FIFA World Cup: Red Devils Claim Third Place After Blanking Three Lions

At Saint Petersburg, Russia:

In Saturday's third-place match at the FIFA World Cup, Thomas Meunier (4') and Eden Hazard (82') each scored once as Belgium blanked England 2-0.


We see Three Lions' goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in pre-match warmups.


Associated Press photo by Dmitri Lovetsky

FIFA World Cup: Croatia Sinks England In OT To Advance To First-Ever Final

At Moscow (Luzhniki Stadium):

After Ivan Perisic equalized things in the 68th minute on Wednesday to level their World Cup semifinal match with England at 1-1, Mario Mandzukic scored the overtime winner in the 109th minute (that him celebrating after scoring) to lift Croatia to a 2-1 victory and their first-ever berth in the World Cup Final, this coming Sunday in Moscow against France.

The championship game between France (looking for their first crown since 1998) and Croatia will be contested this coming Sunday at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow at 8:00 AM Pacific Time (FOX and Telemundo).

EPA-EFE photo by Peter Powell

FIFA World Cup: Sacre Bleus! France Defeats Belgium To Advance To Sunday's Title Game Against England-Croatia Winner

At Saint Petersburg, Russia:

Samuel Umtiti scored the only goal of the match on Tuesday in the 51st minute as France defeated Belgium 1-0 to advance to their third FIFA World Cup final (1998, 2006).


Here's France's Kylian Mbappe running with the ball in this photo taken at slow shutter speed.


Les Bleus will be looking for their first crown since 1998 when they take on the winner of Wednesday's England-Croatia contest in Sunday's championship game, to be played at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.


Associated Press photo by David Josek

FIFA World Cup: Three Lions Advance To Semifinals For First Time Since 1990; Croatia Knocks Out Russia In PK Shootout, Advances To First Semis Since '98

Two games were contested on Saturday in Russia as the quarterfinal round of the FIFA World Cup came to a conclusion.


At Samara:

Harry Maguire (30') and Dele Alli (59', shown here) each scored once as England blanked Sweden 2-0 to advance to the World Cup semifinal round for the first time since 1990 (and the first time in a major tournament since the 1996 European Championships).


Associated Press photo by Frank Augstein






At Sochi:

After each team scored once in regulation and again in overtime (making it 2-2 after 120 minutes), Marcelo Brozovic, Luka Modric, Domagoj Vida, and Ivan Rakitic each converted a spot kick as Croatia won the penalty-kick shootout 4-3 over host nation Russia in the final match to be played in the tournament outside of Moscow and Saint Petersburg.  The Croatians (celebrating after their victory, as seen here) advanced to the semifinal round for the first time since 1998.


Photo from FIFA.com website






On Wednesday, Croatia and England will face off at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow (11:00 AM Pacific Time), with the winner advancing to next Sunday's championship match against the winner of the Tuesday France-Belgium contest.

FIFA World Cup: Only European Teams Remain As France And Belgium Knock Out Uruguay And Brazil Respectively To Advance To Semifinals

The quarterfinal round of the FIFA World Cup commenced in Russia on Friday with two games.


At Nizhny Novgorod:

Raphael Varane (40') and Antoine Griezmann (61') each scored once as France blanked Uruguay 2-0.


Here's France's Paul Pogba (right) battling with Uruguay's Cristian Rodriguez for the ball.


Associated Press photo by Natacha Pisarenko


At Kazan:

Keven De Brunye scored the winning goal in the 31st minute as Belgium held off Brazil 2-1, reaching the semifinals for the first time since 1986.


Here are the happy Red Devils celebrating an own goal scored in the 13th minute by Brazil's Fernardinho.


AFP/Getty Images photo by Saeed Khan






France and Belgium will face each other on Tuesday at Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg, starting at 11:00 AM Pacific Time.

FIFA World Cup: Sweden, Three Lions Advance As Round Of 16 Closes

Two games were contested in Russia on Tuesday as the FIFA World Cup's Round of 16 concluded.


At Saint Petersburg:

Emil Forsberg scored the only goal of the match in the 66th minute as Sweden advanced to the quarterfinal round for the first time since 1994 by defeating Switzerland 1-0.


Here's Emil, right, celebrating with teammates after scoring what proved to be the game-winning goal.


Associated Press photo by Darko Bandic








At Russia (Spartak Stadium):

After a 1-1 regulation draw, followed by 30 minutes of scoreless overtime, Harry Kane (seen here, down on the pitch, surrounded by Colombian players) , Marcus Rashford, Kieran Trippier, and Eric Dier converted their spot kicks as England defeated Colombia 4-3 in the penalty-kick shootout to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2006.


