..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Nainggolan: I no longer felt important at Roma


Radja Nainggolan is ready for a "new adventure" at Inter after revealing he no longer felt important at Roma.

Inter shelled out an initial €38 million (£33.5m/$44m) to sign Nainggolan on a four-year contract on Tuesday, though with Davide Santon and Nicolo Zaniolo going the other way their net spend stands at €24m.

The 30-year-old will reunite with Luciano Spalletti, who he spent 18 months playing under at Stadio Olimpico, as Inter look to improve on a fourth-place finish in Serie A in 2017-18, while also preparing to take part in the Champions League for the first time since 2011-12.

Nainggolan, who retired from international duty for the second time in less than a year after being overlooked for Belgium's World Cup squad, claimed he was motivated to move to the Nerazzurri after feeling a loss of faith in the capital.

"The most important thing for me is sensing people believe in me. I got a call from the sporting director [Piero Ausilio], the coach [Spalletti] and [vice-president Javier] Zanetti too," he told Inter TV."They made me feel important, something I perhaps no longer felt at Roma, so it was an easy choice. Of course, I won't forget the past, but I'm happy to start a new adventure. I'm really up for it.

"I think I had my best season under Spalletti and I hope to do just as well here. I'm here for the coach and happy to be working with him again. "I hope we can do well both in Serie A and the Champions League because Inter have a proud history. Hopefully we'll get back to those heights again now."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Fellaini sets date for announcement on future


Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini will reveal a decision over his future on Sunday, saying there is "no need to wait until the end of the World Cup".

The Belgium international will become a free agent on July 1 if it transpires that he has not signed a new contract at Old Trafford, and a move away from the club would bring his five-year stay in Manchester to an end.

Fellaini has been a divisive figure among United supporters since being signed by David Moyes in September 2013, making just 16 Premier League appearances in his first season at the club.

He enjoyed a brief renaissance under Jose Mourinho, playing 28 times in the top flight in 2016-17, but his opportunities were limited again the following season after Paul Pogba's arrival.

AC Milan sporting director Massimiliano Mirabelli said Fellaini could be a target for the Italian giants and the player did little to cool speculation over his next destination when speaking in Russia ahead of Belgium's Group G match against England on Thursday.

Fellaini told reporters: "I want to be free in my head and that is why soon I will announce where I will play next season." When asked whether he would make the announcement on July 1, the 30-year-old replied: "Yes. There is no need to wait until the end of the World Cup."

Looking ahead to his country's final World Cup group game against the Three Lions, Fellaini suggested that his knowledge of the English game could give Belgium an advantage.Fellaini was an unused substitute in Belgium's 3-0 victory over Panama, before featuring in the second half of the Red Devils' 5-2 win over Tunisia.

"If we want to go far in this World Cup we will need every player," he said. "Everybody is ready to play, everybody wants to play. "I know the Premier League very well and many England players also. I am proud that more Belgium players followed in Vincent Kompany's and my footsteps and are doing great now in England.

"It will be an interesting game against England but it will be a strange one also because both teams are qualified."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sampaoli: Argentina suffer if Messi doesn't feel 'secure'


Argentina head coach Jorge Sampaoli believes making captain Lionel Messi "feel secure" is key to his side's chances at the World Cup.Messi scored the opening goal as a late Marcos Rojo volley earned Argentina a decisive 2-1 win over Nigeria in St Petersburg on Tuesday to set up a last-16 clash with Group C winners France.

Sampaoli used his third different tactical setup of Russia 2018 in a bid to get the best out of Messi, who drew blanks in a 1-1 draw with Iceland and a 3-0 loss to Croatia, missing a penalty in the former match.

And the Argentina coach, who has been strongly criticised by former players including Diego Maradona, makes no excuses for building his team's attacking threat around Barcelona superstar Messi."When Leo came and hugged me it made me very proud and happy, because he knows I am passionate every single day," Sampaoli said.

"I have had the opportunity to travel with him and share moments with him. He knows me well, and knows we have this dream to come to Russia and do something important for Argentina."His position in the team - playing three midfielders and Leo on the right trying to create more passes on the inside to get to the goal on the outside.

