Author: Brila

Argentina must to advance to the World Cup round of 16 and write a new chapter in Argentina’s footballing history, team’s head coach Jorge Sampaoli said on Monday. Argentina, who finished as runners-up at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and reached the quarter-finals at the two previous tournaments, are on the verge of missing out on the knockout stage in Russia after picking up only one point in their two Group D games. Two-time champions Argentina need to beat Nigeria in their final Group D match in St. Petersburg on Tuesday to keep alive their hopes of…

Nigeria will meet Argentina on Tuesday for the fifth time in their six World Cup finals appearances‚ an amazing run that highlights the special rivalry the duo have in the FIFA Mundial. Argentina has won all four of the previous clashes though‚ but this time are in some disarray against a Nigeria side bristling with confidence after their 2-0 win over Iceland last time out. It will be a special moment perhaps for Super Eagles skipper John Obi Mikel‚ who can gain some revenge over the great Lionel Messi. Obi Mikel was rueful recently as he recalled…

On Tuesday, June 26, 2018, at a 7.00pm (Nigerian time), the Super Eagles of Nigeria will trade tackles with their counterparts from Argentina in a crucial Group D match, in the city of St Petersburg to determine the who gets the other ticket from the group to advance into the round of 16. Croatia’s impressive victories in their first two games in the group stage mean that they go through with a game to spare while Nigeria, Argentina, and Iceland all have a mathematical chance of picking up the remaining ticket for the group. It is, therefore, imperative that the…

Spain worked hard to secure a 2-2 draw against Morocco, and Cristiano Ronaldo survived red card as Portugal saw out a 1-1 draw against a spirited Iran side. Portugal vs Iran game was a tight match with few chances opening up and both teams having to try their luck from range. Just when it seemed the game would be goalless at the break, Ricardo Quaresma produced a moment of magic to break the deadlock. A brilliant curling shot with the outside of his boot found the far top corner to put Portugal ahead in style. Portugal had the chance to…

Nigeria will take delight in ending potentially Lionel Messi’s last World Cup despite their love and admiration for the five-time world player of the year, according to Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr. Victory for the Eagles in St. Petersburg on Tuesday will send Argentina home in disgrace after failing to win a game in Russia and send Nigeria into the last 16. “We love this great player, Messi, everybody loves him,” said Rohr on Monday during his Press Conference. “The question is not if it is the last World Cup for him or not, the question is…

Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani scored a goal each and Uruguay went on to defeat Russia 3-0 on Monday,  handing the host nation its first loss of the World Cup. Both teams were already assured of spots in the knockout round, but Uruguay’s victory put it at the top of Group A and looking toward a match in Sochi on Saturday against the second-place finisher from Group B. Uruguay benefited from an own-goal in the first half, had its third straight shutout of the tournament after consecutive 1-0 victories over Egypt and Saudi Arabia. By advancing to…

Mohamed Salah signed off from Russia with a goal but saw his Egypt team suffer a late defeat as Saudi Arabia snatched a 2-1 win in an entertaining game in Volgograd. Going into their final Group A encounter the teams knew their World Cup chances were over, having both lost their opening two games. However, the dead rubber status of the game did not stop the teams from playing out an entertaining encounter punctuated with an incident. Salah had been the subject of speculation he would quit the World Cup early over apparent unhappiness in the Egypt…

Le Abeceleste of Argentina have endured a difficult 2018 World Cup so far, drawing 1-1 with Iceland before getting thumped 3-0 by Croatia. The squad has reportedly staged an unsuccessful mutiny against manager Jorge Sampaoli, with Sergio Aguero believed to be the biggest casualty. According to the Mirror, Aguero will drop to the bench against the Super Eagles Nigeria in favour of Gonzalo Higuain. The Manchester City ace will be joined by Willy Caballero following a high-profile error last time out, while Maximiliano Meza could make way for Paulo Dybala. Below is the Line up according to Roy…

Leicester City fans have changed their minds on Ahmed Musa and want the club to give the Nigerian forward another chance. Musa is yet to make a single appearance under Claude Puel and spent the second half of the last campaign on loan at CSKA Moscow, from whom City signed the 25-year-old for a then club record £16million in July 2016. When asked about his City future over the weekend amid links to Galatasaray, Musa claimediven an opportunity to impress after Claudio Ranieri was sacked. “Did you ever see me play?” he said. “Did they give me any opportunity to show myself…

With the first two group matches of Russia 2018 concluded, all the 32 teams at this year’s world cup are set for the final group matches that would either determine seal qualification or see some countries actually playing for pride. Group D, which houses a set of four highly competitive teams in Croatia, Argentina, Iceland, and Nigeria is not left out of this situation. After the draws were made, bookmakers gave Argentina and Croatia the nod to easily make it out of this group, but as the competition commenced, a lot of football lovers across the world were stunned when…