Iran's coach Carlos Queiroz lambasted German soccer icon Juergen Klinsmann for criticising his team's World Cup conduct, calling his remarks a "disgrace to football" and urging him to resign from his role with world governing body FIFA.

Versatile Brazil forward Rodrygo has hugely impressed international teammate Casemiro, who said on Saturday he could replace the injured Neymar as a World Cup starter.

Few would have given Japan much chance of getting out of a group that included Germany and Spain when the World Cup draw was made but a win over Costa Rica on Sunday would leave Hajime Moriyasu’s side on the brink of the last 16.

Two decades have gone by since South America last won the World Cup. Brazil’s 2002 triumph coincided with the first time the tournament was staged in Asia. Now, as the World Cup returns to the continent, might that long dry run come to an end?  Brazil and Argentina, South America’s big two, are looking very good in the run up to Qatar. In fact, it is hard to think of a time when the pair of them have looked better.

Morocco coach Walid Regragui said his team would try and draw on the “special emotions” of their Belgian-born players when they take on Roberto Martinez’s side at the World Cup on Sunday.

Canada manager John Herdman said on Saturday his team was fired up for a test against Croatia after the Canadians fell to Belgium 1-0 despite outplaying them.

Just one match into the Qatar World Cup, Germany face what amounts to a must-win clash against Spain on Sunday, a team they have not beaten in a competitive fixture since 1988.

Germany face a fight for World Cup survival on Sunday in a must-win clash with Spain as Japan and Belgium look to seal their place in the last 16.

Lionel Messi drew level with Diego Maradona's number of World Cup goals and appearances on Saturday, but the current No. 10 knows that only winning the trophy at long last will earn him the same eternal love of his fellow Argentines.

Lionel Scaloni pleaded with Argentines to show calm after Lionel Messi helped keep their World Cup hopes alive with the first goal in a crucial 2-0 win over Mexico on Saturday.

Lionel Messi helped keep Argentina’s World Cup bid alive with the first goal in a 2-0 victory over Mexico on Saturday.

Sublime strikes by Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez earned Argentina a 2-0 win over feisty Mexico in a pulsating atmosphere at the Lusail Stadium on Saturday and got the South American favourites' World Cup campaign up and running.

A World Cup draw with Ecuador was not a result the Netherlands was looking for, with the 1-1 outcome meaning Louis van Gaal’s team failed to nail down a last-16 place with a game to spare.

Before flying to Qatar, Australia’s Mitchell Duke had promised to dedicate a goal at the World Cup to his son, and the striker duly delivered when he scored the winner in a 1-0 victory over Tunisia in their second Group D match on Saturday.

This World Cup was promised to be the ‘best-ever’ by FIFA boss Gianni Infantino and that sentiment was echoed by different quarters, with the chief reason behind the assumption being all the innovation that this edition of the showpiece event in Qatar was set to offer.

Robert Lewandowski scored his first ever World Cup goal as Poland brought Saudi Arabia back down to earth with a bump on Saturday with an 2-0 Group C victory that rejuvenated their tournament campaign.

Switzerland centre-back Nico Elvedi said on Saturday his side would not be awed by the might of Brazil, saying they had enough quality to push the tournament favourites.

The United States shut out a European side at the World Cup for the first time since 1950 but left the tent-like Al Bayt Stadium without a win after Friday’s tense goalless stalemate against England, a contest where they were superior for long periods.

Coach Graham Arnold said “the old Aussie way” helped his side beat Tunisia 1-0 on Saturday to keep their World Cup alive but warned his players they had achieved nothing yet.

Courtesy of a brace from Kylian Mbappe, France beat Denmark 2-1 in World Cup Group D clash on Saturday at an electric 974 Stadium and the defending champions became the first team this edition to qualify for the Round of 16.