Kasey Keller and Ross Dyer share their predictions for France-Argentina, Uruguay-Portugal, Spain-Russia and Croatia-Denmark.
MOSCOW — It wasn’t supposed to happen. It wasn’t even talked about much, wasn’t even a talking point. For months and years, the buildup to the World Cup in Russia centered on subjects like logistics and corruption and stadium-building and visas and hooliganism and racism.
The Russian national team? An afterthought, if that. And why not? The Russians were, in a word, uzhasnyy — terrible — the lowest-ranked team in the tournament.
Yet, somehow, here we are. On Sunday, Russia — bad Russia, awful…
With Uruguay and Russia already through to the round of 16, Shaka Hislop believes the final group stage game could be the first real test for both sides.
Could it really be true?! Charlie Gibson heads out to investigate…
ESPN FC’s Kasey Keller praises Russia’s direct play and how well they used their strengths in a convincing 5-0 win against Saudi Arabia.
MOSCOW — Russian fans are unlikely to ever forget Artem Dzyuba’s words in November 2012. Asked by the reporters to explain Spartak Moscow’s 5-1 home defeat at the hands of city rivals Dynamo, the striker replied: “Ask our trenerishka.” It is not an easy term to translate but the closest try would probably be “a little coach” in a very derogatory sense.
The man in question was Unai Emery, who was fired that day after fewer than six months in charge of Spartak. Dzyuba, meanwhile, was fiercely criticized…
The hosts Russia continue their fine World Cup form, Japan beat 10-man Colombia and Senegal became the first African nation to win at the 2018 World Cup.
Russia striker Artem Dzyuba says his side are “madly happy” after a second straight impressive performance at the 2018 World Cup on Tuesday.
The host nation virtually assured themselves a place in the knockout stage after a comfortable 3-1 victory over Egypt in St. Petersburg.
Dzyuba was on the scoresheet in the game and played a role in the opener when his pressure helped cause an Ahmed Fathi own goal.
“The most important thing is we won. The whole country is happy I think, Russia is…
No host nation has ever lost it’s opening World Cup match as Russia put on a clinic in their 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia.
ESPN FC’s Kasey Keller praises Russia’s direct play and how well they used their strengths in a convincing 5-0 win against Saudi Arabia.
Russia’s Denis Cheryshev scored two stunning goals, but his curler late in the second half stole the show against Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia did all they could to allow Russia to look solid. Juan Antonio Pizzi’s side didn’t manage to threaten Igor Akinfeev’s goal and were sloppy in defence to let the World Cup hosts score five easy goals en route to a 5-0 win; Russia’s first win in the last eight matches.
Positives
Took their chances. Used their physical advantage to score two headers from set pieces, looked in control of the midfield without even having most of the ball (just 39 percent possession).
Negatives
The…