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  FIFA World Cup 2018: What went wrong for Germany, Argentina, Spain and Brazil in opening fixtures

  June 18, 2018 15:03 IST

  As the first week of the World Cup is nearing its end, we analyse the main reasons behind the top team's debacle in their opening matches.

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  Jubilant Mexico fans trigger earthquake following win over Germany in World Cup

  June 18, 2018 12:51 IST

  Hirving Lozano's goal against Germany set off such a commotion that seismic detectors in Mexico City registered a false earthquake.

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  FIFA World Cup 2018: Egypt goalkeeper declines Budweiser-sponsored award

  June 18, 2018 12:27 IST

  The trophy, an artistic red goblet, is sponsored by Budweiser and was awarded to Elshenawy following his impressive performance in the 1-0 loss to Uruguay.

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  Parity comes to World Cup as top nations fail to win opening games

  June 18, 2018 12:13 IST

  Five of the top six nations in the FIFA rankings have played, and none were able to win their opening games at the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2018.

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  FIFA World Cup 2018: Brazilians disappointed after 1-1 tie against Switzerland

  June 18, 2018 12:01 IST

  Brazil joined the list of big teams like Germany, Spain and Argentina who failed to win their opening matches at the World Cup in Russia.

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  FIFA World Cup 2018: South Korea looking to upset Sweden

  June 18, 2018 11:22 IST

  South Korea have two draws and two losses from their four previous encounters with Sweden, although their last meeting was in 2005.  

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  FIFA World Cup 2018: Belgium not willing to take minnows Panama lightly

  June 18, 2018 10:55 IST

  Belgium were unbeaten in their qualifying campaign and after the quarter-final disappointment at Euro 2016, coach Martinez would aim to inspire his boys to do better.

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  FIFA World Cup 2018: Brazil held to 1-1 draw by Switzerland

  June 18, 2018 10:34 IST

  Switzerland dominated the midfield for long spells against a Brazil team that had been keen to start with a win after their disastrous exit as host in 2014.

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  FIFA WC 2018: Mexico stun defending champions Germany 1-0 in group match

  June 17, 2018 23:06 IST

  In what can be known as astonishing and flabbergasting, Mexico pulled off one of the biggest upsets as Lozano scored the decisive lone goal to beat defending champions Germany in the group stage.

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  FIFA WC 2018: French tactics under question after opening win against Australia

  June 17, 2018 21:59 IST

  Coming into the game with a three-pronged attack made of Mbappe, Griezmann and Dembele, France created very little and ultimately needed a controversial penalty and a lucky goal to prevail.

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  FIFA World Cup 2018: Kolarov's screamer helps Serbia beat Costa Rica 1-0

  June 17, 2018 20:41 IST

  Serbia, which missed out on the 2014 tournament, had the early advantage in a tough group that includes five-time champion Brazil and Switzerland.

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  Indian sportspersons back these nations in FIFA World Cup 2018

  June 17, 2018 18:33 IST

  While Team India chinaman Kuldeep Yadav is banking on Brazil to clinch the World Cup this year, boxer Akhil Kumar and golfer Rahil Gangjee want Ronaldo's Portugal to surprise everyone.

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  Mohamed Salah has the chance to get Egypt's World Cup party going

  June 17, 2018 17:40 IST

  Now Egypt can unleash Salah on Russia's lesser-regarded defense in St. Petersburg, and it could be an eye-opener for some people.

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  FIFA World Cup 2018: Studied Lionel Messi's penalties, says Iceland goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson

  June 17, 2018 13:45 IST

  Halldorsson said it was a dream come true to face the "best player in the world", adding his side had earned an important point in its first-ever World Cup match.

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  FIFA World Cup 2018: Brazil under test in campaign opener against Switzerland

  June 17, 2018 12:01 IST

  The Brazilians travel to Russia following a convincing 3-0 victory against Austria a week ago as Neymar banished any doubts about the injury.

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  FIFA World Cup 2018: Costa Rica, Serbia face-off in battle of underdogs

  June 17, 2018 10:07 IST

  For Oscar Ramirez-coached Costa Rica, the aim in this World Cup is to improve on their best performance of a quarter-final which they achieved in 2014.

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  FIFA World Cup 2018: Mohamed Salah celebrates 26th birthday with hope to play Egypt's next game

  June 17, 2018 9:16 IST

  Salah injured his left shoulder in the Champions League final last month, putting his World Cup in doubt. He was an unused substitute in Egypt's 1-0 loss to Uruguay.

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  FIFA WC 2018: Hurt to miss penalty, it would've been decisive for Argentina, says Messi

  June 17, 2018 17:39 IST

  Messi denied that the draw would affect the team in its next Group D contest on Thursday against Croatia.

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  FIFA World Cup 2018: Luka Modric scores 1, sets up another as Croatia crush Nigeria 2-0

  June 17, 2018 6:34 IST

  Croatia now lead Group D with three points and next play Argentina on Thursday in Nizhny Novgorod. Nigeria will take on Iceland a day later in Volgograd.

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  FIFA World Cup 2018: Schmeichel, Poulsen lift Denmark past Peru 1-0

  June 16, 2018 23:45 IST

  The victory gave Denmark a crucial advantage in Group C, in which France defeated Australia 2-1 earlier in the day.

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  FIFA World Cup 2018: Messi misses penalty, Iceland holds Argentina to 1-1 draw

  June 16, 2018 21:32 IST

  The small Nordic island nation's team created several first-half chances despite having only 22 per cent possession and pushed back Argentina's waves of second-half attacks.

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  FIFA WC 2018: Griezmann, Pogba shine as France beat gritty Australia 2-1 in Group C

  June 16, 2018 19:15 IST

  It's the ideal start for France, whose ambition is to finish at the top of a group that also includes Peru and Denmark.

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  FIFA WC 2018: Germany begin title defense with first match against Mexico

  June 16, 2018 18:52 IST

  The world champion's problem this year has been getting all of its talent to work together on the field, and Germany has just one win in its last six friendly games, 2-1 over Saudi Arabia last week.

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  FIFA World Cup 2018: Spain backs David de Gea after horror show against Portugual

  June 16, 2018 18:45 IST

  De Gea had a blunder late in the first half that allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to score the second of his three goals on a relatively basic shot.

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  FIFA World Cup 2018: Egypt coach expects Salah to play against Russia

  June 16, 2018 16:26 IST

  It was tough luck for Egypt in the first match of the group stage against Uruguay as the Mohamed Salah-less team couldn't find a decent target on goal and late winner by Gimenez sealed their fate.

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  Real Madrid confirm deal for Brazilian teenager Rodrygo

  June 16, 2018 13:48 IST

  Rodrygo, 17, has scored five goals in nine appearances for Santos in Brazil's Serie A.

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  FIFA World Cup 2018: Uruguay coach defends Luis Suarez after he fails to make positive start

  June 16, 2018 11:54 IST

  Suarez was booed by thousands of Egyptian fans from the start of the match, he replied with a visible effort, only to lose the ball in promising situations of the match.

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  FIFA World Cup 2018: A fresh start in tournament history for Peru, Denmark

  June 16, 2018 11:18 IST

  Peru appeared in the FIFA World Cup for the last time in 1982 and in their comeback match, they will face Denmark who are also making a comeback after missing out on the 2014 edition.