Lionel Messi described Argentina’s relationship with their fans as “something beautiful” after they beat Australia 2-1 to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.Messi marked his 1,000th senior appearance with the opening goal and Julian Alvarez put them in control by making it 2-0 early in the second half.Craig Goodwin’s deflected shot gave Australia a lifeline, but Argentina...Full Story »

Netherlands became the first team through to the World Cup quarter-finals with an entertaining 3-1 victory over the USA.Memphis Depay finished off a superb move to open the scoring in the 10th minute and Daley Blind made it two at Khalifa International Stadium just before half-time.The US threatened a comeback when Haji Wright pulled one back in the 76th minute but Denzel Dumfries ensured it was...Full Story »

Chesterfield’s nine-game unbeaten run in all competitions came to an end as Halifax secured a late 1-0 victory in the Vanarama National League.Robert Harker scored the decisive goal for the Shaymen in the 81st minute to dent Chesterfield’s promotion charge.The Spireites, who will play West Brom in the FA Cup third round next month, are fourth, eight points behind leaders Notts County...Full Story »

Stories had been circulating suggesting Vlahovic was being left out of the Serbia starting XI due to having an affair with Ana Cakic, the wife of reserve goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic. Dusan Vlahovic grabbed his nuts as he hit back at rumours he had had an affair with a team-mate's wife Credit: Reuters Vlahovic allegedly had an affair with Predrag Rajkovic's wife Ana Cakic Credit: Instagram Vla...Full Story »

Goals from Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez of Manchester City sent them through to the knockouts with a 2-0 win against Poland. The passport officer raised his hands in the air and celebrated an Argentina goal Credit: https://twitter.com/FaacuLopez__/status/1598102427303309313 Unfortunately, he had a bewildered women's passport in his hand at the time Credit: https://tw...Full Story »

According to reports, Eden Hazard is considering retiring from international football following Belgium’s early exit from the World Cup. The World No. 2 crashed out of the group stage on Thursday after a goalless draw with Croatia in an extremely disappointing performance. Despite defeating Canada in the first game, Roberto Martinez’s team was defeated by eventual group winners M...Full Story »

Ultimately one that didn’t actually make a blind bit of difference to either side… yet one that still sent shock waves around the planet. Vincent Aboubakar celebrates his winner Credit: Getty He was then shown a second yellow card and sent off Credit: Getty One for the scrapbook for Cameroon, one for the scrapheap for Brazil. And a definite “come back and join us” mess...Full Story »

Switzerland booked their trip to the last 16 at the World Cup after edging a heated 3-2 contest with Serbia at Stadium 974.Xherdan Shaqiri opened the scoring in a fiery end-to-end first half before Aleksandar Mitrovic levelled six minutes later.Dusan Vlahovic handed Serbia their first lead after 35 minutes but saw it cancelled out by Breel Embolo who sent the sides level into the break.Xherdan S...Full Story »

Boss Diego Alonso refused to blame his Uruguay stars after they tumbled out of the World Cup.Two first half goals from Giorgio de Arrascaeta, after Sergio Rochet saved Andre Ayew’s penalty, looked like sending Uruguay through as Group H runners up with a 2-0 win over Ghana.But Hwang Hee-chan’s late goal gave South Korea a 2-1 victory over Portugal to secure second spot and dump Urugu...Full Story »

STUNNING Paige Spiranac took off her top and recreated Cristiano Ronaldo's signature 'Siu' celebration. The ex-golfer has been enjoying the World Cup recently and previously admitted that football was not a sport that she watched a lot of. Paige Spiranac has been recreating famous football celebrationsCredit: Instagram However, with USA's participation, her interest in the sport has peaked an...Full Story »

ITALY and Paris Saint-Germain ace Marco Verratti is shaking off the World Cup heartbreak by relaxing on a Miami beach with model wife Jessica. The Euro 2020 winners failed to reach the winter tournament - held in Qatar - after losing their play-off semi-final match to North Macedonia. Verratti hit the beach in Miami with model wife JessicaCredit: The Mega Agency Italy also missed out on World...Full Story »

Brazilian model Lais Ribeiro flags up support for her national team in the World CupCredit: Richard Ramos In July the Victoria's Secret angel, 32, wed her pro basketball player partner Joakim Noah, 37. She got engaged to the Chicago Bulls star a year after they met. They tied the knot in a romantic ceremony beside the ocean. Mum-of-one Lais will no doubt be hoping her patriotic pose will be ...Full Story »

Belgium coach Roberto Martinez has confirmed he will leave his role following his team's early exit from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on Thursday. Belgium were eliminated from the group stage following a 0-0 draw with Croatia, finishing third behind the Croatians and group winners Morocco. A victory in their final group match would have been enough to send Belgium into the round of 16. "My situ...Full Story »

Cristiano Ronaldo could miss Portugal's final World Cup group stage game against South Korea on Friday. · Ronaldo missed training on Wednesday· Santos unsure if he will play against Korea· Portugal already through to last 16WHAT HAPPENED? Portugal coach Fernando Santos confirmed that the attacker's availability for the Group H match is in doubt after he missed training on Wedne...Full Story »

Hansi Flick said Germany only had themselves to blame after they crashed out in the group stages of the World Cup.The four-time world champions were already facing a scramble to keep their tournament hopes alive following defeat to Japan and a draw against Spain.And despite recording a 4-2 victory over Costa Rica, with Chelsea’s Kai Havertz scoring twice, Japan’s 2-1 comeback win aga...Full Story »

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu praised the determination of his side after a stunning second-half comeback saw them beat Spain to book their place in the last 16 of the World Cup as Group E winners.Spain had looked in total control at the break after taking the lead through Alvaro Morata’s early header.However, following a couple of changes at half-time, Japan produced a remarkable turnaround...Full Story »

Japan produced a stunning comeback to beat Spain 2-1 and secure top spot in World Cup Group E.Spain had looked in total control at half-time after taking the lead through Alvaro Morata’s early header.Japan, though, turned things around in the space of five minutes at the start of the second half when substitute Ritsu Doan equalised before Ao Tanaka netted another – which was allowed ...Full Story »

Germany crashed out of the group stage of the World Cup for the second time in succession despite a 4-2 victory against Costa Rica.Following a shock defeat to Japan and a scrappy draw against Spain, the four-time world champions knew only victory at Qatar’s Al Bayt Stadium on Thursday night – and failure by Japan to beat Spain in Group E’s other fixture – would keep their...Full Story »

Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez fought back the tears as he confirmed his side’s 0-0 draw with Croatia was his last game in the job.The 49-year-old Spaniard said he will not be extending his contract, which expires at the end of Qatar 2022, after Belgium failed to get out of their group.Martinez, who led Belgium to a third-placed finish at Russia 2018 after taking on the role in 2016, ...Full Story »

Belgium bowed out of the World Cup after falling short in a goalless draw with Croatia in their final group game at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.Substitute Romelu Lukaku hit a post for Belgium in the second half, but they needed to win to progress, while the point was enough for Croatia, who finished second in Group F behind winners Morocco.Belgium, number two in FIFA’s world rankings, had fa...Full Story »