A lucky Diego Costa goal handed World Cup hopefuls Spain their first win of the World Cup although tenacious Iran came close to causing a major upset on Wednesday.

The victory in Kazan puts the 2010 winners on course for the last 16. Costa, who scored twice in a 3-3 opening draw with Portugal in Sochi, courted controversy early in the Group B encounter when he stepped on the toes of Iran ‘keeper Ali Beiranvand as he waited to kick the ball out.

His gesture went unpunished, and the Atletico Madrid striker required another stroke of luck on 54 minutes when his shot came off Ramin Rezaeian to beat Beiranvand after he had been sent through by Andres Iniesta.

The entire Iranian bench poured onto the pitch when Saeed Ezatolahi fired an equalizer for Team Team Melli just before the hour.

But the thousands of Iranian supporters that filled the stadium with the sound of vuvuzelas throughout were left disappointed when it was ruled out for offside.

Spain coach Fernando Hierro welcomed Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal back into the starting line-up following his recovery from a hamstring injury suffered in the Champions League final win over Liverpool.

With Lucas Vazquez replacing Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke, it gave La Roja a distinctively Real Madrid feel.

By the end of a pulsating opening half in which Iran’s defense thwarted the few real chances La Roja were able to create, Hierro’s men left the pitch looking rather red-faced.

Costa got so frustrated with Iran’s defensive tactics that he approached Beiranvand and provocatively stepped on his toes, leaving the ‘keeper in visible pain.

It went unpunished by Uruguayan referee Cunha, who had awarded France a historic first VAR-assisted penalty that saw Antoine Griezmann score Les Bleus’ opener in a 2-1 win over Australia.

Spain resumed in more positive fashion after the break, Beiranvand forced to produce heroics twice in the space of four minutes. But Iran refused to buckle, Carlos Queiroz’s men coming close in the final minutes when midfielder Mehdi Taremi headed just over.

Shortly after the restart an Isco corner was flicked on by Costa to Gerard Pique but his effort was cleared off the line. Sergio Busquets’ drive from 20 yards was then parried by Beiranvand, who palmed the rebound away before Lucas Vazquez could pounce.

Some great vision from Iniesta, and a slice of luck, however broke Iranian hearts when Costa spun and latched on to the ball before seeing his shot rebound off Rezaeian and into the net.

Spain, however, were still flattering to deceive. On a rare counter goalkeeper David De Gea was left irate when Taremi rose to head a meter wide.

Moments later, the stadium erupted when Ezatolahi fired through a packed Spain area to beat De Gea but the assistant referee’s flag was up.

In the final quarter hour Iran battled for a late equalizer, but after V

Vahid Amiri showed class to nutmeg Pique deep on the left and fire over an inviting cross,

Taremi’s thundering header flew just over the bar as a relieved De Gea looked on.

Culled from Presstv

World Cup hosts Russia virtually booked their place in the second round with a 3-1 win over Egypt on Tuesday that moved them to top of Group A with six points from two games.

Three goals in the space of 15 minutes early in the second half put the Russians firmly in command before Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, who had a subdued game on his return from injury, struck from a penalty, awarded after a video review.

Should Uruguay (3 points) beat Saudi Arabia (0 points) on Wednesday it will ensure the South Americans and the Russians go through to the round of 16 with a game to spare.

Russia’s 15 minutes of glory

After a tight first half Russia’s breakthrough came just two minutes after the restart.

Aleksandr Golovin’s cross was punched out by Egyptian keeper Mohamed El-Shenawy, only as far as Roman Zobnin whose low drive was heading wide until Ahmed Fathi’s outstretched leg turned the ball into his own net.

Remarkably, it was the fifth own goal of the tournament so far. The record amount for a tournament is six in 1998.

If there was some good fortune to the opener, the Russians’ second was pure quality.

Alexander Samedov pushed the ball out wide to Mario Fernandes, the Brazilian born right back who had powered forward from deep to deliver a perfect pull-back into the path of Denis Cheryshev who slotted home his third goal of the tournament.

Two minutes later it was 3-0 via a route one play, as target man Artem Dzyuba chested down a long ball, bustled past Ali Gabr and drove home.

Salah’s return too little, too late

Salah, who had not played since going off injured in Liverpool’s Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid last month, managed some consolation when he converted from the spot after a video assistant referee (VAR) ruling that he had been brought down by Zobnin inside the area.

REUTERS

Source: Euronews

The Serbia men’s national football team has achieved a convincing victory in the preliminary round of the 2018 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup in Russia, and scored a triumph against Costa Rica.

