Uruguay without Cavani allowed France to play a few meters furher up the field than they would have done otherwise producing a routine win.. Brazil v Belgium was magnificent. A mix of Belgium really are this good (fabulous defensive effort and what a player Hazard is) and Brazil really aren't as good as they had been hyped. Sticking with that as the game which decided the eventual winners although France v Belgium will be immense. Croatia should have far too much for Russia to be able to handle and man for man England are stronger than Sweden in at least five positions, no worse in five other positions and decisively better in Kane. Yes Sweden can win, but if you played tonight's game ten times, England would win six, three would be draws and Sweden would win once.

Uruguay enormously dependent on Cavani fitness. If he is not fit, France can play further forward and Uruguay will be enormously in need of converting what few chances they will get. Brazil v Belgium could be a classic for all time- expect 0-0 after 120 minutes then!

This is asking for trouble but I just cannot see anyway England not overcoming Sweden and failing to make the semi-final. Reckon it will be hard fought but England will prevail with a two goal margin. I am more certain about this than I am about any of France, Brazil and Croatia proceeding from the other Quarter Finals.

Very happy with business thus far with signings and contract extensions. The key to whether we are OK or a bit of a menace in the Championship will come in the quality of Premier League loanees. I expect we are going to have to be patient and that Rovers won't be inactive on this summer's transfer deadline day.

Agreed. Worried about Walker though- he seems to be on the edge of making a catastrophic mistake all the time. I know he was cramping but he escaped from being caught in possession as last man by the skin of his teeth in the first period of extra time and gifted possession to a Colombian break in the second period. Otherwise all players are growing into their roles and the subs were not overawed coming late into a game for the first time last night. I thought Kane dropping deep during extra time was magnificently disruptive particularly in the first half of ET when the Colombians had some momentum.

Perhaps as many as 30,000 Colombians in the stadium apparently. Many Colombians are students in Russia. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jul/03/england-clinch-first-world-cup-shootout-win-in-intimidating-sea-of-yellow The crowd here in Malta was only 2:1 English:Colombian as there is a sizeable number of Colombians here as students and workers.

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.