MOSCOW - With Vladimir Putin watching from the stands, France won its second World Cup title in a match that was interrupted by an on-field protest during the second half that Russian punk band Pussy Riot later took credit for. French players celebrate at the end of the final match between France and Croatia at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, July 15, 2018. (AP)Nineteen-year-old Kylian Mbappe became only the second teenager to score in a World Cup fin

Russian President Vladimir Putin knows the legacy of his World Cup will be judged partly by the fate of the stadiums after the tournament and he is determined they are put to good use.Russia has spent at least $4 billion on arena construction and refurbishments for the month-long showpiece.Stunning venues rose from the ground in developed cities far from Moscow such as Nizhny Novogrod on the Volga River and in small and isolated places like Saransk.Putin's last TV phone-in show held a week befor

MOSCOW -- Harry Kane will likely come home from the World Cup with the Golden Boot as the tournament’s top scorer and a burnished reputation as a feared forward.Had Kane added to his six goals in Russia with either of his back-to-back chances in the first half against Croatia on Wednesday, when England was dominating and led 1-0, he could yet be lifting the trophy on Sunday.Or the header in stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes when the score was 1-1 and a goal would likely have brought England

　Cristiano Ronaldo has joined Italian champions Juventus from Real Madrid for 100 million euros ($117.34 million).  　The 33-year-old striker secured a second entry in the world’s top 10 largest transfers in history.　Brazil star Neymar became the most expensive player when he moved to PSG from Barcelona last summer for 222 million euros.　Philippe Coutinho and Paul Pogba ranked second and third respectively.

MOSCOW -- Croatia’s legs seemed heavy, burdened by the accumulated toll of consecutive penalty-kicks wins needed to get this far. England had gone ahead with a free kick just five minutes in, dominated play and appeared headed to its first World Cup final since 1966.Then the second half started and it was as if a different Croatian team had replaced the lethargic one.Ivan Perisic tied the score in the 68th minute , Mario Mandzukic got the go-ahead goal in the 109th and Croatia shocked England wi

Football star Cristiano Ronaldo will visit Korea for the first time 11 years, officials here said Tuesday. Korea Tech, a local beauty and home appliance seller, said Ronaldo will visit Korea on July 25 to promote a Japanese brand fitness product and will have meet and greet events for fans.He is expected to land in Korea after visiting Japan.  (Yonhap)This will be Ronaldo's first trip to Korea since July 2007, when he came to Seoul for Manchester United's friendly match with FC Seoul. Ronaldo, w

South Korean football chief Chung Mong-gyu on Thursday apologized for the men's national team's performance at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, saying they need to improve their techniques. South Korea failed to reach the round of 16 at the World Cup in Russia, after finishing third in Group F with one win and two losses. The Taeguk Warriors, led by head coach Shin Tae-yong, beat Germany 2-0 but suffered a 1-0 loss to Sweden and a 2-1 defeat to Mexico. "I first want to encourage our players who produced

South Korea's football governing body on Wednesday denied media reports that it had contacted a World Cup-winning coach regarding its national team coaching job.The Korea Football Association said it is not considering Luiz Felipe Scolari as a possible new head coach for the men's national team, since the evaluation of the current boss, Shin Tae-yong, comes first before contacting other possible candidates.Shin led South Korea at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where the team suffered a group stage exi

Jan Vertonghen started Belgium's comeback with a wild, looping header and Nacer Chadli capped it by finishing off a 10-second, end-to-end attack in the final moments.It added up to a 3-2 victory over Japan on Monday that gave the Belgians a spot in the World Cup quarterfinals for the second straight tournament. Belgium`s forward Eden Hazard consoles Japan`s midfielder Shinji Kagawa (back) as he lies on the ground at the end of the Russia 2018 World Cup round of 16 football match between Belgium

World Cup fever may have cooled down in South Korea, but national team hero Jo Hyun-woo and captain Ki Sung-yueng have come under the spotlight with their exceptional love for their family members going viral online.    Football player Jo Hyun-woo (left) and Ki Sung-yueng (right). Yonhap Jo, who shot to stardom after his impressive performance against Germany on Wednesday, is being called “Bit (“Shining” i

After suffering a group stage exit at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Korea are set to shift their focus to the Asian Games, with all eyes on the possible selection of Son Heung-min.Korea's World Cup squad was officially disbanded on Friday after its return from the World Cup in Russia. The Taeguk Warriors failed to reach the round of 16 after finishing third in Group F. They lost 1-0 to Sweden and fell 2-1 to Mexico but blanked defending champions Germany 2-0.After their four-year journey to football'

INCHEON -- After enjoying a star turn at the FIFA World Cup in Russia, South Korean goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo is hoping to get calls from some European clubs.When South Korea opened Group F play against Sweden on June 18, Jo was a surprise starter ahead of the more experienced Kim Seung-gyu and Kim Jin-hyeon. Jo made some spectacular saves, allowing one goal on a penalty kick as South Korea went down 1-0.The starting job remained Jo's. He was back in net in a 2-1 loss to Mexico, and enjoyed his fi

South Korea shocked the football world by defeating Germany 2-0 at the FIFA World Cup in Russia earlier this week, but Son Heung-min, South Korea's star forward, insisted on Friday he and the rest of the team won't stay content.Son and his teammates returned home on Friday, after their stunning victory over the defending champions was enough to get them out of Group F. South Korea finished third behind Sweden and Mexico with three points, from one win and two losses.Son netted two goals in the t

INCHEON -- The South Korean World Cup team returned home to a warm welcome on Friday, its two early losses long forgotten after a stunning win over Germany.South Korea shocked the football world by blanking the world No. 1 and defending World Cup champions 2-0 on Wednesday to close out Group F play at the FIFA World Cup in Russia. Though the Taeguk Warriors still missed out on the round of 16, they were widely lauded for the valiant effort in pulling off the monumental upset against the European

While Mexican soccer fans are celebrating Mexico’s advancement to the World Cup’s knockout stage, thousands of South Korean fans are more concerned about Son Heung-min’s now inevitable enlistment in the nation’s army. South Korea’s victory against Germany on Wednesday eliminated Son’s chance of bypassing the 2-year military duty, which is required for all abled-bodied men before they turn 28. Son Heung-min (Yonhap)Titled “I will serve in the military on behalf of Son Heung-min,” a petition on th