"I was pleased with Ever [Banega], Enzo [Perez], Javi [Mascherano] and Leo, they have stopped our opponents creating any transitions."A coach who has to train Leo knows everybody surrounding him needs to make him feel secure, and if we are able to create passes to Leo we can create chances. Otherwise we suffer.

"We have the best player in the world and the other players need to benefit from that. That's why I said the match against Croatia was our problem, not his problem."

Argentina survived a scare to progress, a penalty appeal for an apparent handball by Rojo rejected after the referee checked the VAR , the defender going on to score the winner with four minutes to go. But Sampaoli said his side deserved to go through to the next round, where they will be tested by France.

"We had planned and I think the first half went well. We were better than Nigeria," Sampaoli added. "We were also able to move forward and have many touches in the midfield."After the penalty we got nervous and were worried about not going through, but we were very happy at the end.

"As I have said before, my players play with heart, they are true rebels. They had a very difficult thing to do, and this is now a good opportunity for the future."The first half today was great. Now we need consistency in the future. We’ve managed to do so and have been able to go through. Every match is a final. We need to be cohesive to win against France."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Higuain: Rojo winner brought 'joy and a big relief' for Argentina


Marcos Rojo's late World Cup heroics in St Petersburg against Nigeria prompted huge joy and relief for Gonzalo Higuain and his Argentina team-mates.

Jorge Sampaoli's men were staring at elimination four minutes from time at Krestovsky Stadium when Manchester United defender Rojo emerged in a penalty area stacked with attacking talent to steer home a superb right-footed volley.

Captain Lionel Messi gave Argentina a 14th-minute lead, stylishly breaking his duck at Russia 2018 on the end of Ever Banega's exquisite pass, but Victor Moses equalised from the penalty spot early in the second half to set up the frantic finale.

The extensive fallout from last week's humbling 3-0 loss to Croatia included reports of dressing room in-fighting and a plot to overthrow Sampaoli.

In that context, Higuain, who failed to put a glorious chance of his own on target, felt the taste of victory was particularly sweet."When Marcos scored it was a huge joy and a big relief because I believe we deserved, in every moment, to qualify to the last 16," he said."The dressing room was very happy. After all, we fought, we ran and all we played against a very physical team like Nigeria. We are proud of the game we played.

"Now we know we'll start the knockout stages and we'll try to do it the best way possible. It wasn't a heavy burden, it's a huge joy. This team deserved this after all that was said."

Rojo might have ended up being the villain before his decisive strike, when he headed a clearance against his own arm but survived a VAR review for Nigeria's penalty claim .

"I didn't think it was penalty," Higuain said. "Marcos hits it with the head and then it touches his hand."Pipping Nigeria to second place in Group D means a last-16 clash against France – the country of Higuain's berth – is up next.

"They will be a very tough rival and we must stay focused," he added. "I think if we play like today we have a chance to get through."I never faced France, it will be the first time, and at a decisive stage in a knockout stage. We hope we can do things right."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Amazing' Messi 'suffers and enjoys' playing for Argentina, says Sampaoli


Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli praised the "amazing" Lionel Messi, saying the star had shown he enjoyed playing for his nation.Messi finally got on the scoresheet at the 2018 World Cup, opening the scoring as Argentina reached the last 16 with a thrilling 2-1 win over Nigeria on Tuesday.

While Messi's classy opener was cancelled out by a Victor Moses penalty, Marcos Rojo scored an 86th-minute winner to see Sampaoli's side finish second in Group D.

Amid huge pressure on Messi with Argentina struggling in Russia, Sampaoli dismissed any suggestions the 31-year-old did not enjoy representing his country.

"Every time Messi plays he shows he is fantastic, above everybody else, but he needs the support from his team-mates. Only then will he be able to play at his best," he told a news conference.

"The most important thing for Leo is his human side. It is amazing. He is a person who cries, who suffers and who is happy when Argentina win.

