Hat-trick hero Dembele displays Ballon d'Or brilliance for France at World Cup

Ousmane Dembele produced his best ever World Cup performance with a stunning first-half hat-trick in France's 4-1 win over Norway

By Afp 14 hrs ago

Gueye double keeps Senegal's World Cup hopes alive

Senegal became the first African side to score five goals in a World Cup match, a stunning double by Pape Gueye inspiring them to a 5-0 win over 10-man Iraq in their final Group I match.

By Afp 13 hrs ago

Cape Verde extend World Cup fairytale to set up Argentina meeting

World Cup debutants Cape Verde will face reigning champions Argentina in the knockout rounds after drawing 0-0 with Saudi Arabia on Friday to extend their fairytale journey.

By Afp 12 hrs ago

Uruguay crash out of World Cup as Spain avoid Argentina clash

Uruguay bowed out of the World Cup as goalkeeper Fernando Muslera's howler gifted Spain a 1-0 win in Guadalajara to secure top spot in Group H.

By Afp 12 hrs ago

US, Iran trade strikes putting new strain on Middle East truce

The trading of fire raised questions about efforts to keep the crucial waterway open while Washington and Tehran negotiate a final settlement to a war that began on February 28.

By Afp 5 hrs ago

Iran says US violated peace deal as both sides trade fire

"These brutal attacks, which targeted Iranian coastal surveillance facilities, are a blatant violation" of the memorandum of understanding to end the war, the Iranian foreign ministry said.

By Afp 4 hrs ago

England, Portugal eye top spots as World Cup group stages wrap up

England and Portugal will aim to finish on a high as the World Cup group stages draw to a close on Saturday with the final places in the knockout rounds up for grabs.

By Afp 3 hrs ago

Ivory Coast see 'no limits' after reaching World Cup knockouts for first time

Ivory Coast forward Nicolas Pepe believes the Elephants can keep on going at the World Cup after beating Curacao 2-0 on to reach the knockout rounds for the first time in their history.

By Afp 1 day ago

Germany committed 'tactical suicide' vs Ecuador, says Nagelsmann

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann said his side, who had already qualified for the last 32 of the World Cup, had committed "tactical suicide" after Ecuador came from behind to win 2-1

By Afp 1 day ago

Australia draw with Paraguay to clinch World Cup last 32 place

Australia qualified for the World Cup knockout rounds on Thursday after battling to a 0-0 draw with Paraguay in Santa Clara to claim second place in Group D.

By Afp 1 day ago

Tunisia coach Renard has 'no regrets' despite World Cup flop

Herve Renard says he has no regrets about taking on the job as Tunisia's emergency coach at the World Cup despite the North African nation's catastrophic campaign.

By Afp 1 day ago

Kinshasa takes Rwanda to ICJ, alleging abuses in DR Congo

DR Congo files case against Rwanda at International Court of Justice, accusing them of atrocities in eastern DRC since 1996.

By Afp 20 hrs ago

Japan to play Brazil in World Cup knockouts after nervy Sweden draw

Japan will face Brazil in a World Cup last-32 clash after drawing 1-1 with Sweden on Thursday to finish runners-up behind the Netherlands in Group F.

By Afp 1 day ago

Dutch march into World Cup knockouts as group winners

The Netherlands overcame sorry Tunisia 3-1 on Thursday to top World Cup Group F, avoiding a tricky encounter with Brazil in the last 32.

By Afp 1 day ago

Turkey exit World Cup with heads held high, beat USA with last-gasp winner

Turkey beat a heavily changed United States 3-2 with a late Kaan Ayhan winner in an action-packed dead-rubber clash that gave the World Cup co-hosts their sternest test so far

By Afp 1 day ago

Historic World Cup goal brings rare joy to DR Congo Ebola epicentre

The Democratic Republic of Congo's first ever World Cup point gave their compatriots in Bunia, the epicentre of the Ebola outbreak, a rare chance to celebrate.

By Afp 1 day ago

US judge says lawsuit against Trump compensation fund can proceed

A US judge has said a lawsuit filed against $1.8 billion compensation fund for President Trump's political allies can go ahead after administration officials declined to certify the plan.

By Afp 1 day ago

Mexico ease to perfect World Cup record in Group A

Co-hosts Mexico cemented top place in World Cup Group A with a perfect record as they defeated the Czech Republic 3-0 in the Estadio Azteca on Wednesday.

By Afp 2 days ago

Morocco have 'ingredients' of World Cup winners, says coach Ouahbi

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said his players have to believe they can become the first African winners of the World Cup after storming into the last 32 unbeaten.

