Scott Murray's Blog, page 133

England v Croatia buildup and more as World Cup reaches semi-finals – as it happened!

Latest news from the Belgium, France, England and Croatia campsJoin Paul Doyle for France v Belgium buildup – live!

5.51pm BST

And that’s all from me – from here on out, you’ll want to take yourselves here, where Paul Doyle will be liveblogging the game.

He’s already started, in fact – quick, go!

5.48pm BST

Here’s David Hytner on why Kevin De Bruyne holds the key to Belgium’s fortunes this evening:

5.46pm BST

Here’s the marvellous David Squires on the semi-finals:

5.46pm BST

Here’s Adam White on why France’s defence has been what’s made the difference for them so far:

5.44pm BST

And with that, I’ll sign off. To get you in the mood for tonight’s game, here’s Marcel Desailly, who knows a thing or two about winning World Cup, on the key midfield battle …

5.43pm BST

Continuing our efforts to wrench this vehicle back in the direction of The Planet’s Biggest Football Tournament, a word on France v Belgium – the tastiest game of the World Cup thus far, and a mere hour and a half from kick-off.

This World Cup has most certainly delivered scorchingly on the entertainment front so far, and Russia 2018 could yet go down as an all-time classic: it’s been high on quality, goals, shocks and drama. Yet there’s one vital requirement that remains tantalisingly unfulfilled: a classic knockout game between two bona fide heavyweights.

5.23pm BST

Away from the gravitational attention-field that is C-Ron, the Guardian’s man in Scotland, Ewan Murray, has taken his nation’s pulse in the wake of the euphoria south of the border – and indeed the newfound popularity of co-comms conquerer Ally McCoist among the English – and weaved it all into this fine piece.

Those of you who imagine the pubs of Glasgow to be full of well-wishing honorary Englishfolk, look away now:

5.12pm BST

From the archive: the ever-marvellous Rob Smyth on Ronaldo’s 2014 Ballon d’Or win.

Teaser: He has turned ‘Oh I say!’ moments into ‘Oh’ moments. He is a freak of nature but also a freak of nurture, fuelled by an almost demented ambition to achieve everything he possibly can.

5.10pm BST

Some words on the great man from his soon-to-be former employers.

“Real Madrid wants to express its gratitude to a player who has proved to be the best in the world and who has marked one of the brightest times in the history of our club and world football,” the club has said in a statement.

4.45pm BST

Quite the story there, and one than nearly-but-not-quite (?) threatens to steal the thunder from Eden Hazard, Kylian Mbappé and co tonight.

Speaking of which – Ronaldo’s exit will leave a gaping galactico-sized hole in

Florentino Pérez’s
Real Madrid’s attack. And it’s fair to say Real Madrid are not averse to impulsively splashing out on the standout attacker of a World Cup summer.

4.34pm BST

Oh lordy. A story of some significance here: Cristiano Ronaldo has handed in his notice at Real Madrid and will be Taking His Talents To Turin. Lucky Juventus – although they won’t be getting him for free, of course, but rather for €100m. Crikey.

Full report:

4.23pm BST

And back in the real world, Arsenal have wrapped up the acquisition of Lucas Torreira, who was busy in Russia with Uruguay until Friday.

He’s their fourth signing of an increasingly busy summer, and will wear the No 11 shirt next season.

4.16pm BST

Jordan Pickford is unlikely to be riddled with much self-doubt in the wake of his glorious man-of-the-match display to help get England past the quarter-finals on Saturday.

Should he need a confidence boost, though, he’ll be delighted to learn that the 5ft 7in former Mexico keeper has offered a word of support to the England man, who it has been established in recent weeks, is perhaps not the tallest.

3.56pm BST

The Thai football team rescued from an underwater cave have been invited to watch a game as guests Old Trafford next season.

Manchester United said on Twitter: “MUFC is relieved to learn that the 12 footballers and their coach trapped in a cave in Thailand are now safe. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected. We would love to welcome the team from their rescuers to Old Trafford this coming season.”

3.44pm BST

The ladies and gentlemen of our parliament have no shortage of pressing matters to discuss at the moment. One such topic is whether or not future World Cups should be on free-to-air telly.

Our roving reporter Martha Kelner reports that: “If the home nations submit a bid to host the 2030 World Cup, the government must amend its laws protecting the tournament’s TV rights from being sold to the highest bidder, parliament will be told on Wednesday.”

3.30pm BST

An email from Jim, on the subject of Mesut Özil and Germany:

It’s worth pointing out that by having their photos taken with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Mezut Özil and Ilkay G ü ndogan infuriated liberals as much as the right-wingers mentioned in your blog.

3.20pm BST

Self-acceptance, a loving family, staying the hell away from social media. Happiness, reader, comes in many forms – and for Gareth Southgate’s England it seems to have taken the form of an inflatable purple unicorn.

Those unicorns, and the water-races they enable, have only been one part of a multi-faceted psychological makeover this squad has been given, the project led by the esteemed Dr Pippa Grange. She was appointed by the FA as its head of people and team development in November last year, given the job of building resilience while confronting the pressures and psychodramas faced by previous England squads.

3.07pm BST

3.03pm BST

Hello again all. In further Paul-the-Octopus-has-a-lot-to-answer-for news (sorry), here’s Sparky the Cat “predicting” the outcome of this evening’s heavyweight clash.

Sparky's mind is made up Take a look at his purrdiction for tonight's #WorldCup semi-final game! #SyriasSuperfans #FRABEL #BELFRA #FRA #BEL #Belgium #France @AleppoAMC pic.twitter.com/wxw30nUzzF

3.00pm BST

Well that news has just knocked me for six. Oh Bartek! Did it have to end like this? Thankfully as I shuffle off in despair, Alex Hess is on hand to see this blog through to the bitter end. Enjoy!

2.50pm BST

Where’s that tiger? Here’s that tiger! Bartek, a five-year-old Amur tiger at Royev Ruchey Zoo in Krasnoyarsk, has selected Croatia in one of those prediction things animals do at World Cups these days. So bang goes that dream, then. Ah well. Paul the Octopus has a lot to answer for.

2.40pm BST

“Yes We Kanté!” There are high hopes for Les Bleus in France. Not least in the court of Emmanuel Macron, president and diehard Marseille fan. Angelique Chrisafis, chief of our Paris bureau, explains the political implications of tonight’s big game with Belgium.

2.30pm BST

So what’s going to happen tonight? And tomorrow? Will favourites France prevail over Belgium? Will the Red Devils reach their first World Cup final? Will Croatia? Or will England’s fresher legs tell? Martin Laurence of WhoScored has the answers!

2.20pm BST

The football section of this site doesn’t benefit from the poetic pen of Andy Bull too often. But here he is today! Because, as our senior sports writer explains: “It’s a strange business, right now, writing about any other sport, like working in a bookshop that refuses to stock the bestseller everyone’s reading, or a butchers that only serves imitation meat.” World Cups haven’t always been this irresistible, mind, a point he pursues in this typically wonderful piece.

2.12pm BST

A mural in St Petersburg depicting Stanislav Cherchesov was damaged in the wake of Russia’s quarter-final defeat to Croatia. A pretty harsh response, given his team’s unexpected heroics. But for every dull-witted vandal, there are thousands of good hearts beating true and strong. And a couple of them - street artists Artyom Burzh and Ilya Is - have today retouched the painting in honour of their head coach. Has anyone in Blighty started one of Gareth yet?

1.58pm BST

Anyone remember

Spangles
Germany? Die Mannschaft are still the reigning world champions, for another five days anyway. But it seems an age since they were bundled out of this tournament. Ever since, the search for a scapegoat has been on. And it would seem Mesut Ozil is copping for most of the flak. He and team-mate Ilkay Gundogan posed for photos with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan back in May, a move which annoyed the DFB. Gundogan later made a statement in order to placate those irritated, but Ozil has not, and now DFB president Reinhard Grindel has told Kicker magazine that fans are owed an “answer”:

It’s true that Mesut has not commented yet. That has disappointed a lot of fans because they have questions and expect an answer. They are right to expect this answer. That’s why it’s totally clear for me that Mesut should speak on the issue. We have to wait for the sporting analysis and see whether Joachim Loew still counts on him.

1.40pm BST

So this is only the fifth time the last four of the World Cup has been an all-European affair.

1934: Italy, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Austria
1966: England, West Germany, Portugal, USSR
1982: Italy, West Germany, Poland, France
2006: Italy, France, Germany, Portugal

1.30pm BST

Today’s World Cup Fiver has landed! Boom! If you haven’t already subscribed ... well, it’s probably a bit late now, isn’t it. But don’t worry! Simply click below for guaranteed* FUN and confirmation that FOOTBALL’S COMING HOME**.

1.21pm BST

... and now some proper news. It would seem Croatia defender Domagoj Vida is doing his level best to ensure that any Russian fans in the Luzhniki Stadium tomorrow night will be supporting England. Here’s Shaun Walker, our Central and Eastern Europe Correspondent, with the story.

Croatian defender Domagoj Vida continues to court controversy, after a second video emerged of him chanting pro-Ukrainian slogans. Fifa investigated the first video, recorded after the quarter final win against Russia, in which Vida shouted “Glory to Ukraine” and former international Ognjen Vukojevic said “This victory is for Dynamo (Kiev) and for Ukraine”.

Both players used to play for Dinamo Kiev. Tensions between Russia and Ukraine remain high since the annexation of Crimea and Russia-backed war in eastern Ukraine.

1.15pm BST

Thanks to Alex. And I’m back just in time for some big BREAKING NEWS: “Around a dozen” England fans travelling to Moscow have been spotted in dark-blue waistcoats. Yes the rolling blog has come to this. The fans were clocked brazenly boarding planes at Heathrow wearing their clothes, and news organisations were duly informed. A spokesperson for Marks & Spencer confirmed the garments might have been purchased at one of the company’s stores, possibly, sort of: “Gareth Southgate’s sideline style has meant our waistcoats are really scoring with our customers, with sales doubling since the World Cup began.” More on this developing story when we have it.

12.57pm BST

And before I hand back over to Scott, a thought: perhaps the one story running through all four of these semi-finalists is the rehabilitation of the “meh” manager.

Until this summer, Roberto Martínez was the wide-eyed gung-ho merchant who took Wigan down and couldn’t get Belgium to add up to the sum of their parts, Didier Deschamps was sneered at for making Europe’s most thrilling squad into a team of safety-first chuggers, Zlatko Dalic’s biggest achievement outside Saudi Arabia and the UAE was winning the Albanian Supercup a decade ago, and Gareth Southgate was stranded in age-group limbo at St George’s Park having underwhelmed emphatically at Middlesbrough.

12.54pm BST

In no one’s getting carried away news, I solemnly report that – deep breath – Gareth Southgate’s waistcoat is being sought by the Museum of London for its permanent collection.

“Waistcoats were born in London in 1666, promoted by King Charles II,” enthuses the museum’s very own Indiana Jones, curator Beatrice Behlen. “The new fashion soon spread and for at least 300 years a three-piece suit soon formed a key part of every man’s wardrobe.

12.49pm BST

And back in the real world – or at least, the world of club football – the coming season holds the exciting and long overdue prospect of a Manchester United women’s team.

Casey Stoney, she of 130 England caps and 10 major trophies, will be in charge and our reporter Suzanne Wrack has been to speak to her. Unsurprisingly, she has plenty to say.

12.41pm BST

Tomorrow’s Big One will reunite Dejan Loren with his old foe from last season, one Harry Kane. You might remember that match-up didn’t go too well for the Croat back in October of last year – he was hauled off after half an hour having given a masterful demonstration of “the art of un-defending”, as our own Barney Ronay put it.

Kane – the Golden Boot glowing alluringly in his sights – will fancy his chances, then. Except Lovren’s quietly splendid return to form since then may mean things aren’t quite as simple as that.

12.28pm BST

England’s swaggering march to the last four has been marvellous on many levels, not least as it has brought with it an outpouring of Italia 90 nostalgia.

Here’s two highlights of the ballooning genre: The great Matthew Engel on that summer’s tears, penalties and how he realised his country had changed for ever while taking out the bins:

12.20pm BST

Test your brainpower with this quiz on the four semi-finalists’ squads:

12.16pm BST

While we’re talking stats, here’s a few regarding the physical prowess of Gareth’s Boys. Our man Sean Ingle has crunched the numbers, and the man who was England’s fitness coach at Italia 90 reckons the signs are promising. And it’s not all cold, hard data – there’s wistfully boozy tales of Lineker and Waddle in there too:

12.10pm BST

Afternoon all. Let’s kick off with a stat:

World Cup red cards for serious foul play/violent conduct
1998: 16
2002: 11
2006: 8
2010: 6
2014: 7
2018: 0 (after 60 of 64 games).

12.00pm BST

It’s almost as though I was killing time until lunch. So with that, I’m off to lunch. Alex Hess will be your guide; I’ll see you again very shortly.

11.55am BST

He’s bringing FootballBack. Justin Timberlake has hitched his carriage to the England love train, leading a chant of “It’s coming home” at his O2 Arena gig last night. Stopping short of a full blown Lightning Seeds medley, he instead segued into a passable impression of a cockney soccer fan: “Go on then Kane! Go on! Go on then Maguire! Come on!” Three Lions is on course to reach number one again this week, 22 years after it came out. 22 years! Timberlake’s 37 and all. Anyone else feel so very old?

11.40am BST

A couple of hours ago, Gokul Kannan compared the current England team to India’s t20 cricketers of 2007. Josh Gill thinks there might be an even more appropriate sporting analogy: the 2017/18 Philadelphia Eagles.

A team that finished bottom of their division the last time around. A group of mostly young players, talented but not household names, built around a young superstar-in-the-making. An unfancied coach famously described by one pundit as the “least qualified in the last 30-years”. Not the worst team around, but certainly nowhere near title contenders.

But they won hearts and minds with their social awareness, and won games with a sense to family, togetherness and joy. Finally, they brought a trophy back to a city that hadn’t seen a championship win since the Sixties. Everyone went berserk, climbed lamp posts, and caused mild amounts of criminal damage. Surely England’s parallel success is written in the Stars (and Stripes?)

11.30am BST

“What would England winning the World Cup really mean?” Barney Ronay poses the question. Or, more specifically: “What would it mean for England - the Fat Man of Europe; land of under-geared school sport and falling participation; but a place where professional football is brilliantly managed?”

11.20am BST

A few words from Gareth Southgate, who has been telling Independent Television what he expects of his men against Croatia.

To be able to keep doing what we have been doing: play with real defensive discipline, good organisation, tactical awareness. Then with the ball play with the freedom and expression that we have and the same patterns and movements that we have shown.
They of course have a very strong midfield. The higher the level of opponent, if you press in a disorganised fashion, then you will get picked through and we have got to be conscious of that.
Raheem Sterling has been fundamental to the way that we have played: his movement, the positions he takes up, his pressing of the ball, his work-rate for the team, the winning of free kicks and corners, his speed to stretch teams.
He was a constant threat to Sweden. Of course he hasn’t scored the goals he would have liked to have scored but for myself and the players he has been a crucial part of the way that we have been playing.
Any team in a World Cup semi-final is going to find the energy and going to find the motivation. So we won’t win the game just because Croatia had half an hour more football than us three days ago. We’ve got to win because we play better.

11.10am BST

“Nothing lasts forever, not even droughts.” Expert opinion from Italy, France, Germany, Brazil, Spain and Argentina is divided over England’s chances of winning the World Cup. Here’s how they see it around the globe.

11.00am BST

Eleven o’clock, and all’s well! For the latest David Squires cartoon has landed! Trigger warning: contains some very bad news for those of us who believe that football is indeed coming home.

10.50am BST

England fans are streaming into Moscow for the big game, as you’d expect. Money no object.

10.41am BST

The greatest goalkeeper in Everton’s history runs the rule over the club’s latest netminder. Neville Southall reckons Jordan Pickford is the real deal. He explains why, but also gets one or two things off his chest before doing so. A class act, is Big Nev.

Who gives you more belief that they know what they’re doing? Gareth Southgate or Theresa May? Who would you rather meet? A bright young goalkeeper like Pickford, who is turning out to be very special in this World Cup, or Trump? We’ve got so much shit going on in the world and yet our government are reportedly spending £30m on bringing a complete idiot in Trump over here. The Trump balloon they are flying over London has probably got more intelligence than him. So I am very happy to concentrate on Southgate and Pickford.

10.30am BST

That rubber chicken, in close-up.

10.20am BST

Dele Alli meanwhile has designs on irritating Luka Modric. A nutmeg, or some latex poultry launched with extreme prejudice at his noggin? Daniel Taylor has the answer.

10.10am BST

While England have everyone fit and raring to go, Croatia have injury concerns. Their goalkeeper Danijel Subasic limped his way through extra time against Russia, while right-back Sime Vrsaljko was hooked. Additionally, the Croats have had to work harder than England to get to the semis: one more period of extra-time, plus another set of stressful penalties. Here’s David Hytner on how England hope to drive home any advantage that may give them.

10.00am BST

Here, the Champions League starts again today. You’d think that can’t be right. But it is. Celtic are in Armenia for the first leg of their qualifying preliminary round tie against Alashkert. Normality is going to be hard to deal with when this World Cup is over, isn’t it.

9.50am BST

Oh yes, England. And some most welcome news this morning, ahead of the big semi-final against Croatia: everyone’s fit and available. The squad had a run-out at the Spartak Zelenogorsk stadium this morning ahead of their flight to Moscow. Jordan Henderson had been a concern with a tight hamstring, while Jamie Vardy missed the Sweden game thanks to a groin injury. But both trained. The squad also spent some time flinging around a rubber chicken. Hey, if Gareth thinks its a good idea, it’s a good idea.

9.35am BST

Kylian Mbappé has been the breakout star of the France team at this World Cup. But Adam White argues that defenders Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernández have been the true heroes. Here’s his reasoning.

9.25am BST

I’m aware a disproportionate chunk of this blog has been about jangly Scottish indie bands and children’s cartoon-book characters, as opposed to the football. So here’s an observation from Gokul Kannan about the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 cricket. “This England team reminds me of the Indian Cricket team led by MS Dhoni which went on to win the inaugural t20 World Cup. We Indians had zero hopes on the team which was so unexpected of an Indian team in a cricket world cup. But that lack of expectation proved to be crucial. They rediscovered their identity and quietly went about their business beating some very good teams on their way to glory.”

9.15am BST

Tonight’s big match may be of particular interest to supporters of Manchester United. The Old Trafford club will have a couple of their midfield giants facing each other down. Belgium’s Marouane Fellaini and Paul Pogba of France have both impressed in Russia this past month ... but only one can make it to the final. Marcel Desailly, a World Cup winner in 1998 and a man who knows a thing or two about their position, delivers his verdict.

9.10am BST

“Classy nod to Roddy Frame, one of my all-time favourites.” It’s the happy happy sound of Peter Oh, listeners. “Good Morning Britain is a rousing Aztec Camera tune, but given the fervent It’s Coming Home groundswell, I expected a link to All I Need Is Everything.” New Pop versus Britpop? It’s a rout. Frame 10, Broudie 0.

9.00am BST

A big worry for Belgium tonight is how to go about replacing the suspended Thomas Meunier. Roberto Martinez’s reshuffle will probably see Yannick Carrasco facing Kylian Mbappe. Oh dear. Some better news: Kevin De Bryune is expected to be deployed in an attacking role. David Hytner, our man in St Petersburg, has all the details.

8.50am BST

Today’s Rumour Mill has landed. We won’t lie, it’s not a bumper crop. But to be fair, what hot gossip we have for you is quite special. Trigger warning: there’s some very bad news for Tottenham fans, as predicted by the World Cup Fiver the best part of a month ago.

