SAO PAULO REACTION
@Deeep_ache was filming the empty streets of Sao Paulo when Brazil scored against Costa Rica…
‘PROVING MY WORTH’
France forward Olivier Giroud says he is bored of always having to prove himself.
The Chelsea striker played a key role in France’s winner against Peruon Thursday.
‘LIKE A FINAL’
That’s what Radamel Falcao thinks of Colombia’s match with Poland on Sunday night.
He says that it is a must-win game for both teams if they are to progress from Group H.
HUMMELS OUT?
Joachim Low has said that Germany defender Mats Hummels is unlikely to play against Sweden tomorrow with a neck injury.
TEAM NEWS
Nigeria make three changes with Kenneth Omeruo, Ahmed Musaand Kelechi Iheanacho coming into the side.
Iceland have made two with Rurik Gislason and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson getting their first starts of the tournament.
TEAM NEWS
Nigeria: Uzoho, Omeruo, Ekong, Balogun, Idowu, Moses, Mikel, Ndidi, Etebo, Musa, Iheanacho.
Iceland: Halldorsson, Magnusson, Sigurdsson, Arnason, Saevarsson, Bjarnason, Gunarsson, Sigurdsson, Gislason, Bodvarsson, Finnbogson.
FULL TIME
Philippe Coutinho and Neymar are the heroes for Brazil, they both scored in stoppage time in a 2-0 win against Costa Rica.
Costa Rica will feel hard done by after defending resiliently for 90 minutes.
A second goal in the tournament for Barcelona midfielder Coutinhoand Neymar’s strike in the seventh minute of stoppage time give Brazil their first win in Russia.
GOALL!!!
In the first minute of stoppage time, Philippe Coutinho scores from close range to give Brazil the lead against Costa Rica!!
BRAZIL 0-0 COSTA RICA (LATEST)
10 minutes to go …. can Brazil find a winner?
They have just had a penalty overturned by VAR.
Neymar has also just been booked.
HOME COMFORTS
Mexico have brought two tons of food from home so that there are no excuses at the World Cup including about the menu.
They have all the ingredients to make the player’ favourites, including traditional tacos, cheesy quesadillas and, of course, their hot salsas.
But … the beef comes from Europe.
The team did not eat any red meat from Mexico to avoid any chance of positive tests with clenbuterol, a banned substance that is widely used by Mexican ranchers as a growth-enhancer.
‘CAHILL FRUSTRATED’
Australia’s Mark Milligan says team-mate Tim Cahill will feel “frustrated” after being an unused substitute for a second match at the row at the World Cup.
Coach Bert van Marwijk snubbed the country’s most prolific goal-scorer for the opening Group C matches against France and Denmark despite the team’s struggles in front of goal.
WALKER ON BELIEF
Kyle Walker on England’s chances in the tournament:
“I’d rather us be quiet and go about our business. We need to believe we can go all the way. That comes from the players, the staff and everyone to do with England. You know, pushing us on and giving us encouragement to do great things.”
WALKER ON PANAMA
Focus turns to Sunday’s game against Panama:
“We have seen a few clips, we know that they are a physical team. Panama are more direct [than Tunisia].
“They need to worry about us more than we need to worry about them. We have key men in key areas that can get goals at any time.”
WALKER TALKS
Walker is now asked about the open nature of the England squad with interviews from Raheem Sterling and Danny Rose in recent weeks:
“We are just normal people. Obviously, we have a fantastic job, one of the of the best in the world but we are just normal guys but we all go through different situations in life.
“My childhood wasn’t great. I have seen houses on fire and babies chucked out of flats. They are things you grow up with that make you stronger. I am right behind Raheem and right behind Danny, who I have known for a long time.”
WALKER TALKS
He has been asked about the penalty he conceded against Tunisia:
“The referee has a difficult decision. Obviously VAR has helped a lot but he has chosen not to use it. It is a bit of a cloudy situation of when they can use it or when we can say can you check the TV. We had a referee’s meeting and if we do put that forward and he doesn’t agree he can show us a yellow.
“Maybe in the Premier League I could get away with it but in the World Cup, maybe not.”
WALKER TALKS
England defender Kyle Walker has been speaking to the media, here is what he had to say:
“We don’t have a clue [who will start]. Last time he did give us a couple of days notice of what it would be. But this time I think he is going to do it tomorrow.”
