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France 5-2 Iceland: Follow Live Stream

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SAINT-DENIS, Sporting Alert – Starting lineups for the final Euro 2016 quarterfinal match between France and Iceland at Stade de France on Sunday.

After the game France striker Olivier Giroud said: “We’re very pleased, we scored five goals. Although we did concede a couple, we had a lot of fun and are pleased with our performance. We’re going to try to erase a few of these small defensive mistakes, because against Germany we’d pay a heavy price.”

Teammate and star midfielder Dimitri Payet added: “We managed to score a lot of goals, we scored quickly compared to previous fixtures.

“We have a lot of quality going forward. This was our best performance. We worked all week on Iceland’s strengths, we were aware of that.”

Watch Live Streaming Coverage on ESPN3.com

One too many?
Iceland captain Aron Gunnarsson said: “We are disappointed but incredibly proud. It’s been an amazing experience. A lot of hard work has gone into this and the fans have been fantastic.

“[Speaking after the final whistle] They are still singing, it’s unbelievable. The French have all left. They are still here. It just shows what we put into this.

“The first half was terrible, we managed to play better after the break. We decided we could not leave like that. We will learn from this. We are just starting.”

GOAL! FRANCE 5-2 ICELAND (Bjarnason 84)
Iceland keeps fighting and has been rewarded with another goal though Birkir Bjarnason. France leads Iceland 5-2.

GOAL! FRANCE 5-1 ICELAND (Giroud 59)
France running away with this game and it’s Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud, who latched onto Dimitri Payet’s free kick to head home for his second goal of the match. France leads Iceland 5-1.

GOAL! FRANCE 4-1 ICELAND (Sigthorsson 56)
Kolbeinn Sigthorsson find the back of the net for Iceland and they are not giving up. France leads Iceland 4-1.

GOAL UPDATE

GOAL! FRANCE 4-0 ICELAND (Griezmann 45)
Antoine Griezmann grabs another goal for France with a neat-looking chip over the keeper. France leads Iceland 4-0.

GOAL! FRANCE 3-0 ICELAND (Payet 43)
Dimitri Payet drilled a low left shot into the corner of the net to knock the wind out of Iceland. France leads 3-0.

GOAL! FRANCE 2-0 ICELAND (Pogba 20)
Iceland is in trouble right now, as Paul Pogba, who hasn’t scored for his country in almost two years, out-jumped his marker to add another goal for France. France leads Iceland 2-0.

GOAL! FRANCE 1-0 ICELAND (Giroud 12)
The Arsenal forward has given the host country the perfect start to this quarterfinal, timing his run well to latch onto a through ball and beat the goalkeeper. France leads Iceland 1-0.

“I think Ronaldo would only swap shirts with himself if he could” – Taylor Twellman.
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France make two changes to the starting side from the last game for today battle.

Following the suspensions of Adil Rami and N’Golo Kante, Samuel Umtiti and Moussa Sissoko have been drafted into the starting XI to play at centre-back and in midfield.

With Sissoko coming into the side, it should all France to play a little more freely, since Blaise Matuidi will be the only holding midfielder in the team.

Expect to see both Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet roaming a lot more, which should create more chances for striker Olivier Giroud.

Meanwhile, Iceland named the same starting XI for the fifth game in a row at Euro 2016, as they seek to shock the hosts, the same way they did against England.

The host nation has not been consistent in the tournament, and Iceland will certainly be backing themselves to create an upset in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis.

France: Hugo Lloris, Bacary Sagna, Samuel Umtiti, Laurent Koscielny, Patrice Evra, Paul Pogba, Blaise Matuidi, Moussa Sissoko, Antoine Griezmann, Dimitri Payet, Olivier Giroud.

Iceland: Hannes Halldorsson, Birkir Saevarsson, Kari Arnason, Ragnar Sigurdsson, Ari Skulason, Johann Gudmundsson, Aron Gunnarsson, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Birkir Bjarnason, Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson.

Payet Wins It For France With Laser Strike

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SAINT-DENIS, France, Sporting Alert – A stunning left-footed laser strike from Dimitri Payet guided France to a 2-1 victory over Romania to win their opening Group A game at the Euro 2016 at the Stade de France on Friday (10).

Embed from Getty Images
Embed from Getty Images

Payet, who was the best player on the pitch even before his goal, confirmed his Man of the Match honour with a stunning strike with his left foot in the 89th minute to thrill the packed stadium.

“Romania made it difficult for us and it took us time to get into the game especially as there was a lot of emotion,” he said.