8.40am BST

“Surely no coverage of France-Belgium can ignore the eternal question ...” Rajit Ojha there, taking today’s semi-final discussion up a notch.

Related: Tintin v Asterix

8.30am BST

Sam Allardyce: a penny for his thoughts* right now. Here’s a typically entertaining John Crace piece on how the nation fell head over heels for Big Sam’s accidental successor, Gareth Southgate.

8.17am BST

So the business end of the tournament starts today with France-Belgium. A lot rides on the rest of the week, not least how history will come to view this tournament. USA 94 was pretty great, in the main, but the memory was seriously soured by a couple of extremely dull semi-finals and a stinker of a deciding game between Brazil and Italy that had promised so much - a rerun of 1970, basically - but delivered bugger all. Conversely, Italia 90 was almost satirically bad, but two epic semi-final matches did much to salvage that particular tournament’s reputation. Here’s hoping for a denouement to Russia 2018 in keeping with all that’s gone before. Given there’s not a completely dependable defence left, we could be in luck. Fingers crossed!

8.07am BST

Good morning Britain, as Roddy Frame once sang in equally turbulent times for a Conservative government. England played a fairly big football match in 1990, too, come to think.

7.59am BST

Alas, that’s all the time for me, Richard Parkin, on the joystick at Guardian World Cup HQ. Thanks for your emails, tweets, comments etc. I don’t know about you, but I’ve genuinely buzzing for these two semi-finals. Let’s hope the football continues in the manner it has thus far.

Leaping into the lion’s gaping maw is Scott Murray, so you’re in good hands as the UK awakes. See you next time!

7.54am BST

I’m intrigued by this from the btl commenter “Caesar of Rome”:

Like everyone else, I will root for Belgium to win but the trio of Mbappé-Griezmann-Giroud will be far more difficult for Belgian defenders to deal with than Inui-Kawaguchi-Kagawa or Neymar-Coutinho-Jesús. Both Japan and Brazil had forward lines that were certainly fine in quality but a bit one-dimensional - stop the mazy dribbles of Neymar and you’re in or break down Kagawa’s link-up play and you’re fine. But with Giroud you have physicality and airborne strength, with Griezmann you have intuitive playmaking, longe range efforts from nowhere and top-class finishing and with Mbappé you have pace, dribbling and a never-wavering verve.

7.38am BST

And speaking of penalties - randomly I’ve stumbled across this from the deeper, darker vaults of the internet - a Guardian yarn from so long ago we ask for correspondence via post. Bless.

.@adrianmierzej86, on debut for Changchun Yatai, tried to score a panenka past @glen_moss.

Never again

@Sproulie72 pic.twitter.com/kPKVTVYK2X

7.27am BST

As someone hailing from a footballing confederation not flush with World Cup success [should AFC, CAF, CONCACAF and OFC just give up and have their own Europa League style Cup? Discuss.], I do always enjoy the subplot of inter-confederational rivalry, even if with four European nations remaining in Russia 2018 that particular battle has become a little moot this time round.

But for African fans following this blog, this yarn from Ed Aarons casts the “all-European” final four in a slightly different light.

7.16am BST

Going back to that Adam White piece (see earlier - or, here) - the fact that three of France’s back four were not first choice per se during qualifying is quite an interesting aspect to today’s clash as well.

Neither of Benjamin Pavard or Lucas Hernández are slouches; you don’t get to clubs like Stuttgart or Atlético Madrid if you’re a weak link. But - they haven’t really faced a front three like Hazard, Lukaku or De Bruyne yet at this tournament, either.

7.04am BST

Another who knows a little about France’s 1998 victory is Marcel Desailly (aka “the original Harry Maguire forehead”) and what a treat it is having him on board as a Guardian columnist for this World Cup.

Not surprisingly, he identifies the pace of Mbappé as a key factor in today’s match:

6.52am BST

A subplot that fascinates me ahead of today’s match is the “Thierry Henry dilemma” - whereby one of the all-time great French players accidentally ends up amid the coaching staff of a team looking to prevent the 1998 World Cup winner’s own country of making another final.

Kristof Terreur unpacks this for us a little more:

6.45am BST

A few tips and musings coming through, from you, the good people:

Gokul Kannan writes:

It is fascinating. Predicting this game. Funny that you mention ‘tactics are only as good as the players’ execution of them’. Martinez has the players who can execute any. Fellaini to Januzaj. It is entirely upon him to get the tactics right. Playing 3 at the back with Carasco as the winger would be inviting Mbappe to run you over. Playing De Bruyne deep would be pleading Kante to become the hero.

Extremely tight match-up today. If pushed, I’d have France to edge it as I think they have that little bit extra. Griezmann and Hazard are both incredible playmakers with dazzling skills, but the Frenchman is the better goalscorer, for example. Lukaku is far, far better than Giroud in every respect apart from possible headed set-pieces, but then again Belgium have nobody comparable to Mbappé.

Mbappe and Griezmann will provide a way bigger test than Neymar to the Belgian defence. This is because they have a better midfield backing them with Pogba and Matuidi very capable of being playmakers.

I would love a Belgium win (as they are more entertaining ) but World Cups have traditionally seen boring, functional teams win.

Key match ups will definitely be Kante v Hazard, Griezmann v Fellaini, De Bruyne v Matuidi, Martinez v Wigan fans.

6.27am BST

And speaking of “the young people” and “the internet”, this was brought to my attention.

In Russia it’s illegal to display the LGBT pride flag. So during the #WorldCup these 6 football fans have formed a hidden rainbow flag with their soccer jerseys, to protest Russia’s discriminatory laws in plain sight. #HiddenFlag ✊️‍ pic.twitter.com/I6uvYztGlR

6.16am BST

Meanwhile, this is not bad.

@rrjparkin If you're planning to watch England win the world cup with your partner, and wondering how to celebrate when Maguire heads the ball into the net from centre circle, here's a suggestion. "smooching time" anagrams with #ItsComingHome #WorldCup

6.02am BST

In the interim, if you’re just waking up across continental Europe, there have been a few interesting world football transfer developments with both Manchester City and Barcelona making some early splashes:

5.51am BST

And where do we imagine the key match ups will be?

The blistering pace of Kylian Mbappé straight away poses questions of Belgium’s defence - how will Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Vincent Kompany fare against the precocious teen? There are some creaking legs there, not to mention Kompany’s well-documented history of fitness issues, especially given the tight tournament timeframes.

5.39am BST

Prediction is necessarily a mug’s game, but you know, the more I think about this game, the less certain I am of how it’s going to unfold.

What do you think? Email me your tips, but more importantly, the reasoning behind these - and I’ll cast my red pen over them (with comments like “needs citation”).

5.28am BST

Keith Forbes is in very early doors:

My 14 year old son Julian has coined the phrase, “Battle of the Frites” for Belgium v France. I think it’s quite clever.

5.15am BST

France v Belgium.

These good friends from the Schengen zone. Comrades in many historical japes together they will be glowering at each other across all 620km of their shared border today.

5.00am BST

And so, at that stage of the World Cup where every day without a match feels inexorably pointless - we awake with a spring in our step, and hope in our heart, because football, dear reader, is back once more.

Just three epic games to play (and one “well we may as well while we’re here” encounter) - until Russia 2018 announces its ultimate winner; Vladimir Putin, aside. Will it be France; Belgium; England or Croatia?

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Published on July 10, 2018 09:51

World Cup 2018: buildup to France v Belgium, plus England latest – live!

Latest news from the Belgium, France, England and Croatia campsWorld Cup power rankings: Brilliant Belgium go top before semis Mbappé’s boldness will be crucial for France against BelgiumAnd feel free to email Scott

9.35am BST

Kylian Mbappé has been the breakout star of the France team at this World Cup. But Adam White argues that defenders Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernández have been the true heroes. Here’s his reasoning.

9.25am BST

I’m aware a disproportionate chunk of this blog has been about jangly Scottish indie bands and children’s cartoon-book characters, as opposed to the football. So here’s an observation from Gokul Kannan about the 2007 ICC World Twenty20 cricket. “This England team reminds me of the Indian Cricket team led by MS Dhoni which went on to win the inaugural t20 World Cup. We Indians had zero hopes on the team which was so unexpected of an Indian team in a cricket world cup. But that lack of expectation proved to be crucial. They rediscovered their identity and quietly went about their business beating some very good teams on their way to glory.”

9.15am BST

Tonight’s big match may be of particular interest to supporters of Manchester United. The Old Trafford club will have a couple of their midfield giants facing each other down. Belgium’s Marouane Fellaini and Paul Pogba of France have both impressed in Russia this past month ... but only one can make it to the final. Marcel Desailly, a World Cup winner in 1998 and a man who knows a thing or two about their position, delivers his verdict.

9.10am BST

“Classy nod to Roddy Frame, one of my all-time favourites.” It’s the happy happy sound of Peter Oh, listeners. “Good Morning Britain is a rousing Aztec Camera tune, but given the fervent It’s Coming Home groundswell, I expected a link to All I Need Is Everything.” New Pop versus Britpop? It’s a rout. Frame 10, Broudie 0.

9.00am BST

A big worry for Belgium tonight is how to go about replacing the suspended Thomas Meunier. Roberto Martinez’s reshuffle will probably see Yannick Carrasco facing Kylian Mbappe. Oh dear. Some better news: Kevin De Bryune is expected to be deployed in an attacking role. David Hytner, our man in St Petersburg, has all the details.

8.50am BST

Today’s Rumour Mill has landed. We won’t lie, it’s not a bumper crop. But to be fair, what hot gossip we have for you is quite special. Trigger warning: there’s some very bad news for Tottenham fans, as predicted by the World Cup Fiver the best part of a month ago.

8.40am BST

“Surely no coverage of France-Belgium can ignore the eternal question ...” Rajit Ojha there, taking today’s semi-final discussion up a notch.

Related: Tintin v Asterix

8.30am BST

Sam Allardyce: a penny for his thoughts* right now. Here’s a typically entertaining John Crace piece on how the nation fell head over heels for Big Sam’s accidental successor, Gareth Southgate.

8.17am BST

So the business end of the tournament starts today with France-Belgium. A lot rides on the rest of the week, not least how history will come to view this tournament. USA 94 was pretty great, in the main, but the memory was seriously soured by a couple of extremely dull semi-finals and a stinker of a deciding game between Brazil and Italy that had promised so much - a rerun of 1970, basically - but delivered bugger all. Conversely, Italia 90 was almost satirically bad, but two epic semi-final matches did much to salvage that particular tournament’s reputation. Here’s hoping for a denouement to Russia 2018 in keeping with all that’s gone before. Given there’s not a completely dependable defence left, we could be in luck. Fingers crossed!

8.07am BST

Good morning Britain, as Roddy Frame once sang in equally turbulent times for a Conservative government. England played a fairly big football match in 1990, too, come to think.

7.59am BST

Alas, that’s all the time for me, Richard Parkin, on the joystick at Guardian World Cup HQ. Thanks for your emails, tweets, comments etc. I don’t know about you, but I’ve genuinely buzzing for these two semi-finals. Let’s hope the football continues in the manner it has thus far.

Leaping into the lion’s gaping maw is Scott Murray, so you’re in good hands as the UK awakes. See you next time!

7.54am BST

I’m intrigued by this from the btl commenter “Caesar of Rome”:

Like everyone else, I will root for Belgium to win but the trio of Mbappé-Griezmann-Giroud will be far more difficult for Belgian defenders to deal with than Inui-Kawaguchi-Kagawa or Neymar-Coutinho-Jesús. Both Japan and Brazil had forward lines that were certainly fine in quality but a bit one-dimensional - stop the mazy dribbles of Neymar and you’re in or break down Kagawa’s link-up play and you’re fine. But with Giroud you have physicality and airborne strength, with Griezmann you have intuitive playmaking, longe range efforts from nowhere and top-class finishing and with Mbappé you have pace, dribbling and a never-wavering verve.

7.38am BST

And speaking of penalties - randomly I’ve stumbled across this from the deeper, darker vaults of the internet - a Guardian yarn from so long ago we ask for correspondence via post. Bless.

.@adrianmierzej86, on debut for Changchun Yatai, tried to score a panenka past @glen_moss.

Never again

@Sproulie72 pic.twitter.com/kPKVTVYK2X

7.27am BST

As someone hailing from a footballing confederation not flush with World Cup success [should AFC, CAF, CONCACAF and OFC just give up and have their own Europa League style Cup? Discuss.], I do always enjoy the subplot of inter-confederational rivalry, even if with four European nations remaining in Russia 2018 that particular battle has become a little moot this time round.

But for African fans following this blog, this yarn from Ed Aarons casts the “all-European” final four in a slightly different light.

7.16am BST

Going back to that Adam White piece (see earlier - or, here) - the fact that three of France’s back four were not first choice per se during qualifying is quite an interesting aspect to today’s clash as well.

Neither of Benjamin Pavard or Lucas Hernández are slouches; you don’t get to clubs like Stuttgart or Atlético Madrid if you’re a weak link. But - they haven’t really faced a front three like Hazard, Lukaku or De Bruyne yet at this tournament, either.

7.04am BST

Another who knows a little about France’s 1998 victory is Marcel Desailly (aka “the original Harry Maguire forehead”) and what a treat it is having him on board as a Guardian columnist for this World Cup.

Not surprisingly, he identifies the pace of Mbappé as a key factor in today’s match:

6.52am BST

A subplot that fascinates me ahead of today’s match is the “Thierry Henry dilemma” - whereby one of the all-time great French players accidentally ends up amid the coaching staff of a team looking to prevent the 1998 World Cup winner’s own country of making another final.

Kristof Terreur unpacks this for us a little more:

6.45am BST

A few tips and musings coming through, from you, the good people:

Gokul Kannan writes:

It is fascinating. Predicting this game. Funny that you mention ‘tactics are only as good as the players’ execution of them’. Martinez has the players who can execute any. Fellaini to Januzaj. It is entirely upon him to get the tactics right. Playing 3 at the back with Carasco as the winger would be inviting Mbappe to run you over. Playing De Bruyne deep would be pleading Kante to become the hero.

Extremely tight match-up today. If pushed, I’d have France to edge it as I think they have that little bit extra. Griezmann and Hazard are both incredible playmakers with dazzling skills, but the Frenchman is the better goalscorer, for example. Lukaku is far, far better than Giroud in every respect apart from possible headed set-pieces, but then again Belgium have nobody comparable to Mbappé.

Mbappe and Griezmann will provide a way bigger test than Neymar to the Belgian defence. This is because they have a better midfield backing them with Pogba and Matuidi very capable of being playmakers.

I would love a Belgium win (as they are more entertaining ) but World Cups have traditionally seen boring, functional teams win.

Key match ups will definitely be Kante v Hazard, Griezmann v Fellaini, De Bruyne v Matuidi, Martinez v Wigan fans.

6.27am BST

And speaking of “the young people” and “the internet”, this was brought to my attention.

In Russia it’s illegal to display the LGBT pride flag. So during the #WorldCup these 6 football fans have formed a hidden rainbow flag with their soccer jerseys, to protest Russia’s discriminatory laws in plain sight. #HiddenFlag ✊️‍ pic.twitter.com/I6uvYztGlR

6.16am BST

Meanwhile, this is not bad.

@rrjparkin If you're planning to watch England win the world cup with your partner, and wondering how to celebrate when Maguire heads the ball into the net from centre circle, here's a suggestion. "smooching time" anagrams with #ItsComingHome #WorldCup

6.02am BST

In the interim, if you’re just waking up across continental Europe, there have been a few interesting world football transfer developments with both Manchester City and Barcelona making some early splashes:

5.51am BST

And where do we imagine the key match ups will be?

The blistering pace of Kylian Mbappé straight away poses questions of Belgium’s defence - how will Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Vincent Kompany fare against the precocious teen? There are some creaking legs there, not to mention Kompany’s well-documented history of fitness issues, especially given the tight tournament timeframes.

5.39am BST

Prediction is necessarily a mug’s game, but you know, the more I think about this game, the less certain I am of how it’s going to unfold.

What do you think? Email me your tips, but more importantly, the reasoning behind these - and I’ll cast my red pen over them (with comments like “needs citation”).

5.28am BST

Keith Forbes is in very early doors:

My 14 year old son Julian has coined the phrase, “Battle of the Frites” for Belgium v France. I think it’s quite clever.

5.15am BST

France v Belgium.

These good friends from the Schengen zone. Comrades in many historical japes together they will be glowering at each other across all 620km of their shared border today.

5.00am BST

And so, at that stage of the World Cup where every day without a match feels inexorably pointless - we awake with a spring in our step, and hope in our heart, because football, dear reader, is back once more.

Just three epic games to play (and one “well we may as well while we’re here” encounter) - until Russia 2018 announces its ultimate winner; Vladimir Putin, aside. Will it be France; Belgium; England or Croatia?

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Published on July 10, 2018 01:35

Football transfer rumours: Borussia Dortmund to move for Wilfried Zaha?

Today’s rumours are on the lively side

A few months ago, it sounded like Napoli schemer Jorginho was on his way to Liverpool. Then Manchester City got involved, and the Italian midfielder seemed a shoo-in to join the Premier League champions. But at the last minute Chelsea have poked their neb in. City are still hoping to seal the deal, but just in case there’s a last twist, they’re also looking at Real Madrid’s Mateo Kovacic.

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Published on July 10, 2018 00:31

World Cup 2018: Russia 2-2 Croatia (aet; Croatia win 4-3 on pens) – as it happened

Croatia edged out the hosts in a mini-epic in Sochi, and will meet England in the semi-finalsEngland beat Sweden to reach first World Cup semi in 28 years

1.06am BST

10.11pm BST

And finally here’s David Hytner’s verdict on a wild night in Sochi. Hope you enjoyed this MBM. Hearty congratulations to Croatia, and of course to England earlier; it should be a blast when they meet in Moscow on Wednesday. Commiserations to Russia and Sweden. Thanks for reading, wherever you are in the world. Nighty night, and sweet dreams!

10.04pm BST

Once you’ve read that, it’s time to mark everyone’s work.

10.02pm BST

Here’s our snap match report:

9.59pm BST

So after all that, here’s the semi-final line-up of the 2018 World Cup:

France v Belgium
England v Croatia

9.57pm BST

Russia were the lowest-ranked team coming into this tournament. Many folk in their own country thought humiliation might be on the cards. But their team has, to a man, been magnificent. They were a couple of kicks away from the semis, and when the pain subsides they’ll feel very proud at what they’ve achieved. Croatia meanwhile still can’t quite get into their rhythm ... but they’ve made it to the last four anyway, and there’s no point using up all your good form in the early rounds. England will be happy the Croats don’t look at their best, and have played an hour’s worth of extra time in the last week; on the other hand, they might be worried they’ll click into form just in time for the business end of the tournament. Wednesday night is going to be so much fun.

9.53pm BST

After another instant World Cup classic, the valiant hosts Russia are sent away from their own party. They’ve been magnificent ... but Croatia had just a little too much quality for them in the end. And none of the luck: witness Modric’s absurd spot kick. Modric crashes to the floor, too spent to celebrate. Physical collapse, or emotional? It’s probably both, isn’t it. Tears for the men in red, and their amazing supporters in the stands. It’s England versus Croatia in the semi on Wednesday!

9.51pm BST

Penalties: Russia 3-4 Croatia. Rakitic has done very little tonight, but he slips his penalty into the bottom left, Akinfeev going the wrong way. Croatia have made it to the semis!

9.50pm BST

Penalties: Russia 3-3 Croatia. Kuziaev slaps his into the bottom left. Croatia still have a penalty to make it to the semis, though.

