MARCELO BLOW
Marcelo will not start this afternoon’s clash with Mexico due to the back spasm injury that forced him to come just 10 minutes into Brazil’s final group game against Serbia.
Felipe Luis is expected to start at left-back for Brazil.
‘ENGLAND HAVE CREATED EXCITEMENT’
Gareth Southgate believes England are playing an attractive style of football that their supporters can be proud of.
“Ten months ago we qualified [for the World Cup] and people were throwing paper aeroplanes onto the pitch at Wembley,” said England boss Southgate.
“We were driving back to our hotel in Malta with some obscene chants being thrown at us from supporters.
“I feel like we’ve started to connect the team with the public again. I feel like we’ve created excitement, like we’ve played in a style that has really shown an expression of what young English players are capable of.”
‘ENGLAND HAVE CREATED EXCITEMENT’
Gareth Southgate believes England are playing an attractive style of football that their supporters can be proud of.
“Ten months ago we qualified [for the World Cup] and people were throwing paper aeroplanes onto the pitch at Wembley,” said England boss Southgate.
“We were driving back to our hotel in Malta with some obscene chants being thrown at us from supporters.
“I feel like we’ve started to connect the team with the public again. I feel like we’ve created excitement, like we’ve played in a style that has really shown an expression of what young English players are capable of.”
Denmark midfielder William Kvist says he is retiring from the national team. Kvist was carried off in the Danes’ World Cup-opening win against Peru after puncturing a lung and breaking two ribs.
He was forced to go back to Denmark for treatment and tests but later returned to the team.
He played in 81 games for the national team, scoring two goals. He announced his decision on his Facebook page, writing, “thank you for many good years.”
Kvist formerly played for Fulham and Stuttgart and will continue his club career with Copenhagen.
From daddy to Danny, and Danny Welbeck says set-pieces have been key for England and the team can “hurt anyone” in the World Cup as they prepare for Colombia.
DELPH’S THE DADDY
Fabian Delph was the only absentee as England finalised their preparations.
The Manchester City midfielder has returned home for the birth of his third child but the rest of the squad took part in training at England’s Repino base before travelling to Moscow.
ENGLAND TRAIN INJURY-FREE
England boss Gareth Southgate has a fully-fit squad to choose from for the last-16 game against Colombia with Dele Alli and John Stones both joining training on Monday.
‘COLOMBIA ARE A HUGE THREAT’
Dennis Wise was on the World Cup verdict on Sky Sports News last night and the former England midfielder warned that Colombia have the quality to derail the Three Lions’ World Cup hopes tomorrow night.
‘DISAPPOINTED BUT PROUD’
Kasper Schmeichel kept an extra-time penalty from Luka Modricout and made two further penalty saves but still ended up on the losing side in yesterday’s Round of 16 match between Denmark andCroatia.
“It’s a strange feeling,” the Leicester City goalkeeper said.
“Huge disappointment but also enormous pride about our team. I think we had the opportunity.”
‘PLAYERS DESPERATE TO PLAY’
Ahead of this evening’s clash with Japan, Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez says every player in his squad is eager to play their part in their World Cup run.
RAKITIC SETS UP RUSSIA CLASH
Ivan Rakitic fired home the decisive spot-kick as Croatia beat Denmark 3-2 on penalties to set up a quarter-final clash with the tournament hosts.
His World Cup may not have quite gone to plan but The Egyptian King has signed a new long-term deal with Liverpool.
TASH TALK
Russian fans believe they can win the World Cup thanks to manager Stanislav Cherchesov.
But it is not just his tactics proving to be inspirational. They’re calling it ‘Russia’s Moustache of Hope!’
HIERRO: NO REGRETS
Despite presiding over a humiliating second round exit, Fernando Hierro says he has no regrets about stepping in to take the Spain job for Russia 2018
SAD DAY FOR SPAIN
A sad day for Spain was capped by Andres Iniesta’s announcement that his substitute appearance in Sunday’s Round of 16 exit was his last outing in a Spain shirt.
GOOD MORNING
and welcome once again to our World Cup Daily blog as we get you warmed for another huge Round of 16 double-header on Day 18 of the 2018 Russia World Cup.
It seems Chicharito has come up with a cunning plan to distract Brazil’s defence this afternoon.