GARETH SOUTHGATE has admitted that he wants his England side to attack France when they face in the quarter-final stage of the World Cup.
England's victory over Senegal set up the clash against the World Champions, who beat Poland to secure their place in the last eight.
“We’ve made quite a bit of history over the last four-and-a-half years. Not all of it good! But that’s the great challenge," Southgate said.
"What we talked about before Senegal was keeping up the relentless pressure, not sitting back if we are ahead, making sure we keep the intensity of our game.
“So we’ve got to do that now against the world champions."
Elsewhere, South Korea boss Paulo Bento has quit his role after their defeat to Brazil on Monday.
Bento said that the decision was taken back in September and he was always set to leave after the tournament.
And there is more live action today, with some HUGE games to come.
- Morocco vs Spain
- Portugal vs Switzerland
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Stay tuned with all the latest ahead from tournament…
- Kiro Evans
We are with you
Neymar paid tribute to Pele as Brazil served up a football feast worthy of the stricken King, writes SunSport's Tom Barclay.
Samba hero Neymar, Vinicius Jr, Richarlison and Lucas Paqueta all scored to book a quarter-final clash with Croatia on Friday.
Pele, 82, posted a message of support from his hospital bed before the game, and the team responded by holding up a banner honouring the great man at full-time.
Neymar, now just one behind Pele’s haul of 77 Brazil goals, said: “I wish Pele the best. He will become healthier very soon, I am sure.”
Brazil’s official Twitter account posted: “We are with you, King! We always go on together.”
Pele is suffering with complications from bowel cancer amid reports he has been put on end-of-life care.
- Kiro Evans
Yay Jude
Glenn Hoddle hailed "throwback" star Jude Bellingham for driving England to the World Cup quarter-finals.
And the 53-cap former midfielder reckons Bellingham, 19, has the mental strength to take on the world.
Hoddle said: "He's a throwback, a box to box. When everyone played 4-4-2 with two central midfielder, you had to do a bit of everything – and that's Bellingham.
"He's got composure on the ball, can tackle, win it back, has enough pace to get forward into the box and create opportunities. He's got it all."
- Kiro Evans
Beck Again
David Beckham dropped by to England's Qatar training camp to try and inspire the camp, it has been revealed.
The former England captain met the current squad during the group stages and spoke to Kane after being invited down by Gareth Southgate.
The Tottenham striker said: "I didn’t just ask questions about games or how he felt, it was more just getting to know his experiences, how he feels about our team, what he sees in our team.
“We had a chat about loads of things. He’s really excited for the national side. He loves watching us play.
“It’s great to have support from ex-players. They know how much it means to represent your country. They’re all part of the team.”
- Jack Figg
Good morning World Cup fans
Croatia and Brazil became the latest sides to book their place in the World Cup quarters.
The two giants will face each other on Friday for a spot in the semis after victory in yesterday’s matches.
Croatia were first through as they beat Japan on penalties.
The game ended 1-1 after extra-time, and it was goalie Dominik Livakovic who was their hero with THREE saves in the shootout.
As for Brazil, they dominated South Korea in a 4-1 victory.
The Samba Boys netted all their goals in the first half.
And South Korea boss Paulo Bento sensationally QUIT afterwards, saying: “I have just announced to the players and the president of the federation that this is a decision I took in September.
“It is set in stone and I have confirmed it. I have to thank everyone for everything they have done."
Thoughts now turn to today’s action, with the final last-16 games to be played.
Morocco face Spain the first game at 3pm, with both sides eager to build on their impressive group stage.
The final match is Portugal vs Switzerland, in what is sure to be a close encounter.
Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to start after reportedly agreeing to join Saudi Arabian-side Al-Nassr on £173million-a-YEAR wages.
But Portugal fans do not want to see him anywhere near the starting XI, with 70 per cent voting in a national poll to drop the veteran.
- Anthony Chapman
Southgate to show no mercy
Gareth Southgate will order his England lions to go for France’s throats in the World Cup quarter-final.
Southgate said: “We’ve made quite a bit of history over the last four-and-a-half years. Not all of it good! But that’s the great challenge.
"What we talked about before Senegal was keeping up the relentless pressure, not sitting back if we are ahead, making sure we keep the intensity of our game.