9.49pm BST

Penalties: Russia 2-3 Croatia. Vida lashes his into the left as well. Russia have to score to stay in their World Cup.

9.49pm BST

Penalties: Russia 2-2 Croatia. Ignashevich batters his penalty into the bottom left. Subasic went the wrong way.

9.48pm BST

Penalties: Russia 1-2 Croatia. Modric scores, but only just! He aims low and left. Akinfeev gets a hand on it, but pushes it onto the post, whereupon it rebounds and settles into the other side of the net. Lucky Luka.

9.47pm BST

Penalties: Russia 1-1 Croatia. Fernandes drags a dreadful penalty wide left. That was awful.

9.46pm BST

Penalties: Russia 1-1 Croatia. Dzagoev gestures to get the crowd up when he walks back to the centre. It puts Kovacic off: he sidefoots tamely to the bottom right, and Akinfeev guesses correctly! An easy save. They’re on terms again!

9.45pm BST

Penalties: Russia 1-1 Croatia. Dzagoev slips his penalty into the bottom right, sending the keeper the wrong way.

9.44pm BST

Penalties: Russia 0-1 Croatia. Brozovic scores! High to the right, even though Akinfeev guessed correctly.

9.44pm BST

Penalties: Russia 0-0 Croatia. Smolov misses! He dinks to the left, and Subasic reads.

9.42pm BST

Penalties: Russia will go first. Gareth Southgate will be enjoying this, whatever happens, as both teams go through the mill.

9.41pm BST

You have to give Russia immense credit. They looked utterly down and out, but somehow came back at Croatia, worrying them enough to concede a stupid free kick. And that one set piece was all they needed. They’ll have a spring in their step going into these decisive spot kicks. And football’s loudest crowd have their back. Croatia will surely be fearing the worst. Their captain Modric looks thoroughly miserable. “Watching this match you understand why it’s never a good idea to invade Russia,” writes João André. “They’ll keep on fighting on and eventually it’s winter. Or penalties, whatever comes first.”

9.37pm BST

And so England still don’t know who they’ll be playing next Wednesday. Because it’ll be penalties!

9.36pm BST

ET 30 min: This is an astonishing atmosphere. Modric floats a free kick towards the Russian box, but it’s no good, and easily cleared. Smolov threatens to latch onto a long ball on the edge of the Croatian box. Not quite. This is hectic and a whole lot of fun!

9.35pm BST

ET 29 min: Zobnin, from 25 yards, hits a screaming daisycutter towards the bottom left. Subasic does very well indeed to get down and keep hold of it, especially in his half-fit state. Russia don’t have a winner in them, do they?!

9.34pm BST

ET 28 min: This World Cup, though, eh?

9.33pm BST

ET 27 min: Modric has a dig from distance. Nope. I don’t think he’s stopped shaking his head sadly since the equaliser went in. He looks utterly dejected.

9.32pm BST

ET 26 min: The roof of this stadium is currently sailing towards Iceland.

9.31pm BST

The free kick is curled into the box by Dzagoev. An outswinger. Fernandes rises highest, and flashes a header into the bottom left! Russia save themselves! There was always going to be another twist, wasn’t there?

9.29pm BST

ET 23 min: Smolov dances down the left, reaches the byline, and checks back. He hooks into the centre, and Subasic does very well to claw away with red shirts lurking. Then Pivaric deliberately elbows a ball floating down the Russian right. That’s a booking, and a free kick in a very interesting position!

9.27pm BST

ET 21 min: A corner for Russia down the left. It ends up being half cleared, and falling at the feet of Kuziaev, just to the right of the D. Kuziaev hits a first-time pearler, through a thicket of players, but straight at Subasic, who snaffles. Anywhere else, and that was surely a goal! But the keeper can hang on.

9.26pm BST

ET 20 min: Kudriashov clatters into Kovacic down the Croatian right. A free kick, and a chance for Croatia to load the box, and put this out of Russia’s reach. Modric takes the free kick. It ends up at the feet of Mandzukic, who curls a soft shot into Akinfeev’s arms.

9.24pm BST

ET 19 min: A yellow card for Gazinsky, who trips a marauding Mandzukic. He’ll miss the semi should Russia turn this round.

9.23pm BST

ET 17 min: Modric sprints 60 yards to keep in a loose ball near the Russian right-hand corner flag ... but his attempt to play the ball off Kudriashov and win a corner end in failure as he sends it along the byline to Akinfeev. A lot of effort for nowt.

9.22pm BST

ET 16 min: Kovacic and Modric try to up the tempo and combine down the left. It nearly opens Russia up, but Kovacic takes a heavy touch and runs the ball out for a throw. But Croatia are one minute closer to that England showdown.

9.21pm BST

And we’re off again (again)! Croatia get the ball rolling for the final chapter ... unless Russia can force a penalty shootout.

9.18pm BST

There’s just time for a high ball to be pumped into the Croatian box. Subasic goes up, claims, is fouled, drops, and cries in pain. But he’s up and about quickly enough. And that’s that for the first period of extra time. Is there to be one last twist in this Russian fairytale? Or will Croatia close it out, and secure the semi-final with England that’s now within their grasp?

9.15pm BST

ET 15 min: ... Erokhin eyebrows a header wide right from close range. There will be two additional minutes in this first period of extra time.

9.14pm BST

ET 14 min: Now it’s Russia’s turn to win a corner on the right. Dzagoev takes. Zobnin battles at the far post and earns another corner, this time on the left. From which ...

9.13pm BST

ET 12 min: Vida was booked for his cavorting. Russia replace Golovin with Dzagoev.

9.12pm BST

Croatia go straight up the other end and win a corner on the right. Vida rises on the spot to meet the set piece, and sends a slow downward header into the bottom right! All in super-slow motion! He tears his shirt off and peels away in wild celebration. Croatia are less than 20 minutes from the semis!

9.11pm BST

ET 10 min: Lovren plays a sleepy pass in the midfield, and Golovin races towards the Croatian box. He slips a pass inside for Smolov, who threatens to break into the box. Lovren comes back and gently eases him out of the way. Russia want a penalty, but they’re not getting it. Lovren redeems himself.

9.09pm BST

ET 9 min: Croatia are keeping hold of the ball, but they’re not doing a great deal with it. Modric has been uncharacteristically quiet. What they’d do for a spark from the little man.

9.07pm BST

ET 7 min: Subasic better be good for the remainder. Because Vresaljko forces Croatia into making their bonus extra-time fourth substitution. If the keeper goes down again, it might be curtains for the Croats. Anyway, here comes Corluka.

9.06pm BST

ET 6 min: As play pootles on, Vrsaljko is still off the park being assessed.

9.05pm BST

ET 4 min: It’s just as well Subasic is good to continue. Because they may have to hook Vrsaljko, who appears to have tweaked something himself. He limps off for treatment. “If Croatia can’t find a way through then there is no reason to think England or even Belgium or France can,” argues Robin Hazlehurst. “Russia nailed on to win the thing by winning every knockout game on penalties? Is that good? Well, they all count.”

9.03pm BST

ET 2 min: Kuziaev hopes to break into the box but he’s eased off the ball by Lovren and Vida. It doesn’t look like Russia are merely playing for penalties.

9.02pm BST

And we’re off again! It now looks like Subasic merely suffered an attack of cramp, rather than pulling a hamstring. He’s been massaged furiously, and is good to continue. Russia restart, and immediately win a corner down the right. From which, the ball drops to Erokhin six yards out. But he can’t sort his feet out to get a shot away. Croatia clear.

8.55pm BST

Could England’s day get any better? The side they’ll face in the semi-final will have an extra 30 minutes of stressful football in their legs. We’re going to extra time!

8.54pm BST

90 min +4: Subasic looks a little less pained at the moment. Smolov barrels down the right and reaches the byline. Instead of crossing, he belts hard, straight at the injured netminder. Subasic parries well, and the ball’s hacked upfield.

8.52pm BST

90 min +3: The corner leads to nothing, but Croatia, who have a stricken keeper, are another 60 seconds closer to safety.

8.52pm BST

90 min +2: Subasic is still guarding the goal, of course ... there’s no point him going off yet. But if he’s expected to move at speed for anything ... well. Croatia do the right thing by pressing hard up the other end. Kovacic wins a corner and Modric wastes some time taking it.

8.51pm BST

90 min: Croatia make their final substitution ... in 90 minutes. Kovacic comes on for Kramaric. And then what happens? Subasic goes to gather a loose ball, the result of an Erokhin and Vrsaljko battle down the Russian left. As he bends to stop it going out for a corner, he clutches the back of his leg. His hamstring is gone! And there will be five additional minutes. Subasic can hardly move! This could become very dramatic. He can be replaced in extra time - the new fourth sub rule - but Croatia need to survive these final stages first! What a farcical end to Croatia’s campaign this could be!

8.48pm BST

88 min: Nope. Vida sends his header over the bar, and Lovren was pushing anyway.

8.47pm BST

87 min: Modric plays a diagonal ball, left to right. It should be intercepted by Erokhin, but he heads it behind for a corner under no pressure whatsoever. A bonus corner for Croatia. The great Russian adventure can’t end like this, can it?

8.44pm BST

84 min: Zobnin tries to flick a pass down the left. It’s handled by Vrsaljko. Free kick, and a chance for Russia to load the box. Golovin sends an inswinger into the mixer. Lovren does very well to crash a header clear under extreme pressure. The tension is rising.

8.43pm BST

83 min: Pivaric chases after a heavy pass down the left. Fernandes ushers ball and man out of play for a goal kick. The crowd respond to another request for volume from their manager. We’re entering the last nervous few minutes. Every little helps.

8.42pm BST

81 min: Fernandes skips down the right. He reaches the byline and pulls one back into the box. Vrsaljko clatters clear, Smolov not in range. This has got very scrappy again.

8.39pm BST

79 min: The impressively troublesome Dzyuba, who has been tiring, is replaced by the midfielder Gazinsky. Russia revert back to one up front. Here’s Adam Kline-Schoder: “It seems to me that Croatia, when they are in full flow (case: Argentina), are nigh on impossible to stop and play some beautiful football. But, they seem to have a hard time getting to that point. Russia have disrupted Croatia’s play today by forming two solid banks of four, thus forcing Modric back to close to his own third to receive the ball and reducing his effectiveness. In other words, I think they’ve generally prevented Croatia from playing the way they want, and they’re perfectly happy to try and nick a goal on the counter. And honestly, that method has got them this far, so it’s difficult to poke too much fun at. They all count!”

8.38pm BST

77 min: Modric takes. Mandzukic slaps a header over the bar.

8.37pm BST

76 min: This is getting a little scrappy as extra time looms and nerves kick in again. But then suddenly Modric makes good towards the Russian box. He lays off to the right for Kramaric, who chips for Mandzukic. He heads down to Modric on the spot: the resulting shot is blocked. For a second there, a goal of intricate brilliance looked like it was unfolding. Not quite. But it is a corner.

8.33pm BST

74 min: Pivaric replaces Strinic at left-back for Croatia.

8.32pm BST

72 min: This is better from Russia, though. Some space for Fernandes on the right. He curls a high one onto the forehead of Erokhin, who clangs a header over the bar from ten yards. He should have done better, though he was under some pressure from Lovren, who isn’t afraid to put himself about.

8.31pm BST

71 min: Dzyuba is bundled over by Vida on the halfway line. Russia load the box and ping the ball towards ... Dzyuba. He can’t win the header.

8.29pm BST

69 min: Croatia are still hogging the ball, though. And doing precious little with it.

8.27pm BST

67 min: Ah! Scrap that. The Russian scorer Cheryshev is replaced by the striker Smolov. A move to bring a little more support to Dzyuba up front.

8.26pm BST

66 min: Russia are sitting deep. Not playing for penalties already, surely? Hey, it didn’t do any harm against Spain. Mind you, Spain never tried to go forward, and for all their faults, Croatia are giving it a proper go.

8.24pm BST

65 min: Croatia have lifted their tempo. Modric very nearly bursts into the box with a power run down the inside-right channel, but can’t quite keep control. The Russian fans respond with a symphony of loud whistling.

8.24pm BST

64 min: Strinic is released into the Russian box down the left by a clever backheel from Rebic. But instead of shooting from a tight angle, he tries a pullback instead, and finds nobody.

8.23pm BST

63 min: Perisic is replaced by Brozovic.

8.22pm BST

62 min: Fernandes and Erokhin combine down the right to earn a Russian corner. The set piece is met by Dzyuba, who faces (rather than heads) the ball softly to Subasic. Dzyuba was getting some close attention from Lovren there; the big Liverpool defender wants to be careful with that.

8.21pm BST

60 min: An astonishing escape for Russia! A scramble in the Russian box, caused by an up-and-under, drops to Perisic on the penalty spot. He takes a touch, with Akinfeev under a pile of his own prone defenders, and guides it towards the bottom left. The ball hits the bottom of the post, then twangs across the face of goal and away from danger! How on earth did that stay out?!

8.18pm BST

58 min: Rakitic comes in from the left and fires wildly over the bar from 20 yards. The pained look on his face says it all. The favourites for this match are struggling in attack right now.

8.16pm BST

56 min: Modric sends Perisic scampering down the right. He cuts inside and turns backwards. The slick moves of the group phase just aren’t happening for Croatia in this knockout stage.

8.14pm BST

54 min: Vrsaljko has taken a whack on the ankle from Cheryshev. That’s a sore one. As he’s being treated, Russia swap Samedov for Erokhin.

8.12pm BST

52 min: Kramaric tries an overhead kick from the edge of the Russian box. It’s easily claimed by Akinfeev, who launches long. One bounce, and his drop kick is nearly sailing over the head of Subasic, on the penalty spot! But the keeper backpedals and claims. That would have been quite the end-to-end passage of play.

8.11pm BST

51 min: Croatia’s nerves continue to betray them. Modric plays a simple pass to the left for Strinic, who under no pressure miscontrols and hoicks the ball out of play.

8.10pm BST

49 min: Vrsaljko curls one in from deep on the right. It goes all the way through to Kramaric on the left. Kramaric should shoot, but drops a shoulder to engage Ignashevich in a duel instead. It holds him up and the chance is gone.

8.07pm BST

47 min: Modric tries to get a move going, but loses the ball to Golovin and ends up bringing his man down with a flick. He’s lucky the referee doesn’t view that as petulance. Modric has done next to nothing so far.

8.04pm BST

And we’re off again! The hosts get the ball rolling once more. There have been no half-time changes. “Can we preserve this tournament in amber, put it on a marble plinth and give it Jesus lighting?” asks Hubert O’Hearn. “Best tournament ever.”

7.52pm BST

Half-time reading: The referee of this game is Brazil’s last representative at the 2018 World Cup. Marta responds to the demise of the five-time champions against Belgium yesterday evening.

7.49pm BST

Nothing happens. The scoreline’s about right on the balance of play, and England are no nearer to knowing who they’ll face in the semi-finals on Wednesday. A fascinating first half, which eventually exploded into action thanks to another wonder strike from Denis Cheryshev. “Cheryshev is running a goal of the tournament competition all of his own,” opines David Wall. He’s now just two behind Harry Kane in the race for the Golden Boot.

7.47pm BST

45 min: There will be two extra minutes added to the end of this first half.

7.46pm BST

44 min: Rakitic tries to spring Vrsaljko free down the right, but his pass is a wee bit too strong. A shame for Croatia: Russia were light at the back there.

7.44pm BST

42 min: Croatia only half-clear the free kick. Golovin loops the ball back into the box. Dzyuba spins Lovren and is clear on goal ... but he’s penalised for a shove on the defender. Or maybe he’s been flagged offside ... but if so, that’s the wrong decision.

7.43pm BST

41 min: Russia win a free kick out on the right. On the touchline, Cherchesov encourages the crowd to crank up the volume again. They respond accordingly, having fallen quiet after the equaliser.

7.42pm BST

And suddenly Croatia are level! Perisic flicks Mandzukic free down the left. Nobody comes across to meet the striker; Ignashevich was the nearest, but he’s slow to realise the danger. Mandzukic is allowed to wander into the box, look up, and pick out Kramaric, who bends down to steer a header across Akinfeev and into the bottom right. Lovely goal, but questionable defending.

7.40pm BST

38 min: Samedov bursts off down the right. Strinic tugs his shirt, and joins Lovren in the book. So that’s two of Croatia’s defence now walking the disciplinary tightrope ... and both of the fouls committed were in the Russian half. Not too clever.

7.38pm BST

37 min: Russia launch a long pass into the Croatia box from deep. Ignashevich tries to hook the ball goalwards from a tight spot on the left, but can’t stop the ball from flying wildly into the stand behind.

7.37pm BST

36 min: A couple of raids down the right by Fernandes nearly open Croatia up. Not quite, but Russia have their opponents rattled right now.

7.36pm BST

35 min: Perisic floats a pass into the Russian area from the left, and panics Kutepov into heading behind for a corner. That leads to some gentle head tennis. Russia clear. Dzyuba moves to chest the ball down in the midfield. Lovren comes through the back of him, and straight into the referee’s notebook.

7.35pm BST

33 min: Croatia look stunned, having just taken a huge body blow. Modric - who has done very little - tries to launch some retaliation, but there’s nothing doing. The atmosphere in the Fisht Stadium has just been turned up to 11.

7.33pm BST

A belter! Out of nowhere! Denis Cheryshev scores his fourth goal of this amazing Russian World Cup campaign. And it’s an unstoppable screamer! Cheryshev, from deep, one-twos with Dzyuba down the inside-left channel. Receiving the return, he takes a touch inside to move into a pocket of space, then curls powerfully into the top left from 25 yards! Wow!

7.31pm BST

30 min: Strinic clatters into Samedov down the right. Cheryshev takes, and sends his cross curling towards the top left. Subasic claims, but not in wholly convincing fashion. For a spilt second you worried for the keeper, and for Croatia.

7.30pm BST

28 min: More Croatian ball-hogging. Then a bit of space for the bright Vrsaljko down the right. He curls into the centre where Perisic stoops and guides a header well wide left.

7.27pm BST

25 min: Still nothing going on. This is prime-time Saturday evening entertainment on ITV! Almost enough to make one pine for the days of Brucie’s Big Night.

7.24pm BST

23 min: Croatia try to reassert their superiority with some possession play in the middle of the park. After a breezy start to this match, it’s suddenly gone a bit flat.

7.22pm BST

21 min: The first lull of the evening as a game of head tennis breaks out in the midfield.

7.20pm BST

19 min: The Russian fans entertain themselves with an ersatz Icelandic thunderclap. To be fair, it sounds amazing, a fine cover version.

7.19pm BST

17 min: Fernandes races down the right and meets a ball he had no right to get. Strinic snoozing. Fernandes hooks it back. Samedov, racing into the area, takes a brilliant touch down the inside-right to nick the ball past Vida, but Subasic is off his line quickly to snuff out the danger. This is a nice open match, considering the pressure and the prize on offer.

7.17pm BST

16 min: Rakitic looks for the top left, but clears the bar with some ease. Not a great free kick.

7.16pm BST

15 min: Rebic is fouled out on the right. Free kick, and a chance for Croatia to load the Russian area. Rakitic takes. It’s met, and absurdly shanked, by Rebic on the other flank. No matter, because Rebic quickly regains possession, runs at Kutepov, and earns another free kick, just to the left of the D.

7.15pm BST

14 min: Dzyuba powers at the Croatian box. There’s not much in the way of support. He holds the ball up awhile, then slips one wide right for Samedov. But it’s not an accurate pass, and it leads to a panicked cross that’s easily cleared by Vida.

