With just three days left until the World Cup in Russia comes to an end, we are well and truly at the business end of the tournament.
England are looking to get over the disappointment of their semi-final defeat against Croatia, with one last outing to come on Saturday as they take on Belgium in the third-place play-off in a repeat of the Group G encounter earlier in the tournament. Gareth Southgate is expected to make a number of changes for the St Petersburg encounter, some injury-enforced and some based on rotation, while Belgium will also make changes for the clash.
Then it’s all eyes on the World Cup final, as France look to win their second global crown and Croatia bid for a first ever triumph that would cap one of the most battling campaigns ever seen, having been taken to extra-time in all three of their knockout matches and two penalty shootouts.
We’ll have all the latest news and updates, so follow the live action below...
Live Updates
12:00
One of the biggest stories this week, with an outward glance every from the World Cup was the news of Cristiano Ronaldo's impending transfer to Juventus from Real Madrid.
His future has run every summer like a never-ending saga but this time, it might have reached its nadir, with him actually transferring to Italy.
However, who is going to fill the Ronaldo-shaped hole at Madrid or will Bale just emerge from the shadows?
Well Betway think they might have an idea who might be moving with Eden Hazard's odds reduced from 6/4 to 10/11.
The 27-year-old Belgian has often spoken of it as a dream move and he has another chance to impress in Saturday's third place playoff game against England.
Another transfer rumour that could rumble all summer long...
11:30
Okay, so, back to Saturday's game. Is anyone excited?
You know what, I am! It's an opportunity for (hopefully) an exciting football match (before Sunday's tension) and both sides will surely find room for one more competitive burst.
There's other matters to play for such as Golden boots and Golden gloves so the only question that remains then is... who's going to play?
Here's your latest for team news:
11:12
We've talked about the players mentality and Jonathan Liew's piece specifically discussed the fact that England's immaturity may lead to a lasting maturity in future tournaments.
But what of the coach?
Yes, Gareth Southgate, the waistcoat hero, has reconnected fans with the team and given them something to feel a part of.
But, how responsible is he for England's defeat and what, too, can he learn?
Michael Cox has more:
11:09
What's been your favourite moment of England's tournament?
Lawrence Ostlere talks us through the moment which should've been the biggest in 28 years unfortunately slip through the fingers and become but a mere memory.
But if you want to relive the joy Trippier's free-kick gave you, give this a read!
10:56
I don't know about you but I'm just not prepared for all this post-defeat positivity.
It's not in England's make-up and it's such a rarity that something feels missing from the 'Golden generation lets us down...AGAIN' feeling.
Here's Jack Pitt-Brooke's article with even more reasons to be hopeful.
10:42
And Jonathan Liew has written another piece in the fallout of the Croatia game but it's duly positive and looks into the maturity of the England squad and what we can expect from the future...
10:14
Anyway, looking ahead to the Belgium game, all 23 players in the squad are taking part in today's training session.
I'm sure motivation is difficult to find at this point but the Three Lions team has one more to give...
09:57
Spare a thought for one Croatian man though, a man who may well be regretting his actions 3 weeks ago.
Any guesses?
Well, it may not have resonated, but, after Croatia's first game of the tournament it was revealed that their striker, Nikola Kalinic, once of Blackburn Rovers, refused to come on in their 2-0 victory over Nigeria.
As a result, Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic took the decision to send home his sub striker.
I remember writing The Independent's live blog that day and thinking 'Wow, that's a bold call from the manager.'
Fast forward 3 weeks and I have a sneaky suspicion he might be regretting his decision not to play. Back injury or not, there's a World Cup medal he might be missing out on.
09:51
But away from England and the disappointment of a World Cup 3rd place playoff is the real issue (which we all want to forget but it's still going ahead.)
Yes, the World Cup Final.
England's suffering is Croatia's celebration and the small nation, (the smallest to reach the final since Uruguay in 1950) from eastern Europe will be taking part in it's first ever World Cup final where they'll face 1998 winners and 2006 runners up, France.
While the final is not of the conventional sense (No Germany/Brazil/Argentina/Italy), and, while it is coated in the disappointment of England missing out, it's still an intriguing clash.
And France's Paul Pogba, a key midfielder thus far in the tournament has been speaking about why Les Bleus will have learnt from their European Championship final defeat:
09:42
By the way, I'm not sure everyone saw this on Wednesday evening but you know England tried to score while Croatia were still celebrating?
Don't believe me?
09:28
There's no two ways about it, the World Cup interest which had piqued over the past couple of weeks has certainly died down in the few days since England's semi final defeat against Croatia.
Nevertheless, there's still two games of football to be played and England are in one of them: Saturday's 3pm kick off against Belgium in the much-maligned 3rd place play off.
This game, fundamentally, decided who is the best loser. Apparently, according to those who have played in it before, no one wants to play the game but it often provides an exciting goal-fest with the stakes much lower.
If England do win, it'll be their best performance since they won the World Cup back in 1966.
Not that everyone wants to see the game....
09:12
Good morning and welcome to The Independent's World Cup live blog, where we'll bring you all the latest news and updates from Russia as we build up to the third-place play-off between England and Belgium and the World Cup final between France and Croatia.
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