Football

Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris said Benzema in top form would help France overcome Ribery's absence.

Spain's next match against Chile is a matter of "life or death" for the holders' World Cup chances, midfielder Fabregas said.

Portugal, playing their first match of the FIFA World Cup 2014, suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat by Germany on Monday.

Nigeria and Iran delivered the first draw of the World Cup as they ground out a scrappy 0-0 stalemate in Group F encounter.

A stuttering qualifying campaign may have dented South Korean confidence ahead of their opening match against Russia, but they've got a wealth of World Cup experience.

Messi finally ended an eight-year wait for a World Cup goal as Argentina edged past Bosnia, while Benzema put two past Honduras in a man-of-the-match display.

"I will evaluate the players up until the last minute and decide who are in the best condition to face the 90 minutes," Sabella said.

Catch all the Live action from the second Group C match between Ivory Coast and Japan at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife.

Catch all the Live action from the Group D opener at the Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza.

Netherlands skipper Robin Van Persie added insult to the Spainards by saying they could have beaten Spain by seven or eight goals in their World Cup opener.

Former champions France should put underdogs Honduras to the sword in their World Cup Group E opener in Porto Alegre on Sunday.

Lichtsteiner could find himself bogged down with less-favoured defensive duties to help his side cope with the threat posed by Ecuador winger Jefferson Montero in Sunday's Group E match.

Japan will open Group C campaign against Ivory Coast on Saturday and are confident to display their abilities in Brazil.

Refereeing must become more efficient to avoid "serious mistakes", Pekerman said on Friday, a day after a controversial penalty decision in Brazil's 3-1 World Cup win over Croatia.

Oribe Peralta scored in the 61st minute to hand Mexico their first win over an African rival in the World Cup.

Kovac said the Japanese referee in his side's 3-1 defeat to Brazil was "out of his depth" after a bitterly disputed penalty changed the course of the World Cup opener.