7.14pm BST

12 min: Another fine low cross from the right by Vrsaljko. Mandzukic gets more on this one, but skies it off his shin. But it was a smooth move, started by Rebic. Suddenly Croatia, having started looking second-round shaky, have more of that group-stage sparkle about them.

7.12pm BST

11 min: Modric’s delivery isn’t all that. “The first major tournament I can remember was Euro 1988 and I really liked the USSR side, managed by the coaching great Valeri Lobanovsky, featuring goalkeeping legend Rinat Dasaev and a number of outfield greats,” writes Kári Tulinius. “They got undone in the final by a Dutch side featuring some outrageous talents. A similar USSR team then made a complete hash of it at the 1990 World Cup. Though they trounced Cameroon 4-0 in the final game, a mutually beneficial 1-1 between Argentina and Romania meant they went home. It was a much more talented side than today’s lot, who’re a game away from a World Cup semifinal. Talent only gets you so far.”

7.11pm BST

10 min: Yes, Croatia are getting into this game now. Perisic wins a corner off Fernandes down the left. More pressure on the hosts.

7.10pm BST

9 min: Rakitc sprays a pass wide right from deep. Vrsaljko meets it first time, and his low cross is very nearly met by Mandzukic in the centre. Ignashevich blocks and Russia clear. That would have been a picture-book goal.

7.09pm BST

7 min: From the set piece, Lovren wins a header on the edge of the area. He sends the ball looping forward. From the penalty spot, Rebic heads harmlessly over. That was a decent chance. And the first sign that Croatia might not be as shaky as they were against Denmark in the previous round.

7.08pm BST

6 min: Or maybe not! Rebic wins a battle with Kudriashov to the right of the Russian goal, and he’s earned himself a chance to shoot. His effort, from a tight angle, is blocked by Akinfeev. Corner.

7.06pm BST

5 min: Vida lets Golovin steal away with the ball near the right-hand corner flag. Golovin hooks into the mixer. Dzyuba has a crack; it’s blocked out for a corner by Lovren. The corner leads to nought, but that’s another display of front-foot ambition from the hosts. And more nerves from Croatia, who have a reputation of not delivering in big matches. That might be playing on their minds.

7.05pm BST

4 min: These are very early stages, of course, but Russia look by far the more assured and confident right now. Croatia are struggling to put two passes together.

7.03pm BST

2 min: Croatia knock it around the back for a bit, but Russia snap at their heels en masse. The hosts aren’t in the mood to let the Croats play it upfield easily. And soon enough Dzyuba gets on the ball and plays Cheryshev into space down the inside-right channel. Cheryshev takes a shot, but he’s falling backwards and Vrsaljko is right on his shoulder to block. But that’s a statement of intent by Russia.

7.01pm BST

Right, here we go! Croatia get the party started. In 90 minutes time ... or maybe 120 minutes ... or maybe 130 minutes or so if there are penalty kicks ... we’ll know the identity of England’s opponents in Wednesday’s semi-final!

6.58pm BST

The teams are out! In perhaps the least shocking development of this entire World Cup, one hell of a roar greets the teams as they take to the park in Sochi. Thousands of Russian flags - the Триколор - fluttering in the breeze. The Croatian anthem gets a fair hearing by the naturally predominantly Russian crowd, then the home tune nearly takes the roof off. What an atmosphere. This is a World Cup quarter final all right! We’ll be off in a minute.

6.45pm BST

The national anthems: The Gosudarstvenny Gimn Rossiyskoy Federatsii is a proud, upbeat banger. All together now: ♩ ♪ ♫ ♬ ♭ ♮ ♯ Славься, Отечество наше свободное, Братских народов союз вековой, Предками данная мудрость народная! Славься, страна! Мы гордимся тобой! ♩ ♪ ♫ ♬ ♭ ♮ ♯

6.35pm BST

There are two men in Russia’s XI who could put a little pressure on Golden Boot pacesetter (and World Cup semi-finalist!) Harry Kane. Arten Dzyuba and Denis Cheryshev both have three goals to their name; another one or two tonight would see them close the gap on England’s striking sensation. Luka Modric is Croatia’s leading scorer in this tournament with two.

6.25pm BST

Russia and Croatia have played each other in competitive football on two previous occasions. Both times in qualifying for Euro 2008; both matches ended goalless. Nothing to see there. Their only other match was a Rostov friendly the best part of three years ago. Russia led that one at the break, Fedor Smolov scoring, but Nikola Kalinic, Marcelo Brozovic and Mario Mandzukic turned things round in the second half: 3-1 to Croatia.

Russia will take solace in the fact that when World Cup hosts reach the quarters, they usually make the semis. Italy (1990), France (1998), South Korea (2002), Germany (2006) and Brazil (2014) all advanced; Mexico in 1986 were the last quarter-finalist hosts to stumble, losing on penalties to West Germany. So while the head-to-head doesn’t look too promising for the Sbornaya, history offers a bit of hope elsewhere.

6.13pm BST

A peek inside the changing rooms. Russia will be playing in their first-choice red shirts tonight. They’re lovely tops ... and yet they’re not icons of beauty like the famous old CCCP gear. To be fair, that’s an impossibly high sartorial standard to maintain. Their keeper-captain Igor Akinfeev will be handing over this very lovely pennant before kick-off.

5.55pm BST

Both teams make just the one change to their second-round starting XIs. Russia replace the injured Yuri Zhirkov of Zenit with Villarreal’s Denis Cheryshev. Croatia swap Internazionale’s Marcelo Brozovic with Andrej Kramaric of Hoffenheim.

5.45pm BST

Russia: Akinfeev, Kudryashov, Ignashevich, Kutepov, Fernandes, Kuzyaev, Zobnin, Cheryshev, Golovin, Samedov, Dzyuba.
Subs: Lunev, Semenov, Gazinsky, Dzagoev, Smolov, Granat, Aleksey Miranchuk, Anton Miranchuk, Zhirkov, Erokhin, Smolnikov, Gabulov.

Croatia: Subasic, Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinic, Rakitic, Modric, Rebic, Kramaric, Perisic, Mandzukic.
Subs: Livakovic, Corluka, Kovacic, Brozovic, Jedvaj, Bradaric, Caleta-Car, Badelj, Pjaca, Pivaric, Lovre Kalinic.

5.40pm BST

If the games already played at the Fisht Stadium during this World Cup are anything to go by, we’re in for a cracker tonight. There have been five matches staged here, and that number includes the spectacular 3-3 draw between Portugal and Spain – which seems like an age ago, doesn’t it? – Germany’s ultimately futile late show against Sweden, and Edinson Cavani’s swashbuckling evisceration of Portugal. More please, Fisht Stadium!

3.37pm BST

It’s the 24th day of the 2018 World Cup, and you’d have got good odds at the start on the hosts outlasting world champions Germany, European champions Portugal, Spain, Argentina, and Brazil. But unlike Thomas Müller, Cristiano Ronaldo, Andrés Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Neymar, Igor Akinfeev and his team-mates are - like Harry Kane, Harry Maguire, Dele Alli et al! - still standing, and here we all are.

Russia are bidding to reach the semi-finals for only the second time in their history. Their only previous visit to the last four came in 1966 when, competing as the Soviet Union, they saw off one of the great Hungary sides in the quarters. They smothered and outfought Ferenc Bene, Flórián Albert and János Farkas; Igor Chislenko and Valeriy Porkujan scored the goals; the legendary Lev Yashin made a couple of decisive saves. The USSR won 2-1, and went on to finish fourth, losing to West Germany in the semis and Portugal in the third-place play-off.

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Published on July 07, 2018 14:11

World Cup 2018 quarter-final: Brazil 1-2 Belgium – as it happened

Belgium made it to the semis after powering their way past tournament favourites BrazilVarane and Griezmann fire France past Uruguay into semis

9.27pm BST

9.23pm BST

Well, that was a special game. Belgium were outstanding in attack in the first half, and by the end of the second half pretty resolute in defence as well. Brazil will point to the penalty non-decision, and it may well be that Vincent Kompany got away with clipping Neymar there. On another day, with another referee, and other folks in the VAR booth ... but this was Belgium’s moment, and on balance they were deserved winners. They reach the World Cup semi-finals for only the second time: France await in St Petersburg on Tuesday. As for Brazil, the wait for World Cup number six will now stretch to 20 years at least. Thanks for reading. Nighty night, and sweet dreams, wherever you are.

9.16pm BST

And now a chat with Kevin De Bruyne. “It is not easy to play against Brazil, they are such a wonderful team. But I think the power we have as a team we showed today. Especially the first half, we were magnificent. We took the advantage. They changed tactically and it was difficult, but even then we created some chances. And after their goal it was a character test, and we showed the world what we are capable of.”

9.13pm BST

Thibaut Courtois talks ... and clears up the Jordan Pickford thing. “This is incredible. This team wants to win every game. Against England, a lot of people said it was better to lose than to draw, but we wanted to win every game. We chose maybe the hardest part [of the draw] but we have confidence in our team. I have been unfairly criticised a lot this year. Today I have proved who I am and why I am here. I’m very happy with it. I was ready for Neymar and I pulled a great save I think. There was a bit of luck with the post, but it was our day today. We have a difficult team to face in France ... And can I say one more thing? This thing about Jordan [Pickford] ... I want to clarify it because I heard a lot of stuff. I never mocked his height, I want to make that clear, because I would never mock the height of a goalkeeper. He is a great goalkeeper who proved that this year. I only said maybe I would have saved it because I am 15 centimetres taller, but I never mocked his height because I know he is a great goalkeeper.”

9.06pm BST

And now a chance to rate everyone’s performance.

9.04pm BST

Here’s our on-the-whistle match report.

9.02pm BST

Belgium coach Roberto Martinez speaks! “There were incredible hearts out there. Sometimes you have to accept that Brazil have so much finesse and quality that they’re going to break you down. But we didn’t accept it. Not for one minute did they give up. This was something special. These boys deserve to be very special people back in Belgium. I hope everybody back in Belgium is very proud. The execution of the tactics was magnificent. In two days they changed their tactical disposition, I couldn’t be prouder. We cannot let people down. We need to enjoy beating Brazil in the knockout phase, treasure it, and pass it down the generations. But we need more energy for the next game. We will be as good as we can be in the semi-final.”

8.59pm BST

All the Belgian players fall into each other’s arms. A mixture of excitement, relief and plain old exhaustion. Meanwhile there’s a haunted look on the faces of Neymar and Coutinho. I suppose this qualifies as a shock, sort of, given the respective histories and size of these two footballing nations. But a reminder that while Brazil are ranked as the second-best team in the world right now, Belgium are number three. They were magnificent in attack during the first half ... and in that second period, finally demonstrated that they can defend when the going gets tough, too. They’ve proved they could be worthy winners of the World Cup. Can France, England, Sweden, Croatia or Russia stop them?

8.54pm BST

The favourites are out! They’ve been sent packing by Belgium, who have reached their second World Cup semi-final. They’ll play France on Tuesday. What a match that was!

8.53pm BST

90 min +5: Brazil are heading out. De Bruyne meanders down the right and eventually wins a corner. This is surely over.

8.52pm BST

90 min +4: Douglas Costa comes in from the right. He slips the ball across the face of the box for Neymar, who opens his body and looks to curl one into the top right. It’s heading in ... whereupon Courtois, at full stretch, fingertips it over the bar! What a save! The resulting, desperate corner comes to nothing.

8.51pm BST

90 min +2: Anyway, that was the first of five added minutes. And now the second has elapsed too. Hazard draws a foul from Miranda and celebrates it like he would a goal. He knows how close Belgium are to a semi-final with France.

8.50pm BST

90 min +1: Neymar challenges for a Douglas Costa cross from the right. He’s touched lightly on the back by Meunier and goes down. He wants a penalty. VAR has a look, but quickly decides no. There was contact, but it was a very light brush. Some payback for the Wilmots decision in 2002?

8.48pm BST

90 min: Hazard spins on a sixpence and tears off into space. Fagner takes a yellow card to stop the breakaway.

8.47pm BST

89 min: Marcelo crosses from the left. But Firmino can’t get his head on it. Vermaelen clears.

8.46pm BST

88 min: Neymar spins and breaks into the Belgian box. For a second it looks like he’ll work space for a shot, but Alderweireld blocks his road. Neymar runs it out of play for a goal kick. Frustration written all across his face.

8.45pm BST

87 min: Belgium replace the hard-running Lukaku with the defensively minded Tielemans.

8.43pm BST

85 min: Fernandinho is booked for tripping Hazard from behind, the Belgian having swanned past him in style.

8.42pm BST

84 min: Firmino comes racing down the middle, then springs Neymar free down the left. It’s a gorgeous pass. Neymar glides into the area, and pulls one back to tee up the in-rushing Coutinho. He’s got to get his shot on target at least, but shanks an awful effort miles right. He falls to the ground in despair, his face buried in his hands.

8.41pm BST

82 min: Chadli goes down, knackered, and takes an age to leave the field. He’s eventually replaced by Vermaelen, with Belgium desperately trying to shore things up at the back. Can they see this out?

8.40pm BST

80 min: This is wonderful end-to-end fun. Coutinho slips a pass down the middle of the park for Augusto, who pulls the trigger and sends a fierce low shot inches wide of the bottom left. Courtois was rooted to the spot; had it been on target, it was in.

8.39pm BST

79 min: Brazil win a corner. Belgium break upfield from it. They’re four on two at one point. Hazard drifts in from the right and tries to spring De Bruyne clear down the left. But his crossfield pass is easily intercepted by Douglas Costa.

8.38pm BST

78 min: Neymar makes good down the left and flicks the ball into the area for Firmino. He’s got his back to goal, ten yeards out, level with the left-hand post. Firmino spins and sends a full-power rising blast inches away from the top-left corner. Just too high. Neymar wanted the return pass, but Firmino was this close to levelling things up! It was a fine effort.

8.36pm BST

77 min: Well that’s changed the mood. The Brazil fans had understandably fallen quiet, but that superb Coutinho pass, and Augusto’s equally impressive finish, has taken the lid off this stadium!

8.35pm BST

Neymar has a shot. Courtois saves. Brazil come again. Coutinho, 30 yards out, down the inside-left channel, spots Augusto alone in the area. He loops a gorgeous, perfectly weighted cross onto Augusto’s head. Augusto guides his header into the bottom right, out of Courtois’ reach. Game on!

8.32pm BST

74 min: Brazil continue to dominate territorially, but they’re not causing Belgium too many palpitations. Douglas Costa comes in from the right and tries to flick one into the bottom left with the outside of his boot. It’s an overly fussy effort and sails harmlessly across goal and out for a goal kick.

8.31pm BST

73 min: Renato Augusto comes on for Paulinho. Tite’s last roll of the dice ... unless his side can somehow force extra time from here.

8.29pm BST

71 min: Meunier will miss the semi-final should Belgium make it. He steps across Neymar cynically, and that’s an obvious yellow card, his second of the tournament.

8.28pm BST

69 min: Lukaku burns Miranda down the right, a spectacular burst of speed. He’s free in the box ... at which point he takes a heavy touch and clanks the ball out for a goal kick. Brazil are having to commit men forward now, and there are holes at the back. More holes. New holes.

8.27pm BST

68 min: Fernandinho is down, having been accidentally clapped in the face by Witsel. As he gets some treatment, Brazil effectively take a time-out, swigging water and having a tactical pow-wow.

8.25pm BST

66 min: Brazil’s frustration bubbles to the surface as Coutinho passes the ball straight out of play down the right, in a ham-fisted effort to find Douglas Costa. A lot of frowning and muttering.

8.23pm BST

65 min: Belgium play a bit of keep-ball. It’s good game management, because we’re coming to the stage where the clock becomes their friend.

8.21pm BST

63 min: Douglas Costa dribbles into the Belgian area from the right. He shoots low and hard. Courtois parries by the right-hand post. The ball doesn’t quite break to Coutinho, who was preparing to stab home. Brazil are certainly asking questions.

8.20pm BST

62 min: Belgium come close to a third. Brazil press, but Chadli breaks down the left, draws Fernandinho and flicks inside. De Bruyne powers goalwards, then feeds Hazard on the left. Hazard enters the area and fires a low shot across Alisson and out for a goal kick. He had Lukaku in the middle, probably the better bet. So close to sealing the deal!

8.18pm BST

60 min: Belgium can’t get out of their final third. Marcelo and Douglas Costa take turns to come at them. They’re holding on ... but only just.

8.17pm BST

58 min: Douglas Costa comes on for Jesus.

8.16pm BST

57 min: The ref’s not changing his mind. No penalty. The referee decided the evidence wasn’t crystal clear. No doubt we’ll be hearing about that if Brazil crash out.

8.15pm BST

56 min: Jesus nutmegs Vertonghen on the right. He rounds the defender and makes for the six-yard box. Kompany slides in to meet Jesus before he can shoot, and the pair slide off the pitch. He says no penalty ... but they’re checking it on VAR.

8.13pm BST

54 min: Brazil have been better since the restart, though. Paulinho powers down the inside-right channel and nearly manages to force the ball past Courtois. But he can’t prod his shot on target, and Belgium clear.

8.12pm BST

52 min: Marcelo zips past Meunier again. The cross isn’t so good this time. Then Neymar cuts in from the left. He runs past Fellaini, then drops to the floor. He wants a penalty kick, but the referee very forcefully tells him to get up. When play finally stops, he gives Neymar a bollocking.

8.09pm BST

51 min: Marcelo twists, then turns Meunier inside out down the left. It’s a superb dribble, and he delivers a cross to match, a low fizzer through the six-yard box that Firmino was this close to toe-poking home.

8.07pm BST

49 min: Firmino drives at the Belgian defence and slips the ball to Neymar, who over-elaborates. The move fizzles out. Lukaku barges up the other end, down the inside-right channel. He enters the box but can’t get a shot away because Miranda is sticking to him like glue. Good luck guessing the final score of this. It surely can’t stay 0-2, can it?

8.06pm BST

47 min: The ball’s played backwards rather than hoicked into the area. It’s then dinked forward for Fellaini, whose flick-on goes nowhere. Brazil try to launch an attack, but Paulinho is cynically barged over by Alderweireld, who is booked. A scrappy start to the half.

8.04pm BST

46 min: Hazard drifts down the left and draws a foul from Paulinho. An early chance to test Brazil’s back line again. Belgium load the box. Meanwhile here’s Gregory Phillips: “At the time, the Brazil World Cup drought from 1970-1994 seemed endless (even though for me, it started in 1982 when I saw them lose to Italy in the first World Cup I remember watching). But if this result holds they’ll be looking at another break of at least 20. And yet 2002 seems like the other day.”

8.03pm BST

So we’re off again! Belgium get the ball rolling for the second half of this astonishing and entertaining quarter-final. Brazil have replaced Willian with Roberto Firmino. “Lukaku, DeBruyne and Hazard are electric together,” writes Hubert O’Hearn. “Can you imagine if they were on the same club ... what? THEY WERE? What idiot bungled that up?”

7.54pm BST

Half-time reading:

7.50pm BST

The scoreline of this game could be 5-0, 0-5 or 5-5. But as it panned out, it’s just 0-2. Belgium have been magnificent. Brazil have, too, in parts, but they lost their belief when that De Bruyne screamer went in. It’s going to be a heck of a second half, because the favourites Brazil need to stage the sort of comeback they’ve not managed at a World Cup since going two down against Sweden and winning 4-2 in ... 1938. Go nowhere!

7.47pm BST

45 min +1: Neymar tears off after a long pass down the inside-left. But his shot from the edge of the box is deflected, and he’s offside anyway.

7.47pm BST

45 min: Neymar cuts in from the left, spins, and goes over in the vicinity of Meunier. He wants a penalty kick, but he’s not getting one.