Held at the Cosmos Arena in Samara, Serbia’s Eagles notched up a 1-0 win over Los Ticos (The Ticos) in the opening Group E match on Sunday.

Even though both sides had a number of scoring chances in the first half, they ended the period tied at one.

Costa Rica’s 30-year-old defender Giancarlo Gonzalez squandered the Central Americans’ best chance in the 12th minute, when he headed wide when unmarked.

Serbia midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic also wasted a good opportunity in the 28th minute as he was ruled offside.

After the break, a curling free kick from Serbian captain Aleksandar Kolarov in the 56th minute secured the Eagles’ 1-0 victory.

Kolarov, who plays for Italian club Roma, struck the ball over the wall with his left foot and past outstretched Costa Rican keeper Keylor Navas to sore the winner into the top right corner of the net.

Later on Sunday, Germany will face Mexico in the opening World Cup Group F fixture at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

Five-time FIFA World Cup champion Brazil will take on Switzerland in the second Group E match.

During the official 2018 FIFA World Cup draw ceremony at Kremlin State Palace in the Russian capital city of Moscow on December 1 last year, the host nation, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Uruguay were put in Group A in the preliminary round of the tournament.

The Iran men’s national football team, nicknamed Team Melli, has joined Portugal’s A Selecção, Spain’s La Furia Roja and Atlas Lions of Morocco.

France is drawn in Group C, and is pitted against Australia, Peru and Denmark.

Argentina, Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria are drawn in Group D.

Group E consists of Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia.

While the 2014 FIFA World Cup champion Germany, Mexico, Sweden and South Korea shape Group F, Belgium, Panama, Tunisia and England are in Group G.

Group H has Poland, Senegal, Colombia and Japan.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 14 to July 15. Russia opened the event against Saudi Arabia in a Group A fixture at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium. The hosts won the match 5-0.

A total of 64 matches will be played in 12 venues located in 11 cities.

Source: Presstv

A Luka Modric penalty and an own goal from Oghenekaro Etebo has given former semi-finalists Croatia an easy 2-0 win over Nigeria in their World Cup Group D opener on Saturday.

In Russia’s sleepy European exclave of Kaliningrad — perhaps best known for its nuclear missile sites — the much-hyped youngsters of Nigeria struggled to ignite against Croatia’s midfield technicians.

With rivals Argentina and Iceland only managing a 1-1 draw earlier Saturday in Saransk, both sides had a chance to take control of Group D.

Nigeria, knowing they were always likely to struggle for possession against a central one-two of Modric and Ivan Rakitic, were content to sit back and allow Croatia to come to them.

But they were rigid and well-organized, and largely restricted Modric’s distribution to the flanks, where Croatia’s final ball was poor.

After 10 minutes, Juventus target man Mario Mandzukic teed up Ivan Perisic at the edge of the area only for the Inter Milan forward to blaze over.

Croatia, semi-finalists at France ’98, have struggled to live up to the lofty expectations borne of an embarrassment of midfield riches, and meekly lost their World Cup opener 3-1 to hosts Brazil four years ago.

There is a sense of now-or-never for the Balkans nation at this tournament, in stark contrast to Nigeria, who brought the competition’s youngest squad to Russia.

Coach Gernot Rohr kept faith in 19-year-old keeper Francis Uzoho but the Deportivo stopper’s first real action was picking the ball out of the net.

Just after the half-hour mark, Mandzukic, industrious in his hold-up play, chested a Andrej Kramaric cross back to Ante Rebic, whose fizzing shot was blocked. The resulting corner saw Rebic return the favour with a near-post flick on met by a diving Mandzukic.

Etebo was wrong-footed and bundled into his own net.

Nigeria responded well, with Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi’s shot from a cleared free kick blocked on 45 minutes and his Premier League colleague Victor Moses shooting wide from 30 yards on the stroke of half time.

The Super Eagles had the best of the start of the second period, forcing Croatia to bat away three corners in succession, before Moses again snatched a shot wide of Danjiel Subasic’s left upright.

But just as Nigeria showed some signs of life, William Ekong held down Mandzukic from a cross in the area and referee Sandro did not hesitate to point to the spot.

Modric’s gilded right foot guided it to Uzoho’s right side.

The Real Madrid maestro was not at his best for much of the night, but in truth he did not need to be as Nigeria looked ponderous on the ball and crucially short of big-game experience.

Despite fears pre-match, there was no reports of any racist chanting from among the near-capacity crowd.

Viewers of the clash between Argentina and Iceland have taken to social media in their droves to (rather harshly) take aim at Lionel Messi, after the Barcelona star’s missed penalty ultimately cost the Albiceleste all 3 points.

