Belgium booked their place in the last-16 with a 1-0 win over Russia thanks to a goal from 19-year-old Divock Origi. Belgium sit top of Group H with six points, whilst Russia sit third on one point, with South Korea and Algeria due to battle it out later on Sunday evening. The game started well for Russia as Viktor Fayzulin forced Atletico Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois to make a good save and that he did to deny the midfielder. Dries Mertens was awarded a start after his impressive cameo last week and he almost came close moments later, but he…
Author: Staff Writer
Peter Odemwingie scored a vital winner for Nigeria as they beat Bosnia Herzegovina 1-0 on Saturday evening. Following Argentina’s 1-0 win over Iran earlier on Saturday thanks to a Lionel Messi goal saw the winner of Nigeria and Bosnia-Herzegovina fight it out for the second place and the winners – Nigeria pulled off an incredible shock to seal three points. It turned out to be a shock as Bosnia felt aggrieved following a disallowed goal from Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko, who found the back of the net following good work from Miralem Pjanic. Nigeria would take full advantage of…
Miroslav Klose scored his 15th World Cup goal to help Germany to a 2-2 draw with Ghana on Saturday evening, Declan Olley (@declanolley) writes. The striker came on as a substitute to equalise for Germany with his first touch and score his 15th World Cup goal equalling Ronaldo’s record. Before the 36-year-old’s record goal, Mario Gotze had put Germany ahead early in the second-half but his effort was cancelled out minutes later by Andre Ayew. Asamoah Gyan then gave Ghana the lead only for Klose to level things up. The result leaves Germany on four points, with a match against…
Argentina sneaked past Iran 1-0 in their second group thanks to a last gasp Lionel Messi goal. Here are three things we learned about La Albiceleste after making it two wins from two, written by Declan Olley (declanolley). Messi magic spares Argentina’s blushes Lionel Messi didn’t really do a lot in the game, but he made the difference when it mattered. His stunning injury time goal was a deserved winner and saved Argentina from what would have been an embarrassing 0-0 draw.The Barcelona forward had been subdued throughout and at times a little selfish – much like he was against…
A 90th minute Lionel Messi goal gave Argentina a narrow 1-0 win over Iran on Saturday evening. Messi’s last minute winner sees Argentina qualify for the knockout stages with one game to play, but they struggled against a battling Iranian side. Both sides started the game well, but it was Iran who almost had the first chance of the game when Jalal Hosseini had a free header but the midfielder saw his effort go just wide of the goal. Leo Messi was flanked by Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Aguero and it was the former who had the best chance of…
In an exclusive interview with Football Express News, former Chelsea playmaker Alan Hudson ridicules England players who ‘work hard’ but do little to create, and explains it is not hard work that wins games and tournaments, but magic. Alan Hudson played for Chelsea, Arsenal, Stoke City and England as a creative midfielder in the 1960’s and 70’s. He is now a professional pundit, and in the wake of England’s sorry departure from the World Cup, reveals one of his pet hates – football players who are flattered for the amount of running around they do, despite displaying little ability to…
Ollie Silverton reporting for Titan Bet on Copacabana beach, Brazil. Ollie catches up with French and Swiss football fans during half time of the France v Switzerland clash. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVQiB-7dGUo&feature=youtu.be
Two goals from Enner Valencia gave Ecuador a 2-1 win over Honduras on Friday evening to help their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages. Honduras started the better side and could have edged themselves in front midway through the first half when Victor Bernandez was left unmarked in the penalty box, but his header went just wide of the Ecuador goal. Moments later and the tough tackling side would go in front when Valladares found Carlo Costly and he calmly slotted the ball past Alexander Dominguez. Their lead only lasted a couple of minutes however, as Enner Valencia picked…
France were in superb shape as they beat Switzerland on Friday night by five goals to two. France started the game better and could have made it 1-0 within a matter of minutes when Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, but he sent his effort wide of the target. Didier Deschamps continued to cause a problem for Ottmar Hitzfeld’s side and Olivier Giroud would soon break the deadlock with a superb header. 20 seconds later and Blaise Matuidi would find the back of the net after a great run and through ball from Karim Benzema, found the Paris Saint Germain midfielder.…
England needed an Italy win to remain in the World Cup finals but a goal from Bryan Ruiz saw Costa Rica beat the Italians and knock Roy Hodgson’s men out the tournament. Costa Rica created the first chance of the game when Celso Borges headed Christian Bolanos’s corner just over the crossbar, but despite the miss, they restricted Italy to no clear cut chances. Thiago Motta did well to create an opening but he could only fire his shot wide of Keylor Navas’ goal. The Italians then had another good chance as Andrea Pirlo began to grow into the game,…