7.46pm BST

44 min: Brazil probe, but don’t really press, and so don’t advance into the final third. All of a sudden, the Belgian back line looks a little more solid. There’s not much space. That surely won’t last.

7.43pm BST

42 min: Chadli’s delivery is poor, but Kompany performs an improvised backflick by the near post, and very nearly finds the bottom corner! Alisson reacts very well to gather.

7.42pm BST

41 min: De Bruyne curls one over the wall and up towards the top-left corner. Alisson tips it nervously over the crossbar. Corner.

7.41pm BST

40 min: De Bruyne presses down the inside-left channel and is shoved in the back by Paulinho. A free kick, to the left of the D. As he sets up his wall, the blood slowly drains from Alisson’s face.

7.41pm BST

39 min: Belgium come at Brazil twice in a matter of 90 seconds, the yellow shirts backpedalling in panic. Fortunately for Brazil, Lukaku and De Bruyne take turns to over-elaborate on the edge of the area with options a-plenty. Brazil are all over the show.

7.39pm BST

37 min: Neymar and Marcelo combine well down the left. The ball’s deflected goalwards, forcing Courtois to parry round the post for a corner. From which Coutinho cuts inside from the left, and sends a power curler towards the bottom right. He caught that one! But Courtois spectacularly tips round the post. Fine save! The second corner is a non-event.

7.37pm BST

35 min: Marcelo dribbles well down the left, and floats a fine cross into the centre. Jesus is all alone on the penalty spot, but his attempt to guide a header into the top right sails wide. Close, though. It’s not as though Brazil have been toothless. The scoring is surely not over. It’s surely far from over.

7.36pm BST

33 min: Hazard and Chadli skitter at speed down the left. For a second Brazil look super-light at the back again. And during that second, the mind suddenly wandered back to that first-half collapse four years ago. A third goal would have turned a sensational start into something a bit more surreal. But we’re not there yet. The Belgians confuse each other and the move breaks down.

7.33pm BST

Neymar’s corner is easily cleared by Fellaini, and Belgium are on the break. They zip upfield en masse. Lukaku turns into space and romps down the middle. It’s a great run. He rolls a pass right to De Bruyne, who takes a stride and launches a low screamer into the bottom left! Alisson had no chance! That was a picture-book counter-attack! What a shot! And props to Lukaku, who has been sensational tonight.

7.31pm BST

30 min: Willian’s centre is half cleared to Fernandinho, who has time to shoot from the edge of the box, but slips as he hits it. Witsel blocks. Neymar rescues the attack by winning a proper corner on the left.

7.30pm BST

29 min: Vertonghen is penalised for flicking Neymar into the air, near the right-hand corner flag. Brazil load the box. Willian will take.

7.29pm BST

28 min: This would have made some final.

7.29pm BST

26 min: More wonderful end-to-end nonsense. First Marcelo has a crack from 20 yards out on the left. Courtois parries. Belgium fly up the other end, Lukaku backheeling into space on the right and setting up a move which sees Hazard and De Bruyne sweep down the other flank. De Bruyne crosses for Fellaini, but Thiago Silva is there to flick a header away.

7.27pm BST

25 min: Paulinho, Fagner and Willian probe down the right, but can’t get past Chadli and Vertonghen. Brazil are on the front foot.

7.24pm BST

23 min: Lukaku dribbles into the Brazilan box and nutmegs Miranda. He nearly gets round the defender to shoot, but Thiago Silva gets to the loose ball first and batters it out for a corner. The set piece leads to nothing. It’s about the first disappointing thing that’s happened in this match so far. It’s been gloriously open.

7.23pm BST

21 min: Hazard tricks his way down the left and cuts infield. There’s a lot of space in front of him. He moves into it with extreme prejudice, then slips a pass right for the rampaging Meunier, whose low cross for Lukaku is hacked away at the last by Miranda. This could end up as anything!

7.21pm BST

19 min: Coutinho does his thing: cutting in from the left and looking to shape a shot into the top right. He doesn’t quite catch this one and it dribbles through to Courtois. He had Neymar as an option, but was within his rights to shoot.

7.20pm BST

18 min: Having said that, they’re not exactly Inter ‘65 at the back. Lukaku and Chadli run with great purpose at them on the break, and for a second it looks as though Brazil are in a heap of trouble. But the move clanks to a standstill.

7.18pm BST

17 min: Brazil knock it around for a while, not really going anywhere. But they certainly don’t look too flustered at falling behind so early. Theirs is a calm, confident look.

7.17pm BST

15 min: Brazil nearly equalise immediately, Neymar dribbling with great intent down the left. He reaches the byline and flicks low towards the near post. Jesus is there to meet it, six yards out, but can’t sort the shape of his body out in time, and doesn’t really connect properly as he swivels to shoot. Belgium again clear. They’re leading, but they could easily have conceded three goals already. This is great!

7.15pm BST

Hazard’s corner is whipped to the near post, and flies into the Brazilian net off Fernandinho’s right arm. That was a complete defensive shambles! There wasn’t anyone in red near him. This is going to be some game, you sense.

7.14pm BST

12 min: De Bruyne slips a fine pass down the middle of the park for Fellaini, who can’t sort his feet out on the edge of the D. His scuffed effort is nevertheless deflected wide left for a corner. From which ...

7.12pm BST

10 min: Paulinho dribbles his way into the Belgian box. It’s very crowded and there’s no space to shoot. He’s bundled out of play by three red shirts for a corner. From which the ball drops to the same player on the penalty spot! Paulinho’s clear, but snatches at his shot, which is a real let-off for Belgium, who again clear with great relief.

7.10pm BST

8 min: Corner for Brazil on the left. It’s swung into the box in slow motion. The ball clanks off Thiago Silva’s thigh, six yards out, and loops towards the top left. But it pings off the post so very slo-o-o-owly. Belgium clear, and launch a counter, De Bruyne teeing up Hazard on the edge of the Brazil box. His shot is blocked; Chadli’s follow-up sails harmlessly wide left. This game is already shaping up to be a cracker!

7.08pm BST

6 min: Fellaini cracks Neymar on the back of the head with his elbow. It looks accidental, and they’re all smiles after. But it was always bound to happen. Five-and-a-half minutes, that took.

7.07pm BST

5 min: After that fast end-to-end start, a slight lull as both sides stroke it around the middle awhile. Still at a fair old pace, mind. There’s a breezy, open feel to this game already.

7.04pm BST

3 min: Neymar is sent scuttling into space down the left. He looks for Jesus in the middle, but the cross is too near Courtois, who plucks it from the sky with ease.

7.03pm BST

2 min: Both teams take turns to have a feel of the ball. First Brazil, then Belgium. The Belgians launch it long, but Lukaku’s never going to get it. Goal kick. But then De Bruyne hustles Fernandinho off the ball and advances on goal. He doesn’t really catch his shot, which harmlessly bobbles wide of the left-hand post. “Well, now we know how Roberto Martinez spends his pre-match preparation time,” writes Tom Fitz-Hugh, of that wallchart. “Any correlation with his teams’ poor defences or tactical weakness is purely coincidental.”

7.01pm BST

And we’re off! Brazil get the party started as the crowd roar. “It’s a 6am kickoff here in New Zealand,” yawns John Palethorpe. “Hopefully the sun won’t have risen too high so I can see the rising streak as Fellaini puts Neymar into a low earth orbit.”

6.54pm BST

The teams are out! Brazil wear their world-famous yellow shirts, while Belgium sport their equally glorious red with late-70s-early-80s retro pattern across the chest. “The design of Belgium’s jersey is argyle-ably the most unique of the tournament,” quips Peter Oh, who has plenty more where that come from, ladies and gentlemen. “Brazil played with composure and organisation to prevail over El Tri in the previous round, and I expect they will do the same today against Belgium and El Tree, Marouane Fellaini.” He’s here all week, try the borscht. Anyway, it’s a cracking atmosphere, soundtracked by Seven Nation Army, and we’ll be off before you know it!

6.40pm BST

In lieu of national anthems:

6.26pm BST

Eighties football corner. “The first competitive match I ever went to was a Euro 88 qualifier between Ireland and Belgium in 1987,” begins Niall Mullin. “We (Ireland) got a tedious nil-nil draw against the Red Devils on our way to qualification for our first major tournament. Apart from my uncle throwing me over the turnstile as I didn’t have a ticket my main memory of the game was the class and composure of Jan Ceulemans. He could seemingly find space in a glove box and in footballing terms at least I doubt he ever drew a stupid breath. So I’ve always have a soft spot for the waffle wizards and hope they can somehow beat the Seleçao tonight.” If like Niall you too enjoy

waffling on
talking about football from 30 years ago, may I point you in the direction of Lee Calvert and Rob Smyth’s excellent Nessun Dorma podcast?

6.20pm BST

Brazil’s kit and caboodle. The changing rooms at the Kazan Arena are smaller and less fancy than some of the others we’ve seen at this World Cup. But there’s still plenty of wood panelling for that country-club effect, so it’s swings and roundabouts.

6.05pm BST

Brazil make two changes to the team named against Mexico in the second round. Filipe Luis and the suspended Casemiro are replaced by Marcelo and Fernandinho.

Belgium also make two changes, responding to events against Japan. Yannick Carrasco and Dries Mertens make way for the comeback heroes Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli.

5.58pm BST

Brazil: Alisson, Fagner, Thiago Silva, Miranda, Marcelo, Paulinho, Fernandinho, Willian, Coutinho, Neymar, Gabriel Jesus.
Subs: Cassio, Pedro Geromel, Filipe Luis, Douglas Costa, Renato Augusto, Marquinhos, Fred, Firmino, Taison, Ederson.

Belgium: Courtois, Alderweireld, Kompany, Vertonghen, Meunier, Fellaini, Witsel, Chadli, De Bruyne, Lukaku, Eden Hazard.
Subs: Mignolet, Vermaelen, Carrasco, Mertens, Thorgan Hazard, Tielemans, Januzaj, Dembele, Boyata, Batshuayi, Dendoncker, Casteels.

5.55pm BST

It promises to be a cloudy but warm night in Kazan. Temperatures will reach 21 of your centigrade degrees. There’ll be a 10 kilometres-per-hour wind, and the humidity level is 54%. I’ll be straight with you, I’m just killing time. Thankfully there’s some entertainment on hand. The marvellously monickered Speakeasy Ray has been wondering if Scott Walker (via Brel) had predicted Chelsea’s managerial situation this summer. He croons:

♭♮♯ My name would be Antonio
And all my bridges I would burn
And when I gave them some they’d know
I’d expect something in return ♭♮♯

5.45pm BST

Brazil have been down this road many times before. If they win tonight, the five-time champions of the world will reach the semi-final stage for the 12th time. (Easy to forget that the great humiliation of 2014 still ended with them finishing fourth. It’s all relative.) In fact, they’ve only failed to get to at least the quarter-final stage on five occasions, and one of those was in 1982, when they narrowly went out in the second group stage, which was kind of the same thing.

Belgium by contrast have only made it this far twice previously. Argentina put them out of the quarters last time round without too much fuss, but the Red Devils had more success in 1986 when the team of Enzo Scifo, Jan Ceulemans and Nico Claesen beat Spain on penalties, going on to lose to Diego Maradona in their one and only semi-final appearance.

5.19pm BST

Belgium played Brazil for the first time in 1963. The teams met for a friendly in Brussels; cute-cute Jacky Stockman of Anderlecht helped himself to a hat-trick in a stupid-ass 5-1 victory. There was no Pelé or Garrincha for Brazil that day, admittedly, but otherwise it had been a strong Seleção, containing several members of the team that saw off Czechoslovakia in the World Cup final ten months previously. Their beards so very long and flowing.

The Red Devils should probably have left it there. Two years later they travelled to Rio, and were skelped 5-0. This time it was Pelé’s turn to score three. (You have to wonder how the World Cup held one year later would have panned out had the P-Man not been kicked around Goodison Park like an old sock.) Anyway, Belgium and Brazil didn’t meet again for another 23 years, when Geovani of Vasco da Gama scored twice for the green-and-yellow in a 2-1 win in Antwerp.

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Published on July 06, 2018 13:23

Buildup and World Cup latest before Colombia v England – as it happened

All the news as it happened from Russia before the final two last-16 matches: Sweden v Switzerland and Colombia v England

Colombia v England – live!

6.30pm BST

2.27pm BST

So it’s about time to wrap things up here. That’s because today’s first match, the face-off between Sweden and Switzerland, is just half an hour away. Barry Glendenning has already started on the MBM, so hotfoot it over there for the latest news from St Petersburg.

Meanwhile the last word on this blog goes to Ben Simmons: “I think it might be time for a rant. I’ve been following this Go Kane story, and honestly the British people’s fixation on Colombian cocaine comes as no surprise. Living here in Bogotá, with many friends in the ESL community, I can tell you that the level of cocaine consumption among expats is enough of an embarrassment to warrant its own Sun headline. It’s utterly rife, and far outweighs that of the locals. We seem utterly disconnected from the brutal realities of what drugs wars actually entail, and how they come to pass (consumption!), even when we’re so close to them. According to the Telegraph last year, about 0.7% of the Colombian population actually consumes or has consumed the drug (34th of the 115 countries measured), while 2.25% of the English do so. I wouldn’t hesitate to suggest that its probably about 5x higher for British expats living here. Ever wondered why the Colombians are always so passionate, loud, and bright at the World Cup? They know this is a chance to show the world how they are as a people. They are desperate to change this warped and hypocritical narrative.”

2.20pm BST

“Valderrama literally jangled.” Ahead of tonight’s big game, Graeme Le Saux recalls the last time England met Colombia at the World Cup.

2.11pm BST

Millions of photos will be taken at this World Cup. Here’s how the expert snappers go about their business. A brilliant piece illustrated by some gorgeous pictures, plus the revelation that Cristiano Ronaldo enjoys posing for photos more than Lionel Messi.

1.58pm BST

Some of the entries in that Word Cup run by the Cambridge University Press (12.57pm) are quite revealing. Ben Stokes notes that “it’s coming home” forms a significant part of England’s word map. Max from Stockholm reports that “a big bold ORGANISED” is in the middle of Sweden’s. And finally Devin John Doyle points out that Aussie fans have clearly been expressing themselves: the three biggest words for the Socceroos are “galahs”, “sheilas” and “drongos”. It may be worth coming back to this online resource tomorrow, should things not go perfectly for England.

1.52pm BST

If you were being particularly unkind, you could say we’ve been talking balls all morning. So we might as well quiz you on them too. Do you know your Telstars from your Jabulanis?

1.47pm BST

There was another nose-bothering headline in the Mail, as referenced in today’s World Cup Fiver. Though that one read “10 tips to help you beat hayfever misery”. Probably best to click the link for context, really.

1.44pm BST

The Sun crosses a (white) line. Colombia’s ambassador to the UK has complained after the paper made light of the country’s links to the drugs trade ahead of tonight’s big game. Go Kane, you see. “It’s rather sad that they use such a festive and friendly environment as the World Cup to target a country and continue to stigmatise it with a completely unrelated issue.”

1.30pm BST

Some breaking news: If anyone’s earned the right to have another crack at a big tournament, it’s him.

1.24pm BST

How do you like them apples? Great news for England on ITV’s flagship investigative current affairs show This Morning, as Mystic Marcus the Defecating Psychic Pig plumped for some tasty treats with England flags in them. That means ... well, you know how this nonsense works by now. Marcus tucked into his tasty treat after delivering his critical verdict on England’s performance against Belgium in smouldering pellet form. Lulu the elephant would have been so proud.

1.13pm BST

Mexico fell at the last-16 hurdle yesterday for the seventh World Cup in succession. That is some record. To be fair, their battle to reach the elusive “fifth game” has usually been an uphill one: they faced Germany in 1998, Argentina in 2006 and 2010, the Netherlands four years ago, and now Brazil. Only against Bulgaria in 1994 and the USA in 2002 were they favourites to advance. Their boss Juan Carlos Osorio is determined to eke out some positives from the latest second-round defeat ... though it’s hard. “The fact that we could play on equal terms against a team like Brazil speaks very well of our attitude, but we lacked efficiency and that extra quality they have in the last third of the field. You have to remember where Gabriel Jesus plays, where Willian and Philippe Coutinho play. Mexican football needs to export more players and they need to compete each weekend with the best, they need to train each week with the best, and then the team will take that jump in quality.”

1.05pm BST

“With dignity I accept a wave of criticism: sometimes malicious, sometimes substantive.” Let us hope Gareth Southgate doesn’t have to resort to similar statements this evening, delightfully worded though it is. This particular mea culpa has been uttered by the aforementioned Adam Nawalka (12.09pm) who is leaving his post as Poland manager in the wake of the biało-czerwoni’s awful performance in Russia. “I am very sorry but I am optimistic about the future of Polish football and my coaching as a coach. Of course, I feel responsible that at the championships we have not met expectations and ambitions, our own and fans. I take full responsibility because it’s always the role of a trainer and I do not run away from it.”

12.57pm BST

The 2018 Word Cup. The good folk at the Cambridge University Press are researching the language used to describe different football teams. During the last World Cup, Argentina were synonymous with “flair”, England were “inexperienced”, Germany “focussed”. Is that likely to be the case four years on? Go to cambridge.org/word-cup, click on any country, and enter three words that best describe that team. Once you’re done, you’ll be taken to a page that updates in real time with the answers so far. And it’s all for a good cause: United Through Sport, a charity dedicated to transforming children’s lives through the power of sport.

12.50pm BST

Of course, if Kane really wants to go for the kingpin, he’ll need another nine goals in these finals to topple Just Fontaine. The French legend scored 13 times at the 1958 World Cup ... and he wasn’t even wearing his own boots! The ever-brilliant Rob Smyth tells the story.

12.44pm BST

Harry Kane is looking to extend his lead at the top of the Golden Boot standings. A couple more goals tonight, and you’d think he’ll be a shoo-in to join the following select list of players who have top-scored at a World Cup:

Guillermo Stabile, Oldrich Nejedly, Leonidas, Ademir, Sandor Kocsis, Just Fontaine, Florian Albert, Valentin Ivanov, Garrincha, Vava, Drazan Jerkovic, Leonel Sanchez, Eusebio, Gerd Muller, Grzegorz Lato, Mario Kempes, Paolo Rossi, Gary Lineker, Salvatore Schillaci, Oleg Salenko, Hristo Stoichkov, Davor Suker, Ronaldo, Miroslav Klose, Thomas Muller and James Rodriguez.

12.36pm BST

Thanks to John. Back just in time for a brief musical interlude, courtesy of the late, great Kirsty MacColl.

12.29pm BST

Bit worrying that the sports news channel with the yellow ticker have a penalties package on heavy rotation. Talk about the fatalism of a nation...all set up for Harry Maguire to balloon one into (ряд Z before fellow Sheffield lad Kyle Walker offers a shoulder to cry on.

12.21pm BST

As I am reminded on Twitter...and the transfer window closes on July 9.

I believe most premier league clubs returned to pre season training yesterday @johnbrewin_ it never goes away.....

12.17pm BST

Back to real football, and the thrilling news for all Arsenal fans around the world that Calum Chambers has signed an extended contract.

Oh...but what’s this...looks like Riyad Mahrez is off to Manchester City.

(There’s only ten games of the World Cup left before football news becomes like this for the next two years.)

12.12pm BST

Don’t take away our breakaways. After Nacer Chadli’s goal last night, Alex Hess has got his time machine on the go.

12.09pm BST

The World Cup sack race continues, after Spain started it before the start of the tournament. Poland coach Adam Nawalka will not have his contract extended after failing to advance from the group phase.

