Belgium's midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (L) applauds the crowd at the end of the UEFA EURO 2020 quarter-final football match between Belgium and Italy at the Allianz Arena in Munich on July 2, 2021.AFP

Last chance for Belgium's 'too old' golden generation at World Cup

Anything other than victory against Croatia on Thursday could see the world's second-ranked side heading home after the group stage.

2 years ago

Sports

Cameroon fight back to draw World Cup thriller with Serbia

Rigobert Song's team looked almost dead and buried after goals from Strahinja Pavlovic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Aleksandar Mitrovic gave Serbia a 3-1 lead early in the second half. ...

2 years ago

Sports

Brazil without Neymar as Portugal target World Cup last 16

Five-time world champions Brazil could secure a spot in the knockout phase with a win over the Swiss depending on the outcome of the day's early game between Serbia and Cameroon. ...

2 years ago

The Latest

Run for the planet: French marathon runner Nicolas Vandenelsken (right), who calls himself an “eco-adventurer,“ is seen running with some children in a photo posted on Twitter account @UniVertSport, an association aiming to raise awareness on sport, planet and health.

Sports premium

French ‘eco-adventurer’ runs 100 marathons for climate

A 30-year-old Frenchman is running 100 marathons in as many days to raise awareness of the carbon footprint left by major sporting events.

2 years ago

Belgium's goalkeeper #01 Thibaut Courtois (Down) concedes a goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group F football match between Belgium and Morocco at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha on November 27, 2022.

Sports

Belgium played with 'fear of losing', admits Martinez

The world's second-ranked side will have to beat 2018 runners-up Croatia on Thursday to be sure of a last-16 place after their 2-0 loss at the Al Thumama Stadium.

2 years ago

Morocco's midfielder #07 Hakim Ziyech (left) fights for the ball with Belgium's defender #21 Timothy Castagne during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group F football match between Belgium and Morocco at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha on November 27, 2022.

Sports

'Crazy' Ziyech shows Morocco what they were missing

Former coach Vahid Halilhodzic cut him out of the team in a dispute over his willingness to play, but when the Bosnian was sacked in August, his replacement Walid Regragui welcomed the Chelsea player among others back into the Atlas Lions' fold.

2 years ago

Germany's forward #19 Leroy Sane is marked by Spain's midfielder #16 Rodri during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group E football match between Spain and Germany at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha on November 27, 2022.

Sports

Germany keep World Cup hopes alive as Morocco stun Belgium

Elsewhere, 2018 runners-up Croatia crushed Canada 4-1 to eliminate their opponents while Costa Rica claimed a shock win over Japan.

2 years ago

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group F - Belgium v Belgium's Leander Dendoncker and Wout Faes on the pitch before the match

Sports

No Lukaku but Belgium make three changes for Morocco game

Tall midfielder Amadou Onana will start in the place of Youri Tielemans having impressed off the bench in the 1-0 win over Canada, while Thorgan Hazard, brother of captain Eden, comes in for Yannick Carrasco. Right back Thomas Meunier was preferred to Leander Dendoncker.

2 years ago

Costa Rica's midfielder #05 Celso Borges heads the ball during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group E football match between Japan and Costa Rica at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on November 27, 2022.

Sports

Costa Rica beat Japan to hand Germany World Cup lifeline

Japan, who shocked four-time champions Germany 2-1 in their opener in Qatar, could have taken a giant stride towards the last 16 with a win.

2 years ago

Guatemalan referee Mario Escobar shows a yellow card to Wales' defender #06 Joe Rodon during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group B football match between Wales and Iran at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on November 25, 2022.

Sports

Iran coach fury over Klinsmann's World Cup criticism

Klinsmann, a member of FIFA's seven-member technical study group that is analysing the World Cup in Qatar, took aim at Iran's antics following their 2-0 Group B win against Wales on Friday.

2 years ago

France's forward #10 Kylian Mbappe runs with the ball during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group D football match between France and Denmark at Stadium 974 in Doha on November 26, 2022.

Sports

Mbappe has France scoring records in his sights

Mbappe, who will celebrate his 24th birthday two days after the Dec. 18 final, took things into his own hands at the 974 Stadium with two goals after the break, even though he might have been a tad too selfish in the first half.

2 years ago

Argentina's Lionel Messi (right) dribbles past Jamaica's Damion Lowe during the international friendly football match between Argentina and Jamaica at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, on September 27, 2022.

Sports

Messi brings Argentina to life, but can he match Maradona?

In the twilight of a career played out in the larger-than-life shadow of Maradona - who won the 1986 World Cup almost single-handedly - Messi is desperate to also lift the trophy on his fifth and final attempt.

2 years ago

Belgium's forward Eden Hazard attends a press conference at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) in Doha on November 26, 2022, on the eve of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football match between Belgium and Morocco.

Sports

Belgium's 'Golden Generation' past best, admits Hazard

Belgium, who finished third at the tournament in Russia in 2018, are still ranked second in the world but many of the much-vaunted "Golden Generation" are now in their 30s.

2 years ago

France's forward #10 Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group D football match between France and Denmark at Stadium 974 in Doha on November 26, 2022.

Sports

Mbappe shows France attack well equipped without Benzema

While Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have one final shot at winning the World Cup, Mbappe is chasing his second title at just 23 -- and is surely the player who will dominate the sport for years to come.

2 years ago

Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group C football match between Argentina and Mexico at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on November 26, 2022.

