Three key battles between Belgium and Brazil.

Belgium have beaten Japan 3-2 in their World Cup last-16 tie in Rostov to set up a quarter-final against Brazil.

The vagaries of the group stage format at a Fifa World Cup were laid bare in the final round of fixtures as England’s reserves laboured to a 1-0 defeat against Belgium, safe in the knowledge that finishing second in Group G probably opens up a better route to the final.

Today: Ozil could be the fall guy again for Germans.

Harry Kane's hat-trick inspired England to their biggest ever World Cup win as Gareth Southgate's men sealed progress to the last 16 with a 6-1 demolition of Panama that puts their rivals on notice.

Belgium coach Roberto Martinez has apologised to journalists for making their lives harder by putting an end to the dramas and in-fighting that have characterised Belgian squads in the past.

Panama coach Hernan Dario Gomez isn’t in the business of sugarcoating the truth before his team makes history by playing in its first World Cup.

Spain international winger Gerard Deulofeu has signed for Watford from Barcelona in a deal worth an initial €13.

Comparing teams, who’d win a World Cup of hurling if every county was matched off to a country.

If there is one lesson to be taken from the football season almost gone, it’s that plans are not just for workshy scholars, writes Tommy Martin.

Everton have sacked Sam Allardyce less than six months after appointing him to get them out of trouble.

Everton Under-23s manager David Unsworth has been placed in temporary charge of the first team following Ronald Koeman's sacking.

Jose Mourinho expects Manchester United to flourish rather than flounder amid the Anfield animosity this lunchtime.

Blaise Matuidi's early goal proved enough for France to secure a crucial 1-0 victory away to Bulgaria which put them back at the top of World Cup European Qualifying Group A.

Romelu Lukaku will have to cope with Manchester United’s relentless fixture schedule as Jose Mourinho cannot afford to rest him until Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns.

Our man inside the game has never quite understood why some players make it and others don’t

Arsene Wenger will put his faith in modern-day recovery methods to prepare his Arsenal players for a busy week — even though he does not trust them.

Sergio Aguero moved within a goal of Manchester City's all-time record.

Antonio Conte has hit out at "ridiculous" reports he turned off his phone when Ross Barkley wanted to speak to him over a possible transfer to Chelsea.

Everton manager Ronald Koeman admits he is “very disappointed” by Wayne Rooney’s drink-driving charge and the striker will be disciplined “at the appropriate time”.

Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte reiterated his commitment to the Premier League champions after Sunday's 2-0 win over Everton.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte admits he was surprised to hear of Eden Hazard’s call-up to the Belgium squad.

With Everton’s first proper shot of the afternoon resting comfortably in the back of Claudio Bravo’s net after 34 minutes, it was hard not to think City were already well on their way to claiming a thoroughly unwanted league double on Merseyside this season, writes Simon Curtis.

Romelu Lukaku’s agent Mino Raiola claims a new contract is “99.9%” done but offered no guarantees the striker would stay at Everton long-term.

Sturridge still has vital role to play

Lukaku's importance to the Toffees was demonstrated against the Canaries.

European champions Portugal were brought crashing back to earth in their opening World Cup qualifier last night after suffering a deserved 2-0 defeat to Switzerland.

Finally, a shiny new Premier League season is almost upon us, and for millions of people that means one thing — fantasy football time!

It’s taken seven years, but the Republic of Ireland will finally avail of the opportunity to exorcise some of the ghosts from the infamous ‘Hand of Gaul’ game at the Stade de France this day week when they open their Euro 2016 account against Sweden.

After that memorable win over Germany last October, a piece on an Irish sports website analysed James McCarthy’s performance amid suggestions it was one of the great individual displays in an Ireland jersey.

The Irish Ladies Close Championship began yesterday around the Old Course at Lahinch, Co Clare, where competitors played 36 holes strokeplay. The championship course, measuring 5,968 yards, was in immaculate condition and good scores were there for the taking.

Kildare will be without team captain Eoin Doyle and Daniel Flynn for their Leinster championship opener against Wexford tomorrow week, while Niall Kelly faces a race against time to be fit.

The Leinster Council’s decision to choose Nowlan Park as the venue for Dublin’s opening defence of their provincial title may have come from left-field, but the Kilkenny ground will not be virgin territory for all of Jim Gavin’s footballers.

Rafael Benitez has held ‘productive’ initial talks with the Newcastle board as they attempt to persuade him he is the man to lead the club back into the Premier League.

The Charles O’Brien-trained Santa Monica must be strongly fancied to make a successful seasonal debut in the Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Median Auction Fillies Maiden in Dundalk tonight.