..::Football IV::..

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De Gea 'calm' and focused on topping Iran after Ronaldo goal gaffe


David de Gea said he had the support of his Spain team-mates after he made an uncharacteristic error in Spain's 3-3 draw against Portugal at the World Cup.

The Premier League Golden Glove winner failed to save Cristiano Ronaldo's shot from long range moments before half-time on Friday, giving Portugal the ascendency in Sochi.Spain would recover and lead, only to concede a late equaliser as Ronaldo completed his hat-trick , but De Gea, 27, was relaxed about the result and his performance.

"The mister [interim coach Fernando Hierro] is with me and the whole team, so I am calm," he said."It's a mistake, a difficult ball, [but we] continue training to do things well in an important game against Iran because we have strong options to win.

"We deserved more but football is like that, it can happen to you, only those of us who put on our gloves and go out in the field know how hard [it is]." Iran, who are surprisingly atop Group B, are Spain's next opponents in Kazan on Wednesday.

Spain will round out group play with Morocco, who suffered a late loss to the Iranians in their World Cup opener .

 

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Diego Costa happy to 'shut people up' with brace against Portugal


Diego Costa said that he worked hard to silence his critics after scoring twice in Spain's 3-3 draw with Portugal in their World Cup Group B opener.

The Atletico Madrid striker pulled Spain level twice after Cristiano Ronaldo put Portugal ahead, and he told reporters afterwards that he felt good throughout the game.Spain head coach Fernando Hierro gave Costa the nod in his starting line-up ahead of Iago Aspas, Lucas Vazquez and Rodrigo, and the 29-year-old was happy to have repaid the faith shown in him.

"I have to work to shut people up," said the former Chelsea star, who was criticised after his disappointing performance at the 2014 World Cup."The goals are important but the truth is that I felt good throughout the game."I think we deserved to win, we created a lot more and had more of the ball. We equalised twice but we couldn't get the win at the end."

The 29-year-old and his team-mates have four days to prepare for Spain's next match, against Morocco in Kaliningrad on Wednesday.And the burly striker insisted the competition for his place in the team was good for Spain's chances of glory this summer.

"There have always to be debates because this means that there are battles and this is good for the team," he said"We are a family."Unfortunately for Costa, his double was overshadowed by Ronald's hat-trick, with the draw leaving Iran as the shock leaders in Group B after the first matchday.

 

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'I haven't betrayed Barca' – Pique defends role in Griezmann documentary


Barcelona defender Gerard Pique dismissed criticism of his role in Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann's decision about his future.

In a documentary aired earlier this week, Griezmann announced he was staying at Atletico after a long-running transfer saga, during which the France international was linked to Barca.The video was produced by one of Pique's companies, leading to criticism of the Spain international.

However, the 31-year-old said he had no involvement in the production, other than suggesting the idea to Griezmann."It's one of my companies, the idea came from months ago when I spoke to Griezmann," Pique said after Spain's 3-3 draw against Portugal at the World Cup on Friday.

"He told me there was a chance to come to Barcelona and I told him we'd record it, that it could be great content for people to see someone take such an important decision. "From there, I wasn't involved, obviously. I wasn't filming to see what he had to say and people saw that until the last day he wasn't sure."Yesterday morning they called me and told me that it would go out that night and in the end, he says he's staying, so he stays."

Pique said he only knew of Griezmann's decision on Thursday, revealing he immediately told Barca."I have not betrayed Barca and I'm surprised anyone would doubt my commitment to Barcelona because I've been a fan since birth," he said.

"I found out that Griezmann was staying at Atletico Madrid the same morning the report went out and I told people at the club."The defender is a constant source of controversy and was once again in the headlines on Friday after claiming that Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo was "prone to diving."

