Golden Soccer 360

Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr believes his team will not peak for another four years despite his side's 2-0 win against Group D rivals Iceland. Leicester striker Ahmed Musa's second-half double in Volgograd kick-started Nigeria's World Cup after defeat to Croatia in their opening match. The Super Eagles' win means they, Argentina, who they face in their final match, and Iceland still have a chance of qualifying for the knockout stage. "What I like in my young team is humility, solidarity and fighting spirit," Rohr told a press conference. "I thought before this World Cup we were here to learn. "I think this team will be ready in 2022 and this World Cup is coming early, but we have a good chance to win against Argentina." A win would take Nigeria through to the knockout rounds while a draw will be enough providing Iceland do not beat group leaders Croatia by a big enough margin. "I think scoring against Argentina isn't that di...

Ahmed Musa scored twice on his return to the starting line-up as Nigeria kept their World Cup knockout hopes alive and dealt Iceland's chances a blow with a 2-0 win in Volgograd. The Leicester forward, on loan at CSKA Moscow last season, struck a volleyed opener four minutes after the restart and further repaid boss Gernot Rohr's faith with a fine second 15 minutes from time. Gylfi Sigurdsson looked set to give Iceland a late lifeline when Alfred Finnbogason earned a VAR-awarded penalty, but the Everton playmaker ballooned his 83rd-minute effort over the bar. The result boosts beleaguered Argentina's hopes as well as the Super Eagles', but victory for Nigeria against Lionel Messi and co on Tuesday would see Rohr's side through alongside Croatia. Iceland, who could still progress themselves but must win, started briskly as Sigurdsson saw a free-kick pushed away before curling straight at teenage goalkeeper Francis Uzoho from open play. Nigeria were feeli...

Xherdan Shaqiri's 90th-minute goal gave Switzerland a vital 2-1 victory over Serbia in a thrilling World Cup Group E encounter in Kaliningrad. The Stoke midfielder broke clear over halfway and went through on goal with Serbia at the other end of the pitch, slotting brilliantly under Vladimir Stojkovic after the Swiss had earlier been 1-0 down. Serbia were fastest out of the traps and went ahead through Aleksandar Mitrovic's header (5), but could have been further ahead before the break as Dusan Tadic and Dusko Tosic went close. Switzerland equalised after the break (52) as Granit Xhaka ran onto a loose ball to produce a superb 25-yard drive into the far corner, before Shaqiri's winner at the death. Mitrovic's header forced a fine save from Yann Sommer early on from Tadic's cross from the right, but that exact combination was successful seconds later as the Newcastle striker got the better of his marker Fabian Schar to nod home from six yards. Serbia wer...

From frustration and fury to flair and a final flourish, it was a rollercoaster ride for Neymar in Brazil's win over Costa Rica, writes Peter Smith. In the end it was Neymar who had the last laugh - and tears of relief at the final whistle - but this was a battle for him and Brazil. They eventually found a way. Tite's talisman had been thrown back into the starting XI, despite a midweek ankle problem causing him to limp out of training. Neymar's fitness continues to be a primary concern for Brazil, given he is still returning to top shape after a three-month lay-off with a foot injury sustained playing for Paris St-Germain. But it feels as though he is too important to the psyche of this side to be left out. Like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, that responsibility is weighed on Neymar. His former rival and team-mate have reacted in different ways to that pressure in Russia but Neymar, whose effectiveness can so far be measured somewhere in between the iconi...

Olivier Giroud seems destined to divide opinion but he showed his value to France again in their 1-0 win over Peru. There was a line from Didier Deschamps in the press conference before his side's game against Peru that appeared to hint that he had understood his error. "It is when he is not there that we realise just how useful he can be," said the France coach when speaking about Giroud. Restored to the team, the Chelsea striker soon made his presence felt. It was Giroud's deflected shot that looped into the path of Kylian Mbappe for France's opening goal as they secured the 1-0 win that ensures their place in the knockout stages. But even before then, he had given enough glimpses of just how effective he can be at bringing others into the game to show that his omission against Australia was a mistake. There was one gorgeous flick towards the onrushing Mbappe early on that his team-mate could not quite collect. Soon after there was another firm header b...