"So for me, it is important to share those feelings. I have seen him happy and sad.
"Many people say Leo does not enjoy playing for Argentina, but he suffers and enjoys like any other player, and that makes him even bigger."Argentina face France in a blockbuster clash in the last 16 in Kazan on Saturday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mikel: I thought I had Messi at the fourth time of asking on World Cup stage


John Obi Mikel was convinced Lionel Messi finally had nowhere to go before Argentina dumped Nigeria out of the 2018 World Cup with a dramatic 2-1 win in St Petersburg.

Marcos Rojo was the unlikely hero as Jorge Sampaoli's embattled side sealed second place in Group D at Nigeria's expense four minutes from time after Victor Moses had equalised from the penalty spot.

Much of the focus was on Messi, who brilliantly opened the scoring as Argentina dominated early on before the flaws apparent throughout a stumbling campaign again came to the fore.

Mikel and Messi first locked horns in 2005, when a pair of penalties from the Barcelona star gave Argentina a 2-1 win over Nigeria in the Under-20 World Cup final.

Senior World Cup wins at the group stage in 2010 and 2014 followed – with Mikel playing in the latter game where Messi hit a brace."I'm sad because I think it was the moment I came so close to getting one," Mikel told reporters at Krestovsky Stadium.

"It's not a competition between me and him. I just felt that this time we almost came through and it would have been amazing for us to go through."Once again, luck was on his side and he managed to come through again."

Despite their struggles in the tournament so far, Mikel believes Argentina can launch a convincing bid for the title that has eluded Messi. France are up next in a mouth-watering last-16 tie."They have a great team," he said. "I think they are going to do well. I think now they've gone to the next round they will be more relaxed, they will play better football.

"I think they are a great side but we managed to keep them quiet, we managed to do our job and I am so happy and so proud of the boys. We have to keep going."

Goalscorer Moses is not as convinced as his captain over Argentina's merits.
"They're a good team but it's not like they beat us 4-0 or 5-0," said the Chelsea wing-back.

"They'll find it hard. Whichever teams they play next are going to be strong so we'll see what happens."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Griezmann 'used to being whistled' after failing to provide France spark


Antoine Griezmann said France were not concerned by the jeers and whistles that rung out around Luzhniki Stadium after their uneventful goalless draw against Denmark.

Having already secured their passage into the last 16 of the World Cup, Didier Deschamps rested the likes of Hugo Lloris, Paul Pogba and Kylian Mbappe and used the game to give unused members of his squad a taste of tournament football.

With Peru beating Australia in Group C's other fixture, a stalemate was good enough to take Denmark through but the crowd in Moscow did not take kindly to the 2018 World Cup's first 0-0 draw.

Griezmann was asked about the whistles from the crowd after the game and he told reporters: "We're used to that. If you don't score, you're getting whistled. If you don't play well, you're getting whistled."It's up to us to keep our heads cool and to play our games."

Having topped their group, France will face the second-placed team in Group D on Saturday, with Griezmann promising to produce much more in the knockout rounds. "The preparation was a bit tough," he said. "But I'll keep improving and raising my level of play."I have faith in my play."

France midfielder N'Golo Kante said the whole team could improve their performance in the knockout phase as Deschamps' men aim to better their showing at the 2014 World Cup, when they reached the quarter-finals.

"We've witnessed lots of surprises during this World Cup," said Kante, who was asked whether games would be more open once the group stage is over."I guess it depends on who we will play," he replied. "I do think we can play better. We will have to be ready."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lukaku likened to Ronaldo as Rashford hails Man Utd & Belgium ‘beast’


Marcus Rashford sees similarities between Manchester United team-mate Romelu Lukaku and former Old Trafford favourite Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Red Devils snapped up the Belgium international for £75 million ($99m) in the summer of 2017 and saw him offer a 27-goal return in his debut campaign.He is now replicating that form on a World Cup stage, with the target found four times in two outings to date.

An untimely ankle issue has cast his involvement in a meeting with England on Thursday into doubt, and Rashford will be among those pleased to see the 25-year-old miss out if he does not recover in time.

The United forward has seen his club colleague up close in 2017-18 and believes his talent and work ethic is comparable to that of Real Madrid icon Ronaldo.Rashford told Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel: "He's a beast. "He's a massive threat, he'll be tough to deal with [at the World Cup]."

