World cup semi final

Eden Hazard and a brilliant Belgian generation stand between France and a place in the World Cup final as the countries bring their historic rivalry to Tuesday's (Jul 10) first semi-final in Saint Petersburg. Eden Hazard (left) and Kylian Mbappe go head to head as neighbours Belgium and France meet in the World Cup semi-finals on Tuesday (Jul 10). (Photos: AFP/Odd Andersen, Franck Fife) Not since 1986 have Belgium made it this far at the World Cup, losing to a Diego Maradona-inspired Argentina in Mexico and then going down 4-2 to France in the third-place play-off, the last competitive meeting of the nations. In the years since, France have won one World Cup and one European Championship, and lost the 2006 World Cup final. Now, with Kylian Mbappe their new standard-bearer, they are dreaming of getting there again. Belgium disappeared from the forefront of the international scene for years before emerging once more with their current gifted crop. With Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and … [Read more...] about Hazard’s Belgium block France path as neighbours clash in World Cup semi

Harry Maguire and Dele Alli scored as England comfortably defeated Sweden 2-0 in Samara on Saturday (Jul 7) to reach the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1990. England's defender Harry Maguire scores the opening goal during Russia 2018 World Cup quarter-final football match against Sweden. (Photo: AFP/Alexander NEMENOV) Leicester defender Maguire headed in the opening goal from a corner on 30 minutes, with Alli adding a second just before the hour. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford then produced a series of crucial saves in the final half-hour to seal England's long-awaited spot in the last four. "It's a great achievement for the team, we owed it to the fans back home who believed in us," Alli said. "It's always nice to score, especially on occasions like this. It's an amazing feeling to be going to a semi-final at a World Cup." Harry Kane failed to score for the first time in the competition, but the England captain said confidence was high after matching the … [Read more...] about England sink Sweden to clinch World Cup semi final berth

Raphael Varane's glancing header and a goalkeeping blunder that gifted Antoine Griezmann a soft goal gave France a 2-0 victory over Uruguay in the first World Cup quarter-final on Friday (Jul 6) and set them up for a last-four tie with either Brazil or Belgium. France's Raphael Varane celebrates scoring their first goal with Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe, Photo source: REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff Uruguay went into the game without key striker Edinson Cavani, who was ruled out with a calf injury, with Cristhian Stuani drafted into the starting line-up. The impact on their attack was noticeable. Without Cavani, who scored twice in the round of 16 win against Portugal, Uruguay's moves forward lacked a focal point, and Luis Suarez found less space and openings against a well-drilled French defence. The South Americans battled but their talented generation of players, including the defensive rock Diego Godin, look like ending their international careers without the World Cup … [Read more...] about World Cup: Griezmann inspires France past punchless Uruguay in World Cup quarter final

Croatia are targeting the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1998 - when they made their debut as an independent nation on football's biggest stage. Croatia's supporters cheer ahead of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group D football match between Iceland and Croatia at the Rostov Arena in Rostov-On-Don on Jun 26, 2018. (JOE KLAMAR/AFP) It is unwise to look too far ahead at an event so full of surprises, but will a Croatian team facing host nation Russia in the last eight ever get a better chance to outdo the heroes of two decades ago? Zlatko Dalic's side showed in their comprehensive dismantling of Argentina during the group phase that they have no fear of the big names, and there is a strong case to say they are the best team left in their half of the draw. England might disagree, and the two countries could yet meet in the semi-finals. However, while Croatia needed penalties to beat Denmark in the last round, they have come to Sochi full of confidence. "We have shown … [Read more...] about World Cup: Croatia look to seize moment against hosts Russia

(L-R) Spain's Marc Lopez, Rafa Nadal, David Ferrer, captain Sergi Bruguera, Pablo Carreno-Busta, Roberto Bautista and Feliciano Lopez celebrate after beating Germany during the Davis Cup quarter-final tennis match. (JOSE JORDAN/AFP) The world number one's 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 win in Valencia drew the tie level at 2-2, before veteran David Ferrer battled to a marathon 7-6 (7/1), 3-6, 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 7-5 victory over Philipp Kohlschreiber to finish the job. Two breaks in each set were enough for Nadal to seal an impressively comfortable victory over world number four Zverev in what was only the 31-year-old's second outing since returning from a hip injury. Nadal said after the match he is still regaining sharpness. "The first set was fantastic," Nadal said. "There were times when I lost a bit of control because the match was tough, I had not competed for a long time and to maintain the level of the first set was complicated for me. "But in general it was a very important match and I am very … [Read more...] about Nadal crushes Zverev as Spain reach Davis Cup semi finals

Isco scored a hat-trick as Spain hammered an Argentina side without Lionel Messi 6-1 in a friendly on Tuesday (Mar 27), while Brazil defeated Germany 1-0 in their first meeting since the 2014 World Cup. World Cup hopefuls Spain crush Argentina, Brazil edge Germany Gareth Southgate's England were denied victory over Italy at Wembley after the visitors were awarded a late penalty in a 1-1 draw following consulation with the video assistant referee. Spain underlined their status as chief contenders at this year's World Cup in Russia as they extended their unbeaten run under Julen Lopetegui to 18 matches in sensational fashion in Madrid. Diego Costa bravely forced home Spain's opening goal on 12 minutes and Isco doubled the lead before Nicolas Otamendi halved the deficit prior to half-time. The absence of Messi, left out of the squad by Jorge Sampaoli despite the coach insisting on Monday that his star striker was fit, was telling as Spain dominated the South Americans in the … [Read more...] about World Cup hopefuls Spain crush Argentina, Brazil edge Germany