England must confront a fanatical home crowd and the weight of World Cup history when they enter the lion’s den of Mexico’s Azteca Stadium for one of the ties of the tournament on Sunday. A place in the quarterfinals is at stake as the confident co-hosts eye their shot at glory against the Three Lions, […]
Kieran Canning
AFP correspondent.
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Cape Verde leave mark on Scaloni as Argentina survive World Cup shock
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said a dramatic 3-2 win over Cape Verde after extra-time to reach the last 16 of the World Cup had left a bruising impact on the defending champions. In oppressive Miami heat, Scaloni’s side were pushed all the way by the African archipelago of just over 500,000 people. Lionel Messi’s 20th […]
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Cape Verde show anything is possible at World Cup with ‘big hearts’
Cape Verde are an example for other small nations to follow, said defender Pico Lopes, after the islanders came close to pulling off one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history against Argentina on Friday. Defending champions Argentina needed a Diney Borges own goal in the 111th minute to win a thrilling last-32 tie […]
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Messi meeting the ‘game of our lives,’ says Cape Verde coach
Cape Verde head coach Bubista said a showdown against Argentina and Lionel Messi will be the “match of our lives” but said they will not fear the defending World Cup champions in Friday’s round-of- 32 clash. The African archipelago of just over 500,000 people has progressed to the knockout stages in tits first-ever World Cup […]
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Argentina Lionel Scaloni coach warns his team that Cape Verde success ‘no accident’
Cape Verde’s stunning progress to the World Cup knockout stages is “no accident” said Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni as he warned his team about the threat posed by the Blue Sharks in their round-of-32 clash. Led by the brilliance of Lionel Messi’s six goals in three games, the defending champions cruised through the group stage […]
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Africa the winner of expanded World Cup amid mixed fortunes for minnows
Cape Verde have captured the imagination and secured a World Cup showdown with Lionel Messi’s Argentina, but they are just part of a success story for African football as the group stages come to a close. A record 10 African nations qualified for the expanded 48-team tournament and only Tunisia are headed home before the […]
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Bielsa accepts blame for World Cup exit, but says Uruguay deserved more
Marcelo Bielsa said Uruguay deserved more from all three of their World Cup games, but accepted the critics that will come his way after the two-time winners crashed out in the group stage. Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera’s mistake condemned Bielsa’s side to an early exit in a 1-0 defeat to Spain on Friday after disappointing draws […]
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Cape Verde’s Bubista relishing ‘dream’ World Cup clash with Spain
Facing the might of Spain is a “dream come true” said Cape Verde coach Bubista as the African island nation prepares for its World Cup debut on Monday. Blessed with what Spain boss Luis de la Fuente boasted on Saturday is the “best squad in the tournament” in his opinion, the European champions are among […]
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Scotland’s Tartan Army to bring ‘the party’ on World Cup return
“No Scotland, no party” is a popular refrain of the Tartan Army and for the first time in 28 years the World Cup will be treated to the Scottish fans’ vibrant blend of noise, colour and passion. Scotland supporters are more famous for making an impression on major tournaments than their team on the pitch. […]
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Norway’s natural-born goalscorer Haaland finally gets global stage
Erling Haaland propelled Norway back to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years and spearheads a golden generation ready to thrive on the global stage. Despite a tough draw alongside one of the tournament favourites France, African powerhouses Senegal and Iraq, a Norway side also containing Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is confident […]