CHICAGO — Erling Haaland has played down the magnitude of Norway’s decisive Group I clash against Kylian Mbappé and France on Friday by saying Les Bleus “will probably win against us.” Norway and France both sealed qualification for the round of 32 on Monday with victories against Senegal and Iraq, respectively and the two nations meet in Boston on June 26 tied on six points, but with 2018 World Cup…
World Cup winner Philipp Lahm has launched a scathing criticism of FIFA president Gianni Infantino. “The World Cup is being sold out,” Lahm, who captained Germany to glory in 2014, wrote in a column for German newspaper Die Zeit. “This robs football of its credibility. As a result, fans are uneasy. It’s becoming increasingly difficult for them to separate FIFA from the event itself.” Lahm went on to condemn the…
Kylian Mbappé has said he is not thinking about the World Cup Golden Boot race after he scored twice in France’s 3-0 win over Iraq on Monday to take his goal tally for the tournament to four. The forward, who was speaking at a news conference after the match, is joint-second in the standings, one goal behind Lionel Messi and level with Erling Haaland. “It’s not something I’m thinking about…
Portugal defender João Cancelo says neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Neymar deserve the criticism they are receiving at this World Cup. Ronaldo, 41, came under fire in the media after a lacklustrE performance in Portugal’s first game, a 1-1 draw with Congo DR. Neymar, 34, has not played for Brazil in their first two games due to a calf injury, leading critics to argue he should not have been included in…
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — Norway dispatched Senegal 3-2 in New Jersey on Monday in their second World Cup game, booking their ticket for the knockout stages, and their players knew exactly how to celebrate: With the “Viking Row.” Norway fans have been performing the chant — for the first time at this World Cup — at both their opening games, as well as across host cities Boston and New York…
Roberto Martínez said his Portugal team are “united” and “stronger” ahead of their crucial World Cup game with Uzbekistan in Houston on Tuesday, after facing criticism for their opening 1-1 draw with Congo DR. Portugal’s star-studded squad put them among the pre-tournament favourites, but last week’s result increased the pressure on Martínez’s side, with a spotlight on captain Cristiano Ronaldo, 41. A social media storm saw midfielder João Neves being…
FOXBOROUGH, Mass — Declan Rice has paid a glowing tribute to Harry Kane by describing his tournament form as “inevitable” and added that he will proudly tell his children one day that he played alongside the England captain. Kane scored twice in last week’s 4-2 win over Croatia to tie Gary Lineker as England’s all-time top goalscorer in World Cups with 10. The 32-year-old will move above David Beckham into…
FOXBOROUGH, Mass — .Thomas Tuchel has said hydration breaks “change the identity” of World Cup matches and take away a “characteristic of the beautiful game.” At this year’s World Cup, all 104 games are due to be stopped once for three minutes in each half regardless of the weather or if the stadium is air-conditioned. An exception came on Monday when the break was aborted in France’s second half against…
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Thomas Tuchel said his plan to ensure England’s attacking players continue to thrive at the World Cup is to “not disturb the music” when they take on Ghana. The Three Lions beat Croatia 4-2 in Dallas in an impressive start to their Group L campaign as Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and substitute Marcus Rashford all got on the scoresheet. England can seal top spot with a win…