Новости за 25.06.2018

In the football supporters' playbook for riling an opposing team, being unruly outside their hotel is the first thing to be taught and it can be effective – just ask Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo. Iran fans spent the night making a racket right outside Portugal's lodgings in Saransk on Sunday night, so much so that Ronaldo eventually appeared at a window pleading with them to calm down. Unsurprisingly it failed to heed much of a response – the Iran party continuing most of the night and Portugal... Читать дальше...

Russia 2018 has broken the record for the most penalties awarded in a World Cup, with VAR continuing to dominate debate. Portugal's dramatic 1-1 draw with Iran in Group B's final round on Monday included the 19th and 20th spot-kicks of the tournament. Golden Boot contender Cristiano Ronaldo was denied by Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand after VAR overturned the initial on-field decision before incredible late drama in Saransk. Sardar Azmoun's header was blocked by Cedric Soares' arm, with referee... Читать дальше...

So far, this World Cup could certainly have gone worse for Spain, but they will be praying things get better. Monday's 2-2 draw with Morocco raised more than a few eyebrows but it was not quite enough to deny them a place in the last 16 in Russia. Iran's last-gasp equaliser against Portugal even means La Roja will, somehow, progress as winners of Group B. There were also some aspects to admire about their performance in Kaliningrad, chief among them the display of goalscorer Isco, who has become... Читать дальше...

Spain’s shaky defenceFor a defence that has the experienced, high-quality pairing of Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique at its heart, Spain’s back four has looked shaky against Morocco.In the first half alone, Khalid Boutaibburst through the Spanish backline - scoring once and firing the other at David De Gea, who at least nowhasnow made a save in the 2018 World Cup (something he hadn’t done in the first two games).Ramos was culpable for the first Moroccan goal, failing to respond to a rare poor touch by Iniesta. Читать дальше...

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic has dismissed the concerns of Nigeria and Argentina as he prepares to rest key players in the Group D match against Iceland at the World Cup. After beating the Super Eagles 2-0 and La Albiceleste 3-0 to secure passage to the round of 16, Dalic has announced his intention to leave out six players at risk of incurring a yellow card suspension, including Ivan Rakitic and Mario Mandzukic. While Iceland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson claimed the men Dalic picks in the absence of the stars will be motivated to prove themselves... Читать дальше...

Ahmed Musa might be dazzling in the World Cup sunshine but it was his hard yards in the bleak Russian winter that set up his date with Lionel Messi. Musa's stunning brace sunk Iceland 2-0 last time out, reigniting his team's designs on a place in the last-16 following their limp loss by the same scoreline against Croatia. The 25-year-old exchanged doubles with Messi before Argentina prevailed 3-2 in the group stage at Brazil 2014 but hitting similar highs seemed unlikely this time around after... Читать дальше...

Lionel Messi will respond to Argentina's hour of need in the World Cup against Nigeria on Tuesday, according to head coach Jorge Sampaoli. Messi missed a penalty in his country's opening 1-1 draw against Iceland in Group D and cut an increasingly forlorn figure as they unravelled to 3-0 defeat against Croatia last week. It means Argentina must beat Nigeria – they have done so four times previously at World Cups – to retain any hope of the Barcelona superstar embellishing his magnificent career with the sport's greatest prize. Читать дальше...

Radja Nainggolan was mobbed by Inter fans following a meeting at the club's headquarters as he closes in on a move from Roma. The midfielder is near to completing a reported €24million switch from the Stadio Olimpico that will also see Davide Santon and Nicolo Zaniolo go in the opposite direction. Video footage of Nainggolan going out to meet supporters has been shared widely on social media, an Inter scarf draped over the Belgian's shoulder. The Nerazzurri's official Twitter account posted a selfie the 30-year-old took with a group of fans.

