Новости за 27.06.2018

Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez does not believe beating England in Thursday's concluding Group G match is a priority for his team. The Red Devils and the Three Lions have arrived in Kaliningrad with six points out of six and passage to the last 16 already secured. Results elsewhere and the way the knockout draw has fallen so far have led to widespread suggestions the runner up out of England and Belgium would be in a better position to blaze a trail into the latter stages. It could make for a surreal contest on Thursday... Читать дальше...

Prior to Brazil's friendly against Germany in March, coach Tite was questioned endlessly about a match dubbed the 'Mineirazo' - the 7-1 pasting handed out by Die Mannschaft in Belo Horizonte four years ago. A World Cup semi-final that brought shame upon a proud footballing nation, a defeat described as the lowest point in Brazilian football history. Lower even than the 'Maracanazo', in which Brazil unexpectedly lost the 1950 World Cup on home soil to Uruguay.  Tite admitted in Berlin: "This match has a huge psychological meaning ... Читать дальше...

It seems odd that it should be Switzerland, the neutral beauty spot of Europe, who have courted the only major political controversy so far of a World Cup in Russia. The talk ahead of Wednesday's clash with Costa Rica, the one to decide Switzerland's fate at these finals, was dominated by the fines given to Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka for their inflammatory celebrations against Serbia. The eagle emblem of Albania's flag has never been more widely scrutinised. Indeed, it was a topic that threatened... Читать дальше...

Switzerland booked their spot in the last 16 of the World Cup courtesy of a 2-2 draw with Costa Rica in Nizhny Novgorod on Wednesday. Brazil's win over Serbia in the night's other Group E game means that Vladimir Petkovic's side finish second in the pool and will take on Sweden in St Petersburg on Tuesday. Switzerland – whose last-gasp win over Serbia in their second game set them up for progression to the knockout stages – were second best for large periods against their already eliminated opponents... Читать дальше...

Germany get what they deserveThere areonly three things wrong with this German team: they can’t defend, can’t pass and can’t attack. What’s shocking about Die Mannschaft isn’t just them exiting the World Cup bottom of Group F, it’s that it was completely deserved based on their three performances.It was assumed that Toni Kroos’s late free-kick to sink Sweden might kick-start Germany’s campaign. Instead, they got worse. Against a commendably inspired South Korea, the holders once more looked leaky... Читать дальше...

England manager Gareth Southgate believes it is foolish to plot a hypothetical route to the World Cup final with their poor record in knockout football over the past decade. The Three Lions take on Belgium in Kaliningrad on Thursday, with both teams already assured of their place in the last 16 after taking six points from six in Group G. Reigning champions Germany labouring to an early exit and Argentina scraping second in Group D behind Croatia means the runners-up in England and Belgium's section... Читать дальше...

AC Milan have confirmed they will lodge an appeal against UEFA's decision to ban them from the 2018-19 Europa League. The Serie A club's suspension from the competition was announced on Wednesday, with UEFA citing a breach of Financial Fair Play and licensing regulations. UEFA's ruling is subject to a potential appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, however, and Milan - who qualified for the Europa League group stages by finishing sixth in Serie A last season - have confirmed they will fight the decision. Читать дальше...

Marcelo limped off in the first half of Brazil's World Cup clash with Serbia, giving coach Tite cause for concern should they qualify for the last 16. The Real Madrid left-back grimaced as he hobbled to the sidelines in the 10th minute of the Group E encounter, Filipe Luis coming on as his replacement. Marcelo initially headed towards his team-mates in the dugout, but was helped down the tunnel by the medical staff in Moscow. Filipe Luis only returned from six weeks out with a broken leg in May... Читать дальше...

It was a day to forget for defending champions Germany as they were unceremoniously dumped out of the World Cup following defeat to South Korea. Joachim Low's side were beaten 2-0 in Kazan on Wednesday, leaving them bottom of Group F with three points from their three matches. While Sweden and Mexico celebrated progression to the knockout stages, and Korea revelled in a memorable victory, Germany were left downbeat. The post-match data made for miserable reading for fans on Die Mannschaft, here... Читать дальше...

Gareth Southgate believes Germany's shock exit from the World Cup proves that there is no room for complacency in international football. Joachim Low's side bowed out in the first round for the first time since 1938 and finished bottom of Group F following a shock 2-0 loss to South Korea in Kazan on Wednesday. Southgate, whose England side have already qualified from Group G ahead of their third game against Belgium on Thursday, has long been an admirer of the 2014 world champions. And while admitting... Читать дальше...

Jakub Blaszczykowski insists there is no ill-feeling within the Poland squad after Robert Lewandowski pulled no punches with his assessment of their early World Cup exit. After a 2-1 loss to Senegal was followed by a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Colombia, Adam Nawalka's side are left with little more than pride to play for when they face Japan in their final Group H meeting in Volgograd on Thursday. Following the Colombia game, captain Lewandowski said the team possessed "too little quality", as... Читать дальше...

Joachim Low will stay on as Germany boss despite their elimination from the World Cup, according to the national team's general manager Oliver Bierhoff. Germany's dismal defence of their crown came to a shuddering halt in Kazan on Wednesday, as South Korea secured a 2-0 victory in Group F. That defeat, combined with Sweden's 3-0 win over Mexico, condemned Germany to their first opening-round exit since 1938, but Bierhoff insisted there are no doubts over Low, who signed a new four-year contract in May. Читать дальше...

Joachim Low said it would be "premature" to discuss his future as Germany coach so soon after their shock World Cup exit. The defending champions were incredibly beaten 2-0 by South Korea in Kazan on Wednesday, leaving them bottom of Group F as Sweden and Mexico advanced. Low extended his deal with the German Football Association until 2022 last month, and team manager Oliver Bierhoff said he expects him to remain in his position despite Die Mannschaft falling at the opening stage of a World Cup for the first time since 1938. Читать дальше...

