Underdogs Peru are capable of beating anyone at the World Cup and will not allow France to bully them in their Group C clash, coach Ricardo Gareca said yesterday.

Senegalese coach Aliou Cisse  said the team’s next ambition was to secure victory against Japan when they play against the Asians on Sunday.

A lucky Diego Costa goal handed World Cup hopefuls Spain their first win of the World Cup although dogged Iran came close to causing a major upset on Wednesday.

Iceland winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson faces a race against time to be fit for Iceland’s second match of the World Cup against Nigeria on Friday.

Spain beat a battling Iran 1-0 thanks to a deflected Diego Costa goal, putting them on course to qualify for the last 16 of the World Cup.

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo netted an early diving header to help his side beat Morocco 1-0 in their second Group B match at the World Cup in Moscow yesterday.

Lionel Messi’s mother, Celia Cuccittini, said her son has been deeply affected by criticism of his performances with Argentina and insists he wants nothing more than to win the World Cup.

New Zealand’s Matthew Conger will handle Nigeria’s Rusia 2018 second Group D fixture against Iceland on Friday at Volgograd.

England manager Gareth Southgate admitted his World Cup celebrations will be more muted for the remainder of the tournament after dislocating his shoulder while out running on Wednesday.

Coach Fernando Hierro welcomed Dani Carvajal back into the starting line-up on Wednesday as 2010 World Cup winners Spain bid to keep pace with Portugal in Group B with victory against Iran.