Defending champions Germany exited the 2018 World Cup after they lost two of their three matches and it came as a shock to the whole world to see a team of Germany’s calibre not making it past the Group stages.

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic has identified Raheem Sterling as England's danger man in the World Cup semifinal.

After more goals came from set-pieces in this World Cup's group stage than any other, dead-ball strategy has continued to have a huge impact in the knockout phase, with five of the 11 goals scored in the quarter-finals coming from free kicks or corners

Croatia captain Luka Modric said his side showed character on Saturday to get through "another drama" after edging to a second straight shootout win to knock out Russia and set up a World Cup semi-final with England.

Roberto Martinez has emphatically silenced those who doubted whether he was the right man to lead Belgium's "golden generation" in their bid for World Cup glory following his struggles with Premier League club Everton.

Heartbreak for hosts, but Russians were heroes. Ranked 70th in the world and playing in this World Cup by virtue of being the host nation, Russia were taken on neither seriously nor respectfully by rivals and pundits. But what a gallant run the elderly Russian players had in this tournament.

Spain's interim coach Fernando Hierro has cut his ties with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) following the team's disastrous exit from the World Cup last week, the organisation said on Sunday.

Croatian media on Sunday praised their team after the dramatic win on penalties against World Cup hosts Russia that set up a semifinal against England.

Croatia defender Domagoj Vida escaped a FIFA ban on Sunday after posting a clip dedicating his country's victory over Russia in the World Cup quarterfinal to Ukraine.

England erupted with wild celebrations after their victory over Sweden in the team's first quarterfinal victory for nearly 30 years.

England have their best chance in decades to lift the World Cup, having fallen short in the semifinals in 1990, and the nation's media are getting into a frenzy.

The impassioned shouts of "Ros-si-ya" died away on the streets and tears filled the stadium as Russia bowed out of their home World Cup in the cruellest fashion: on penalties.

France will go into their World Cup semi-final against neighbours Belgium with a "hunger to win" and a desire to show their 1998 World Cup winner Thierry Henry that he picked the wrong side, forward Olivier Giroud said on Sunday.

More than 24,000 fans greeted the national team at the FIFA Fan Fest on Vorobyovy Gory with thunderous applause and loud chants 'Russia' and 'Spasibo' to mark the Sbornaya's remarkable accomplishments at the home World Cup, where the team reached the quarterfinals for the first time in their history.

Ivan Rakitic is hoping this Croatia team can go a step further after matching the country's heroes of 1998 by making it to the semi-finals of the World Cup.

Former France coach and World Cup winner Laurent Blanc says that Kylian Mbappe is a phenomenon who scares opponents.

Brazil great Rivaldo urges the Brazil national team to raise head and think about next World Cup in 2022 after their elimination against Belgium in the quarterfinals with a post on his verified instagram account.

The irony of Thierry Henry, one of France’s all-time soccer greats, plotting his own country's downfall at the World Cup in Russia.

Belgium star forward Romelu Lukaku recounts the story of his family's struggles.

Russian President Vladimir Putin invites Russian national team players and their head coach to discuss the results of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.