Tag: World cup

France defeat Belgium to reach 2018 World Cup final

France will face England or Croatia in the World Cup final after edging past European neighbours Belgium in the semi-final in St Petersburg.

Defender Samuel Umtiti scored the winning goal for the 1998 champions in the second half with a towering header from Antoine Griezmann’s corner.

Didier Deschamps’ side were on the back foot for large periods of the game, but emerged victorious to reach their third final, having been beaten by Italy on penalties in 2006.

Belgium came through the quarter-finals by impressively beating Brazil, but they were unable to find the equaliser, as Axel Witsel’s powerful, long-range drive was pushed away by Hugo Lloris, who also brilliantly kept out Toby Alderweireld’s turn and shot.

At the final whistle, the France substitutes ran on the pitch to celebrate with the players, while manager Deschamps was mobbed by his staff before dancing around in a circle.

England play Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow in the second semi-final on Wednesday and the final takes places at the same venue on Sunday.

July 11, 2018
England: Museum bids for Southgate’s World Cup waistcoat

Football may not be the only thing ‘coming home’ this month as England boss Gareth Southgate’s World Cup waistcoat is being sought by the Museum of London.

Over 300 years since the sleeveless garment was first worn by King Charles II in the English capital, unlikely trendsetter Southgate has made waistcoats popular again.

The England manager has sported a navy blue Marks & Spencer one throughout England’s run to the World Cup semi-finals in Russia, which has led to increased sales and more Google searches for the item back home.

Actor Hugh Grant tweeted about the piece of clothing ahead of England’s quarter-final victory over Sweden and the following day BBC presenter Andrew Marr opened his show in a waistcoat as a tribute to Southgate.

The Museum of London now wants to recognise the garment’s revival by acquiring one of the England boss’ waistcoats for its permanent collection.

“Waistcoats were born in London in 1666, promoted by King Charles II,” the museum’s senior fashion curator Beatrice Behlen said.

“The new fashion soon spread and for at least 300 years a three-piece suit soon formed a key part of every man’s wardrobe.

“Now Gareth Southgate is reviving that London tradition and bringing waistcoats home to the forefront of fashion.

“This acquisition would be a fantastic addition to our holdings and would come at an exciting time for us while we build the London Collection as we plan the New Museum in West Smithfield.”

Sky sports

July 10, 2018
It’s a miracle that Croatia are in World Cup semi-final – Dalic

Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic admits it is a “miracle” his side are in the World Cup semi-final.

Croatia face England on Wednesday night in Moscow in their first last-four appearance at the World Cup since 1998.

They beat both Denmark and Russia on penalties in the knockout stages, and Dalic says this period is the best in his coaching career.

He told RLC: “I believed and now that we are in the four best teams we are surprised, okay, it’s a miracle, but why wouldn’t we be among the four best teams?

“We have to believe in ourselves, we have such players, we have such potential, so it’s not weird.

“This is for me the most wonderful, beautiful period of my coaching career, the one I dreamed about, the way I came, but the greatest merits are our players.

“Every one of them is great, but there are people around me, my staff who work with me and we all live as one family these 45 days and all have their merits. That’s why I’m really happy and I wouldn’t want to stop here.”

Croatia struggled to find rhythm in their knockout games against Denmark and Russia, with Dalic claiming the defensive style of their opponents stifled their creativity.

He hopes England will be more suited to their style of play, but added that recovering from two extended games will be difficult.

“We played twice for 120 minutes in six days and spent tremendously, physically and mentally. There was a lot of energy needed for it, we do not have much time and we have to be ready for the game in three days.

“It will not be easy and we have two days to see who is ready, whether the injured players can recover or we will have to play without someone, but I think we just have to put those who are the most healthy and timid in the game because we have no right to make a mistake.

“We had three tough games, with opponents who are not our style, our way of playing, defensive teams, a lot of long balls, skipping game, and that did not suit us.

“But I’m glad we demonstrated strength at such matches and adapted their style, we played the best we could and finally got those matches. I hope that against England it will finally be our style of play and our match.”

sky sports

July 10, 2018
2018 World Cup: Who wears the crown… the favourites or underdogs?

The 21st edition of the World Cup is nearing a conclusion and some of the best players in world football have graced the stage in Russia.With 32 teams taking part it can be difficult to predict a winner, but some teams are inevitably better equipped than others when it comes to personnel.

However, at every major tournament there is always room for a dark horse to upset the established order and that has certainly been the case in Russia.

With teams whittled down to four, who’s the favourite to win the 2018 World Cup?