Germany became the latest nation to fall foul of the champions curse at the World Cup as they bowed out at the group stage in Russia. Joachim Low's side's thrilled in Brazil four years ago with a stunning semi-final destruction of the hosts, before pipping Argentina to the crown in Rio. The defending champions sailed through qualification winning all 10 of their matches, scoring 43 goals and conceding just four. However, Germany crashed out of the finals at the first hurdle following defeats to Mexico and South Korea... Читать дальше...

Joao Cancelo has completed his move from Valencia to Serie A champions Juventus, the LaLiga club have confirmed. The Portugal international, who can operate on the right of defence or midfield, underwent a medical on Wednesday after flying into Turin the previous day to complete the formalities of his transfer. Cancelo returns to Italy after spending the 2017-18 season on loan at Inter, making 26 league appearances as the Nerazzurri secured a top-four finish and a return to the Champions League. Читать дальше...

Ahead of Wednesday's crucial clash with South Korea, Joachim Low said he wanted the "euphoria" of Germany's last-gasp win over Sweden to quickly "subside". Exiting the World Cup in the opening round for the first time since 1938 should do the trick. A third uninspiring performance in a row ensured Germany became the third successive World Cup champions to fall at the first hurdle in their title defence, a dramatic and shocking 2-0 defeat in Kazan proving the deserved death knell. While their loss... Читать дальше...

"In the beginning, the first games were different because I felt I can do it much better than them, obviously. And still I feel that." Zlatan Ibrahimovic questioned Sweden prior to their must-win encounter at the World Cup. Sweden's most decorated player, all-time leading scorer and more. Away from the international spotlight and on the sidelines. Despite stunning Italy in the play-offs, not many expected Sweden – without Ibrahimovic – to advance from Group F in Russia. Their team – lacking the... Читать дальше...

Tunisia coach Nabil Maaloul has dismissed rumours of unrest in his squad and is targeting the country's first World Cup win for 40 years against Panama on Thursday. The North Africans cannot qualify for the next phase following defeats to England and Belgium in a tough Group G, but Maaloul is hoping to end on a high, despite admitting the players' morale is low. "The last game we won at the World Cup was in 1978, we need to score goals," he said. "We hope we will be able to do so, of course we want to win. Читать дальше...

Sweden secured a place in the last 16 of the World Cup by thumping Mexico 3-0 in a pulsating encounter in Ekaterinburg, while defending champions Germany were eliminated. Janne Andersson's side reaped the rewards of a relentless attacking display to secure top spot in Group F, with Mexico following them through as runners-up after Germany's shock 2-0 defeat to South Korea. There were no lingering effects of the embittering late 2-1 loss suffered to Germany last time out as Sweden went for the jugular from the off... Читать дальше...

Japan head coach Akira Nishino fears Poland star Robert Lewandowski will face his side with a point to prove in Thursday's key World Cup clash. Adam Nawalka's side have endured a disappointing campaign in Russia, with back-to-back defeats to Senegal and Colombia meaning they cannot progress to the last 16. Lewandowski has cut a particularly frustrated figure and has yet to get on the scoresheet, despite having struck 16 times in just 10 appearances in qualifying. But Nishino, whose side need only... Читать дальше...

Kalidou Koulibaly is not letting talk regarding his future affect his preparations for Senegal's crucial Group H meeting against Colombia in Samara on Thursday. The Napoli centre-back held negotiations with Chelsea two years ago and, as former boss Maurizio Sarri continues to be linked with taking over from Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge, rumours around a possible Premier League switch for Koulibaly have begun to resurface. Senegal need just a point to secure their progress to the last 16, following... Читать дальше...

AC Milan will be unable to play in the 2018-19 Europa League after being banned from UEFA competition due to breaches of Financial Fair Play (FFP) and licensing regulations. UEFA announced a decision on Wednesday that sees Milan "excluded from participating in the next UEFA club competition for which it would otherwise qualify in the next two seasons".  The ruling is subject to a potential appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Milan qualified for the Europa League group stages by finishing... Читать дальше...

Here’s a fact for England fans to consider. We’re sorry to prick any bubble of excitement after the Three Lions bested Tunisia and spanked Panama, but Englandhaven’t beaten a major footballing nation at a major footballing tournament since 2002 – and even that was thanks largely to a dodgy penalty decision and Argentina being rubbish.Why is this? England haven’t been uniformly terrible in the past 16 years, despite what post-traumatic, post-tournament post-mortems would have you believe. In fact... Читать дальше...

Ajax have completed the signing of Southampton forward Dusan Tadic after agreeing an initial €11.4million deal with the Premier League side. Tadic moved to England four years ago after making his name in the Eredivisie with Twente and has scored 23 goals for the Saints in 162 appearances in all competitions. He found the back of the net six times in 2017-18 as Southampton narrowly avoided relegation, Mark Hughes masterminding the great escape after replacing Mauricio Pellegrino. The 29-year-old... Читать дальше...

Mexico defender Jesus Gallardo received the quickest yellow card in World Cup history on Wednesday. Gallardo was booked after just 15 seconds for a late aerial challenge on Sweden forward Ola Toivonen in the Group F clash in Ekaterinburg. Referee Nestor Pitana showed no hesitation in bringing the card out of his pocket, which immediately put Mexico under pressure as they attempted to lock up top spot in the pool. Juan Carlos Osorio's side needed just a point against Sweden to qualify for the last 16 and win the group. Читать дальше...