Zidane, Mbappe star in multi-cultural French team, but race tensions remain

Some commentators have discussed the 2018 success of Les Bleus as a return to the joys of “black, blanc, beur” multicultural national celebration, acceptance and celebration of ethnic diversity.

Fifa World Cup 2018 : The French football team has won the 2018 World Cup, 20 years after it triumphed on home soil in 1998. “Les Bleus”, as they’re called, are back in the nation’s good books, celebrated for their excellent performance in this year’s tournament, right through the 4-2 win over Croatia in the final. Out of the limelight and the glare of success in Russia 2018, however, a question continues to dog French football – the role of race and class in the selection of national players.

On the surface, this may seem strange with the attention given to the multicultural harmony of the 1998 World Cup-winning team. The straight-talking former captain of the French national team, Zinedine Zidane, recently said of his country’s 1998 win: “It was not about religion, the colour of your skin, we didn’t care about that, we were just together and enjoyed the moment.”

This echoed the sentiment of the times, that a multicultural team of united “black, blanc, beur” (black, white or Arab) players had united under the cause of the French national team to lift the World Cup for the first time. Triumph, on the football field, demonstrated that integration had been successful in France and anyone could reach the top of French society.

Zidane, the star of France’s 1998 World Cup-winning team, was born to Berber Algerian parents. He grew up in Marseille’s infamous “La Castellane” estate, seen as one of the toughest estates in one of France’s toughest cities. Two decades later, Kylian Mbappé – a 19-year-old of Cameroonian and Algerian heritage – who grew up in the Bondy suburbs of Paris, is the star of the French team.

Some commentators have discussed the 2018 success of Les Bleus as a return to the joys of “black, blanc, beur” multicultural national celebration, acceptance and celebration of ethnic diversity. Yet others have been critical of the way politics, integration and football have been mixed together again.

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Fifa World Cup 2018 Croatia vs England live: When and where to watch free

England’s last appearance at this stage was in 1990 when they lost in a penalty shootout to West Germany in Turin.

Croatia Vs England : Two nations who have been waiting years to put right the bitter memories of World Cup semi-final defeats will face each other on Wednesday in Moscow with the chance to finally go one step further.

Croatia’s compact side will combat England’s fast and direct football when they meet in the second semi-final of the FIFA World Cup 2018 with both teams aiming to recreate their own history by progressing to the title decider.

England’s last appearance at this stage was in 1990 when they lost in a penalty shootout to West Germany in Turin while eight years later, in their first World Cup as an independent nation, Croatia lost to hosts and eventual winners France.

The Croats, basking in the afterglow of their golden generation of footballers, have reached the semi-finals for the second time in their brief history. They will aim to better the third-place finish achieved by the star-studded squad spearheaded by the legendary Davor Suker at the 1998 edition in France.

England too left Italy 28 years ago feeling that the team featuring Gary Lineker and Paul Gascoigne could have gone all the way.

But neither side are in a mood for nostalgia or using the past as motivation.

For England, it is a chance to reach the final for the first time since their World Cup winning campaign at home in 1966, more than a generation ago. They reached the last four stage for the last time in Italy back in 1990.

While Croats are in the semi-finals on the back of two knockout victories over Denmark and Russia via penalty shootouts, England got past Colombia and Sweden in the last two elimination matches.

“It’s the best opportunity that England’s ever had, and probably might ever have,” England defender Kyle Walker was quoted as saying by the FIFA’s official website.

“We have shown character, we’ve shown belief and I think that’s what is going to get us over the line in this game. I have to dream. I have to dream big,” he said ahead of the game at the Luzhniki Stadium.

Croatia have had an impressive campaign at this World Cup. They topped an extremely difficult group that included perennial title contenders Argentina, Iceland and Nigeria.

On the other hand, England’s progression to the knockout rounds was far more easy — they defeated inexperienced sides like Tunisia and minnows Panama before losing to an impressive Belgium.

In Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, Croatia have arguably the best midfield in Russia and the presence of star strikers Mario Mandzukic and Ante Rebic add some added force upfront.

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Fifa World Cup 2018 Belgium vs France live: When and where to watch free

France look to return to the final of the World Cup for the first time since 2006.

Fifa World Cup 2018 : Although the Tour de France cycle race would normally be the focus of French and Belgian sports fans at this time of year, it’s a fair bet that Tuesday’s World Cup semi-final here will beat the viewing figures of the annual cycle race in the two nations in question.

France look to return to the final of the World Cup for the first time since 2006, while the Belgians look to confirm the promise of their ‘golden generation’ and reach the final for the first time.

The Belgians have won all five of their matches in Russia, scoring 14 goals and leaving Brazil and Japan by the wayside. In the quarter-final against Brazil, they showed their adaptability and in the last 16, they showed their resilience by fighting back from 0-2 down against the Japanese.

