It’s the penultimate day of the 2018 World Cup, where England will bow out of the tournament after an incredible run that saw them just fall short of tomorrow’s final.
Instead, Gareth Southgate’s side will take on Belgium in the third-place play-off, and while it’s the game that no one wants to feature in, the England manager has insisted his determination to win the St Petersburg encounter end go out with a bang. However, both England and Belgium are expected to rotate their sides after gruelling semi-final defeats.
We’ll also have all the build-up towards the World Cup final, which takes place on Sunday afternoon and features France and, for the first time, Croatia, after they beat England in mid-week. France start as heavy favourites for the Moscow clash, but Croatia have proven a match for anyone so far having been dragged through two penalty shootouts and extra-time.
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Live Updates
12:51
There's so many levels to this tweet but the support is certainly there in abundance for these Three Lions.
12:43
Back to today's clash.
The Red Devils are geared up. What will the Three Lions have in response?
12:40
Away from the World Cup Chelsea have finally ended the Antonio Conte saga, sacking the Italian and replacing him with another one in the shape of Maurizio Sarri.
The former Napoli manager has wasted no time in bringing familiar faces with him including Jorginho who had been heavily wanted by Manchester City.
More here on today's story:
12:37
Earlier this week we brought you news about how this World Cup had become the most streamed event in history.
Well, the numbers are growing and here's more about this Sunday's upcoming final.
12:10
So, we've got a clash of styles in this final.
Croatia, on the one hand, have challenged the big boys of European football with their own brand off attacking possession-based football, including nifty wingers adept at using both feet and cutting inside.
France, meanwhile, have an outrageous abundance of talent but one of the key things labelled at Didier Deschamps is the stifling of attacking.
His team is compact, organised and a winning machine but rarely described as exciting (until Mbappe gets the ball, that is).
We're almost seeing Mourinho-style complaints on the international stage. So, now they're in the final, do they have an obligation to entertain?
11:28
England will kick off in less than 4 hours and we'll bring you team news right here at the Independent as soon as we get it, but for now let's turn our attentions to the final where France, winners in 1998, are looking to beat Croatia, in the final for the first ever time.
This most special of occasions has a different feel to it compared to previous tournaments, especially because a small nation, perhaps a surprising one, has reached the final in the shape of Croatia.
They could upstage the favourites and provide one of the biggest shocks this tournament has ever seen.
Regardless, it's expected to be special and Miguel Delaney has been describing why this final offers something different:
11:08
Can the men's team follow in the footsteps of the Lionesses of 2015?
10:59
And yet, despite his despondency, he's made room for positives, room to be hopeful and excited about the future, even drawing similarities with Germany.
That could be a dangerous game, comparing the Three Lions' progress to a nation who has dominated the international stage for near a decade but it also shows the amount of belief Southgate has in this England side he is blooming.
If he is allowed to guide this side, and amasses even half the talent and performances Germany have brought to the footballing stage, I expect a knighthood in years to come!
10:42
So, as I said previously, this is a chance for England to finish in their best position since 1966, the year the Three Lions won the World Cup.
But for Gareth Southgate, the struggle goes on. While he is evidently proud of what his side has achieved he isn't hiding and has faced up to the disappointment that surrounded the semi-final defeat.
10:08
And one of many in the Belgian squad who ply their football in England, in the Premier League, is ready to square up to some of his club team mates.
Here's what Tottenham's Toby Alderweireld has been tweeting ahead of the game:
10:05
It's the penultimate day of the World Cup.
That's right. By the end of tomorrow, this wonderful tournament will be over and we'll have to sit patiently for 4 weeks before the Premier League begins anew.
But, do not despair ladies and gentlemen. Today we'll see two exciting sides: Belgium and England, vying for 3rd place for the first time in their history, both having previously lost this game in 1986 and 1990 respectively.
They may not want to play in this game necessarily but both sides have had good tournaments, particularly England and they deserve the support for this final battle.
09:51
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 ahead of England's third-place play-off against Belgium.
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