World Cup 2018 LIVE: England prepare for Colombia, Diego Maradona latest, news, predictions, fixtures, schedule
All the latest World Cup news from day 15 in Russia
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The 2018 World Cup is in full flow in Russia.
Today is the first day of the tournament with no fixtures scheduled: but that doesn't mean the news stops.
England are currently preparing for their huge last 16 clash with Colombia after losing 1-0 to Belgium last night. We will bring you all the reaction from Gareth Southgate and the rest of the camp.
And we will also bring you the very latest from every other nation as we finally enter the business end of the tournament. It's beginning to get (even more) exciting!
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Good morning and welcome to our rolling coverage of the very latest news from the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Gary Cahill believes England's defeat against Belgium will act as a reminder of the challenges ahead at the World Cup.
England progressed to the knockout stages as runners-up in Group G following the 1-0 loss in Kaliningrad, where manager Gareth Southgate had made eight changes to his starting XI.
Chelsea defender Cahill accepts England have been given plenty to think about, but insists they can still take momentum from previous pool victories against Tunisia and Panama into their last-16 showdown with Colombia in Moscow on Tuesday night.
"The Belgium game was a reminder to us of the standard of teams we are coming up against from now on," Cahill told the London Evening Standard.
"No disrespect to Panama, but that was a different test. The way they (Belgium) moved positions and kept the ball - it was a good benchmark for what is to come.
"We made eight changes - nine if you include the substitution at half-time. Things were always going to be a little bit disjointed.
"The first half was good, the second was a bit stretched, but nevertheless we just move on to the knock-out phase. Now this is the business end."
Cahill sees no reason the loss against Belgium, in which England captain Harry Kane was left on the bench, should put the Three Lions off course.
"It doesn't derail us," he said. "It won't affect our momentum. It was disappointing to lose the game, but we have lost nothing.
"This is an opportunity to go through to the next round. We are going into it with a lot of positivity. We have earned the right to play in this game."
Cahill added: "Colombia are a very good side, but it's all ifs and buts isn't it? It's going to be difficult, but they will all be.
"It's like any competition: The longer you stay in it, the less likely you're going to dodge any big teams.
"This is the business end. The next match is the important one. We look no further than that."
Former Germany captain Michael Ballack has questioned the decision to hand head coach Joachim Low a new contract on the eve of World Cup.
Defeat to South Korea on Wednesday saw the reigning champions suffer a shock early exit from the finals, finishing bottom of Group F after three below-par performances.
It is only the second time that Germany have been knocked out in the first round - the last coming in 1938 before the introduction of the group stage.
Ballack, who collected 98 caps during his glittering career, admits he was surprised to see Germany play so badly in Russia.
"The result from Wednesday in Kazan was a total shock for me," he said.
"Continued success can lead to mistakes. It can be difficult for critics to be heard when things are going so well.
"But then, once you start to fail, the critical voices start to be noticed and everyone is shouting about it. In German football, there is an apocalyptical mood right now.
"There is no explanation as to how a team with this quality can end at the bottom of this group. How can this group of players struggle with all these basics of football?"
And for the latest on Germany's shock exit, read this feature piece from our man in Berlin, Paddy Higgs:
Spain looking uncertain ahead of Sunday's game against World Cup hosts.
The Spanish national side have looked uncharacteristically shaky in the competition so far. Will they be able to recover in time for Sunday's game?
For more on Spain read Chief Football Writer Miguel Delany's piece:
Man Utd legend Peter Schmeichel critical of Rashford follow Belgium game.
Former Manchester United keeper Peter Schmeichel has criticised Marcus Rashford following his missed opportunity in yesterday's game. The 20-year-old missed an open goal chance that would've helped towards keeping England unbeaten in the group stage of the competition.
When speaking to RT Schmeichel said: “Rashford should have scored and it’s the one criticism people have of him – me included,”
“He gets into so many good positions, but he is not clinical yet."
“Once he puts a few away, he will be a good goalscorer, but at the moment he is struggling to find the dynamic.”
The Danish footballer, now 54, claimed that Southgate gave his back-up striker the perfect opportunity to impress.
Barca team-mate defends Messi's World Cup performance.
Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti has come out in support of team-mate Lionel Messi ahead of their match on Saturday. Umtiti is set to play against the Argentine star when their teams meet in the round of 16.
"[Messi] is different, he can't play the same way with Argentina and Barcelona," Umtiti said, as per AS.
"He doesn't have the same players, even though in Argentina they have very good players."
"It's completely different with Barcelona, it's a different playing style."
Delph returns home for the birth of his child.
The 28-year-old midfielder has reportedly flown back to England to be with his wife Natalie for the birth of their third child.
The Manchester City player started for the national side during yesterday's 1-0 loss to Belgium.
The Football Association confirmed that Delph went straight from Kaliningrad to the airport.
Messi looks sharp in training ahead of France game.
According to the Daily Mail Lionel Messi is looking sharp during Argentina's training sessions. The 31-year-old has had a rough tournament so far and will be looking to shake his recent slump ahead of Argentina's round of 16 clash with France tomorrow.
France will no doubt be the toughest opponent that Argentina has faced in the competition. Messi will be looking to lead his team to victory and his recent performance during a training session seems to have inspired some hope.
Martinez foresees tough game against Japan.
Belgium expect a "competitive game" against Japan in the round of 16 at this summer's FIFA World Cup in Russia, head coach Roberto Martinez said on Thursday.
Belgium will face Japan in the knockout stage in Rostov-on-Don on Monday. In November, Martinez's team beat the Japanese 1-0 in a friendly match.
The Belgian side have looked very strong in the World Cup and are among the favourites to win the competition. Martinez will want to keep his side's momentum going into their game with Japan. They can't afford to get complacent in the knockout stage of the tournament.
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