Новости за 16.06.2018

1. Advantage Ronaldo as Messi fluffs linesAfter Cristiano Ronaldo's stunning hat-trick against Spain on Friday night, it was inevitable that the planet's eyes would turn to Lionel Messi to see how he would respond when Argentina locked horns with Iceland at the Spartak Stadium. The World Cup is about far more than thesetwo individual superstars,of course, but the Barcelona man was unable to match his Real Madrid counterpart's exploits in the first round of fixtures.Argentina's extraordinary reliance on Messi was clear from the start... Читать дальше...

Dries Mertens believes star-studded Belgium are among the favourites to win the World Cup as Roberto Martinez's men prepare to get underway in Russia. Boasting the likes of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Mertens, Belgium will open their Group G campaign against debutants Panama in Sochi on Monday. This is seen as the last chance for Belgium's golden generation to taste success, having reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 2014 and the same stage at Euro 2016. Reigning world champions Germany... Читать дальше...

If you weren't a Peru fan before, you probably are now. Saturday's opening 1-0 loss to Denmark in Group C at the World Cup was cruel, but epitomised why Peru are universally loved on and off the pitch. Christian Cueva blazed a penalty horribly over the crossbar on the stroke of half-time, leaving the Peruvian on the verge of tears as his team-mates rallied around him and while Denmark made the South Americans pay via Yussuf Poulsen, their fans' support never waned. Back in the World Cup for the first time in 36 years... Читать дальше...

Albin Ekdal believes Sweden will not be affected by the pressure of taking part in their first World Cup since 2006 ahead of their Group F clash with South Korea. Sweden overcame Italy in a play-off to secure their place in Russia and get their campaign started in Nizhny Novgorod on Monday. Ekdal is confident Janne Andersson's side - without the retired Zlatan Ibrahimovic - have the quality and experience to progress from a group that also includes Mexico and world champions Germany. "There is more attention. Читать дальше...

Juan Carlos Osorio thinks his Mexico team will face a different beast to the Germany that thrashed them at the 2017 Confederations Cup in Sunday's World Cup Group F opener. Joachim Low's experimental side swept to glory in the intercontinental tournament in Russia a year ago, with the fact 13 of that victorious squad have been named for Die Mannschaft's World Cup defence coming as a resounding endorsement. But the return of seasoned stars such as Toni Kroos, Sami Khedira, Thomas Muller and Mesut... Читать дальше...

Real Madrid star Marcelo says captaining Brazil at the World Cup will see him realise the ultimate childhood dream. The 30-year-old full-back is set to skipper the Selecao when they face Switzerland in a Group E clash in Rostov-on-Don on Sunday. Brazil are among the favourites to win the finals in Russia, with an expectant nation hoping Tite's side can seal the country's sixth World Cup triumph. Rather than feeling overwhelmed by the pressure weighing down on the players, Marcelo is embracing his prestigious role. Читать дальше...

Heimir Hallgrimsson hailed Saturday's 1-1 draw with Argentina as a "big milestone" for his Iceland team and hinted the approach from the 2014 runners-up had been predictable. Alfred Finnbogason's scrambled equaliser, four minutes after Sergio Aguero had netted for Jorge Sampaoli's side, earned Iceland a point at Spartak Stadium. Argentina dominated for long periods, and Lionel Messi missed a second-half penalty, as Hallgrimsson's men held on. "It's a big milestone for this team, the first time we have played at the World Cup. Читать дальше...

Lionel Messi called for calm and said there is no need for Argentina to go "crazy", despite failing to beat Iceland at the World Cup, partly thanks to his "painful" penalty miss. Argentina's opening match at Russia 2018 ended in a 1-1 draw in Moscow after Alfred Finnbogason's historic goal cancelled out Sergio Aguero's opener in Saturday's Group D meeting. Messi was denied by Hannes Thor Halldorsson when he took a second-half spot-kick - and he recorded 11 shots in the game without beating Iceland's goalkeeper. Читать дальше...

