Roberto Martinez has given Brazil a huge indication as to how Belgium will approach their World Cup quarter-final on Friday, acknowledging a need for ‘power’ which could result in Marouane Fellaini starting.
Brazil defender Danilo has been ruled out for the rest of the World Cup due to an ankle injury.
Just eight teams remain at the World Cup, and few would have predicted that so many big names would be missing from the quarter-finals in Russia.
John Stones continues to dream of World Cup glory but knows Sweden present a formidable challenge for England in Saturday’s quarter-final in Samara.
Roberto Martinez lauded Belgium star Eden Hazard as a player who makes football ‘a beautiful sport’ and applauded his influence as captain.
Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku defended Brazil star Neymar from accusations of being an ‘actor’ on the pitch and backed him to become the best player in the world ahead of their meeting on Friday.
Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez refused to state whether Edinson Cavani will start Friday’s World Cup quarter-final against France.
Dejan Lovren is confident Croatia’s current team can exceed the achievements of the iconic team that featured in the 1998 World Cup.
As the star of the World Cup’s traditional joyful side, Neymar has jarringly cast himself as a villain.
World Cup winner Lothar Matthaus backed England to reach this year’s final, claiming Gareth Southgate’s side have a ‘high culture of playing football’.