It’s day 27 at the 2018 World Cup and it's the first of the semi-finals day, as France take on Belgium.
The two neighbours meet in the first semi-final on Tuesday in a game that has a very large Premier League presence. We’ll be looking ahead to that showdown in St Petersburg, with the game to kick-off at 7pm BST.
Just one match separates England from a first World Cup final since 1966, and with the nation starting to believe their own claims that ‘Football’s Coming Home’, a victory over Croatia on Wednesday could be the penultimate step in making that happen. We’ll have the latest from Gareth Southgate and his players later on today.
Follow all the latest news from Russia below...
Live Updates
11:06
↵
Safe to say this has gone down very well...
11:03
It's not just the players, coaching staff, and fans who are important to the game, though.
There's one other body who's pretty integral and that's the referee...
So, who's doing the officiating? Who's his assistants? What's his history like?
Learn more here:
10:52
↵
Well, we've had a good look at both sides tonight and we'll continue to bring you more updates as and when we get them throughout the day but let's turn our attention to the Three Lions who play their WORLD CUP SEMI FINAL tomorrow night against Croatia.
How about we start by looking at the man who made victory against Sweden in the quarter final safe?
Yes, Dele Alli, who's header gave England breathing space during the quarter final has been speaking to Jonathan Liew:
10:41
Will these two be key to Belgium tonight?
10:10
We've done quite a lot of build up on France but are yet to touch on England's Group G opponents, Belgium (feels like a while ago, doesn't it?)
Well, Belgium have had an interesting ride to get this far. They topped the group courtesy of a 1-0 win over England via Adnan Januzaj' left boot.
They then left it late against Japan, prevailing 3-2 despite being 2-0 down on the hourmark.
The Red Devils then navigated their way through a tough game with Brazil, especially in a second half played fully on the back foot.
But some surprising heroes have emerged, particularly from the Japan game.
Jack Watson has more for you here:
09:56
What's going on with these semi-finalists and their relaxed response?
If I was in their position I'd be a nervous wreck.
Meanwhile, England players have arrived at their training base in Zelenogorsk and are playing with a toy chicken.
09:52
I spoke of the France squads relaxed mood. Well, perhaps they're a bit too relaxed.
At least they were, anyway.
Yesterday, we revealed that in the aftermath of their last 16 victory over Argentina, Les Bleus celebrated...and they celebrated hard.
09:40
They've been teammates before but tonight, France's Didier Deschamps will see Thierry Henry on the opposing bench, a member of Belgium's coaching staff.
Ahead of the game, Deschamps has not been mincing his words...
When you go to a club abroad and play against one from your own country, you are part of the enemy
The stakes are high.
Source: Getty Images
09:30
The French team seemed happy enough in training yesterday...
Relaxing mood ahead of tonight's big game.
09:19
Here's how the official France twitter account is getting fans excited for tonight's game:
Turn up the sound! Tonight we play for our place in the World Cup Final. Who is ready to vibrate with us before France v Belgium at 20:00?
09:14
Dare I ask...predictions?
09:05
Meanwhile, the coaching styles and principles of the France and Belgium managers couldn't differ more radically.
So it won't just be the intrigue around the players that makes tonight's semi-final exciting.
Miguel Delaney analyses both coaches here:
08:51
There is a lot of overlap between the France and Belgium stars, and no much more so than with Eden Hazard.
The Chelsea star will captain Belgium tonight against the country he grew up in and also supported...
08:41
Paul Pogba has flown under the radar so far this World Cup but against Belgium tonight, is he finally ready to step up?
Jonathan Liew previews the Manchester United star's potential impact...
08:27
Good morning and welcome to today's Independent World Cup blog.
The excitement is building - just one day to go until the biggest game in England's history since 1990!
But there is still the small matter of France vs Belgium to come before that. Stick with us throughout the day as we build-up to that game tonight and bring you all the latest updates as England have their final training session before travelling to Moscow today.
Without futher ado, let's get to it.
Please allow a moment for the blog to load...
