After what has felt like an eternity, England finally get their World Cup 2018 campaign underway on Monday as Gareth Southgate’s side look to make a winning start in Group G against Tunisia.
The match is the last of three games today, with Group F also the main focal point on what should prove an entertaining day in Russia. After Mexico stunned reigning world champions Germany yesterday, Sweden and South Korea open their accounts in the hope of joining the South Americans at the top of the group.
The day begins with the other match in England’s group as hotly-tipped Belgium take on lowly-fancied Panama, but as results have shown already the form guide is nothing to go on when it comes to the World Cup. Once those games are done and dusted, the Three Lions take centre stage as they face African qualifiers Tunisia in Volgograd from 19:00 BST.
Follow all the live news below...
Live Updates
17:17
So, what have we learnt from another day of World Cup 2018 drama before England take centre stage tonight?
Well, Sweden narrowly beat South Korea to join Mexico as the joint leaders of Group G.
Panama are currently 1-0 down in their first ever World Cup finals game, Belgium taking the led courtesy of a Dries Mertens wonder strike.
Fifa have charged the Mexico fans after anti-gay slurs were heard during their 1-0 victory over Germany, yesterday.
And finally, as we just broke the news to you midway through the first half here, Croatia have expelled 30-year-old Nikola Kalinic from their squad after refusing to come on during their first game against Nigeria.
Now, it's time to relax, have a drink and enjoy the England game this evening.
Keep updated with all the action from the match here:
17:05
WARNING: 2 HOURS UNTIL ENGLAND'S WORLD CUP CAMPAIGN BEGINS.
16:59
It's not been the Manchester United's greatest half but he's not alone in those Belgian shirts to have disappointed.
Roberto Martinez will have to fire up his the golden generation of Red Devils for the second half.
16:53
↵
HALF TIME: Belgium 0-0 Panama
Common theme with a lot of World Cup matches so far involving the favourites where they started brightly but quite quickly lost the edge and couldn't keep up the early spark.
Panama will be proud of their first 45 minutes in a World Cup final.
Plenty of interest to come in this 2nd half.
Keep up to date with all the live action:
16:38
It's official.
Nikola Kalinic has been excluded from the Croatia World Cup squad.
16:36
Panama with some robust challenges so far but they've weathered the storm and after 35 minutes, it's still 0-0.
Belgium need to do more.
16:30
Neymar didn't quite reach the heights he wished for last night in Brazil's 1-1 draw with Switzerland.
And it appears some weren't impressed with his hair style either.
Bit hard.
16:16
Group F looks very interesting after the first round of games with Germany punished for their surprise defeat to Mexico.
Is this how the group is going to end?
16:11
It's not just the footballers sending their good luck to the lads in Russia.
F1 star Lewis Hamilton will surely be hoping for some fast-paced action.
15:51
10 minutes until kick off between Belgium and Panama.
Keep up to date with all the action here:
15:41
In other news, Fifa is investigating chants made by Mexico fans during their shock 1-0 victory over Germany, yesterday.
The Mexican fans were lauded for the incredible noise they made in Moscow against the holders.
More on this story:
15:12
And Panama's reasons to be fearful aren't limited by the bounds of ability this Belgian side has.
No, the Red Devils are also not ones to shirk a tackle or two.
Exhibit A - Just take a look at Kevin De Bruyne on Adnan Januzaj during training.
Red card, all day.
15:05
No Kompany for Belgium but an otherwise frightening prospect in store for those Panama players.
Kick off in just under an hour's time.
14:50
Panama might be minnows on the pitch but off it...
14:45
Fed up of jokes and comments about Iceland's comparatively small size and population?
Well, quite frankly, in the spirit of Slaven Bilic, I don't really care.
So here's another one courtesy of their goalscorer in the impressive draw with Argentina.
14:36
It's less than two hours until Panama make their World Cup debut.
They're in for a tough start, taking on one of the tournament favourites in the shape of Belgium but the man who's goal sent them to Russia is proud and ready to lead his team out.
"...Historic day for my country and the moment we all dream became reality."
14:15
Could do with this on the tube!
14:05
More on the story we reported earlier about the shock dismissal of 30-year-old forward Nikola Kalinic from the Croatian national side after his refusal to play against Nigeria.
The striker has most recently been on loan at AC Milan but he's most recognisable in this country having played for Blackburn Rovers between 2009-11.
14:01
5 hours until England kick off their World Cup 2018 campaign with a match against Tunisia.
Are you as excited as these guys?
13:48
Half Time: Sweden 0-0 South Korea
It's all square at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.
Sweden have created the better chances but the profligacy of Marcus Berg means they find themselves going in level at the break.
South Korea haven't posed much danger up to now but with Son Heung-min they'll know they have a persistent threat on the pitch.
Continue to keep up to date with all the live match action at:
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