Sweden beat Italy 1-0 to gain the upperhand after their World Cup playoff first leg on a chilly night, while a young England side held Germany goalless and Belgium drew 3-3 with Mexico despite Romelu Lukaku's double but France eased to a 2-0 victory against Wales.
In a game like football, where passion runs deep, love is a binding factor that is obvious everywhere. From the stadiums, to the beaches of Copacaban and even the streets of Mexico, fans were spotted kissing in revelry! Rediff.com brings you a glimpse of some intimate moments.
England coach Mark Sampson named an experienced squad on Monday for the women's World Cup in Canada.
New Zealand are placed in Group B along with Turkey, Paraguay and Mali.
Two-thirds of soccer enthusiasts in 23 nations feel the first World Cup finals on African soil has become too expensive for fans to enjoy, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
Javier Ceppi, Tournament Director of the 2017 Under-17 football World Cup, which India will host, says the success of the event depends on the country's fans. Laxmi Negi reports.
Brazil have conceded only one goal in this World Cup, the equal most stingy rearguard along with Uruguay, and allowed only five shots on target in four games, the fewest of any side.
Belgium became the first European team to qualify for next year's World Cup when a Romelu Lukaku header gave them a 2-1 win away to Greece on Sunday with the goals coming in a five-minute second-half spell.
A round-up of the World Cup qualifying matches played on Friday.
Young Akhil Sheoran clinched the gold medal in men's 50m rifle 3 position with plenty to spare as India continued their superlative run at the ISSF World Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Mexico's World Cup warm-up against Portugal scheduled for May 30 has been cancelled due to a row between the two countries over accommodation at the finals in South Africa, the Mexican federation has said.
Salvadorian businessman approached the players with financial inducements before they travelled to Canada for the match at the weekend.
Belgium fought back from two goals down to beat Japan 3-2 with an added-time goal from substitute Nacer Chadli on Monday to set up a World Cup quarter-final with Brazil.
IMAGES from the South American World Cup qualifiers played on Tuesday.
FIFA's Technical Study Group (TSG) on Friday shortlisted three players for the Hyundai Best Young Player award, which is presented to the best young footballer in this year's World Cup.
Brazilian forward Neymar is faced with not just a bitter few days of what might have been, but a coming season of what to do now.
Substitute David Silva saved world champions Spain's blushes with a stoppage-time equaliser for a 1-1 draw against Mexico at the Azteca on Wednesday.
India thus remained on top of the medals tally with eight medals, while China is in second with two gold, two silver, one bronze.
India were on Friday drawn with two-time champions Ghana, United States and Colombia in a tough Group A of the FIFA Under 17 World Cup.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
The FIFA World Cup at Russia saw a variety of celebrations -- from the weird to some fancy dance moves -- Rediff.com has got it all covered here...
At least two of the eight first-round groups of four produced tough obstacles for their participants to progress to the knockout rounds.
Pistol sensation Manu Bhaker continued her terrific run of form, again claiming the individual as well as the team gold medal, while Gaurav Rana bagged a silver, as Indian shooters set the stage ablaze in the ISSF Junior World Cup, in Sydney, on Saturday.
Many soccer fans knew little or nothing about Russian cuisine before the World Cup, but have tucked into local gastronomy with relish, trying everything from luxurious caviar to staples like veal tongue.
World champions Germany survived a late scare to see off Saudi Arabia 2-1 on Friday and claim a first victory this year, putting a five-game winless run behind them as they finalised their World Cup preparations.
'I am very proud of these Indian players. They have shown that India can compete against the best in the world. They have a fantastic future'
He may not have been on the scoresheet, but once again it was Arjen Robben who won the match for the Netherlands on Sunday with the tricky footwork that has brought so many goals and so much controversy over the years.
Mexico defender Rafa Marquez stuck his foot out and Netherlands winger Arjen Robben went down for an injury-time penalty that took his team into the World Cup quarter-finals with a 2-1 win. Did Robben dive or was he fouled by Marquez?
The total number of spectators, who turned up at the six host venues across the country, currently stand at 12,24,027, a mere 6949 less than the earlier attendance of 12,30,976 set in the first edition of the tournament in China in 1985.
FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 Full Schedule, Venue Details, Time Table
Hosts Russia were drawn on Saturday in Group A at next year's Confederations Cup along with Portugal, Mexico and New Zealand.
Four countries - Netherlands, UAE, Nepal and Scotland - were recognized for their innovative efforts to grow cricket globally by winning awards at the ICC Development Awards.
The football fans in Kochi will get a chance to witness a fascinating contest between Brazilian attacking flare and Spanish 'tiki-taka' possession football in what could be a final before the final of this tournament.
The Maradonian religion has spread to several countries around the world and has more half a million followers.
'Our plan is to put the best foot forward for the upcoming tournament and play good matches'
The 2030 Youth Olympics will be the fifth edition of the international event.
New Jersey awarded 2026 World Cup final, Mexico gets opener
An inspired performance from Douglas Costa helped Brazil to a 3-0 win over Peru on Tuesday and lifted them into third place in the South American qualifying group for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Liverpool never truly imposed themselves on the game but their trademark perseverance paid off and earned them a place in Saturday's final.
India finish with four medals in World Cup Stage 3.
