Image source, Getty Images

A chance for Russia, Victor Fayzulin creates some space on the edge of the penalty area, but his low effort is pushed wide by Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Good play from the Russians, and they are already looking better than they did in their previous match.

Former England defender Martin Keown
MOTD analyst

"The Belgian wingers are looking really sharp. It's interesting how their midfield works. They're happy to defend and get forward as well. They're all all-purpose midfielders.

"If you're Romelu Lukaku you have to be patient because it's rare that they look to go into him. That variation is one of the things lacking."

A quick line from England manager Roy Hodgson's press conference, which is going on as we speak.

Image source, PA

Hodgson says: "With the backing of those around me and the FA I feel I am the right man to carry on."

Follow the news conference with Roy Hodgson and Steven Gerrard on the BBC Sport website, but make sure you come straight back here afterwards.

In case you've tried to forget, England are already out of the competition after two successive defeats.

Danny Mills
BBC Radio 5 live

"I'd like to see the Belgians be a little more aggressive going forward than they were in the first game. The Russians will probably be similar to Algeria in that they will sit deep and remain organised. Belgium do seem to have set themselves up a little bit more attacking.

"Dries Mertens and Eden Hazard are the key players, they have both got a bit of something special. It looks like Marouane Fellaini might be starting alongside Axel Witsel in holding midfield, where he wasn't quite as effective for Manchester United last season.

"If Belgium play at a high tempo they should win this game."

Former England defender Martin Keown
MOTD analyst

"I'm looking forward to seeing how the Russian goalkeeper fares, it was an awful mistake he made in the first match.

"Straight away it's the Belgians attacking and Dries Mertens looks really tricky down the right. You look at the height advantage the Belgians have, almost every player is over 6ft, but they look susceptible to counter-attacks."

Image source, AFP

Belgium make a bright start as they win a first-minute corner. The ball is fizzed into the near post, but Russia clear and charge up field. At one stage they have four attackers compared to two Belgium defenders but the chance is wasted. The Russians looked dangerous on the counter-attack then.

Right, enough talk of bear outfits. We have a game on. We are under way in the Maracana.

BBC Radio 5 live presenter Mark Chapman ‏on Twitter:, external Have seen two Russia fans dressed in full bear outfits at the Maracana. Maybe a topless Putin will wrestle them as ht entertainment.

The Maracana fans may be getting some great value for money if that happens.

Former England international Danny Mills
BBC Radio 5 live

"Algeria were very organised and Belgium struggled to break them down at times. Part of their problem was that they play two centre backs in the full-back positions, and with Alex Witsel sitting in midfield they effectively have five at the back.

"Algeria doubled up on Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne didn't get into the game much, and we didn't see enough from Romelu Lukaku. Dries Mertens impressed me, though he looks a traditional winger and runs at people."

You can listen to BBC Radio 5 live's commentary by clicking on the Live Coverage tab at the top of this page.

Image source, AFP

A boost for Belgium as Thomas Vermaelen is fit to play. He had picked up a knock in the warm-up, but is able to take his place at the start of the match. He will be playing in a left-back role today.

Shohidur:, external Looking forward to seeing Belgium. Dries Mertens will make a massive difference. Nacer Chadli was rubbish in the first game.

Thierry Henry
Former France and Arsenal striker

"If as a striker I miss a goal the match can still be 0-0 but as soon as a goalkeeper makes an error it's a goal. It's not an easy task and it was just one mistake, we should give the Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev another chance."

Former England captain Alan Shearer
MOTD analyst

"If I was the Belgium coach I'd be telling the players to get a shot on target as early as possible because Igor Akinfeev is under a lot of pressure. In terms of Aleksandr Kerzhakov, when you look at the records of the other players 26 goals in 82 games is not a great return.

"But he has an eye for goal, right place at the right time, and teams need that. Like Germany with Miroslav Klose, it's a great knack to have."

Former France and Arsenal striker Thierry Henry
MOTD analyst

"For me it was a great thing Romelu Lukaku went to Everton on loan, I don't think he would have played that many games if he had stayed at Chelsea, and we saw what he can do last season."

The players walk out at the Maracana. It is a sunny day and the stadium is packed. What an arena to play football in. Who will rise to the occasion? Stay with us, we will soon find out.

Former England captain Alan Shearer
MOTD analyst

"We mustn't forget Romelu Lukaku's 21 and that's why Jose Mourinho sent him out on loan last year. I watched him quite a lot last year and he's got all the attributes to be a top-class forward.

Image source, Getty Images

"He's big, strong, powerful but there are one or two things that he still has to learn. The previous game against Algeria he didn't have one touch inside the 18-yard box and you could see he wasn't happy in the game. He has to improve with his back to goal.

"The coach has kept him in the team and I'd love to see him go out and have a good game. There's a lot of pressure on him because he might not have started if Christian Benteke wasn't injured. He's got a lot of responsibility."

Former England defender Phil Neville
BBC Radio 5 live

"Marouane Fellaini was devastated when he didn't start, he'd played in all the pre-tournament friendlies but he came on and had a massive impact.

"When he's marauding forward he causes problems just because of the sheer size of him. Russia aren't the biggest and he'll be a threat. Russia will be a bit more adventurous today."

Thierry Henry
Former France and Arsenal striker

"We all know about the quality Belgium have, most of their players play in the Premier League, the likes of Eden Hazard, Marouane Fellaini and with Vincent Kompany at the back. They had a difficult first game against Algeria but with the quality they had they came out with a win.

"They can adapt the way they play but they have a style like Mexico - they make you run and pass through the lines, I like them. Dries Mertens is also a very good player, I'm looking forward to seeing him play today."

Image source, Reuters

Mark Marriott:, external Belgium failed to impress against Algeria. Have the 'Golden Generation' passed their peak already? I hope not.

It looks an attacking formation from Fabio Capello. After dropping two points against South Korea, they will be in trouble if they do not win this game.