Italy and Germany set for another historic bout
The historic rivalry between Italy and Germany has gifted football some of its most memorable moments. As two of the most successful nations in world football, the Azzurri and the Mannschaft seldom encounter one another, but when the two sides do meet, they have a habit of producing unforgettable matches. As the international break rolls […]
The Divine Bald One, Superman and the Saint
Many legendary goalkeepers have lit up the FIFA World Cup™, but three stand above the rest on one count. Fabien Barthez, Gianluigi Buffon and Iker Casillas share the tournament record for conceding the fewest goals for a triumphant team: just two. Fabien Barthez ‒ France 1998 The bald-headed goalkeeper was famed for having his head kissed […]
England’s pass masters break new ground
From Diego Maradona’s spellbinding solo effort against England at Mexico 1986 to the James Rodriguez thunderbolt which lit up Brazil 2014, the FIFA World Cup™ has consistently delivered awe-inspiring individual goals which will go down in football lore. There have also been many examples of slick interchanges resulting in exceptional team goals, with Carlos Alberto’s […]
Lato and Poland grab gold and bronze
Gerd Muller was the scorching favourite for the adidas Golden Boot at the 1974 FIFA World Cup™. Johan Cruyff followed. Giorgio Chinaglia, Jairzinho, Jupp Heynckes, Gigi Riva, Mario Kempes, Dusan Bajevic, Roberto Boninsegna and Roland Sandberg completed the top 10. The 25-name list published by a leading bookmaker in the run-up to the tournament didn’t […]
The Boxing Socceroo
Only once was he thwarted and it came late in his career, at the hands of an unperturbed teenager. Back at home playing for Melbourne City in Australia’s A-League, Tim Cahill did what he tended to do, score. Off he raced to do what always followed next, the trademark shadow boxing routine that had intimidated […]
Les Bleus show true colours in Kazan classic
France 4-3 Argentina Russia 2018 | Round of 16 Stadium: Kazan Arena Attendance: 42,873 France goals: Antoine Griezmann (13 pen), Benjamin Pavard (57), Kylian Mbappe (64, 68) Argentina goals: Angel Di Maria (41), Gabriel Mercado (48), Sergio Aguero (90+3) Teams Argentina Coach: Jorge Sampaoli Starting XI: Franco Armani; Gabriel Mercado, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Rojo, Nicolas […]
Tireless Pepe
Training conditions are much better – players have more equipment available, and it is generally more sophisticated. They also have a lot more information available to help them understand how to take better care of their bodies. In spite of that, playing at a FIFA World Cup™ at the age of 39 is no mean […]
Whiteside on eclipsing Pele, teenage stardom and his World Cup watch
In September 1978, Northern Irish punk rock band The Undertones asked a question which has reverberated through the airwaves ever since. ‘Are teenage dreams so hard to beat?’ was the opening line from their anthemic classic Teenage Kicks. That same year fellow countryman Norman Whiteside signed schoolboy forms at Manchester United as a 13-year-old, and […]
A tribute to Lionel Messi
Did you know? Diego Maradona and Messi both made their Argentina debuts against Hungary, coming off the bench in the 62nd and 63rd minutes respectively. ‘La Pulga Atomica’ was sent off just two minutes into his bow. When Messi first scored for Argentina… The blinding big-stage intro Messi was sent on for his World Cup […]
Five Club World Cup storylines to monitor
The inaugural edition of the FIFA Club World Cup™ saw Chelsea FC lift the coveted crown and provided a window into the evolving football landscape across the globe over the coming months and years. The subplots that unravelled during the showcase event in the USA will continue to unfurl as the clubs return to their familiar […]