World Cup news & build-up to England v France

1. England v France in World Cup quarter-finals (19:00 GMT)
2. Morocco face Portugal (15:00)
3. Reaction to Argentina's dramatic win over the Netherlands
4. Brazil out after defeat to Croatia
5. Get involved: Tweet #bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply) or WhatsApp [phone]

Just behind Bolt

BBC

That would be quite a foot race.

So how do you stop him?

Rio Ferdinand

Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Getty Images

Be rough and aggressive. Get as tight as you can to Kylian Mbappe and don’t let him face the game. Make him go back to his goal. Knowing that it's Olivier Giroud would make me do that even more because he’s not getting any quicker. The full-back can press high onto Mbappe knowing the channel in behind will not be occupied by anybody.

The great players don’t allow you to lock them down. They find other areas to exploit. That’s where I’m really looking forward to seeing Kylian Mbappe. Has he got the cuteness to find other areas to operate in?

After all, he's not the best player in the world just through sheer pace. Look at his goals against Poland. He can hurt you in other ways than just pace.

'It's not a one-man job'

Rio Ferdinand

Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

For sure, Kylian Mbappe is the main guy. He could turn the game on its head at any point and is the guy they look to immediately at the moment.

Containing him can’t be a one-man job over 90 minutes. At some point, he will get away from Kyle Walker so England need to put obstacles and bodies in front of him

France's biggest threat...

BBC

There's no doubt who France's biggest threat is.

Forward Kylian Mbappe is arguably the best player in the world right now and has been in spectacular form at this World Cup.

The tournament's joint top scorers

To get you in the mood.

For example...

This pub in Cheshire is getting in the World Cup spirit.

Usually known as The Lion, it has been renamed The Three Lions this week.

Let us know if you see similar out and about today or maybe there are some Christmas-football mash-ups going on.

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Get Involved - your matchday plans

Anticipation is building with around 10 hours to go until kick off between England and France.

How are you feeling?

We also want to know about your matchday plans? Maybe you're trying to get yourself out of some badly timed plans?

Or are you going to have to follow from a wedding or family event?

Let us know by tweeting #bbcfootball, text 81111 or Whatsapp us (03301231826)

How can I follow the game?

ITV are showing the match live with highlights and clips on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

There will be full-match commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds.

Coverage begins at 12:00 GMT and includes commentary on Morocco and Portugal at 15:00.

Make sure to sprinkle your day with our live text's pre-match news throughout the rest of the day before full live text commentary later on.

PA Media

London Eye illuminated ahead of France clash

Reuters

Those of you in the capital last night may have spotted the London Eye illuminated in the colours of St George's Cross.

Countdown to kick-off

BBC

It is a match many England fans have had in their mind as a possibility since the World Cup fixtures were announced: France in the quarter-finals.

It is the toughest test so far for Gareth Southgate and his Three Lions. How will they line up and deal with the current holders, and one of the most impressive teams in the tournament so far?

The game itself will be historic: It is the first time the men's sides have met in a knockout game in any competition, and the first time at a World Cup since 1982.

Everything you need to know about the match is here...

Who made your England-France XI?

BBC

Seven England and four France players made your combined XI before tonight's quarter-final.

Kylian Mbappe was the most picked - go figure - but Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham were not far behind.

Pick your own over here

Tributes for late US journalist

Getty Images

Tributes have poured in for US soccer journalist Grant Wahl who sadly died during the Netherlands v Argentina quarter-final in Qatar last night,

The Times chief football writer Henry Winter spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live saying: "At the heart of what we do is a love of football. Grant embodied that and you see the outpouring of emotions from other journalists. He was just so important."

Early reports suggest he may have had a heart attack, but this has yet to be officially confirmed.

Last month Mr Wahl was briefly detained by Qatari authorities for trying to enter a stadium wearing a rainbow shirt, in support of LGBT rights.

In a statement, the US Soccer Federation said it was "heartbroken"by the news.

Full story over here

Another Modric masterclass

Luka Modric might be heading towards international retirement but he still knows how to run a football game at the very highest level.

The 37-year-old midfield maestro led Croatia like he has for so many years in their shock World Cup quarter-final win against tournament favourites Brazil.

Modric had 141 touches and made 115 passes - both more than any other player on the pitch - as well as coolly despatching a penalty in the shootout.

The Real Madrid player is set to retire from international football after the tournament and showed how he is determined to play at least two more games including the final...

'These players are not normal!' - Croatia reacts to Brazil win

BBC Monitoring

The world through its media

EPA

Meanwhile in Croatia...

"YES YES YES!!! Croatia is in the semi-finals of the World Cup!" the Croatian public broadcaster HRT said.

"If you thought that all of Croatia's matches so far were dramatic because of penalty kicks, today's match against Brazil is indescribable," they added.

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic was shown saying it was "a victory for the Croatian people".

"Congratulations to the boys. We eliminated the biggest favourite," Dalic told HRT.

"This is Croatia. Never underestimate us, I said that.

"This is not then end, let's move on. This is a victory for Croatia, everyone gave their best. These players of mine are not normal."

Get Involved - England's penalty takers

England penalty takers tonight:- Rashford, Kane, Stones, Henderson, Saka

Anon

I sincerely hope the France vs England tie doesn’t get to penalties cuz so far the tension has been so high hence overwhelming heartbreak

Julius

If it goes to penalties, Charlton (Bobby), Hunt, Hurst, Peters, Ball

Anon

Five from five right there.

Please remember to stick your name on, even for What's App messages.

Neymar equals Pele record

BBC

Probably of little consolation after Brazil's heart-breaking exit, but when the dust settles Neymar will look back proudly on equalling Pele's 'official' goalscoring record for the men's national team.

Neymar scored his 77th for his country with a wonderful goal against Croatia at the World Cup.

But it still wasn't enough to help the Selecao, who were the tournament favourites, to reach the semi-finals...

Samba band stops in Sao Paulo

Katy Watson

South America correspondent in São Paulo

At the public arena in São Paulo, the music was still playing from the speakers shortly after the final whistle but the samba band had stopped.

The mood was pensive - this is a nation that really believed they’d be going to the finals.

Natalie and Alex who I spoke to in extra time were confident - but now they say they'll support Croatia.

Football is everything for Brazilians - and so is this loss.

My eldest was at a kids party and my partner said it felt like they'd double-booked it with a funeral - that's the mood here in Brazil. But they'll pick themselves up and hope again.

Getty Images

'End of the dream'

BBC Monitoring

The world through its media

Reuters

“End of the dream” was Globo Esporte’s online front page headline.

In a critical analysis of the performance, they said “Brazil’s fatal error” was “allowing a counter-attack from the Croatian team”.

“Brazil made a lot of mistakes, missed clear chances, two of them from Neymar, but after was absolutely brilliant.

"[However], that was not decisive, because the national team committed its fatal error”, allowing a counter-attack from Croatia that evened the score in extra time."

'I hope the Brazilian media are not too vicious'

Tim Vickery

BBC Sport South American football expert

It was a fantastic game between two teams who pushed themselves to the edge but now there will be an inquest about everything in Brazil.

The coach will be criticised even for the way he ties his shoelaces. The Brazilian media are really ruthless.

But I hope they're not too vicious - this team do not deserve that. They have gone out in the cruellest way possible and were never bettered by anyone.

Let's find out Tim.

Get Involved - England's penalty takers

Stones, Kane, Shaw, Phil, Jude, in that other. If Stones misses, Kane should be sure to get England back on track.

Gani

It has to be Kane first, Rashford second, then Henderson, Saka, and Foden

Joe