Favourites to win the 2018 World Cup

Russia 2018 has already seen a number of the pre-tournament favourites drop out of the running, with the likes of Germany, Spain and Brazil all crashing out at various stages.

As well as that, strong outsiders such as Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal were dumped out in the last 16, and the make-up of the last four is not what many may have predicted.

France are now the clear favourites to win the competition, 20 years after their first and only triumph, and made great strides towards the World Cup final after defeating Uruguay 2-0 in the quarter-final.

It is not surprising to see Les Bleus so highly rated ( 2/1 according to dabblebet ) considering that Didier Deschamps has an impressive pool of talent to draw from, which includes the likes of Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann. They are through to the semi-finals after defeating Argentina and Uruguay in the last 16 and quarter-finals respectively.

Perennial dark horses Belgiumarrived in Russia with a ‘Golden Generation’ – including players like Kevin De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku – which has now reached a level of maturity that should see them mount a serious challenge, something that is reflected in their price of 11/4.

The Red Devils will face France in the last four of the competition, which will be a monumental task for both teams in the race to reach the final.

It is likely that whoever comes out on top in the France vs Belgium semi-final will be considered the outright favourite to lift the trophy in Moscow on July 15.

World Cup 2018 underdogs

Over the years England have had to contend with the pressure of expectation at successive World Cups, but that did not exist in the build-up to the 2018 edition. In terms of star quality, Gareth Southgate’s side is a far cry from the ‘Golden Generation’ that fell short in the 2000s and they have been relying on the talents of Harry Kane in particular – who still remains as the competition’s top-scorer.

Having qualified from Group G as runners-up behind Belgium, the Three Lions emerged victorious in a last-16 tie against Colombia through a penalty shootout and easily overcame Sweden in the quarter-final to reach the semi-final for the first time since 1990. Their odds have since thus shortened significantly to 5/2, with many English fans finally believing that ‘Football’s Coming Home’.

Croatia finished third at the World Cup in France 20 years ago but they have failed to replicate the same level of success since. Crashing out at the group stage in 2002, 2006 and 2014, their status as potential challengers was also undermined by the fact that they needed to qualify via the play-offs after being pipped by Iceland in their group.

However, with Real Madrid’s Luka Modric and Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic in their ranks, they boast the kind of talent other nations envy. Having started out as definite underdogs at 28/1, a crushing win over Argentina and penalty shootout victories over Denmark and hosts Russia have seen their odds shorten to 4/1. Interestingly, though, of the four teams left, Croatia are deemed least likely to triumph.

finished third at the World Cup in France 20 years ago but they have failed to replicate the same level of success since. Crashing out at the group stage in 2002, 2006 and 2014, their status as potential challengers was also undermined by the fact that they needed to qualify via the play-offs after being pipped by Iceland in their group.

However, with Real Madrid’s Luka Modric and Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic in their ranks, they boast the kind of talent other nations envy. Having started out as definite underdogs at 28/1, a crushing win over Argentina and penalty shootout victories over Denmark and hosts Russia have seen their odds shorten to 4/1. Interestingly, though, of the four teams left, Croatia are deemed least likely to triumph.

Goal

July 9, 2018
Team spirit can carry Belgium to World Cup final – Martinez

Belgium are in uncharted territory for their World Cup semi-final with France but believe their team spirit and togetherness can ensure they carry on their extraordinary journey in Russia, manager Roberto Martinez has said.

Martinez’s team tackles the 1998 World Cup winners in St Petersburg on Tuesday for a place in the final, marking the first time Belgium have reached this stage of the World Cup since 1986, when they finished fourth.

“The players have been working together extraordinarily well for many years, and they deserve to be exactly where they are today,” Martinez told ESPN FC.

“I feel that the most important aspect we worked on was the notion of being a team. Individual skills and talent are important, but in these tournaments, it’s

absolutely necessary to play as a team.

“It’s a trip into the unknown. We’ve never been in such a situation, and that’s why we need our team spirit more than ever against France. We need to be the best version of ourselves,” Martinez said.

The coach sees strong similarities between Belgium and their opponents, especially when it comes to the wealth of individual talents in their ranks.

Belgium can call upon the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne, while Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe have shone for France in Russia.

Mbappe was lethal in France’s 4-3 Round of 16 win over Argentina, using his pace to devastating effect, but Martinez said his side would not make the mistake of focusing solely on one player.

“Both (teams) have the right mix of youth and experience and also lots of individual talent,” he added.

“We will need to anticipate (Mbappe) and be well-positioned. We need to defend spaces more than the player himself. But we are not going to forget the others since France has a very complete attacking pattern.

