Neymar makes his return to Brazil's starting line-up for Monday's World Cup last-16 tie against South Korea.

Croatia reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup on Monday with a dramatic 3-1 penalty shoot-out win over Japan after a tense last-16 clash ended 1-1.

Neymar returned from injury to help inspire Brazil to a 4-1 victory over South Korea on Monday as the favourites cruised through to the quarterfinals of the World Cup.

A football World Cup offers a spectrum of gifts -- superstars lighting up the centre stage, rising stars becoming household names, nerve-wracking encounters between powerhouses, stunning upsets,

Speculation regarding the future of Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and his outburst following his substitution against South Korea were in sharp focus on Monday ahead of their World Cup last-16 game against Switzerland.

Soccer great Pele on Monday backed Brazil's national team ahead of their World Cup round of 16 match against South Korea, saying he will watch the game from hospital after being admitted there last week as he battles colon cancer.

Croatia goalkeeper Dominic Kivakovic saved penalties from Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and Maya Yoshida before Mario Pasalic netted the winning spot-kick in their 3-1 shootout win over Japan on Monday to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos said he was unimpressed with Cristiano Ronaldo's behaviour after the forward reacted angrily when substituted during the team's final group game at the World Cup in Qatar.

FIFA said on Monday it had opened disciplinary proceedings against the Serbian football association following the team's bad-tempered World Cup clash with Switzerland.

Croatia have performed wonders to punch above their weight for so long in international football and are determined to keep their reputation going against Japan in their last-16 match at the World Cup on Monday, coach Zlatko Dalic said.

France head into Saturday's heavyweight World Cup quarter-final clash with England well aware that their hopes of carrying on in Qatar and retaining the title rest on the shoulders of Kylian Mbappe.

The Japanese football team, also known as the Samurai Blue, is raving about the World Cup stadium in Qatar in ways few expected. The discipline and coordination they carry as a nation consistently garner respect from their neighbours. Japan has all of the ingredients to be a football powerhouse: the world's third-largest economy, a population of 125 million people, a national passion for football, a prominent domestic league, and the infrastructure that comes with co-hosting its own World Cup.

With over 30 nations participating in this year’s World Cup, the field has once again become a melting pot of cultural expression. Particularly, South Korea and Brazil have made an impact in bringing a significant piece of their home to an international platform, giving fans from all over the opportunity to indulge in their cultural practices. The World Cup being watched by millions all over the globe not only presents the chance for teams to exhibit their skills, talent and sportsmanship, but also breaks cultural barriers.

England's Raheem Sterling, who was missing from the squad for Sunday's 3-0 World Cup win over Senegal, will head back to Britain on Monday to be with his family, coach Gareth Southgate said, as local media reported a break-in at his home.

The game of football is a class apart, and so are some of the players — not just in terms of their athletic prowess while playing the game, but also in their fashion game — they stand apart. Some have a formal style, some prefer casual, and some straight up flamboyant.

Following a shock loss to Cameroon, Brazilian coach Tite will be delighted to welcome a plethora of first-team starters against South Korea in their last 16 clash.

Wild cards South Korea say they have nothing to fear and nothing to lose when they take on five-times champions Brazil on Monday, with their sights set on another giant-killing feat in a World Cup where big names have taken a beating.

After fierce criticism of the Qatar World Cup, the head of the UN labour agency on Sunday pressed FIFA's president for a greater role scrutinizing future World Cup hosts..International Labour Organisation director general Gilbert Houngbo told AFP before meeting with Gianni Infantino that Q

Japan will invoke the spirit of the Samurai warrior in their clash with Croatia on Monday as they look to banish the memory of their exit from the last World Cup and reach the quarter-finals for the first time.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has entered the knockout phase, and one of the top honours players will be competing for is the Golden Boot, awarded to the player with the most goals in the tournament.