Tom Fordyce
Chief sports writer, BBC Sport

This is an England team that represents the England of 2018. The pale kid from Sunderland in goal, a midfielder from Milton Keynes with a Nigerian dad and English mum. Three big lads from south Yorkshire in defence, a striker born in Jamaica and raised in the scruffy part of west London.

Another midfielder schooled in Lisbon, a superstar captain who learned on loan at Orient and Millwall.

You don't want any of it to end. Football is going to revert to type for two of the teams still left in this World Cup. It will go back to being about regret and dejection and what might have been.

For one team it will be something else. Colour, sunshine, joy.

Maybe it will all end here. Maybe, this once, it will not.

Welcome to the club Shannon. It's not always this good.

Mary Berry's not judging who reaches the final, but it promises to be as tense as a show-stopper bake off.

More than half of this Croatia squad competed at the last World Cup in Brazil four years ago. Jordan Pickford had not long finished a loan spell at non-league Alfreton Town, while Harry Maguire and Dele Alli were playing in League One. It was another 12 months before the latter earned a career-changing move to Tottenham.

In fact, nine of England's starting side in Saturday's 2-0 quarter-final win over Sweden are appearing at their first finals, including Ashley Young, the oldest member of Southgate's squad, which goes to show how little tournament know-how England have.

"This squad has got energy and youth," added Shearer before the start of the tournament. "There seems a genuine excitement and happiness to be involved."

I can see Gareth Southgate on my screen. He's talking to ITV's colossus Gabriel Clarke.

England and Croatia have met once before at a major tournament – England won 4-2 in a group stage match at Euro 2004.

Image source, Getty Images

It's probably their best performance since Euro 96?

Image source, Getty Images

There’s lots of speculation in the Croatian press over how the team will line up tonight, with Jutarnji List newspaper, external suggesting that coach Zatko Dalic is using the uncertainty to play “cat and mouse” with England.

“England is an attacking side, they like to go forward, they are quick, but are not as skilful as our players. Croatia is slower, but smarter, and capable of effectively using counter attacks.”

“Even though Andrej Kramaric is a quality player that any coach can depend on, the counter attacking approach could mean that Ivan Perisic could be preferred option”.

Later paper’s live page reported that Dalic has already decided on his starting 11, with defender Sime Vrsaljko declared fit ready to line up at right back.

However, winger Ante Rebic is apparently suffering from neck ache, with the medical team working hard to have him ready for the game. If that doesn’t work, Former Leicester player Andrej Kramaric will reportedly take his place.

Kane, and co, have arrived at the grand Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. We should get confirmation of team news soon enough...

Harry Kane has scored on six of the seven days of the week for England, with Wednesday the only day he hasn’t scored on. Should he score, he’ll become just the third player to score on all seven days of the week for England, after Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard.

When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex met the Irish President Michael D Higgins in Dublin, Prince Harry responded to a question about England's World Cup chances.

Dion Dublin
Ex-Aston Villa striker on BBC Radio 5 live

Croatia have been all the way to penalties in their last two games, but If they score first tonight, that tiredness will be non-existent. However, if they go down a goal, then the tiredness will really start to show.

To get yourself in the mood, and for all of the build-up, tune into BBC Radio 5 live now!

Ellie Thomason
BBC Sport in Moscow

Meet Kevin Franklin from London.

Image source, BBC Sport

He's missing his daughter Ruby’s seventh birthday to be here in Moscow and promised he’d get his flag on tv for her.

We told him that the BBC sport live text was the next best thing so hello Ruby!

There will be other birthdays. There may never be another semi-final...

YES!

5 live have signed up the man with the golden voice, the golden tan. My favourite co-commentator while growing up...

Image source, Getty Images

Martin Keown
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 live

Croatia are full of real talent. We have talked about the way they caress the ball and Luka Modric is the best midfielder in the competition. Both Denmark and Russia got behind the ball because they didn't want to mix it with them, after watching the way Croatia beat Argentina. They are good in every area but our forwards can cause them problems with their pace, and I know Dejan Lovren has got a mistake in him.

We're just seeing pictures of the England team boarding their team coach in Moscow. Scan your accreditation and get on the bus. Gareth Southgate waves to the waiting media, and they're off!

Kick-off is in under two hours' time...