Summary

  • England news conference: "We are ready to fight France" - Southgate

  • Sterling back in England training

  • Morocco v Portugal (15:00) and England v France (19:00) complete quarter-finals on Saturday

  1. Uh oh - there's another Mbappepublished at 09:10 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    England v France (19:00 GMT, Sat)

    Kylian Mbappe's younger brother, Ethan has been training with Paris Saint Germain's first team during the World Cup.

    Like his older brother, the 15-year-old central midfielder started out as AS Bondy Youth and has been part of Paris Saint Germain's academy set-up since 2017.

    A future World Cup could potentially see Mbappe junior facing up against Jobe Bellingham - Jude Bellingham's 17-year-old brother, who plays for Birmingham City and has represented England at U-17 and U-18 level.

    Something to look forward to.

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  2. The Walker-Mbappe speed battlepublished at 09:06 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    England v France (Sat,19:00 GMT)

    Rio Ferdinand
    Former England defender

    Kylian MbappeImage source, Getty Images

    I faced quick and clever players like Thierry Henry, Michael Owen, Nicolas Anelka all the time in the Premier League, and Adriano and Samuel Eto'o in the Champions League too.

    There were other players from all over the world that I'd be playing against and thinking "wow, they are lightning" but I was never scared. I just knew I had to be ready.

    Playing for Manchester United, if there was anyone quick down Gary Neville's side, I used to say 'don't let them face you'. I would tell him to go in and challenge them when they got the ball and not let them turn and come at us - to make them play the ball backwards, basically.

    I would tell him to do that every single time, even it felt a bit alien and he was coming out of position to get close to the attacker because if anything came over the top and they span away from him, I would be there.

    I was the centre-half and if I wasn't there, it's my responsibility, so I would say "don't look back when you go - I will be covering you".

    Walker and John Stones might do things differently, but these are the type of conversations that England's back four will have been having all week. They will all have to adopt their game, and their positions, to deal with Mbappe's threat.

    Rio's latest World Cup column.

  3. Debutant spinner on fire for Pakistanpublished at 09:04 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    Ben Stokes is gone.

    Debutant Abrar Ahmed has got his sixth wicket just as Stokes and Will Jacks were getting into their stride.

    England are 228-6 on the first day of the second Test.

    Follow live coverage over here

  4. 'Mbappe is the only reason I fear France'published at 09:00 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    England v France (Sat,19:00 GMT)

    Rio Ferdinand
    Former England defender

    Stop Kylian Mbappe, and you stop France - he is the only reason I fear them.

    The good news for England is that Kyle Walker is definitely fast enough to deal with Mbappe - he is probably the only defender on the planet who would be happy to take him on in a race, one versus one.

    But this battle is not just going to be about raw pace alone. Mbappe's intelligence makes Walker's task on Saturday much harder than that.

    To get through it, Walker is going to need some help out there, so the team's approach and the focus of the players around him will be crucial too.

    It is going to be fascinating to watch, and success or failure for England could come down to the finest of margins - Mbappe knows one tiny lapse is all it takes, and he will be away.

    Read Rio's latest World Cup column here.

  5. 'When he gets it, he can go anywhere'published at 08:57 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    England v France (Sat,19:00 GMT)

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Poland full-back Matty Cash speaking to the Football Daily podcast about facing Kylian Mbappe: "When he comes inside, that is the least of your worries! The worry is when he takes you down the line.

    "He gains a yard, drops his shoulders and moves you. Little things like that, people don't see but they are so clever.

    "When he gets it, he can go anywhere and he is rapid."

  6. 'It is very, very close'published at 08:53 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    England v France (Sat,19:00 GMT)

    Chris Sutton
    Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Hugo Lloris and Jordan PickfordImage source, Getty Images

    If you had to pick, based on the starting elevens, who would edge it, it is very, very close. But the one outstanding player is Mbappe.

    Look at the goalkeepers, Hugo Lloris and Jordan Pickford, it is very close. Go through the teams and you can argue for and against in a lot of positions.

