“World Cup isn’t relevant anymore,” a 30-year-old sports editor colleague told me a few years ago. “[Uefa] Champions League is the most important event in football; it’s what everybody wants to see—where all the top players are.” That’s Bobby, pronouncing, now that the Qatar 2022 groups have been more or …
Read More »Unpacking the 2018 World Cup: Hart, Walkes, Hislop and Sheppard talk France, trends and lessons from Russia
“Teams that couldn’t adjust defensively and show patience and discipline to withstand those spells [of possession from opponents] found themselves chasing the game. France were without question the best at this…” “There was […] a return to what we would consider ‘outdated’ centre forwards like Mario Mandzukic, Olivier Giroud and, …
Read More »Sputnik 2018: Neymar blanked by VAR as Brazil tumble out; France, Belgium advance to all-Euro semis
Mr Live Wire has not seen so many disappointed faces in yellow jerseys since the 2015 General Elections. For the fourth straight tournament, perennial World Cup favourites, Brazil, failed to navigate their way to the final, as the five-time champions tumbled out in the quarters after a 2-1 loss to …
Read More »Sputnik 2018: Neymar strikes as Brazil KOs Mexico, Samurai Blue fall on swords against bullish Belgium
Now that’s more like it! After Sunday’s forgettable fare, the Russia 2018 World Cup burst to life once more today as Brazil bested Mexico 2-0 while Belgium staged a monumental recovery to kayo Japan 3-2 in the Round of 16 competition. Brazil, the five-time World Cup champions, and Belgium, who …
Read More »Sputnik 2018: Mbappe runs Argentina out of Russia, Cavani collars Portugal as Messi and Ronaldo take leave
So, farewell to the G.O.A.T and the Goatee. The Russia 2018 World Cup will make do without football’s MVP trophy-grabbing duopoly of Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, after the pair were eliminated on the first day of the Round of 16 today. Messi’s return ticket was booked at …
Read More »Sputnik 2018: Katastrophe! Neuer nightmare as Neymar’s Brazil samba in German tears
In the city of Brasilia, fireworks went off, residents jumped up and down at malls and drivers honked their car horns. And the Brazil team had not even stepped on to the field yet! The Germans call it schadenfreude, which roughly translates to the enjoyment of another’s misfortune. And not …
Read More »Sputnik 2018: Pacifier for Neymar but C/Rica goes to time out, Mr Musa melts Iceland and “Magic Dwarf” flattens Serbia
Pre-tournament favourites, Brazil, secured their first win of the Russia 2018 World Cup this afternoon and there was a goal for gifted talisman, Neymar, too, as the South American giants shot down Costa Rica 2-0 in St Petersburg. The result left the “Samba Boys” requiring only a draw against Serbia …
Read More »Sputnik 2018: Mexico rules and Neymar rolls as Germany and Brazil pegged back in Russia
A rocket in Rostov from Brazil midfield ace Philippe Coutinho might have been the individual highlight of day four in the Russia 2018 World Cup. But, by late evening, it was Mexican Mariachi music that made the biggest impact. The “Samba Boys” failed to hold on their spectacular opener in …
Read More »Maylee Attin-Johnson: Brazil’s the best bet for 2018 W/Cup title; but don’t write off Germany just yet
“There are those who argue that this year’s team may well be the most balanced Brazilian teams we have ever seen, with strengths up front, in midfield, in defence and between the uprights… “[But] I believe Germany pose a significant threat to their title aspirations.” Former Trinidad and Tobago Women’s …
Read More »Cliff Bertrand: Going South!? If Neymar doesn’t do it in Russia, then Messi will
“Grouped with Costa Rica, Serbia and Switzerland, the Samba Boys will, I expect, put everybody else on the back-foot by the time the group stage is over. And then go on to beat all comers because they have a little matter of a big 2014 7-1 embarrassment to settle. “… …
Read More »Amiel Mohammed: “Ich liebe Die Mannschaft;” Low’s Germany as ready as they always are
“On the heels of their great 2014 triumph, much of the German leadership rode off into the sunset, leaving many wondering if that mass exodus would be fatal. But since Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Podolski and Mertesacker all left with medal in hand, Hummels, Muller and Kroos have stepped into their massive …
Read More »Valentino Singh: Tite’s Seleçao to make all the noise in Russia
“Under former coach Dunga, the team lacked the samba rhythm for which the Brazilians had become known; the players seemed full of skill and ability but cohesion was non-existent. “What a transformation the current head coach has effected. “The man who guided Corinthians to the domestic, continental and world titles …
Read More »