Summary

  • Pele backs 'fair' Suarez ban

  • Pogba will be world's best midfielder - Rio Ferdinand

  • Germany boss Low reveals seven players have flu symptoms

  • Friday's fixtures: France v Germany (17:00 BST) and Brazil v Colombia (21:00)

  • GET INVOLVED: Who will be named as the best player of the World Cup? #bbcworldcup

LIVE stream page 3

  1. Rio Ferdinand columnpublished at 11:43 British Summer Time 3 July 2014

    Paul PogbaImage source, EPA

    BBC pundit Rio Ferdinand believes his former Manchester United team mate Paul Pogba can go on to be "the best midfielder in the world".

    Pogba has been in fine form for France at the Fifa World Cup - scoring once and creating a goal - and will be part of the Les Blues side that take on Germany in Friday's first quarter-final.

  2. #bbcworldcuppublished at 11:37 British Summer Time 3 July 2014

    One World Cup rest day down. One to go. We've been asking you how you spent a football free 24 hours? And you let us know at #bbcworldcup

    Pieter Lammens:, external Watching reruns of the extra time between USA and Belgium on BBC iPlayer.

    Phoenixville:, external I spent last 24 hours refreshing the BBC web page.

    Chris Ball:, external Celebrating my wife's birthday yesterday and our 21st wedding anniversary today - nice and convenient!

  3. England need to re-evaluate says Pelepublished at 11:17 British Summer Time 3 July 2014

    England's failings at the 2014 World Cup are not solely due to poor management by Roy Hodgson, says Brazil hero Pele.

    Roy HodgsonImage source, Reuters

    Hodgson's side were eliminated with only one point from three games, their first group-stage exit since 1958.

    "Roy Hodgson is not the main reason of the disappointing tournament for England," says Pele. "You need all the players and the entire organisation to be at their best during the tournament to perform well.

    "An early elimination is always a good reason to review what went wrong and come back stronger."

  4. Britain in Europa League actionpublished at 11:12 British Summer Time 3 July 2014

    Relief. Feel it wash over you as there is actually football tonight, including an all-British tie in Europe.

    Aberystwyth Town of Wales play against Derry in Northern Ireland as the Europa League first qualifying round progresses.

    In all, there are eight British sides in action:

    Aberdeen (Scotland) v Daugava Riga (Latvia); Airbus (Wales) v Haugesund (Norway); B36 Tórshavn (Faroe Islands) v Linfield (N Ireland); Crusaders (N Ireland) v Ekranas (Lithuania); Derry (N Ireland) v Aberystwyth Town (Wales); FH (Iceland) v Glenavon (N Ireland); Stjarnan (Iceland) v Bangor City (Wales).

  5. A man to impresspublished at 11:01 British Summer Time 3 July 2014

    Betinho - a scout who discovered NeymarImage source, BBC Sport

    BBC Sport chief correspondent Dan Roan tweets:, external "Betinho, the Santos-based scout who discovered Neymar (& Robinho), teaches cameraman Nick Woolley a few tricks."

  6. Question of Sport teaserpublished at 10:57 British Summer Time 3 July 2014

    Sink your teeth into this one:

    Since 2000, which seven countries have reached the World Cup quarter-final stage more than once?

    We will give you the answer at 15:00 BST today.

  7. #bbcworldcuppublished at 10:49 British Summer Time 3 July 2014

    We've been asking, who will win the golden boot at the 2014 World Cup? And you've been having your say at #bbcworldcup

    John Jospeh Eke:, external I believe Germany will make it to the final and I believe Thomas Muller will win the golden boot award ahead of Lionel Messi and Neymar.

    Dan Martin:, external Still fancy Holland to go all the way with RVP or Arjen Robben firing them to the trophy.

    Adam Johnson:, external Outside call for golden boot - Miroslav Klose. Will come on late in every game and score vital goals. Germany needed him versus Algeria!

  8. Pele backs Suarez banpublished at 10:41 British Summer Time 3 July 2014

    Pele and Luis SuarezImage source, Getty Images

    The four-month ban handed to Luis Suarez for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini is "fair" according to Brazil legend Pele.

    Suarez, who is currently the subject of transfer talks between his club Liverpool and Barcelona, could yet appeal the severity of his punishment.

    "If he was not sanctioned in this way, such incidents could be repeated," said Pele. "It sets an example. He is a great player and will bounce back."

    Chiellini has described the punishment as "excessive".

  9. Why do Brazil lack flair?published at 10:37 British Summer Time 3 July 2014

    Even if Brazil win the World Cup they will not be remembered with the same affection as the 1982 squad, which failed to reach the semi-finals, argues BBC Sport's south American football expert Tim Vickery.

    Do you agree with Tim? You can have your say in his piece.

  10. France v Germany (17:00 BST, Friday)published at 10:30 British Summer Time 3 July 2014

    Karim BenzemaImage source, EPA

    France versus Germany is Friday's first game and if the last three World Cup matches between these two is anything to go by then it should be a goal-fest.

