Head down, thumbs up: Sergi Roberto has been compared to one of the game's legends for his style of play.

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David Silva joined the list of high-profile players to suffer injuries on international duty, with Mario Gotze, Karim Benzema and Sergio Aguero all already sidelined in the past seven days.

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Olivier Giroud endured a miserable evening during France's 2-1 friendly win over Serbia. He couldn't have scored if he was there all night

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Zidane head butting Materazzi GIF

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Hurri-Kane carrying Roy Hodgson's England to Euro 2016

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Goal Hall of Fame

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Goal Hall of Fame: Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Zidane secured for France its first World Cup in 1998, by scoring two goals out of three in the final against Brazil

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Klose equals Ronaldo's World Cup record

Germany striker Miroslav Klose hit the headlines yet again on Saturday as he bagged his 15th World Cup goal and a place in the history books.

The 36-year-old came off the bench to level the scores against Ghana, in an entertaining 2-2 draw, with a goal that sees him equal Ronaldo’s record that has stood since 2006.

Next up for Germany is their final group game against USA, with Klose able to move clear at the top of the standings should he find the target again.

Sunday, June 22, 2014 11:47

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France 2014 Tribute

Don't forget to watch GoalToons episode about France world cup history: 

 

GoalToons: World Cup moments

Get animated by watching the heroes, villains and highlights of previous tournaments as you have never seen them before. Eight episodes on World Cup greatest nations. The videos are available in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Portuguese and Arabic.

GoalToons: Brazil

GoalToons: Italy

GoalToons: Germany

GoalToons: Argentina

GoalToons: England

GoalToons: France

GoalToons: Spain

GoalToons: Netherlands

GoalToons credits:

Animation Director: Omar Momani

Animation: Sameer Aburezeq

Animation Assitant: Bassem Nabil

Narration on Germany, England and Netherlands: Mike V. Derderian

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France suffer Ribery blow

France have been dealt a major blow to their World Cup hopes after Franck Ribery was ruled out with a back injury.

"He is not capable of training for a few weeks, let alone playing a game," said Didier Deschamps.

But despite the absence of the Bayern Munich attack, the France boss is still not inclined to call up Manchester City’s Samir Nasri.

Saturday, 7 June 2014 12:00

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Zozulya plucks France feathers

Roman Zozulya and his mates conqured France on the final European round of the World Cup qualifications. Ukraine beated France 2-0 to make things harder for the French team to qualify.

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Ronaldo haunted by France failure

Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted he is not looking forward to facing France, should both sides fail to book an automatic spot at next summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

Portugal’s hopes of finishing top of Group F took a huge dent after a 1-1 draw with Israel on Friday, leaving them three points behind leaders Russia and looking destined for a play-off place.

France, meanwhile, are in a similar position in Group I, meaning a play-off date between the two sides is a distinct possibility.

The last time the two sides met France won 1-0 to book a spot in the 2006 World Cup final, and Ronaldo admits he is a worried man: "Hopefully, we'll now get a bit of luck and not get a complicated team. The only team I wouldn't like to face is France.”

Sunday, October 13, 2013 11:56

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Race to Rio continues as stars face World Cup qualifiers

The race to qualify for World Cup 2014 continues in earnest this weekend with many top stars in action for their countries.

The world’s most expensive footballer, Gareth Bale, should feature for Wales although Real Madrid’s newest recruit is highly unlikely to make it to Rio.

Another big summer signing Mesut Ozil is in action for Germany, who are closing in on qualification, while Manchester United new-boy Marouane Fellaini will face Scotland with Belgium.

Elsewhere expect to see Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suarez and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in action as club football takes a back seat this weekend.

Friday, 6 September 2013 11:50

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Pedro flies the flag as Spain conquer France

 

Spain ensured they regained full control of both their World Cup 2014 destiny and top spot in Group I on Tuesday after they battled to a 1-0 victory over France.

Despite Paul Pogba's red card, a closely-contested match at Stade de France was decided by a sole Pedro finish on the shade of an hour to give Didier Deschamps and his troops a case of les Bleus in their quest to reach the finals in Brazil.

Prior to kick-off, Spanish newspaper Marca - in a bid to taunt their Gallic neighbours - printed a front page of the Eiffel Tower resembling the colours of la Roja, and it seems they have now got their wish following the world champions' latest conquer! 
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Platini's Euro 2020 vision gets the green light

 

Friday brought confirmation from Uefa that the year 2020 will, for the first time, see the European Championships spread across 13 cities from all over the continent.

Michel Platini, president of the governing body, has been the biggest proponent of the idea and finally sees it come to fruition.

And now the stars of the next decade of international football, including the likes of Paul Pogba, Stephan El Shaarawy and Mario Gotze, can start to plan their triumphant EuroTrip!
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Barton goes to extreme lengths to gain acceptance from France

 

If you thought Englishmen abroad couldn't get cringe-worthy than 'Schteve' McClaren's Dutch accent, you were wrong.

Joey Barton came across all 'Allo 'Allo this weekend after making his Ligue 1 debut, talking to the French media with an incredible accent, that was part-Scouse, part-French and totally ridiculous.

But what next for the QPR outcast? A beret? A string of garlic? Carrying around a boombox that constantly plays Edith Piaf on a continual loop?

We can only wait and see...

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No glove lost between Friedel and Barthez

 

Brad Friedel took to Twitter on Friday to defend himself against comments made by Fabien Barthez regarding new Tottenham signing Hugo Lloris.

"He [Lloris] is faster than Friedel, he jumps higher, and he is very strong mentally," the former Manchester United man said. "What is happening now is incomprehensible, but I am not concerned. He will become the centre-piece for the club."

Exasperated by the former France shot-stopper, the American launched a counterattack on the social networking site.

"Just saw Barthez comments," Friedel wrote. "I normally don't comment on such crap, but when disrespected by someone I don't respect I must.

"Barthez was ignorant, disrespectful and out of order to mention my name."
 

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Deschamps calls on old friends as Ribery, Nasri et al get binned

 

 He was, then he wasn't, but now he definitely is. On Sunday it was announced that Didier Deschamps had officially become national team coach of France.

The former Les Bleus midfielder will have to get the side's house in order after a tumultuous Euro 2012 campaign that saw bust-ups involving Hatem Ben Arfa, Alou Diarra and, most explosively, Samir Nasri.
The France campaign at World Cup 2010 was also marred by internal strife and Deschamps will be keen to instill the kind of discipline and harmony that saw France win world football's biggest prize on home soil in 1998 before further triumph at Euro 2000.

Under pressure to weed out the trouble-makers and bring glory back to Les Bleus, could Deschamps turn to the successful class of '98 in order to get the job done?
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Deschamps escapes the France hot seat

 

The fallout from France's uninspiring showing at Euro 2012 looks set to continue with Didier Deschamps reportedly turning down the chance to fill the coaching vacancy.
Laurent Blanc left his role in charge after a 2-0 quarter-final exit at the hands of eventual winners Spain, despite many tipping Les Bleus to have an outside chance of lifting the trophy.

Deschamps, a former team-mate of Blanc’s, was expected to accept the job offer after resigning from Marseille but, now, the search goes on...

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