Roberto Martinez wants Belgium to focus on putting on a good performance in Monday’s Group G match against Panama.
ENGLAND HAVE ARRIVED
Gareth Southgate’s England squad have arrived in Volgograd ahead of Monday’ World Cup opener against Tunisia.
There’s no shortage of excitement from ‘keeper Jack Butland!
DENMARK’S KVIST OUT OF THE WORLD CUP
Denmark midfielder William Kvist will miss the rest of the World Cupafter sustaining suspected fractured ribs in his side’s 1-0 win over Peru, the Danish FA said on Sunday.
He was injured when jumping for a high ball with Peru’s Jefferson Farfan and the 33-year-old Kvist had to be carried off the pitch on a stretcher and substituted.
“William Kvist has suffered a rib injury and is travelling home to Denmark. Everyone around the team wishes him a good recovery,” the Danish FA said on Twitter.
The victory put Denmark in second place in Group C on three points with France top on goals scored. The Danes take on Australia in their next match on Thursday.
WORLD CUP TOP SCORERS
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 3 goals scored, 0 assists
- Denis Cheryshev (Russia) – 2 goals scored, 0 assists
- Diego Costa (Spain) – 2 goals scored, 0 assists
- Aleksandr Golovin (Russia) – 1 goals scored, 2 assists
- Artem Dzyuba (Russia) – 1 goals scored, 1 assists
Who will win this year’s Golden Boot?
HAVE THE SWEDES GOT A KOREA IN SPYING?
The World Cup is the biggest prize in football and it has everyone stepping up their game, however it seems Sweden have taken it a bit too far.
Ahead of their opening Group F game against South Korea, a Swedish scout used a house near Korea’s training base in Austria this month to watch training sessions using a high performance telescope and video camera.
“It took a long car journey up the mountains to reach the house, but it was a perfect spot to observe the Korean team’s training,” Lars Jacobsson, a member of the Swedish coaching staff, said on Sunday.
He had earlier been kicked out of a closed training session, after failing to convince the Koreans he was a passing tourist, and persuaded a local couple to let him use their house, overlooking the training facility, to watch their rivals working on their World Cup routines.
Coach Janne Andersson on Sunday tendered an apology.
“It is very important we show respect for an opponent and if what we did has been perceived in another way, then we apologise,” Andersson said.
‘EGYPT WILL BE RUSSIA’S MOST IMPORTANT GAME’
Russia’s deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko, who was previously the nation’s Minister of Sport, has dubbed their Group A match against Egypt as their most vital.
The hosts got off to a sublime start with a 5-0 win over Saudi Arabiaon Thursday and another victory would seal their place in the knockout phases.
Mutko is confident Russia have the quality to overcome Egypt, but I’m sure Mohamed Salah – who is available for the game – would have something to say about that.
“The second game will be our most important one in the group stage,” said Mutko.
“In the first match, everyone saw how much the players cared. If we play up to our level, I don’t see any problems.”
GARETH SOUTHGATE NOT TO BE CROSSED – ROSE
Gareth Southgate showed he was “not to be messed with” when he dropped Wayne Rooney in his second game in charge, says Danny Rose.
MO SALAH FIT FOR RUSSIA MATCH
Mohamed Salah is “ready to play against Russia” after taking part in full training on Saturday, says Egypt manager Ihab Leheta.
IT’S HOTTING UP IN RUSSIA
With England’s opening World Cup game against Tunisia just one day away, our reporter Anton Toloui has been busy doing important work!
He’s been scouring the Volgograd area to find a good spot for England fans to celebrate if victorious tomorrow.
POGBA STRIPPED OF AUSTRALIA GOAL
Bad news for Paul Pogba – yesterday his Manchester Unitedmanager Jose Mourinho said he should not have been awardedFrance’s winner against Australia and it seems FIFA agree because they’ve stripped him of the goal on their official website.
It will go down as an own goal from Australia’s Aziz Behich.
GARETH SOUTHGATE NOT TO BE CROSSED – ROSEGareth Southgate showed he was “not to be messed with” when he dropped Wayne Rooney in his second game in charge, says Danny Rose.