Alli did not train with England on Thursday as the medical team monitor his recovery from a thigh strain picked up against Tunisia. Alli said he will do "everything in my power" to reach full fitness for the fixture, having taken to Twitter to voice his frustration at the injury. However, it looks likely that Gareth Southgate will need to find a replacement. Delph was stripped and seemingly ready to come on when Alli first appeared to take the knock in the first half against Tunisia - is he the right man to replace the Tottenham star? However, when Alli was replaced it was by Loftus-Cheek, who had an impressive cameo. And what about Rashford? Will Southgate squeeze him into the team? Despite being very inexperienced in terms of Premier League appearances - only had 27 starts - his performances under Southgate seem to imply he's a player the manager can trust. Loftus-Cheek was a focal point in Southgate's Toulon Tournament-winning side in 2016, scoring in ...

Emre Can has joined Juventus on a four-year deal from Liverpool, the Italian club have announced. The midfielder underwent a medical on Thursday after he had agreed to join the Serie A champions with the club later announcing the news on their Twitter account. Can, who made 115 appearances for Liverpool, has been free to discuss terms with foreign clubs since January with his current contract at Anfield expiring at the end of this month. The 24-year-old had been struggling with a back problem towards the end of the season but he did play, in what was his last appearance for Jurgen Klopp's side, in the Champions League final defeat by Real Madrid, coming on as a late substitute. Liverpool have already signed Fabinho from Monaco for £43.7m to replace the German international. via Sky Sports

Kylian Mbappe's first World Cup goal was enough to send France into the last 16 with a 1-0 win against Peru in Group C on Thursday. The striker slotted home from a deflected Olivier Giroud cross in the 34th minute and became France's youngest ever goalscorer at a major tournament in the process, overtaking David Trezeguet's previous record (vs Saudi Arabia in 1998). Peru impressed again with their attacking play - particularly in the second half - but once again could not find the breakthrough and will exit the competition at the group stages after their final game against Australia next week. France, who top Group C with six points after matchday two, will continue on to the knockout rounds. It was an even opening in Yekaterinburg, but France had two good chances in quick succession after quarter of an hour. Raphael Varane headed an Antoine Griezmann corner just wide before the striker forced a good save from Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, hitting a nod-down fro...

Manchester United have completed the signing of Brazil midfielder Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk on a five-year deal. Fred becomes Jose Mourinho's second signing of the summer following the arrival of defender Diogo Dalot from Porto. United announced earlier this month they had agreed a deal with Shakhtar, which  Sky Sports News  understands to be in the region of £52m plus bonuses, but had been waiting for Fred to be granted a work permit. It is understood the bonuses could take the deal to around £61.2m - this would make him United's third most expensive signing of all time behind Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku. He is in the Brazil squad at the World Cup, but did not feature in the 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their opening game. Mourinho said: "Fred will complement our other midfielders' qualities, which we need; his creative brain and passing vision will give us another dimension to our game. "I am very happy he is joining our club and I belie...

Harry Kane scored a dramatic injury-time winner as England beat Tunisia 2-1 in their World Cup opener in Volgograd on Monday evening. The England captain, who had volleyed his side into an early lead, headed home after John Stones had flicked on a Kieran Tripper corner in the 91st minute to secure a vital three points in their bid to qualify from Group G. A controversial penalty looked to have denied them the win when Kyle Walker was harshly penalised for an elbow on Fakhreddine Ben Youssef 10 minutes before half-time and Ferjani Sassi coolly slotted home. But Kane's late intervention means Gareth Southgate's young side move level with Belgium - who beat Panama 3-0 earlier in the day - at the top of the group and start their World Cup campaign in positive fashion. England's rampant start was capped by a sharp volleyed goal from their captain in the 11th minute. Tunisia goalkeeper Mouez Hassen brilliantly palmed away Stones' header from Ashley Young's corn...