Zbigniew Boniek, head of the Polish FA, said Nawalka will stay in the job only until July 30. He has coached Poland since November 2013 and at Euro 2016 had looked to have the beginnings of a decent side.

12.04pm BST

The England team have arrived at their hotel. As they walk in, their phones and headphones are seeing heavy use, aside from Jordan Pickford, who strolled in, bold as brass, not even on his phone or listening to the hit parade or the “In Our Time” podcast, though perhaps he was thinking of not wanting to be the next Joe Hart/Rob Green/Peter Bonetti etc etc.

11.59am BST

After that shocking revelation from Mikel John Obi, perhaps a good time to read back the interview he did with David Hytner ahead of the tournament.

11.57am BST

Have a bang on some David Squires.

11.54am BST

Wayne Rooney thinks England did the right thing by having a go-slow against Belgium and has played the classic “if anything, we’re too honest card”.

“For me personally, it’s the right decision,” he told ESPN in Washington DC. “The result, in my opinion - I can say it now, I’m not (an England) player - the result was the best result for England. And maybe that’s been a problem we’ve had the last 15, 20 years as a country: we’re too honest. We sit there and say we want to win every game. This is England. This is how we should play. When all the other countries are plotting their way through, I’m sure Gareth would have liked to have kept the momentum going, but sometimes you need to take a step backward to go forward. I believe it was definitely the right decision.”

11.49am BST

Morning, all. A breaking story here.

11.40am BST

And with that, I’m going to scuttle off for a break. John Brewin will be your host. Enjoy, enjoy.

11.39am BST

Many apologies to Alfredo and Lionel, but Diego Maradona is surely the greatest player in Argentina’s history. The greatest manager they’ve had? Not so much. El Diego coached his country at the 2010 World Cup, where they were spanked out of sight by Germany, 4-0, in the quarters. Now he’s offering to take over from current coach Jorge Sampaoli, who might have a contract until 2022 but isn’t exactly odds-on to see it through. Maradona was asked by Venezuelan TV whether he’d be interested in doing the job again, and he had no hesitation in replying: “Yes, and I would do it for free. I wouldn’t ask for anything in return. People think I am happy but my heart is heavy. I feel really bad that everything we built with so much effort we destroyed so easily.”

11.29am BST

Meanwhile the Swiss coach Vladimir Petkovic has cited the cultural diversity within his squad as a major reason for their success so far. Two of Switzerland’s biggest stars, Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka, are ethnic Albanians and of Kosovar heritage, and Petkovic says: “We have managed to bring together different cultures, different talents, different ideologies and they help us to play really good football. We have a team where the chemistry is right, that really goes together, and this is a guarantee for success.” He’s also setting his sights further than the quarters. “What you’ve seen throughout the tournament is that we have been playing really well. We can be a surprise to those who underestimate us. We want to win against Sweden but I don’t think that should be our final objective.” Switzerland will be without the suspended Fabian Schar and Stephan Lichtsteiner; Johan Djourou is likely to start in defence. “For our team every missing player is a loss, but at the same time we have a total of 23 in our squad. I can rely on all of them and I’m quite confident that the two who replace them will play just as well.”

11.22am BST

If Switzerland win this afternoon, they’ll reach the quarters for the first time since 1954. They hosted the event that year, and looked to have one foot in the semis when they went 3-0 up on Austria by the 18-minute mark, only to eventually lose 7-5. The match became known as the Heat Battle of Lausanne, with Austrian goalkeeper Kurt Schmied and Swiss captain Roger Bocquet both treated for sunstroke at half-time. More on that here ...

11.14am BST

But let’s not get too carried away this evening. Whatever happens, it’s only a game, it’s not worth getting stressed and making yourself ill. With this in mind, a popular pet-food company - other dog treats are available - will be streaming action from a puppy football match this evening, in order to help overly excited/tense/irate England fans manage their blood pressure and heart rate. It’s a great idea. Though why has the tiny black-and-white pup in goal been sent off, 17 seconds into this trailer? That’s a disgraceful decision. VAR to blame, no doubt. It’s ruining the game. Gah! GAH!

11.01am BST

Tonight’s big game promises to be an event of heightened emotion. In homes across England, anyway. Gareth Southgate wants his players to keep their cool amid the mayhem that is World Cup knockout football, as our award-winning chief football writer Daniel Taylor reports:

10.53am BST

Our man Ed Aarons has, like Jim Davidson before him, been up the elephant and round the castle. (References to 1980s Thames TV sitcoms, the internet kids can’t get enough of them.) Anyway, the Elephant and Castle is the centre of a thriving Colombian community, and it’ll be the place to watch tonight’s match if you fancy Jose Pekerman’s side to prevail. “I can see it being a really good game,” says one of the chaps Ed meets. “But if England give them time on the ball, then they are in big trouble.”

10.44am BST

Hot admin news! Our brilliant guide to all the players at this World Cup has been updated with your ratings for yesterday’s games. That’s good news for Willian and Guillermo Ochoa, who were both awarded a shapely 8 for their performances yesterday. An 8 for Neymar too! Sending some love the way of Brazil’s talisman, there, when others are accusing him of all sorts. Pat yourselves on the back, you’re lovely people.

10.33am BST

South Korea may have put the reigning world champions Germany out, but their performance wasn’t enough to get out of the groups ... and it wasn’t enough to spare the players a humiliating welcome back home. Upon landing in Incheon yesterday, they were pelted by eggs as they lined up for a photo. But the Korean FA have decided not to pursue charges, a local bobby explaining: “Throwing eggs is considered an assault, but it’s also an offence which can’t be prosecuted without the victim’s objection.” Thank goodness they at least registered that win over the Germans, because last time round they finished bottom of their group, and upon returning home from Brazil were pelted with toffees, the most heinous of insults in Korea.

But it’s not all bad news for South Korean sport ...

10.19am BST

The result of today’s match between Sweden and Switzerland is already in. Sort of. Achilles, a deaf cat who normally prowls around the St Petersburg Hermitage museum in the insouciant style, has predicted a Swiss victory. He’s done this by chowing down on a plate of food with the Switzerland national flag stuck in it. But do we trust this Achilles? Is he a chancer? What’s his backstory? Well, he’s already predicted two victories for Russia, Iran’s win against Morocco, and Brazil’s triumph over Costa Rica. The only one he’s got wrong is his choice of Nigeria over Argentina, but the Albiceleste were useless, so you can hardly blame him for calling it the way he did. He’s got form, then. Worried Swedish fans can console themselves with the fact that the banner pictured is not square, and is therefore the civil ensign of Switzerland and not the national flag. Maybe that invalidates the whole process. We can’t take it seriously now.

10.05am BST

In defence of Neymar. Here with it is John Ashdown (not our one):

I had the misfortune of watching xXx: Return of Xander Cage in theatres and thus remember well the bit of acting by Neymar. The scene ends with him and Samuel L. Jackson being blown to bits by an incoming missile, which I suppose will please most of your readers:

But I offer this: every team needs a lightning rod like him, a player that attracts all the media flak and controversy (Ronaldo does this very well for Portugal, for instance).

By being the centre of attention, Neymar deflects criticism from his teammates and manager. Our conversation about Brazil might have been that they’ve been a bit sluggish; that they have a dubious pair of centre-backs; that Tité’s tactics are not versatile; that his bench is inexplicably shallow (Geromel? Renato Augusto?!?). Instead, it’s all Neymar all the time.

9.55am BST

One last, poetic word on brave, broken Japan. And it comes courtesy of Swastik Basu.

I absolutely love the subplots peppered throughout the World Cup. In the final group game against Poland, Japan stopped playing as the result in the Colombia-Senegal match was going in their favour and they didn’t want to risk conceding goals/yellow cards which would lead to elimination. Ironically they went through on Fair Play points!

The Japan manager was ashamed, he stated publicly that he regretted his own tactics, and promised to make up for it in the round of 16. The shadow of the ethical transgression was clearly looming large as Japan decided to attack Belgium even as they were 2-0 up. Many would call it tactical naivety. I would call it redemption.

9.50am BST

Belgium, by contrast, can now look forward to an exciting quarter-final tie with favourites Brazil. Well, sort of. Here’s what their coach Roberto Martinez has been saying. It’s expectation management straight out of the Roy Hodgson playbook.

When you play against Brazil, you need to understand they are the best team in the competition. We can enjoy it from the first minute. I don’t think anyone expects us to go through to the semi-finals.

9.40am BST

Japan’s veteran coach Akira Nishino insists he should be blamed for their heartbreaking defeat. The 63-year-old didn’t park the bus when his side went two up; then he sent his men up for a corner deep into stoppage time, an aggressive decision that had huge consequences.

I don’t think the players were to blame, I think it was me who might have lost control of the game. When the goal was conceded, I blamed myself, and I question my tactics. As for the result I am very disappointed. I am devastated. When we were 2-0 up, and I didn’t change my players, I really wanted to score another goal and we did have opportunities.

9.30am BST

Belgium’s spectacular win over Japan was certainly a performance for the ages. It was the first time a team had come from two goals down in a knockout match since Mexico 70, when West Germany avenged 1966 by beating Alf’s England in the quarter-final. That was a story told expertly by Simon Burnton in our World Cup Stunning Moments series. Apologies to anyone old enough to remember the pain of that particular defeat ... but otherwise, enjoy!

9.22am BST

It’s just as well Gareth rolled the dice, though. Because had England won Group G, we’d never have witnessed last night’s instant World Cup classic between a desperate Belgium team and a Japan side in full banzai mode. Stuart James was at the Rostov Arena to witness history.

9.15am BST

But should England be playing Colombia at all? Had they sent out a full-strength XI against Belgium, there’s a chance they’d have been paired with Japan last night instead. Here’s Barney Ronay’s expert take on Gareth’s Great Gamble.

9.05am BST

It promises to be quite the festival of football in Bermondsey tonight. Folk on the Kirby Estate have decorated the whole place in the cross of St George ... though there is a lone Colombian flag fluttering defiantly in the breeze.

8.50am BST

Anyway, England. This evening against Colombia, they’ll be looking for their first win in the knockout stage of a World Cup since 2006. That’s when David Beckham scored the only goal against Ecuador in the last 16, setting up a quarter-final against Portugal, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Cristiano Ronaldo, all that. Here’s Kevin McCarra’s report of that game. Just 24 comments below the line for an England match! More innocent times, eh.

8.40am BST

There’s more on Sweden-Switzerland in the latest edition of World Cup Football Daily. Olof Lundh is your go-to guy for that; Max Rushden and Barry Glendenning are on hand, as always, for just about everything else. Enjoy!

8.30am BST

Could Sweden win the whole thing? Well, laugh it up if you must, but they’ve already barged their way past Italy and Germany, and they are one of the World Cup’s great over-achievers. For a country with a population of just ten million, their record is nothing short of outstanding. They made the semis in 1938 and 1994, and the final pool in 1950. Best of all, they reached the final itself when hosting the tournament in 1958: here’s how the Guardian reported their eventual 5-2 defeat to Brazil. And this is how a 17-year-old Pele saw it.

8.20am BST

Right. We’ll get onto the subject of England at some point, no doubt. But before their big game against Colombia this evening, Sweden take on Switzerland in St Petersburg. Our man Marcus Christenson runs the rule over a collective that has no stars, and may just be all the better for it.

8.12am BST

But first things first ... you have been keeping your wallchart up to date, haven’t you? If not, be about your business. Off to the fridge, or wherever you’ve pinned it up, with you. Let’s get up to speed, and then take things from there.

8.07am BST

Good morning, everyone. You’ve obviously heard there’s a match on today.

8.00am BST

One final email before I hand over to Scott Murray in London. “I think that people aren’t giving Neymar enough credit,” writes Kári Tulinius. “When he riles up opposition defenders they tend to lose their heads, creating opportunities for others. Yesterday’s opening goal was created because the entire Mexican defence was so focused on kicking Neymar that they forgot about Willian. When they panicked Neymar snuck round the back and stuck in Willian’s cross.” And with that thought deposited in your heads, I’ll bid you adieu, until tomorrow when we will have a final eight of the 2018 World Cup!

7.54am BST

On the scoresheet from the spot that night in Kiev was one Wayne Rooney (along with Steven Gerrard), who will be watching the Colombia game with interest from his new digs in Washington. When asked if he would be disappointed if England did go on and win it (they won’t), he dismissed the questions as “unfair”. You could label them plenty of other things too, to be fair.

7.47am BST

England and penalty shootouts – the unhappiest of bedfellows. The pair seem to be inextricably linked when it comes to the knockout stage of major tournaments, and more often than not, it ends badly for England. Of the eight shootouts England have been involved in, they’ve lost seven and won just one – at Euro 96 against Spain (they’d later go out to Germany on pens). The most recent came in the 2012 Euros quarter-finals against Italy, when Ashleys Cole and Young both missed. In case you needed a refresher:

7.31am BST

After today, the unthinkable – two whole days of no live football while we all prepare ourselves for the quarters, which start with Uruguay v France on Friday. The French seem to be finding le groove just at the right time, with Kylian Mbappé having announced himself on the world stage in the last-16 win over Argentina. But in Uruguay, they will be truly tested for the first time in Russia. More from Eric Devin here:

Óscar Tabárez has more control over his team than Jorge Sampaoli enjoyed and he is also in possession of perhaps the best defence in the tournament. Uruguay are particularly solid at centre-back, where the Atlético Madrid duo Diego Godín and José Gimenez welcome and repel all comers. Against Portugal they had one shot in the second half – from which they scored the winning goal – and just 30% of possession, yet their centre-backs seemed comfortable. If Mbappé can unsettle Godín and Gimenez, he will have truly arrived.

7.17am BST

Compare and contrast. The agony and ecstasy of the World Cup in two parts.

7.08am BST

Vidyanshu Mishra emails: “Wondering if Spain’s football chief’s decision to sack Julen Lopetegui was a good idea? How far you can expect a team to go if you change the manager just before tournament and appoint someone with far less experience and completely different tactics. For sure it conveyed the message that such unethical and disloyal behaviour by a manager will not be accepted but whether it was more important than performance of the team is a point that should be discussed.”

This, by Sid Lowe, may contain some answers:

7.00am BST

From a Swedish dependance to an Australia one – that of outcome dependency. They may be long gone from the tournament, but the Socceroos’ failed campaign is still being dissected. Here, Ante Jukic expresses his fears that, despite the flaws highlighted in Russia, nothing will change once incoming coach Graham Arnold takes over the reins.

6.53am BST

So what of today’s second game: Sweden v Switzerland? The Guardian’s football editor Marcus Christensen is pretty well placed to run the rule over Sweden’s chances of reaching the last eight – it’s all about the collective, rather than the individual, in this post-Zlatan world.

“There are no stars (apart from maybe RB Leipzig’s Emil Forsberg) any more. The two forwards are Marcus Berg, who plays for Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates and Ola Toivonen, who doesn’t play for Toulouse. The key midfielder has been Sebastian Larsson, who was relegated with Sunderland in 2017 and spent last season with Hull City in the Championship (although he is suspended for the game against Switzerland).”

6.44am BST

Reckon you know who this lot are?

6.38am BST

Neymar aside, Brazil are beginning to look ominous as other players around him step up their game. Willian is rapidly becoming their strawberry cream, Philippe Coutinho the toffee penny, and Paulinho the vanilla fudge. Nick Ames started the chocolate analogy:

“From the Seleção, a selection box of treats. While their rivals falter, beset by rusting parts and in some cases complete mechanical failure, Brazil roll on and their claim to a sixth World Cup now looks more persuasive than at any point in the past four years. The strut of champions-elect is returning and, as players and staff piled on after Roberto Firmino’s far-post tap-in, it did not take an outrageous leap to envisage similar scenes unfolding 13 days down the line when this often bewildering summer party finally winds down.”

6.30am BST

Sad news from Japan, where the psychic octopus who correctly predicted the nation’s first three World Cup matches has been killed and sent to the market to be sold as food.

The ‘psychic’ octopus that correctly predicted the result of Japan’s first three World Cup matches has been killed and sold for food https://t.co/3OtyZsl1Ny

6.13am BST

Anyway, enough of the hatchet job on Neymar. He’ll probably have the last laugh when he lifts the trophy in just under two weeks anyway. “That Belgium goal,” kicks off Daniel Stauss. “The breathtaking thing about that Belgium goal was how Lukaku opened up miles of space on the right for Meunier to run into while de Bruyne was bringing the ball upfield. He was a force of nature; the Japanese defender was swept up in his path, the poor guy couldn’t help himself. By the time Lukaku wheeled off into the penalty area, he had completely bamboozled two defenders into closing on him. That run was one of the best off-the-ball offensive moves I’ve seen in a long time, and far and away the highlight of the tournament so far.”

It was one of the best breakaway goals seen at a World Cup, for sure. It’s difficult to think of many better, but how about Salif Diao in Senegal v Denmark in 2002 and Ilie Dumitrescu for Romania against Argentina in 1994 for starters?

6.07am BST

Update: This had passed me by, for reasons that are perhaps understandable, but it appears Neymar actually has . According to IMDB: “Neymar was born on February 5, 1992 in Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo, Brazil as Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior. He is an actor and producer, known for xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017), Above the Noise (2017) and Shakira Feat. Carlinhos Brown: La La La - Brazil 2014 (2014).” Speechless.

6.04am BST

“Morning Mike!” It’s actually mid-afternoon in my part of the world, but good morning to you, David Penney! “Did anyone else notice that Layún also stood on the linesman’s foot just as much as he did Neymar’s? I didn’t see the linesman flopping around like a beached fish. It’s instances like these that make football such a laughing stock to fans of other sports.”

“You can’t even say Neymar is good at acting,” writes dubod22. “He makes Steven Seagal look like Marlon Brando.” The way the ref simply ignored his shenanigans perhaps proved his lack of acting prowess. Indeed, acting and footballers, with a few notable exceptions (Vinny Jones in Lock, Stock and Eric Cantona are two that spring to mind), should never mix.

5.55am BST

Juan Carlos Osorio, the Mexico coach, said of Neymar’s attempts to put himself in contention for an Oscar: “I think it’s a shame for football. We wasted a lot of time because of one player. We stopped too often. I think this is a very negative example for the world of football and all the children who are following this game. This is a strong sport, a man’s sport and I think there shouldn’t be so much acting.”

The sentiment is, obviously, spot on, if not quite his assertion about football being a “man’s sport”. One can only assume he hasn’t watched a women’s game, in which there is usually little to any playacting, diving, writhing or rolling at all. If anything, Neymar, and other men of his ilk, should take a leaf out of those women’s books, in my opinion, and get up off the floor and just play football.

5.49am BST

OK, it’s time to talk Neymar. On my TV, they’ve just replayed his antics following the “stamp” on his foot, and I can’t keep quiet any more. What on earth was he thinking? Why the need for such playacting? He’s one of, if not the most, skilful player on the planet. He dances around players for fun. Beat teams with your talent, Junior, not some ridiculous B-grade acting.

Of course I might be wrong, and it might have really, really, really hurt. But I’m sure you’ll forgive my scepticism.

5.41am BST

“Can we just say a big thank you to the Japanese team.” Yes we can, Jacob Vienna. “No time wasting, no dirty tricks, no fouling to break-up play, no overlong substitutions, no arguing with the ref, no rolling four times over for a fake foul, no clutching the back of the head after being hit in the back (some of these may or may not be based on actual incidents).. Japan played with pure sportsmanship. Thank you Japan.”

