SPORTS

Pre-tournament favourites Brazil failed to win their opening game of a World Cup for the first time since 1978 as Switzerland earned a valuable draw in Rostov-on-Don. The five-time champions, so often lauded for their flair, failed to sparkle after Philippe Coutinho’s superbly curled opener on 20 minutes. Tite’s side – with Gabriel Jesus and Willian alongside Neymar in a ...

Britain’s Mo Farah will compete at the Chicago Marathon in October, his third race over the distance and his first in the US. The four-time Olympic gold medallist finished third at the London Marathon in April, in a new British record. It was the 35-year-old’s second time at 26.2-miles, having finished eighth at London in 2014. The six-time world champion ...

Former Brazil striker Ronaldo believes it is time for his country to live up to the expectations and end their 16-year wait for a World Cup in Russia. Tite’s Brazilian squad head into the tournament as one of the favourites, and will meet Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia in Group E. “I think for me the favourite is, of course, ...

SPAIN have sacked Julen Lopetegui just two days before their first World Cup match – despite the late efforts of senior players. RFEF president Luis Rubiales revealed the decision after a dramatic morning when a press conference was called for 9.30am and then delayed over an hour and a half. Lopetegui was announced as the new Real Madrid manager yesterday and Rubiales ...

England forward Marcus Rashford has suffered a “slight knock” in the final training session before heading to the World Cup in Russia, manager Gareth Southgate said. The 20-year old, who scored 13 goals for Manchester United in all competitions last season, will be hopeful of a starting spot in Southgate’s team after impressing in the warm-up games, including a long-range ...

Mohamed Salah gave Egypt’s World Cup hopes a huge boost Wednesday when he joined a squad training session at their Grozny base. The Pharoahs’ superstar has been sidelined since suffering a shoulder injury in Liverpool’s Champions League final loss to Real Madrid on May 26. However, an AFP reporter saw the forward take part in his first training session since ...

Reigning champions Germany are set to arrive in Russia on Tuesday to join the World Cup party as Belgium downplayed an injury scare over star player Eden Hazard in their final warm-up match. Gareth Southgate’s youthful England team are also due to touch down as anticipation mounts ahead of Thursday’s opening fixture in Moscow between host nation Russia and Saudi ...

France midfielder Paul Pogba can put an underwhelming season at Manchester United behind him and make an impact at the World Cup, according to former Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna. Pogba, 25, endured an inconsistent Premier League campaign, scoring six goals and providing 10 assists in 27 appearances, as United finished second in the standings. “Paul is a special character and ...

Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira has been appointed as the new manager of French Ligue 1 side Nice. The ex-Manchester City, Inter Milan and Juventus midfielder was in his third season as head coach of New York City. The 41-year-old had been tipped to replace Arsene Wenger at Arsenal before the appointment of Unai Emery. “Leaving New York is an ...

Scotland secured the biggest win in their cricketing history with a thrilling six-run defeat of England. Callum MacLeod’s brilliant 140 not out took the home side to 371-5 in glorious batting conditions in Edinburgh. Jonny Bairstow’s 54-ball century looked to have England on course until they slipped from 220-2 to 276-7. Liam Plunkett (47 not out) and Moeen Ali (46) ...