Asked about Lukaku’s Premier League form, Rashford added: "It doesn't surprise me. When you see his work ethic, it's his determination to improve. It's like what we were talking about with [Cristiano] Ronaldo and wanting to better yourself."There's been times when we've stayed behind and practiced finishing. Genuinely we could stay there all day and just try to better ourselves and improve. That's a quality in itself."

Rashford has also been impressed by Lukaku’s desire to help United be the best they can be, with the club’s leading marksman prepared to do a job for the team when required.
Quizzed on his attitude in training, the Red Devils and England star said: "Everyone is chilled but everybody wants to win, especially when things aren't going our way. There's no time to be joking around. He's a serious guy as you can see."Rashford will be hoping to figure against Belgium on Thursday as England bring their Group G campaign to a close.

He has been restricted to just one appearance off the bench so far, but Gareth Southgate has vowed to make changes to his side after booking a last-16 berth with one game to spare.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Iceland 1 Vs 2 Croatia

Group D Match in Pictures

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[Wolverine GTR]

Nigeria 1 Vs 2 Argentina

Group D Match in Pictures

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[Wolverine GTR]

Denmark v France - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

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[Wolverine GTR]

Nigeria v Argentina - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

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[Wolverine GTR]

FIFA World Cup 2018 Group Stage Fixtures 2018.06.27

FIFA World Cup 2018 Group Stage Fixtures 2018.06.27

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Group F
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Korea Republic Vs Germany

Mexico Vs Sweden

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Group E
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Serbia Vs Brazil

Switzerland Vs Costa Rica

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[EnIgma001]

blanna match 1kath thama na
meka poddak blapan maru
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[Alucard_SxE]

germany playing like shit again.
So poor in the box. Not clinical enough

 

[Alucard_SxE]

Sad but Germany deserve to go out. No creativity or intensity at all. Specially in the final 3rd.
It's better to go out like his & rebuild the team tbh.
Need a good striker & maybe better wingers imo.

Can;t wait for brazil to get knocked out

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mexico 0 Sweden 3: Duo advance as world champions Germany bow out

Sweden secured a place in the last 16 of the World Cup by thumping Mexico 3-0 in a pulsating encounter in Ekaterinburg, while defending champions Germany were eliminated.Janne Andersson's side reaped the rewards of a relentless attacking display to secure top spot in Group F, with Mexico following them through as runners-up after Germany's shock 2-0 defeat to South Korea.

There were no lingering effects of the embittering late 2-1 loss suffered to Germany last time out as Sweden went for the jugular from the off, though they were denied a penalty for a blatant handball by Javier Hernandez despite referee Nestor Pitana reviewing video footage.

The impressive Guillermo Ochoa kept Emil Forsberg and Marcus Berg out in the opening period, but Ludwig Augustinsson volleyed a deserved opener through the Mexico goalkeeper in the 50th minute.Andreas Granqvist rifled home 12 minutes later, when Pitana pointed to the spot for Hector Moreno's challenge on Berg, the Mexico defender's booking ruling him out of the last 16.

Edson Alvarez inadvertently sent the ball into his own net as Sweden moved out of sight, but the silver lining for Mexico was that they advanced because of Germany's failure against South Korea - leaving the world champions bottom of the group.


Jesus Gallardo was shown the quickest yellow card in World Cup history for a late challenge on Ola Toivonen after just 15 seconds, but the Mexico left-back cleared the resultant free-kick after Berg's knockdown fell just out of Granqvist's reach.

Sweden continued to pile on early pressure and, in the fifth minute, Ochoa reacted well to ensure Forsberg did not fire home a free-kick the goalkeeper conceded for handling outside the area – Granqvist complaining no card was issued.

Berg could not contort his body sufficiently to steer a header from Granqvist home, before Forsberg blazed two chances over in the space of three minutes.
Hernandez was fortunate not to concede a 29th-minute penalty for handball, referee Pitana signalling for play to continue with a corner after a trip to the monitor on the sidelines.

Sebastian Larsson had to be dragged away from berating the officials for the ensuing set-piece, from which Sweden went close when Berg had a stabbed attempt from Mikael Lustig's hooked ball tipped over by a leaping Ochoa.Carlos Vela shot high and wide in a rare foray forward by Mexico, having sent his first attempt earlier in the match narrowly off target, while Berg drilled into the side-netting at the end of a stoppage-time counter-attack.

