MIAMI/SEATTLE, June 18 : The World Cup’s expanded 48-team format was widely criticised as a recipe for mismatches and meaningless group-stage games, but the opening round of fixtures has instead offered a compelling counterargument: the gap between football’s aristocracy and its aspiring challengers appears smal

Through five days and 16 matches of soccer's biggest extravaganza ever, the underdogs are proving to be very tough to beat. All four matches on Monday ended in ties - the most in…

MIAMI/SEATTLE, June 18 : The World Cup’s expanded 48-team format was widely criticised as a recipe for mismatches and meaningless group-stage games, but the opening round of…