“To be here tonight and score is the result of a lot of hard work and a lot of sacrifices. I wouldn’t have thought at the start of the season that I’d be here, there was some pressure on arriving at the stadium but I came to enjoy myself.”

Payet also role a part in France’s opening goal after the West Ham United man found Olivier Giroud, who headed home in the 57th minute.

Embed from Getty Images

Romania, though, leveled the score in the 65th minute from the penalty spot through Bogdan Stancu.

Payet left the pitch with tears in his eyes to a standing ovation, and rightfully so.

Star midfielder Paul Pogba was on able to stamp his authority in the midfield and Juventus player was substituted late in the second half.

The former Manchester United playmaker was visibly unhappy with being replaced, while Antoine Griezmann, who also failed to spark in the attack, was also sub out.

“It wasn’t easy to play this Romanian team,” said France coach Didier Deschamps. “We had chances but gave them some too.

“It was difficult to … relax but it’s important to win the first match. The opening game is never easy and it’s a great platform.”

France team to play Romania: Lloris, Sagna, Koscielny, Rami, Evra, Matuidi, Kante, Pogba, Payet, Giroud, Griezmann. Subs: Mandanda, Jallet, Cabaye, Gignac, Martial, Schneiderlin, Mangala, Digne, Sissoko, Coman, Umtiti, Costil.

Romania team to play France: Sapunaru, Chiriches, Grigore, Rat, Pintilii, Hoban, Popa, Stanciu, Stancu, Andone. Subs: Pantilimon, Matel, Moti, Chipciu, Alibec, Torje, Keseru, Gaman, Filip, Sanmartean, Prepelita, Lung

Watch ESPN3/WatchESPN Live Germany v France Streaming

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RIO DE JANEIRO (SportingAlert) — Veteran forward Miroslav Klose has been drafted into the starting lineup for Germany in today’s World Cup quarter-final clash with France at the Estadio Maracana here in Rio de Janeiro.

World Cup kick-off is live at 12:00 PM on ESPN2, WatchESPN, Univision, TalkSport Radio, ESPN3.com and UnivisionDeportes.com. Live TV Channels and More Here | Live World Cup Scores Updates | World Cup Quarter-Finals Full Schedule Here

Klose, a goal away from becoming the all-time leading goalscorer at the World Cup, makes his first start at the tournament as head coach Joachim Low decided to start with a recognized striker for this clash.

Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira both start this game in holding roles in the middle with Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller and Mesut Ozil expected to play a little more freely in support of Klose in the attack.

Captain Philipp Lahm has been moved back into the back line, with Mats Hummels recovering to start in defense as well.

André Schürrle, who scored in the last game, the round of 16 victory, over Algeria, and Mario Götze are both amongst the substitutes.

As expected, France have dropped Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud in favor ofAntoine Griezmann with Karim Benzema to play a  more central role in the three man attack.

Mamadou Sakho is back in the defense with Laurent Koscielny making way.

Yohan Cabaye, Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi make up a very strong central midfield trio for France.

France v Germany

France: Lloris, Debuchy, Varane, Sakho, Evra, Valbuena, Pogba, Cabaye, Matuidi, Griezmann, Benzema. Subs: Ruffier, Landreau, Cabella, Giroud, Mavuba, Mangala, Sagna, Digne, Sissoko, Remy, Koscielny, Schneiderlin

Germany: Neuer, Lahm, Hummels, Boateng, Howedes, Ozil, Kroos, Schweinsteiger, Khedira, Muller, Klose. Subs: Zieler, Weidenfeller, Grosskreutz, Ginter, Schurrle, Podolski, Draxler, Durm, Mertesacker, Gotze, Kramer

Referee: Nestor Pitana (Argentina)

Live Stream, TV Channels: FIFA World Cup Quarter-Finals – July 4

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World Cup quarter-finals live. Watch the stars battle. SportingLife Photo.

(SportingAlert) — The two opening FIFA World Cup quarter-finals will be on Friday as France take on Germany and Brazil setup a date with Colombia.