 

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FIFA World Cup 2018 Group Stage Fixtures 2018.06.16

FIFA World Cup 2018 Group Stage Fixtures 2018.06.16

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Group C
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France Vs Australia

Peru Vs Denmark

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Group D
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Argentina Vs Iceland

Croatia Vs Nigeria

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Half Time

Argentina 1 Vs 1 Iceland

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Hithuwata wada hoda fight ekak ICELAND la denawane
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[RottenCOLT]

shit. ada messi ge dawasa nemei
iceland mara gemak dunne

 

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shit. ada messi ge dawasa nemei
iceland mara gemak dunne

Ow hithuwata wada godak hodata ICELAND play kalane​

 

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Ramos tells De Gea 'never give up' after Portugal blunder


Sergio Ramos has shown his support for David de Gea in the wake of the goalkeeper’s error in Spain ’s 3-3 draw against Portugal in Friday’s World Cup clash.

The shot stopper spilled a speculative shot from Cristiano Ronaldo late in the first-half of their opening match of the tournament, allowing Portugal to restore their lead before half-time.Although La Roja recovered to go 3-2 up, Ronaldo struck again from a free-kick to complete his hat-trick and earn a draw for the Euro 2016 winners.

De Gea said he felt “calm” in the wake of his mistake , insisting “only those of us who put on our gloves and go out in the field know how hard [it is]” and quickly turning his attention to winning the next game.

And team-mate Ramos hopes his reassuring message will boost the Manchester United star’s spirits further as the fight for Group B’s top spot immediately heats up."It's not about never failing, it's about never giving up,” he tweeted.“Always on my team, [David de Gea]. Let's keep it up.”Ramos was not the only familiar face to give his backing to the 27-year-old, as United coach Jose Mourinho pointed out that any goalkeeper is at risk of committing such blunders .

“It's a mistake he doesn't make with us at Manchester United because he was named player of the season for fantastic performances,” he said on RT. "But that happens to the best."De Gea will get the chance to bounce back in Spain’s next game, against Iran on June 20.

 

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'Napoli will not be pillaged' - De Laurentiis yet to hear from Chelsea over Sarri


Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has warned Chelsea he will not allow the Italian club to be "pillaged" as the uncertainty surrounding Maurizio Sarri's future rumbles on.

Sarri still has two years left on his contract with Napoli despite being replaced as head coach by Carlo Ancelotti in May.Amid uncertainty over Antonio Conte's position, Chelsea have been strongly linked with a move for Sarri, but the £7 million ($9.4m) Napoli are demanding as compensation is proving a major stumbling block..

However, De Laurentiis insists he has yet to have any contact with the Premier League club, even though he is ready to be "reasonable" in negotiations over his former coach.

"I never received any calls from Chelsea, even if they are announced via the newspapers," he said during an interview with Corriere dello Sport."If that were to happen, I would sit politely and listen, reflect and then give the response that was best for Napoli.

"I want to make one thing clear: this is not a club to be pillaged, this is not a club to be underestimated. I am here to discuss and have already said that, if called, I would be reasonable."

De Laurentiis also confirmed he has not spoken to Sarri either since the conclusion of the Serie A season, yet holds no grudge after their working relationship came to a rather abrupt end. "I've not spoken to Sarri since then and he never called either," he added.

"After the final match of the season against Crotone, I waited, but neither he nor his manager [Alessandro] Pellegrini made themselves heard."I took that into consideration and thought about a phrase my father said: 'In life you should never let yourself be surprised'.

"I don't reproach Sarri, as if anything I should've set the rules and objectives at the start of the season. But being great gentlemen is a characteristic in the behaviour of the De Laurentiis family."

 

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France 2 Australia 1: Historic Griezmann goal and Pogba secure slender win

Antoine Griezmann scored the first penalty given by VAR in World Cup history as France edged past Australia 2-1 in their Group C opener.France were a long way from their best at the Kazan Arena, with their heralded attacking trio of Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele failing to ignite against a dogged Australian outfit.

After a disjointed first half, the game sparked into life shortly after the interval as referee Andres Cunha awarded a penalty to France after consulting VAR and deciding that Josh Risdon had clipped Griezmann just inside the area.The Atletico Madrid striker's fierce spot-kick was cancelled out just four minutes later by another penalty, Aston Villa midfielder Mile Jedinak slotting home after Samuel Umtiti handled in the area.