Under-fire Argentina boss Jorge Sampaoli is bullish over Argentina's hopes of keeping their World Cup dream alive with victory over Nigeria and challenged them to write "a new page in the history of the national squad" in St Petersburg. A chastening 3-0 defeat to Croatia in Group D last week made for grim reading in that regard for one of international football's heavyweight nations. Only victory over the Super Eagles – a country they have beaten in four previous World Cups – at Krestovsky Stadium... Читать дальше...

FIFA has confirmed Switzerland internationals Stephan Lichtsteiner, Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka will not be banned for World Cup games over their goal celebrations in a win over Serbia. Xhaka and Shaqiri struck as Switzerland came from behind to win 2-1, boosting their qualification chances in Group E. Both players put their hands together to form what appeared to resemble a two-headed eagle, which features on the Albanian flag, with FIFA opening disciplinary proceedings against them and Lichtsteiner - who joined in - on Saturday. Читать дальше...

Marcelo Bielsa says he did not need to be convinced to join Leeds United due to the size of the club. Bielsa signed a two-year contract with Championship side Leeds to replace Paul Heckingbottom as head coach this month, with chairman Andrea Radrizzani stating the Argentine turned down offers from elsewhere. The 62-year-old, who has a reputation as an explosive personality, boasts an impressive CV, having managed Athletic Bilbao, Lille and Marseille as well as Argentina and Chile.  Now, he is... Читать дальше...

Javier Pastore's move to Roma from Paris Saint-Germain edged closer after the Serie A club announced his arrival in the Italian capital. Reports have indicated Roma have agreed to pay a fee of around €20million to bring the attacking midfielder to Stadio Olimpico, having already signed Justin Kluivert this month. Pastore fell out of favour at PSG last season, with a lack of game-time contributing to the 29-year-old being left out of Argentina's squad for the World Cup. After winning five Ligue 1 titles during a seven-year stint at PSG... Читать дальше...

This was not quite the dream send-off into the second round that Russia had envisaged. A nation so down on its team leading into the World Cup had swiftly been swept up in a wave of optimism following a start to their Group A campaign that even president Vladimir Putin wouldn't have dared dream. An opening 5-0 crushing of a desperate Saudi Arabia was backed up by a comprehensive 3-1 defeat of Egypt, as qualification to the knockouts was secured with a game to spare. Monday's meeting with Uruguay... Читать дальше...

Luis Suarez netted his second goal in as many World Cup games as Uruguay secured top spot in Group A with a comfortable 3-0 victory over World Cup hosts Russia, who had Igor Smolnikov sent off. Russia's impressive progression to the last 16 has provided one of the tournament's major surprises so far, but Stanislav Cherchesov's side were brought back down to earth in a sweltering Samara. In a fast start, Uruguay were ahead inside 10 minutes as Suarez, who scored the winner against Saudi Arabia on matchday two... Читать дальше...

Almici tied the knot with his new wife at the weekend, but the 25-year-old's football future was still up for discussion on his big day.Fortunately for the Italian,his agent got him a very special present.Giuseppe Resowas tasked with finding the right-back a new club closer to his home city of Bergamo, for personal reasons.Since 2011, Almici has had eight different loan spells while he has been owned by Atalanta, but now he's secured a permanent spot at a new club.Reso presented him with a contract... Читать дальше...

Denmark boss Age Hareide says his supposed criticism of France and Paul Pogba was taken out of context. Hareide was accused of claiming Didier Deschamps' side were "nothing special" and that Pogba "only thought about his haircut", but the experienced Norwegian insists his words were twisted to create a story. Denmark go into Tuesday's Group C clash with Les Bleus in Moscow knowing a draw will be enough for them to join France in the last 16 while a defeat would also do if Australia fail to beat Peru. Читать дальше...

Nigeria must make sure Tuesday's match against Argentina in St Petersburg is Lionel Messi's last at a World Cup, says full-back Brian Idowu. Argentina's campaign in Russia is veering close to implosion after Messi missed a penalty in their opening 1-1 draw against Iceland and Croatia made the most of an abject display from Jorge Sampaoli's side to run out 3-0 winners, securing safe passage from Group D. La Albiceleste can only do likewise by beating Nigeria, who lost to Croatia 2-0 but bounced... Читать дальше...

