by James Yorke | 08 July, 2018
This World Cup proves that the margin between the best international sides is small
As the World Cup moves towards an end, it’s fascinating to reflect on how small the margins have been between success and failure. The four team...
by Tim Vickery | 07 July, 2018
Brazil must show humility if they are to bounce back from World Cup exit
When Germany crashed out of the World Cup, one Brazilian TV station posted a long ‘ha ha ha’ on social media. Former great Rivaldo came up...
by James Horncastle | 06 July, 2018
Sweden are used to being underdogs and must not be underestimated by England
Pockets of white shirts caught the eye at the Krestovsky Stadium on Tuesday. Marked out as German supporters by their Mannshaft replicas, they had bou...
by James Horncastle | 05 July, 2018
Belgium's Golden Generation face make-or-break encounter against Brazil
Roberto Martinez didn't wish to discuss tactics on Monday night. The opening question in his post-match press conference raised understandable concern...
by Tim Vickery | 05 July, 2018
Brazil's superior balance makes them favourites against Belgium
At the start of the World Cup, I was of the opinion that the competition would build towards one semi-final of France and Brazil, and another of Germa...
by Tim Vickery | 02 July, 2018
Uruguay's disciplinary record shows how they have changed under Oscar Washington Tabarez
Last year Nacional of Uruguay travelled to meet Botafogo of Brazil hoping to win a place in the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores, South America...
by James Horncastle | 29 June, 2018
Could Portugal go all the way at this summer's World Cup?
And so the trend continues. For the third time in the last four World Cups, the holders exit at the group stage. Brazil were the last team to defend t...
by James Yorke | 28 June, 2018
Age likely to count as the World Cup knockout phase approaches
As the group stage of the World Cup comes to an end, the reality of winning this competition emerges in the forefront of the minds of the remain...
by Tim Vickery | 28 June, 2018
Why do recent World Cup holders tend to fail four years later?
It seems that every four years we have to relearn the lesson of just how hard it is to retain the World Cup. A number of recent champions have fallen ...
by James Horncastle | 27 June, 2018
Should England and Belgium go all out for a win on Thursday?
Watching the World Cup this week, I was reminded of a comment Colombia's assistant manager Esteban Cambiasso made about modern football. Ten years ago...
by Tim Vickery | 24 June, 2018
Opponents will target Neymar's short fuse - and Tite must stop indulging him
Nearly eight years ago, in September 2010, Neymar threw a massive tantrum in a Brazilian league game. Just 18, he was already a star with Santos &ndas...
by James Yorke | 22 June, 2018
After crushing Croatia defeat, where do Argentina go from here?
Argentina’s 3-0 defeat by Croatia has taken their destiny in this World Cup out of their hands and provided the competition with its first real ...