Yussuf Poulsen bounced back from conceding a first-half penalty to score the decisive goal in Demark's 1-0 victory over Peru in their World Cup Group C opener. The RB Leipzig forward was deemed to have tripped Christian Cueva in the box when referee Bakary Gassama consulted VAR, but the Peru midfielder skied his spot-kick and left the field in tears at the end of a tense opening period. Denmark settled into the game after the interval and the talismanic Christian Eriksen provided Poulsen with a... Читать дальше...

We have seen Moscow overflowing with fans from across the globe. Iranian, Saudi Arabian, Moroccan and Peruvian visitors have added plenty of colour to the Russian showpiece, with Red Square and the surrounding streets gripped by World Cup fever. The same can be said about St Petersburg and Kazan, where a swarm of green and gold fans has descended on the banks of Volga and Kazanka rivers to show their support for Australia amid carnival atmospheres. But what about Sochi? The picturesque resort... Читать дальше...

Striker Sergio Aguero was quick to jump to Lionel Messi's defence after his penalty miss cost Argentina the chance to make a winning start to the World Cup.  Aguero opened the scoring in Argentina's Group D 1-1 draw against Iceland in Moscow on Saturday before Alfred Finnbogason hit back with Iceland's first World Cup goal. It was also Aguero's maiden strike at the tournament, but Argentina could not claim all three points, Messi seeing a second-half penalty saved by Hannes Thor Halldorsson. Messi... Читать дальше...

Neymar is yet to reach 100 per cent in his recovery from a broken foot but is poised to star for Brazil at the World Cup, according to head coach Tite. The 26-year-old forward, the world's most expensive player following his €222million switch from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain last year, sustained a fractured metatarsal in February, placing his World Cup participation in some doubt. The former Santos attacker made a scoring return to action in friendly wins over Croatia and Austria prior to Brazil's arrival in Russia... Читать дальше...

Two-time World Cup winner Cafu believes Neymar will lead Brazil to glory at Russia 2018.  Cafu, who won the tournament with Brazil in 1994 and 2002, insists Tite's side has everything in place to erase the memories of their failure on home soil four years ago.  In 2014, Brazil reached the semi-finals but were thrashed 7-1 by Germany, who completely dominated the game and scored five goals in the opening 29 minutes.  The former full-back thinks Neymar and Philippe Coutinho will play key roles in the Selecao's campaign. Читать дальше...

Samuel Umtiti saw the funny side of the penalty he gave away on his World Cup debut for France. Umtiti needlessly handled the ball under little pressure, giving Australia a spot-kick that Mile Jedinak tucked away to level the scores in Saturday's Group C clash in Kazan. With Paul Pogba netting a late winner, the Barcelona defender showed he is willing to laugh at himself by joking about the bizarre moment on his official Instagram account. Umtiti jested he was in fact playing an entirely different sport! Читать дальше...

Mohamed Salah has been declared fit to face Russia in Egypt's second game at the World Cup match by the Egyptian Football Association (EFA), who confirmed he could have featured in the 1-0 defeat to Uruguay but was not risked. Salah was an unused substitute as Egypt were undone by a Jose Gimenez header in the 89th minute in Ekaterinburg, where Marwan Mohsen laboured on his own in attack for Hector Cuper's side. Liverpool forward Salah recovered from the shoulder injury he sustained in the Champions... Читать дальше...

Jorge Sampaoli alluded to it on Friday. "Having a player like Leo means you have to organise the team differently." Lionel Messi is both Argentina's greatest weapon and their biggest weakness. It's the unpleasant truth, the elephant in the room. It's also why the greatest player of his generation - whisper that quietly in Madrid and Madeira - has never won a major international trophy and why, without significant improvement, that drought won't be broken in Russia. That's not to say Messi underperformed in the 1-1 draw against Iceland... Читать дальше...