Didier Deschamps' side looked to be heading for a disappointing start to their campaign, but Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba saw his deflected effort bounce off the crossbar and narrowly over the line 10 minutes from time to secure all three points.France will hope for a more fluid performance against Peru on Thursday, while Australia will look to get their campaign back on track when they face Denmark.


Les Bleus had started the game in ominous fashion, carving out three chances in the opening six minutes. First, Mbappe was denied from an acute angle by Mat Ryan before the Australia goalkeeper comfortably held a Pogba free-kick and Griezmann's half-volley from distance in quick succession.Australia weathered that early storm, though, and came agonisingly close to taking the lead after 17 minutes.

Aaron Mooy's teasing free-kick from the left was diverted towards his own goal by Corentin Tolisso, but a scrambling Hugo Lloris was able to turn it around the post.France's early verve was sorely lacking for the remainder of the half, with Australia able to keep their more illustrious opponents comfortably at arm's length before the interval.

The game finally burst into life 10 minutes into the second period with Griezmann's historic goal, which came at the end of a week in which his club future was the focus of intense speculation before he committed to Atletico.

Risdon had appeared to get away with his tackle on the marauding striker, but after a consultation with VAR the referee spotted an illegal clip on the Atletico striker's heel and awarded a spot-kick.Australia bounced back superbly from that setback, though, and were level just four minutes later.

Umtiti's bizarre decision to handle Mooy's free-kick allowed Jedinak to coolly stroke past Lloris for what looked like being a share of the spoils.Pogba had other ideas, though, sending a stabbed effort towards goal from the edge of the area which was cruelly diverted past Ryan by Aziz Behich to get the French off to a winning start.

 

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Man City offered hope in Jorginho chase with resolution coming 'soon'


Manchester City have been offered hope in their ongoing pursuit of Jorginho, with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis revealing that he expects a long-running saga to be “settled soon”.Goal revealed back in April that the Italy international midfielder had emerged as a top target for the Premier League champions.Efforts to get a deal over the line have been stepped up over recent weeks, with a €50 million (£44m/$58m) approach being knocked back.

Napoli have refused to lower their demands throughout lengthy negotiations, as they seek to retain the services of a prized asset, with it suggested that talks could drag on towards deadline day.

De Laurentiis has, however, hinted that an end is in sight, telling Corriere dello Sport: Jorginho? I spoke about him with Manchester City and now [sporting director] Giuntoli is in contact with them.“There is a good chance that everything is settled soon.” While the exit doors may be about to swing open for Jorginho, the same cannot be said for Marek Hamsik.

The long-serving Napoli captain had been expected to complete a move to China this summer, but no formal approach has been made as yet.De Laurentiis added: “Hamsik was at my house in Venglos and he told me I would be contacted by a Chinese club. No one contacted me.”

Napoli will be eager to see the transfer picture become a little clearer over the coming weeks, with new boss Carlo Ancelotti needing to know who will be at his disposal for 2018-19 before further recruitment plans are drawn up.

 

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Deschamps pats himself on the back after Pogba's match-winning performance


Didier Deschamps commended the display of France match-winner Paul Pogba against Australia, saying his display proves he knows how to use the Manchester United man.

Pogba came into the World Cup after a difficult season which has been mired by consistency problems at United, with Jose Mourinho even opting to drop him on more than one occasion.On top of that, Pogba was booed off the pitch when substituted in France's pre-World Cup friendly win over Italy.

One of the main issues with Pogba for both club and country is that his coaches have been accused of not knowing where his best position is.

In France's unconvincing 2-1 win over Australia in Kazan on Saturday, Pogba played as part of a midfield three and scored the winning goal, to the delight of Deschamps, who was quick to give himself a pat on the back."It means that I know how to use him, as he was very good," Deschamps told reporters at the Kazan Arena.

"I won't tell you what happened with Pogba. I was criticised because it was said I don't know how to use him."Pogba has very good potential, lots of ability and he played well. He found his register, had a lot of freedom and also had a defensive role to play.