Sweden got the breakthrough their efforts deserved five minutes into the second period, Augustinsson volleying past Ochoa when Viktor Claesson's mishit sat up perfectly for him.After granting Mexico a reprieve in the first half, Pitana pointed to the spot when Moreno slid in on Berg and Granqvist drilled into the top-left corner.

Sweden moved out of sight in the 74th minute when substitute Isaac Thelin flicked on a long throw-in and a muddled Alvarez sent the ball into his own net with his arm. Vela could not steer a drive from Hernandez home from inside the six-yard box in the 82nd minute, but their journey reaches the last 16 for a seventh straight World Cup, despite a performance that was the antithesis of their opening 1-0 victory over Germany.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

South Korea 2 Germany 0: Defending champions crash out after Kazan collapse

Holders Germany sensationally crashed out of the first round of the World Cup for the first time since 1938 after losing 2-0 to South Korea, with VAR used to award two injury-time goals.

Joachim Low's side went into the game needing to match or better Sweden's result against Mexico, but they failed to break down Korea's dogged resistance and were undone at the last as Kim Young-gwon and Son Heung-min netted, while the Scandinavians romped to a 3-0 victory.

If World Cup-winning head coach Low thought his problems were behind him after a superb second half in Germany's 2-1 win over Sweden in their second Group F game, he was wrong, and the inclusion of Mesut Ozil in the front four did little to inspire his turgid team.


Korea, with nothing to play for but pride, gave everything they had in hot conditions in Kazan and got their reward in stoppage time when Kim struck from close range and had an offside decision overturned by VAR before Son raced clear of the German defence and rolled the ball into an empty net.

Whether Germany's failure spells the end of Low's glorious era in charge of the national team remains to be seen, but he will certainly face questions as to why his side were so desperately lacking in cohesion in Russia and urgency when the stakes were so high.


Thomas Muller was absent from Germany's starting line-up for the first time in a World Cup game since their semi-final defeat to Spain in 2010, with Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka taking his place alongside Ozil.Korea matched Germany's physicality as strong challenges punctuated the first 10 minutes and they almost took the lead when Manuel Neuer spilled Jung Woo-young's swerving 25-yard free-kick, but the Bayern Munich goalkeeper managed to punch the ball out for a corner before anyone could pounce on the rebound.

Despite goal difference being potentially decisive for Germany, the early chances continued to fall to Korea and Son screwed a shot wide from the edge of the penalty area before Marco Reus rattled one towards goal at the other end only to see it blocked.

Timo Werner looped a shot over the crossbar via a deflection off Kim and the ensuing corner presented a chance to Mats Hummels, but he could not get his shot away as Korea threw bodies behind the ball.

Just as they did against Sweden, Germany emerged for the second half looking fired up and Goretzka drew a brilliant one-handed save from Cho Hyun-woo with a free header from the middle of the penalty area, the Korean goalkeeper diving to his right and pushing the ball away at full stretch.

Werner flashed a superbly executed volley narrowly wide moments later as news that Sweden were ahead reached the stadium, and Germany piled forward in search of a goal they urgently required.

Toni Kroos had a shot blocked from great position inside the box, but Korea continued to be effective on the counter-attack and one sweeping move culminated in Son lifting a shot over the crossbar from 20 yards.Substitute Mario Gomez headed straight at Cho with a free header after 67 minutes as Germany's play became increasingly anxious, and, after their last clear chance was headed over at point blank range by Mats Hummels, they fell apart.

Two minutes into second-half stoppage time, Son's corner reached Kim at the far post and the offside decision that followed the defender burying the ball in the net was overruled by a VAR decision.

Low's side briefly rallied for an equaliser, but their legs were gone and when substitute Ju Se-jong hit a long ball forward to Son, the Tottenham man was able to run in behind Neuer and rub salt in Germany's wounds with the easiest of finishes.

 

[Mal Baba]

Nigeria v Argentina - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

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[Alucard_SxE]

Serbia playing so fucking good