You can’t ask for a better start to a World Cup as far as the first couple of days of Russia 2018 is concerned.

You can’t ask for a better start to a World Cup as far as the first couple of days of Russia 2018 is concerned. The hosts got off to a dream start with a 5-0 thrashing of Saudi Arabia at the Luzhniki Stadium on the opening day.

Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli, revealing his starting line-up a day early, is going for safety-first experience in pairing Javier Mascherano and Lucas Biglia in midfield to contain Iceland in Saturday's World Cup Group D opener.

Spanish defender Gerard Pique was left unimpressed by what he felt was Cristiano Ronaldo ‘exaggerating’ contact to earn fouls after last night’s thrilling World Cup match against Portugal.

Spain's strong show of unity after the sacking of coach Julen Lopetegui was almost enough to secure victory in their World Cup opener against Portugal on Friday, but Cristiano Ronaldo's late goal took some gloss off a superb performance.

After Russia's annihilation of Saudi Arabia in Moscow on the opening day of the World Cup, the tournament well and truly hit top gear on the second day when a sublime hattrick from Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo ensured a 3-3 draw against Spain in a thrilling encounter.

Portugal's irrepressible captain Cristiano Ronaldo scored a stunning late free kick to complete a World Cup hat-trick and rescue a dramatic 3-3 draw in an enthralling Group B match against neighbours Spain on Friday.

An own goal hands Iran a 1-0 win against Morocco in the World Cup Group B encounter at the Saint Petersburg Stadium yesterday.

Despite a heart-wrenching last-gasp loss to Uruguay in their first World Cup appearance in 28 years, Egyptians are optimistic about their chances after nearly forcing a draw without talismanic forward Mohamed Salah.

This is probably the last chance our eyes will have to feast upon the beauty that is Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta at the most prestigious of international tournaments – the FIFA World Cup. He has often been compared to a ballerina skating on ice. He zooms past defenders like they were not even there and his control on the ball is magnetic. There is grit and steel in his character that is often overlooked due to his calm demeanour.

Close. So close. But in the end Uruguay did manage to break the deadlock. Egypt goalkeeper El-Shenawy thought in the absence of star man Mohamed Salah, he would take his country through the key Group A encounter safely.

Uruguay defender Diego Godin believes that star striker Luis Suarez was treated unfairly following his tussle with Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Egypt named a starting lineup without striker Mohamed Salah for their World Cup opener against Uruguay on Friday, a day after coach Hector Cuper had said he was nearly 100 percent certain to play.

If Salah does not play a part in this game, Egypt will be considerable less threatening and that can only mean that Uruguay will have the opportunity to establish authority over Hector Cooper's team. Lets take a look at the expected starting lineups and how the teams usually play ahead of the key Group A clash.

Former Argentine footballer Diego Maradona says he does not like the decision that Mexico, Canada and the United States will host the 2026 World Cup, decrying the lack of passion in the countries.

Less than three years before striking a brace in the World Cup opener, Russian forward Denis Cheryshev saw an ill-fated end to a budding Real Madrid career.

Apart from the large home contingent, other spectators from Mexico, Brazil and Argentina tapped into the air of celebration and festivity as they waved their respective flags and sang their own songs whenever Russia found the back of Saudi Arabia net. Football’s unifying spirit was alive and roaring at the Luzhniki.

It will not be easy after running out 5-0 winners in the World Cup opener after years of doubts and setbacks, but Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov wants his Russia side to forget Thursday's win over Saudi Arabia.

The festive Gazprom Football for Friendship Children's Championship, which saw budding footballers under the age of 12 from 211 countries participate, came to an end as the FIFA World Cup got underway through the opening match between hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia at the Luzhniki Stadium yesterday.

The French will embark on their World Cup campaign with a tough encounter against a resolute Australian side. Although the Aussies