FIFA World Cup: Kane double guides England past Tunisia (02:02)
Volgograd (Russia), June 19 (IANS) Captain Harry Kane scored a brace as England overcame Tunisia with a 2-1 victory in their FIFA World Cup Group G campaign opener at the Volgograd Arena here on Monday.

2018 World Cup: Belgium ride Lukaku brace to blank Panama 3-0 (Lead) (22:58)
Sochi, June 18 (IANS) Belgium rode a second-half brace from Romelu Lukaku to blank Panama 3-0 in their Group G opener of the FIFA World Cup 2018 at the Fisht Stadium here on Monday.

2018 World Cup: Belgium ride Lukaku brace to blank Panama 3-0 (22:36)
Sochi, June 18 (IANS) Belgium rode a second half brace from Romelu Lukaku to blank Panama 3-0 in their Group G opener of FIFA 2018 World Cup here on Monday.

Croatia suspend striker Kalinic for refusing to come on as a substitute (21:54)
Moscow, June 18 (IANS) Croatia on Monday suspended striker Nikola Kalinic from its FIFA World Cup squad after he refused to come on as a substitute during the 2-0 win over Nigeria in a Group D clash in Kaliningrad on Saturday, head coach Zlatko Dalic confirmed.

Uruguay's Rodriguez praises teammates before Saudi Arabia duel (20:52)
Nizhny Novgorod (Russia), June 18 (IANS) Uruguay midfielder Cristian "Cebolla" Rodriguez on Monday praised his 2018 FIFA World Cup teammates Diego Godin and Jose Maria Gimenez ahead of their duel with Saudi Arabia, their second match of the tournament.

Sweden pip S. Korea 1-0 in Group F clash (Lead) (20:52)
Nizhny Novgorod (Russia), June 18 (IANS) Sweden kicked off their FIFA 2018 World Cup campaign on a winning note as they pipped South Korea 1-0 in a Group F showdown at the Novgorod stadium here on Monday.

Russia coach downplays worries about Salah ahead of Egypt clash (20:44)
St. Petersburg, June 18 (IANS) Russian coach Stanislav Cherchesov stressed that his side is going up against a team, not just a single player, in comments made here on Monday, a day before their FIFA World Cup match against Egypt.

Spain coach confirms De Gea as goalkeeper for Iran match (20:38)
Krasnodar (Russia), June 18 (IANS) Spain coach Fernando Hierro confirmed on Monday that David De Gea will continue as goalkeeper in their second 2018 FIFA World Cup match against Iran, despite failing to stop Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo from scoring a hat trick in their opening match of the tournament.

Portuguese fan arrives in Russia by bicycle (20:08)
Moscow, June 18 (IANS) Portuguese football fan Elder Batista has travelled 4,640 km by bicycle over 44 days to attend matches of the FIFA World Cup and collect money for a charity fund, he wrote on his Facebook page.

Portugal expecting stern test against Morocco, says Andre Silva (20:08)
Moscow, June 18 (IANS) Portugal striker Andre Silva said the European champions are preparing for a tough assignment against Morocco when they meet in Group B of the World Cup here on Wednesday.

Sochi oracle otter picks Russia as winner over Egypt (19:54)
Sochi, June 18 (IANS) Harry, an oracle otter from Sochi, has predicted that the Russian team will win their FIFA World Cup Group A game against Egypt on Tuesday, the administration in the Russian Black Sea resort city said.

Sweden pip S. Korea 1-0 in Group F game (19:36)
Nizhny Novgorod (Russia), June 18 (IANS) Sweden pipped South Korea 1-0 in a FIFA World Cup Group F match at the Novgogod Stadium here on Monday.

De Gea likely to continue in Spain goal despite errors (18:58)
Moscow, June 18 (IANS) After Spain's 3-3 draw against Portugal in their FIFA World Cup Group B clash in Sochi on Friday night, the question of who should be first choice goalkeeper for the 2010 champions has become the topic of debate across the national media.

Russia eyeing knockout berth as Salah returns for Egypt (Preview) (18:40)
Saint Petersburg, June 18 (IANS) Hosts Russia will be eyeing to seal their berth for the knockout stage when they face Egypt, who will be bolstered by the return of star forward Mohamed Salah, in their second Group A game here on Tuesday.

FIFA World Cup: Senegal to face confident Poland (Preview) (18:30)
Moscow, June 18 (IANS) Senegal will aim to repeat the heroics of their 2002 team when they start their 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign against a confident Poland in a Group H match at the Spartak Stadium here on Tuesday.

Swiss expose cracks in Brazilian side, but all is not lost (Analysis) (16:54)
Rostov-on-Don, June 18 (IANS) It began so promisingly for Brazil as a curling Philippe Coutinho strike from distance sent the green and gold masses into raptures during their FIFA Word Cup Group E match against Switzerland. But there was little more to celebrate for the hordes of Brazilian football fans who made the trip to the southwestern Russian port city of Rostov-on-Don on Sunday.

Layún lauds Mexico's victory over Germany as historic (16:46)
Novogorsk (Russia), June 18 (IANS) Mexico left-back Miguel Layún on Monday billed his national football team's 1-0 victory over defending World Cup champion Germany in their opening group stage game in Russia as historic but warned against complacency.

Colombia look to ride Falcao, Rodriguez show against Japan (Preview) (15:48)
Saransk (Russia), June 18 (IANS) Colombia will look to 2014 Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez and top scorer Radamel Falcao for inspiration when they take on Japan in their Group H FIFA World Cup opener here on Tuesday.

Mexico focus on next match after stunning Germany (13:36)
Moscow, June 18 (IANS) The Mexican players maintained their calm despite stunning holders Germany 1-0 at the start of their World Cup campaign here.

Costa Rican media pessimistic after loss to Serbia (13:16)
San Jose, June 18 (IANS) Costa Rican media and fans have expressed pessimism on their football team's chances at the World Cup following the 0-1 defeat to Serbia.

Pressure got to us against Switzerland: Brazil coach (13:08)
Rostov-on-Don (Russia), June 18 (IANS) Brazil football team coach Tite thought the pressure had got to his players after watching his side kick off their 2018 World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Switzerland here.

Mexicans hail win over Germany in World Cup (13:04)
Mexico City, June 18 (IANS) Mexico's 1-0 victory over reigning World Cup champions Germany in their FIFA World Cup opener sent the country into a frenzy, with many fans now certain that their team can make it further than ever before in Russia.

Spain starts training for World Cup clash vs Iran without Reina (12:42)
Krasnodar (Russia), June 18 (IANS) Spain's national football team has resumed training after a few hours of rest with an eye on their next 2018 FIFA World Cup clash with Iran, albeit without goalkeeper Pepe Reina, who is struggling with neck discomfort.

Brazilian media disappointed over Brazil-Switzerland match result (12:40)
Sao Paulo, June 18 (IANS) Media outlets in Brazil expressed their disappointment over the national team's opening match in the 2018 FIFA World Cup against Switzerland that ended in a 1-1 tie, and questioned the performance of the match's referee.

Mexico's Marquez becomes third man to play at five World Cups (06:12)
Moscow, June 18 (IANS) Mexico captain Raia Marquez has become only the third player to play at five World Cups after he came on as a substitute during Sunday's 1-0 win against world champions Germany, reports Xinhua.