France will face Germany at 12 pm ET (13:00 local time) and Brazil play Colombia at 4 pm ET (17:00 local time). Live streaming and TV channels coverage will be on CBC Sports Live Streaming, ESPN2, ESPN, ESPN3.com, WatchESPN, ESPN Deportes+,  Univision, BBC One UK, BBC iPlayer, TalkSport Radio, BBC Radio 5 Live, ESPN Radio, SuperSport Streaming, beIN Sports 1 HD, beIN Sports 2 HD, beIN Sports 11 HD, beIN Sports 13 HD (Arabia), SuperSport 3, SBS One Australia, Watch ESPN Brasil, ESPN Brasil, Band, FOX Sports 1 Brasil, BandSports, NDR 2, ARD Live Stream, Zattoo, B5 plus, ARD Das Erste, RTE Player, RTE 2, RCN Television, DIRECTV Colombia, Deportes RCN En Vivo, Caracol TV, DIRECTV Play Latin America.…

Frustrated Scolari set to drop Hulk, Fred for Colombia clash

In the opening quarter-finals game at the Estádio Maracana, in Rio de Janeiro, European arch rivals Germany and France will battle for a place in the semi-finals.

Friday’s clash will be the 26th meeting between the sides, with France winning 11 of the previous 25 battles. Germany have won eight and the next six encounters finished in draws. The last time these teams met, France suffered a 2-1 defeat to Germany in February last year.

Three of these clashes have come at the World Cup. Germany won two (one on penalty kicks after a 3-3 draw), while France took the other game. A total of 83 goals have been scored in their 25 meetings, with Germany scoring 42 and France 41.

TEAM NEWS

In team news, Germany defender Mats Hummels returns to training and could be available for the clash, but fellow defender Shkodran Mustafi has been ruled out of the rest of the World Cup because of a thigh injury. Germany coach Joachim Low also revealed that seven players of his squad were suffering from flu symptoms.

Thomas Muller will lead the attack again for the Germans and he will look to add to his four goals and two assists thus far at this World Cup

For France, leading forward Karim Benzema is expected to be the lone striker for the clash with Olivier Giroud, who started the last game, set to return to the bench in favour of Antoine Griezmann. Benzema has scored three goals and dished out two assists in four games so far.

Defender Mamadou Sakho is again available after he recovered from an injury.

Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez
Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez

Brazil v Colombia

In the second contest of the day, hosts Brazil will go up against a very exciting Colombia team at the Estadio Castelao, in Fortaleza. Brazil’s Neymar and Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez are expected to draw the major highlights when the whistle sounds for the kick-off.

Rodriguez, who has been one of the surprised standouts at the World Cup thus far, leads the scoring chart with five goals and two assists from four games and he is being backed to add to his tally against Brazil.

Brazil have been boosted by the fitness of star forward Neymar, who revealed that he is fully fit for the clash, after recovering from thigh and knee knocks against Chile in the round of 16 clash.

Neymar has scored four goals at this year’s tournament already.

Meanwhile, Brazil have won 15 of the previous 25 meetings between these two sides, with Colombia winning won two and eight ending in draws.

The matchup on Friday sees Colombia coming into the game unbeaten in their last 11 games and a quarter-finals victory on the day will see them improving to their longest winning streak run since going on a 27-game winning run between 1992 and 1994.

Brazil and Colombia, together have scored 66 goals between them (55 for Brazil), but the last four clashes between the sides have ended in draws, three of which, ended goalless.

Complete World Cup Round of 16 Results – July 1

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RIO DE JANEIRO (SportingAlert) — The following is the complete list of FIFA World Cup round of 16 results, after the final two games were concluded on Tuesday, (1 July).

The first set of fixtures in the knock-out rounds saw Brazil, Germany, France, Argentina and the Netherlands all securing victories.

In fact, for the first time in World Cup history, all eight group winners advanced to the quarterfinals, with five of the eight games going into extra-time and two forced to be decided by the dreadful penalty shootout.

Netherlands, Colombia and France all took care of their business in regulation time in their respective games.

Colombia beat Uruguay 2-0, Frances picked up a similar result over Nigeria, while Holland scored two late goals to secure a come from behind 2-1 victory over Mexico.

However, Brazil and Costa Rica needed shootouts to earn their places, following 1-1 draws in regulation and extra-times against Chile and Greece, respectively.

The games deciding into time were Belgium against USA, a game the Belgians won 2-1 and Germany, which secured the same score against Algeria and Argentina’s 1-0 win over Switzerland.

Complete World Cup Round of 16 Results

Brazil (3) 1-1 Chile (2) Penalty Kicks (Brazil won)
Colombia 2 beat Uruguay 0
Netherlands 2 beat Mexico 1
Costa Rica (5) 1-1 Greece (3) Penalty Kicks (Costa Rica won)
France 2 beat Nigeria 0
Germany 2 beat Algeria 1
Argentina 1 beat Switzerland 0
Belgium 2 beat USA 1

France beat Nigeria 2-0, book World Cup quarter-finals slot

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Paul Pogba (R) scores for France

BRASILIA (SportingAlert) — France progressed to the quarter-finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup on Monday with a 2-0 victory over Nigeria at Estadio Nacional in Brasilia.