SHAKIRA THANKS
Pop star Shakira took to social media to recognise her partner Gerard Pique’s achievement in winning 100 caps for Spain.
Shakira wrote: “Proud of you, 100 caps for the Spain national team! Shak”. They have been in a relationship for seven years.
ARGENTINA DENY REPORTS
Argentina denied reports Friday that players want coach Jorge Sampaoli sacked before their final World Cup group game against Nigeria after a humbling 3-0 defeat by Croatia.
Following Thursday’s match, there were reports in both local and international media of a rift between Argentina players and the coaching staff.
It was also suggested that 1986 World Cup winner Jorge Burruchaga, the team’s technical director, would take charge for Tuesday’s must-win game against Nigeria.
PRAY AS YOU GO
A pastor in Nigeria has urged his followers to pay him more than $2,000 to unleash a squadron of “prayer warriors” to help the country’s footballers secure a World Cup win.
NEWS CONFERENCE
Kyle Walker is the England player to face the media today. You can hear from him at 1:30 pm
ROSE BACKING
Former England midfielder Matt Le Tissier says he would like to see a change at left back when England play Panama on Sunday. Le Tissier says he would start with Tottenham defender Danny Roseinstead of Ashley Young.
‘PANAMA WILL PLAY HARD’
Panama are up for their game against England.
Defender Harold Cummings has warned. that they will “play hard” against England on Sunday.
“We are going there to play hard. We are going there to compete. We will do our job against any team we face.
“It is going to be man versus man and we are not going to look at the names on the back of the England jerseys.”
PANAMA TEARS
An emotional Edgar Barcenas was seen crying at Panama’s training base in Saransk.
Panama coach Dario Gomez talked to the 24-year-old for five minutes while the rest of the squad trained.
Panama are bottom of Group G after losing 3-0 to Belgium in their opening game.
MATCH PREVIEW
Serbia v Switzerland – kick off at 7pm.
Team News
Switzerland’s Valon Behrami has been receiving treatment due to a muscle problem but should be fit to keep his place.
Serbia’s Luka Milivojevic picked up a minor knock in the win over Costa Rica but should be available.
TEAM NEWS
One change expected for each side.
As expected, Fagner replaces Danilo because of injury for Brazil and Costa Rica have also made one change to their line-up.
Sunderland’s Bryan Oveido replaces Francisco Calvo.
STARTING XI’S
Brazil: Alisson, T. Silva, Miranda, Marcelo, Fagner, Casemiro, Coutinho, Paulinho, Willian, Jesus, Neymar
Costa Rica: Navas; Acosta, Gonzalez, Duarte, Oviedo, Gamboa, Borges, Ruiz, Guzman, Venegas, Urena
VAN BOMMEL TO PSV
Australia assistant manager Mark van Bommel has been appointed the new head coach of PSV.
He replaces Phillip Cocu who on Friday left the Dutch club to take over as manager of Turkish side Fenerbahce.
He will begin his role once Australia’s World Cup in Russia is finished.
BROKEN – REPORTS ARGENTINA PRESS
As you’d expect the Argentina press have not been too kind to the national team this morning following their 3-0 defeat to Croatia.
Ole called the performance “broken”.
La Capital’s front page said the result “left the team in the middle of a nightmare”.
Ole called the performance “broken”.
KANE NEEDS HELP
Former Arsenal forward Alan Smith has urged England’s midfielders to get among the goals and help Harry Kane in Russia.
CHERCHESOV TRIBUTE
After two games, two wins and eight goals for hosts Russia their head coach is becoming a national hero.
This is a tribute to Stanislav Cherchesov in St Petersburg. The words to describe the picture are “out of this world”
Russia are into the second round of the tournament for the first time in 32 years after winning their first two games.
ARGIE JIBE
Former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton was feeling particularly smug about Argentina’s defeat last night on the eve of that infamous ‘Hand of God’ moment from Diego Maradona.
MATCH PREVIEW
Nigeria v Iceland – kick off at 4pm.
Team News
Iceland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson has revealed that winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson isn’t expected to recover in time to play.
Leicester’s Ahmed Musa could start for Nigeria after coming off the bench in their opening game.
‘ALLI REMAINS DOUBTFUL’
Despite starting to run yesterday, Dele Alli remains doubtful for England’s match with Panama on Sunday.
BREAKING NEWS
He may not be at the World Cup with England but Jack Wilshere has been in the headlines a lot this past week.