Associated Press photo by Antonio Calanni


Here are the matchups for the quarterfinal round:


Friday:


At Nizhny Novgorod:


Uruguay vs. France, 7:00 AM Pacific Time


At Kazan:


Brazil vs. Belgium, 11:00 AM Pacific Time






Saturday:


At Samara:


Sweden vs. England, 7:00 AM Pacific Time


At Sochi:


Russia vs. Croatia, 11:00 AM Pacific Time

FIFA World Cup: Brazil, Belgium Advance To Quarterfinals; El Tri, Blue Samurai (Who Blow Two-Goal Lead) Out

The FIFA World Cup's Round of 16 continued on Monday with two games played in Russia.


At Samara:

Neymar (51'l; that's him celebrating on the shoulders of teammate Paulinho) and Roberto Firmino (88') each scored a second-half goal as Brazil blanked Mexico 2-0.


It marked the seventh straight World Cup tournament that El Tri had been eliminated from in the Round of 16.


Getty Images photo by Dan Mullan






At Rostov-on-Don:

Jan Vertonghen (69'), Marouane Fellaini (74'), and Nacer Chadli (90'+4) each scored a goal as Belgium battled back from two goals down to upend Japan 3-2.


Shown here is Japan's Gen Shoji looking down at the pitch.


Associated Press photo by Natacha Pisarenko






In the quarterfinal round, Brazil will take on Brazil on Saturday (11:00 AM Pacific Time) at Kazan.

FIFA World Cup: Russia, Croatia Advance To Quarterfinals After Winning PK Shootouts

Two more games in the FIFA World Cup's Round of 16 were contested in Russia on Sunday.


At Moscow (Luzhniki Stadium)

After a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation, followed by 30 scoreless overtime minutes, Fyodor Smolov, Sergei Ignashevich, Aleksandr Golovin, and Denis Cheryshev each converted a spot kick while goalkeeper Igor Akinkeev (that's him celebrating) came up with two key saves as Russia won the penalty-kick shootout, 4-3 over Spain, advancing to the quarterfinal round for the first time since Soviet Union days in 1970.


Associated Press photo by Matthias Schrader






At Nizhny Novgorod:

After a 1-1 regulation draw, followed by 30 minutes of goal-free overtime, Andrej Kramaric, Luca Modric (whose penalty-kick try in the 116th minute was saved by goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel), and Ivan Rakitic each converted a spot kick as Croatia, with goalkeeper Danijel Subasic coming up with three big saves, took out Denmark 3-2 in the penalty-kick shootout, advancing to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1998.


Here, we see the happy Croatians celebrating, with the dejected Danes in the background.


Associated Press photo by Gregorio Borgia




Next Sunday, Russia will take on Croatia in a quarterfinal contest at Olympic Stadium in Sochi (11:00 AM Pacific Time).

FIFA World Cup: France And Uruguay Knock Out Argentina And Portugal Respectively; No WC Crown For Leo The Lion Or CR7

The knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup commenced on Saturday with two Round of 16 games, both contested in Russia:

At Kazan:

Kylian Mbappe scored twice (64', 68'; that's him being mobbed by teammates such at Paul Pogba---on top----after his first tally) as France came from behind to upend Argentina 4-3 and advanced to the quarterfinal round.

Associated Press photo by David Vincent

At Sochi:

Edinson Cavani scored twice (7', 62') as Uruguay defeated Portugal 2-1.  

This reaction from Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo says is all.

Getty Images photo by Francois Nei

Uruguay will take on France in a quarterfinal match this Friday at 7:00 AM Pacific Time at Nizhny Novgorod.

FIFA World Cup: Colombia and Japan (due to fewer disciplinary points---Fewer Yellow Cards!) Advance; Senegal Eliminated (Same Reason Why Japan Advanced; No African Teams Left In Tournament); Red Devils Defeat Three Lions To Capture Group G

Four games were contested on Thursday in Russia as FIFA World Cup group-stage play concluded.

GROUP G (both games starting at 11:00 AM Pacific Time):

At Kaliningrad:

Adnan Januzaj scored the only goal of the match as Belgium won Group B by downing England 1-0 as both teams already locked up berths in the knockout stage.

Here's the Three Lions' Gary Cahill, left, challenging the Red Devils' Michy Batahuayi for the ball.

