Fifa World Cup 2018 Features

FIFA World Cup 2018: Croatia wade through obstacles and turmoil to script fairytale run to the final

There is turmoil in Croatian football. There are numerous issues that have threatened to derail the national team, yet in the middle of it all, they are in a World Cup final.

FIFA World Cup 2018: Neymar delights with trickery against Mexico, but his histrionics dilute narrative about his talent

Brazil’s progress has been serene, if not spectacular. Neymar has also been steady, blossoming slowly, but to attain greatness for Brazil he must shed his petulance and refocus on the game.

FIFA World Cup 2018: Lionel Messi, who shaped football in the modern age, falls short on global stage again

The diminutive Messi had been Argentina’s plan A, B and C. The approach had worked in the previous World Cup, but in Russia the Messi route was too predictable, reducing the game to a containment act for opponents.

FIFA World Cup 2018: Neymar's histrionics blunt Brazil's attacking edge, put the spotlight on his underwhelming performances

Neymar has struggled to perform in the World Cup, instead taking center stage with his antics, including his tendency to hit the ground at the slightest contact.

FIFA World Cup 2018: Different moods of Germany fans on display as Die Mannschaft crash out of tournament

Following Germany's ouster from the World Cup, drives along the roads are devoid of any German flags and even the mention of Die Mannschaft draws glares from strangers.

FIFA World Cup 2018: Germany look for answers within after historic early departure from tournament

In one of the competition's biggest ever shocks, Germany failed to reach the knockout stage of a World Cup for the first time for 80 years, but it was the meek manner of their capitulation against South Korea in their final game that really stung.

FIFA World Cup 2018: Diego Maradona’s histrionics in stands only exacerbate the pressure on besieged Argentina

Diego Armando Prima Donna. Maradona may very well have been called that, and no one would have batted an eyelid.

FIFA World Cup 2018: Germany become latest victims of 'curse' afflicting defending champions in football's mega event

Four of the last five winners of the World Cup, including Germany this year, have failed to get out of the group stage of the next tournament.

FIFA World Cup 2018: South Korea's Cho Hyun-woo, once considered too short to be a keeper, stands tall against Germany

Against Germany, Cho stood tall and firm — his technical prowess backed by a combination of agility and quick reflexes as he commandeered a solid defensive shift off his defenders with elan.

FIFA World Cup 2018 diary: Discussing Bollywood, sanitation in India and other notes from Nizhny Novgorod

The best bits and bobs from the sidelines of the FIFA World Cup in Russia, this time from the city of Nizhny Novgorod.