Belgium coach Roberto Martinez has shown that he can make changes to his system, using a 4-3-2-1 for most of the tournament, but adapting to a 4-3-3 to exploit Brazil’s weaknesses down the flanks.

Martinez has succeeded where his predecessors failed by making the team greater than the sum of its parts. The Spaniard has shown great tactical pragmatism by setting up his side to suit the characteristics of his best players and exploit the weakness of opponents. This was exemplified in the team’s 2-1 quarter-final victory over Brazil, when Kevin de Bruyne was deployed as a false nine while Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard were pulled wide.

It remains to be seen what system he will use against a French side that is rock-solid in midfield. One change forced on Martinez is at right-back where he will have to find a replacement for the suspended Thomas Meunier. The most likely candidate is Celtic’s Dedryck Boyata.

Story By BS

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Fifa World Cup 2018 Brazil vs Mexico: Samba boys train ahead of knockouts

Brazil’s journey to the Round of 16 has been anything but smooth.

Brazil Vs Mexico : Fifa World Cup 2018 favourites Brazil continue their campaign for the 2018 World Cup in Russiaon Monday against a Mexican side, which stated their campaign brilliantly before coming dangerously close to elimination.

Brazil produced their best display of the tournament in beating Serbia 2-0 to secure their place in the last 16, finding more connection between midfield and attack than in previous games, reports Xinhua news agency.

Brazil struggled for fluidity in their opening two matches in Russia and will look to the win over Serbia as a turning point to their campaign and a confidence boost.

However, they will have to be wary of their disciplinary record with key trio Neymar, Coutinho and Casemiro a booking away from suspension.

Brazil’s journey to the Round of 16 has been anything but smooth: After drawing 1-1 with Switzerland in their opener and leaving it late to claim a 2-0 win over Costa Rica, they beat Serbia 2-0 to ultimately move on as expected group winners.

Training session:

The Brazilian national football team held a training session on Sunday for their last-16 knockout clash against Mexico in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Real Madrid defender Marcelo, whose appearance against Mexico has been in doubt, participated without visible problems in the first 15 minutes of the training that was open to the media, during which the Canarinha squad did stretches and running, reports Efe.

The squad — including Neymar Jr, Philippe Coutinho, Casemiro, Miranda and Thiago Silva — completed a light training led by coach Tite at the Samara Arena, which is slated to host the Monday’s match.

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Fifa World Cup 2018: Today’s match fixture, live streaming info for Tuesday

Today’s football matches involve the host Argentina, Nigeria Iceland Croatia, Denmark, France, Australia, Peru.

Fifa World Cup 2018 is getting more excited with each passing day. The 12th day of the Football World Cup 2018 will see the doubleheaders of Group C and Group D. All teams will start playing their 3rd and last group game, which will eventually decide their Round 16 (knockout) chances. All eyes will be on Lionel Messi as Argentina’s last group game against Nigeria will decide their future in Russia 2018.

Here’s the today’s match schedule list:

1st two matches: Denmark vs France and Australia vs Peru

When and Where to watch: Denmark vs France and Australia vs Peru

Time: 7:30 PM (IST)

In today’s Group C match, Denmark vs France will take place in Moscow meanwhile the second match of Group C, Australia vs Peru, will be played in Sochi on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at 7:30 PM (IST).

Denmark vs France and Australia vs Peru matches will be broadcast on Sony Ten 2, Sony Ten 2 HD, Sony Six and Sony Six HD in English Commentary and Sony Ten 3 and Sony 3 HD in Hindi Commentary.

Denmark vs France and Australia vs Peru matches will be available for live streaming on Sony Liv also. And Both Airtel and Jio would broadcast the FIFA World Cup 2018 matches for free to their respective subscribers.

The other two matches: Argentina vs Nigeria and Iceland vs Croatia

When and Where to watch: Argentina vs Nigeria and Iceland vs Croatia

Time: 11:30 PM (IST)

In today’s Group D match, Argentina vs Nigeria match will take place in Saint Petersburg and the second game of Group D, Iceland vs Croatia, will be played in Rostov on Tuesday, 26, 2018 at 11:30 PM (IST).

Argentina vs Nigeria and Iceland vs Croatia matches will be broadcast on Sony Ten 2, Sony Ten 2 HD, Sony Six and Sony Six HD in English Commentary and Sony Ten 3 and Sony 3 HD in Hindi Commentary.

Argentina vs Nigeria and Iceland vs Croatia matches will be available for live streaming on Sony Liv also. And Both Airtel and Jio would broadcast the FIFA World Cup 2018 matches for free to their respective subscribers.