“So we’ve got to do that now against the world champions.
“When you look back through our previous tournaments, you see the teams that have knocked England out. So that’s the next test for this team.”
- Anthony Chapman
Portugal fans want Ronaldo gone
A whopping 70 per cent of Portugal fans want Cristiano Ronaldo to be DROPPED against Switzerland.
Major paper A Bola conducted a poll ahead of Tuesday’s last-16 clash.
And the majority of supporters want Ronaldo out of the XI.
One fan said: "What is the reason, why have you been a starter? He wasn’t a starter at the club, he’s not in shape, he says he wants to fight for titles, but every seven days he’s sick."
- Anthony Chapman
Breaking – Bento quits South Korea
Paulo Bento has stepped down as South Korea boss following tonight's World Cup exit.
The gaffer saw his side humbled 4-1 by Brazil in Monday's last-16 tie and has decided to leave his role immediately.
Bento said: “I have just announced to the players and the president of the federation that this is a decision I took in September.
“It is set in stone and I have confirmed it. I have to thank everyone for everything they have done."
- Anthony Chapman
Brazil stars in Pele tribute
Brazil dedicated their 4-1 win over South Korea to football legend Pele.
The Samba icon is in hospital as he battles cancer.
And Brazil’s stars held up a banner paying homage to Pele after booking their place in the World Cup quarters.
- Anthony Chapman
Shearer warns England about France
Alan Shearer believes there is more to France than just Kylian Mbappe.
He said: "France are a good side, irrespective of whether they've got five big hitters out injured.
"It's not just Mbappe by the way because the France games I've seen, Griezmann's played really, really well.
“Giroud's taken over the record [France's all-time top goalscorer] from Thierry Henry, he might not get as much love as he might deserve.”
- Anthony Chapman
Saka inspired by Bible readings
Bukayo Saka has revealed he reads the Bible every night to inspire his World Cup form.
He said: “I’ve been continuing to do that out here, read my Bible every night.
“For me it is really important to have the presence of God in me all the time.
“It gives me more confidence to know that God’s plan is perfect so I can go on the pitch and know that God has my back.”
- Anthony Chapman
Brazil are ‘England’s biggest threat’
Brazil represent the biggest obstacle to England triumphing in Qatar.
Rio Ferdinand explained: "The only team I think can go toe-to-toe with England is Brazil.
"They’ve got the personality and the characters to do that. They’ve got hardened European players.
"I see weaknesses all over the place in the other teams and I think England can physically dominate the other teams."
- Anthony Chapman
Brazil set up Croatia clash
Brazil will face Croatia in the World Cup quarters after smashing South Korea 4-1.
The Samba Boys scored all their goals in the first half as they ran the show this evening.
South Korea did manage to pull one back late on, but it was too late to make a difference.
READ SUNSPORT'S MATCH REPORT
- Anthony Chapman
ITV beat Beeb in ratings
ITV smashed the BBC in their World Cup TV ratings war as a staggering 20.4million people tuned in to watch England's last 16 demolition of Senegal.
The peak viewership was spread across ITV TV and their streaming platform.
And it was 1.7m viewers higher than the peak audience for England vs Wales, which was broadcasted by the BBC.
An average of 18.4m viewers watched the full match as goals by Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane and Bukayo Saka broke England's ITV curse.
- Anthony Chapman
England tipped to win Cup
Rio Ferdinand is backing England to finally deliver and win their first World Cup since 1966.
He said: "I watched France play [Poland] before the England game and I had them down as one of my favourites.
"Having watched that game, I hold zero amounts of fear for France. The only fear is Kylian Mbappe.
"England are the better team, 100 per cent. I think England are going to win the World Cup."
- Anthony Chapman
HT – Brazil 4 South Korea 0
It’s half-time and this game is already over.
Brazil have dominated from start to finish.
And they lead thanks to goals from Vinicius Jr, Neymar, Richarlison and Lucas Paqueta.
FOLLOW THE LIVE ACTION HERE
- Anthony Chapman
England plans going swimmingly well
England stars Declan Rice and Jack Grealish enjoyed some downtime by the pool after Sunday's 3-0 win over Senegal.
But the pair couldn't go too long without a ball at their feet.
The Three Lions duo showed off their skills with an impressive game of keepie-uppies over the pool.
