Tancock sees bright future for Sri Lankan swimming

Olympian, World Champion and the current World Record Holder in the 50 Metre Back Stroke, Liam Tancock was in Sri Lanka in June to conduct a five-day swimming camp which was open to all schools and swimming coaches around the island. The Daily Mirror had a chance to have a chat with him while he was half way through the swim camp and one of the highlights he noted was that it was fascinating to see the talent of our local swimmers while he felt t

France lift second World Cup after winning classic final 4-2

France won the World Cup for the second time by ending battling Croatia's dream of a first title with a 4-2 victory on Sunday in one of the most entertaining and action-packed finals for decades.

Belgium beat England to secure third place finish

Belgium beat England 2-0 in the World Cup third-place play-off on Saturday to secure their best ever finish at a World Cup and send Gareth Southgate's side home with a second straight loss. France will face Croatia in Sunday's final at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

There is more to Croatia than just Modric magic

Croatia's run to the World Cup final is largely down to Luka Modric's tireless work in midfield but their ability to switch tactics efficiently should be a warning for opponents France on Sunday.

Belgium and England reluctantly meet again

Belgium and England have already met during the World Cup in a match both teams seemed reluctant to win and on Saturday they will face each other again in a game they both seem reluctant to play. 

Mandzukic Sends Croatia to First World Cup Finale

Croatia reached the World Cup final for the first time after an extratime goal from Mario Mandzukic gave them a 2-1 win over England in their semi-final yesterday. 

Umtiti header sends France into World Cup final

France beat Belgium 1-0 yesterday to book a place in the World Cup final against either England or Croatia, thanks to a headed goal from defender Samuel Umtiti in the 51st minute.

Amid England euphoria, Alli gets self-critical

England's run to the World Cup semi-finals has prompted widespread praise but amid the euphoria midfielder Dele Alli can still be self-critical.

Team spirit can carry Belgium to World Cup final - Martinez

Belgium are in uncharted territory for their World Cup semi-final with France but believe their team spirit and togetherness can ensure they carry on their extraordinary journey in Russia, manager Roberto Martinez has said.

Croatia to face England in WC semis after beating Russia on penalties

Russia's remarkable World Cup run ended in a heart-breaking quarter-final defeat on penalties (3-4) on Saturday as Croatia bounced back from a late extra-time equaliser to set up a last-four meeting with England.

2-Soccer-Confident England reach semi-finals with win over Sweden

England defied almost three decades of disappointment to move confidently into the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1990 as headers from Harry Maguire and Dele Alli downed a dogged but toothless Sweden 2-0 on Saturday.

Belgium dump Brazil out of World Cup with 2-1 win

Belgium ended Brazil's dream of a sixth World Cup title when they beat the South Americans 2-1 in a dramatic, enthralling end-to-end quarter-final on Friday to earn a semi-final tie against France.

Griezmann inspires France past Uruguay

Raphael Varane's glancing header and a goal-keeping blunder that gifted Antoine Griezmann a soft goal gave France a 2-0 victory over Uruguay in the first World Cup quarter-final yesterday. 

Belgium pin hopes on mercurial talent of Hazard

Eden Hazard leads his team into Friday's World Cup quarter-final match against Brazil on a stage built to showcase his talent but whether Belgium get the full benefit of his mercurial ability is to be seen.

England win first ever WC shootout to reach quarters

England's new generation ended the World Cup penalty jinx by knocking out Colombia on spot kicks to reach the quarter-finals yesterday.

Forsberg strike sends Sweden into last eight

A deflected shot from Emil Forsberg gave Sweden a 1-0 victory over Switzerland in a scrappy round of 16 match yesterday sending the Swedes through to the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 24 years.

Belgium snatch 3-2 win over Japan to set up Brazil clash

Belgium threw caution to the wind to reach the World Cup quarter-finals as substitute Nacer Chadli scored in the dying seconds against Japan to snatch a 3-2 comeback win on Monday and set up a clash with five-time champions Brazil.

Neymar on target as Brazil ease into World Cup quarter-finals

Brazil cruised into the quarter-finals of the World Cup on Monday as goals from Neymar and substitute Roberto Firmino gave them a 2-0 victory over Mexico to stay on course for a sixth title.

Croatia beat Denmark on penalties to reach quarter - finals

Croatia beat Denmark in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw to set up a World Cup quarter-finals tie against hosts Russia.

Akinfeev the hero as Russia dump Spain out of WC

Russia Captain Igor Akinfeev saved two penalties in a dramatic shootout as the World Cup hosts dumped title contenders Spain out in the last 16 following a 1-1 draw yesterday.

Cavani brace fires Uruguay into last eight

Uruguay forward Edinson Cavani scored a stunning brace to lead the South Americans to a 2-1 win over European champions Portugal in the World Cup round of 16 on Saturday and set up a quarter-final against France. 

Mbappe double leads France past Argentina in 4-3 thriller

Teenager Kylian Mbappe scored two goals in four minutes to send a youthful France charging into the World Cup quarter-finals with a thrilling 4-3 win over Argentina on Saturday that sent Lionel Messi's team home.

Januzaj gives Belgium 1-0 win over England and top spot

A superb second half strike from Adnan Januzaj gave Belgium a 1-0 win over England yesterday to see them top World Cup Group ‘G’ with a perfect record and consign England to second place, with both sides already assured of going through to the last 16.

Khazri gives Tunisia first win in 40 years

Tunisia's Wahbi Khazri set up the first goal and scored the second to give the North African side their first World Cup win in 40 years with a 2-1 victory over debutants Panama in their final Group ‘G’ match yestersday.

Colombia through as Senegal suffer yellow peril

Colombia's Yerry Mina thumped home a second half header to secure a dramatic 1-0 victory over Senegal yesterday that catapulted the South Americans into the World Cup last 16 and dumped their African opponents out of the tournament.

Japan slip through to last 16 despite Poland loss

Japan became the only Asian side to progress to the World Cup's last 16 yesterday, slipping through despite losing 0-1 against already-eliminated Poland thanks to their lower tally of yellow cards, which meant Senegal went out.

Switzerland through to last 16 to meet Sweden

Switzerland kept politics off the field and Costa Rica broke their World Cup duck in a thrilling 2-2 draw yesterday that saw the Europeans through to the next round of the World Cup where they will face Sweden.

Brazil outclass Serbia to set up Mexico clash

Goals by Paulinho and Thiago Silva steered a much-improved Brazil to a 2-0 victory over a battling but ultimately outclassed Serbia yesterday and into a World Cup second-round meeting with Mexico.

Swedes pummel Mexico

Sweden thumped Mexico 3-0 yestersday, overcoming their opponents after a scoreless first half in a result that means both teams advance to the World Cup last 16 at the expense of defending champions Germany.

Germany suffers shock World Cup exit

Defending champions Germany were eliminated from the 2018 World Cup after losing to South Korea in Kazan yesterday.