World Cup 2018: Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic predicts which teams will reach the finals

The midfielder reckons he will probably face a Barcelona team-mate in Sunday’s final but has some bad news for France.

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Fifa World Cup 2018 – A Case of Missing Stars

Russia beat Spain in a penalty shoot-out to move into the FIFA World Cup 2018 quarter-finals and knock out the 2010 champions in Moscow on Sunday. Iago Aspas’ penalty was saved by Igor Akinfeev to hand Russia victory after a match that Spain had completely dominated. Earlier, Spain and Russia were locked at 1-1 in regulation time. Four France goals ended Lionel Messi's fourth FIFA World Cup on Saturday and may have brought down the curtain on an international career seemingly destined to end in disappointment.

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From Moscow to Saint Petersburg

DisgracefulYesterday, Japan advanced to the last-16 because they received less yellow cards in the group stage than Senegal. But in a short, intense period like the World Cup, the volume of yellow cards is inevitably going to increase. It was a farcical period of the tournament and it must be changed in 2022. Stay bloody calm! The past two weeks have gone too fast so it's nice to have some time to reflect on the experience.

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Degryse declares Man Utd reject Januzaj 'proved he deserved his place against England'

Former Belgium attacker Marc Degryse was impressed by Adnan Januzaj for their World Cup win over England yesterday. The Real Sociedad winger scored the only goal of the 1-0 win. Degryse said of former Manchester United midfielder Januzaj: "Immediately after the break we saw a class flash from Januzaj, who showed that he deserves his selection. "It was a typical Januzaj action: threatening and then looking for the far post. For example, Januzaj has proven that he can decide a game from scratch.

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Ex-Everton captain Neville: Don't blame Mane for disappointing World Cup

Former Everton captain Phil Neville believes Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane hasn't received the right service from his Senegal teammates at the World Cup. “I don't think they've fed him really that well," Neville said of Mane. “Sarr on the other side has actually been a little bit more impressive. “I actually think they've got to get better support. “I think that's what (Keita) Balde will give them, a little bit more support up there."

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FIFA 2018 News

Recent News

Tadic reveals 'easy decision' leaving Southampton
29 Jun 2018      FIFA 2018

New Ajax signing Dusan Tadic has revealed it was an easy decision to leave for Southampton for his "dream club". It was an easy decision because I had a lot of opportunities in the Premier League and other countries but I think Ajax is best for my future. In four years, I was for three [of them] in the top five best assisters in the Premier League and probably in the top ten of creating chances. I'm very proud because Southampton is not the biggest club in the Premier League and the Premier League is the toughest league in the world. I had beautiful years with Southampton - great club, great people, great supporters - and I'm very proud of my four years."

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​Talking Tactics: How Germany went from complacency to disaster
29 Jun 2018      FIFA 2018

Before the World Cup beganOn Thursday morning newspaper Suddeutsche Zeiting ran the headline "Complacent in the disaster", which pretty accurately summarises the mood in Germany. After the 2-0 defeat to South Korea, Mats Hummels made an even more damning assessment: "The last convincing performance we had was in the autumn of 2017." South Korea: Low fails to learn from his mistakesKroos' late winner against Sweden should have been the turning point, but instead Low - yet again - opted for complacency, for the assumption that things would come good. At half-time Gomez finally came on, but by then the pattern of the game – emotional exhaustion for Germany, self-belief for South Korea – had already been set. The result was chaos, was Low using 20 players and a variety of haphazard formations in just 270 minutes of World Cup football.

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Ex-Tottenham captain King: Kane can dominate World Cup
28 Jun 2018      FIFA 2018

Former Tottenham captain Ledley King is delighted for Harry Kane over his England goalscoring success. Kane currently tops the World Cup goalscoring charts after striking five times in England's Group G wins against Tunisia and Panama. And King, speaking at the William Hill Arms, told the Daily Star: “Of course he can [finish as top goalscorer]. “When it comes to scoring goals, nothing's going to surprise you when it comes to Harry. “There's still a long way to go but on form and the way he's started the tournament, that's a big indication of the way it's going to go."

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Brazil coach Tite defends Gabriel Jesus amid Firmino selection pressure
28 Jun 2018      FIFA 2018

Brazil coach Tite has defended the scratchy form of Manchester City attacker Gabriel Jesus. Gabriel has struggled for Brazil at the World Cup but Selecao manager Tite refused to say whether he will axe the City forward in favour of Liverpool's Roberto Firmino when the knockout phase gets underway. “A team is made up of players who have no greater importance than another, but different characteristics," Tite said after last night's win over Serbia. “Firmino was decisive in the other games, it consumes me, but he has an understanding of his value, that at another time, with or without Gabriel, he can be important. Choices will end up happening."

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From Moscow to Saint Petersburg
28 Jun 2018      FIFA 2018

Auf WiedersehenSo the Germans are out of the World Cup, and so are half of our Tribalfootball writers predictions. Dasvidaniya White NightsWith a hint of sadness, today I left Saint Petersburg for probably the last time at this World Cup. You see, summertime in Saint Petersburg means it virtually never gets completely dark. You'd have to think how this affects the players staying in Saint Petersburg when the sun blares through your window at 4am. Japan are currently top (4 points), with Senegal second (4 points) and Colombia (3 points).