"With three [in midfield] he is better off than with two, he feels more at ease."
But one area in which France were particularly ineffective was the final third, as Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele failed to convince, despite the Atletico Madrid star winning and scoring the penalty for the first French goal.

"It was a bit of everything," Deschamps said of their disappointing collective showing in attack."Sometimes the attacking players were not available, sometimes the ball not given to them. Even among themselves it was not flowing enough."In any team if you ask [what went wrong], the forwards will say the midfielders don't give them the ball and midfielders say attackers aren't moving enough.

"It's a whole, sometimes it's the forwards, sometimes the midfielders. They should coordinate themselves better. If they had our match would've been better."It's true they haven’t played much together, the strikers, but we should do better. And you may have explanations where valid last week and changed now."We have another opponent next time and I take all this into consideration. Just because it didn’t work this time it doesn't mean it won't next time."

 

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'I don't want to talk about the future' - Pogba dismisses Juventus return


Paul Pogba has dismissed reports linking him with a return to Juventus from Manchester United .Pogba scored a deflected winning goal in France's opening game of the 2018 World Cup against Australia, as Les Bleus were forced to grind out a 2-1 win.

The 25-year-old flattered to deceive at times for United throughout this season, sparkling only intermittently, and reports have suggested that Juve could attempt to buy him back, after selling him for a then world-record fee of £89 million (€101m/$118m) in 2016.

However, Pogba has brushed aside those suggestions, insisting he is solely focused on the World Cup."I am with the France squad, I don't want to speak about the future of the club and all this," he told reporters.

Having previously played for Juve, Pogba concedes that he does speak with Paolo Dybala, the club's mercurial striker, but he maintains it means little.

"Yes, I speak with Dybala, but whether I speak to Dybala or speak with (Samuel) Umtiti, who plays at Barcelona, it's not there I will go and play there!" France were aided by technology against Australia, with VAR awarding them a penalty, and goal-line tech ruling that Pogba's shot crossed the line.And the midfielder says he and his team-mates were always aware that Bert van Marwijk's team would provide a stern test, though he accepts that Les Bleus will have to improve if they want to go deep into the competition.

"We knew it would be hard as it's a World Cup game," he said."We stay positive and only think about the three points we've gathered. We have young and very talented players. Some have already featured in a World Cup, others not. So they need to learn.

"I think that after this game, the ones who didn't know have a pretty good idea of what it's about. It's a very high level. Pressing with pace. We expect a better game from the team next time around, but if we can win all the games by playing like this, we'll take it."

 

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Griezmann admits fortunate France 'must do better' after being bailed out by Pogba & VAR


Antoine Griezmann concedes that France “can and must do better” after battling their way to a fortunate 2-1 victory over Australia in their World Cup 2018 opener.Fancied by many to go all the way in Russia, Les Bleus rather stumbled out of the blocks in a victory which relied more on luck than the abundance of talent at Didier Deschamps’ disposal.

Griezmann was offered the opportunity to break the deadlock from the penalty spot shortly before the hour mark after a controversial VAR decision overruled the on-field call not to pull up Josh Risdon for a sliding challenge on the Atletico Madrid frontman.

Paul Pogba then netted a deflected winner 10 minutes from time, allowing Samuel Umtiti to breathe a sigh of relief after a moment of madness saw him inexplicably handle inside the box.

Griezmann concedes that France were far from their best and is looking for a marked improvement in upcoming Group C outings against Peru and Denmark, telling TF1: “The most important thing is the team. We still have a lot to work on. We can and we must do better.“Winning is all that matters in the end. We will be better for the second match. It will be complicated but we have to be ready.“It is necessary to continue working on the system, to find our rhythm and get used to the atmosphere and the pressure.”

Manchester United midfielder Pogba, who had faced plenty of criticism heading into an opening contest which ultimately saw him make a telling contribution, added: "It's a World Cup match. There are no easy games. Australia have done very well. It will be like that all the way through the World Cup.“It was very important to win the first game. It was difficult. We did not give up.“On my goal, I was helped a lot by the defender. To score with your ears, nose, or foot - as long as it goes in, it's all good.”

