Football | The Daily Star

  • Samapoli told he ‘no longer holds decision-making power’

    The Albiceleste are in tatters following their 3-0 defeat in the World Cup match against Croatia and previously there were rumours flying around that the players had asked for Sampaoli to be sacked. Following those reports, Argentina denied tsuch claims as false. However, According to Argentina sports channel TyC, Sampaoli has now been told by the Argentina FA president that he does not hold any more decision-making power.

  • Belgium's Lukaku doubt for England clash, says Martinez

    Roberto Martinez reveals that Romelu Lukaku is an injury doubt for Belgium's World Cup blockbuster tie against England after the in-form striker picked up an ankle injury.

  • Belgium overpower Tunisia

    Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku scored twice as the Red Devils easily dispatched Tunisia 5-1 in their World Cup Group G encounter yesterday.

  • Messi on a mission as Argentina train with renewed hope

    Lionel Messi and Argentina hit the training ground today with renewed hope of qualifying for the World Cup last 16.

  • Salah is an honorary citizen of Chechnya

    After his team crashed out of the World Cup, Egypt's star player Mohamed Salah wins a consolation prize in the form of honorary citizenship of Chechnya.

  • Messi is ‘no Ronaldo’, says Petit

    Former France and Barcelona midfielder Emmanuel Petit says that Lionel Messi is not a leader like his all-time rival and competitor Cristiano Ronaldo and also criticizes the little magician for his lax body language during the game against Croatia.

  • ‘Lionel Musa’ to outshine Lionel Messi

    Nigeria's Ahmed Musa, dubbed as 'Lionel Musa' by the Argentinean fans says that he is ready to outshine Messi in their next game to see his team Nigeria through to the next round of the competition.

  • 1986 World Cup hero Diego Maradona

    ‘No fighting spirit’ from Argentina: Maradona

    Argentina legend and their 1986 World Cup hero Diego Maradona expresses that the current Argentina team have no fighting spirit in them after they were handed a humiliating 3-0 defeat by Croatia in their second match of the group stage of World Cup.

  • World Cup mascots from eggshells

    World Cup swag takes a quirky turn in Vietnam where a retired schoolteacher is making mascot memorabilia from hollowed-out eggs, meticulously crafted by hand.

  • Germany vs Sweden Match

    Germany vs Sweden Match in numbers

    After a shock 1-0 defeat against Mexico in their opening game of the World Cup 2018, Germany will be facing Sweden in their second match of the group stage and the defending champions will be looking to seal their first victory in this edition of the football extravaganza.

  • Argentina asks Russia to deport brawling fans

    Argentina say it asked Russia to detain and deport four of its soccer fans filmed fighting with supporters from Croatia during their 3-0 defeat in a World Cup match.

  • Reluctant tactical switch pays dividends for Nigeria

    Nigeria’s top players needed persuasion to change positions in a tactical shake-up but coach Gernot Rohr’s plans pay dividends as they beat Iceland 2-0 to get back in contention to progress to the World Cup's last 16.

  • Don't mix politics and football: Petkovic

    Swiss coach Vladimir Petkovic says that politics and football should "never mix" after two players celebrated goals in a 2-1 victory over Serbia with political gestures.

  • Musa gives Argentina hope

    A brace from Ahmed Musa handed Nigeria a 2-0 win over Iceland, which keeps Argentina's hopes of progressing to the 2018 World Cup round of 16 alive.

  • Swedish squad hit by stomach bug

    Sweden's preparations for their World Cup clash against Germany hampers by a stomach bug that prevents three players from travelling to Sochi, where Saturday's game will be played.

  • Argentina deny reports players want Sampaoli out

    Argentina denied reports that players want coach Jorge Sampaoli sacked before their final World Cup group game against Nigeria after a humbling 3-0 defeat by Croatia.

  • Brazil win with Neymar, Coutinho late strikes

    Extra time goals from Philippe Coutinho and Neymar handed Brazil a 2-0 win over Costa Rica in their 2018 World Cup match at Saint Petersburg stadium.

  • Argentina fans still dreaming of World Cup glory

    "We can't sleep, we can't talk, we can't do anything," said Sebastian, a 34-year-old lawyer who had travelled to Russia from Rosario.

  • Egypt complaint against referee

    Egypt will formally protest to FIFA about the performance of Paraguay referee Enrique Caceres whose decisions they feel prejudiced the outcome of their World Cup game against hosts Russia in St Petersburg.

  • Brazil fans revel in Argentina loss

    Brazil fans mock Lionel Messi and celebrate Argentina’s defeat as they sing `Messi Ciao’ (Goodbye Messi) in St. Petersburg.

  • Atletico Madrid

    Simeone compares Messi and Ronaldo in leaked message

    Atletico Madrid’s Argentine manager Diego Simeone was overheard speaking to his assistant German Burgos in a leaked audio recording where the coach criticised the national team’s situation and also gave an opinion regarding Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

  • Brazil need Neymar now more than ever, says Maradona

    Argentina legend and the nation’s 1986 World Cup hero expresses that Brazil need Neymar now more than ever after the five time World Champions were held to a 1-1 draw against Switzerland in their opener.

  • 'Messi willingly put in a bad performance'

    Ricardo Caruso Lombardi is known for being one of the most controversial coaches in Argentine football. After Argentina's defeat against Croatia, he gave his controversial views on Argentina’s star playmaker Lionel Messi.

  • Modric vows to beat Iceland for Argentina

    The Croatian number 10 Luka Modric says that they are going to beat Iceland in their final match of the group stage to make it easier for the Albiceleste, whose fate will now depend on other results after their humiliating 3-0 loss against Croatia last night at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.

  • Danilo out of Brazil's game with Costa Rica

    Brazil defender Danilo has been ruled out of Friday's Group E game with Costa Rica with a thigh problem and will be replaced by Corinthians right back Fagner, the Brazilian Football Confederation said on Thursday.

  • Modric reveals what Croatia did to stop Messi

    Croatia captain and Real Madrid star Luka Modric gives his take on how Croatia went about stopping Lionel Messi.

  • ‘Let Sampaoli say what he wants’, says Aguero

    Sergio Aguero hits out at the Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli after a humiliating 3-0 loss to Croatia in their second match of the group stage, as reported by FFT.

  • Brazil vs Costa Rica Match in numbers

    Brazil meet Costa Rica in their second match of the group stage today in the Saint Petersburg Stadium after being held to a 1-1 draw against Switzerland in their World Cup 2018 opener. The match is scheduled to start at 6:00 pm in Bangladesh time. Let’s look at some of the statistics ahead of the encounter.

  • Messi out of excuses, but not time

    As Messi walked off the pitch at half time, he wiped an undeserved bead of sweat from his forehead -- undeserved because he had less touches (20) than Argentina goalkeeper William Caballero (22) up to that point.

  • How Argentina can still qualify

    A demoralising 3-0 loss to Croatia has certainly taken the wind out of Argentina's sails, but La Albiceleste can still qualify for the round of 16 if a few things go their way.

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