Water-way to have a good time!
Jack Grealish and Declan Rice do keepie-uppies over England hotel POOL as they relax after Senegal World Cup win
- Anthony Chapman
France 'offside' goal plea dismssed
Fifa have dismissed France's protest regarding their disallowed equaliser against Tunisia at the World Cup.
Antoine Griezmann fired home in stoppage-time, saving France from suffering a shock defeat.
But the goal was subsequently ruled out for offside after the final whistle.
And France’s plea for it to be restored has been waved away by Fifa after an appeal.
FIND OUT WHY HERE
- Anthony Chapman
Pele backing Brazil from hospital
Pele is "rooting" for Brazil tonight as he battles an infection in hospital.
The legend tweeted: "In 1958, I walked the streets thinking about fulfilling the promise I made to my father.
"I know that today many have made similar promises and are also going in search of their first World Cup.
"I will watch the game from the hospital and I will be rooting for each one of you. Good luck!"
- Anthony Chapman
Ronaldo embroiled in new row
Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly called in his lawyers to demand a £17million payment from former club Juventus.
Ronaldo, 37, left the Italian side back in 2021 to rejoin Manchester United.
However, according to Gazzetta dello Sport an agreement – which did not appear in the club's balance sheet or on the stock market – was made between the two parties during the Covid-19 pandemic.
And the Portugal ace is now demanding what he is apparently owed after consulting his lawyers on the matter.
- Anthony Chapman
Teams – Brazil vs South Korea
Neymar is back for Brazil's last-16 tie against South Korea after recovering from his ankle injury.
Meanwhile, South Korea name a strong starting XI including Spurs star Son Heung-Min.
Brazil: Alisson, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Eder Militao, Danilo, Paqueta, Casemiro, Vinicius Jr, Raphinha, Neymar, Richarlison
South Korea: Seung-Gyu, Jin-Su, Kim Min-Jae, Woo-Young, Moon-Hwan, Young-Gwon, Hwang Inbeom, Jae-Sung, Hwang Hee-Chan, Cho Gue-Sung, Son
FOLLOW THE LIVE ACTION HERE
- Anthony Chapman
Croatia beat Japan on pens
Dominik Livakovic saved THREE penalties as Croatia beat Japan in the first shootout of the World Cup.
Japan, who toppled Spain and Germany in the group stage, struggled from the spot as they scored just one of their four chances.
And Croatia have now booked their place in the quarters, with a clash against either South Korea or Brazil to follow.
READ SUNSPORT'S MATCH REPORT
- Anthony Chapman
Exclusive by SunSport's Phil Thomas
Burnley gaffer Vincent Kompany is on the shortlist to replace Roberto Martinez as Belgium boss.
But hot favourite to replace the departing Spaniard is Herve Renard, the man who masterminded Saudi Arabia's shock World Cup win over Argentina.
Former Belgian keeper Michel Preud'homme, now vice president and sporting director of Standard Liege, is the other name in the frame.
Martinez stepped down as Belgian chief after their disappointing group stage exit in Qatar… and hilariously appeared to MOONWALK as he bid farewell to fans.
- Anthony Chapman
No text support for Gooners
Bukayo Saka and William Saliba are NOT messaging each other ahead of England's World Cup quarter-final against France.
The two Arsenal aces could go head-to-head for a place in the semis on Saturday.
Saka said of his club teammate: “No, I haven’t received any text from William Saliba.
"I’m not sure I will either. Let’s see.”
- Anthony Chapman
ET for Japan & Croatia
Japan vs Croatia has become the first game of the World Cup to head into extra time.
There was nothing to split between the two sides after 90 minutes.
And they are now engaged in at least 30 more minutes of football – with penalties possibly to come.
SUNSPORT'S LIVE MATCH BLOG HERE
- Anthony Chapman
Sterling sends England pals message
Bukayo Saka has revealed Raheem Sterling's final message to the England squad before jetting home.
Sterling, 27, had his family home broken into while in Qatar with the England team.
And it remains unclear if Sterling will return for Saturday’s quarter-final against France.
Saka said: "He wished us the best yesterday as he was going back and I’ve messaged him and hopefully he will get back to me later – I am just hoping he and his family are ok."
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