By Afp 2 days ago

South Africa stun South Korea to make World Cup history

South Africa beat South Korea 1-0 on Wednesday to reach the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in their history -- an astonishing turnaround after a dismal opening defeat.

By Afp 2 days ago

Ancelotti hails Vinicius as Brazil march on at World Cup

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti hailed Vinicius Junior as "one of the best players in the world" after the forward continued his excellent World Cup form with a brace in 3-0 win v Scotland.

By Afp 2 days ago

Colombia beat DR Congo 1-0 to reach World Cup knockouts

Colombia finally broke down a stubborn DR Congo side on Tuesday to secure a 1-0 win that guaranteed their place in the World Cup knockout rounds.

By Afp 3 days ago

Niger hands in formal request to quit ICC

Junta-ruled Niger has officially submitted its request to withdraw from the ICC, the Hague-based tribunal said on Tuesday, nine months after announcing the move alongside allies Mali and Burkina Faso.

By Afp 3 days ago

Messi is in a league of his own

Lionel Messi became the World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer on Monday night to fire Argentina into the last 32 as France overcame weather chaos before advancing to the knockout rounds.

By Afp 3 days ago

England left frustrated by Ghana in World Cup draw

England suffered a World Cup setback as Thomas Tuchel's side were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Ghana, leaving them with work still do as they bid to progress to the knockouts

By Afp 3 days ago

Ghosts of Gijon linger as new World Cup format encourages collusion

Algeria have waited 44 years for a shot at revenge against Austria, but the clash is one of many in the final round of group games where sides could settle for a mutually beneficial outcome.

By Afp 3 days ago

Panama out of World Cup after defeat to Croatia

Panama were eliminated from World Cup contention after Croatia kept their hopes of progressing to the last 32 alive with a hard-fought 1-0 win on Tuesday.

By Afp 3 days ago

Brazil aim for last 32 as World Cup goes into hectic phase

Brazil will seek to book their place in the last 32 of the World Cup tonight when they face Scotland as the tournament shifts to a breathless six games a day.

By Afp 3 days ago

Tuchel insists England remain on course at World Cup despite Ghana draw

England coach Thomas Tuchel admits his team lacked a cutting edge in a frustrating 0-0 draw with Ghana on but insisted there were plenty of positive signs going forward

By Afp 3 days ago

Red or green? For Brazil, the politics of World Cup kits matter

When Brazil faces Scotland in the World Cup tonight, the South American team's goalkeeper Alisson will be dressed in a green kit, not the red one originally approved by FIFA.

By Afp 3 days ago

Algeria beat Jordan 2-1 in World Cup group game

Algeria came behind to beat Jordan 2-1 in a World Cup Group J game on Monday, eliminating the Asian debutants from the tournament.

By Afp 4 days ago

Mbappe scores twice as France beat Iraq at World Cup after two-hour storm delay

Kylian Mbappe marked his 100th cap by scoring two more World Cup goals on Monday as France eased to a 3-0 win over Iraq in a game delayed by two hours by a severe storm.

By Afp 4 days ago

Two-goal Haaland fires Norway into World Cup last 32

Erling Haaland scored his second World Cup brace in a row as Norway beat Senegal 3-2 on Monday to punch their ticket to the last 32.

By Afp 4 days ago

North Korea's Kim vows to accelerate military buildup

Kim Jong Un vowed to beef up North Korea's defence capabilities, citing military modernisation efforts by South Korea and the United States pushing the region "to the brink of a nuclear war."

By Afp 4 days ago

DR Congo president sets stage to stay in power

DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi is preparing to pass a law which could open the door to a third term in office by amending the constitution but he may face protests in the street.

By Afp 4 days ago

EU bets on digital euro to cut US tech addiction

The EU believes a digital euro is the answer to cutting its addiction to US payment systems like Visa and Mastercard as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay.

By Afp 4 days ago

Diaspora World Cup champions diversity over division

When Sweden's Yasin Ayari scored seven minutes into his World Cup debut he raised his arms in apology rather than celebration out of respect for Tunisia, where his father is from.

By Afp 4 days ago

Kenya police violence victims say compensation promise a 'smokescreen'

Two years ago, Gen-Z protests marked a new era for Kenyan politics, but led to dozens of deaths, and devastated families are unimpressed with government promises of compensation.

By Afp 4 days ago

Ronaldo scores at sixth World Cup as Portugal run riot

Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in six World Cup campaigns and silenced his critics as the Portugal captain struck twice in a 5-0 annihilation of Uzbekistan on Tuesday.

By Afp 3 days ago

Hezbollah chief demands full timetabled Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon

"We now have a ceasefire. The withdrawal must take place according to a timetable. Israel has no choice but to fully withdraw from all Lebanese territory, without retaining an inch."

By Afp 3 days ago