“This group of players needs to play without fear to keep all of its options open. It’s like a voyage to the moon: We need to face it full of illusions,” said Martinez.

Reuters/NAN

July 9, 2018
Heirro steps down from spain role after World Cup exit

Fernando Hierro, Spain’s manager at the 2018 World Cup in Russia has stepped down after a disappointing outing at the tournament.

Hierro, who led Spain to the last 16 will not return to his former role as sporting director.

He was placed in temporary charge of the team after Julen Lopetegui was sacked on the eve of the tournament.

However, the 2010 world champions were knocked out on penalties by hosts Russia in the last 16.

Hierro, 50, has decided to “seek new horizons”, according to the Spanish football federation (RFEF).

A statement said the former Real Madrid player had “declined” to return to his previous role and has opted to “undertake new professional challenges”.

Lopetegui was sacked two days before their opening World Cup match with Portugal after he was named Real Madrid boss.

Lopetegui became Spain manager in 2016 following Vicente del Bosque’s retirement, and remained unbeaten through his reign.

In Russia, Spain topped Group B under Hierro. However, they conceded a late equaliser against Portugal and trailed Morocco 1-0 and 2-1 before scraping a draw in injury time.

After their surprise exit to Russia, Hierro said he accepted responsibility for the team’s failure to advance any further.

“We all tried to give it our best but that’s football,” he said.

“I don’t think you can talk about the team breaking down or collapsing. There’s a fine line between winning and losing.”

July 9, 2018
BREAKING: Croatia shatter Russia’s World Cup dream to qualify for semi-final

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.

The teams were locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes and remained locked – though at 2-2 – after extra time, before being forced into a shootout.

Russia and Croatia had traded goals during the 90 minutes at the Fisht Stadium. Denis Cheryshev scored the opener for the host nation before Andrej Kramaric equalised and the teams went into extra time.

The game finished 2-2 after extra-time following a late equaliser by Russia’s Mario Fernandes.

Denis Cheryshev struck a stunning opener from a distance to give the hosts the lead in the 31st minute but Croatia equalised through Andrej Kramaric just eight minutes later.

Croatia’s Domagoj Vida broke the deadlock in extra-time, getting his head to the ball from a corner to score in the 101st minute but Fernandes headed home from a free-kick just five minutes before the end in Sochi.

Croatia will meet England in the World Cup last four after defeating the host nation Russia 4-3

July 7, 2018
[BREAKING] World Cup: England advance into semi-finals

Harry Maguire and Dele Alli scored headers as England booked their place in a first World Cup semi-final since 1990 by beating Sweden 2-0.

Maguire and Alli struck either side of half-time in Samara on Saturday to move the Three Lions into the last four, and they will face either Croatia or hosts Russia on Wednesday.

England dominated after making a slow start, Maguire scoring from Ashley Young’s left-wing corner after half an hour to put Gareth Southgate’s side on track.

Jordan Pickford made tremendous saves to deny Marcus Berg and Viktor Claesson either side of Alli doubling England’s lead, the midfielder nodding in Jesse Lingard’s centre.

Although the World Cup’s top scorer Harry Kane was muted, England held Sweden at bay to follow up their penalty success against Colombia with a more comfortable victory.

Sweden had advanced from three of their four previous World Cup quarter-finals but could not find a way to beat Pickford as the Three Lions marched on to the semis.

Claesson hammered the game’s first shot over the crossbar in the 12th minute as a cagey start saw both sides play loose passes due to early nerves.

Raheem Sterling then set up Golden Boot leader Kane, who slotted wide, with England – playing in their first World Cup quarter-final since 2006 – starting to find their feet.

And they took the lead in the 30th minute with their eighth set-piece goal of the tournament.

Young’s outswinging corner found Maguire to power home his first international goal, goalkeeper Robin Olsen and Ola Toivonen on the line unable to stop the defender’s downward header.

The offside flag spared Sterling’s blushes when Kieran Trippier’s long-range pass sent him clear to miss and the forward soon wasted another chance from Jordan Henderson’s lofted throughball.

Olsen did well initially with a strong hand to deny Sterling, who dallied with the rebound and allowed Andreas Granqvist to make a vital block.

Pickford was called into action for the first time shortly after the restart, diving to his left to superbly palm away a header from Berg, who climbed above Young at the back post.

The importance of that terrific save was made clearer as England struck again in the 58th minute.

Another England set-piece caused chaos and, although Sweden initially cleared their lines when Lingard delivered a perfect cross to the back post, Alli was there to double his side’s advantage.

Pickford made a smart stop from Claesson after he combined well with Berg, Sweden coach Janne Andersson turning to John Guidetti from the bench.

