's plans for the World Cup clash with Egypt on Friday will not change depending on Mohamed Salah's involvement. The Liverpool star is expected to be passed fit for Egypt's first World Cup game in 28 years, after sustaining an injury in his club's Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid following a tussle with Sergio Ramos. Salah's likely return hands a huge boost to Egypt ahead of the game in Ekaterinburg, but Uruguay - fourth-place finishers in... Читать дальше...

Luis Suarez's controversial actions in Brazil four years ago have helped the Barcelona star mature as a player, according to Uruguay boss Oscar Tabarez. Suarez was suspended from all football activities for four months following his actions in a clash against Italy in the group stages in Brazil, having bitten Giorgio Chiellini on the shoulder. That controversy did not prevent Barca signing Suarez from Liverpool, and the 31-year-old has gone on to enjoy a trophy-laden spell at Camp Nou. The forward... Читать дальше...

Portugal head coach Fernando Santos does not believe Julen Lopetegui's sacking will have an impact on Friday's World Cup blockbuster in Sochi as he expects more of the same from Spain. Spain's World Cup preparations unravelled on Wednesday after Lopetegui was relieved of his duties having agreed to replace Zinedine Zidane at European champions Real Madrid. Former captain Fernando Hierro will step into the dugout for the Group B showdown at Fisht Stadium, however, Santos and the Euro 2016 champions... Читать дальше...

Atletico Madrid have been ordered to partially close their stadium for their first home game of the 2018-19 Champions League group stage by UEFA. The Spanish giants were charged by European football's governing body after fans displayed what it deemed as a "racist" banner during their Europa League final victory against Marseille in May. Omnisport understands the charge relates to a flag inside Groupama Stadium that appeared to be styled like a Nazi war ensign. As punishment, Atletico must close... Читать дальше...

Yuri Gazinskiy scored the opening goal of the World Cup to give hosts Russia a great start to the tournament. With 12 minutes on the clock at Luzhniki Stadium, Gazinskiy placed a fine header home from Aleksandr Golovin's left-wing cross. Russia started on top in Moscow, but the goal came from the first effort on target of the match. It was also a landmark moment for Gazinskiy as it was his first international goal for Russia. 1 - Yuri Gazinskiy scored with the first shot on target at #Russia2018. Читать дальше...

The World Cup was ushered in on Thursday after a short ceremony that featured the unlikely duo of British pop star Robbie Williams and Russian president Vladimir Putin. Williams initially took centre stage ahead of the tournament opener between the hosts and Saudi Arabia by performing three of his greatest hits, one alongside Russian soprano Aida Garifullina. Putin then addressed the crowd at the Luzhniki Stadium and the millions watching around the world, saying: "We are sincerely happy to host the World Cup in our country. Читать дальше...

Iceland's first experience of a World Cup comes against an all-time great perhaps facing his last chance to win one as they take on Argentina and Lionel Messi in their Group D opener.  Many believe Barcelona superstar Messi needs to win the World Cup to rubber stamp his status as the best player in the history of the game. He came agonisingly close in the 2014 World Cup, where he won player of the tournament but was unable to prevent Argentina from losing 1-0 to Germany in extra time in the final. Читать дальше...

Beating England in the World Cup final in Russia would be the dream scenario for Germany star Mesut Ozil. The Arsenal ace was part of the Germany side that secured glory in Brazil four years ago and is now looking for his nation to become the first European side to defend their crown since Italy in 1938. Joachim Low's side begin their campaign in Russia against Mexico on Sunday but Ozil is already casting an eye towards the latter stages of the competition, where he would love to inflict heartbreak on England in Moscow. Читать дальше...

Jean Michael Seri would prefer a move to Serie A club Napoli over the Premier League, according to the Nice midfielder's agent. Ivory Coast international Seri has impressed during his time in Ligue 1, with a proposed move to LaLiga heavyweights Barcelona falling through in August 2017. Seri remained at Nice, making a total of 43 appearances across all competitions last term - scoring twice and recording 10 assists. He now looks set to leave the French club, however, and his agent Franklin Mala... Читать дальше...

Antoine Griezmann is to make a public announcement on Thursday in which he is expected to state if he will leave Atletico Madrid or not. France international Griezmann has been heavily linked to Barcelona, with the LaLiga champions said to be prepared to activate his reported €100million release clause. The 27-year-old declined to offer any clues on his future on Tuesday, although he admitted he had already decided on his plans for the coming season. However, Griezmann now appears to be ready to inform the world. Читать дальше...

On June 25, 1988, Holland met the Soviet Union in the final of the European Championship. It was a heavyweight bout with the two best coaches, Rinus Michels and Valeri Lobanovsky, going toe-to-toe in a game forever associated with Marco van Basten’s balletic volley in Munich’s shimmering Olympic Stadium.It was also a significant day for Soviet defender Sergei Pavlovich Baltacha. By the end of that year, as an integral part of four Dynamo Kiev league titles and their 1986 Cup Winners’ Cup glory, he’d... Читать дальше...

Germany's World Cup preparations have not been hampered by the criticism and media scrutiny over Mesut Ozil and Ilkay Gundogan's meeting with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to Toni Kroos. The Real Madrid midfielder said the mood in the Germany camp is positive ahead of their World Cup opener against Mexico on Sunday, despite Ozil and Gundogan being booed by sections of their own supporters during friendly matches against Austria and Saudi Arabia. Erdogan was pictured shaking... Читать дальше...