FIFA World Cup 2018

WC celebrations rock Paris

The World Cup-winning French team returned home to a heroes' welcome yesterday, parading down the Champs-Elysees as hundreds of thousands of cheering fans gave a raucous welcome to the country's newest idols.
France didn’t play football, says Lovren

Croatia defender Dejan Lovren is scathing of France's style of play following his side's defeat in Sunday's World Cup final.
'I do not know where I am!'

Once the French have their hands on the coveted golden trophy, Griezmann grasp it and run down to fans behind the goal to show them the World Cup, before skipping back along the side of the pitch holding it aloft.
‘You don't give a penalty like that in a World Cup final'

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic stated outright what he felt regarding the controversial penalty call following his side’s 4-2 defeat to France in Sunday’s World Cup final, saying : “You don't give a penalty like that in a World Cup final.”
Did controversies ruin the spectacle of the World Cup final?

It was the first time that Video Referee Assistant (VAR) technology was used in a World Cup final but controversial refereeing decsions ensured that a spectacle of the calibre of the final might have been marred by inconsistencies.
Young France promise even more

Energetic, disciplined and clinical, France won the World Cup on Sunday with a 4-2 victory over Croatia that, even in such a moment of achievement, still left the feeling there may be much more to come from Didier Deschamps' outstanding young team.
Reason why protesters invaded pitch during World Cup final

The World Cup final between France and Croatia was briefly interrupted when three intruders affiliated to anti-Kremlin punk band Pussy Riot ran onto the pitch before being hauled off by stewards.
Modric wins golden ball as best player at the 2018 World Cup

Croatia captain Luka Modric beat competetion from the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Eden Hazard to win the golden ball as the best player in the World Cup even as his side lost the final of the showpiece event 4-2 against France.
France again after 20 years

Paul Pogba wanted his own star and 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe wanted to make an everlasting impression on his World Cup debut. Their wishes were granted as France lifted the World Cup with a 4-2 win against Croatia in the final at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow yesterday.
France's second or Croatia's first?

A month ago, if someone had predicted that France and Croatia would play the World Cup final in Russia, most of us would have dumped it as an impossible option. But here we are with that spectacularly different reality -- the Les Bleus and the Blazers lining up for today's final at the Luzhniki Stadium.
Nerveless Croatia in maiden final

Croatia set up a dream final with France as they came from a goal down to beat England 2-1 in a nail-biting semifinal at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow yesterday.
Apology to beautiful football

France won the match, but not the hearts. The first semifinal between the two best sides of the World Cup failed to live up to its Battle Royale billing. It was a good match but could have been great had France not played negative football. There was no reason for France to play defensively.
Footballers' cars…and if footballers were deshi cars

The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia is almost over. We've been treated to a tournament full of fantastic goals, heartbreaking upsets and plenty of underdog triumphs that add drama to the greatest sporting event in the world.
Lots of fights within a fight

France, Belgium face off. The two best teams of this World Cup lock horns tonight. A dream match that has every potential to live up to its billing as a Battle Royale.
Wind of change in football

Football is played in cycles, although they do not change often.
Wind of change in football

Football is played in cycles, although they do not change often.
A cracker in the offing

If you discount World Cup pedigree, which has actually had little or no bearing in Russia 2018 so far, there is little to choose from between France and Belgium when the two European nations lock horns in the first semifinal at the Saint Petersburg Stadium today.
4 teams, 4 key attributes

The semifinal line-up is complete and two intriguing, all-European ties lie in wait. But while the teams in the last four of Russia 2018 hail from the same continent, the similarities end there. France, Belgium, England and Croatia all boast very different attributes. This article on FIFA.COM takes a look at the salient features of the four semifinalists.
Rakitic dreams of going further than 1998 Croatia heroes

Ivan Rakitic is hoping this Croatia team can go a step further after matching the country’s heroes of 1998 by making it to the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Beckham wins England bet with Zlatan

David Beckham wins a friendly England versus Sweden bet against Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with the terms of the bet stating that if England beat Sweden in the quarter-final to book a place in the World Cup 2018 semi-final, Zlatan would be buying dinner for Beckham where ever he wants in the world.
Croatia end Russia's dream

Croatia beat Russia 4-3 on penalties on Saturday to set up a World Cup semi-final against England after a dramatic match full of twists and turns.
Lady Luck was not with Brazil

What a match it was Friday midnight! A cracker of a contest that was fought hard till the end.
England cruise to semis

Harry Maguire and Dele Alli scored as England comfortably defeated Sweden 2-0 in Samara on Saturday to reach the World Cup semifinals for the first time since 1990.
Croatia end Russian dream

Ivan Rakitic scored the winning penalty as Croatia beat Russia 4-3 in a shoot-out after a dramatic 2-2 draw on Saturday to end the World Cup hopes of the host nation and advance to a semi-final against England.
Loss to Belgium is harder than 7-1 humiliation: Paulinho

Brazil midfielder Paulinho says that the 2-1 defeat against Belgium in their quarter-final match of the World Cup 2018 is harder to take than the 7-1 humiliation handed by Germany in World Cup 2014.
Russia vs Croatia match in numbers

Russia will look to continue the winning tradition of host nations at the World Cup when it takes on Croatia in a quarter-final matchup at Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi today. The match is scheduled to start at 12:00 am in Bangladesh time. Here we look at some of the statistics ahead of the game.
‘I expected more difficulties against Neymar'

The Belgium defender Thomas Meunier praises his team’s defending against Brazil and also says that he expected a better show from the Selecao star man Neymar while defending against him during the Red Devils’ 2-1 win over Brazil in their quarter-final match of the World Cup 2018.
Winner not on the field

Four years ago, Brazil were hit by a tragedy bigger than a tsunami. A 7-1 thrashing by Germany was beyond the wildest imagination of the proud football nation.
Belgium oust Brazil

Belgium shot Brazil out of the World Cup with a 2-1 quarterfinal win yesterday to set up a semifinal clash with France on Tuesday.
Sky is the limit for Mbappe

France's Kylian Mbappe is undoubtedly fast.