LONDON — England fans are finally showing more interest in going to Russia to roar their team on now that it’s winning at the World Cup.

The Three Lions have cruised to the knockout stages and captain Harry Kane is leading the scoring at the tournament with five goals, including a hat trick.

Expect planes, trains and buses to be packed on the way to Kaliningrad for Thursday’s group game between England and Belgium. Both teams are assured of spots in the Round of 16 but will be fighting to top Group G.

The Association of British Travel Agents reported a rush on requests from England fans trying to get to Russia.

The 6-1 win over Panama – England’s largest margin of victory at the World Cup – was watched by 14.1 million – almost 83 percent of the TV audience in Britain. A reported 15 million pints of beer were sold in pubs and other venues televising the game.

SWITZERLAND: FIFA fined three players for making hand gestures of an Albanian national symbol to celebrate goals against Serbia, and cleared them to continue playing.

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Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri received a warning and a fine of $10,100 for unsporting behavior. Stephan Lichtsteiner was warned and fined $5,050.

The two goal scorers have ethnic Albanian heritage linked to Kosovo, a former Serbian province that declared independence in 2008. Serbia doesn’t recognize that independence.

ICELAND: The country’s coach isn’t dwelling on worldwide media attention, potential offers from big clubs or even the prospect of having a hand in eliminating Lionel Messi and Argentina.

Heimir Hallgrimsson has even switched off his cellphone on the eve of his must-win match against Croatia. The 51-year-old coach said as pressure mounts in Russia, he’s also made sure players take regular breaks and have some fun, and stick to a routine drilled into him as a youth coach that includes placing training cones on the pitch during practice.

Iceland held Argentina to a 1-1 tie in its opening match but needs to win its last Group D game after losing to Nigeria, 2-0. With one point each, Iceland and Argentina would both have to win to qualify, but Iceland has a slight edge in goal difference. Argentina faces Nigeria in a simultaneous survival match Tuesday. Nigeria, on three points, only needs a tie.

ARGENTINA: FIFA fined Argentina’s federation $106,000 for offensive behavior by fans, including fights and anti-gay chants at a loss against Croatia.

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Croatia’s federation was fined $13,200 for the involvement of its fans in the fights after beating Argentina, 3-0.

Video posted on Twitter showed Argentina fans kicking and punching a man wearing a Croatia shirt at the stadium. One kicked the head of the Croatia supporter who was lying on a concrete walkway. Seven Argentina fans were detained and charged with minor offenses.

IRAN: Coach Carlos Queiroz was so furious with the video assistant referee system that he turned his postgame news conference following the tie with Portugal into a lengthy rant against FIFA’s implementation of the technology.

Queiroz cited in particular a decision not to give Cristiano Ronaldo a red card when his elbow struck Iran defender Morteza Pouraliganji in the face.


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