Brazil 2 – 0 Costa Rica (Group E)
Nigeria 2 – 0 Iceland (Group D)
Serbia 1 – 2 Switzerland (Group E)
Archive | June 22, 2018
Super Eagles of Nigeria beat Iceland two nil….
Ahmed Musa scored both goals as Nigeria swept aside World Cup debutants Iceland to leave Group D intriguingly poised with one round of games to go. The Super Eagles would have gone out with defeat but came good in Volgograd. Musa showed superb technique to fire Nigeria ahead on the half-volley before the Leicester player rounded keeper Hannes Thor Halldorsson to make it 2-0. Iceland missed a late penalty – awarded after a video assistant referee review – when Gylfi Sigurdsson fired over.
Denmark coach says VAR does remove a bit of the charm of football….
Denmark manager Age Hareide said video assistant referees are taking the “charm” out of the World Cup after Australia scored a debatable penalty to keep their last-16 hopes alive. Australia cancelled out Christian Eriksen’s fine opener when Mile Jedinak converted from the spot after Yussuf Poulsen’s handball in the area was penalised by VAR. The ball struck Poulsen on his trailing arm as he contested a header with Mathew Leckie. “I do believe it was a penalty but the whole issue with VAR is that there are people somewhere in Russia deciding to look at this situation because it looks like a penalty,” said Hareide.
Egypt set to lodge referee protest after Russia defeat….
Egypt are set to lodge a formal protest with FIFA about the performance of the referee during their 3-1 defeat by Russia in St Petersburg on Tuesday. Paraguayan Enrique Caceres is the man in question. “We want an investigation into the performance of the whole refereeing team,” Egyptian Football Association president Hany Abo Rida said. Abo Rida, who is also a FIFA Council member, said Egypt felt full-back Ahmed Fathi was pushed in the process of attempting to clear the ball two minutes into the second half and steered it into his own net to give Russia the lead.
Sterling on cleaning toilets to playing in Russia….
England winger Raheem Sterling says he no longer worries about the media “picking on him” because of his “bling” lifestyle. Sterling, 23, has frequently found himself at the centre of attention throughout his career, most recently for a tattoo of a rifle on his leg. That followed criticism for proposing to his girlfriend, purchasing clothes at high-street chain Primark, and even for buying his mother a house.
Man City close in on Napoli midfielder Jorginho….
Manchester City are closing in on the signing of Napoli’s Italy midfielder Jorginho. City boss Pep Guardiola made the 26-year-old one of his key summer targets. Although no deal is done yet, the two parties are not far apart in their valuation of the player and it is anticipated the transfer will be completed in time for Jorginho to join the club’s pre-season tour to the United States in the middle of July. The Brazilian-born star, who qualifies for Italy through his grandparents, joined Napoli from Verona in January 2014.
Fred joins Manchester United….
Brazil midfielder Fred has completed his £47m move to Manchester United from Shakhtar Donetsk. The 25-year-old, who is currently at the World Cup in Russia, joins on a five-year-deal. He becomes manager Jose Mourinho’s second signing this summer following Portuguese full-back Diogo Dalot’s arrival at Old Trafford. “This is the biggest club in the world and I am delighted to be a part of this amazing team,” said Fred. “To work with Jose Mourinho, who has won so many trophies in his time as a coach, is an opportunity not to be missed.”
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