Author: Brila

Senegal’s football federation (FSF) has asked FIFA to reconsider its fair play ruling after their accumulation of more yellow cards than World Cup group rivals Japan made the African side the first country to be eliminated by the new regulation. Japan and Senegal were left on the same points, goals and goal difference but it was Akira Nishino’s side that sneaked into the last 16 at the expense of Senegal. Japan settled for a 1-0 loss to eliminated Poland on Thursday as the Volgograd Arena rang with boos from supporters with the Samurai Blue players passing the ball tamely among…

Croatia beat Denmark 3-2 in a penalty shootout to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup on Sunday after the round of 16 clash finished deadlocked at 1-1 after 90 minutes. Modric had the chance to send his team into a quarter-final against hosts Russia with a penalty four minutes from the end of extra time but Kasper Schmeichel dived to his left to save the spot kick. A dramatic start with two goals in the first four minutes promised a full-blooded contest to decide who would meet Russia in Sochi on Saturday after the hosts beat Spain on…

ANDRES INIESTA has announced his decision to call it quit with the Spain National team after their shock World Cup exit to Russia this afternoon. Iniesta featured as a second-half substitute on Sunday night with the game tied 1-1 but was unable to impact the game as they were beaten by the hosts in a penalty shootout. Before the tournament, it was understood that this was likely to be the 34-year-old’s last World Cup campaign for his country and after the final whistle was blown on Spain’s tournament, so did it on Iniesta’s international career. ‘Today is my last…

Andy Murray has withdrawn from Wimbledon on the eve of the tournament after the two-time champion decided he wasn’t fit enough to compete at the All England Club. Murray has only just returned to action after 11 months on the sidelines due to a hip injury that needed surgery in January. “It’s with regret I’m withdrawing from Wimbledon,” Murray said in a statement on Sunday. “I’ve made significant progress in practice and matches over the last 10 days but, after lengthy discussions with my team and with a heavy heart, we’ve decided that playing best-of-five-set matches might…

Hosts Russia advanced into the quarter-finals of the World Cup on Sunday when they beat 2010 Champions Spain 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in full time. Russia keeper Igor Akinfeev saved Koke’s and Iago Aspas’ spot kicks in their first ever penalty shootout to send the hosts through following a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes. Spain, who have never beaten a host at World Cups or Euros, went ahead after 12 minutes when 38-year-old Sergei Ignashevich bundled into Spain captain Sergio Ramos at the far post, knocking a free kick in with his heel for the…

Russia pulled off an improbable victory to stun Spain after extra time and penalties at Luzhniki Stadium to keep their home World Cup hopes alive. In the end, it was a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout that decided the game, scoring the winner after a Sergei Ignashevich goal and Artem Dzyuba penalty in normal time meant the two sides could not be separated after 120 minutes of football. With the result, Russia booked a quarterfinal date in Sochi on July 7 against either Croatia or Denmark in the day’s other last 16 tie.

We’re into extra time in Moscow as Spain and Russia remain tied at 1-1 after a scrappy second half to their World Cup last-16 clash. Andres Iniesta’s place in midfield was taken by Koke, who partnered Sergio Busquets in a double pivot, while Marco Asensio lined up on the left wing, with Thiago Alcantara making way. Elsewhere, Nacho Fernandez came in for Dani Carvajal at right-back, although the trio were available to Fernando Hierro during the game. As for Russia, defender Igor Smolnikov was suspended and attacking midfielder Alan Dzagoev was ruled out for the rest of the World Cup…

Super Eagles forward Ahmed Musa earlier on Sunday decided to celebrate his first wedding anniversary to second wife Juliet Ejue on his return from the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Juliet is Musa’s second wife as he had been previously married to Jamila. The Leicester City forward was Nigeria’s Superstar at the Russia 2018 World Cup banging in the two goals that gave the Super Eagles maximum points against Iceland.

Kylian Mbappe outshone several big names including Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria and Javier Mascherano in France’s 4-3 win over Argentina in Saturday’s Last-16 game at the FIFA World Cup.

On the same day, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were knocked out of the FIFA 2018 World Cup as Argentina fell to France 4-3 and Portugal lost 2-1 to Uruguay.