Lionel Messi set an unwanted World Cup record as he saw a penalty saved in Argentina's World Cup opener against Iceland. Messi regularly fired efforts at goal during Saturday's 1-1 Group D draw in Moscow, including a second-half spot-kick that was beaten away by Hannes Thor Halldorsson. The Barcelona star fired wide late on and had a pair of efforts saved in the first period, but could not find a way through the determined Iceland defence. Messi had 11 shots during the game - Iceland managed eight... Читать дальше...

Karim Benzema should be at the World Cup and not France coach Didier Deschamps, says Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Benzema has not played for his country since October 2015, having been investigated in relation to an alleged attempt to blackmail international team-mate Mathieu Valbuena. French Football Federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet angered the Real Madrid striker by backing Deschamps' selections and saying Les Bleus had settled into a "style of play and we cannot go back". After France failed... Читать дальше...

France head coach Didier Deschamps has no complaints over VAR after his side benefitted from its use during their World Cup Group C win over Australia on Saturday. After a disjointed first half, the game sparked into life shortly after the interval as referee Andres Cunha awarded a penalty to France after consulting VAR and deciding that Josh Risdon had clipped Antoine Griezmann just inside the area. The Socceroos levelled soon after with a penalty of their own, but Paul Pogba ensured a winning... Читать дальше...

Paul Pogba has hit out at suggestions he could leave Manchester United for a return to Juventus. Paulo Dybala said earlier this month he was "very happy" after hearing rumours of a possible Serie A return for the France international. Pogba has previously insisted there has not been a breakdown in his relationship with United manager Jose Mourinho, who benched the midfielder for both legs of their Champions League last-16 exit to Sevilla. Although rumours over his United future continue to grow... Читать дальше...

France forward Antoine Griezmann says VAR was correct to award a penalty when he was tripped by Josh Risdon in his side's Group C opener against Australia. Although referee Andres Cunha initially waved play on, he pointed to the spot after consulting video technology, Griezmann having been clipped by Risdon as he entered the box. Replays appeared inconclusive as to whether or not the Australia right-back got a touch on the ball before bringing down Griezmann, who shook off the lengthy delay to convert the penalty. Читать дальше...

Gareth Southgate naming his starting line-up early ahead of Monday's Group G World Cup opener against Tunisia will not disrupt England's squad harmony, according to Fabian Delph. Southgate has told his 23-man squad who will get the nod from kick-off in Volgograd but has not made his XI public. A jovial Delph refused to give the game away at a Saturday news conference in Repino, even feigning mock surprise over the widespread reports he has not made the cut. "I do know the team, but he says I'm... Читать дальше...

Argentina legend Diego Maradona was at Spartak Stadium on Saturday to watch his country's World Cup opener against Iceland. Regarded as one of the greatest players in history, and the inspiration behind Argentina's 1986 title success, Maradona made a characteristically enthusiastic entrance after appearing on a balcony overlooking the pitch just minutes before kick-off. After being serenaded with chants about being "better than Pele" by the Argentina fans, Maradona conducted the orchestra before taking his seat. Читать дальше...

David de Gea has been backed by Sergio Ramos after the Spain goalkeeper made an uncharacteristic mistake in a World Cup classic against Iberian neighbours Portugal. De Gea allowed a shot from Cristiano Ronaldo to slip through his grasp, with the Real Madrid superstar completing his hat-trick with a spectacular late free-kick to claim an unforgettable 3-3 draw in Sochi. The Manchester United goalkeeper is regarded as one of the world's best, but also made an error in a warm-up game against Switzerland, costing his side victory. Читать дальше...

Stephan Lichtsteiner acknowledged it is "practically impossible" to stop Neymar throughout an entire match, describing him as one of the "best and most complete" forwards in the game, but Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic nevertheless insisted his team are determined to beat Brazil when they meet at the World Cup on Sunday. All eyes will be on Neymar at Rostov Arena this weekend, when the Selecao superstar, who suffered a broken metatarsal in February, returns to competitive action on the biggest stage of all... Читать дальше...