bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Jonathan White

Another round of World Cup games has come and gone with the Chinese Super League represented for good and bad in Russia.
Most saw plenty of action, several of them played the whole game and some even helped their team to victory.
Others had a much worse couple of days – and it showed – with tales of assault by pineapple coming out of the changing rooms.

Javier Mascherano, Argentina
With rumours circulating that he was struck with a pineapple in an altercation with Cristian Pavon, the Hebei China Fortune man has been busier off the pitch than he was playing every minute of Argentina’s 3-0 loss to Croatia. He has had to quell talk that the players have staged a revolt on coach Jorge Sampaoli and explain Leo Messi’s state of mind. Argentina are in must-win territory when they face Nigeria.
 Fifa World Cup: who can reach the round of 16? How Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Leo Messi can make Russia 2018 knockouts

An unprecedented match!!! 5-2 excellent team spirit #REDTOGETHER #Worldcup #BELTUN pic.twitter.com/hDD5n0HiKu
— Yannick Carrasco (@CarrascoY21) 23 June 2018

Axel Witsel and Yannick Carrasco, Belgium
Hopefully Witsel doesn’t look at social media where his very purpose is questioned but Roberto Martinez likes the Tianjin Quanjian man and he started in their 5-2 win over Tunisia in group G on Saturday. Carrasco threatened from the left again and both played the whole game, with Martinez pointing out the growth of his players since moving to China in the post-game press conference.
What time is the World Cup on and where can I watch it in Hong Kong? Your guide to Now TV and Viu TV games

Thank you to all the @NGSuperEagles fans! You carried us through to victory On to the next one! #SoarSuperEagles #NIGISL pic.twitter.com/PbSvgT5xiT
— Mikel John Obi (@mikel_john_obi) 22 June 2018

John Obi Mikel and Odion Ighalo, Nigeria
Captain Mikel broke a bone in his hand against Croatia in a more familiar midfield role but he will shrug that off to lead his country as they play for a place in the knockouts.
Meanwhile, the Changchun Yatai hitman came on for Kelechi Iheanacho after 85 minutes and the team are prepared for “war” against Argentina, he told BBC Sport.

No player has completed more clearances in a single 2018 #WorldCup match than José Fonte (10).
Taking no chances. pic.twitter.com/1HbPUevdb0
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) 20 June 2018

Jose Fonte, Portugal
Expected to leave Dalian Yifang in the coming weeks, the much maligned central defender had 10 clearances in the Morocco game, the most by a single player in any 2018 World Cup game so far – a stat he happily retweeted. Other than that he has been speaking about the team’s star man Cristiano Ronaldo a lot. Should start again when the team plays Iran early Tuesday morning.





Let’s get it! #supportserbia #worldcuprussia2018 ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️
A post shared by JELENA KARLEUŠA (@karleusastar) on Jun 22, 2018 at 2:13am PDT



Dusko Tosic, Serbia
Could have scored the goal to put his side 2-1 up, Tosic then got beaten by Xherdan Shaqiri for the winner in the last minute. He was the only man in his half bar the goalkeeper and failed with an attempt to play Shaqiri offside. No matter as the tabloids were more concerned with his pop-star wife Jelena Karleusa’s pre-match Instagram post showing her support for the team.

Kim Young-gwon, South Korea
The first Korean in the book on Saturday, Guangzhou Evergrande defender Kim played every minute against Mexico and impressed despite the 2-0 defeat which leaves South Korea needing to beat Germany and see other results go their way. For that to happen, Kim will have to be on the pitch.

Renato Augusto, Brazil
No game time at all in Brazil’s last-gasp victory over Costa Rica in Saint Petersburg but the Beijing Guoan man was in training in the run up to the game so presumably he will be in contention for Brazil’s big game against Serbia.
Fifa World Cup: Chinese Super League players in the spotlight at Russia 2018






China marks 20 years since reaching its only Fifa World Cup with long wait for return set to go on

On this day: China qualified for its only Fifa World Cup

Donald Trump the soccer dad? US president has supported son Barron’s fledgling football career, talking him up to Fifa and introducing him to Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney

Help Hong Kong secure Tokyo Olympics broadcasting rights, and keep the public informed

Fifa World Cup 2018

Fifa World Cup: wins for John Obi Mikel, Axel Witsel and Yannick Carrasco among Chinese Super League stars in Russia

Nigeria's John Obi Mikel waves to supporters after their 2-0 win over Iceland. Photo: AP

South Korea's Kim Young-gwon lies in the goal disappointed after his team received the second goal by Mexico's Javier Hernandez during the group F match between Mexico and South Korea at the 2018 soccer World Cup in the Rostov Arena in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Saturday, June 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Brazil's midfielder Casemiro (R) looks at Brazil's midfielder Renato Augusto during a training session at the Saint Petersburg stadium in Saint Petersburg on June 21, 2018, on the eve of their Russia 2018 World Cup Group E football match against Costa Rica. / AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMON

Javier Mascherano gestures during a press conference after a training session of Argentina at the 2018 soccer World Cup in Bronnitsy, Russia, Sunday, June 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

Sport

Football

Argentina’s Javier Mascherano has been busy on and off the pitch, with rumours circulating he was struck with a pineapple by a teammate


Fifa World Cup: wins for John Obi Mikel, Axel Witsel and Yannick Carrasco among Chinese Super League stars in Russia

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Argentina’s Javier Mascherano has been busy on and off the pitch, with rumours circulating he was struck with a pineapple by a teammate

Argentina’s Javier Mascherano has been busy on and off the pitch, with rumours circulating he was struck with a pineapple by a teammate