The two countries went head to head at the Spartak Stadium in their respective World Cup openers this afternoon, with Argentina having understandably come into proceedings as heavy favourites.

However, Iceland, having famously ousted England from Euro 2016, were widely known to be a tough nut to crack, with Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men having also topped their World Cup qualifying group ahead of the likes of Croatia and the Ukraine.

Line-ups

This afternoon’s matchup started out in hectic fashion, as both sides exchanged early chances before Sergio Aguero’s sensational turn and finish gave Argentina a deserved lead. However, the advantage held by Jorge Sampaoli’s men lasted less than 5 minutes, as Iceland’s Alfred Finnbogason slammed home following a poorly-directed save from Willy Caballero.

Messi stepped up to take the ensuing spot-kick, but his disappointing effort was well saved by Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Thor Halldorsson:

Slated

Unsurprisingly, despite Lionel Messi having had to carry Argentina for the entirety of this afternoon’s fixture, fans online (particularly those who favour Ronaldo in the debate between the two) quickly took aim at the Barcelona superstar.

Source: 101 greatgoals

France needed the help of the first World Cup penalty awarded after a video review and a deflected Paul Pogba goal to get their World Cup campaign underway with a 2-1 win over Australia on Saturday (June 16).

Striker Antoine Griezmann lashed home the historic spot kick in the 58th minute but Australia hit back with a penalty of their own when Samuel Umtiti inexplicably handled the ball in the box four minutes later.

Socceroos skipper Mile Jedinak sent his French counterpart Hugo Lloris the wrong way to give Australia hopes of forcing a draw at the Kazan Arena but Pogba grabbed the winner in the 81st minute.

Even that goal might not have counted in the days before technology was brought into the game with Pogba’s shot looping off the shin of Aziz Behich, hitting the crossbar and bouncing down inside the goal before coming back out.

Uruguayan referee Andres Cunha checked the goal-line monitor on his watch and awarded the goal as Australia keeper Mat Ryan stood holding the ball in his hands.

Cunha had earlier watched the challenge by Josh Risdon on Griezmann on the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) monitor by the side of the pitch and decided the Australia right back had brought the French striker down in the area.

Didier Deschamps’s France side will move on to their remaining Group C clashes against Denmark and Peru, who meet later on Saturday, with three points but plenty to do to justify their place among the pre-tournament favourites.

Australia and their 10,000 gold-shirted fans will be disappointed that all their hard work earned them nothing as they seek to get out of the group stage for the second time in their fifth World Cup.

Reuters

All of Africa will be rooting for Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Saturday as they take on European side Croatia in the opening game of the ‘official’ 2018 World Cup of Death, Group D.

Nigeria who will be fielding the youngest team at the World Cup have had scandal free preparations in the camp, but have been the center of all headlines, thanks to their fashionable jersey and off-the-pitch outfits.

Nigeria’s coach Gernot Rohr said on Friday that the team is ‘physically and mentally ready’ for the opening game at the Kaliningrad Stadium, adding that he hopes to get support from the hosts Russia.

Nigeria’s World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United), Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba), Francis Uzoho (Deportivo Coruna)

Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes), Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion), Tyronne Ebuehi (ADO Den Haag), Elderson Echiejiole (Cercle Brugge), Brian Idowu (Amkar Perm), Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa), Abdullahi Shehu, William Ekong Troost (both Bursaspor)

Midfielders: Oghenekaro Etebo (Las Palmas), John Obi Mikel (Tianjin Teda), Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City), Joel Obi (Torino), John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva), Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor)

Forwards: Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai), Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal), Victor Moses (Chelsea), Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow), Simoen Nwankjwo (Crotone).

Croatia’s World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Danijel Subasic (Monaco), Lovre Kalinic (Gent), Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb)

Defenders: Vedran Corluka (Lokomotiv Moscow), Domagoj Vida (Besiktas), Ivan Strinic (Sampdoria), Dejan Lovren (Liverpool), Sime Vrsaljko (Atletico Madrid), Josip Pivaric (Dynamo Kiev), Tin Jedvaj (Bayer Leverkusen), Duje Caleta-Car (Red Bull Salzburg)

Midfielders: Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona), Mateo Kovacic (Real Madrid), Milan Badelj (Fiorentina), Marcelo Brozovic (Inter Milan), Filip Bradaric (Rijeka)

Forwards: Mario Mandzukic (Juventus), Ivan Perisic (Inter Milan), Nikola Kalinic (AC Milan), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Marko Pjaca (Schalke), Ante Rebic (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Argentina vs Iceland

Lionel Messi’s Argentina will be taking on the adored European side, Iceland who were the surprise package at Euro 2016.

