Japan’s sensational smash-and-grab raids at the World Cup have already seen off Germany and Spain, but in the last 16 on Tuesday they come up against a Croatia side who might just be a little too streetwise for a mugging.

Croatia’s squad features only a few of the players which led them to the World Cup final in 2018, runners-up to France, but Luka Modric is defying time to be one of those few constants.

World Cup favourites Brazil confirmed Neymar to return for their last-16 match against South Korea on Monday, a news that came as a relief to the five-time World Champions who have a host of injury concerns in their squad.

In one of the most poignant off-field moments at the Qatar World Cup, Wojciech Szczesny was seen comforting his distraught child.

Harry Kane hailed England's serene progress to the World Cup quarter-finals after scoring his first goal of the tournament in a 3-0 win over Senegal in the last 16.

Kylian Mbappe said Sunday he dreamed of winning the World Cup for a second time after his brace helped France to a 3-1 win over Poland which advanced the holders to the quarter-finals in Qatar.

Free-scoring England extended their unbeaten record against African teams with a 3-0 victory over Senegal on Sunday which included a first goal at this World Cup from captain Harry Kane as they set up a quarter-final clash with holders France.

Olivier Giroud’s record goal and Kylian Mbappe’s moments of sheer brilliance sent defending champions France into the quarter-finals of the World Cup with a 3-1 victory against Poland on Sunday.

Australia’s teenage sensation Garang Kuol became the youngest player since Brazilian great Pele to feature in the World Cup’s knockout stages. And, very nearly, he became the youngest to score since him in 1958.

Brazilian football legend Pele said on Saturday that he feels “strong, with a lot of hope” despite medical problems that have kept the 82-year-old sports icon in the hospital with a respiratory infection.

Some hours before Lionel Messi once again rocked Bangladesh and the world on Saturday night, news started trickling in that Edson Arantes do Nascimento, much better known as Pele, had entered palliative care after his body had stopped responding to chemotherapy treatment for cancer. 

Argentina captain Lionel Messi and coach Lionel Scaloni predicted a tough but beautiful encounter with the Netherlands when the sides meet in Friday’s World Cup quarter-final.

England overcame a pedestrian start to surge to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Senegal on Sunday as goals by Jordan Henderson,

Argentina fans around the globe were expressing gratitude after Lionel Messi's last dance in the FIFA World Cup was extended by at least one more week following a 2-1 win over Australia in the Round of 16 on Saturday.

France beat Poland 3-1 in a record-smashing World Cup last-16 clash on Sunday that saw Olivier Giroud become France's outright all-time top scorer and Kylian Mbappe score a magnificent double.

Olivier Giroud scored against Poland in their World Cup last-16 clash on Sunday to become France's all-time top scorer with 52 goals.

Neymar will play for Brazil in their World Cup last-16 match against South Korea, coach Tite said on Sunday.

France will start their World Cup last-16 clash as overwhelming favourites on Sunday but opponents Poland are well equipped to derail Les Bleus' title defence at the Al Thumama stadium.

While his accolades and achievements make him look far away from us, Kylian Mbappé’s words of wisdom resonate with everyone. The following quotes transcend the football field and are words we all need to hear. Values of sportsmanship, teamwork, individuality, and motivation are different for everyone. Yet, the essence of these values and how it pushes us to keep striving for what is best and right is the same for everyone.

France’s Hugo Lloris began his international career a few months after Lilian Thuram hung up his boots, and on Sunday the keeper will match the great defender’s record of 142 caps when the defending champions take on Poland in the last 16 at the World Cup.