Guidetti teed up strike partner Berg in the 71st minute but Pickford, who kept his first clean sheet of the World Cup, tipped the effort over the crossbar.

Such was England’s comfort in the closing stages, Henderson – at risk of missing the semi-final through suspension – could be replaced by Eric Dier as Southgate’s side moved on to Moscow.

July 7, 2018
World Cup: Belgium’s victory over Brazil, set up all-European semi-finals

There will be five European teams in the semi-final of the World Cup for only the fifth time, after Brazil were dumped out by Belgium on Friday night.

Roberto Martinez’s came into the quarter-final tie as underdogs, but raced into a two-goal lead before the break.

Fernandinho’s own goal gave Belgium the lead, before Kevin De Bruyne finished off a counter-attack with a blistering strike.

Brazil pulled one back through Rene Augusto, but it was not enough to keep the five-time winners from exiting the tournament.

Raphael Varane and Antoine Griezmann scored as France advanced to a World Cup semi-final against Belgium after beating Uruguay 2-0.

Belgium will take on France in the last four on July 10.

The all-European final foursome will be completed Saturday: England plays Sweden and Russia faces Croatia in the other two quarterfinal matches.

Asked on Friday about Europe’s strength, Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said “reality from a financial point of view, from a historical point of view” could not be ignored.

“Don’t ask me something that is self-evident,” said the veteran coach, who led Uruguay to the semifinals in 2010.

Back then, Uruguay was eliminated by the Netherlands, who lost to Spain in the final.

Europe’s winning run began with Italy in 2006, Spain followed four years later, and Germany took over in 2014.

A title for France or England in Moscow on July 15 would keep the glory within a closed circle of countries whose national teams, domestic leagues and television markets are known as Europe’s “Big Five”: Spain, Italy and Germany are the others.

They are home to the richest and most storied clubs, attract the most valuable broadcast deals worldwide, and place most teams in the Champions League. The five will have 19 of the 32 places next season.

It is a virtuous circle helping earn more prize money and build lucrative global brands.

It also attracts the best players from other continents, and Neymar was almost a late arrival coming from Brazil to Barcelona when he was 21. If the wave of talent flowing to Europe denies playing time to domestic players, it also raises the overall level of play.

In those five countries, national federations and clubs have the money and an obligation to invest in youth coaching programs and keep producing talent. National centers such as Clairefontaine in France and more recently St. George’s Park in England have their own strong identity.

Now even Croatia and Sweden are close to their first World Cup semifinal berths since the 1990s, revealing European depth that South America craves.

Since the 1982 World Cup, when a semifinal round was reinstated, 40 teams will have been involved and Europe has provided 31 of them. South America has eight, and 2002 co-host South Korea was the other.

Africa has never had a semifinalist and failed to advance any of its five teams from the group stage in Russia. Japan was the only one of five Asian confederation teams to reach the round of 16, losing to Belgium.

It adds up to another European semifinal sweep, following 2006 and 1982.

Europe got 14 places in the 32-team World Cup lineup in Russia (44 percent), even though it currently has 20 of the top 32 teams in the FIFA rankings. European dominance increases deeper into the bracket: 10 of the round of 16 teams (62 percent); six of the quarterfinalists (75 percent); all of the semifinalists (100 percent).

European club dominance is even greater when looking at World Cup rosters. A total of 74 percent of players selected across the tournament — 544 of 736 — are employed by teams in Europe.

This hegemony could be tough to maintain when the World Cup increases to 48 teams in 2026. Only three extra places were given to Europe, raising its guaranteed number to 16 — one-third of the total.

Regardless, the final World Cup week in Russia is all Europe, all the time.

July 7, 2018
Lack of pressure means England can win World Cup – Eriksson

England are benefiting from playing without “enormous pressure” and can go all the way and win the World Cup if they beat Sweden in Saturday’s quarter-final, says Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Swede Eriksson guided England to successive World Cup quarter-finals in 2002 and 2006 before resigning.

“Before my time, during my time and a little bit after my time, it was like you had to reach the final,” Eriksson told BBC Sport.

“That has changed.”

Eriksson also took England to the quarter-finals of Euro 2004 but was criticised after his 67-match reign ended in defeat by Portugal at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

The former Manchester City boss, who managed Ivory Coast at the 2010 World Cup, said the lack of pressure on England in Russia is helping Gareth Southgate’s side.

“That’s good for the team because you can go out and play more relaxed,” he added.

“England are a good team, a young team and a hungry team. I think England and the fans are happy now because they are in the quarter-finals.”

July 6, 2018