The Game

Spain lose and then regain top spot in Group B as VAR allows a disallowed Iago Aspas equaliser while simultaneously awarding Iran a penalty to push Portugal down into second place.

Natalie Sawyer reviews a crazy couple of minutes in Kaliningrad and Saransk. She’s joined by Henry Winter, who wants VAR to clamp down on Portuguese play-acting, Alex Kay-Jelski who would like Argentina to stay in Russia and Alyson Rudd who admires Uruguay’s intelligent thuggery.

Plus we bring you an update from the England camp ahead of the clash with Belgium and the conclusion to Mo Salah’s miserable month.

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You can follow @NatalieSawyer on Twitter and track our award-winning writers in Russia, including @henrywinter, @DickinsonTimes,

@OliverKayTimes, @_pauljoyce, @allyrudd_times, @martynziegler and @JNorthcroft.

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After pummelling Panama in record-breaking fashion, England’s attention now turns to the knock-out stages of the World Cup. But with a game to come against Group G rivals Belgium, Natalie Sawyer asks Paul Joyce and Matt Hughes whether Gareth Southgate’s side should seek to finish 2nd and navigate a potentially easier path to the final.

Harry Kane is England’s hat-trick hero and the top scorer in Russia but have we seen Tottenham’s Harry Kane at this tournament yet? Oliver Kay suggests maybe not.

And Alyson Rudd reports from Group H where Colombia eliminate Poland to keep their hopes of a last 16 date (potentially with England) alive as the Colombians turn Kazan into a sea of yellow.

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You can follow @NatalieSawyer on Twitter and track our award-winning writers in Russia, including @henrywinter, @DickinsonTimes, @OliverKayTimes, @_pauljoyce, @allyrudd_times, @martynziegler and @JNorthcroft.

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A sensational finish in Sochi as a 95th minute winner from Toni Kroos keeps Germany’s World Cup hopes alive with a 2-1 victory over Sweden.

Natalie Sawyer is joined by Matt Dickinson for his verdict on Saturday night’s drama and to preview England’s lunch date with Panama, as Ruben Loftus-Cheek looks to make a place in Gareth Southgate’s team his own.

Martyn Ziegler witnesses the highest scoring game of the World Cup so far as England’s Group G rivals Belgium hammer Tunisia 5-2 in Moscow.

Times photographer Jack Hill has been to Syria and back. He joins us to discuss his 24-hour trip in a train carriage with England fans.

And Giles Smith has been watching football on TV and pays homage to Martin O’Neill while also telling us why Carles Puyol has already been sent home.

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You can follow @NatalieSawyer on Twitter and track our award-winning writers in Russia, including @henrywinter, @DickinsonTimes, @OliverKayTimes, @_pauljoyce, @allyrudd_times, @martynziegler and @JNorthcroft.

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Natalie Sawyer reports on another historic day at the World Cup as Neymar sees a penalty given, then rescinded by VAR. Gab Marcotti discusses the world’s most expensive player and what’s going on inside his head after Brazil’s late victory over Costa Rica.

Alan Smith dissects a combustible clash in Kaliningrad as Switzerland’s Kosovan contingent complete a remarkable turnaround against Serbia. Plus why Ahmed Musa has been Argentina’s best player.

Paul Joyce gives us an insight into the England camp as Gareth Southgate criticises the leak of the team sheet against Panama. Should the media be more supportive of the England team? And Tom Clarke gives us a tactical breakdown of what the Three Lions can expect from their opponents on Sunday.

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You can follow @NatalieSawyer on Twitter and track our award-winning writers in Russia, including @henrywinter, @DickinsonTimes, @OliverKayTimes, @_pauljoyce, @allyrudd_times, @martynziegler and @JNorthcroft.

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One of the biggest stories of this World Cup in Russia continues to unfold as Argentina stand on the brink of elimination after their 3-0 drubbing by Croatia. Natalie Sawyer is joined by Oliver Kay, Matt Dickinson and Bill Edgar as Lionel Messi struggles to carry a country on his shoulders.

We discuss the likelihood of Raheem Sterling being replaced by Marcus Rashford for England's meeting with Panama on Sunday.

Alyson Rudd analyses French progression to the round of 16 as Peru are sent home. Plus Alan Smith explains the political backdrop to Serbia v Switzerland and why Shaqiri might need his shin pads.

