Brazil
Five-time World Cup winners

Brazil defender Danilo says he is comfortable playing at left-back again if Alex Sandro is not fit to face Croatia and says the flexibility of the Selecao players is going to be important if they are to win the World Cup.

"I have played in this position for many years - with Manchester City and Juventus - and I think the secret to our success is changing our tactical ability," says Danilo, who usually features at right-back.

"Our coaching staff is working hard to extract the best from each player.

"It is positive our players are flexible and are willing to play in different positions if needed. Our team is getting better at doing that.

"Regardless of who starts our preparation is the same, we all work in the same manner and practise in the same manner and that's to the merit of the technical staff.

"Each player knows exactly what they have to do."

Brazil
Five-time World Cup winners

Image source, Getty Images

Brazil are also hoping their success can lift the spirits of the great Pele, who is currently in hospital.

The 82-year-old was admitted last week and on Saturday reassured fans that he is "strong with a lot of hope".

"We wish Pele good health, he is an inspiration to us all," says Brazil coach Tite.

"The World Cup has shown solidarity and harmony with Pele, as a human being and best of all time, and shown that sport has a vehicle of communication to wish him good health."

Brazil
Five-time World Cup winners

Brazil coach Tite caused quite the stir when he showed his own fancy footwork by joining his players's dancing celebration against South Korea.

Why did he do it? To connect with the players, who he says could be his grandchildren in terms of age.

And he said he doesn't care what people from the outside of Brazil say or think about him joining in.

"It is a connection I have with the younger generation. I am 61 and with players who are 20, 21, they could be my grandchildren.

"Those who know me understand if I had to choose between to be connected with those who know me and those don't know me, I will always choose those who know me.

"If I have to dance to be connected with them I will continue to dance.

"I'm not going to apologise when it's our culture to dance and have fun."

Brazil
Five-time World Cup winners

With Alex Sandro facing a race to be fit, the good news for Brazil is his Juventus team-mate Danilo is able to play again tomorrow if needed.

"First of all, we need to wait to see if Sandro is training today and hope he is fit to play tomorrow," said the versatile Danilo.

"We know injuries are the worst thing for a player. I am available. I feel fine and I will play on the left, right or the middle if needed - it does not matter.

"I have played them before and it is natural for me. I am at Tite's disposal and I'm sure he will choose the right team."

Brazil
Five-time World Cup winners

Brazil coach Tite's biggest injury concern before tomorrow's game seems to be Alex Sandro, who is the only specialist left-back in the squad after Alex Telles was also injured earlier in the tournament.

Sandro picked up a hip injury in the group stages and missed the last-16 tie against South Korea.

But Tite had some encouraging news, saying the Juventus full-back will train today.

"He will practise this afternoon and then see if he can play."

Image source, Reuters

Luis Enrique has left his post as Spain manager after their defeat on penalties to Morocco in the last 16 of the World Cup.

The 52-year-old took charge of 45 matches for his national team over two spells in charge, winning 25, drawing 11 and lost nine.

He was appointed manager of Spain in 2018 before stepping away less than a year later after his daughter contracted cancer and sadly died.

He returned in September 2020 and led them to the semi-finals of Euro 2020.

Alright, so we've heard looooads about Kylian Mbappe - it's about time we started celebrating the myriad of threats England will pose to France on Saturday.

And, with Raheem Sterling flying back to Qatar as well, it's a nice selection headache for Gareth Southgate.

Which forwards make your starting XI?

Tell us why.

Image source, Getty Images

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer in Doha

Would any of the current England squad make it into your all-time England XI?

No. The only name that made me think twice when you asked that question was Harry Kane but I didn’t think twice for very long when you think, even recently, of the likes of Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker, Wayne Rooney and then you can go back even further.

So, no.

Brazil
Five-time World Cup winners

Brazil are playing in the first of the quarter-finals tomorrow, when they take on Croatia, and the Selecao are first up in today's news conferences taking place in Qatar.

Coach Tite and defender Danilo were at the top table - and today there was no sign of an intruder.

Yesterday there was an awkward incident where the Brazil press officer removed a cat, which was sat in front of Vinicius Junior, in a way some could see as cruel.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer in Doha

Do England possess the 'football intelligence' to win the World Cup, as opposed to just the talent?

I think this England team has plenty of football intelligence but maybe game management let them down when they lost the World Cup semi-final to Croatia and the Euro 2020 Final to Italy and this is, obviously the responsibility of players and manager.

They just seemed to go into their shell too much when they had the matches at their feet, especially when it came to possession and controlling those games.

Gareth Southgate and his players will surely have learned from those bitter experiences and will be ready to put that into practice against France.