Two goals from Romelu Lukaku and a stunning volley from Dries Mertens saw Belgium win their opening World Cup game 3-0 against debutants Panama in Sochi on Monday. After a goalless opening period which lacked clear-cut chances, it took Mertens just two minutes to open the scoring in the second half. Manchester United striker Lukaku (69, 75) then netted twice in six minutes to seal an ultimately comfortable win for Roberto Martinez's men, who top Group G ahead of England's match with Tunisia. Panama - who were playing their first World Cup game - did not offer too much in reply, and will face Gareth Southgate's side in Nizhny Novgorod on Sunday. Belgium began the game well, and had their first effort in the seventh minute with Yannick Ferreira Carrasco hammering a shot into the hands of goalkeeper Jamie Penedo before the Panama stopper was forced to push Mertens' half-volley over the crossbar. Captain Roman Torres, who scored the goal that sent Panama to the...

Neymar missed Brazil's outdoor training session on Monday after appearing to take an injury knock in their 1-1 draw against Switzerland. Paulinho and Thiago Silva joined Neymar in staying at the team's hotel gym to carry out physical work while the other 20 members of the squad took part in full training. Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar, the world's most expensive player, was fouled 10 times as Brazil were left frustrated in their 2018 World Cup opener. Philippe Coutinho gave the pre-tournament favourites the lead in the first half with a long-range strike but Steven Zuber equalised for Switzerland five minutes after the break. Brazil head coach Tite had admitted Neymar was "not 100 per cent" before the match, having both fractured his metatarsal and sprained his ankle in February. Neymar completed the full 90 minutes against the Swiss but appeared to hobble for parts of the game. Brazil play Costa Rica in their second Group E game on Friday. ...

Manchester City are closing in on a deal in the region of £46.5m for Napoli midfielder Jorginho, according to Sky sources. Sky Sports News  understands that, despite reports in Italy, no deal has been agreed as yet. A number of issues are still to be sorted, including payment schedules, add-ons and the possibility of a pre-season friendly between the two clubs. The Italy international has posted a picture on Instagram boarding a flight at the end of a family holiday to Brazil and is expected to head for Manchester for a medical whenever an agreement is reached. Jorginho made 37 appearances for Napoli last season, scoring three goals, including one against City in the Champions League in November. The 26-year-old started his career at Verona before moving to Naples in 2014 where he went on to win the Coppa Italia that year. via Sky Sports

Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio has signed for Wolves on a four-year deal from Sporting Lisbon. Patricio, 30, won his 70th cap for Portugal in their 2018 World Cup opener against Spain last week and was part of the squad that won Euro 2016. He opted to break his Sporting Lisbon contract after a group of around 50 masked supporters broke into the club's headquarters and physically assaulted players and staff in May as they were preparing for a training session ahead of the Portuguese Cup final against Aves. Patricio was one of a number of players to cite the 'just cause' in relation to the lack of safety and protection highlighted by the attack. Wolves had been reported to be willing to pay £18m for the goalkeeper before he opted to terminate his contract, allowing him to join the English club for free. Sporting Lisbon could yet be owed a compensation fee though if the case goes to a FIFA tribunal. He had been at the Portuguese club since the age of 12, mak...

Saudi Arabia have landed safely in Rostov-on-Don after experiencing a technical failure in one of their plane's engines mid-flight. The squad were travelling to the port city in the south of Russia ahead of their second World Cup match against Uruguay on Wednesday in Group A. A statement on their Twitter read: "The Saudi Arabian Football Federation would like to reassure everyone that all the Saudi national team players are safe after a technical failure in one of the aeroplane engines that has just landed in Rostov-on-Don airport, and now they're heading to their residence safely." Saudi Arabia fell to a 5-0 defeat in the tournament's opening game to hosts Russia and need to avoid losing against Uruguay in Wednesday's match if they hope to qualify for the knockout phases of the World Cup. In their final game of the group, they take on Egypt, who play Russia on Tuesday. via Sky Sports