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. 'A constant carnival'published at 07:50 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    Croatia v Brazil (15:00 GMT)

    Brazil fans celebrateImage source, Getty Images

    In fairness to Brazil, they have had plenty to celebrate so far in this tournament - Emma Sanders was at Stadium 974 on Monday for their powerful display of attacking brilliance against South Korea.

    She described the performance as 'street football from Rio de Janeiro brought straight to the Middle East - a legendary number 10 playing tricks, a juggling Richarlison scoring worldies - again - and a constant carnival sound coming from the thousands of supporters clad in yellow.'

    BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton agreed on BBC Radio 5 Live: "Devastating. Brazil are saying to the rest of the teams in the tournament: 'We're here,'" he said.

  2. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 07:44 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

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  3. get involved

    Get Involved - goal-music to dance topublished at 07:41 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

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

    Raphinha, Vinicius Jr, Lucas Paqueta and Neymar danceImage source, Getty Images

    So Tite says he's very happy for his Brazil players to keeeep dancing should they score against Croatia today.

    But which tracks are the best for goal celebrations?

    We'd all like to see the Macarena in the Maracana - for the word play more than anything else - but what songs would be on your playlist?

    The more unexpected the better please.

  4. Brazil won't apologise for having funpublished at 07:37 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    Croatia v Brazil (15:00 GMT)

    The World Cup favourites will get the quarter-finals started at 15:00 GMT today and Brazil coach Tite says he will not apologise to those who "do not know Brazilian history and culture".

    That's after criticism of his players for dancing after scoring goals at the World Cup.

    Tite, 61, even joined in with the celebrations during the 4-1 win over South Korea in their last-16 match.

    "It is a connection I have with the younger generation - they could be my grandchildren," he said.

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

    Speaking before Friday's quarter-final against 2018 runners-up Croatia, he added: "I'm not going to apologise when it's our culture to dance and have fun."

    Read more

  5. Test cricket updatepublished at 07:33 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    Ben StokesImage source, Getty Images

    The runs were flowing but unfortunately for England, the wickets have been too in an entertaining opening session of the second Test in Pakistan.

    Ben Stokes and co have made 180 but are currently five down to a leg spinner on debut as the players trot off at lunch.

    At least the England skipper is still in.

    Do keep a second eye on our live coverage from Multan over here.

  6. Brain freeze?published at 07:27 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    A blurred image of a footballer

    To get your mind moving this morning, why not try our World Cup player quiz.

    There are seven of them and you've got two minutes to identify them.

    One is a legendary goalscoring keeper...

    Give it a go

  7. Postpublished at 07:24 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    Friday's back pages

    Daily Mirror

    Which according to The Mirror is not such a good idea.

    The MirrorImage source, The Mirror
  8. Postpublished at 07:21 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    Friday's back pages

    The Daily Star

    The Star have gone with John Stones getting some R&R in before England face France.

    Daily StarImage source, Daily Star
  9. Postpublished at 07:18 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    Friday's back pages

    The Daily Express

    Daily ExpressImage source, Daily Express

    More on England v France in the Express plus a story around players being fearful for the safety of their families while on international duty.

    England winger Raheem Sterling will be back with the squad Qatar before Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against France.

    The Chelsea player, 28, flew back to England on Sunday following a break-in at his family home in Surrey.

  10. Postpublished at 07:14 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    Friday's back pages

    The Daily Telegraph

    Daily TelegraphImage source, Daily Telegraph

    The Telegraph are looking forward to a duel between England defender Kyle Walker and France forward Kylian Mbappe on Saturday.

    Not sure I'd fancy a race with either to be honest, they are both greased lightning...just to get my own musical reference in.

  11. Postpublished at 07:12 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    Friday's back pages

    The Daily Mail

    The Mail have gone all Robbie Williams and Take That with their back page.

    MailImage source, Daily Mail
  12. Postpublished at 07:11 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    Friday's back pages

    Let's get going with a look at today's papers.

  13. Tomorrow's gamespublished at 07:09 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    And of course, we'll have plenty from the England camp, one day out from tomorrow's mammoth game with France.

    News conferences with both Didier Deschamps and Gareth Southgate coming up later.

    No doubt there will be something Cristiano Ronaldo-related to talk about from the Morocco v Portugal quarter-final too.

    • Morocco v Portugal (Sat, 15:00 GMT)
    • England v France (Sat, 19:00 GMT)
  14. Live on the BBCpublished at 07:07 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    Quarter-finals

    So today we've got the tournament favourites versus the 2018 runners-up.

    Then a repeat of the 1978 final in another glamorous last-eight encounter.

    • Croatia v Brazil (15:00 GMT)
    • Netherlands v Argentina (19:00 GMT)

    Both of the first two quarter-finals will be live on BBC TV, radio and online on 'Fabulous' Friday, meaning you can spend most of the day following our coverage and ensuring you don't miss a thing.

    The two matches will be broadcast on BBC One and the BBC iPlayer.

    Radio commentary of both quarter-finals will also be available in the UK on BBC Sounds, with live text coverage on the BBC Sport website and app.

  15. Good morningpublished at 06:58 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    Anyone else got that 'Fabulous Friday' feeling?

    Not it's not just the end of a working week for some.

    We have two World Cup quarter-finals incoming between four of world football's heavyweight nations.

    Bring it on.

    BrazilImage source, Getty Images
    Croatia playersImage source, Getty Images
    Messi (far right)Image source, Getty Images
    Gakpo & DepayImage source, Getty Images