Muscobites

VAR operations room unveils

MOSCOW: FIFA has presented the World Cup's video assistant referee (VAR) operations room, which will make its debut at the tournament's 21st edition in Russia. At a press conference on Saturday, Massimo Busacca, head of FIFA's refereeing department, said the VAR would be important at this summer's World Cup but stressed that the officials on the field would still be tasked with managing the games. Five days before the event kicks off on June 14 with a match between host Russia and Saudi Arabia, the VAR system has been in the spotlight and seems to be attracting more proponents and critics as the countdown to the tournament advances.

Fabra out of wc with injury

BOGOTA: Colombia defender Frank Fabra has been ruled out of a maiden World Cup with a serious knee injury hours before the South Americans were scheduled to travel to their team base in Kazan, the Colombian football federation said on Saturday. The Boca Juniors left-back suffered a "ruptured anterior cruciate ligament" (ACL) in his left knee during a training session in Italy, the federation said in a statement. "I fought, I worked hard and tried to get better... But now my heart is broken into a million little pieces," Fabra lamented in a message on his Instagram account. According to medical experts, Fabra's recovery will take bertween four and six months.

Uruguay focused on game

MONTEVIDEO: Uruguay's captain Diego Godin said the players are focused on their first game against Egypt as the national team flew out from Montevideo for the FIFA World Cup in Russia, which kicks off on June 14. Godin said the team is focused on their first challenge, which will be to beat an Egyptian team likely to be missing talisman Mohamed Salah, who is recovering from a shoulder injury. "Although we, like the whole of the Uruguayan people, are dreaming big, the main challenge facing us is winning the game against Egypt; this is what's most important to us and is what is on our minds" the Atletico Madrid man said.

Spain’s late goal edges Tunisia

KRASNODAR: Spain needed substitute Iago Aspas to score a late goal to beat Tunisia 1-0 in their final warmup for the World Cup on Saturday. Sergio Busquets finally undid Tunisia's defense with a long pass, and Diego Costa set up Aspas to rifle in a low strike. Spain remained undefeated through 20 matches under coach Julen Lopetegui. It starts the World Cup with a highly frustrated the 2010 world champion with disciplined defending until Busquets spotted Costa's run behind the backline. Aspas, who was Spain's sixth and final substitution in the 76th, scored the winner with six minutes remaininganticipated clash against neighbor Portugal next Friday.

France draw with US

LYON: Kylian Mbappe struck a late equalizer as France drew with the United States 1-1 in its final World Cup warmup on Saturday. The 19-year-old forward reacted swiftly from near the penalty spot in the 78th minute, turning in a cross from right back Benjamin Pavard after he was released down the right flank by forward Nabil Fekir. France missed several first-half chances and was punished in the 44th when the US scored with its first meaningful attack through forward Julian Green. The goal came about thanks largely to a defensive blunder from right back Djibril Sidibe. He made a hash of a clearance and knocked the ball into the path of Green, who beat goalkeeper Hugo Lloris with a crisp shot inside the near post.

Egypt gets warm send-off

CAIRO: About 2,000 fans gathered at Cairo's main stadium on Saturday to watch Egypt's last home practice before the Pharaohs fly to their World Cup base in Grozny, Chechnya. Egypt also unveiled its mascot, a green "Nile Crocodile" in a red Egypt jersey, white shorts and a yellow-and-black pharaonic head cover. Qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 1990, Egypt opens its campaign against Uruguay on Friday. Star striker Mohamed Salah, still recovering from a right shoulder injury sustained during the Champions League final last month, suited up for the celebrations but did not train with the squad. With six days left to the Uruguay match, it is not certain whether Salah, will be fit to play. He has not spoken to the media since he flew home on Wednesday from Spain, where he received treatment for his injury.