Even Pogba’s late effort required the use of technology to get France off the hook, with the ball having looped over Mat Ryan and off the underside of the bar before bouncing out from over the line.Some 18 minutes prior to that match-winning moment, Barcelona defender Umtiti had thrust his arm towards an Aaron Mooy free-kick delivered into the box which posed little threat to the French defence.

He concedes that he made what could have been a costly mistake, but is already looking to put the incident behind him.Umtiti told TF1: “As I turned around, I thought the ball had already gone.“I managed to re-focus right away, thanks to my team-mates. You have to think about winning, just winning. Errors like that happen, you have to accept them and move on quickly.”

 

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Argentina 1 Iceland 1: Finnbogason makes history as Messi fluffs his big chance

Hannes Thor Halldorsson was the hero for Iceland as the goalkeeper's penalty save from Lionel Messi secured his side a sensational 1-1 draw against Argentina.

With Diego Maradona watching on from the stands, Messi failed to convert from the spot in the second half of an eventful Group D opener at the Otkrytie Arena in Moscow.Sergio Aguero had fired the beaten finalists from four years ago ahead in the 19th minute, finally breaking his World Cup duck at the ninth attempt with a rising left-footed drive.




Yet debutants Iceland refused to melt on the main stage, Alfred Finnbogason capitalising on Willy Caballero's weak punch to score his country's maiden goal in the history of the tournament just four minutes later.Iceland were indebted to Halldorsson for picking up a point, though, as he kept out Messi's spot-kick shortly after the hour mark.Argentina will hope to inject some impetus into their campaign when they face Croatia in Nizhny on Thursday, while Iceland go up against Nigeria in Volgograd the following day.


After Cristiano Ronaldo's stunning display for Portugal against Spain in Sochi less than 24 hours earlier, all eyes were on rival Messi in the Russian capital.The Argentina captain was twice denied by Halldorsson from distance in the first half, but Aguero did find a way to beat the Iceland keeper.

The Manchester City forward seized on team-mate Marcos Rojo's wayward shot, controlling the off-target effort inside the penalty area before sending a fierce shot into the net.Argentina's opener arrived after a glaring miss at the other end, the late-arriving Birkir Bjarnason carelessly pushing a side-footed effort wide of the target when the ball had broken kindly into his path.

However, undeterred by the setback of conceding first,Heimir Hallgrimsson's side hit back. Finnbogason was on hand to score his country's maiden World Cup, knocking home a rebound after Caballero had parried a low cross straight to the Augsburg forward.With their lead disappearing in a hurry, Argentina set about trying to find a second goal against determined opponents happy to sit back and defend.

They were gifted the chance to go ahead again when Hordur Magnusson's clumsy push on Maximiliano Meza was spotted by referee Szymon Marciniak without the aid of technology.Yet Halldorsson guessed correctly, diving to his right to frustrate Messi, meaning the Barcelona star has now missed four of his last seven attempts from the spot for club and country.

The keeper also produced a late save to keep out an attempt from substitute Cristian Pavon as Iceland – who also drew 1-1 with eventual winners Portugal in their Euro 2016 opener – held on to clinch another famous result in their footballing history.

 

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Mourinho takes Pogba's goal off him but hails 'box-to-box' display rarely seen at Man Utd


Jose Mourinho believes Paul Pogba’s winner for France against Australia was actually an own goal, but concedes that the Manchester United put in a positive “box-to-box” performance.Those at Old Trafford have not been treated to too many displays from an £89 million asset that could fall into that category since he returned to England in 2016.

Pogba was, however, to make a telling contribution for his country in their opening fixture at World Cup 2018, with the 25-year-old edging them to a 2-1 win with an 80th-minute effort.

Mourinho feels a strike which cannoned down off the crossbar and required goal-line technology to confirm it was valid should have been credited to unfortunate Socceroos defender Aziz Behich.

