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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Molly Hudson

World Cup 2018 LIVE: England vs Sweden and Russia vs Croatia latest scores and news, plus reaction to Brazil vs Belgium

The second day of the World Cup quarter-finals take place on Saturday, where England will bid to reach the last four for the first time in 28 years as they take on familiar foes in Sweden in Samara.

The game kicks off a quarter-final double-header as later on hosts Russia face Croatia, with the winners due to play either England or Sweden next week for a place in the World Cup final. But that will have to wait as Gareth Southgate attempts to lead his side to yet another victory, having beaten Colombia in the last round in a thrilling penalty shootout.

We’ll also have plenty of reaction to Friday’s dramatic events after Brazil were knocked out by Belgium in their biggest ever victory, while France sent Uruguay packing with another display that flattered to deceive.

Follow all the live action below...


Live Updates

12:28
It's not everyday the most successful team ever in the World Cup go out at the quarter final stage. Therefore, it's fair to say Brazilian media were not the happiest bunch this morning. 
 
Jack Lang takes a look at their reaction to losing to Belgium.
12:19
If we can look away from England for one moment, this evening's game provides the hosts Russia with the chance to reach the World Cup semi-finals. If you're struggling to find enough motivation to care with the England game up first, a reminder that the winner of that one will face either Russia or Croatia in the semi's.
 
Croatia were many people's dark horses going into the tournament, and as their side of the draw continues to open up, and the likes of Brazil exit the World Cup could this finally be the year of the likes of Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Mario Mandzukic?
12:14
Less than three hours until kick off, how are we all holding up?
12:06
Sven-Goran Eriksson led England to two quarter finals. Gareth Southgate has led us to this one, but has somehow also garnered the hopes and respect of a nation. Maybe it's because he's English, or maybe it's because hopes were so low for this young England side entering the tournament.
 
Jack Pitt-Brooke examines the 'unlikely saviour' of English football.
 
11:48
Looking for something to listen to as you get into the England spirit before the big game? Forget Three Lions, stick The Independent's podcast on.
 
11:32
For the first time in history, none of Brazil,Germany or Argentina have reached the semi-finals of the World Cup. Add to that Portugal and Argentina with the individual stars of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi and Italy and the Netherlands failing to qualify it's been quite the World Cup of shocks.
 
Neither England or Sweden were expected to make the last four, let alone hosts Russia who play Croatia later on. Will today's games give us more upsets?
 
11:27
 Niclas Alexandersson chuckles as he summons a memory of the goal he struck past England goalkeeper David Seaman at the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan. “When we played in 2002 there was a TV commentary saying I wouldn’t make England’s fourth team, which was probably true,” he says, “but after that I scored!”
Turns out Sweden enjoy playing England. Don't expect a nice and easy World Cup quarter final - there's no such thing. 
11:23
England seems to get the creative juices flowing in all of us.. 
11:07
Gareth Southgate has gone from being the man synonymous with England World Cup heartbreak, and the personal struggle of being the player to miss in a penalty shootout, to a fashion icon with his waistcoats and the man many believe can bring football home.
 
But what about the man behind the image? Darren Anderton who played alongside Southgate in 1996 and 1998, has his say on the England gaffer. By Richard Edwards.
10:55
After an impressive showing against BrazilThibaut Courtois has again had his say on Jordan Pickford, after he said following the England vs Belgium clash that he could have saved Adnan Januzaj's effort...
 
After Jordan Pickford's penalty heroics I have a feeling he's not overly bothered.
 
10:42
Admittedly, so far, the World Cup has gone off without a hitch. Full stadiums, a great fan experience and most importantly some brilliant football. But what is the smokescreen of the football hiding? 
 
For some, the World Cup is the least of their worries. Jonathan Liew investigates:
 
10:34
It looks as though Kyle Edmund might miss England's bid for a place in the World Cup semi-finals...he has a good excuse though - his third round meeting with Novak Djokovic, possibly the biggest match of his career, begins at 5pm on centre court at Wimbledon
 
Mark Hilton, who shares the task of coaching Edmund with Fredrik Rosengren, admitted on Friday that watching the football might be emotionally draining.
In fairness he's not wrong. When has watching England ever been a calm affair?
 
10:23
It feels like a long time ago already, but yesterday also saw France knock out Uruguay to set up a semi-final with Belgium.
 
Uruguay were without the attacking force of the injured Edinson Cavani who could only watch from the bench as goals from Raphael Varane and Antoine Griezmann sent them home.
 
Here's Miguel Delaney's report of the action from the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.
10:11
David Beckham vs Zlatan Ibrahimovic, England vs Sweden. We've seen it all before right? Well a small matter of an Instagram bet has left more than just England's place in the World Cup on offer this afternoon.
 
If England win Zlatan has to come to an England game at Wembley, wear an England shirt and have fish and chips, but if Sweden win, Becks has got to take Zlatan to Ikea, and furnish his new LA mansion.
 
This has got a documentary written all over it...
10:05
A whole host of former players have taken to Twitter to wish England good luck against Sweden, here's a selection of them:
 
09:58
Whilst Neymar rolled, complained and irritated, it was a player with a pretty plain exterior that excelled last night: Kevin De Bruyne. The Manchester City star goes about his business without the social media furore or Ronaldo or Neymar, and yet did what they were unable to do and play a part in dragging his side to their greatest-ever victory.
 
A constant menace on the break, and in a deeper role - at times - than we see him in the Premier League the combination of De Bruyne, Hazard and Lukaku won Belgium the match.
 
Luke Brown assesses his impact for Roberto Martinez's side.
09:46
But first, before we get well and truly caught up in England and one of their biggest games in recent years, let's take a look back at last night's action.
 
In a clash of the titans, Brazil played Belgium, in an exciting, attacking match-up. The front three of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku for Belgium, outperformed Brazil's trio of Philippe Coutinho, Neymar and Gabriel Jesus and Belgium are through to the semi-finals after a 2-1 victory.
 
Here's Jonathan Liew's take on events from the Kazan Arena.
09:40
If you're having a lie in after a long working week, stay tuned as we'll bring you everything you need to know from Russia. The first game of the day (as if you didn't know), is England vs Sweden 3pm kick off, with Croatia vs hosts Russia following at 7pm. Gareth Southgate's men are ready, but are you?
 
09:37
Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where we'll bring you all the latest news and updates as England attempt to reach the semi-finals for the first time in 28 years.

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