WORLD

Basketball star LeBron James has joined Los Angeles Lakers in a four-year deal worth $154m (£116m). The 33-year-old, who has played in eight consecutive NBA finals, moves to the Lakers from Cleveland Cavaliers. James, who became a free agent on 1 July, is widely considered the best basketball player in the world. “Thank you Northeast Ohio for an incredible four ...

ANDRES INIESTA has called time on his Spain career after their shock World Cup exit to Russia this afternoon. Spain captain Iniesta saw his final World Cup outing end in defeat as Russia stunned them to make the quarter-finals of the competition. Fernando Hierro’s team went in front early on when 38-year-old Sergei Ignashevich put the ball into his net. ...

JESSE LINGARD claims Gareth Southgate has staged a Russian Revolution and vowed that his Red Army have no plans to stop their march any time soon. The Three Lions will be in their crimson away strip for tomorrow night’s clash in the Spartak Stadium in Moscow, knowing a win will set them up with a quarter-final again Sweden or Switzerland ...

SERGIO RAMOS has suggested several Spain players could call time on their international career after they were knocked out of the 2018 World Cup by Russia in a penalty shoot-out earlier today. Spain were not all that convincing in the group stages but, with a squad which boasts several Champions League and top flight winners, they were still regarded as ...

MANCHESTER UNITED boss Jose Mourinho will reportedly continue to rebuff Anthony Martial offers amid fears the Frenchman could emulate Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah. Manchester United boss Mourinho has clashed repeatedly with Martial throughout his two years at Old Trafford. The 55-year-old angered his France superstar by stripping him of his No 9 shirt in 2016, handing it to Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The ...

Spain’s continued reliance on tiki-taka has left Cesc Fabregas bemused, with the 2010 World Cup winner suggesting that pointless passing caused La Roja’s shock exit to Russia on Sunday. During an era of dominance which delivered two European Championships and a global crown, pass and move was very much the order of the day. Chelsea midfielder Fabregas formed part of ...

Croatia beat Denmark in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw to set up a World Cup quarter-finals tie against hosts Russia. It was the second last-16 game of the day to go to a shootout after Russia had earlier shocked 2010 champions Spain. Croatia could have won the game in extra-time but captain Luka Modric had a penalty ...

It didn’t quite have the thrill-a-minute feel of Saturday’s Round of 16 ties, but there was drama aplenty as Russia and Spain battled it out in the capital. In a World Cup known for own goals and set-piece efforts,  Sergei Ignashevich, ticked both boxes when his flick of his heel handed Spain the lead with 12 minutes played. The 38-year-old was ...

ANTHONY MARTIAL’S management have once again called his future at Manchester United into question. The Frenchman is expected to leave Old Trafford this summer after falling down the pecking order under Jose Mourinho. Martial was left out of Didier Deschamps’ France squad for the World Cup earlier this month which did little to dispel speculation surrounding the star’s future. The ...

CHELSEA are bracing themselves for a mega Manchester United bid after turning down Barcelona’s £50m Willian approach. The Stamford Bridge club expect Manchester United to make their move for the Brazil international, with Old Trafford chief Jose Mourinho intent on recruiting Willian this summer, and set to start a bidding war. Mourinho is a major fan of Willian, who was ...