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
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Your support makes all the difference.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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And for a little bit more on that Colombia game that proved to be quite the battle in the end, John Stones has admitted it was the dirtiest game he'd been involved with.
In the Champions League in 2017, Monaco's Radamel Falcao gave Stones the runaround when Manchester City crashed out of Europe but he and the rest of the England backline had the measure of Colombia despite the rough treatment.
"It was the dirtiest team I've ever come up against, in the respect of when we won a penalty, surrounding the referee, pushing the referee, the headbutt you've all seen, scuffing the penalty spot and a lot of off-the-ball stuff I'm sure you've not heard about."
Who's been your favourite player in this England World Cup journey so far?
One of the biggest stars so far is Kieran Trippier and his creativity is currently only bettered by Neymar and Kevin De Bruyne.
So, just what about this Bury lad's game is so special?
Jack Pitt-Brooke has more:
Away from England, and the Fifa president, Gianni Infantino has invited the boys stuck inside a cave in Thailand the opportunity to see the World Cup final - in indeed, they get rescued in time.
Yesterday, a former Thai navy diver died while taking part in efforts to rescue 12 boys and their football coach who are currently trapped.
The situation is worsening, but hopefully, if they can get rescued, there will be a footballing party awaiting them.
The first quarter final of the afternoon is set to kick off in just over an hours time!
France take on Uruguay for a place in the semi final of the World Cup.
Team news incoming shortly...
As promised...
Tolisso comes in to replace the suspended Blaise Matuidi while Middlesbrough legend Christian Stuani starts ahead of the injured Edinson Cavani.
↵Kick off is just less than 50 minutes away but be sure to keep updated with all the live action as Sam Dymond guides you through it here at the Independent:
But who cares about today's games when Captain Kane is tweeting?
Strap your seatbelts on. He's ready for tomorrow. Are you?
Fortunately for England fans, all the talk about Jordan Pickford has been positive this week, but, before his heroics against Colombia, the Everton shot-stopper was called in for harsh criticism following the defeat against Belgium.
His height was called into question as was his choice of hands and positioning when it came to his futile attempt at stopping Adnan Januzaj's shot from going in.
Well, at least on the height front we can confirm he's doing just fine. In fact, his height is the exact average of each of the previous winners of the World Cup.
At 6'1", Pickford is actually the same height as England's only other victorious keeper - Gordon Banks.
There has been a spike in recent tournaments with taller keepers, but don't worry, he's got us in safe hands.
Credit: bettingexpert.com
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