    Listen to more on World Cup Daily

  7. 'It's not OK': Keane doubles down on Brazil criticismpublished at 08:49 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    Croatia v Brazil (15:00 GMT)

    Players of Brazil celebrate after scoring goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Brazil and South Korea at Stadium.Image source, Getty Images

    While we're thinking about music to get footballers grooving, Roy Keane has doubled down, rather than back down, in his criticism of the Brazil team and manager.

    He laid into the Selecao for dancing during their 4-1 win over South Korea on Monday, saying their celebrations were "disrespectful" to the opposition.

    After Brazil coach, Tite, 61, said those who've criticised his dancing don't know the "history and culture of Brazil", Keane, 51, reaffirmed his position.

    "I love watching Brazil and what they stand for," he said. "When you think of the World Cup you think of Brazil, I love watching them because they are brilliant at football, but not when they are dancing, or the manager starts dancing, it’s not okay.

    "It’s not respectful. Respect your teammates and your opposition. A manager doing a dance on the sideline, you think that’s okay?

    The pundit continued by saying, "Dance afterwards in the dressing room, or in the nightclub, that’s not a problem.

    "If everyone has a dance after a goal, the games will be going on for three days. Do you know what they should start doing, when coaches do their pro licence, show the managers how to do a little dance on the sideline, forget tactics."

  8. get involved

    Get Involved - music to celebrate a goal topublished at 08:45 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    #bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only) or via What's App on 03301231826

    You aint seen nothing yet- BTO??

    Colin

    Agadoo in Abu Dhabi

    Joe

    Re songs for celebrating goals. I'm still baffled that Sheffield United didn't play Horny by Mousse T over the tannoy whenever Lys MousseT scored. Massive missed opportunity!

    Dan

    It's a good shout - he didn't score that many to be fair.

  9. 'A case for England being favourites'published at 08:41 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    England v France (Sat,19:00 GMT)

    Julien Laurens
    French football expert on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I've had moments where I think England can't beat France, but then I have moments where I think if [Gareth] Southgate gets the plan right, England should win.

    This is a full strength English team that got to the Euros final last year against France without five starters with young players who have never been in this position.

    There is a case for England being favourites even if it is just 55/45. You can't dismiss England.

  10. Referee newspublished at 08:39 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    England v France (Sat, 19:00 GMT)

    Wilton SampaioImage source, Getty Images

    England’s World Cup quarter-final will be refereed by Brazilian Wilton Sampaio.

    It’ll be the 40-year-old’s fourth match of the tournament having recently taken charge of Netherlands v USA in the second round.

  11. Postpublished at 08:36 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    England v France (Sat, 19:00 GMT)

    We'll be hearing from Didier Deschamps and the France camp from about 9.15am so let's turn our attentions to tomorrow's quarter-final.

  12. Hayes cross at 'poor' performancepublished at 08:32 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    Real Madrid Women 1-1 Chelsea Women

    Lauren James of ChelseaImage source, Getty Images

    Meanwhile, Chelsea Women had a frustrating night in the Champions League as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Madrid Feminino.

    Emma Hayes' side remain in pole position to qualify from the group stages but a win would have confirmed it and the boss criticised her team as "asleep".

    Read more over here

  13. The magic of the FA Cuppublished at 08:28 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    Gillingham 3-2 Dagenham & Redbridge

    The World Cup isn't the only tournament with licence to thrill.

    It was a dramatic game at the Priestfield last night as the line-up for the FA Cup third round was completed.

    National League Dagenham pushed League Two Gillingham all the way in a compelling replay, but a 95th-minute winner from Hakeeb Adelakun finally settled a see-saw tie.

    Gillingham will now host Premier League Leicester in January.

    Media caption,

    FA Cup: Gillingham 3-2 Dagenham & Redbridge

  14. Postpublished at 08:24 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    Croatia v Brazil (15:00 GMT)

    Chris SuttonImage source, BBC Sport

    I've worked as a co-commentator for BBC Radio 5 Live at all four of Brazil's games at this World Cup, and no team has really gone toe to toe with them yet.