Associated Press photo by Hassan Ammar

At Saransk:

Wahbi Khazri scored the game winner in the 66th minute as Tunisia came from behind to overcome Panama 2-1 in the tournament finale for both squads.  It was the African country's first World Cup win since 1978.

Here's Panama's Jose Luis Rodriguez (right), challenging Tunisia's Hamdi Naguez for the ball.

Associated Press photo by Pavel Golovkin

Final Group G Standings:

1. Belgium (GP: 3; GD: +7; PTS: 9)
2. England (GP: 3; GD: +5; PTS: 6)
3. Tunisia (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 3)
4. Panama (GP: 3; GD: -9; PTS: 0)

Belgium and England advanced to the knockout stage.



GROUP H:

At Volgograd:

Jan Bednarek scored the only goal of the match in the 59th minute (that's him celebrating after scoring) as already-eliminated Poland knocked off Japan 1-0.  The Blue Samurai still advanced to the knockout stage due to superior Fair Play points vis a viv Senegal.

Associated Press photo by Darko Vojinovic

At Samara:

Yerry Mina scored the only goal of the match in the 74th minute as Colombia defeated Senegal 1-0 to jump both the African country and Japan and win Group H, knocking the Lions of Teranga out of the tournament, which will have no African teams advancing beyond the opening group stage for the first time since 1982 (when Algeria was knocked out in the wake of the controversial group-stage finale between West Germany and Austria, who both advanced).

Here, we see Colombia's Radamel Falcao (in the yellow jersey) jumping for the ball against Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly (right) and Youssouf Sabaly (left).

Associated Press photo by Martin Meissner

Final Group H Standings:

1. Colombia (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 6)
2. Japan (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 4)
3. Senegal (GP: 3; PTS; 0; PTS: 4)
4. Poland (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS; 3)

NOTE:  With Japan and Senegal level on points (3), total goal differential (0), and total goals scored (4), having drawn 2-2 (gaining one point each and ending up with a goal differential of zero) in their June 24 contest at Yekaterinburg, Japan advanced due to superior Fair Play points (-4, compared to Senegal's -6). 



Here are the match-ups for the Round of 16 (all starting times are Pacific):

Saturday:

At Sochi:

Uruguay vs. Portugal,7:00 AM

At Kazan:

France vs. Argentina, 11:00 AM



Sunday:

At Moscow (Luzhniki Stadium)

Spain vs. Russia, 7:00 AM

At Nizhny Novgorod:

Croatia vs. Denmark, 11:00 AM



Monday:

At Samara:

Brazil vs. Mexico, 7:00 AM

At Rostov-on-Don:

Belgium vs. Japan



Tuesday:

At Saint Petersburg:

Sweden vs. Switzerland, 7:00 AM

At Moscow (Spartak Stadium)

Colombia vs. England, 11:00 AM

FIFA World Cup: Defending Champs Knocked Out By South Korea; Sweden Dominates Mexico To Win Group F; El Tri Advance To Knockout Stage; Brazil, Switzerland Finish 1-2 In Group E

Four more games were contested in Russia on Wednesday as group-stage play in the FIFA World Cup continued.

GROUP E (both games at 11:00 AM Pacific Time):

At Moscow:

At Spartak Stadium, Paulinho (36') and Thiago Silva (68') each scored once as Brazil locked up top spot in Group E by knocking out Serbia 2-0.

Here's the Samba Boys' Miranda waving to the fans after the victory.

Associated Press photo by Antonio Calanni

At Nizhny Novgorod:

Kendall Waston (56') and Yann Sommer (OG-90'+3) each scored once as Costa Rica, in their tournament swan song, gained a 2-2 draw with Switzerland.

Blemir Dzemaili (31') and Josip Drmic (88') each scored once for the Swiss, who advanced to the knockout stage.

Here's Switzerland's Valon Behrami (right), battling the Ticos' Bryan Ruiz for the ball.

Associated Press photo by Vadim Ghirda

Final Group E Standings:

1. Brazil (GP: 3; GD: +4; PTS: 7)
2. Switzerland (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 5)
3. Serbia (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 3)
4. Costa Rica (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 1)
Brazil and Switzerland advanced to the knockout stage.



In Round of 16 action, Brazil will take on Mexico in Samara on Monday, while Sweden will battle Switzerland in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday.



GROUP F:

At Kazan:

Goals at the death by Kim Young-gwon (90'+3) and Son Heung-min (90'+6) carried South Korea to a 2-0 upset victory over Germany, knocking the defending champions out of the tournament, the first time since 1938 that the Germans were knocked out in the opening round.

