World Cup News, Onmanorama

Fans give rousing reception to Les Bleus

Newspapers hailed a second World Cup for France, after their first victory on home soil in 1998.

Croatian prez flies economy class to World Cup, does a jig and hug too

Croatian president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic gave hugs to players from both sides and shared a lighter moment with France president Macron.

Paris subway changes names to honour World Cup champs

One station, Notre-Dame des Champs, will now be called Notre Didier Deschamps (Our Didier Deschamps), in an homage to the coach.

Future seems bright after great final at 'greatest' World Cup

'The greatest World Cup ever' got the final it deserved when a young, exciting France team swept aside Croatia with a pulsating 4-2 victory.

Croatia coach questions penalty call in World Cup final

Dalic also bemoaned his side's lack of fortune as France's opener came via Mario Mandzukic's own goal.

Argentina, Sampaoli part ways after World Cup debacle

The decision means that Argentina, world champions in 1978 and 1986, are looking for their fourth coach in four years.

Who could make a mega money move after World Cup performances?

These are some players whose displays in Russia will have attracted attention and who could be on the move.

France on top of the world

It was the highest-scoring final since England beat West Germany 4-2 after extra-time in 1966.

Deschamps all praise for his players' mental toughness

Reactions after France beat Croatia 4-2 in the World Cup final on Sunday.

Mandzukic's dubious distinction

The Croatian striker became the first player to score an own goal in a World Cup final.

Modric wins Golden Ball, Mbappe named best young player

Belgium's Thibaut Courtois won the Golden Glove award for the best goalkeeper.

Pride and tears for Croatians after World Cup final loss

When the final whistle blew fans who had gathered in Ban Jelacic square in the capital Zagreb to watch the match on a big screen hugged each other in commiseration.

French fans delirious with joy | Video

The boom of fireworks and firecrackers filled the air in Paris while drivers honked their horns incessantly to celebrate France's second world title.

Anti-Kremlin protesters halt World Cup final

The Pussy Riot punk band, whose members were jailed for staging a protest against Russian president Vladimir Putin in a church, said on social media that they were responsible for the pitch invasion.

As it happened: France regain World Cup

The Les Bleus beat Croatia 4-2 in an error-filled match to lift their second title.

Belgium squad handed hero's welcome

Their dreams of World Cup glory were shattered by France in the semi-finals, but another win against England sealed third place.

Croatian prez hands Putin soccer jersey before World Cup final

At a Kremlin meeting, Putin congratulated the Croatian president on the national team's performance.

Croatia fans eclipse low-key French in final build-up

French fans were more reserved ahead of the final and seemed to be fewer in number than their Croatian counterparts.

Russia hands over World Cup hosting duties to Qatar

The ceremony marked a handover from the world's largest country by landmass to one of the smallest.

France 'in a bubble' to play the perfect final: Lloris

France captain Hugo Lloris said the team were not being swept up by the wave of celebrations back home and were keeping their focus firmly on their shot of earning a second World Cup title after 1998.

Organisers say World Cup has transformed perception of Russia

Alexei Sorokin, CEO of the local organising committee, said the country had welcomed more than one million foreign guests during the tournament.

Croatia stand between France and World Cup glory | Video

It is just the second time that none of Brazil, Germany, Italy or Argentina have made the final, after Spain's win over the Netherlands in 2010.

Croatia fans hope to settle old score at World Cup final

Croatia's 1998 World Cup dreams were cut short as France clawed back from a goal down in the semifinal to beat them 2-1.

France '98 - when Croatia crashed the World Cup party

For all the euphoria, Croatia's success should not have been seen as a total surprise.

Pitana's path from film extra to World Cup final referee

'Pitana is as strong as a rock,' says Pierluigi Collina, the head of FIFA's refereeing committee.

Belgium upstage England to capture third place

A fourth-minute goal from Thomas Meunier and an 82nd minute Eden Hazard strike earned Belgium the victory and the third-place.

As it happened: Belgium outclass England to seal third place

This is Belgium's best World Cup performance after finishing fourth in the 1986 edition.