DZAGOEV TO MISS GROUP GAMES
Alan Dzagoev has ruled himself out of Russia’s two remaining World Cup group games after injuring his left hamstring in the 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia.
“There’s nothing good about the biggest tournament going on without you,” he said. “I hope I can still play. I hope to God that we make the knockout stages and maybe I’ll be able to play.”
IVANOVIC TO BREAK SERBIA RECORD
Branislav Ivanovic will become Serbia’s most capped player this afternoon after being named in the starting XI to face Costa Rica.
The former Chelsea defender, who now plays his football with Zenit Saint Petersburg, will make his 105th appearance in Samara.
SCHWEINSTEIGER: GERMANY HAVE QUALITY
Bastian Schweinsteiger rates Germany’s chances of success at this summer’s tournament.
‘ENGLAND NEED RASHFORD BREAKTHROUGH’
Former England striker Ian Wright believes the Three Lions needs Marcus Rashford to become a breakout star in Russia if they are to win the World Cup.
SILVA AVOIDS RONALDO/MESSI DEBATE
Adren Silva has refused to be drawn on comparisons between Portugal team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina captain Lionel Messi after wildly contrasting fortunes for the global stars in their opening games at the World Cup.
Ronaldo rescued Portugal with a hat-trick in a thrilling 3-3 draw with title contenders Spain, while Messi missed a penalty as Argentina were held 1-1 by tournament newcomers Iceland.
“You can’t compare Messi with Ronaldo,” said Silva. “We have a leader, he’s with us and he must do what he must do. He has to help us as best as he can.”
‘MEXICO WON’T PARK THE BUS’
Mexico head coach Juan Carlos Osorio says his team will go on the attack against defending World Cup champions Germany.
“It’s a great opportunity for Mexican football, to be here and play the current world champions,” he said. “They’re a very strong team with wonderful players and very well managed. They’re favourites to win the World Cup.
“They have two central midfielders very capable of commanding and controlling the game if we allow them to do it. (Toni) Kroos and (Sami) Khedira are two top-level midfielders.
“Nevertheless, we can compete with them, we think we have a good chance to match up with them and go head to head against them.”
KROOS READY FOR ACTION
Germany begin the defence of their World Cup crown later this afternoon against Mexico and Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos is itching to get started.
MARTINEZ UPBEAT OVER KOMPANY
Belgium boss Roberto Martinez is confident Vincent Kompany will be fit in time to face England in Group G, while Dries Mertens hopes the Red Devils can fulfil their potential in Russia.
ENGLAND RELAXED AHEAD OF TUNISIA CLASH
Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett gives us an update from Zelenogorsk as England train ahead of their opening game against Tunisia.
AMRABAT OUT OF HOSPITAL
Morocco winger Nordin Amrabat has been discharged from hospital but will miss his side’s next match against Portugal after suffering concussion against Iran.
Amrabat was substituted after clashing heads with Vahid Amiri on Friday as the north Africans were defeated 1-0 in their opening game at the tournament.
The Watford midfielder spent one night in hospital before being discharged and has since been allowed to return to the team base in Voronezh.
However, he will be unavailable for at least a week, a statement from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation said.
MAGUIRE RELISHES ‘BACK THREE’ SET-UP
Harry Maguire is set to start for England against Tunisia on Monday and the Leicester defender says manager Gareth Southgate has given the squad confidence in their 3-5-2 formation.
GOOD MORNING!
Hello and good morning! The action comes thick and fast at the World Cup and we have three more games to look forward to today!
Costa Rica take on Serbia in the early kick-off before defending champions Germany begin their campaign against Mexico at 4pm.
Later this evening sees five-time winners Brazil make their first appearance in Russia, against Switzerland.
On top of that, England boss Gareth Southgate is due to hold his pre-match press conference in Volgograd as he looks ahead to tomorrow’s game against Tunisia.
Brazil coach Tite admits Neymar is not yet fully fit ahead of his side’s Group E opener against Switzerland.