Brazil are one of the favourites who have got off to a bad start at the World Cup. That is partly because the so-called smaller nations have belief but also because of Neymar’s strugglesThe most striking aspect of the opening week of this World Cup has surely been the difficulty many of the tournament favourites have had to win their games. Something has changed. And the key words here are “intensity” and “belief”.Smaller nations now believe in their capacity to cause problems and to challenge the traditional powers of world football. I was struck, for example, by the terrible disappointment of the Tunisians after losing to England. These so-called smaller nations really have the belief they can do something against...
Sir James Corden, aged 92, presents the Late Late Show and asks Jamie Vardy and Kieran Trippier the vital questions about England’s World Cup triumph in RussiaThe World Cup is well under way. Podcasting daily is taking its toll. Being knocked off the top of the podcast charts by Love Island: The Morning After is a blow, but must be viewed as a challenge the squad can overcome. Perhaps we’ll bring in a romantic interest for my much-cherished colleague Barry Glendenning.I have watched every minute of the tournament and I’m not sure it’s healthy. It hit home on Saturday night. By the time the final game had started it all became a blur – who had played who? Which games...
South Korea forward will earn an exemption if team do the seemingly impossible – otherwise all may rest on Asian GamesSouth Korea begin their World Cup campaign against Sweden on Monday but, remarkably, it may not be the most important tournament for Son Heung-min this summer.The Tottenham forward is running out of time to earn an exemption from 21 months of military service and the best opportunity to skip that obstacle comes at the Asian Games in Indonesia in August and September. Related: South Korea World Cup 2018 team guide: tactics, key players and expert predictions Continue reading...
Midfielder was in England’s team that beat Tunisia at the World Cup 20 years ago and says patience and fearlessness are keyThere was a lot of trouble before we played Tunisia in Marseille. The two or three days leading up to the game were unpleasant. A lot of the squad had family over there, so it wasn’t easy.We were aware of what was going on. We had families flying over in the morning or on the night before and you just never know, do you? My mum and step-dad were out there. They were having a holiday in France and were travelling down for the game. I spoke to them and it was fine but it’s something you think about....
The tournament used to make its own stars but is now overdue an outstanding, trophy-winning individual performanceMoscow is a fascinating place to enter for the first time, its fringes marked by an endless scroll of huge stickle-brick buildings and gaudy roadside shopping complexes. Heading in from this angle, before the austere majesty of the city centre, it seems the chief beneficiary of Russia’s great opening out was that well-known US imperialist Colonel Sanders, who can be seen grinning down like Lenin’s crispy-fried southern gentleman cousin from his endless lighted placards, impassive, stoical and oddly comforting.But then, like many other nations, Russia does love an icon. Look around the early days of this World Cup and certain faces just keep looming...