For a change, Qatar World Cup to be played in Nov-Dec

However, Infantino did not give any new information on the whether the first 48-team tournament would be in Qatar in 2022 instead of in 2026 as originally planned.

Belgium, England meet in third-place play-off

The two sides must pick themselves up and dust themselves down after suffering the crushing disappointment of semifinal defeats to play for the modest prize of third place.

Croatia not just about Modric

Croatia's run to the World Cup final is largely down to Luka Modric's tireless work in midfield, but their ability to switch tactics efficiently should be a warning for opponents France on Sunday.

France surprised by Croatia's physical fortitude

Croatia have been forced into extra time in each of their three knockout matches, edging Denmark and hosts Russia on penalties before scoring late in added play to come from behind and beat England in Wednesday's semifinal.

World Cup photographer 'floored' by Croatia's goal celebration

Mexican snapper Yuri Cortez was perfectly positioned after Mario Mandzukic's extra time winner and ended up at the heart of the celebrations.

Croatia on fire after 'miracle of all miracles in Russia'

Croatia beat England 2-1 in extra-time thanks to a Mario Mandzukic goal in the second period of extra-time to book a date with France in Moscow on Sunday.

We all feel the pain, says England coach Southgate

Southgate's team made a fine start to their quest to become the first England side to reach the final in 52 years but faded in the second half before going down 2-1 to the Croatians after extra time at the Luzhniki Stadium.

Resilient Croatia stun England, set up final with France

Croatia reached the World Cup final for the first time after an extra-time goal from Mario Mandzukic gave them a 2-1 win over England.

Croatian fans on cloud nine after thrilling win | Video

Mario Mandzukic scored in Moscow's Luzhniki stadium giving the Balkan nation its first ever place in the final, surprising even some fans with the result.

As it happened: Mandzukic guides Croatia to maiden World Cup final

Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic scored the winner in the 109th minute as he scored from inside the box.

Belgium's Courtois blasts France victory as 'shame for football'

Centre-back Samuel Umtiti's 51st minute header from a corner gave France a 1-0 win, as they defended deep to close it out and reach a third World Cup final.

World Cup marred by 'significant' sexism on the streets

Piara Powar, the head of the FARE network which monitors discrimination in European soccer, said the victims had included Russian women harassed by fans and TV reporters who had been accosted while broadcasting.

Pogba dedicates France win to rescued Thai boys

Samuel Umtiti headed in a 51st minute winner to send Les Bleus through to their third final in 20 years.

France one step away from World Cup glory

Didier Deschamps' side will face England or Croatia in Moscow on Sunday as the French look to lift the trophy for the second time following their triumph on home soil in 1998.

As it happened: Umtiti header guides France to World Cup final

The French defender scored in the 51st minute as he flicked a header past Thibaut Courtois.

Rescued Thai soccer team not to attend World Cup final: FIFA

The 12 Thai boys and their coach who were rescued from a flooded cave will not attend the World Cup final in Moscow on Sunday for medical reasons.

Southgate in no mood to change England's winning formula

While England enjoyed a relatively stress-free 2-0 win over Sweden in the last eight, Croatia had to come through a gruelling extra time against hosts Russia and then a penalty shootout.

Now, a soccer film festival for Kerala World Cup fans

The Kerala Chalachitra Academy, with the support of city-based Street Library, will host the movie fest at the Manaveeyam Veedhi in Thiruvananthapuram

Belgium face France hurdle, eye maiden World Cup final spot

Roberto Martinez's swashbuckling Belgium side head into Tuesday's semi-final with familiar foes France as the World Cup's leading scorers

Croatia search for missing sparks ahead of England clash

When Croatia stormed through the group stage with nine points from three games, they did in indeed look like serious contenders.

Croatian midfield threat poses dilemma for Southgate

Croatia have arguably the strongest central midfield pairing of the tournament in Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic and Real Madrid playmaker Luka Modric.

Finally, England and Croatia have chance to banish semi blues

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.

Team spirit can carry Belgium to World Cup final: Martinez

The coach sees strong similarities between Belgium and their opponents, especially when it comes to the wealth of individual talent in their ranks.