England manager Gareth Southgate backs his star man Harry Kane and says that Kane did everything he could in the game after the 24-yrear old failed to make an impact in the Three Lions’ 2-1 semi-final lost against Croatia.

Croatia superstar Luka Modric hits back at the English media for referring to the Croatian team as ‘walking dead’ after beating England 2-1 in the semi-final of the World Cup to reach in the final for the first time.

Ecstatic Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic is confident tiredness will not be an issue for his side when they face France in the World Cup final despite once again coming through extra time to beat England on Wednesday.

England coach Gareth Southgate says his team need to "suffer" their loss to Croatia in the World Cup semi-finals and understand the opportunity they passed up before pondering the positives from their remarkable campaign.

Croatia set up a dream final with France as they came from a goal down to beat England 2-1 in a nail-biting semifinal at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow yesterday.

Croatia reached the World Cup final for the first time after an extra-time goal from Mario Mandzukic gave them a 2-1 win over England in their semi-final on Wednesday.

Belgium's defeat by France in their World Cup semifinal produced mixed feelings of sadness, gratitude and pride from fans at home on Tuesday, who bemoaned a missed opportunity for their "golden generation".

Belgium coach Roberto Martinez said luck was against his side as they fell short against France in the World Cup semifinal on Tuesday, losing 1-0 in Saint Petersburg as the 'golden generation' saw another chance slip away.

Millions of jaded but jubilant French were recovering on Wednesday after a night of celebration following the team's 1-0 World Cup semifinal win against Belgium, a victory that has generated a rare but contagious mood of optimism.

Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said his team's defeat by France in the World Cup semifinals on Tuesday was a "shame for football", criticising Didier Deschamps's side for a defensive style of play.

The Belgian prime minister told French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday that France had been very fortunate to beat Belgium and reach the World Cup final in Russia.

For all the intricate planning, cagey tactics and chess-like choreography, the simplicity of football was again emphasised as France secured a place in the World Cup final from a basic set- piece.

France have a much-vaunted attack but it is their defence marshalled by Samuel Umtiti and Raphael Varane that is impressing at the World Cup -- at both ends of the pitch.

Paul Pogba dedicated France's World Cup semifinal win against Belgium to the 12 boys who survived a harrowing ordeal trapped underground in Thailand.

France's march into the World Cup final dominated the nation's headlines on Wednesday, with many already predicting a second title for "Les Bleus" in Moscow on Sunday no matter who they face.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Juventus switch has led to Fiat workers going on strike for two days to protest the 105-million-euro deal.

Brussels commuters, heading to work the morning after Belgium's painful World Cup loss to France, had to endure the French soccer

Who runs the world? Footballers. And not even Beyonce and Jay-Z can compete.

Football came to the rescue of tense Nato leaders at a summit yesterday, providing them with a welcome diversion from the tensions roiling the transatlantic military alliance.

France won the match, but not the hearts. The first semifinal between the two best sides of the World Cup failed to live up to its Battle Royale billing. It was a good match but could have been great had France not played negative football. There was no reason for France to play defensively.