World Cup 2018 LIVE: France vs Uruguay and Brazil vs Belgium, plus latest news from England and Russia ahead of quarter-finals, predictions, updates

All the latest World Cup news from day 23 in Russia

Uruguay France World Cup quarter-final preview

The quarter-finals get underway in Russia in what should be a thrilling day at the 2018 World Cup.

In the first match of the day, France return from their impressive last-16 victory over Argentina last week with a much stiffer challenge in front of them as they take on Uruguay Football in Nizhny Novgorod, with a place in the semi-finals up for grabs.

That match kicks off at 15:00, but attentions will quickly turn to the day’s evening kick-off as Brazil and Belgium collide in a heavyweight encounter that could prove to be one of the games of the tournament. With the two winners set to meet in the semi-finals next Tuesday in St Peterburg, the stakes couldn’t be any higher.

We’ll also be looking towards England quarter-final clash with Sweden on Saturday, so follow all of the live action from Russia below.

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Key Points

• It's day 23 in Russia
• Quarter-finals begin with France vs Uruguay at 15:00
• Brazil vs Belgium follows at 19:00

[6 July 2018 11:29 · Nathan Jacobs]

  ↵Meanwhile, Ashley Young, training with the England squad this morning is offering a karate kick in the direction of penalty hero Eric Dier. 

But, is he taking lessons from a certain Eric who also played for his club team, Manchester United? Hmmm. 

[6 July 2018 11:31 · Nathan Jacobs]

And Jesse Lingard has been spotted doing weird things in training, too. 

Is this a United thing? 

Regardless, it's great to see the spirit among the Three Lions squad ahead of their quarter final clash against Sweden tomorrow. 

[6 July 2018 11:38 · Nathan Jacobs]

Interrupt some England fun to remind you that Danilo has been ruled out of the World Cup. 

It's more trouble for Brazil who already saw fellow full-back Marcelo bizarrely injured because of a hotel mattress. 

[6 July 2018 11:42 · Nathan Jacobs]

This hashtag is getting a fair bit of use at the moment!

Share the best ones you've seen with us. 

[6 July 2018 11:52 · Nathan Jacobs]

Southgate is going to have to come up with a masterplan to help England naviagte their way past a stubborn and slightly puzzling Sweden side which Lawrence Ostlere perfectly illustrates here: 

How do you mark a collective spirit? How do you tackle teamwork? How do you dribble through iron will?

[6 July 2018 12:05 · Nathan Jacobs]

And it's not just Lawrence who thinks England must show caution ahead of their quarter final against the Scandinavians. 

Miguel Delaney has looked in depth into this revolutionary Sweden side, much changed from their years of disappointment.

Sweden’s improvement is actually someway like England’s under Gareth Southgate, in that the management staff have taken a very realistic view of the squad’s limitations and built from there...

[6 July 2018 12:13 · Nathan Jacobs]

Away from England for just a quick second but the Premier League has announced that the first game of the season, between Manchester United and Leicester City has now been moved to Friday 10th August. 

By the time the World Cup is finished, there will be less than a month until the new Premier League season gets underway. 

IT WILL NEVER CEASE.

[6 July 2018 12:17 · Nathan Jacobs]

Anyway, back to the World Cup and as Miguel alluded to in his article, one of the perks about this Sweden side is the lack of ego. 

Namely, the omission of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. 

This is not to say that the LA Galaxy striker would not benefit their side, but, there is certainly an evident team spirit that has been created without their all-time top goalscorer. 

He is still full of support for the team, though, and has been predicting the result of their clash against England here: 

[6 July 2018 12:21 · Nathan Jacobs]

From one striker to another. 

As I'm sure you've heard over the past few days, Jamie Vardy didn't take England's fifth penalty because of an injury he had sustained during the course of the Colombia match (not that it mattered!)

However, that injury appears to have blighted him beyond that game. 

While he took some part with the squad today, he is a strong doubt for tomorrow's game against Sweden. 

[6 July 2018 12:24 · Nathan Jacobs]

Stop it, Gary, You tease.