    According to Opta: There have been 17 goals scored in the three previous World Cup meetings between France and (West) Germany. An average 5.7 goals per game.

  11. Brazil v Colombia (21:00 BST, Friday)published at 10:24 British Summer Time 3 July 2014

    Brazil talisman Neymar says he will sacrifice playing well if his side can grind out results for the rest of the World Cup.

    The Selecao were criticised for stuttering to a dramatic penalty-shootout win over Chile in the last-16.

    "You can't always enjoy yourself and win 4-0 or 5-0," Neymar tells Fifa's official site, external, ahead of Brazil's quarter-final meeting with Colombia.

    "We are not necessarily here to produce a spectacle. We are here to run to the end, until we are tired, and come out as winners."

  12. Argentina v Belgium (17:00 BST, Saturday)published at 10:16 British Summer Time 3 July 2014

    Axel Witsel and Marouane FellainiImage source, Axel Witsel Twitter

    "On the road to the semi-finals? Argentina is blocking our way," tweets Belgium midfielder Axel Witsel., external

    The two sides meet on Saturday and judging by his wayward steering in this image, Marouane Fellaini may well get lost on his way to Brasilia.

    Fellaini has so far scored once in the tournament.

  13. #bbcworldcuppublished at 10:08 British Summer Time 3 July 2014

    One World Cup rest day down. One to go. We've been asking you how you spent a football free 24 hours? And you let us know at #bbcworldcup

    Daniel Grocott:, external I watched the 1966 final. #dreamsdocometrue. Sometimes anyway.

    Harish:, external Shivers and trembling. Mouth dry..agitated. Restless. Hallucinations.

    Perrine Renoir:, external Ate real food. Microwave and delivery guys will kill me.

    James Kelly:, external Watching Andy Murray getting beat at Wimbledon.

  14. US Soccer boom impresses Fifapublished at 10:02 British Summer Time 3 July 2014

    The United States' attitude to the World Cup has been "unbelievable" according to Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke., external

    Over 15 million Americans tuned in to watch the country's defeat to Belgium in the round of 16, with their previous draw with Portugal "the most viewed soccer match ever in the US", according to ESPN.

    "It shows that football in the United States is strong, and we should continue to work with US Soccer and the United States, who have talked about organising the World Cup in 2026," Valcke added.

  15. Futsal featurepublished at 09:55 British Summer Time 3 July 2014

    Pele, Zico, Socrates, Romario, Ronaldo, Neymar are just some of the Brazilian national icons who spent their youth playing with the smaller, heavier futsal ball - a ball that could not be lofted into the air, but demanded speed of mind, fleetness of foot, flair and flamboyance.

    BBC Sport's Ben Smith has been exploring the world of futsa l- the game many believe made Brazil great.

  16. Costa can get better - Simeonepublished at 09:51 British Summer Time 3 July 2014

    Spain striker Diego Costa can fulfil his potential after completing his desired move to Chelsea, says his former Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone.

    Chelsea have agreed a deal for the 25-year-old who struck 27 goals in 35 league games last season.

    "He's at an age where he can continue to improve, so let's hope he can develop further," Simeone told Goal.com. "He'll have to adapt quickly to the system at Chelsea and to the coach, but let's hope the team can take full advantage of his characteristics."

  17. Bayern chase World Cup targetspublished at 09:45 British Summer Time 3 July 2014

    German champions Bayern Munich are keen on landing two of the stand-out players of the World Cup.

    Colombia's Juan Cuadrado, who has four assists in the tournament, is a target according to German newspaper Bild., external

    Atletico Madrid's Diego Godin could also move to Pep Guardiola's side after his impressive displays at both club level and for Uruguay.

  18. #bbcworldcuppublished at 09:42 British Summer Time 3 July 2014

    NeymarImage source, Getty Images

    We've been asking, who will win the golden boot at the 2014 World Cup? And you've been having your say at #bbcworldcup

    Kofi Tawiah Quansah:, external James Rodriguez has made this World Cup his own and it wil be a heartache if he doesn't win the golden boot.

    Glory, glory Man Utd:, external Am I the only one who thinks either Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie can win golden boot? I have a feeling one of those two might win that.

    John McEnerney:, external Thomas Muller and Karim Benzema won't add too many more to their totals. Neymar neither! Messi for golden boot. Big games from here on in and Lionel Messi is a big game player.

  19. France v Germany (17:00 BST, Friday)published at 09:37 British Summer Time 3 July 2014

    They share four World Cup wins but for either Germany or France, participation in this year's tournament will end on Friday.

    If you need a shot of World Cup adrenaline as things flag a little on a rest day, you can watch our preview for the meeting in Rio.

    Germany claimed their last meeting 2-1 in 2013. Three goals. Surely we will get more in this World Cup. A 4-4 draw anyone? Extra-time? Penalties?