A 79th minute header from Paul Pogba and an own goal by Joseph Yobo, one minute into stoppage time, sealed the win for the 1998 champions.

Both teams ended 0-0 at half-time.

France now join Brazil, Netherlands, Costa Rica and Colombia as the five teams to progress to the quarter-finals already.

France will meet the winner of today’s last 16 clash between Germany and Algeria.

Giroud, Benzema Start: Watch France v Nigeria Live Stream on ESPN3

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BRASILIA (SportingAlert) — France have decided to attack Nigeria in their World Cup round of 16 clash in Brasília on Monday.

Kick-off is live at 12:00 PM on ESPN, WatchESPN, Univision, ESPN3.com and UnivisionDeportes.com. Live TV Channels and More Here | Live World Cup Scores Updates | World Cup Round of 16 Full Schedule Here

Head coach Didier Deschamps is going with Olivier Giroud and Karim Benzema in his attack for the game, as France seek to carry over their impressive performances in the group stage into the knockout round.

Raphael Varane and Laurent Koscielny will pair off in the heart of the back line, with Mathieu Debuchy and Patrice Evra alongside them. Mamadou Sakho and Bacary Sagna were left on the bench.

Yohan Cabaye returns to the team with Paul Pogba also starting as well in midfield.

In the meantime, Nigeria go into the game with five midfielders as they seek to stifle the attacking threats from the likes of Pogba and Cabaye, in addition to limiting the services to the front two men.

France v Nigeria

France: Lloris, Debuchy, Varane, Koscielny, Evra, Pogba, Cabaye, Matuidi, Valbuena, Giroud, Benzema. Subs: Ruffier, Landreau, Sakho, Cabella, Griezmann, Mavuba, Mangala, Sagna, Digne, Sissoko, Remy, Schneiderlin

Nigeria: Enyeama, Ambrose, Yobo, Oshaniwa, Omeruo, Musa, Onazi, Mikel, Moses, Odemwingie, Emenike. Subs: Ejide, Agbim, Uzoenyi, Gabriel, Egwuekwe, Odunlami, Oboabona, Azeez, Nwofor, Uchebo, Ameobi

Referee: Mark Geiger (USA)

Watch live World Cup last 16 Streaming and TV channels – June 30

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Karim Benzema to lead France in World Cup last 16
Karim Benzema to lead France in World Cup last 16

(SportingAlert.com) — The World Cup round of 16 continues on Monday with France v Nigeria and Germany v Algeria, as two more quarter-finals places are up for grab.

Live coverage of the games will be at 12pm and 4pm ET, respective, on ESPN, ESPN3.com, ESPN,Univision, ESPN3.com, UnivisionDeportes.com and WatchESPN. Other live providers are beIN Sports 1 HD, beIN Sports 2 HD, beIN Sports 11 HD, beIN Sports 13 HD, Nederland 1, NOS Live Streaming, STV Scotland, ITV 1 UK, BBC Radio 5 Live, UTV, ITV Player, RTE 2, RTE Player, TalkSport Radio, ZDF, ZDF Sport Live Stream, Zattoo, CBC Sports Live Streaming.

France v Nigeria

At the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Karim Benzema and France will take on a very determined Nigeria side with both teams bracing for a tough and challenging battle.

France will welcome back PSG midfielder Yohan Cabaye, who served a one match suspension in the last group stage game, but defender Mamadou Sakho remains doubtful for the contest because of a thigh injury.

All eyes will be on Real Madrid forward Benzema to see if he continue his good scoring form at the tournament. The striker has three goals and two assists in three games so far at the 2014 World Cup, while he’s scored nine goals in his last nine outings for France.

Nigeria, meanwhile, comes into this fixture after finishing second to Argentina in their group and will be in confident mood, despite losing their last game. The Super Eagles were beaten 3-2 by Lionel Messi and company in their last World Cup game of the group stage, but head coach Stephen Keshi says the team has taken a lot of positive from that contest that will help them against France.

Nigeria also see this as a great opportunity to progress to the quarter-finals for the first time in their history and will be more determined to beat the highly gifted Frenchmen.

They are also seeking to become only the fourth African nation to appear in the quarter-finals of the World Cup. Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010) have done this at previous tournaments.

