Golden Soccer 360

Toby Alderweireld insists his prolonged spell out of Tottenham's first-team last season was "unjustified" and admits he still unsure about his future. Alderweireld struggled for opportunities after returning from a hamstring injury midway through the 2017-18 campaign, with Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino preferring to pair Jan Vertonghen and Davinson Sanchez at centre-back. Pochettino insists Alderweireld's omission was purely down to form and not related to reports of a stalemate over a new contract for the Belgian, who has just one year left on his current deal. Despite his lack of game-time last season, Alderweireld was included in Belgium's squad for the World Cup, where he made six appearances as the Red Devils finished third. The 29-year-old believes his solid form in Russia proves he is back to best after a frustrating spell with his club. "I was very focused on this tournament," he said. "I wanted to prove something to me, show...

France are world champions after an incident-packed 4-2 victory over Croatia. Didier Deschamps had been criticised for his conservative tactics, but his team were the most efficient in the tournament and that was all that mattered in the end… At half-time of this World Cup final, it was difficult to comprehend quite how France were ahead. Croatia had dominated the first period, with Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic picking up where they left off against England, and yet they were 2-1 down. With an own goal and a controversially-awarded penalty, France had scored more goals than they'd had shots on target. It was a freakish scenario but in many ways it was typical of a France team who simply know how to win. Deschamps insisted on substance over style and he was vindicated in the most emphatic way possible. France were fortunate with the penalty but they made their luck count after that. In the end, they were winners and worthy world champions. Deschamps deserves credit for his ...