France is slowly but gaining momentum when it mattered most.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino signalled that he is in favour of introducing video assistant referees (VAR) at next year's World Cup following its success at the Confederations Cup, although he conceded the system needs to be improved.
Didier Deschamps is confident he has prepared his players for any tactical surprises his opposite number Roberto Martinez might spring
Germany's Leon Goretzka scored two expertly-taken early goals to set them on the way to a thumping 4-1 win over Mexico in a dramatic, end-to-end Confederations Cup semi-final on Thursday.
Belgium's Eden Hazard is making the strongest bid for that crown.
The 29-year-old's composure on the ball, ability to pick a pass and tough tackling paid dividends at both ends of the pitch in the must-win game against Nigeria.
Already-qualified France played out an uninspiring goalless draw with Denmark in their final World Cup Group C match at Moscow's Luzhniki stadium on Tuesday, which was enough to ensure that both teams advance to the knockout stage.
England and Belgium face a World Cup conundrum ahead of Thursday's crunch in Kaliningrad
The 33-year-old Real Madrid forward's individual brilliance has glossed over Portugal's dour performances in their first two matches and Fernando Santos's side have mostly appeared like a one-man team.
The Indo-Czech pair lost 6-3, 3-6, 6-7(7) to Julian Knowle of Austria in the first round
The S-400 Triumf long-range air defence missile system has the capability to destroy incoming hostile aircraft, missiles and even drones at ranges of up to 400 km.
The Russian Football Union's anti-discrimination inspector has said the World Cup is a chance for Russia to show how open it is.
Indian tennis ace Sania Mirza and her Swiss partner Martina Hingis extended their winning streak to 37 games with a straight sets victory in the opening round of the women's doubles event at the St Petersburg Ladies Trophy on Thursday.
As Sania Mirza and Martina Hingis stand on the threshold of a unique milestone, former India players discuss the Hyderabadi's contribution in the all-conquering partnership with Bikash Mohapatra/Rediff.Com.
The prime minister would hold summit level talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In a condolence message to his son Sanjay Dutt from St Petersburg, where he is on a State visit, President A P J Abdul Kalam, said Sunil Dutt had made significant contributions to the fields of art and public life.
FC Basel won the Swiss Super League for an unprecedented sixth season in a row on Sunday.
Manchester United's dwindling hopes of lifting a trophy this season are dangling by a thread after they produced an abject display to lose 2-0 at Olympiakos Piraeus in a Champions League last-16 first leg on Tuesday.
The talented actor died in a car accident on June 19.
Klopp has led Liverpool to back-to-back Champions League finals but is adamant that their impressive recent track record does not make them the title favourites.
Elena Vesnina denied Venus Williams another comeback win, while Kristina Mladenovic roared back from a set and a break down to beat Caroline Wozniacki on Thursday to reach the semi-finals of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.
He met Chinese President Hu Jintao in St Petersburg on Saturday as part of efforts to know each other and to create a proper atmosphere for the upcoming visit.
American and British intelligence authorities have suggested that a bomb from the dreaded Islamic State might have caused the crash of a Russian plane in Egypt's Sinai, killing all 224 people on board.
Napoli put a foot in the Europa League semi-finals with a perfectly crafted 4-1 win at VfL Wolfsburg on Thursday as Marek Hamsik scored twice in an Italian masterclass to bring cheer to beleaguered coach Rafael Benitez.
IMAGES from the Europa League matches played on Thursday
New UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin believes London is the perfect choice to stage the climax to Euro 2020 after 12 other cities across the continent host earlier matches, he said on Wednesday.
Higuain had a disappointing Copa America tournament in July, scoring two goals during the competition and missing his spot kick as Argentina lost on penalties to Chile in the final.
Making a suo motu statement on his recent visits to Germany, St Petersburg (Russia), Evian (France) and China, Vajpayee described as 'significant' the memorandum of understanding signed by India and China on border trade through Nathu La Pass.
The fifth-seeded Austrian, who saved two match points, will face Novak Djokovic on Saturday after the world number one's opponent Marin Cilic withdrew with food poisoning.
The former world number one said that his target for next season was to win a medal at the Olympic Games in Athens.
A summary of sports events and sports persons, who made news on Tuesday
The Russian hinted at retirement after rallying to beat Nicolas Kiefer in the first round action at the St Petersburg Open.
