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Radamel Falcao, Yerry Mina and Juan Cuadrado scored as stylish Colombia boosted their World Cup last 16 hopes with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Poland on Sunday (Jun 24). Colombia's midfielder Mateus Uribe (C) tries to score against Poland's goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny (L) during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group H football match between Poland and Colombia at the Kazan Arena in Kazan on Jun 24, 2018. (Photo: AFP/Jewel Samad) In a match destined to see the loser sent home after the group stages, Colombia overcame a nervous start against Adam Nawalka's men to move up to third place in Group H, one point behind Japan and Senegal. The disappointing Poland became the first European side eliminated from the tournament. "I'm very sorry and very sad about the result, but tomorrow's another day and we have to come to terms with things," said Poland coach Adam Nawalka. "Our players did their best until the end of the game. We lost to a very strong team and this is something we have to … [Read more...] about Colombia win 3 0 to knock Poland out of World Cup

Germany coach Joachim Loew said his team were rewarded for not losing their nerve at the most critical moment as a 95th-minute free-kick from Toni Kroos secured a 2-1 win over Sweden here Saturday that brought the World Cup holders back from the brink. Germany's midfielder Toni Kroos celebrates after scoring a goal during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group F football match between Germany and Sweden at the Fisht Stadium in Sochi on Jun 23, 2018. (Photo: AFP/Odd Andersen) The 10-man reigning champions were in deep trouble when Kroos stepped up to steer in his dramatic winner in the final minute of added time at Sochi's Fisht Stadium. Before that, a Kroos error had led to Ola Toivonen giving Sweden a 32nd-minute lead and even a Marco Reus equaliser early in the second half appeared to be only a temporary stay of execution for Loew's men. But the rescue act from Kroos is a huge lift to a side who saw Jerome Boateng sent off late on. They now have qualification for the last 16 back … [Read more...] about Germany hold nerve as Kroos brings World Cup holders back from brink

Mexico laid one foot in the World Cup's last 16 and left South Korea on the brink of elimination after goals from Javier Hernandez and Carlos Vela clinched a 2-1 victory in Rostov on Saturday. Mexico's forward Carlos Vela (R) scores a penalty for the opening goal during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group F football match between South Korea and Mexico at the Rostov Arena in Rostov-On-Don on Jun 23, 2018. (Photo: AFP/Khaled Desouki) Hernandez became the first Mexican player to score 50 goals for his country, after 104 appearances, with Vela earlier opening the scoring through yet another penalty kick. Son Heung-min's stunning long-range effort in stoppage time gave South Korea a glimmer of hope but it was too little too late. Mexico lead Group F on six points after two games, having backed up their shock victory against Germany with another display to suggest they can go deep in this tournament. South Korea, beaten by a Sweden penalty in their first match, had their chances but … [Read more...] about Mexico beat South Korea 2 1 to edge towards World Cup last 16

Two goals each for Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard and one for Michy Batshuayi swept Belgium to a 5-2 victory over Tunisia on Saturday (Jun 23) that put them in command of World Cup Group G and underlined their status as one of the tournament favourites. Belgium's player celebrate scoring the opening goal during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group G football match between Belgium and Tunisia at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow on Jun 23, 2018. (Photo: AFP/Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV) After racking up two wins and a goal difference of plus-six Belgium are virtually assured of advancing but it is not yet guaranteed - and they will be aware that they will need to tighten up at the back to handle the threat of the big guns deeper into the tournament. Should they lose their final game against England, currently on three, and pointless Panama somehow beat England and Tunisia, all three would have six points and the top two would be decided on goal difference. Tunisia, also without a point after two … [Read more...] about World Cup: Two each for Hazard and Lukaku as Belgium thump Tunisia 5 2

A last-minute Xherdan Shaqiri breakaway goal handed Switzerland victory on Friday (Jun 22) as they came from behind to defeat Serbia 2-1 in Kaliningrad. Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri celebrates beating Serbia 2-1 in a group E match at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Kaliningrad Stadium in Kaliningrad, Russia on Jun 22, 2018. (Photo source AP: Victor Caivano) The win puts Switzerland in pole position to make it out of a tough Group E that contains five-times winners Brazil but they were pushed all the way by the Serbs. It was a sweet victory for Shaqiri and fellow Swiss goalscorer Granit Xhaka, who along with team-mate Valon Belrami were booed relentlessly by Serbia's fans throughout. Shaqiri, Xhaka and Belrami trace their roots to Kosovo, a former province of Serbia, a fact which had stoked tensions before the match. Both Shaqiri and Xhaka pointedly celebrated their goals by making a 'double eagle' with their hands representing the Kosovo flag, viewed as a symbol of … [Read more...] about World Cup: Last gasp Shaqiri seals Swiss win over Serbia in Group E