Lionel Messi will be playing in the World Cup final Lionel Messi has reassured fans that he will be available to play in Sunday's World Cup final after clutching his hamstring in the first-half. The Argentina star was exceptional against Croatia in the semi-final, scoring and assisting as they won 3-0 on Tuesday night. Messi is now just one game away from winning the World Cup with his beloved...Full Story »

LIVERPOOL star Luis Diaz's partner, Gera Ponce, has posted a picture of the Colombian from his hospital bed following surgery. The Reds ace, 25, has been absent from Jurgen Klopp's side since October due to a knee injury. Luis Diaz underwent surgery that will keep him out for three monthsCredit: @gera25ponce And it was confirmed on Monday that he will be missing for a further three months aft...Full Story »

Manchester United have jumped into the battle for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol. Foot Mercato says United and Manchester City have joined Chelsea in the battle for Gvardiol and have already made eye-watering offers to sign him in 2023. The Premier League champions' bid is currently the strongest, worth over £86million, including bonuses and a sell-on clause to lure him to the Etiha...Full Story »

Legendary striker Ronaldo Nazario has stated that Brazil wanted to hire Pep Guardiola as manager but he preferred to say with Man City instead. WHAT HAPPENED? After their disappointing World Cup exit – suffered at the hands of exta-time and penalty shooutout experts Croatia – Brazil will be looking for a new manager. Indeed, following the defeat, Tite stepped down from his role wi...Full Story »

Sutton boss Matt Gray was delighted after his side braved the elements to beat struggling Colchester 1-0.Rob Milsom’s first-half penalty separated the two sides at Gander Green Lane before Ossama Ashley, who conceded the penalty, was sent off in the second half.It was a game which failed to really catch fire after the pitch had been covered for three days due to the sub-freezing temperatur...Full Story »

Alex Neil lamented not being awarded a “stonewall” penalty as Stoke were held to a 2-2 draw by fellow strugglers Cardiff.The Potters came from behind to take the lead in a dramatic first half before Liam Delap was twice felled in the area by a clumsy Cedric Kipre.But referee Andy Woolmer was left unmoved on both occasions at a pivotal time as Stoke attempted to consolidate their lead...Full Story »

Nigel Clough lauded his side’s defensive performance as Mansfield became the first side to stop Stevenage from scoring this season in an attritional 0-0 draw.The Stags reduced the hosts to almost nothing in front of goal, Luke Norris’s late effort at the death the first time Boro truly looked like troubling the visitors.A game between two promotion rivals promised much yet turned int...Full Story »

Luton boss Rob Edwards was left “bitterly disappointed” after his first game in charge of the Hatters ended with a painful last-gasp defeat to Middlesbrough.Town took the lead at the Riverside thanks to a brilliant individual effort from Jordan Clark but in-form Boro levelled almost immediately through Chuba Akpom.Luton made life even more difficult for themselves when Amari’i ...Full Story »

Exeter manager Gary Caldwell could not have been any prouder of his players and said he felt for them after they were denied victory over Sheffield Wednesday in cruel fashion in a 1-1 draw at St James Park.After an even first half, Jake Caprice put Exeter in front with a brilliant shot that flew in off the far post in the 56th minute, but in the fourth minute of stoppage time – and with th...Full Story »

Stoke and Cardiff showed no signs of rust from the Championship’s World Cup break as they played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Bet365 Stadium.Neither side showed any sign of cobwebs after the 28-day lay-off as they battled out a fast-paced and frenetic contest.The visiting Bluebirds notched an early opener when Ryan Wintle slotted home inside six minutes.Tyrese Campbell’s level...Full Story »

Burton boss Dino Maamria was the happier of the two managers after his side claimed a well-earned point from a 1-1 draw with local rivals Derby.Victor Adeboyejo netted his 12th goal of the season to level after former Brewers striker James Collins had put the Rams ahead in the first half with a looping header.Maamria said: “What a game of football it was. A credit to both teams.“I th...Full Story »

Paul Ince praised the match-winning contribution of French midfielder Amadou Mbengue in Reading’s 1-0 Sky Bet Championship victory at home to in-form Coventry.Both teams cancelled each other out in a scrappy first half but Reading made the vital breakthrough in the 57th minute.Tom McIntyre headed on in a congested Coventry area and Mbengue, formerly of Metz, nodded in his first goal for th...Full Story »

Coventry’s impressive progress in the Sky Bet Championship prior to the World Cup break came to an abrupt halt on their return to action as they lost 1-0 at Reading.In a cagey first half, both goalkeepers were called into action to maintain the 0-0 scoreline.Reading’s Joe Lumley saved well from Callum O’Hare while Coventry’s Ben Wilson kept out a fine Yakou Meite header.C...Full Story »

Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna felt his side deserved their 2-1 victory over Peterborough, hailing the effort of his side as “fantastic”.Meanwhile, Peterborough boss Grant McCann said his players kept going throughout the game and felt they were the strongest towards the end of the match as they pressed for an equaliser.It was a brace from Conor Chaplin which helped high-flying Ipswi...Full Story »

Preston manager Ryan Lowe lauded an “outstanding” performance after his depleted side thrashed Lancashire rivals Blackburn 4-1 at Ewood Park.Although deprived of five first-team regulars, North End dominated the Lancashire derby, neutralising their rivals’ threat and looking capable of scoring at any opportunity.They forced mistakes from Blackburn for the first two goals, which...Full Story »

Pepe scored in Portugal's 6-1 last-16 win over Switzerland The World Cup quarter-finals continue on Saturday and our tipster Jones Knows takes to the prediction chair to dig out some juicy betting angles. Morocco vs Portugal, Saturday 3pm Morocco's defensive numbers at this World Cup are nothing short of sensational. They have yet to concede a goal from an opposition player - their only goal ...Full Story »

LEANDRO PARADES sparked a mass melee after booting the ball directly at the Netherlands bench. The Argentina midfielder, 28, made a cynical foul as he slid in on Nathan Ake right in front of the dugouts. Leandro Paredes brought down Nathan Ake with a cynical sliding tackle Paredes then smashed the ball towards the Dutch bench The Holland subs ran on to get revenge Virgil van Dijk sent the A...Full Story »

Sergio Aguero has slammed referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz after his performance in Argentina's World Cup quarter-final against the Netherlands. Argentina were in control But Dutch fight back to 2-2 Lahoz was card-happy throughout WHAT HAPPENED? The Spanish referee managed the World Cup quarter-final game in a baffling manner, allowing it to descend into chaos at times as he handed out 14 yel...Full Story »

Former Manchester City striker Wilfried Bony made headlines when he turned out for Newport’s development side in midweek, but there is no indication that the Ivorian is preparing for League Two duty.Bony has been training with the club for fitness since being released by NEC Nijmegen but the first team will have to do without the one-time £28million man despite his late strike in a l...Full Story »

WITH Germany suffering a World Cup group stage exit for a second straight tournament, an inquest into their awful campaign took place. It saw Hansi Flick survive as boss - but German reports claim a "holiday feeling" in the camp contributed to the failure. German reports claim a visit from Wags caused unrest at Germany's World Cup baseCredit: INSTAGRAM / @sophiaaemelia German FA (DFB) chiefs ...Full Story »