Here are the now-eliminated South Koreans celebrating after one of the goals that ended the Germans' reign as World Cup champs

Associated Press photo by Lee Jin-man

At Yekaterinburg:

Hans Augustinsson (50'), Andreas Granqvist (PK-62'), and Edson Alvarez (OG-74'; afterward, Sweded's Emil Fosberg and Ola Toivonen celebrate) each scored once as Sweden dominated Mexico 3-0 to win Group F.

Despite the defeat, El Tri still advanced to the knockout stage as well.

Associated Press photo by Efrem Lukatsky

FIFA World Cup: Denmark, Argentina Advance; France, Croatia Top Respective Groups; Socceroos, Super Eagles, Iceland Join Peru Amongst The Eliminated

Four more games were contested in FIFA World Cup group-stage play in Russia on Tuesday.


GROUP C:


At Moscow:

A 0-0 stalemate with France at Luzhniki Stadium lifted Denmark into the knockout stage alongside Les Bleus.


Here, we see Denmark's Andreas Cornelius (top) battling France's Lucas Hernandez for the ball.


Associated Press photo by Antonio Calanni


At Sochi:

Andre Carrillo (18') and Jose Guerrero (50') each scored once as Peru blanked Australia 2-0 in what turned out to be the tournament finale for the Socceroos as well as The Incas.


In the above photo, we see Peru's Anderson Santamaria (left), his teammate Pedro Aquino (second left), and the Aussies' Trent Sainsbury jumping for the ball.


Associated Press photo by Efrem Lukatsky


Final Group C Standings:


1. France (GP: 3; GD: +2; PTS: 7)
2. Denmark (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 5)
3. Peru (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. Australia (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 1)


France and Denmark advanced to the knockout stage.






GROUP D:


At Saint Petersburg:

Lionel Messi (14') and Marcos Rojo (86') each scored once as Argentina knocked off Nigeria 2-1 to advance to the knockout stage and eliminated the Super Eagles.


Here, we see Argentina's head coach Jorge Sampoli giving instructions to Sergio Aguero.


Associated Press photo by Ricardo Mazalan


At Rostov-on-Don:

Ivan Perisic scored the winning goal in the 90th minute as Croatia salted away top spot in Group D by eliminating Iceland 2-1.


Here, we see Croatia's Vedran Corluka jumping over Iceland's Hordur Magnusson.


Associated Press photo by Natacha Pisarenko


Group D Standings:


1. Croatia (GP: 3; GD: +6; PTS: 9)
2. Argentina (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 4)
3. Nigeria (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 3)
4. Iceland (GP: 3; GD: -3; PTS: 1)


Croatia and Argentina advanced to the knockout stage.






On Saturday, Argentina will take on France in a Round of 16 contest in Kazan while Denmark will take on Croatia on Sunday in Nizhny Novgorod.

FIFA World Cup: Uruguay Knocks Off Russia To Win Group A; Draws For Spain And Portugal Send Both Teams To Knockout Stage; Iran Eliminated

The final cycle of group-stage games in the FIFA World Cup commenced on Monday with four contests in Russia.


GROUP A:


At Samara:

Luis Suarez (10'), Denis Cheryshev (OG-23'), and Edinson Cavani (90') each scored once as Uruguay dominated hosts Russia 3-0 to finish atop Group A.


Here's the Russians' dejected Igor Smolnikov leaving the pitch after he was ejected via the old red card.


Associated Press photo by Rebecca Blackwell


At Volgograd:

Salem Al-Dawson scored the winning goal in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time as Saudi Arabia came from behind to top Egypt 2-1 in the tournament finale for both squads.


The game is being observed here by the respective head coaches (or managers), Egypt's Hector Cuper (left) and the Saudis' Juan Antonio Pizzi.


Associated Press photo by Darko Vojinovic


Final Group A Standings:


1. Uruguay (GP: 3; GD: +5; PTS: 9)
2. Russia (GP: 3; GD: +4; PTS: 6)
3. Saudi Arabia (GP: 3; GD: -5; PTS: 3)
4. Egypt (GP: 3; GD: -4; PTS: 0)


Uruguay and Russia advanced to the knockout stage.







GROUP B:


At Saransk:

Ricardo Quaresma's goal in the 45th minute proved to be good enough for Portugal, who battled Iran to a 1-1 draw to finish second in Group B and gain a knockout-stage berth.


