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