The Red Devils boss is prepared to acknowledge, though, that a man he is still trying to get the best out of at club level impressed when given the freedom to get forward from midfield.Mourinho told Russia Today: "For me, it's not about the goal. I think it's an own goal, but it's the action. It's the determination of making it happen.

"The majority of French players were too comfortable or not wanting to risk too much, or not confident enough to make things happen. [Kylian] Mbappe didn't have a great game, nor Ousmane Dembele or Antoine Griezmann."The midfield were very positional, Paul didn't interfere a lot in the game, but then - this action is the action of a No 8.

"That's what people used to call the box-to-box midfielders. And in this case, that was the action of an attacking part of box-to-box."It's a pity it wasn't a clean shot to make it a brilliant goal, but it got them the three points."

While Pogba got France over the line against Australia, Les Bleus were also grateful to VAR interference in a narrow victory.Antoine Griezmann was awarded a penalty after the on-field officials had waved away his protests following a challenge by Josh Risdon.

The Atletico Madrid striker converted from the spot, with Pogba’s late intervention getting Samuel Umtiti off the hook after his inexplicable handball gifted Mile Jedinak the chance to restore parity from 12 yards.

 

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'I did my homework on Messi' - Iceland's Halldorsson revels in 'dream' penalty save


Hannes Thor Halldorsson's homework paid off as he saved a penalty from Lionel Messi to help Iceland clinch an unlikely point against Argentina.Goalkeeper Halldorsson dived to his right to turn away Messi's spot-kick as an eventful Group D opener at the 2018 World Cup finished in a 1-1 draw.

Sergio Aguero's left-footed drive put Argentina ahead in the first half, only for debutants Iceland to hit back four minutes later with a goal from Alfred Finnbogason, the country's first at a World Cup.

Messi had the chance to put the South American nation back in front after a foul on Maximiliano Meza, but Halldorsson's guessed correctly to deny the Barcelona forward.

"For me, as a goalkeeper, to play for Iceland at the first game of the World Cup and face the best player in the world with a penalty, it's a big moment," he told the media."It's a dream come true to save it, especially as it got us a point that I hope is going to prove important for us to reach our goal and qualify [for the knockout stages]."I did some homework. This was a situation I knew could come up.

"I looked at a lot of penalties from Messi, and I also looked at my behaviour in the last couple of penalties I've faced."I tried to get into the minds and what they'd be thinking about me - I had a good feeling he was going to go that way today."

Heimir Hallgrimsson's side struggled for possession but defended impressively to frustrate one of the leading contenders to lift the World Cup on Russian soil."Our gameplan worked really well," Halldorsson added. "We could feel it in the first half that the game was playing out as we wanted it to. They were playing the game in front of us, never having a lot of space.

"Our confidence grew minute by minute, because you never know what is going to happen in a game against Argentina. We felt that as time grew, we had them where we wanted them.

"They maybe grew a bit frustrated as they weren't getting through. We equalised so early too, which was important for the development of the game. I guess our plan worked perfectly."

 

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'Neymar is ready to shine for Brazil' - Tite sounds warning to World Cup rivals


Neymar is yet to reach 100 per cent in his recovery from a broken foot but is poised to star for Brazil at the World Cup, according to head coach Tite.

The 26-year-old forward, the world's most expensive player following his €222 million (£194m/$258m) switch from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain last year, sustained a fractured metatarsal in February, placing his World Cup participation in some doubt.The former Santos attacker made a scoring return to action in friendly wins over Croatia and Austria prior to Brazil's arrival in Russia, where they will take on Switzerland in their Group E opener in Rostov-on-Don on Sunday.

And while Neymar still has work to do to get back to his very best level, Tite believes he is still capable of exerting a decisive impact as Brazil go in search of a sixth World Cup triumph.

"Neymar is not 100 per cent yet," he told a news conference at Rostov Arena.
"But he is very privileged physically, his sprinting capacity and his speed is really impressive, he hasn't lost that. He's not 100 per cent yet. But he's good enough to play very well."