Argentina’s coach Jorge Sampaoli has already named his starting eleven for the game, choosing to go with the potenet attacking duo of Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero.

Argentina starting XI: Willy Caballero, Eduardo Salvio, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Rojo, Nicolas Tagliafico, Lucas Biglia, Javier Mascherano, Maximiliano Meza, Lionel Messi, Angel di Maria, Sergio Aguero.

France Vs Australia

In Group C, 1998 world champions France will be taking on Australia and expectations will be weighing heavy on this generation of Frenchmen to replicate the success of their heroes, whose captain Didier Deschamps is back at the World Cup as the coach.

Featuring players like Manchester United’s Paul Pogba, PSG’s Kylian Mbappe and Athletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezman, France are not only group favorites, many fancy them to go all the way and lift the trophy.

Peru vs Denmark

Both teams will play with an unwritten script that they says they are fighting for the second spot in Group C along with Australia.

Peru have been buoyed by news that their all time scorer Paolo Guerrero is fit to start for them in the game aginst Denmark after being freed from a doping ban.

Guerrero missed the play-offs against New Zealand after he tested positive for a cocaine byproduct contained in a tea.

Source: Africa News

After a brilliant opening game by the hosts Russia who thrashed Saudi Arabia by 5 goals to nil, expectations for day 2 of the 2018 FIFA World Cup had been high, especially given the line up of games at hand.

Six time African champions Egypt would be taking on Group A favorites Uruguay and the big question was whether the ‘Egyptian Pharaoh’ Mohamed Salah would play a role in the game.

In the end, Salah didn’t play and Uruguay edged Egypt with an 89th minute winner scored by Jose Gimenez.

“In the history of football we have broken a spell. We either die or we kill, we have to keep progressing,” said Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez at the end of the game.

Egypt’s coach Hector Cuper explained that it was too early to risk Salah.

“At the end of the training session we examined him and there was some doubt if he fell or was hit by another player, and we wanted to avoid a risk today,” Cuper said. “We want to have him in top form for Russia and Saudi Arabia.”

Egypt next play Russia in St Petersburg on Tuesday, giving Salah four more days to work on his fitness while Uruguay take on Saudi Arabia on Wednesday in Rostov.

Moroccan hearts broken by late Iran Goal

Up next were Morocco who were taking on Iran, in the less fancied game of Group B that also has European champions Portugal and 2010 world champions Spain.

Morocco dominated the game for the bigger part of the 90 minutes, but then in stoppage time, disaster struck.

Iran left back Ehsan Hajsafi whipped in a free kick five minutes into added time and Bouhaddouz launched himself at the ball, flashing a header past his own keeper Munir Mohamedi.

The Iranians, who had not won a World Cup game since their victory over the United States in 1998, celebrated as if they had won the tournament, leaving the field only reluctantly after lengthy and emotional embraces.

“Our strategy was from the first minute to create a mental collapse in the Moroccan players. We tried to do that by creating frustration and blocking all their creative players,” said Iran’s coach Carlos Queiroz, the former assistant to Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and ex-Real Madrid coach.

“My players are down, but we can only blame ourselves,” was all Morocco coach Herve Renard could say.

In a group where Spain and Portugal are strong favourites to qualify for the knockout stage, the outcome gives Iran an outside chance of an upset but was a bitter blow for an enterprising Moroccan side.

Ronaldo reigns supreme in 3-3 Portugal vs Spain thriller

The much anticipated match of the day didn’t disappoint as five time World Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo scored an early goal from the penalty spot in the 4th minute to give Portugal the lead.

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa equalised in the 24th minute, before Ronaldo restored Portugal’s lead in the 44th minute, thanks to a goalkeeping blunder from Span’s David De Gea.

Costa scored yet another equaliser in the 55th minute, which was quickly followed by a stunner from Nacho to give Spain the lead for the first time.

But it was Ronaldo who had the last word when he scored a spectacular free-kick in the 88th minute to tie the game and score a career 51st hat trick.

Argentina, Nigeria in action on Saturday

Day 3 of the 2018 FIFA World Cup will see Ronaldo’s nemesis Lionel Messi step up as his team plays against Iceland in the opening game of Group D. Nigeria will play against Croatia in the other game of the group.

There will also be action in Group C as 1998 world champions play against Australia while Peru will play against Denmark.

Source: Africa News

Morocco’s national football team held their final training session at the St. Petersburg Stadium on Thursday, before their first World Cup match against Iran.

Morocco are drawn in Group B, alongside Portugal, Spain and Iran.

The FIFA 2018 World Cup kicked off on June 14 with Russia securing a 5-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in the tournament’s opening game.

(Source: AFP)