Julian Nagelsmann retains the trust of Hoffenheim majority shareholder Dietmar Hopp despite agreeing a move to RB Leipzig from the 2019-20 season. The 30-year-old head coach, who had previously been linked with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, announced last week he would leave Hoffenheim after one more campaign and join Bundesliga rivals Leipzig. Hopp does not expect Nagelsmann's commitment to waiver and was pleased his impending move allows for a smoother transition in Sinsheim. "We trusted... Читать дальше...

Guillermo Ochoa feels it is only right that Mexico fans are finally backing Juan Carlos Osorio ahead of the match against Sweden in Ekaterinburg on Wednesday. Supporters had often voiced their considerable displeasure with the head coach amid a series of inconsistent performances during his tenure, including a humiliating 7-0 Copa America defeat to Chile in 2016, followed by the shock 1-0 loss to Jamaica in the semi-finals of last year's Gold Cup.  That fraught relationship has been transformed into a love affair in Russia... Читать дальше...

Gareth Southgate has spent the last 24 hours insisting that his squad – and especially his younger players – celebrate England’s 6-1 victory over Panama by assuming they will now easily win the World Cup.In the immediate aftermath of England’s monumental triumph, Three Lions players appeared unsure about whether they should get carried away or retain a sense of proportion, and looked to Southgate for guidance.Fortunately, the coach was on hand to confirm that such a resounding success against Panama... Читать дальше...

Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary brilliantly saved a penalty on the day he became the oldest player in World Cup history. El Hadary, 45 years and 161 days old, started the Group A dead rubber against Saudi Arabia in Volgograd on Monday, having sat on the bench for defeats to Uruguay and Russia. The Pharaohs veteran beat the record set by Faryd Mondragon, who appeared for Colombia at Brazil 2014 three days after his 43rd birthday. El Hadary marked his landmark occasion in sensational fashion, tipping... Читать дальше...

France coach Didier Deschamps has dismissed suggestions this could be Paul Pogba's final World Cup. The Manchester United midfielder himself claimed yesterday that Russia 2018 may be the last World Cup he plays due to injury or "players that outperform him". Deschamps doesn't expect that to be the case, however, and tipped Pogba to be present in Qatar in 2022. "I don't think it will be his last World Cup, he's only 25 years old, it's highly probable that he will play another one," said Deschamps... Читать дальше...

Important note: This quiz does not include every player to score 50 or more international goals. Why? Because with due respect to the magnificently named Phil Younghusband (50 goals for the Philippines and counting), including the further reaches of international football is just too tricky.These 30 players have all been capped for their country since the year 2000 – and scored goals for a team that has, y’know, at least qualified for the World Cup in that timespan. That includes a player who reached... Читать дальше...

De Gea endured a tricky start to his World Cup campaign against Portugal in Group B, infamously letting a Cristiano Ronaldo strikeslip through his fingers in the secondday's dramatic 3-3 draw in Sochi.Spain beat Iran 1-0 in their second match, though, so he does at least have a clean sheet to his name.Bizarrely, however, the 27-year-old Manchester United man hasn't actually made a save at this World Cup according to stats compiledby FIFA.Mexico's Guillermo Ochoa has been the most active goalkeeper in Russiaso far... Читать дальше...

De Gea endured a tricky start to his World Cup campaign against Portugal in Group B, infamously letting a Cristiano Ronaldo strikeslip through his fingers in the secondday's dramatic 3-3 draw in Sochi.Spain beat Iran 1-0 in their second match, though, so he does at least have a clean sheet to his name.Bizarrely, however, the 27-year-old Manchester United man hasn't actually made a save at this World Cup according to stats compiledby FIFA.Mexico's Guillermo Ochoa has been the most active goalkeeper in Russiaso far... Читать дальше...