Two immense saves by Pickford. Shame that stop in the 92nd minute got eclipsed by the goal from the resulting corner but that in my book is the save of the World Cup so far. Then the penalty save. Pickford showing he was the right pick after all.

With James Colombia win. Without James this is a MONSTER opportunity for England. Keeping Alli on looks iffy. Where is Henderson?

Fine impromptu diving display by Martin Olsson. Went through the repertoire. No James massively tilts this one England's way. Just hope that the English fans aren't already drunk as the Dutch were last night who went berserk when Japan were scoring...

Whoever wins tonight should beat either of these two. But the Swedish girls watching....

Belgium v Japan best game yet although I missed Portugal v Spain. De Bruyne nightmare first half and when the number of final balls Belgium had cut out don't find their targets, have to suspect coaching is at fault. Belgium were set up to play Brazil not Japan in their game plan.. Today I fancy Switzerland to win a war of attrition and England to go to penalties. Come on we all know what's going to happen....

Went for the last 5 minutes so saw the Firmino goal. Main reason for going was the fans- nobody does exuberance like the Brazilians do. Ta' Xbiex seafront absolutely rocking! Let's see if Belgium really turn up tonight because Brazil v Belgium in the Quarters will be epic and probably will produce the eventual winners.

Thought there was something not quite right.

Working on the premiss Brazil haven't got going yet and this is a generationally good Mexico side which can pose Brazil many questions. The Japanese won't have encountered the kind of creativity Belgium have and Lukaku is a the sort of big bully against smaller and less able opponents which makes today's game ideal for him. Watch me get this all wrong!

One of today's games will go to extra time and the other will be easy. Fancy Mexico to really challenge Brazil but Belgium's De Bruyn and Hazard to have too much for Japan to handle.

Considering the Danish side last night were basically Championship quality, we are in for 46 tough games.

Now we are guessing what is really going on. Mowbray has scarcely shown his hand compared with the old days when Managers named who they were looking to sign. If you doubt me, think back to how Mike England and Keith Newton left.

I think 21 other Championship clubs are similarly doomed. Boro are Wolves style gambling.

Agreed- this World Cup has completely found out De Gea From that list 1. Croatia 2. Colombia 3. England

Spain thoroughly deserved that

https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/football/posh/latest-news-peterborough-united-have-a-long-list-of-targets-seven-figure-sum-quoted-for-league-two-striker-and-the-latest-on-the-ownership-of-the-club-s-ground-1-8496094

I had this as a Spain certainty but Iniesta is the one player I would not drop. A close to 100% pass completion rate is what Spain need to drain the energy of crowd and Russian team so Iniesta is dropped. Just what Putin ordered...

Peterborough have new owners and new ambitions so I suspect the only way to get any of their players will be if the player himself is either rubbish or militating or a move. Generally speaking, whilst there are the occasional League 1 gem, the reason why there is such a gap from Championship to L1 is because there is such a gap in quality of players. It is in the ability to get a step up in the quality of loan player from the Premier League where I think our improved status should be made to tell.

Dipping in and out of games but France v Argentina was immense and thought Uruguay very impressive. Spain v Russia brings together two countries which are being found out- Russia badly exposed by Uruguay and Spain as far less than their constituent parts. If Spain click like the French did yesterday, this could be a humiliation for the home nation. Got a feeling that Sergio Ramos or Pique will see red in this one. Croatia v Denmark looks equally imbalanced. Cannot see past a Croatia win but the Danes will hang in there. Modric to further enhance his stellar reputation- always been a player I have loved to watch.

Fabulous game but Argentina massively hampered by Sampaoli. Would have been some game if there had been a proper manager looking after Argentina.

Just seen this afternoon's selections. Argentina are already out..

Until proven otherwise, I'd back Waggott running Rovers over many of the posters on this thread..

Two tasty fixtures today with four teams on paper capable of winning the World Cup. Also a big Europe v South America showdown and the two worst managers with the best squads (Argentina and France) going head to head. Expecting Ronaldo tears- whether of frustration facing arguably the best defender, pain from being kicked thumped and pinched, elimination or elation- let's see. Incidentally Ronaldo has been timed as the fastest runner of all the players at this World Cup- not a facet of his game many think of. My tips: France to have too much for Messi and Uruguay too much for Ronaldo BUT both of those individuals can lift their countries into the quarter finals if today is their day.

People meet people over time. They do deals, they fall out, they make up... I can tell you with as much certainty as I can muster that in 2011, Nixon and Anderson were totally linked. I think the relationship continued and I now think Anderson's vast network (not just SEM and Kentaro as were and in whatever guise they have currently morphed into) is no longer favoured at Ewood. I suspect this could be a reason why Nixon is no longer a reliable sage but the guy is a reporter and has multiple sources. That said, if he suddenly gets a run of 100% accurate scoops on Rovers, it will time to be very very worried.

Moritz Bauer or Patrick Bauer?