Germany v Algeria

World Cup last 16 game two on Monday will see Germany facing a very tricky Algeria side, which finished second to Belgium in Group H. This game is being played at the Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre.

Algeria, making their World Cup debut in the knockout stage, comes into the game with no pressure as they look to continue their mini success over the European giants. The African side has beaten Germany in their last two meetings, but head into this contest knowing that all the focus will be on their opponents, who are the favourites.

Germany, in the meantime, acknowledged that they are the favourites to book a quarter-finals place, but will not take anything for granted against an Algeria side which proved that they can score goals, especially on the counter-attack.

Attacker Mario Gotze, who was rested against USA in the last group stage game, is set to return to the starting lineup, but Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski misses out due to a thigh injury he suffered in the last game.

Sami Khedira could also return to the setup after he was rested against the United States. Bastian Schweinsteiger started that game, which Germany won 1-0 to top the group.

ESPN3/WatchESPN Live World Cup Stream: France v Ecuador

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RIO DE JANEIRO (SportingAlert) — Patrice Evra, Mathieu Debuchy, Raphaël Varane and Olivier Giroud all start on the bench for France in today’s World Cup Group E clash with Ecuador at Estadio do Maracana.

Live at 3:00 PM on ESPN, ESPN3.com and the WatchESPN app. Live TV Channels and More Here

However, leading striker Karim Benzema keeps his place in the starting lineup as he seeks to add to his three goal tally already at the World Cup. Benzema will play with Antoine Griezmann and Moussa Sissoko in the attack for the Les Bleus this evening.

Paul Pogba also returns to the starting lineup and he plays in midfield, while Lucas Digne, Laurent Koscielny and Bacary Sagna amongst the starters for Didier Deschamps at Estádio Maracanã, in Rio de Janeiro.

Meanwhile, Enner Valencia leads the attack for Ecuador and has scored three goals in the last two games at this year’s World Cup.

Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia also starts the game.

FIFA World Cup Live Stream and TV Channels on June 25

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Karim Benzema of France. FIFA.com

RIO DE JANEIRO (SportingAlert) — The final round of FIFA World Cup group games continues on Wednesday with teams still looking to earn places into the knock round.

In Group F, Argentina will take on Nigeria, while Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran, will do battle in the other fixture in the group. Group E will see the free-scoring France facing Ecuador and Honduras looking for its first win at the World Cup against Switzerland.

Live TV channels and online streaming coverage is on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3.com and the WatchESPN app. Other live streaming and TV Channels include beIN Sports, Univision, SBS Two Australia, SuperSport, RTE Player, RTE 2, ESPN Deportes, Univision Deportes USA, ITV 1 UK, TalkSport Radio, The ITV Player, STV Scotland, UTV, GOL T, Sky Sport 5 NZ, SKY GO, NOS Live Streaming, SportsMax, CVM TV Jamaica, LIV Sports Live Streaming, CBC Sports Live Streaming, Sporza Live Streaming, SKY GO, TIMVision Live Streaming, DIRECTV Argentina, Canal 7 TV Publica.

France are all but qualified for the World Cup last 16, but head coach Didier Deschamps promises to play a strong team in the final game as he looks to secure top spot in the group. Top forward Karim Benzema, who has scored nine goals in his last eight outing for France is expected to start again in this game, as he looks to add to his three goals and two assists at the tournament thus far.

Ecuador, meanwhile, are on three points, three less than the Les Bleus and will be looking for an upset win in Rio de Janeiro, to force there way into the next round of the competition. The Antonio Valencia captained side, however, must score goals, as they have gone seven matches without keeping a clean sheet. The dangerman will certainly be forward Enner Valencia, who has scored three goals in two games at at the World Cup. Game is live at 3:00 PM (17:00 local time) on ESPN and ESPN3.com.

In the other World Cup Group E game on the day, Switzerland, which started the tournament with a win over Ecuador before being hammered 5-2 by France in their second, will need to beat Honduras to keep their changes of qualifying for the last 16 alive. A win for France in their game would also see Switzerland going through with a tie. This game is also at 3:00 PM (17:00 local time) and live on ESPN2 and ESPN3.com.

Honduras are also still in the running for a knockout place, but the CONCACAF side would need to win their game and hope for a defeat for Ecuador against France.

In Group F on Wednesday, Lionel Messi and Argentina will seek to wrap things up in Porto Alegre and top the group by avoiding a defeat against second place Nigeria, who just need a draw to maintain the runner-up slot from the group and book a the last 16 place. Game time is at at 12:00pm (13:00 local time).