Indeed, there has been a sense of serenity to Japan for the most part at this World Cup, both on and off the pitch. Which, rather ironically, couldn’t have been more far removed from the circumstances of their ultimate demise at the hands of Belgium, as Nick Miller writes:

5.29am BST

The last time England played Colombia at a World Cup, 20 years ago, Glenn Hoddle’s side prevailed 2-0, thanks to goals from Darren Anderton and David Beckham. Graeme Le Saux was in the lineup that day in Lens and the left-back remembers well coming face to face with the legend that was Carlos Valderama – and his hair.

“The funny thing with Valderrama was he had loads of bracelets on. He literally jangled. Every time he received the ball you could hear him. It was like a sleigh because you could hear all his bangles jiggling about. Then his hair had its own sort of gravitational field, so you could sense him coming either by listening or feeling that his hair was somewhere in your vicinity.”

5.19am BST

Gold star for Ben Aitkenhead, who is first to wade into the James Rodríguez debate with both an email and a comment below the line. That’s the kind of coverage Denmark would be proud of. “Hard to overstate how important James is to this match,” Ben writes. “Imagine the angst if Kane was injured and doubtful. James is The Man for Colombia.” Pekerman is playing down his importance, but of course he has to do that, faced with the prospect of not having his star player to call on.

5.12am BST

First up, something from yesterday to warm the cockles of even the coldest of hearts. The World Cup will, on some levels, be a poorer place without them. And their fans, for that matter.

This is the Japanese dressingroom after losing to Belgium in the 94’ minute. Thanked their fans in the stadium, cleaned up everything (bench and dressingroom) and spoke to media. Even left note with ‘thank you’ in Russian. What an example for all teams!! Privilege to work with! pic.twitter.com/eIryTdrlKA

5.06am BST

I haven’t had a chance to listen to this yet, but the blurb says: “Max and co discuss Japan’s last-gasp exit, Brazil’s win, classic play-acting, scoring records, Swedish babies and Ricky Martin.”

I have no idea how they get around to Ricky Martin, but such is the joy of the pod. Do yourselves a favour etc...

5.00am BST

Please, please don’t ever end, you gorgeous thing, 2018 World Cup. After yet more drama – pure, unfiltered, thrilling late drama in the case of Belgium’s game against Japan – we are now just two matches away from a complete quarter-final lineup in what is well on its way to becoming a classic tournament. And the good news is that there is potential for more thrills and spills later today, if you can possibly take any more, with the evenly-matched Sweden and Switzerland vying in Saint Petersburg for a spot in the last eight.

What’s that? Oh yes, England are playing Colombia too. But that’s almost certainly not going to be an incident-filled, heart-wrenching banger of a match, one that definitely won’t end in an agonising penalty shootout defeat for Gareth Southgate’s brave Lions and won’t be swiftly followed by industrial-sized vats of tears, a poor unfortunate pariah and the inevitable period of mourning and soul searching and a national inquest. No siree, nothing much to see at Moscow’s Spartak Stadium later on.

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Published on July 03, 2018 10:30

World Cup 2018: Colombia v England, Sweden v Switzerland buildup – live!

Latest news and updates from Russia 2018Young ready for penalties | Neymar hits out at claimsFeel free to get in touch with Scott on email

9.40am BST

Japan’s veteran coach Akira Nishino insists he should be blamed for their heartbreaking defeat. The 63-year-old didn’t park the bus when his side went two up; then he sent his men up for a corner deep into stoppage time, an aggressive decision that had huge consequences.

I don’t think the players were to blame, I think it was me who might have lost control of the game. When the goal was conceded, I blamed myself, and I question my tactics. As for the result I am very disappointed. I am devastated. When we were 2-0 up, and I didn’t change my players, I really wanted to score another goal and we did have opportunities.

9.30am BST

Belgium’s spectacular win over Japan was certainly a performance for the ages. It was the first time a team had come from two goals down in a knockout match since Mexico 70, when West Germany avenged 1966 by beating Alf’s England in the quarter-final. That was a story told expertly by Simon Burnton in our World Cup Stunning Moments series. Apologies to anyone old enough to remember the pain of that particular defeat ... but otherwise, enjoy!

9.22am BST

It’s just as well Gareth rolled the dice, though. Because had England won Group G, we’d never have witnessed last night’s instant World Cup classic between a desperate Belgium team and a Japan side in full banzai mode. Stuart James was at the Rostov Arena to witness history.

9.15am BST

But should England be playing Colombia at all? Had they sent out a full-strength XI against Belgium, there’s a chance they’d have been paired with Japan last night instead. Here’s Barney Ronay’s expert take on Gareth’s Great Gamble.

9.05am BST

It promises to be quite the festival of football in Bermondsey tonight. Folk on the Kirby Estate have decorated the whole place in the cross of St George ... though there is a lone Colombian flag fluttering defiantly in the breeze.

8.50am BST

Anyway, England. This evening against Colombia, they’ll be looking for their first win in the knockout stage of a World Cup since 2006. That’s when David Beckham scored the only goal against Ecuador in the last 16, setting up a quarter-final against Portugal, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Cristiano Ronaldo, all that. Here’s Kevin McCarra’s report of that game. Just 24 comments below the line for an England match! More innocent times, eh.

8.40am BST

There’s more on Sweden-Switzerland in the latest edition of World Cup Football Daily. Olof Lundh is your go-to guy for that; Max Rushden and Barry Glendenning are on hand, as always, for just about everything else. Enjoy!

8.30am BST

Could Sweden win the whole thing? Well, laugh it up if you must, but they’ve already barged their way past Italy and Germany, and they are one of the World Cup’s great over-achievers. For a country with a population of just ten million, their record is nothing short of outstanding. They made the semis in 1938 and 1994, and the final pool in 1950. Best of all, they reached the final itself when hosting the tournament in 1958: here’s how the Guardian reported their eventual 5-2 defeat to Brazil. And this is how a 17-year-old Pele saw it.

8.20am BST

Right. We’ll get onto the subject of England at some point, no doubt. But before their big game against Colombia this evening, Sweden take on Switzerland in St Petersburg. Our man Marcus Christenson runs the rule over a collective that has no stars, and may just be all the better for it.

8.12am BST

But first things first ... you have been keeping your wallchart up to date, haven’t you? If not, be about your business. Off to the fridge, or wherever you’ve pinned it up, with you. Let’s get up to speed, and then take things from there.

8.07am BST

Good morning, everyone. You’ve obviously heard there’s a match on today.

8.00am BST

One final email before I hand over to Scott Murray in London. “I think that people aren’t giving Neymar enough credit,” writes Kári Tulinius. “When he riles up opposition defenders they tend to lose their heads, creating opportunities for others. Yesterday’s opening goal was created because the entire Mexican defence was so focused on kicking Neymar that they forgot about Willian. When they panicked Neymar snuck round the back and stuck in Willian’s cross.” And with that thought deposited in your heads, I’ll bid you adieu, until tomorrow when we will have a final eight of the 2018 World Cup!

7.54am BST

On the scoresheet from the spot that night in Kiev was one Wayne Rooney (along with Steven Gerrard), who will be watching the Colombia game with interest from his new digs in Washington. When asked if he would be disappointed if England did go on and win it (they won’t), he dismissed the questions as “unfair”. You could label them plenty of other things too, to be fair.

7.47am BST

England and penalty shootouts – the unhappiest of bedfellows. The pair seem to be inextricably linked when it comes to the knockout stage of major tournaments, and more often than not, it ends badly for England. Of the eight shootouts England have been involved in, they’ve lost seven and won just one – at Euro 96 against Spain (they’d later go out to Germany on pens). The most recent came in the 2012 Euros quarter-finals against Italy, when Ashleys Cole and Young both missed. In case you needed a refresher:

7.31am BST

After today, the unthinkable – two whole days of no live football while we all prepare ourselves for the quarters, which start with Uruguay v France on Friday. The French seem to be finding le groove just at the right time, with Kylian Mbappé having announced himself on the world stage in the last-16 win over Argentina. But in Uruguay, they will be truly tested for the first time in Russia. More from Eric Devin here:

Óscar Tabárez has more control over his team than Jorge Sampaoli enjoyed and he is also in possession of perhaps the best defence in the tournament. Uruguay are particularly solid at centre-back, where the Atlético Madrid duo Diego Godín and José Gimenez welcome and repel all comers. Against Portugal they had one shot in the second half – from which they scored the winning goal – and just 30% of possession, yet their centre-backs seemed comfortable. If Mbappé can unsettle Godín and Gimenez, he will have truly arrived.

7.17am BST

Compare and contrast. The agony and ecstasy of the World Cup in two parts.

7.08am BST

Vidyanshu Mishra emails: “Wondering if Spain’s football chief’s decision to sack Julen Lopetegui was a good idea? How far you can expect a team to go if you change the manager just before tournament and appoint someone with far less experience and completely different tactics. For sure it conveyed the message that such unethical and disloyal behaviour by a manager will not be accepted but whether it was more important than performance of the team is a point that should be discussed.”

This, by Sid Lowe, may contain some answers:

7.00am BST

From a Swedish dependance to an Australia one – that of outcome dependency. They may be long gone from the tournament, but the Socceroos’ failed campaign is still being dissected. Here, Ante Jukic expresses his fears that, despite the flaws highlighted in Russia, nothing will change once incoming coach Graham Arnold takes over the reins.

6.53am BST

So what of today’s second game: Sweden v Switzerland? The Guardian’s football editor Marcus Christensen is pretty well placed to run the rule over Sweden’s chances of reaching the last eight – it’s all about the collective, rather than the individual, in this post-Zlatan world.

“There are no stars (apart from maybe RB Leipzig’s Emil Forsberg) any more. The two forwards are Marcus Berg, who plays for Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates and Ola Toivonen, who doesn’t play for Toulouse. The key midfielder has been Sebastian Larsson, who was relegated with Sunderland in 2017 and spent last season with Hull City in the Championship (although he is suspended for the game against Switzerland).”

6.44am BST

Reckon you know who this lot are?

6.38am BST

Neymar aside, Brazil are beginning to look ominous as other players around him step up their game. Willian is rapidly becoming their strawberry cream, Philippe Coutinho the toffee penny, and Paulinho the vanilla fudge. Nick Ames started the chocolate analogy:

“From the Seleção, a selection box of treats. While their rivals falter, beset by rusting parts and in some cases complete mechanical failure, Brazil roll on and their claim to a sixth World Cup now looks more persuasive than at any point in the past four years. The strut of champions-elect is returning and, as players and staff piled on after Roberto Firmino’s far-post tap-in, it did not take an outrageous leap to envisage similar scenes unfolding 13 days down the line when this often bewildering summer party finally winds down.”

6.30am BST

Sad news from Japan, where the psychic octopus who correctly predicted the nation’s first three World Cup matches has been killed and sent to the market to be sold as food.

The ‘psychic’ octopus that correctly predicted the result of Japan’s first three World Cup matches has been killed and sold for food https://t.co/3OtyZsl1Ny

6.13am BST

Anyway, enough of the hatchet job on Neymar. He’ll probably have the last laugh when he lifts the trophy in just under two weeks anyway. “That Belgium goal,” kicks off Daniel Stauss. “The breathtaking thing about that Belgium goal was how Lukaku opened up miles of space on the right for Meunier to run into while de Bruyne was bringing the ball upfield. He was a force of nature; the Japanese defender was swept up in his path, the poor guy couldn’t help himself. By the time Lukaku wheeled off into the penalty area, he had completely bamboozled two defenders into closing on him. That run was one of the best off-the-ball offensive moves I’ve seen in a long time, and far and away the highlight of the tournament so far.”

It was one of the best breakaway goals seen at a World Cup, for sure. It’s difficult to think of many better, but how about Salif Diao in Senegal v Denmark in 2002 and Ilie Dumitrescu for Romania against Argentina in 1994 for starters?

6.07am BST

Update: This had passed me by, for reasons that are perhaps understandable, but it appears Neymar actually has . According to IMDB: “Neymar was born on February 5, 1992 in Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo, Brazil as Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior. He is an actor and producer, known for xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017), Above the Noise (2017) and Shakira Feat. Carlinhos Brown: La La La - Brazil 2014 (2014).” Speechless.

6.04am BST

“Morning Mike!” It’s actually mid-afternoon in my part of the world, but good morning to you, David Penney! “Did anyone else notice that Layún also stood on the linesman’s foot just as much as he did Neymar’s? I didn’t see the linesman flopping around like a beached fish. It’s instances like these that make football such a laughing stock to fans of other sports.”

“You can’t even say Neymar is good at acting,” writes dubod22. “He makes Steven Seagal look like Marlon Brando.” The way the ref simply ignored his shenanigans perhaps proved his lack of acting prowess. Indeed, acting and footballers, with a few notable exceptions (Vinny Jones in Lock, Stock and Eric Cantona are two that spring to mind), should never mix.

5.55am BST

Juan Carlos Osorio, the Mexico coach, said of Neymar’s attempts to put himself in contention for an Oscar: “I think it’s a shame for football. We wasted a lot of time because of one player. We stopped too often. I think this is a very negative example for the world of football and all the children who are following this game. This is a strong sport, a man’s sport and I think there shouldn’t be so much acting.”

The sentiment is, obviously, spot on, if not quite his assertion about football being a “man’s sport”. One can only assume he hasn’t watched a women’s game, in which there is usually little to any playacting, diving, writhing or rolling at all. If anything, Neymar, and other men of his ilk, should take a leaf out of those women’s books, in my opinion, and get up off the floor and just play football.

5.49am BST

OK, it’s time to talk Neymar. On my TV, they’ve just replayed his antics following the “stamp” on his foot, and I can’t keep quiet any more. What on earth was he thinking? Why the need for such playacting? He’s one of, if not the most, skilful player on the planet. He dances around players for fun. Beat teams with your talent, Junior, not some ridiculous B-grade acting.

Of course I might be wrong, and it might have really, really, really hurt. But I’m sure you’ll forgive my scepticism.

5.41am BST

“Can we just say a big thank you to the Japanese team.” Yes we can, Jacob Vienna. “No time wasting, no dirty tricks, no fouling to break-up play, no overlong substitutions, no arguing with the ref, no rolling four times over for a fake foul, no clutching the back of the head after being hit in the back (some of these may or may not be based on actual incidents).. Japan played with pure sportsmanship. Thank you Japan.”

Indeed, there has been a sense of serenity to Japan for the most part at this World Cup, both on and off the pitch. Which, rather ironically, couldn’t have been more far removed from the circumstances of their ultimate demise at the hands of Belgium, as Nick Miller writes:

5.29am BST

The last time England played Colombia at a World Cup, 20 years ago, Glenn Hoddle’s side prevailed 2-0, thanks to goals from Darren Anderton and David Beckham. Graeme Le Saux was in the lineup that day in Lens and the left-back remembers well coming face to face with the legend that was Carlos Valderama – and his hair.

“The funny thing with Valderrama was he had loads of bracelets on. He literally jangled. Every time he received the ball you could hear him. It was like a sleigh because you could hear all his bangles jiggling about. Then his hair had its own sort of gravitational field, so you could sense him coming either by listening or feeling that his hair was somewhere in your vicinity.”

5.19am BST

Gold star for Ben Aitkenhead, who is first to wade into the James Rodríguez debate with both an email and a comment below the line. That’s the kind of coverage Denmark would be proud of. “Hard to overstate how important James is to this match,” Ben writes. “Imagine the angst if Kane was injured and doubtful. James is The Man for Colombia.” Pekerman is playing down his importance, but of course he has to do that, faced with the prospect of not having his star player to call on.

5.12am BST

First up, something from yesterday to warm the cockles of even the coldest of hearts. The World Cup will, on some levels, be a poorer place without them. And their fans, for that matter.

This is the Japanese dressingroom after losing to Belgium in the 94’ minute. Thanked their fans in the stadium, cleaned up everything (bench and dressingroom) and spoke to media. Even left note with ‘thank you’ in Russian. What an example for all teams!! Privilege to work with! pic.twitter.com/eIryTdrlKA

5.06am BST

I haven’t had a chance to listen to this yet, but the blurb says: “Max and co discuss Japan’s last-gasp exit, Brazil’s win, classic play-acting, scoring records, Swedish babies and Ricky Martin.”

I have no idea how they get around to Ricky Martin, but such is the joy of the pod. Do yourselves a favour etc...

5.00am BST

Please, please don’t ever end, you gorgeous thing, 2018 World Cup. After yet more drama – pure, unfiltered, thrilling late drama in the case of Belgium’s game against Japan – we are now just two matches away from a complete quarter-final lineup in what is well on its way to becoming a classic tournament. And the good news is that there is potential for more thrills and spills later today, if you can possibly take any more, with the evenly-matched Sweden and Switzerland vying in Saint Petersburg for a spot in the last eight.

What’s that? Oh yes, England are playing Colombia too. But that’s almost certainly not going to be an incident-filled, heart-wrenching banger of a match, one that definitely won’t end in an agonising penalty shootout defeat for Gareth Southgate’s brave Lions and won’t be swiftly followed by industrial-sized vats of tears, a poor unfortunate pariah and the inevitable period of mourning and soul searching and a national inquest. No siree, nothing much to see at Moscow’s Spartak Stadium later on.

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Published on July 03, 2018 01:40

Football transfer rumours: Ronaldo out, Neymar in at Real Madrid?

Today’s fluff is fearing the worst

Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t have much on right now. So he’s been able to schedule a chat with the good folks at Juventus, if you believe what you read in the Spanish papers. And whyever not? No word on Lionel Messi talking to Spal as of yet.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, have categorically denied making a £275m bid for a ready-made superstar replacement in the shape of Neymar. Glad that’s sorted. Absolutely sure we’ll hear no more about that during the summer, then.

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Published on July 03, 2018 00:48

World Cup 2018: Uruguay 2-1 Portugal – as it happened

Edinson Cavani scored two wonder goals as Uruguay progressed to the quarters at the expense of Cristiano Ronaldo and the reigning champions of Europe.

12.23am BST

12.05am BST

11.51pm BST

9.09pm BST

Cristiano Ronaldo: gone. Lionel Messi: gone. But Luis Suarez is still standing. The 1930 and 1950 champions Uruguay are through to the quarter finals; they’ll face France in Nizhny Novgorod on Friday afternoon. Both teams thoroughly deserve to be there after scoring some cracking goals today. The only downside for Uruguay is the injury to the heroic Edinson Cavani; he’ll be a huge miss should he not recover in time. As for Ronaldo and his Euro 2016 winners ... well, they’ll always have Paris. Thanks for reading. Nighty night!

8.59pm BST

And it’s time to give your player ratings. I hope the tech folk have tweaked this so Cavani’s go up to 11, Nigel Tufnel style.

8.57pm BST

Here’s our snap match report:

8.56pm BST

And that’s it! Edinson Cavani’s sensational double has deservedly won the match for Uruguay! They’ll play France in the first quarter final on Friday. Meanwhile Cristiano Ronaldo joins Lionel Messi on the road home!

8.55pm BST

90 min +6: Rui Patricio can’t get a head on the ball. Uruguay hack clear!

8.55pm BST

90 min +5: Quaresma, just inside the Uruguay box on the right, shoots towards the near post. Muslera saves, but not convincingly, spilling the ball round the post. Corner. Up comes Rui Patricio!

8.54pm BST

90 min +4: If Portugal somehow save themselves, Ronaldo won’t be playing in the quarters. That’s because he’s just picked up a yellow card for dissent. Portugal didn’t get a free kick when Quaresma went over Stuani’s leg: cue fume.

8.52pm BST

90 min +3: Some superb hold-up play by Suarez down the right. He then curls a ball into the centre for Rodriguez, who is clear and should wrap things up. But he miscontrols and it’s a goal kick.

