A World Cup draw with Ecuador was not a result the Netherlands was looking for, with the 1-1 outcome meaning Louis van Gaal’s team failed to nail down a last-16 place with a game to spare.

Before flying to Qatar, Australia’s Mitchell Duke had promised to dedicate a goal at the World Cup to his son, and the striker duly delivered when he scored the winner in a 1-0 victory over Tunisia in their second Group D match on Saturday.

This World Cup was promised to be the ‘best-ever’ by FIFA boss Gianni Infantino and that sentiment was echoed by different quarters, with the chief reason behind the assumption being all the innovation that this edition of the showpiece event in Qatar was set to offer.

Robert Lewandowski scored his first ever World Cup goal as Poland brought Saudi Arabia back down to earth with a bump on Saturday with an 2-0 Group C victory that rejuvenated their tournament campaign.

Richarlison has always had a flair for the dramatic and the Brazil striker is relishing his chance to seize the World Cup spotlight after being reduced to a supporting role at Tottenham.

The Qatar World Cup is heating up as groups are starting to shape up with qualification in mind. Five-time champions Brazil got off to a scintillating start with a 2-0 drubbing over Serbia where Richarlison scored a brace, including a scissors kick.

Robert Lewandowski scored his first ever World Cup goal as Poland brought Saudi Arabia back down to earth with a bump on Saturday with an 2-0 Group C victory that rejuvenated their tournament campaign.

Having lost twice to Denmark recently, France will be taking nothing for granted when they look to secure their qualification for the knockout stages with a game to spare in Group D on Saturday.

Teammates who spend quality time together on and off the pitch and do not let their different backgrounds create any barriers between them, form some of the coolest bromances in football that make the beautiful game more wholesome. With sparks flying on and off the pitch, we look at these 5 ‘bromances’ that everyone has come to encourage and appreciate.

There is no doubt that the lifestyle of international footballers is one that never ceases to amaze. In addition to winning matches, popular athletes also land themselves various lucrative brand deals and endorsements that easily place them among the highest earners in the world. However, while some players may choose to spend lavishly, others prefer the simpler things in life.

Long gone is the era when the World Cup would be the centre stage for teams to showcase tactical innovations after they had perfected their formulas prior to the event with several national footballers developing lasting on-field chemistry among themselves.

Australia beat Tunisia 1-0 at the Al Janoub Stadium on Saturday to register their first World Cup victory in 12 years as they provisionally moved up to second in Group D behind reigning champions France.

Contrasting moods will accompany Poland and Saudi Arabia into their World Cup Group C clash on Saturday, with all the pressure on the Poles after they started with a disappointing goalless draw while the Saudis shocked Argentina.

With flags flying everywhere and people putting on football shirts, it’s a magical time. But nobody makes the most of this time like Argentina or Brazil fans. It is said often that Bengalis are a passionate lot and it certainly shows when the World Cup begins.

Argentina's and Mexico's big and boisterous fan bases were out in force on Friday as one of Latin American football's biggest rivalries spiced up the World Cup ahead of their latest clash.

Australia’s World Cup clash against Tunisia at Al Janoub Stadium on Saturday pitches a Socceroos side that have struggled to score against a team that have this year made a virtue of not conceding.

Coach Herve Renard said Saudi Arabia's shock win over Argentina at the World Cup will count for little if they fail to get out of the group stage in Qatar.

Contrasting moods will accompany Poland and Saudi Arabia into their World Cup Group C clash on Saturday, with all the pressure on the Poles after they started with a disappointing goalless draw while the Saudis shocked Argentina.

Having lost twice to Denmark recently, France will be taking nothing for granted when they look to secure their qualification for the knockout stages with a game to spare in Group D on Saturday.

Argentina hope to restore their status as a tournament favourite against goal-shy Mexico in their Group C clash on Saturday where both heavyweights of Latin American football need to improve on disappointing starts to the World Cup.