If they have not learned they will lose but I genuinely think they will be better those bitter disappointments you get in tournament football.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer in Doha

Has Harry Maguire been the standout defender of the entire tournament? And what does this mean for his United career?

No. Harry Maguire has had a good tournament but the stand-out defender? I wouldn’t say that because he’s not passed the sternest tests yet and has not really come up against any really high-class opponents.

He played very well against USA when England were under pressure but had a couple of early wobbles against Senegal. Let’s see how he goes on against France.

What I will say is that so far he has fully justified Gareth Southgate’s faith in sticking with him and if he continues to play the way he has then he must surely return to Manchester United with his confidence lifted.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer in Doha

Image source, Getty Images

I’m pleased with the additional time being added for stoppages. Do you think it has been successful? I'd like to see a real-time clock.

I think it has been successful because it lets the players know straight away time-wasting would be, well, a waste of time.

We have seen an awful lot of time-wasting in the Premier League this season. I’d be glad to see the back of that and maybe it’s just my imagination but I think the time added on in the World Cup games has come down a bit so maybe the message is getting through.

Real-time clock? I wouldn’t have any qualms about that.

Guillem Balague
BBC Sport football expert

Denmark were a dark horse for the tournament but they were so disappointing. Why do you think that is the case? Turkey were the same for Euro 2021.

I felt they were soft in both boxes.

They have a squad full of talent but if you see how that talent is used in their clubs, they are not the best players in their squad, but good assistants.

They lacked players that could give them the extra push of quality.

But it is so easy to say in hindsight, as we all thought they would do better.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer in Doha

Germany were not good enough. Simple as that.

Football is a cyclical business and Germany have struggled at their last two major tournaments, not getting out of the group at the 2018 World Cup in Russia then losing to England in the last 16 in Euro 2020.

It has happened to many countries but I suppose this is more of a surprise as Germany have been regarded as pretty much the guarantee of success in the past.

Coach Hansi Flick was very strong on the need to rebuild on and off the pitch so do not be surprised if they have it right by the time they host Euro 2024.

They have an outstanding young player in Jamel Musiala but maybe time is up for the old guard such as goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and Thomas Muller.

Guillem Balague
BBC Sport football expert

Where do you think it went wrong for Germany this year?

They produced enough football to go to the next phase.

There has been a post mortem enquire and there is talk of focusing work on finding talent at full-back and striking positions, but they did not do much wrong.

A little bit more of luck and they would be in quarters, I really believe that.

The stats back that up as well.

Even after the first knockout phase was completed without Germany participating, they still had the highest expected goals for of all the teams in the tournament and the most touches in the opposition box.

Someone give Jurgen Klinsmann a call.

Guillem Balague
BBC Sport football expert

Whose stock do you feel has risen the most as a result of their performances at the World Cup? Likewise, whose has fallen?

Spain need to consider what next.

It is okay to defend one idea to the limit if you think that is the one that will potentiate the best players you have? But we have lacked layers, alternatives and responses to what was proposed by the rival.

We have to ask ourselves what playing well means and see what comes out because we are wrong to keep being stuck with one single idea. More and more it feels 2010 was the exception to the rule.

Morocco has showed that solidarity, good order, and talent and pace upfront can take you far.

Guillem Balague
BBC Sport football expert

Image source, Getty Images

Morocco's manager (Walid Regragui) has a great managerial record and has been doing well in the World Cup. Would he be a good choice for a big European club?

He has just appeared on the international scene. He needs a few steps and a few years before reaching that level.

He has also been good at getting his team to be reactive, which is not how big European clubs play.

It might be because he understands the limits of his side but we don't know if he can set up teams to be proactive.

Guillem Balague
BBC Sport football expert

Image source, Getty Images

Which player will be most sought after in the January transfer window?

Most of the big stars are taken, but I will mention two that would like to move.

Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco), such an energetic holding midfielder, and Joao Felix who wants to leave Atletico now.

Guillem Balague
BBC Sport football expert

Image source, Getty Images

Would you classify Morocco as serious challengers after their win over Spain?

Only conceding one goal can take you to the quarters. They will use similar tactics for the rest of the tournament. You need much more to win this tournament but do not take anything away from them.

I love everything about Morocco and this is another national side that exemplifies the fluidity of nationality. Two thirds were not born in Morocco but they feel more Moroccan than anyone. It shows you are not from where you are born but from where you feel strongly about.

And in every game, their plan was better executed than their rivals.

Guillem Balague
BBC Sport football expert

Thoughts on Portugal this tournament? I think they are very underrated and should make at least the semi-finals with a favourable draw.

They needed to get rid of Cristiano [Ronaldo]. You cannot carry players at this level.

With him gone, you see a new Bruno [Fernandes], Joao Felix, Bernardo Silva. The potential is huge.