However tempting the prospect of an Argentina-Brazil semifinal may have seemed to the neutrals, the average Argentines were apparently against that idea, and Brazil's defeat against Croatia in the quarterfinals visibly left them relieved, if not outright happy.

Defender Lisandro Martinez comes into the Argentina side in place of winger Alejandro Gomez as the only change for Friday's World Cup quarter-final against the Netherlands.

Despite the ongoing FIFA World Cup taking the centre stage in the sporting world but Bangladesh cricket team grabbed some limelight by playing quality cricket against India to seal the three-match ODI series with a game in hand.

I have to admit that one of the biggest surprises for me in this World Cup was finding out that Olivier Giroud is the highest scorer in the history of French men’s football, but I guess it should not come as that much of a shock.

Croatia stunned favourites Brazil to reach the World Cup semi-finals on Friday, winning 4-2 on penalties after a nailbiting last-eight tie finished 1-1 at the end of extra time.

Neymar equalled Pele's record of 77 Brazil goals after scoring against Croatia in the World Cup quarter-finals on Friday.

Defending champions Bashundhara Kings began their league campaign in style but title contenders Abahani and Sheikh Jamal DC stumbled in their respective opening matches of Bangladesh Premier League at different venues yesterday.

Brazil named an unchanged line-up from the last 16 for their World Cup quarter-final against Croatia on Friday, with first-choice left back Alex Sandro on the bench as he has not fully recovered from injury.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos admitted on Friday that Cristiano Ronaldo had been unhappy to be dropped to the bench as he pleaded for a line to be drawn under the affair.

Morocco boss Walid Regragui became the first ever African coach to take a team into the World Cup quarter-finals when his side beat Spain on penalties, despite only taking over the reins in August.

Paris St Germain President Nasser Al-Khelaifi said Lionel Messi is happy at the Ligue 1 champions and they will open discussions about a possible contract extension after the World Cup.

If the Netherlands beat Argentina in the World Cup quarter-finals they could face Brazil in the semis but their route to the final will still not be as difficult as Argentina's path in the 1990 edition, a Nielsen's Gracenote analysis has revealed.

It may have been a rest day at the World Cup on Thursday but there was no stopping the football discussion that never ends - who is the better player, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?

Goncalo Ramos was thrown into the eye of the storm, but it was Portugal's 21-year-old striker who brought the thunder, blasting his country into the World Cup quarter-finals.

Lionel Messi's hopes of winning an elusive World Cup will come up against the tactical scheming of veteran coach Louis van Gaal as Argentina face the Netherlands in Friday’s quarter-final at Lusail.

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic described their World Cup quarter-final opponents Brazil as "terrifying" after the five-time champions thrashed South Korea 4-1 to send a clear message to their rivals.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was guarded about whether Angel di Maria would be available for Friday's World Cup quarter-final against the Netherlands but said on Thrusday that every player who took the field would be fit.

Like so many things, the curtain-raiser of the Bangladesh domestic season – The Independence Cup had fallen under the radar amidst the ongoing FIFA World Cup frenzy. 

Merely a glance at their iconic orange or blue and white striped shirts is enough to evoke memories of World Cups past and more history will surely be written on Friday when the Netherlands face Argentine in their quarter-final.

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal went on the offensive on Thursday, defending his tactics, reputation and past history as he sparred with reporters in another bellicose performance ahead of his country’s World Cup quarter-final against Argentina.