Julian Nagelsmann is out as the Germany head coach following the team’s shock exit from the World Cup at the hands of Paraguay in the round of 32 with talks already being sought with Jürgen Klopp to replace him. Germany lost 4-3 on penalties to the South American side to suffere an early exit from the tournament for the third time in a row, following their failure to make it…
Brazilian teenager Endrick said he is “at peace” with the limited playing time he is getting at this World Cup, knowing coach Carlo Ancelotti is doing what’s best for the team. The Real Madrid forward has yet to start a game in the tournament having come off the bench against Haiti, Scotland and Japan. “He won’t do what’s best for me or for Endrick,” Endrick said of Ancelotti. “Or even…
Rodrigo de Paul has warned his Argentina teammates not to look beyond Friday’s round-of-32 World Cup game against Cape Verde. The defending champions are considered among the favorites to lift the trophy after their dominating performances in Group J. “It would be a mistake to think beyond Friday’s game,” the 2022 World Cup winner De Paul said. “Tomorrow’s game is the last one — that’s how I’m looking at it.…
Cristiano Ronaldo said he will make a decision regarding his future with the national team after the World Cup but insists “it’s not important right now.” Ronaldo, 41, helped Portugal progress to the Round-of-16 after scoring an equaliser from the penalty spot in Thursday’s 2-1 win over Croatia in Toronto. Asked after the game about reports in Portugal claiming that Ronaldo will retire from international duty after this tournament, the…
Real Madrid have stated they have not registered any interest in signing Enzo Fernández from Chelsea and have no intention to do so in the future. The midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to Madrid and his agent, Javier Pastore, confirmed in an interview to Spanish outlet MARCA that he is “looking at possibilities to leave Chelsea.” ESPN reported on May 29 that the Blues would demand a…
FIFA has confirmed that Croatia’s equaliser against Portugal was correctly ruled out for offside due to technology housed inside the World Cup ball. Gonçalo Ramos‘ header put Portugal 2-1 up in the fourth minute of added time but it looked like Croatia had scored a dramatic equaliser when Josko Gvardiol nudged them level nine minutes later. Ivan Perisic sent a ball into the box, which bounced off Renato Veiga and…
Former Argentina forward Carlos Tevez has said that Lionel Messi always has “another story to tell” and the world is still “going crazy over him.” Messi — who turned 39 in June — became the World Cup’s outright all-time top goal scorer courtesy of his brace against Austria which broke the tie with Germany‘s Mirsolav Klose before hauling his tally to 19 when he scored again against Jordan. The Argentine…
TORONTO — Croatian legend Luka Modric saw his potential World Cup “last dance” come to a dramatic and emotional end on Thursday following a down-to-the-wire 2-1 loss to Portugal in the Round of 32. At 40 years old, Modric was still a heavy contributor in the losing effort, leading his team with 66 touches, completing three tackles, and delivering a pair of dangerous crosses in the second half. However, Croatia…
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal paid an emotional tribute to former teammate Diogo Jota after their 2-1 World Cup win over Croatia in Toronto on Thursday. Ronaldo, who scored Portugal’s opening goal of the round-of-32 matchup with a penalty, put on Jota’s No. 21 Portugal jersey following the final whistle and with tears in his eyes pointed to the sky as he gathered with his teammates. Friday will mark exactly one…
ARLINGTON, Texas — Australian coach Tony Popovic has warned his side against getting caught up in the occasion as they chase a first-ever FIFA World Cup knockout win, but that, no matter what “this group’s already made history.” After making the knockout stage for the third time in their history, the Socceroos will take on Egypt at Dallas Stadium this Friday (Saturday morning, AEST), in a clash in which both…