France head coach Didier Deschamps has backed Kylian Mbappe to shine at the World Cup, labelling it “his competition” after the forward excelled in a comeback win over Australia.A number of injures rocked the France squad heading into the finals and they were stunned as Craig Goodwin opened the scoring after nine minutes before rallying to record a 4-1 win.Olivier Giroud scored twice...Full Story »

Olivier Giroud equalled France’s all-time goalscoring record as his brace helped the holders recover from an early scare to make light work of Australia and begin their World Cup defence with a comfortable victory.A number of injures rocked the France squad heading into the finals and they were stunned as Craig Goodwin opened the scoring on nine minutes before rallying to record a 4-1 win....Full Story »

Robert Lewandowski’s hunt for a World Cup finals goal goes on after his missed penalty meant Poland had to settle for a point in an untidy and goalless Group C encounter with Mexico.Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, playing in his fifth finals, got down to his left to deny Lewandowski a 77th international goal.Lewandowski took advantage of a lucky ricochet in the 53rd minute to muscle his...Full Story »

Tunisia held European Championship semifinalist Denmark to a 0-0 draw at the World Cup. Tunisia's Aissa Laidouni reacts to supporters during the World Cup group D soccer match between Denmark and Tunisia, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan , Qatar, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Coming three hours after Saudi Arabia beat Argentina in a shocking ups...Full Story »

Saudi Arabia head coach Herve Renard said the stars aligned in a “completely crazy” comeback win against Argentina that goes down as one of the biggest World Cup upsets ever.Few expected anything other than a Lionel Messi-inspired cakewalk at the Lusail Stadium, where the 35-year-old’s early penalty only furthered that feeling.Argentina went on to have three goals disallowed fo...Full Story »

Even the strictly sober Saudis must have fancied a Bud to toast the most remarkable result in their football history and one which is sending shockwaves through the World Cup. Lionel Messi and Argentina were stunned by Saudi Arabia Credit: Getty Lionel Messi and Argentina were stunned by Saudi Arabia Credit: Getty From a goal down after ten minutes and three hair’s-breadth offside decis...Full Story »

Let's start our 7M Daily Laugh today.   England 6-2 Iran   Liverpool are starving during this World Cup   Sadio Mane has been replaced by Madio Sane   The messi effect   Assists at the 2022 World Cup: Harry Maguire: 1Kevin de Bruyne: 0Leo Messi: 0Cristiano Ronaldo: 0Thomas Muller: 0 Remember the name!   THAT KID'S PASSION & REACTION TO GARETH BALE'...Full Story »

Tottenham and Brazil star Richarlison had a reporter in stitches with his retirement plan Richarlison has joked he's going to "buy an island with lots of women" like Ronaldinho when he retires. Brazil legend Ronaldinho, who was known for being quite the playboy during his career, memorably posed in a pool with five bikini-clad women who were bent over in front of him in 2014 as his playing day...Full Story »

NEYMAR has been labelled "arrogant" for altering his Brazil kit ahead of the World Cup. The South Americans are seeking to win the competition for a record-extending sixth time in Qatar. Neymar has added an extra star to his Brazil kit ahead of the World Cup They currently have five World Cup wins to their name, meaning they also have five stars on their kit. But Neymar has shared a picture ...Full Story »

Cristiano Ronaldo couldn't stop laughing at the picture Manchester United's wantaway star Cristiano Ronaldo was left in stitches after he revealed a picture he had drawn of Pepe at the World Cup. Portugal's team were all asked to draw each other for a social media video as they continued to prepare for their opening World Cup clash. Ex-Real Madrid team-mate Ronaldo and Pepe had been partnered ...Full Story »

Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger admits he was not too surprised to see Thomas Tuchel prematurely sacked by Chelsea. Rudiger was at the Stamford Bridge club for several seasons before leaving for Real on a free transfer in the summer. During his time at the club, he won the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup with Tuchel as manager. Speaking to The Guardian, Rud...Full Story »

France star Christopher Nkunku may have been unable to represent his country this winter at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar but the RB Leipzig talisman could be set for a new and exciting challenge in England come next summer. Reports from CBSSports’ Ben Jacobs detail that Chelsea and Leipzig have agreed to “board” terms on a summer move for the former Paris Saint-Germain academ...Full Story »

Manchester United are interested in Juventus goalkeeper and Polish international Wojciech Szczesny. With David De Gea out of contract at the end of the season, bringing in a new goalkeeper could be a priority for Manchester United. Even if De Gea’s contract is extended, Martin Dubravka was only signed on loan, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Erik ten Hag bring in a number two ...Full Story »

FIFA have reportedly ordered to Belgium remove the word 'love' from the collar of their away strip just days before their World Cup campaign gets underway. It is the second demand that football’s governing body have made today after they threatened team captains with bookings if they choose to wear the OneLove armband in protest at Qatar’s human rights record. Belgium will play the...Full Story »

Lionel Messi has dismissed "rumours" about his fitness and said he is ready to lead Argentina at the World Cup in Qatar. There have been suggestions that Messi has been missing parts of training sessions because of an ankle injury but the Paris Saint-Germain forward said he will play against Saudi Arabia at the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday. "I'm feeling well," Messi told a news conference on Mond...Full Story »

Everton's Geiger hopes boosted as Benfica drop interest Everton's pursuit of Hoffenheim midfielder Dennis Geiger has been given a boost as Benfica have dropped their interest in signing him, Record reports. The 24-year-old can leave the German side at the end of the season and the Toffees are said to have expressed an eagerness to sign him, while the Portuguese giants are not considering a mov...Full Story »

Gareth Southgate has warned England must improve their defending against the United States on Friday as Gregg Berhalter's side "will be coming full-throttle" in their Group B clash. England kicked off their World Cup campaign with a commanding 6-2 win over Iran at Khalifa International Stadium on Monday as Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka (twice), Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish ...Full Story »

Gareth Bale hopes Wales have discovered World Cup momentum after his late equaliser salvaged a 1-1 draw against the United States.Wales’ first World Cup match for 64 years looked like ending in defeat after Timothy Weah rewarded the Americans’ first-half dominance with a clinical 36th-minute strike at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Doha.But Bale was felled in the box eight minutes from...Full Story »

Gareth Bale proved Wales’ saviour as their first match at a World Cup for 64 years ended in a 1-1 draw against the United States.Timothy Weah put the Americans ahead with a clinical strike in the 36th minute of a first half that they dominated from start to finish.Wales seemed to have no answers until the half-time introduction of Kieffer Moore.But time was fast running out when Bale equal...Full Story »

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal said questions must be asked over whether FIFA has behaved correctly in the row over anti-discrimination armbands at the World Cup in Qatar.The Dutch, who opened their Group A campaign with a 2-0 victory over African champions Senegal, were one of seven European nations who dropped plans to wear the rainbow-coloured ‘OneLove’ bands after FIFA threaten...Full Story »