Sports

Messi goal helps keep Argentina World Cup hopes alive

Defeat to outsiders Saudi Arabia in their opening Group C match in Qatar had left Argentina on the brink, knowing another loss would spell the end of their tournament chances.

2 years ago

Ghana's coach Otto Addo speaks to French fourth official referee Stephanie Frappart during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group H football match between Portugal and Ghana at Stadium 974 in Doha on November 24, 2022.

Sports

Ronaldo's milestone goal was gift from referee, says Ghana coach

Ronaldo won, and then converted, a 65th minute penalty to hand Portugal the lead -- and become the first man to score at five World Cups -- as they went onto win their Group H game.

2 years ago

Iranian referee Alireza Faghani (right) gestures to Brazil's forward #10 Neymar during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group G football match between Brazil and Serbia at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha on November 24, 2022.

Sports

Richarlison stars as Brazil beat Serbia but Neymar suffers injury scare

The record five-time winners had toiled at times in the first half but improved after the break at the Lusail Stadium and were rewarded when Tottenham Hotspur striker Richarlison followed in to score the opener in the 62nd minute after a Vinicius Junior shot was saved.

2 years ago

Portugal's forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo prepares to shoot a penalty during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group H football match between Portugal and Ghana at Stadium 974 in Doha on November 24, 2022.

Sports

Man United can no longer count on Ronaldo, but Portugal can

The 37-year-old striker won and converted a penalty to break the deadlock in what was ultimately a thrilling 3-2 win over Ghana on Thursday, becoming the first player to score at five World Cup finals.

2 years ago

South Korea's midfielder #07 Son Heung-min takes part in a training session at Al Egla Training Site 5 in Doha on November 23, 2022, on the eve of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football match between Uruguay and South Korea.

Sports

Son fit enough to play in South Korea's World Cup opener

The Spurs attacker and South Korean skipper had surgery earlier this month after suffering a fracture around his left eye in a collision during a Champions League game.

2 years ago

Brazil's forward Neymar (left) and Brazil's midfielder Lucas Paqueta (2nd left) take part in a training session at Al Arabi SC stadium in Doha on November 23, 2022, on the eve of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football match between Brazil and Serbia.

Sports

Favourites Brazil kick off World Cup bid as Ronaldo enters fray

Brazil will be wary of a dangerous Serbian side when the teams meet at Lusail Stadium, especially after seeing Argentina suffer a shock defeat against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday at the same venue and Germany lose to Japan on Wednesday.

2 years ago

Belgium's goalkeeper #01 Thibaut Courtois celebrates at the end of the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group F football match between Belgium and Canada at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on November 23, 2022.

Sports

Ugly but deserved win, says Belgium coach Martinez

After Argentina and Germany lost their opening games, Belgium came close to suffering another major upset but the team who finished third at the 2018 World Cup top the group by two points from Croatia and Morocco.

2 years ago

Germany's coach Hans-Dieter Flick watches his players from the touchline during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group E football match between Germany and Japan at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on November 23, 2022.

Sports

Flick denies armband row distracted Germany in Japan loss

"No. We won't resort to using excuses. That would be too easy for us," Flick said when asked if his players had lost focus after the "OneLove" rainbow armband debate dominating the lead in to Germany's opening match.

2 years ago

$Fans of the Morocco national team pose for a photo with (left to right) their country's flag, the flag of the AS FAR football club, the national flag of Saudi Arabia after watching Morocco's Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup match against Croatia at a cafe in the capital Rabat on November 23, 2022. Saudi Arabia's unexpected World Cup victory over giants Argentina triggered a rare moment of joint celebration across the fractured Arab world including among Qataris -- less than two years after a seething regional dispute. The triumph was Saudi's biggest since its World Cup debut in 1994 and the first for a Middle Eastern country in this year's tournament, which is making its debut on Arab soil.$

Sports

Saudi World Cup win sparks rare Arab unity

A caravan of Qatari cars, horns honking, paraded through the streets of Doha after the Saudis' famous 2-1 win over the South American champions, one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.

2 years ago

Japan's goalkeeper #12 Shuichi Gonda (right) fouls Germany's defender #03 David Raum during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group E football match between Germany and Japan at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on November 23, 2022.

Sports

Germany shocked by Japan after World Cup armband protest, Spain hit seven

Elsewhere on the fourth day of action in Qatar, Belgium edged out Canada 1-0 while 2018 finalists Croatia drew with Morocco.

2 years ago

Japan's coach #00 Hajime Moriyasu celebrates his team's victory in the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group E football match between Germany and Japan at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on November 23, 2022.

Sports

Moriyasu hails stunning win made in Germany

Eight of Japan's squad are based in Germany and it was two of those players who scored the goals that sealed a historic victory for the Asian side.

2 years ago

Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the UEFA Nations League, league A group 2 football match between Portugal and Czech Republic at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on June 9, 2022.

Sports

Ronaldo seeks new club after Man Utd exit

Cristiano Ronaldo is searching for a new team after a tumultuous few hours at Manchester United, during which they announced the superstar forward was leaving and the club could be sold.

2 years ago

Sports

Three things you should know about Roberto Soldic

ONE Championship’s hottest new prospect, Roberto “Robocop” Soldic, will finally make his debut in the Circle on Saturday, Dec. 3.

2 years ago

In this file photo taken on Oct. 16, 2022 Manchester United's Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the warm up prior to the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Newcastle at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England.

Sports

Manchester United owners consider sale as Ronaldo exits

Manchester United's owners said Tuesday they were ready to sell the club, potentially bringing down the curtain on an acrimonious 17 years under the Glazer family.

2 years ago