Muscobites

'Can't compare Messi and Ronaldo'

KRATOVO: Portugal's Adrien Silva refused to be drawn on comparisons between teammate Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina's Lionel Messi after wildly contrasting fortunes for the global stars in their opening games at the World Cup. Ronaldo rescued Portugal with a hat-trick in a thrilling 3-3 draw with title contenders Spain, while Messi missed a penalty as Argentina were held 1-1 by tournament newcomers Iceland. "You can't compare Messi with Ronaldo," Leicester City midfielder Silva said Sunday. "We have a leader, he's with us and he must do what he must do. He has to help us as best as he can." "The result was positive," Silva added. "It wasn't the one that we expected though, but still we tried not to lose the game. That's what was most important for us. "We did our best at every moment. Spain tried to change the course of the game but we resisted well so we feel good about it."

Griezmann 'must do more'

PARIS: France coach Didier Deschamps on Sunday said that his key forward Antoine Griezmann "must do more", after a disappointing performance in their opening 2-1 World Cup win against Australia. The Atletico Madrid star was well marshalled by the Socceroos' defence for long periods on Saturday. He won and scored the penalty that gave France the lead -- the first goal ever awarded at a World Cup with the help of video technology - but he appeared upset to be replaced by Olivier Giroud with about 20 minutes to go. "Antoine is Antoine, he's our attacking leader and will remain so. Maybe he was a little less good," Deschamps told French TV channel TF1. "That someone is disappointed when he goes off... It was a one-off decision for this match." The 27-year-old Griezmann has scored 21 international goals, including five during France's run to the Euro 2016 final.

Sweden coach sorry for 'spying'

NIZHNY NOVGOROD: Sweden coach Janne Andersson says one of his staff got into a closed South Korea training session and was asked to leave, leading to a squabble between the teams over spying ahead of their World Cup game on Monday. Andersson says the staffer, who is entrusted with scouting the opposition, thought the practice session at South Korea's pre-World Cup training camp in Austria was open. Andersson says the coach left when asked and "watched from more of a distance." The incident has created a frosty atmosphere between the teams ahead of their game in Nizhny Novgorod. Andersson says his team analyzes all opponents and the incident has been overblown, but adds "it's very important that we show respect for opponents ... If it has been perceived in another way, we apologize."

Southgate looks to ease pressure

MOSCOW: England head coach Gareth Southgate says he has told the footballers in his squad who will be in the starting XI when his side kicks off its World Cup campaign against Tunisia in Volgograd on Monday. Southgate tried to lift the pressure off his squad after several former players have commented recently that the expectations of past tournaments stopped them from performing at their best level. "Everyone at home wants England to win but they want to see them play well and enjoy their football and that's what I want as a coach," he said. "When you represent England, or any other country, there's expectation, there's hope, you carry the dreams of a nation, and it's impossible to say to any player you can go out and play without any feeling of pressure. But what you have to do is make sure that doesn't control you," said the coach, who believes the pressure comes from listening to "external noise" from outside of the camp.

Amrabat set to miss Portugal match

MOSCOW: Morocco said on Sunday that winger Nordin Amrabat will miss the FIFA World Cup Group B clash against Portugal though he has been allowed out of hospital after suffering concussion during their opening game against Iran on Friday. Amrabat, who played for Spanish club Leganes last season, was injured in a clash of heads with Iranian midfielder Vahid Amiri during the 0-1 defeat on Friday in St Petersburg and had to be taken to hospital. He spent Friday night under observation but was discharged on Saturday and returned to Morocco's training camp in Voronezh. However, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation has issued a statement saying he will not be able to play for at least one week, meaning he is certain to miss Wednesday's game against Portugal in the Luzhniki Stadium and is doubtful to appear against Spain in the final group match in Kaliningrad on June 25.