West Ham are interested in signing Wilshere, according to Sky sources.
We understand the Hammers are one of a number of clubs that are keen on the 26-year-old midfielder.
Wilshere confirmed earlier this week he would be leavingArsenal when his contract expires on July 1
JOKE IS ON JAVIER
Mexico play their second group match against South Korea on Saturday afternoon.
It appears while the squad were on their way to Rostov forward Javier Hernandez fell asleep to the amusement of his Mexico team mates and club West Ham.
WORLD CUP: RUSSIA REPORT
A 90 second round up of the latest news from Russia – including why Egypt won’t allow Mo Salah to leave the World Cup just yet and a boost for England…
BIRTHDAY WISHES
Belgium and Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has wished happy birthday to his mum!
She is revising for her exams … in between World Cup matches of course!
MATCH PREVIEW
Brazil v Costa Rica – kick off at 1pm.
Team News
Neymar to start for Brazil with Fagner likely to replace Danilo at right back.
Costa Rica expected to name an unchanged side.
WILL ALLI TRAIN?
Could Dele Alli return to England training today?
The Football Association released these images of the Tottenhammidfielder training alone yesterday.
‘ARGENTINA WERE EMBARRASSING’
Former Tottenham midfielder Ossie Ardiles has called the current Argentina team as the worst in their history. Ardiles, who helped Argentina win the World Cup in 1978, said that the prestige earned by past sides had been tossed away and that the team had been in decline ever since finishing as runners-up in Brazil in 2014.
“From world champion to being the worst national team inArgentina history. Where to begin?
“To be playing outside of Argentina does not mean they are elite players. Many of them were not even starters in their own teams.
“The prestige acquired over the years especially by the two world champion teams thrown overboard.
“Embarrassing also the “bullying” of our most experienced players: Mascherano, Otamendi. The incident with Rakitic. Please Otamendi:Apologise.”
NEYMAR TO START
Brazil head coach Tite says he is ‘calm’ about Neymar’s fitness and believes the PSG forward will show his best at the tournament.
Neymar will start in the 1pm kick off v Costa Rica.
CYBER CONTROL
Several teams have enforced rigid guidelines to shield their players from hacks at the World Cup.
The Australian football federation is one of several to use its own mobile internet connection while in Russia, in theory to make it harder to access information contained on the devices of players and staff.
England were briefed by Britain’s GCHQ intelligence service and players’ smartphones and other connected devices have been fitted with special encryption software for the tournament.
RONALDO DELIVERING
Cristiano Ronaldo is delivering on the big stage with four goals in his first two games at the World Cup this summer.
EGYPT COMPLAINT
Egypt will formally protest to FIFA about the performance of Paraguay referee Enrique Caceres whose decisions they feel prejudiced the outcome of their World Cup game against hosts Russia in St Petersburg on Tuesday.
“We want an investigation into the performance of the whole refereeing team,” Egyptian Football Association president Hany Abo Rida said on Friday.
Egypt lost the game 3-1 to suffer a second defeat at the tournament and an early elimination in their first World Cup appearance since 1990.
STERLING ON CRITICISM
England forward Raheem Sterling has admitted that he doesn’t know why there is a negative perception of his lifestyle in some sections of the media.
GROUP D
So Argentina have one point from their first two World Cup games. Iceland could put themselves in a very good position if they were to beat Nigeria in the 4pm kick off this afternoon.
MISERY FOR ARGENTINA
Here’s a look at how Argentina’s fans reacted to their World Cup defeat to Croatia, and some of the figures behind the damaging loss.
SAMPAOLI TAKES BLAME
The fallout from Argentina’s World Cup defeat to Croatia continues.
Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli said his tactics are to blame for Lionel Messi’s poor form at the 2018 World Cup.
“The reality of the Argentinian squad, it clouds Leo’s brilliance.
“Leo is limited because the team doesn’t gel ideally with him as it should.
“As coaches, we need to realise these things and try to deal with them and I’m the one that needs to accept it.”
NO EARLY EXIT
The Egyptian FA has ruled out Mohamed Salah leaving the World Cup early despite their elimination. Defeats to Uruguay and Russiaeliminated Egypt with one game to go in Group A.
GOOD MORNING
Day nine of the World Cup sees Brazil, who are looking for their first win of the tournament, play Costa Rica, Nigeria take on Iceland and Serbia face Switzerland in an all-European clash. Follow us for updates from those games and news from Russia throughout the day.