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Arsenal legend Wright happy to see Germany bounced out
28 Jun 2018      FIFA 2018

Arsenal legend Ian Wright admits he's happy to see Germany dumped out of the World Cup. “First thing I thought was potential quarter-finalists we don't have to worry about when we're totally honest," he said on ITV. “In respect of Germany and what they do, then yeah it is surprising to see Germany go out like they have. “Coming into the tournament with one win in six or something, poor form, you still feel Germany are going to get it done. “It is surprising to see a Germany side go out like they have."

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Allardyce urges Southgate to rest England stars
28 Jun 2018      FIFA 2018

Former England coach Sam Allardyce believes they should field a shadow XI today against World Cup opponents Belgium. Tottenham striker Harry Kane took his World Cup tally to five goals on Sunday as he netted a hat-trick in a stunning 6-1 win over Panama. But Allardyce told the Daily Star: "Changing the side for Belgium is something he's (Gareth Southgate) probably going to consider. “He's been brave enough to change the system for England and I'd be brave enough to change the team against Belgium and rest up a few players. “It could not just physically drain them but mentally it could fatigue them and that could be very dangerous going forward into the knockout stages."

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FIFA 2018 News

Chelsea keeper Caballero: Family and I received insults and threats

Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero has spoken out against the insults aimed at him after Argentina's thrashing by Croatia. Caballero took to Instagram after Argentina's dramatic World Cup win over Nigeria. But I received a lot of disrespect, bad wishes and threats towards me and my family, those ugly attitudes did not help me. Once again I accept my mistake, but I never had the desire that my family spend such unpleasant days. "I see the shirt of Argentina with the values that I learned in my home and growing in football.

Man Utd defender Lindelof proud of Sweden triumph

Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof was proud to be part of Sweden's 3-0 victory over Mexico. The win sees the Swedes reach the World Cup round of 16. Lindelof said: "It is clear that it was very tough (against Germany) and we were very angry and sad after the match there. But then we were all back and ready to upload mentally for the next match, and we are again strong mentally. There was no one who had any idea that we were going home without everyone knowing that we would win this match."

French pundit again attacks 'much too poor' Chelsea ace Kante

French pundit Pierre Menes has again taken aim at Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante. Menes was again left disappointed by Kante's performance for the 0-0 draw with Denmark in their final group game. He said: "I'll repeat what I said about the first two games: at the level of activity and recovery of the ball, he's excellent. "But the level of participation in the game is much too poor for this level. France will now meet Argentina in the round of 16 this Saturday.

Arsenal hero Campbell: England need to rest Kane

Arsenal hero Sol Campbell believes England should rest Tottenham striker Harry Kane today. Campbell, who played at the 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Cups for his country, believes that Kane should not be risked against Belgium. “I would rather him on the bench and then coming on for the last 20 minutes, half an hour," Campbell said to Sky Sports News. Yes, he wants to win the Golden Boot but then you have got to save the legs. “From your legs to your mental approach, I think it all factors in."

Republic of Ireland coach O'Neill: Matic blew it for Serbia

Republic of Ireland coach Martin O'Neill slammed Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic for Serbia's World Cup defeat. Goals from Paulinho and Thiago Silva sent Serbia packing. “I'm surprised at Matic because he usually can pick up players well when he's playing for Manchester United or Chelsea before that," O'Neill said. “But he's far, far too tight to Thiago Silva and then loses him in that little race. “Thiago Silva, or anyone, is always going to beat him in a race here.

Man Utd legend Keane slammed over 'smart-a***' punditry: Nothing intelligent!

Irish pundit Eamon Dunphy has slammed Manchester United legend Roy Keane over his World Cup commentary. "He has become a caricature of himself, he has become a joke," declared Dunphy. "I watched the ITV coverage because he was on it and in terms of insight, he has offered nothing. "At half-time, this is where the analysts do their job, but there is no analysis from Keane. Just smart-a*** remarks saying he wants to rip Carlos Queiroz's head off, having a go at the English…there is no intelligent analysis.

Mum happy to take mick out of Man Utd defender Rojo: His right foot?

Even Marco Rojo's Mum will take the mick out of the Manchester United defender and his weak right foot! And his mum Carlina was more surprised because he had scored the winning goal with his right foot. It's because the kick was right footed, and he only uses the right foot to support himself, we did not think it was Marcos. "He said that I deserved it all, that it was for me and that he loved me. I said before the game that he was going to score a goal and Messi two, for the people who were talking bad about Leo.

Bayern Munich keeper Neuer says 'pathetic' Germany 'lacked commitment'

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has branded Germany "pathetic" after being dumped out of the World Cup by South Korea. Two South Korea goals in added time sent Joachim Low's team packing in one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history and goalkeeper Neuer didn't hold back. It was pathetic," said Neuer. Even if we had gone through, in the next round or the round afterwards, we'd have been knocked out." As the fallout began in earnest, manager Joachim Low also admitted they got precisely what they deserved in their 2-0 defeat in Kazan.