    Each of their group games started with teams sitting in and two of the three teams they played, Serbia and Switzerland, did not manage a shot on target.

    The difference when they played South Korea in the last 16 was that they scored an early goal in a knockout tie, which opened the game up - and it was 3-0 and over before the half-hour mark.

    Having Neymar back from injury definitely helped Brazil in that match, and they made a bit of a statement with the manner of their victory.

    If anyone doubted they could win this World Cup, they won't any more. They flexed their muscles and said: 'Things are getting serious and we are ready.'

    Croatia will play with balance, rather than massed defence - but they certainly won't be on the front foot.

    They only just got past Japan in the last round, but that wasn't the first time they found a way to get through a game.

    I can't see them going any further, though. They have got some good players - young and old - but Brazil will be too strong.

    Sutton's prediction:0-3

  15. Modric's last dance?published at 08:19 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    Croatia v Brazil (15:00 GMT)

    Luka ModricImage source, Reuters

    Is this Luka Modric's last chance to pick up international silverware?

    Croatia made it all the way to the World Cup final in 2018 - don't we know it - but it's not known yet whether he will continue to play for his country after this tournament.

    "I think 2018 was his 'Last Dance'. This is just a major plus that shows his amazing longevity," Telesport journalist Juraj Vrdoljak said. "The team is slightly different now to the 2018 World Cup, the hangover from 2018 is long gone.

    "People who support the team had their high then, and the dream scenario for this 'golden generation' was pretty much achieved with that silver medal.

    "Now expectations were also met. Miraculously, here we are in the quarter-final again. So it's a new chapter unveiling."

    Read more here

  16. get involved

    Get Involved - music to celebrate a goal topublished at 08:15 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    #bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only) or via What's App on 03301231826

    As a former addict of FIFA Road to World Cup 98 it has to be Blur - Song 2.

    Tom

    Being a proud inhabitant of the county of Essex, I'd have to say Just Can't Get Enough - Depeche Mode. Absolute tune.

    Anon

    Matt: Night Fever at Stoke. The Xhaka Haka. Charleston at Charlton. Hips Don’t Lie by Shaqiri

    Matt's brain is firing this morning.

  17. Last time at the World Cuppublished at 08:10 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    Croatia v Brazil (15:00 GMT)

    Neymar celebratesImage source, Getty Images

    These two have World Cup history.

    Brazil against Croatia was the opening game at the Maracana of the 2014 World Cup and the Brazilian public expected big things.

    They didn't expect Marcelo to score an early own goal but, inspired by Neymar, Luis Felipe Scolari's Brazil roared back to win 3-1.

    It was also the first time vanishing spray was used.

    I've done my research.

  18. Will Croatia finally beat Brazil?published at 08:05 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    Croatia v Brazil (15:00 GMT)

    Brazil v Croatia in 2018Image source, Getty Images

    Some good and bad omens for both teams in these statistics depending on which way you want to look at it:

    • Brazil have never lost in four previous meetings with Croatia in all competitions (winning three and drawing one)
    • Croatia have lost four of their five World Cup games against South American sides, with the exception being a 3-0 win over Argentina in 2018
    • Since beating Germany 2-0 in the 2002 final, Brazil have lost each of their past five World Cup knockout stage games against European nations
    • In a run going back to Euro 2008, seven of Croatia's last eight knockout stage games at major tournaments have gone to extra time and they have progressed from all four such games at the World Cup - three via penalty shootout.
  19. get involved

    Get Involved - music to celebrate a goal topublished at 07:58 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    #bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only) or via What's App on 03301231826

    Psy performs Gangnam StyleImage source, Getty Images

    Imagine that with Gangnam Style. Everybody would go mad

    Henry

    That really would have been disrespectful to South Korea!

  20. Postpublished at 07:54 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    Croatia v Brazil (15:00 GMT)

    In case you missed those goals...