It remains to be seen who Tite chooses to play alongside Neymar in attack, with the coach refusing to confirm Chelsea's Willian will be part of the expected three-man frontline.

"Well, you're going to see this on the pitch, it changes, it gets stronger, it shows itself," he said of his preferred XI, as Gabriel Jesus, Douglas Costa and Roberto Firmino also vie to feature from kick-off.

"With 23 top athletes, today yes [Willian could start], but I can't say about tomorrow, I don't know what could happen, if you have a physical problem... I would like him to play a lot but he has to prove himself." After suffering a crushing 7-1 loss to Germany in the semi-finals of the previous World Cup on home soil, Brazil also underwhelmed in the Copa America, a group-stage exit in 2016 ending Dunga's second spell in charge.

The Selecao have flourished under Tite, though, and the focus of the 57-year-old, a Copa Sudamericana and Copa Libertadores winner with Internacional and Corinthians respectively, wants Brazil to sustain their excellence in the lead-up to the finals in Russia.
"It was a challenge, it still is, to keep the standards [up]," he said."We were challenging them [the players]. We want to have this expectation for ourselves. We want every game to reproduce this standard or even top it."At the emotional level, there's all this pressure. I feel like the world is looking at us… The [score at the] final whistle you can't always control. Football is like that."

 

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Peru 0 Denmark 1: Heartbreak for Cueva as Poulsen strikes

Yussuf Poulsen bounced back from conceding a first-half penalty to score the decisive goal in Demark's 1-0 victory over Peru in their World Cup Group C opener.The RB Leipzig forward was deemed to have tripped Christian Cueva in the box when referee Bakary Gassama consulted VAR, but the Peru midfielder skied his spot-kick and left the field in tears at the end of a tense opening period.

Denmark settled into the game after the interval and the talismanic Christian Eriksen provided Poulsen with a chance to turn his evening around in the 59th minute, and the 24-year-old made no mistake.Paolo Guerrero came on from the bench following a successful appeal to suspend his 14-month drug ban cleared him to feature, but he could not turn the game in Peru's favour.

Kasper Schmeichel denied Jefferson Farfan brilliantly with six minutes to go as Ricardo Gareca's men gave a good account of themselves in their first World Cup match for 36 years, entertaining the hordes of South American fans who packed the Mordovia Arena.France await Peru next, while Denmark will go into their game against Australia in confident mood after collecting three points.


Orlando City's Yoshimar Yotun lashed the ball into Schmeichel's midriff from 25 yards as Peru made a positive, energetic start to the game and Edison Flores lifted a powerful shot over the crossbar from just outside the box.Andre Carrillo surged towards the Denmark box in the 13th minute and cut inside to curl a low drive towards the bottom-left corner, only for Schmeichel to pull off a diving save.

Denmark began to dominate possession but it was not until the 27th minute that they attempted a shot on goal, Thomas Delaney launching the ball over.Peru promptly countered when Carrillo's weighted pass put Farfan through on goal and Simon Kjaer had to rush across to dispossess the striker.

Denmark midfielder William Kvist was taken off on a stretcher after a sustaining a blow to the ribs in a challenge with Farfan, and disaster almost struck for Age Hareide's men when Cueva was brought down in the penalty area by Poulsen.The referee pointed to the spot upon reviewing video footage and Cueva blazed over, much to the dismay of Peru's sizable travelling support.

Denmark looked more assured after the restart and pushed forward in search of a breakthrough. It arrived just before the hour mark when Eriksen ran through the middle and fed Poulsen, who slotted the ball low to the left of Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese.Peru piled forward and Flores drew a fine, one-handed save from Schmeichel, before the winger was replaced by Peru's all-time leading goal-scorer Guerrero in the 62nd minute.

The veteran forward quickly tested Schmeichel, heading directly at the keeper from close range before trying an audacious backheel from the edge of the six-yard box that trickled past the post.Schmeichel then made a brilliant stop with his feet from a late Farfan thunderbolt as Denmark clung on for a hard-fought victory.