In the other game in Group F at 12:00pm (1:00 local time) Iran head into their fixture against Bosnia-Herzegovina knocking that they can still qualify for the World Cup last 16 round. Carlos Queiroz’s side would need to beat the pointless Bosnia team and then hope Nigeria gets nothing in their game against to Argentina.

Edin Dzeko and Bosnia, following back-to-back defeats, are already dumped from the World Cup.

Watch Live on ABC, WatchESPN: France v Honduras – Fifa World Cup

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PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil (Sporting Alert.com) — Karim Benzema leads the attack for France as Olivier Giroud was left on the bench for this evening’s FIFA World Cup Group E clash with Honduras at Estadio Beira-Rio.

Watch Live on ABC, and live streaming on WatchESPN.com App at 2pm ET

Giroud was hoping to get the nod over Benzema, but manager Didier Deschamps has decided to go with the Real Madrid forward in his starting XI.

Antoine Griezmann also starts for the Les Bleus, along with Yohan Cabaye, Paul Pogba and Mathieu Valbuena.

Patrice Evra, Raphaël Varane and Mathieu Debuchy are in the back line, while Bacary Sagna, Laurent Koscielny have been left on the bench.

Moussa Sissoko, Rémy Cabella, Eliaquim Mangala and Loïc Rémy are also named as substitutes for the Group E favourites.

France is without the injured Franck Ribery, who pulled out of the tournament late because of a back problem.

For Honduras, Maynor Figueroa, Wilson Palacios, Roger Espinoza and Carlo Costly are all members of the CONCACAF side’s starting lineup.

Honduras comes into the game as huge underdogs, but will be hoping to do the same thing Costa Rica did to Uruguay and shock France.

France v Honduras

France: Lloris, Debuchy, Varane, Sakho, Evra, Pogba, Cabaye, Matuidi, Valbuena, Benzema, Griezmann. Subs: Ruffier, Cabella, Giroud, Mavuba, Mangala, Sagna, Digne, Sissoko, Remy, Koscielny, Schneiderlin, Landreau

Honduras: Valladares, Beckeles, Bernardez, Figueroa, Izaguirre, Najar, Wilson Palacios, Garrido, Espinoza, Bengtson, Costly. Subs: Lopez, Osman Chavez, Montes, Juan Garcia, Jerry Palacios, Mario Martinez, Delgado, Oscar Garcia, Rony Martinez, Claros, Marvin Chavez, Escober

Referee: Sandro Meira Ricci (Brazil)

World Cup Live Streaming, Day 4: WatchESPN, ESPN3, ESPN, ABC

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Lionel Messi and Argentina ready for World Cup opener. Fifa.com

(SportingAlert.com) — The first few days of the 2014 FIFA World Cup have been as jam-packed as ever with a few surprises and already happening at the tournament.

Watch Live Streaming coverage of all the games on WatchESPN, while ESPN3.com will also have coverage.

The great Spain was trounced 5-1 by the Netherlands, while Uruguay was stunned by Costa Rica. England gave a typically heroic, but flawed display against Italy – living up to their ‘unlucky losers’ minker as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat to Italy.

So what does day four of the World Cup holds?

Firstly, we have Switzerland taking on Ecuador in the in the opener in Group E at Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha. This doesn’t sound like the most exciting match on paper. In fact, less viewers have been predicted for this fixture, but with the way the tournament has been going thus far, you’ll never know, this one may very well come to life on the field.

Both sides are aguably well matched and there is plenty of attacking talent on show, including the tenacious wing-play of Manchester United’s Ecuadorian Antonio Valencia.

Another Group E fixture at Estadio Beira-Rio, sees 1998 champions France opening their tournament against Honduras. The injured Franck Ribery and Manchester City controversial playmaker Samir Nasri are not with the squad in Brazil, but with the likes of Karim Benzema, Olivier Giroud, and Paul Pogba, the setup for France still looks enticing.

Honduras claimed a very creditable 0-0 draw with England in the last warmup World Cup friendly game and the CONCACAF side is determined to bring some of the same physical plays into the clash with France, especially since that are not as gifted as the Les Bleus. Honduras starts big favourites to crash out at the group stages, but Costa Rica’s win over Uruguay shows that nothing is impossible.

In Group F at Estadio do Maracana, Lionel Messi and Argentina start their bid to lift the World Cup title against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

With their attack threat, led by Messi, Angel Di Maria and Sergio Augero, Argentina starts this one as the favourites, but Edin Dzeko and company will look to put a different spin on what the pundits and predictors have to say.