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You can follow @NatalieSawyer on Twitter and track our award-winning writers in Russia, including @henrywinter, @DickinsonTimes, @OliverKayTimes, @_pauljoyce, @allyrudd_times, @martynziegler and @JNorthcroft.

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Another day, another England story as a wander into the woods ends with manager Gareth Southgate in a sling. Natalie Sawyer gets an update from the England camp with Paul Joyce who has also been speaking to Ruben Loftus-Cheek about his future at Chelsea.

Gab Marcotti gives us a full breakdown of events in Group B where Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the all-time top European goal scorer and the power of the vuvuzelas can’t prevent Iran from losing to Spain. Plus Giles Smith from The Times is in the studio to analyse the battle in World Cup coverage between the BBC and ITV.

Which means we discuss the greatest goal getter that ever lived and the greatest set that’s ever been built.

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You can follow @NatalieSawyer on Twitter and track our award-winning writers in Russia, including @henrywinter, @DickinsonTimes, @OliverKayTimes, @_pauljoyce, @allyrudd_times, @martynziegler and @JNorthcroft.

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Host nation Russia are as good as qualified for the last 16 of the World Cup, for the first time ever. Natalie Sawyer is joined by Alyson Rudd and James Gheerbrant as Mo Salah’s Egypt are set to head home.

With Dele Alli suffering a thigh strain, former Liverpool physio Mark Leather gives his prognosis on the severity of the injury, while Henry Winter updates us from his log cabin at the England camp.

Martyn Ziegler takes in Senegal’s victory over Poland and has been speaking to FIFA about VAR while we also bring you the story of the Iranian women set to watch their team play for the very first time.

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You can follow @NatalieSawyer on Twitter and track our award-winning writers in Russia, including @henrywinter, @DickinsonTimes, @OliverKayTimes, @_pauljoyce, @allyrudd_times, @martynziegler and @JNorthcroft.

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The rollercoaster ride of following the Three Lions continues as England leave it late to secure 3 points in their World Cup opener against Tunisia.

Natalie Sawyer is joined by Matt Dickinson, Matt Hughes and Alyson Rudd to salute the bagger of a brace Harry Kane, debate the non-appearance of VAR in Volgograd and discuss whether Ruben Loftus-Cheek can fill Dele Alli’s boots.

The video officials do help deliver Sweden’s first opening day victory since 1958. Plus Ian Hawkey is on Panama Watch for the podcast in Sochi as England’s next opponents succumb to Belgium in their first ever World Cup match.

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You can follow @NatalieSawyer on Twitter and track our award-winning writers in Russia, including @henrywinter, @DickinsonTimes, @OliverKayTimes, @_pauljoyce, @allyrudd_times, @martynziegler and @JNorthcroft.

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With Gareth Southgate’s men 24 hours from Tunisia, Natalie Sawyer, Jonathan Northcroft and James Gheerbrant ask will we see the real Harry Kane? And what’s to be done about those Volgograd mosquitos?

Tom Clarke gives us a tactical breakdown of Tunisia, the panel analyse a lacklustre start from Neymar and Brazil after their draw with Switzerland and Oli Kay is in Moscow where Mexico upset and outsmart World Cup holders Germany on matchday 4.

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You can follow @NatalieSawyer on Twitter and track our award-winning writers in Russia, including @henrywinter, @DickinsonTimes, @OliverKayTimes, @_pauljoyce, @allyrudd_times, @martynziegler and @JNorthcroft.

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Matchday 3 was historic for the World Cup as not one but two penalties were awarded with the help of the Video Assistant Referee.

Natalie Sawyer breaks down all that and an incredible first ever point at the World Cup for Iceland who contained the might of Messi and Argentina.

Bill Edgar and Jonathan Northcroft discuss the day’s action, as France see off Australia with the help of technology, Croatia cruise past Nigeria and Denmark break Peruvian hearts. Plus what could make Fabian Delph unique amongst England footballers?

And Times writer George Caulkin talks about his trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway and travels around Russia, all in the name of football.

For more from The Times, why not take advantage of our digital sale and subscribe to enjoy award winning journalism online and on your smartphone or tablet. For a limited time only it's just £1 a month for your first 3 months. Search The Times Sale for more information.

You can follow @NatalieSawyer on Twitter and track our award-winning writers in Russia, including @henrywinter, @DickinsonTimes, @OliverKayTimes, @_pauljoyce, @allyrudd_times, @martynziegler and @JNorthcroft.

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