8.51pm BST

90 min +2: Bernardo Silva whips a dangerous ball into the Uruguay area from the left. Shrieks in the stadium, but Godin is the model of calm, and clears.

8.50pm BST

90 min +1: Muslera takes a while over the goal kick, in the professional style.

8.50pm BST

90 min: Ronaldo comes in from the left and shoots from 25 yards. The ball sails 25 yards wide right. There will be four additional minutes. Four minutes for the European champions to save themselves!

8.48pm BST

89 min: Ronaldo threatens to break free down the middle, but he’s crowded out of it. Laxalt bursts down the left and earns a free kick that wastes some more precious seconds.

8.48pm BST

88 min: The busy Suarez starts a move that wastes a minute deep in Portuguese territory. The tension is palpable. The knockout stage of the World Cup, everyone!

8.46pm BST

87 min: Fernandes has another shot from distance. Nope.

8.46pm BST

86 min: This is attack versus defence now. Quaresma crosses deep from the right. Andre Silva meets it at the far post, but can’t find a team-mate.

8.44pm BST

85 min: Joao Mario is replaced by Fernandes, who is soon shooting for goal, 25 yards out on the right. Muslera claims easily.

8.44pm BST

84 min: Pereira tries to brush his way past Godin, down the inside-right channel. He goes to ground in the area, and wants a penalty, but he’s never going to get that decision. The ball apologetically trundles out for a goal kick.

8.42pm BST

83 min: Quaresma sends a lovely cross into the Uruguay box from the left. It’s inches away from Ronaldo’s head. Bernardo Silva then bustles in from the right, but his low cross is hacked clear by Torreira. “Why are the Portuguese insisting on playing these short corner routines?” wonders Prateek Chadha. “Especially when the two or three times they have actually managed to put a cross in, the Uruguayan defenders have been in all kinds of strife.”

8.40pm BST

81 min: A short corner routine comes to nothing. Ronaldo then has a dribble down a cul-de-sac on the right. Uruguay are holding firm right now.

8.39pm BST

80 min: Bernardo Silva makes his way to the byline down the left. His low centre is hacked behind for another corner by Gimenez. Before the set piece can be taken, Nandez is replaced by Sanchez.

8.38pm BST

78 min: Ronaldo shoots from the best part of 30 yards. The effort is easily blocked. The first sign of Portuguese desperation.

8.36pm BST

77 min: Quaresma wins a corner off Laxalt down the right. Ronaldo launches himself at the ball, as it flies past the near post, but doesn’t connect. Guerreiro has a whack from distance, but it’s no use.

8.35pm BST

75 min: Cavani is on the bench, grimacing, as ice packs are applied to his shin. The whole of Uruguay will have their fingers crossed, should they make it through to the quarters.

8.33pm BST

73 min: Cavani has picked up a knock, and limps out of the game. Such a shame after his stellar contribution this evening. He’s replaced by Stuani. Meanwhile Portugal make another change, swapping Guedes for Andre Silva.

8.32pm BST

72 min: Ronaldo breaks down the left, but there’s nobody in the box in support. Another Portuguese attack ends limply.

8.31pm BST

70 min: And yet they should be level again. Muslera fumbles a cross from the left. He tries to reclaim the ball as it bounces around the area, but falls to the ground. The ball breaks to Bernardo Silva, on the edge of the area. The net’s unguarded, but he sends his shot over the bar. It wasn’t a complete sitter - he had to fire through a crowded area - but it’s a bad miss from a player of his quality.

8.28pm BST

69 min: Quaresma probes down the right, but not with any great speed, and Portugal’s attack fizzles out. They look a little deflated right now.

8.27pm BST

67 min: Portugal win a corner down the right. Uruguay fail to clear their lines convincingly, and Joao Mario enters the box from the left. But he can’t get a shot or cross away. Uruguay clear with more purpose at the second opportunity.

8.25pm BST

66 min: That’s not a bad response by Uruguay to conceding their first goal of this tournament, and their first goal in 2018, eh?

8.24pm BST

65 min: ... while Adrien Silva is replaced by Quaresma.

8.24pm BST

64 min: Bentancur is replaced by Rodriguez ...

8.23pm BST

It’s another Uruguayan beauty! This is such a sweet finish. And again so simple. Muslera launches long. Bentancur takes control and moves menacingly towards the Portugal box. He’s got Cavani on the left, and rolls a perfectly weighted pass towards him. Cavani opens his body and sidefoots powerfully into the right-hand side of the net. That’s a wonderful goal!

8.20pm BST

60 min: Guedes shoots to earn a corner. Adrien earns another corner. Some head tennis allows Muslera to claim. But Uruguay are finding it difficult to get upfield right now.

8.19pm BST

59 min: The equaliser has led to some uncertainty in the Uruguay defence. Joao Mario dribbles into their area down the right. His cross isn’t up to much, but a few holes are opening up now.

8.17pm BST

57 min: Laxalt tries to re-energise Uruguay with a burst down the left. He’s clattered from behind by Carvalho, who escapes serious censure. This referee doesn’t get agitated by much.

8.15pm BST

The ball’s whipped in from the left. Ronaldo leaps, but the ball sails over his head. No matter, because just behind him, Pepe has ghosted into space! He rises and blasts a header past a helpless Muslera. Uruguay were uncharacteristically dozy in defence there.

8.14pm BST

54 min: Bernardo Silva fizzes down the inside right and fires into the middle. The ball ricochets to the edge of the box. Adrien Silva shoots. It’s deflected wide left. Corner. From which ...

8.11pm BST

52 min: Bernardo Silva grafts to earn a corner down the right off Laxalt. The set piece is worked out to Guerreiro, who tries to send a rising shot into the top left from distance. But the effort’s well off target.

8.10pm BST

50 min: Guedes drifts in from the left wing. For a second, it looks like he’ll have time to get a shot away, but Nandez steps in to gently relieve him of possession. Guedes fouls his opponent in frustration. It’s not worked out for the Valencia youngster tonight. Yet.

8.08pm BST

48 min: Rui Patricio plays a poor pass out towards Pepe, who nearly loses out to Suarez. Fortunately for Portugal, the ball breaks off the Uruguay striker and out for a goal kick. But that was nearly another calamitous mistake. Some nerves on display out there.

8.07pm BST

47 min: Joao Mario curls a cross in from the right, but it’s easily headed clear by Godin.

8.06pm BST

46 min: Fonte tries to usher a long ball back to his keeper, and nearly has his pocket picked by the buzzing Bentancur. For a second, that threatened to become a disastrous start to the second period for the European champions.

8.04pm BST

And we’re off again! Uruguay get the second half underway. There have been no half-time changes. “I like this ref and his ‘just play on’ attitude,” opines Robin Hazlehurst. “Can someone please please now boot Pepe three miles up in the air so the ref can watch him land and just say ‘up you get son, nothing doing’. Who on the planet would not love to see that?” The rhetorical question to end all rhetorical questions, right there.

7.52pm BST

Half-time reading. The winner of this match will play a quarter final against France, who saw off Argentina earlier in a seven-goal spectacular. Our man Nick Ames was at the Kazan Arena, on hand to riff, be-bop and scat on Lionel Messi’s pain.

7.49pm BST

Cavani chases after a long hoof down the left, but can only shank a weak volley well wide. And that’s that for the first half. It’s not been a classic, but Uruguay’s goal was a thing of real beauty, some spectacular long-distance interplay between Suarez and Cavani. Portugal have 45 minutes to crack the Uruguay code; the sky blues haven’t been breached in six-and-a-half matches. It promises to be a thrilling second half. Go nowhere!

7.46pm BST

45 min: Suarez is revived by the magic sponge. Portugal waste their corner. There will be two additional minutes of play in this first half.

7.46pm BST

44 min: Guerreiro elbows Suarez in the back as the pair go up for a high ball. Uruguay want a free kick for the foul, but for some reason don’t get one. Portugal race up the other end with Suarez prone and loud whistling ringing around the stadium. Ronaldo wins a corner on the right. Uruguay take advantage of the break in play to engage the referee in philosophical debate.

7.43pm BST

42 min: From tight on the right touchline, Nandez hoicks a speculative shot high into the crowd behind the goal. It’d have been worth something in rugby.

7.41pm BST

41 min: Uruguay seem happy to turn this into a grind, which is what this has suddenly become. Does this count as breaking news? It doesn’t really, does it.

7.40pm BST

39 min: Another cross into the Uruguayan mixer is easily dealt with by Godin. He even brushes off an accidental clash of heads with Guedes. “The prospect of Pepe and Ronaldo imploding if it stays like this with ten minutes to go is just mouthwatering beyond belief,” salivates Andy Tuohy, looking forward to some traditional Saturday night light entertainment on ITV.

7.38pm BST

37 min: Bernardo Silva slides in on Cavani, and is fortunate not to see yellow. The referee is in an easy-going mood tonight.

7.36pm BST

35 min: Caceres dribbles in from the right and thinks about shooting from the edge of the box. But he checks back and lays off for Nandez, who crosses. Cavani, coming in from the left, tries to tee himself up for a shot, but gets too much on his chest-down and runs the ball out for a goal kick.

7.35pm BST

33 min: Uruguay haven’t done a whole lot in attack since going ahead, but when they do press forward they look dangerous. Suarez bursts in from the left and nearly breaks through the Portugal back line; Caceres and Nandez combine on the other flank and are very close to opening their opponents up.

7.32pm BST

32 min: Ronaldo blasts an uncharacteristically witless effort straight into the Uruguay wall. What a waste.

7.32pm BST

31 min: Guerreiro slips a pass forward for Guedes, who is bundled over to the left of the D by Bentancur. That’s clumsy and not so clever. A free kick in a dangerous spot, and Ronaldo’s eyes have lit up.

7.30pm BST

29 min: Portugal press and probe, and push Uruguay back into their final third. But Uruguay’s shape is solid, and there’s no route through. Eventually Caceres hassles Guerreiro into running the ball out of play. A sixty-second defensive masterclass.

7.28pm BST

28 min: Pereira drags Cavani back, and is slightly fortunate to escape a booking. A slight lull, so the crowd entertain themselves with some Icelandic thunderclaps.

7.27pm BST

26 min: Carvalho takes, hooking the free kick into the mixer. Fonte and Ronaldo both attack the ball; both miss it. Portugal have seen much more of the ball, but have yet to force Muslera into serious action.

7.25pm BST

25 min: Bernardo Silva is knocked to the ground by Godin as he tears down the right. A free kick, and a chance for Portugal to load the box.

7.25pm BST

24 min: Joao Mario curls one in from the left. Guedes attempts to trap, spin and shoot, but can only kick the ball up onto his flailing arm. A free kick that releases some pressure on Uruguay.

7.23pm BST

22 min: Suarez threads a low one under the jumping wall, towards the bottom right. Rui Patricio does extremely well to get down and stick out a strong hand to parry clear. Bentancur tries to keep the move going, latching onto the loose ball out on the right. But his delivery doesn’t find a sky-blue shirt, and eventually the attack fizzles out.

7.22pm BST

21 min: Suarez zips towards the Portugal box, and is upended by Pepe. That’s a free kick in a very dangerous position, just outside the area. Suarez gets up, and very much likes the look of it.

7.21pm BST

19 min: Bernardo Silva slips a pass down the inside-right channel for Guedes, who bursts into the Uruguay area. Guedes spins and dinks a cross into the middle. Ronaldo is winding his neck back, ready to fire one of those trademark bullet headers, but Gimenez reads it well and heads clear.

7.19pm BST

18 min: Pereira makes good down the right and reaches the byline. He then whistles a low cross towards the near post. It’s travelling, and Muslera does very well to gather without drama. Portugal have responded well to going behind; they’re enjoying the lion’s share of possession right now.

7.16pm BST

16 min: Guedes has his first sight of goal, but his shot from the edge of the box is weak, and deflects through to Muslera in dribbly fashion. It’s a nice, open match.

7.15pm BST

14 min: Cavani returns the favour to Suarez, releasing him into a little bit of space down the right. Suarez enters the box, but can’t sort his feet out to get a shot away. His eventual effort is deflected out for another corner; once again the set piece isn’t worthy of comment.

7.14pm BST

12 min: Ronaldo cuts in from the left and has a belt. The effort’s blocked pretty much at source by Torreira. Brave, because that looks a sore smack. He’ll be fine to continue, but he just needs to roll about a bit first, and make a quick adjustment in his shorts.

7.12pm BST

11 min: Portugal come back at Uruguay with purpose. From a corner on the right, Guerreiro loops a cross to the far stick, where Fonte leaps highest. His header, from the left-hand corner of the six-yard box, flashes across the face of goal. A bad miss, though it’d have been surely ruled out had it been on target, because Fonte was shoving Vecino in the back.

7.10pm BST

9 min: That was some long-distance one-two! Just a picture-perfect goal. Or maybe not quite ... Cavani might have converted that chance with his face, as opposed to his forehead. But this is a mere quibble. That was a sensational goal.

7.09pm BST

This is simple, and so brilliant! Cavani, out deep on the right, launches a crossfield pass for Suarez on the left, and peels off. Suarez cuts inside, whips a high cross to the far post, where Cavani, romping infield, smashes a header into the top right!

7.07pm BST

6 min: Uruguay haven’t let in a goal for six games; can Portugal’s free-scoring talisman put an end to that run? Not yet. There’s a little space for Bernardo Silva, down the right. He turns and tees the ball up for Ronaldo, who sends a low screamer goalwards from 20 yards. It flies straight down Muslera’s throat.

7.05pm BST

4 min: Nandez and Suarez one-two down the right, the former earning the first corner of the game. Before it can be taken, Godin shoves Pepe in the chest, in the playground style; Pepe falls on his behind. Pure slapstick. The actual corner is a non-event. Here’s Charles Antaki: “Portugal’s change strip is innocuous - white, fair enough. Their real disappointment is giving up on the national-flag-colour-oxblood first-choice shirt of yore. Unique. Scores play in red; who else plays in the colour of blood?” Javier Mascherano? Terry Butcher?

7.03pm BST

2 min: Ronaldo performs a fancy shuffle down the left. It confuses Uruguay. That allows Joao Mario to scuttle towards the byline and cross deep. Bernardo Silva rises at the far post, but his header is way off target. Both sides have put a marker down already, so that’s promising!

7.02pm BST

1 min: Uruguay are on the front foot almost immediately, Suarez bothering Fonte down the right, Bentancur winning a ball in the middle of the park he’d no right to win. Nothing much comes of it, but it’s a statement of intent.

7.00pm BST

And we’re off! Portugal get the party started. “Uruguay’s Laxalt sounds like something out of the medicine cabinet, and he looks a quality player from what I saw in the group stage. Fast-acting, fizzy, and doesn’t go down too easy.” Peter Oh, ladies and gentlemen. He’s here all week. Try the Imodium.

6.55pm BST

The teams are out! A cracking atmosphere under the lights at the Fisht Stadium; it’s been one gloriously noisy World Cup. Pennants are exchanged, hands are clasped, patriotic songs are sung, White Stripes riffs are blasted, coins are tossed. We’ll be off very soon! And let’s hope the players remember the average number of goals per game during the knockout stage currently stands at seven, and entertain accordingly. Admittedly the sample size is only one, but the point remains. No pressure, lads!

6.45pm BST

The national anthems: The full version of Uruguay’s Orientales, la Patria o la Tumba lasts for six minutes. Six minutes! It’s practically a jazz odyssey. Beware members of the band nodding out, high on mate. ♩♪ ♫ ♬ This sacred gift, of glory we’ve deserved: tyrants tremble! ♩♪ ♫ ♬

6.35pm BST

Speaking of Varela ... what a man. Hey, any old excuse to tell the story of Uruguay’s 1950 triumph in this competition, and the greatest game in the World Cup’s long history.

6.30pm BST

Pre-match playtime. Fancy yourself as a budding Fernando Santos? Maybe you want to take a degree course in telecommunications engineering, like the man himself did while playing as a defender for Estoril in the 1970s. Or perhaps you want to pick the Portugal team. We can help you with the latter, at least. Sort of.

6.22pm BST

The inner sancta. Uruguay’s world-famous sky-blue kit matches the decor of the Fisht Stadium’s changing rooms.

6.05pm BST

Uruguay make one change to the side that stuffed Russia 3-0 in the last game of Group A. They welcome back Atletico Madrid central defender Jose Gimenez, who replaces big Sebastian Coates, formerly of Liverpool but now of Sporting Lisbon.

Portugal make three changes from the XI which scraped past Iran in the final match of Group B. In come Ricardo Pereira of Porto, Valencia striker Goncalo Guedes and Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva. Southampton’s Cedric Soares, Besiktas attacker Ricardo Quaresma and Andre Silva of Milan making way.

5.59pm BST

Uruguay: Muslera, Caceres, Gimenez, Godin, Laxalt, Nandez, Torreira, Vecino, Bentancur, Suarez, Cavani.
Subs: Campana, Varela, Sanchez, Rodriguez, De Arrascaeta, Stuani, Gaston Silva, Maxi Pereira, Gomez, Coates, Urreta, Martin Silva.

Portugal: Rui Patricio, Ricardo Pereira, Pepe, Fonte, Guerreiro, Bernardo Silva, William Carvalho, Adrien Silva, Joao Mario, Goncalo Guedes, Ronaldo.
Subs: Lopes, Bruno Alves, Fernandes, Joao Moutinho, Andre Silva, Dias, Bruno Fernandes, Gelson Martins, Mario Rui, Quaresma, Cedric, Beto.

5.50pm BST

The big preview. Here’s our man in Sochi, Sid Lowe, on Suarez, Ronaldo, lessons learned from the 1954 World Cup, and the dangers of typing the word “shithousery” into a popular internet search engine.

5.40pm BST

We now know that the winners of tonight’s match will face France in the first quarter-final on Friday afternoon. If you were unfortunate enough to miss the changing of the guard, 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe demolishing Argentina as Lionel Messi took his leave of the World Cup stage, relive every moment with Jacob Steinberg’s MBM ... then get on Jonathan Wilson’s match report from the Kazan Arena.

1.24pm BST

You can dress this one up any way you want. But when you boil the bones down, this is Luis Suarez versus Cristiano Ronaldo. You know, apologies to Edinson Cavani, Ricardo Quaresma, Diego Godin, Pepe and all ... bottom line, this is a showdown between two of the greatest players in the world. Hey, there’s nothing wrong with being a little starstruck, it’s the innocent fun of the World Cup. Don’t let that cynical old inner hipster smother your childlike wonder.

That doesn’t mean we’re talking about one-man teams, of course ... oh no, because both of these countries have a decent chance of winning this wide-open World Cup. Both boast a superstar; both can rely on a super-strong supporting cast; both are usually parsimonious in defence; both are dangerous in attack; both have been battle-hardened in recent major tournaments. Portugal are the reigning European champions, and were World Cup semi-finalists in 2006; Uruguay made it to the last four in 2010, and plenty who won the 2011 Copa America remain. It wouldn’t be beyond the realms of fantasy if either side lifted the trophy on July 15.

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Published on June 30, 2018 13:09

Football transfer rumours: Liverpool to swoop for Marco Asensio?

Today’s fluff is waiting for Saturday to come

According to our back-of-a-fag-packet calculations, Liverpool haven’t signed a totally dependable goalkeeper since enticing Ray Clemence from Scunthorpe in 1967. That record is likely to be maintained for a little longer, because Chelsea are going to beat them to the signature of the Roma and Brazil stopper Alisson. Long-time suitors Real Madrid won’t be too happy about that news either.

Liverpool will console themselves by landing midfielder Marco Asensio in a big-money deal. And Manchester United want Toni Kroos! It’s not a good day for Real Madrid, this, is it.

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Published on June 28, 2018 23:59