Croatia's run to the World Cup final is largely down to Luka Modric's tireless work in midfield but their ability to switch tactics efficiently should be a warning for opponents France on Sunday.

Belgium and England have already met during the World Cup in a match both teams seemed reluctant to win and on Saturday they will face each other again in a game they both seem reluctant to play. 

Croatia reached the World Cup final for the first time after an extratime goal from Mario Mandzukic gave them a 2-1 win over England in their semi-final yesterday. 

France beat Belgium 1-0 yesterday to book a place in the World Cup final against either England or Croatia, thanks to a headed goal from defender Samuel Umtiti in the 51st minute.

England's run to the World Cup semi-finals has prompted widespread praise but amid the euphoria midfielder Dele Alli can still be self-critical.

Belgium are in uncharted territory for their World Cup semi-final with France but believe their team spirit and togetherness can ensure they carry on their extraordinary journey in Russia, manager Roberto Martinez has said.

Russia's remarkable World Cup run ended in a heart-breaking quarter-final defeat on penalties (3-4) on Saturday as Croatia bounced back from a late extra-time equaliser to set up a last-four meeting with England.

England defied almost three decades of disappointment to move confidently into the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1990 as headers from Harry Maguire and Dele Alli downed a dogged but toothless Sweden 2-0 on Saturday.

Belgium ended Brazil's dream of a sixth World Cup title when they beat the South Americans 2-1 in a dramatic, enthralling end-to-end quarter-final on Friday to earn a semi-final tie against France.

Raphael Varane's glancing header and a goal-keeping blunder that gifted Antoine Griezmann a soft goal gave France a 2-0 victory over Uruguay in the first World Cup quarter-final yesterday. 

Eden Hazard leads his team into Friday's World Cup quarter-final match against Brazil on a stage built to showcase his talent but whether Belgium get the full benefit of his mercurial ability is to be seen.

England's new generation ended the World Cup penalty jinx by knocking out Colombia on spot kicks to reach the quarter-finals yesterday.

A deflected shot from Emil Forsberg gave Sweden a 1-0 victory over Switzerland in a scrappy round of 16 match yesterday sending the Swedes through to the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 24 years.

Belgium threw caution to the wind to reach the World Cup quarter-finals as substitute Nacer Chadli scored in the dying seconds against Japan to snatch a 3-2 comeback win on Monday and set up a clash with five-time champions Brazil.

Brazil cruised into the quarter-finals of the World Cup on Monday as goals from Neymar and substitute Roberto Firmino gave them a 2-0 victory over Mexico to stay on course for a sixth title.

Croatia beat Denmark in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw to set up a World Cup quarter-finals tie against hosts Russia.

Russia Captain Igor Akinfeev saved two penalties in a dramatic shootout as the World Cup hosts dumped title contenders Spain out in the last 16 following a 1-1 draw yesterday.

Uruguay forward Edinson Cavani scored a stunning brace to lead the South Americans to a 2-1 win over European champions Portugal in the World Cup round of 16 on Saturday and set up a quarter-final against France. 

Teenager Kylian Mbappe scored two goals in four minutes to send a youthful France charging into the World Cup quarter-finals with a thrilling 4-3 win over Argentina on Saturday that sent Lionel Messi's team home.

A superb second half strike from Adnan Januzaj gave Belgium a 1-0 win over England yesterday to see them top World Cup Group ‘G’ with a perfect record and consign England to second place, with both sides already assured of going through t

Tunisia's Wahbi Khazri set up the first goal and scored the second to give the North African side their first World Cup win in 40 years with a 2-1 victory over debutants Panama in their final Group ‘G’ match yestersday.

Colombia's Yerry Mina thumped home a second half header to secure a dramatic 1-0 victory over Senegal yesterday that catapulted the South Americans into the World Cup last 16 and dumped their African opponents out of the tournament.

Japan became the only Asian side to progress to the World Cup's last 16 yesterday, slipping through despite losing 0-1 against already-eliminated Poland thanks to their lower tally of yellow cards, which meant Senegal went out.

Switzerland kept politics off the field and Costa Rica broke their World Cup duck in a thrilling 2-2 draw yesterday that saw the Europeans through to the next round of the World Cup where they will face Sweden.

Goals by Paulinho and Thiago Silva steered a much-improved Brazil to a 2-0 victory over a battling but ultimately outclassed Serbia yesterday and into a World Cup second-round meeting with Mexico.

Sweden thumped Mexico 3-0 yestersday, overcoming their opponents after a scoreless first half in a result that means both teams advance to the World Cup last 16 at the expense of defending champions Germany.

Defending champions Germany were eliminated from the 2018 World Cup after losing to South Korea in Kazan yesterday.

Russia were handed a World Cup reality check on Monday, losing 3-0 to Uruguay as Saudi Arabia edged Egypt to third place of Group A. 

Portugal advanced to the World Cup round of 16 behind Spain from Group B after Ricardo Quaresma’s stunning strike on the stroke of halftime was cancelled out by a dramatic stoppage-time penalty by Iran’s Karim Ansarifard on Monday.

St. Peter’s College experienced some anxious moments before they prevailed 23-13 in their Milo Schools President’s Trophy Knock-Out Rugby Tournament second semi-final encounter played at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday.