A youthful France faces veteran-laden Croatia for World Cup
MOSCOW (AP) - France is the established power with a young team full of speed and skill. Croatia has the veterans that have shown they can never be counted out. The two sides will meet on Sunday in the World Cup final, with France going for its second title in its third final in 20 years. Croatia, a country that only gained independence in 1991, will be playing in its first.
Belgium finishes 3rd at World Cup, beats England 2-0
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) - For Belgium and England, the third-place match at the World Cup was more like a dress rehearsal for future finals. At least they hope. The Belgians earned their best World Cup finish by beating England 2-0 on Saturday in a match both saw as the start of a push for the European Championship title in 2020 or the World Cup in 2022.
Goal-fest possible in France-Belgium World Cup semifinal
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) - Considering the attacking strength of France and Belgium, there's potential for a goal-fest when the European neighbors meet in the World Cup semifinals. There was less at stake the last time the teams last went head-to-head at the World Cup, a 4-2 victory for France in the third-place match in 1986. That was the last competitive match between the two countries...
England reaches World Cup semifinals, beats Sweden 2-0
SAMARA, Russia (AP) - England achieved something David Beckham's generation never managed: It reached the semifinals of the World Cup. Harry Maguire and Dele Alli scored with headers in a 2-0 win over Sweden on Saturday, earning England's youthful team a match against Croatia for a place in the final on July 15. "We looked composed," England captain Harry Kane said. "We...
Croatia ends Russia's run, advances to World Cup semifinals
SOCHI, Russia (AP) - Nyet this time. Although Russia made it further at this year's World Cup than most anyone expected, it was Croatia that advanced to the semifinals with a 4-3 shootout victory Saturday following a 2-2 draw. The overachieving hosts, the lowest ranked team in the tournament at No. 70, were trying to make it to the World Cup semifinals for the first time since the Soviet...
Japanese players, fans clean up after themselves following crushing World Cup loss
The biggest sports tournament in the world comes with some of the most heartbreaking moments for fans and players alike. After Japan blew a 2-0 lead with 25 minutes left, the players and fans could have thrown a huge fit - but instead they respectfully said thank you to their hosts.
Brazil fan who is deaf, blind follows World Cup with help
SAO PAULO (AP) - Like fans all over soccer-mad Brazil, Carlos Junior followed every move the national team made on the field Monday in its 2-0 victory over Mexico. He wiped his brow every time Mexico closed in but failed to score. He banged the table or a drum when Brazil took a shot and missed. And he jumped up and down and hugged friends when Neymar finally put the ball in the net in the 51st...
Column: The World Cup delivers unforgiving verdict for Messi
KAZAN, Russia (AP) - Lionel Messi: Great club footballer, maybe even the greatest ever. But a great underachiever on soccer's biggest stage. That was the inescapable verdict delivered at the World Cup by the quick feet of a teenager as exciting and full of potential as Messi was himself at the same age. Enter Kylian. Farewell Lionel.
Messi and Ronaldo exit World Cup without titles
MOSCOW (AP) - Lionel Messi stared, hands on hips, pain etched across a face once boyish and filled with limitless joy, now obscured by a brown beard and hardened by expectations for his nation unmet.
Column: Best-ever World Cup? It is shaping up nicely
KAZAN, Russia (AP) - Wow. What a start. If you're among those who suspect this World Cup has the makings of one of the best ever, the numbers from the just-completed group stage of the football showcase suggest you may be right. Aside from a few snoozers, the essential ingredient for engrossing sporting spectacle - uncertainty - triumphed.
Bud Light giving ALL of California free beers if Mexico beats Brazil & advances to quarterfinals
Bud Light announced on Twitter that everyone in California gets a free beer if Mexico beats Brazil on Monday in the World Cup and advances to the fifth game, the quarterfinals.
Japan advances on yellow cards despite losing at World Cup
VOLGOGRAD, Russia (AP) - Nice guys don't necessarily finish last at the World Cup. Fair play, a newly implemented tiebreaker in the group stage of the world's biggest soccer tournament, was put into use for the first time Thursday and Japan came out as the beneficiary. Despite losing 1-0 to Poland, the Japanese were able to advance a round of 16 match against Belgium because they...
Who's in and who's out at the World Cup
MOSCOW (AP) - Who's in, who's out and possible scenarios at the World Cup: GROUP A Russia and Uruguay have clinched berths in the round of 16 and play each other Monday to determine who wins the group. Egypt and Saudi Arabia have been eliminated. GROUP B Morocco has been eliminated, leaving Portugal and Spain (four points each) and Iran (three) to compete for two spots. Spain plays...
Iceland's World Cup dream is built on being a nightmare foe
MOSCOW (AP) - The World Cup rookies from the tournament's smallest nation are suddenly legitimate contenders for the knockout stage. Two years after reaching the quarterfinals at the European Championship, Iceland earned its first point in its first World Cup match, holding two-time champion Argentina to a surprising 1-1 draw on Saturday. The round of 16 could be beckoning.
Soccer fans in North Texas excited about World Cup
The World Cup begins today. Few people are more excited about that than Dan Hunt, president of FC Dallas. He's also on the 2026 World Cup host committee and is hoping to bring games to North Texas.
North Texas likely host site for 2026 FIFA World Cup
The world's biggest sporting event is returning to the United States and North Texas will likely host some games.
North American trio beats Morocco to host 2026 World Cup
MOSCOW (AP) - North America will host the 2026 World Cup after FIFA voters overwhelmingly opted for the financial and logistical certainty of a United States-led bid over a risky Moroccan proposal for the first 48-team tournament. The soccer showpiece will return to the U.S. for the first time since 1994 after gaining 134 votes, while Morocco got 65 at the FIFA Congress in Moscow on Wednesday.
North American, Morocco bids pitch 2026 World Cup plans to voters
MOSCOW (AP) - In a FIFA election where money could be key, Morocco tried to heap doubt on North American promises of multi-billion dollar 2026 World Cup profits on Monday. Moroccan jibes at projections from the United States-Canada-Mexico bid came when leaders of the rival campaigns met voters from five of FIFA's six continental groups.
World Cup 2018: How the Minnesota Vikings adopted Iceland's iconic chant
Minnesota Vikings fans gave us an unforgettable moment in the 2018 NFL Playoffs: an entire stadium chanting “Skol” in unison, after the Vikings improbable win over the New Orleans Saints.
2018 FIFA World Cup: Meet the best players set to star in Russia
Want to sound like a 2018 FIFA World Cup expert? Here are five superstar players sure to shine: