World Cup 2022 news LIVE: Kyle Walker addresses media ahead of England’s quarter-final with France

The World Cup has reached the quarter-final stage but Cristiano Ronaldo’s name dominates the headlines despite Portugal thrashing Switzerland in the last 16.

Fernando Santos opted for Goncalo Ramos, who hit a hat-trick in the 6-1 win and the Selecao boss insists Ronaldo may now have to accept a different role in the team: “That is still something that has to be defined.”

England meanwhile look to recover and prepare for a massive quarter-final tie with France and Gareth Southgate has a number of decisions to make over how to combat the threat of the in-form Kylian Mbappe, who now leads the Golden Boot race.

Follow the build-up to England vs France and the latest from Qatar below:

World Cup latest news

• Ronaldo’s Portugal future in doubt after bench role for Switzerland win

• ‘Disaster!’: Spanish Newspapers react to Spain’s World Cup exit on penalties

• New generation, same old problems: How Spain’s World Cup fell apart

• England have planned for France clash for two years, says Steve Holland ahead of World Cup quarter-final

• Fifa president Gianni Infantino hails World Cup group stage as ‘best ever’

England press conference

13:50 , Michael Jones

One of the French journalists reminds Walker that Mbappe once told the media that the England right-back was one of the only players to make his ‘suffer’ during a match which he took as a compliment saying:

“That’s nice to hear because he had a tough game against me. I know he’s a top player but we’re not playing tennis. It’s not a solo sport, it’s a team game.

“Anything can happen in 90 minutes. They need to worry about us, not just us worrying about them.”

England press conference

13:47 , Michael Jones

Walker says that England are not only thinking about how to handle Kylian Mbappe but also how to deal with the other threats that France hold such as Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann.

“When we’ve played Paris St-Germain in the Champions League, we’re not just thinking of Mbappe and it’s the same on Saturday.” said Walker, “Yes he’s a tool in their armoury - and a very good one - but you can’t underestimate their other players.

“We know he’s a great player and that’s why he’s the focus of all questions. But let’s not forget Olivier Giroud who has scored lots of goals, Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann.

“For me all the questions shouldn’t be about him [Mbappe]. Yes I appreciate he’s a great footballer but there are others too.”

England press conference

13:42 , Michael Jones

More from Walker who addressed the importance of his potential battle with Mbappe. He said:

“Of course I understand the focus and I understand what I need to do to stop him. It’s easier said than done but I don’t underestimate myself.

“I’ve come up against some of the best players in the world but I have to treat it just as another game. You have to give him respect but not too much.

“Yes it will be a tough game but a team cannot just be about one person. I’m not going to roll out a carpet for him and tell him to score. It’s a World Cup, it’s do or die.

“I’m not going home so I’m not going to let him ruin that for my family.”

England press conference

13:40 , Michael Jones

Walker was asked about how he would adapt his game based on whether England line-up with a back four or a more conservative back three.

“It’s about reading the game, reading the opponent and reading the formation that the manager wants you to play in and adapting to that.” he said, “It’s a team game not a solo game so I do whatever the manager ask and whatever is going to benefit the team.”

England press conference

13:37 , Michael Jones

Kyle Walker’s press conference has just started and the opening question is how the England right-back plans to defend against France winger Kylian Mbappe.

Walker replied: “I’ve played against him a number of times now with Manchester City against PSG. He’s a fantastic player in great form so it’s not going to be an easy task but it’s one that as a professional footballer you want to play against the best and I think he is one of, if not the best, in the world at the minute.”

England vs France: The key battle that could decide World Cup quarter-final

13:33 , Michael Jones

Kyle Walker’s battle with Kylian Mbappe will be crucial as England look to bring down much-fancied France in their World Cup quarter-final on Saturday.

Matty Cash, Mbappe’s last-16 opponent with Poland, and former England full-back Gary Neville are among those tipping the pacy Manchester City full-back as the ideal man to shackle Mbappe.

That France will look to work Mbappe into space in dangerous positions is not exactly news, but his 28.7 times per 90 minutes receiving the ball between the midfield and defensive lines is far and away the highest of any player from either of these teams.

The key battle that could decide England vs France World Cup quarter-final

England press conference

13:28 , Michael Jones

Coming up shortly is a press conference from the England camp with defender Kyle Walker giving his thoughts about the upcoming quarter-final against France and how he plans to cope with Kylian Mbappe.

Some news already known is that Callum Wilson is continuing to recover from a minor knock and Declan Rice missed training today due to an illness.

Walker will be speaking to the press from 1.30pm onwards.

England vs France: Five memorable meetings between World Cup quarter-final foes

13:23 , Michael Jones

England are set to face France in a blockbuster World Cup quarter-final on Saturday, continuing a long footballing rivalry between the near neighbours.

Here we look at some memorable prior encounters:

Five memorable meetings between England and France ahead of World Cup quarter-final

Fifa president Gianni Infantino hails World Cup group stage as ‘best ever’

13:17 , Michael Jones

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has labelled the group stage at the World Cup in Qatar as the “best ever”.

The opening phase of the tournament featured some incredible shocks, with Saudi Arabia’s win over Argentina the first major upset.

Japan also beat Germany and Spain to finish top of their group, while Morocco saw off Belgium and drew with Croatia to finish top of their pool.

There was also drama in the final round of matches as qualification for the last 16 went right to the wire in some of the groups, and Infantino says there has never been a tournament to match it.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino hails World Cup group stage as ‘best ever’

Morocco take over a World Cup that should always have been theirs

13:10 , Michael Jones

Morocco at last have their World Cup. The country that has spent so long trying to host the competition have probably gone one better and made themselves the story of this one.

It was a quite beautiful thing at Education City, that bore witness to a nation-making moment. That was what was most of all symbolised by the victorious Moroccan players bowing in front of their exuberant supporters, a moment of communion.

“When you have a heart, energy and love, you win matches,” mastermind head coach Walid Regragui said.

And yet there is a complicated truth to the pure joy of Morocco’s moment.

Morocco take over a World Cup that should always have been theirs

World Cup’s glass ceiling cuts off chasing pack from promised land of quarter-finals

13:00 , Michael Jones

In Mexico, they call it “la maldicion del quinto Partido”. The curse of the fifth game. The curse being, in fact, that there isn’t a fifth game for El Tri, the side with the unwanted record of going out of the World Cup in the last 16 on the most consecutive occasions. This year, it was the curse of the fourth game: for the first time since 1990, Mexico were not found in the knockout stages.

But others can testify to the curse. Since they were quarter-finalists in 2002, the United States have gone out in the first knockout round three times. Japan can beat that, falling at the same hurdle in 2002, 2010, 2018 and 2022. South Korea were semi-finalists on home soil 20 years ago; abroad, however, they cannot reach the last eight. Switzerland, too, could progress further in front of their own crowds but, since hosting the tournament in 1954, they have five last-16 exits, including the last three in a row.

“We had great plans, we wanted to make history,” said Switzerland manager Murat Yakin. In one respect, his side did: they lost 6-1 to Portugal. Yet perhaps the outcome of half of the first eight knockout matches was inevitable: a quartet of sides go out when they always do.

World Cup’s glass ceiling cuts off chasing pack from promised land of quarter-finals

Eden Hazard announces Belgium retirement after group stage exit at World Cup

12:50 , Michael Jones

Eden Hazard has announced his international retirement for Belgium after a group stage exit at the Qatar World Cup.

The Real Madrid forward follows coach Roberto Martinez in walking away from the Red Devils.

A desperately disappointing campaign saw Belgium lose to Morocco and draw with Croatia in the final game to finish third in Group F.

And now the former Chelsea star has confirmed he will walk away from international football after 14-year career with 126 caps and 33 goals.

The 31-year-old said: “A page turns today, thank you for your live. Thank you for your unparalleled support.

Eden Hazard announces Belgium retirement after group stage exit at World Cup

Raheem Sterling: Two arrested after break-in at England winger’s home

12:45 , Michael Jones

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary following reports of a break-in at the home of England winger Raheem Sterling.

Surrey Police said the arrests were made last night and two men are currently in custody. Officers are investigating whether there is any connection between the arrest and the break-in at Mr Sterling’s Oxshott home.

In a statement, the force said: “Following reports of suspicious activity around 6.40pm, a number of resources were deployed, including the dog unit and the police helicopter. Our colleagues from British Transport Police also provided assistance.

“Enquiries remain ongoing to establish whether there are any links between these arrests and the break-in reported to us over the weekend.”

Raheem Sterling: Two arrested after break-in at England winger’s home

Xherdan Shaqiri apologises to Switzerland fans after World Cup thrashing by Portugal

12:40 , Michael Jones

Xherdan Shaqiri apologised to Switzerland fans after they were dumped out of the World Cup in humiliating fashion.

Goncalo Ramos scored a hat-trick, with Pepe, Raphael Guerreiro and Rafael Leao also on the scoresheet as Portugal put Switzerland to the sword to storm into a first World Cup quarter-final since 2006.

Fernando Santos benched Cristiano Ronaldo and was rewarded with a far slicker and more artful display from his team than anything they had shown in the group stages as Switzerland were outplayed in every part of the pitch.

“Today we have to apologise to all Switzerland fans in the name of the team. That was not our true face tonight,” Shaqiri said.

Xherdan Shaqiri apologises to Switzerland fans after World Cup thrashing by Portugal

The next World Cup will jump to 48 teams. Is bigger better?

12:20 , Michael Jones

The next World Cup will be the biggest ever after world soccer body FIFA took the leap from a 32-team field to 48 teams in 2026.

It means more of soccer’s so-called “little teams” that didn’t make it to Qatar will be given a chance of a lifetime when the tournament is hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

That could be great news for everyone who was entertained by Saudi Arabia’s stirring upset of Lionel Messi’s Argentina at this World Cup, Japan‘s two wins over former champions Germany and Spain or Morocco‘s humbling of star-studded Belgium and Spain on its way to an unexpected quarterfinal run. More surprises surely await in four years.

Still, it’s not clear to everyone that bigger is better.

The next World Cup will jump to 48 teams. Is bigger better?

Callum Wilson absent from England training due to minor muscle strain

12:10 , Michael Jones

Callum Wilson did not join England’s other non-starters at training on Monday due to a minor muscle strain.

The Newcastle striker has made two substitute appears in Qatar and was an unused substitute in Sunday’s 3-0 World Cup last-16 win against Senegal.

England’s starters worked inside the following day at their Al Wakrah Sports Complex base, where the rest of the group worked outside with Gareth Southgate and his coaches.

Wilson was the only absentee from the session for non-starters, with a slight niggle meaning the striker sat out as a precaution.

Callum Wilson absent from England training due to minor muscle strain

Enjoying the Qatar World Cup? Here is the reality hiding in plain sight

12:00 , Michael Jones

It is a description that was almost overlooked at the time, but that Qatar was highly attuned to, and warrants mention every day of this World Cup.

“Consultations and reports in Qatar reveal that racial and ethnic stereotypes operate in both the public and private spheres, according to which, for example, sub-Saharan African men are presumed to be unsanitary, sub-Saharan African women are presumed to be sexually available, and certain South Asian nationalities are presumed unintelligent. The Special Rapporteur received credible reports that, on the other hand, North Americans, Europeans and Australians are presumed superior, and whites in general are presumed to be inherently competent in various contexts, such as hiring and promotion decisions.”

This all comes from the report written by Professor Tendayi Achiume, the UN’s Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Racism, who is about as respected an authority as you can find on this area.

Enjoying the Qatar World Cup? Here is the reality hiding in plain sight

New generation, same old problems: How Spain’s World Cup fell apart

11:50 , Michael Jones

For Spain, this World Cup was supposed to be about optimism for the future, but it has only ended up recalling the pessimism of the past.

A new generation, and new idea, have only succumbed to old problems. So much of this elimination to Morocco recalled the 2018 defeat by Russia, from the fact it went to over 1,000 passes with barely a shot – let alone a goal – and that impotence continuing in a penalty shootout defeat.

Even worse, the defeatism of it recalled the fatalism of Spanish football history, as if the glory era of 2008-12 had never happened.

So much of this is interconnected, though, and why it should influence the future. It was Spain’s academy revolution that was the primary reason for that glory era, directly creating players like Xavi and Andres Iniesta. The conveyer belt has only continued, especially in their successors in Pedri and Gavi. A problem is nevertheless that the process has become so defined that Spain produces too many of this type of player at the expense of everything else.

New generation, same old problems: How Spain’s World Cup fell apart

England vs France: The key battle that could decide World Cup quarter-final

11:40 , Michael Jones

Kyle Walker’s battle with Kylian Mbappe will be crucial as England look to bring down much-fancied France in their World Cup quarter-final on Saturday.

Matty Cash, Mbappe’s last-16 opponent with Poland, and former England full-back Gary Neville are among those tipping the pacy Manchester City full-back as the ideal man to shackle Mbappe.

That France will look to work Mbappe into space in dangerous positions is not exactly news, but his 28.7 times per 90 minutes receiving the ball between the midfield and defensive lines is far and away the highest of any player from either of these teams.

Kingsley Coman, who deputised as France’s go-to wing forward in their dead rubber against Tunisia, is next at 21.7 with England’s Phil Foden at 21.2.

The key battle that could decide England vs France World Cup quarter-final

World Cup highlights from Day 17

11:30 , Michael Jones

Here are the photo highlights from Day 17 of the World Cup in Qatar which saw Morocco record a famous and historic victory over Spain and Portugal demolish Switzerland in the final last-16 fixture.

AP PHOTOS: World Cup highlights from Day 17

Moroccans celebrate historic World Cup win against Spain

11:20 , Michael Jones

Exuberant Moroccans poured into the streets of their capital and in cities across Europe on Tuesday, waving flags and honking horns to celebrate their national soccer team’s historic victory over Spain at the World Cup.

Morocco defeated Spain in a penalty shootout, making the Atlas Lions the only team from outside Europe or South America to make it to the quarterfinals Qatar — and the first Arab team in World Cup history to make it to the last eight.

“We are so proud of our Lions, who fought hard to get us into the quarterfinals,” said Niama Meddoun, a Rabat resident. “We are delighted to be Moroccans today, since we are the first Arab country that has reached the quarterfinals.”

Moroccans celebrate historic World Cup win against Spain

England stars meet Beckham

11:10 , Michael Jones

Yesterday former England captain David Beckham was invited to the Al Wakrah training camp to chat to England’s current crop of talent as well as receive a legacy shirt from manager Gareth Southgate.

Samuel Eto’o admits to ‘violent altercation’ with World Cup fan after video emerges

11:00 , Jack Rathborn

Former Cameroon and Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o has apologised after admitting he had a “violent altercation” with a football supporter at the World Cup in Qatar.

Video footage emerged of Eto’o, who is now the president of Cameroon’s Football Federation, appearing to attack a man after Brazil’s 4-1 victory over South Korea on Monday night. In the footage, Eto’o appears to knee the supporter in the face after he was approached when leaving the Stadium 974 in Doha.

In his statement, Eto’o said the fan was “probably an Algerian” and claimed Cameroon fans have been “harassed and pestered by Algerians” since the two African nations met in a controversial World Cup play-off in March.

Samuel Eto’o admits to ‘violent altercation’ with World Cup fan after video emerges

Cristiano Ronaldo role at World Cup ‘to be defined’, Portugal coach reveals

10:50 , Michael Jones

Cristiano Ronaldo’s role for the remainder of the World Cup is something that has to be “defined”, Portugal boss Fernando Santos said after dropping his captain for their emphatic last-16 win over Switzerland.

The 37-year-old was only named on the bench as Benfica forward Goncalo Ramos – who hit a hat-trick on his full debut to secure a comfortable 6-1 victory and set up a quarter-final clash with Morocco.

Ronaldo’s name was chanted around Lusail Stadium before he was introduced in the closing stages, having been left out of a starting line-up at a major tournament for the first time since Euro 2008.

Asked about Ronaldo, who left Manchester United under a cloud during the finals, Santos said: “That is still something that has to be defined.

Cristiano Ronaldo role at World Cup ‘to be defined’, Portugal coach reveals

All the passing, all the penalties, none of the precision: Spain haunted by familiar World Cup exit

10:40 , Michael Jones

“I couldn’t care less about the result,” Luis Enrique had said in the build-up to Spain’s latest bid to get past the World Cup’s first knockout round. He will care about this one, a magnificent Morocco instead earning the best in their history and a first-ever quarter-final place with it.

It came in a penalty shootout, just as it did against Russia four years ago at the same stage, Enrique’s homework assignment to “take 1,000 penalties” before this tournament a year ago evidently not undertaken.

Pablo Sarabia, Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets all erred from 12 yards this time before Achraf Hakimi impudently showed them how it was supposed to be done. They should’ve taken 1,001.

David Villa was the hero the last time Spain won a last-16 game at a World Cup. El Guaje, now 41, isn’t a kid anymore. How the team he once called his own needed him here.

Spain haunted by lack of finishing touch in familiar World Cup exit

Eden Hazard announces Belgium retirement after group stage exit at World Cup

10:30 , Jack Rathborn

Eden Hazard has announced his international retirement for Belgium after a group stage exit at the Qatar World Cup.

The Real Madrid forward follows coach Roberto Martinez in walking away from the Red Devils.

A desperately disappointing campaign saw Belgium lose to Morocco and draw with Croatia in the final game to finish third in Group F.

And now the former Chelsea star has confirmed he will walk away from international football after 14-year career with 126 caps and 33 goals.

Eden Hazard announces Belgium retirement after group stage exit at World Cup

Gareth Southgate believes ahead of true test of how far England have come

10:20 , Michael Jones

England’s last meeting with France came in Saint-Denis five years ago, in what was only Gareth Southgate’s eighth game in charge.

The world champions in waiting went down to 10 men that night - Raphael Varane seeing red at the start of the second half, when the score was still level at 2-2 - and a formative, character-building win briefly appeared on the cards. Yet even then, Didier Deschamps’ side deservedly came out on top through an Ousmane Dembélé winner.

It was an entertaining end-of-season friendly with little riding on the result but the defeat and failure to make the most of the man advantage demonstrated how far England had to go before they could be considered among the very best in the international game. “There is no magic wand,” their manager warned. And yet just a year later, had a few things gone differently, their next meeting might have come in a World Cup final.

Gareth Southgate believes ahead of true test of how far England have come

The data behind England’s race for World Cup glory

10:10 , Michael Jones

England’s World Cup 2022 players are running more than three kilometres more during games than their 1966 equivalents, and running more than twice as long at top speed, according to a study by STATSports that emphasises just how athletic the modern game has become.

The sports performance data company have been supplying the national team with technology including GPS training vests for over a decade, with Gareth Southgate leaning on them heavily for selection decisions.

STATSports undertook a study where their technology extensively analysed video footage of England’s 4-2 extra-time win over West Germany in the 1966 final.

It was found that Alan Ball had the highest total distance of any England player over the 120 minutes, with 8,550m covered. Phil Foden, one of his equivalents in the current team, by contrast covers an average of 10,620m per 90 minutes. The player who has the highest average total distance is Harry Kane, on 10,999m. Declan Rice however beat that by over a kilometre against Senegal, hitting 12,061m.

The data behind England’s race for World Cup glory

This is the side of the World Cup that Qatar would prefer you ignore

10:00 , Michael Jones

t is one of the regular moments of harsh reality that takes you out of the illusion that is this World Cup. As the taxi driver drops the group off, there is a sudden plea. It is not for a five-star rating.

“Can you give me a tip please?”, he asks. “I have no money to eat.”

The driver, of south Asian descent, sends almost everything he earns back to his family. This is supposed to be the long-awaited period when such workers can generate income due to the number of visitors to Qatar but here is another who is just starving.

Anyone who has been in Doha for the first week of this World Cup would have had many similar stories pass in front of their eyes. The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre said on Sunday that there had been six cases of migrant worker abuse reported in that time alone.

This is the side of the World Cup that Qatar would prefer you ignore, but that is unavoidable, given they are utterly essential to the running of this tournament.

This is the side of the World Cup that Qatar would prefer you ignore

Everything wrong with the Qatar World Cup

09:50 , Michael Jones

Out of the many facts and figures circulated about Qatar’s problems, there is one realisation that should stand above everything. It is a disgrace that, in 2022, a country can host a World Cup where it has lured millions of people from the poorest countries on earth - often under false pretences - and then forced them into what many call “modern slavery”.

And yet this has just been accepted. The World Cup carries on, an end product of a structure that is at once Orwellian and Kafkaesque. A huge underclass of people work in an autocratic surveillance state, amid an interconnected network of issues that make it almost impossible to escape. “It’s all so embedded,” says Michael Page of Human Rights Watch.

Many will point to similar problems in the west but this isn’t the failure of a system. It is the system, global inequality taken to an extreme. “The bottom line is that these human rights abuses are not normal for a World Cup host,” says Minky Worden, also of Human Rights Watch.

Everything wrong with the Qatar World Cup

‘I knew he would shine’: Jack Grealish hails ‘brilliant’ Jude Bellingham

09:40 , Michael Jones

Jack Grealish insists he knew England teammate Jude Bellingham would be a star of the World Cup.

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Bellingham has been crucial to Gareth Southgate’s plans in Qatar and his performance in Sunday’s 3-0 last-16 win over Senegal belied his age and experience.

The 19-year-old laid on the first goal for Jordan Henderson before driving forward to lead the counter-attack which saw Harry Kane double the advantage on the stroke of half time.

‘I knew he would shine’: Jack Grealish hails ‘brilliant’ Jude Bellingham

Jordan Pickford eager to celebrate more ‘massive’ clean sheets for England

09:30 , Jack Rathborn

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is intent on celebrating more clean sheets as he prepares for his 50th cap in Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final clash against France.

The Everton stopper will reach a half-century of England appearances when he stands between the posts to face Kylian Mbappe, the leading goalscorer in Qatar, and his team-mates.

Pickford has kept three clean sheets from four games at the finals so far, shipping two late goals in the 6-2 opening win over Iran.

He puts his record and impressive form for England down to a fine understanding with a regular backline, Harry Maguire having started 38 of Pickford’s 49 games, with Kyle Walker (34) and John Stones (32) not far behind.

Jordan Pickford eager to celebrate more ‘massive’ clean sheets for England

Luis Enrique refuses to discuss Spain future after World Cup exit

09:20 , Jack Rathborn

Luis Enrique has refused to confirm that he will stay on as Spain head coach after his team were dumped out of the World Cup by Morocco.

Pablo Sarabia, Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets all missed from 12 yards before Achraf Hakimi struck the winning spot-kick in a 3-0 penalty shootout victory.

The result means Spain’s wait for a knockout win at this tournament extends to 12 years, their last coming when they won the trophy back in 2010.

Luis Enrique has led his national team since 2018, though stepping down for four months in 2019 following the death of his daughter.

Luis Enrique refuses to discuss Spain future after World Cup exit

England have planned for France clash for two years, says Steve Holland ahead of World Cup quarter-final

09:10 , Jack Rathborn

England have been planning for Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final with France for two years, and have been giving consideration to tackling Kylian Mbappe by pinning him back with England’s own attacking strengths. Gareth Southgate had a 9am presentation on the world champions the morning after the late win over Senegal, with FA head of coaching Tim Dittmer detailing a number of key points like the thinking of Didier Deschamps and tactical choices depending on opponent.

The England staff have been working on that resolutely since, with assistant Steve Holland believing this is a genuine “50-50” game. Southgate’s second-in-command also described Jude Bellingham as “unique” and possessing every ingredient, with his introduction to midfield amplifying how other young attackers have gone up a level since Euro 2020.

England have planned for France clash for two years, says Steve Holland

Gabriel Jesus: Arsenal forward has surgery on right knee injury

09:00 , Jack Rathborn

Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus has undergone successful surgery on a knee injury, his club have confirmed.

Jesus was forced to withdraw from Brazil’s World Cup squad after picking up the injury in the 1-0 defeat to Cameroon on Friday.

Arsenal said the striker will now undergo a rehabilitation programme but the Premier League leaders did not put a timescale on his return.

Arsenal have a five-point lead over Manchester City in the Premier League table and will return to action on Boxing Day against West Ham.

Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus has surgery on right knee injury

Spain’s success inspired a generation of creativity without a clinical edge

08:50 , Jack Rathborn

There is a huge amount to be said for organisation and defensive solidity. It can keep teams up, keep them in a title hunt, level the playing field across 90 minutes when the general gulf in class between teams is enormous.

Positional play, resilience, aggression and minimising spaces between both lines and playing partners have always been hallmarks of what makes for good defensive work.

Somewhere along the way though, it began to change. Attack as the best form of defence became a mantra for some - most notably those who didn’t have the aforementioned traditional traits - and then, with Spain in particular leading the charge, possession as a means of preventing the opposition being able to attack became a prevalent sight.

Spain’s success inspired a generation of creativity without a clinical edge

This is some World Cup Cristiano Ronaldo is having and it’s not over yet

08:40 , Jack Rathborn

This is some World Cup that Cristiano Ronaldo is having. Forget for a moment the self-immolation of that Piers Morgan interview, which torched his legacy at Manchester United and appears to have ended his career at the elite level of European football too. Instead focus only what has taken place just since the start of this tournament. There’s still plenty to go at.

Since winning and converting a highly questionable penalty in Portugal‘s opening game, he has claimed to score a goal he did not touch, set up another for the opposition by cowering at a set-piece, flounced off the pitch in a barrage, and, as a result of that outburst, he has now been dropped from the starting line-up - a decision that heralded a statement 6-1 victory and arguably the best team performance seen in Qatar.

This is some World Cup Cristiano Ronaldo is having and it’s not over yet

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal future in doubt after bench role for Switzerland win

08:36 , Jack Rathborn

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal future is in doubt after being handed a bench role for the Selecao’s big win over Switzerland to reach the last eight.

Head coach Fernando Santos insists there are no issues with the 37-year-old, although he was especially vague when asked about his future role in the squad.

“That is still something that has to be defined,” he said. “I have a very close relationship with him, I’ve known him since he was 19 at Sporting. Ronaldo and I never misinterpret the human and personal aspect with that of manager and player. I will always consider that he is a very important player to have in the team.

“[The matter] is something that is finished and solved. It is also important to look at this player’s history, he is one of the best players in the world and therefore all we have to do is come in collectively.”