Karim Ansarifard converted a penalty kick in the third minute of second-half stoppage time for Team Melli (one of whose fans is shown here), whose attempt to advance to the knockout stage for the first time in five World Cup tournaments came up just short.


Associated Press photo by Francisco Seco


At Kaliningrad:

Goals from Isco (19') and Iago Aspas (90'+1; here, we see the Spaniards' Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos, on the right, celebrating after that goal) enabled Spain to gain a 2-2 draw with Morocco and lay claim to top spot in Group B.


Khalid Boutaib (14') and Youssef En-Nesyri (81') each scored once for the already-eliminated Atlas Lions.


Associated Press photo by Petr Josek


Final Group B Standings:


1. Spain (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 5)
2. Portugal (GP: 3; GD: +1; PTS: 5)
3. Iran (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 4)
4. Morocco (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 1)


Spain and Portugal advanced to the knockout stage.






Uruguay will take on Portugal in a Round of 16 match at Sochi on Saturday while Spain will battle hosts Russia in Moscow (Luzhniki Stadium ) on Sunday.

FIFA World Cup: England, Colombia Register Dominating Wins; Senegal And Japan Draw 2-2; Three Lions, Belgium Advance To Knockout Stage; Tunisia, Panama, Poland Eliminated

The second cycle of FIFA World Cup group-stage play concluded on Sunday in Russia with three games.

GROUP G:

At Nizhny Novgorod:

Harry Kane delivered a hat trick (PK-22', PK-45'+1, 62') as England demolished Panama 6-1 to advance to the knockout stage (and enable Belgium to do likewise) and eliminate the debutants (as well at Tunisia) from the tournament.

Harry seemed to have had a great time as he's shown here celebrating after converting one of his spot kicks.

EPA photo by Vassil Donev

Group G Standings:

1. x-England (GP: 2; GD: +6; PTS: 6)
2. x-Belgium (GP: 2; GD: +6; PTS: 6)
3. z-Tunisia (GP: 2; GD: -4; PTS: 0)
4. z-Panama (GP: 2; GD: -8; PTS: 0)

x-Clinched berth in knockout stage

z-Eliminated from tournament



GROUP H:

At Yekaterinburg:
Goals from Takashi Inui (34') and Heisuke Honda (78'; that's him, here on the right, celebrating with teammates after scoring) enabled Japan to gain a 2-2 draw with Senegal.

Sadio Mane (11') and Moussa Wague (71') each scored once for the western African country.


AFP Photo

At Kazan:
Yerry Mina (40'), Radamel Falcao (70'), and Juan Cuadrado (75') delivered the goals as Colombia dominated----and eliminated----Poland 3-0.


Here's Poland's Lukasz Piszczek's reaction after the Ramadel Falcao goal.


Associated Press photo by Frank Augstein

Group G Standings:

1.    Japan (GP: 2; GD: +1; PTS: 4)
2.    Senegal (GP: 2; GS: +1; PTS: 4)
3.    Colombia (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 3)
4. z-Poland (GP: 2; GD: -4; PTS: 0)

z-Eliminated from tournament

FIFA World Cup: Saturday Wins For Belgium, El Tri, And Ten-Man Germany (In Comeback Fashion)

Three more games were played in FIFA World Cup group-stage action in Russia on Saturday.

GROUP F:

At Rostov-on-Don:

Carlos Vela (PG-26'; that's him, on the left, celebrating with teammates after converting his spot kick) and Javier Hernandez (66') each scored once as Mexico put themselves on the cusp of the knockout stage after holding off South Korea 2-1.

Associated Press photo by Eduardo Verdugo

At Sochi:

Toni Kroos (mobbed here by overjoyed teammates) scored the game winner on a free kick in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time as Germany, despite finishing the match with ten men, came from behind to upend Sweden 2-1.

EPA-EFE photo by Ronald Wittek

Group F Standings:

1. Mexico (GP: 2; GD: +2; PTS: 6)
2. Germany (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
3. Sweden (GP: 2; GD: 0; PTS: 3)
4. South Korea (GP: 2; GD: -2; PTS: 0)



GROUP G:

At Moscow:

At Otkritie Arena (a.ka. Spartak Stadium), Eden Hazard (PK-6', 51') and Romelu Lukaku (16', 45'+3) each scored twice as Belgium dominated Tunisia 5-2, all but clinching a berth in the knockout (and all but knocking the north African nation out of the tournament).

Here's Prince Philippe of Belgium (right) watching the match with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Associated Press photo by Matthias Schrader