Welcome to Sports Mole's live news coverage from day 19 of the World Cup.
We will be bringing you all of the latest news and gossip from Brazil, including reaction to last night's thrilling second-round matches which saw the Netherlands and Costa Rica progress.
The action continues today with France taking on Nigeria and Germany facing Algeria.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live news coverage from day 19 of the World Cup in Brazil. The tournament continued to thrill us last night as the Netherlands and Costa Rica made it through to the quarter-finals following dramatic wins over Mexico and Greece respectively. We will be bringing you all of the reaction from those matches, as well as the other news and gossip ahead of tonight's encounters involving France and Germany. However, let's begin by taking a look at some of the headlines from overnight...
Dirk Kuyt revels in "special day"
Michael Umana "dreamed" of Costa Rica victory
Hector Moreno suffers fractured tibia
Germany captain Philipp Lahm has called on his teammates to "deliver" during their second-round match with Algeria. The three-time champions return to action in Porto Alegre tonight having finished at the top of Group G with two wins and a draw.
France coach Didier Deschamps has insisted that his players are taking Nigeria seriously ahead of their last-16 clash. Les Bleus are the favourites to reach the quarter-finals when the teams face each other in Brasilia this evening following an unbeaten run in the group stage.
Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel has paid tribute to Joseph Yobo following his landmark 100th appearance for the team. The Super Eagles captain, who is the country's record appearance holder, made it a century of games last week during the side's 3-2 defeat to Argentina at the World Cup.
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France defender Mamadou Sakho remains an injury doubt ahead of his side's second-round encounter with Nigeria this evening. The centre-back suffered a thigh problem during Les Bleus' goalless draw with Ecuador in the group stage last week.
Germany coach Joachim Low has insisted that his players are not thinking about a potential quarter-final clash with France. The three-time champions face Algeria tonight, with the winner meeting either the French or Nigeria in the next round.
Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has revealed that he has no special plans to deal with Lionel Messi when his side faces Argentina in the last 16. The two nations meet in Sao Paulo on Tuesday with a quarter-final encounter against either Belgium or the USA at stake.
Having already had plenty of build-up to tonight's matches, why not take a look at our previews below:
Former Netherlands midfielder Arnold Muhren has criticised Arjen Robben for diving during the team's victory over Mexico in the second round. The winger earned a contentious winning penalty for his side on Sunday as they progressed through to the quarter-finals with a 2-1 triumph.
Mexico coach Miguel Herrera has revealed that he is eager to stay in charge of the team following their exit from the World Cup. The South Americans suffered a late defeat to the Netherlands on Sunday in the last 16 of the tournament.
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16 - #GRE defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos' surname is the longest (single) second name of any goalscorer in World Cup history. Mouthful.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 30, 2014
Colombia forward Jackson Martinez has claimed that he and his teammates are not scared of Brazil ahead of their quarter-final clash at the World Cup. The Colombians booked their place in the last eight with a win over Uruguay, while hosts Brazil knocked out Chile.
That Eden Hazard's alright really, isn't he? The playmaker recently surprised an elderly Belgium fan by sending her his best wishes via a video message after she expressed her support for the national team. Not only that, but Hazard also sent her a signed shirt. Aw.
Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka has claimed that his team has nothing to lose when they face Argentina in the second round. The Swiss, who finished in second place in Group E, are back in action on Tuesday when they face the South Americans in Sao Paulo.
Greece legend Giorgos Karagounis has announced his international retirement following the team's exit from the World Cup. The 37-year-old midfielder is the country's record appearance holder having won 139 caps during a 15-year international career.
That's all from me for today, but I'm pleased to say that Liam Apicella will now be with you for the next three hours to take you through all of the latest news and gossip coming out of Brazil. Enjoy!
Thanks Jack and afternoon all. Let's start with some words from Philipp Lahm, who will captain Germany against Algeria tonight. Speaking to the German FA website, the full-back said: "Pressure is a good thing. It reminds you just how much confidence people have in you.
"I only ever consider pressure to be positive. We know we have the potential to go a long way in this tournament. And we know we have the potential to win the title, even though there is still such a long way to go."
Someone that is not at the World Cup is Kaka, who failed to force his way into the Brazil squad. With that in mind, he's now severed ties with AC Milan. Fans of the World Cup will remember that the playmaker played at three tournaments.
You'll be forever a red&black heart @Kaka! Thank you for everything / Per sempre un cuore rossonero... grazie Ricky pic.twitter.com/VoRKTYJSSm
— AC Milan (@acmilan) June 30, 2014
And here is our full story on Kaka as the World Cup veteran looks to begin a new chapter of his career.
Unlike Kaka, Toni Kroos is at the World Cup and should be in the Germany team that faces Algeria. Today, Paul Scholes has been full of praise for the midfielder, as well as bemoaning the fact that his former club Manchester United have been unable to secure his services from Bayern Munich.
Here's a snippet of what Scholes had to say: "I think he's brilliant. I love the way he controls the ball and controls games. He can really play a pass and has superb vision. Kroos is capable of scoring goals too, from outside the box on either foot."
It seems that the Dutch FA are worried that Arjen Robben may have landed himself with a suspension. It appeared that the winger had admitted to diving against Mexico yesterday, but the governing body have moved to clarify his comments, perhaps in desperation! To find out what they've had to say, click here.
BREAKING NEWS! FIFA confirm that Belgium's Steven Defour will be suspended for one match.
And here's the full story on that Defour news, which will have been met with a huge sigh of relief by Belgium manager Marc Wilmots.
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Staying with that Belgium vs. USA game, here is what Dries Mertens has had to say about it: When asked about his nation's opponent, Mertens told Sporza: "The US have surprised me. They are a real team and have a united group. Hopefully I have proved that I can contribute, be that from the start or coming on as a substitute."
There's been no official confirmation from FIFA just yet, but it appears that Robben may have escaped punishment:
At FIFA briefing. No action against Arjen Robben & doesn't appear there will be. They call for "fair play" at all times by players.
— Bryan Swanson (@skysports_bryan) June 30, 2014
But back to more immediate matters and in just over an hour, France and Nigeria will battle it out for one of the four remaining quarter-final berths. To find out what three of the Sports Mole team think about that clash, click here.
TEAM NEWS: A thigh injury has kept Mamadou Sakho out of France's clash with Nigeria. The centre-back has been replaced by Laurent Koscielny.
For a full run down of the two teams in at the Estadio Nacional, click here.
In 2009, Giroud & Koscielny were playing for Tours in 2nd div. Five years later, they're in WC last 16 (via @p_minjo) pic.twitter.com/URo1Mp7HYh
— Julien Laurens (@LaurensJulien) June 30, 2014
Expected team shapes for France v Nigeria pic.twitter.com/pxWSCtjvp4
— Paul Hayward (@_PaulHayward) June 30, 2014
Right, the French and Nigerian players are out on the pitch and the national anthems are underway. You can follow Sports Mole's live text updates of the match here.
And that is as far as I go for today. Coming up shortly will be Pascal Lemesre, who will provide updates of France vs. Nigeria, as well as the other news coming out of Brazil. Over to you...
Merci beacoup, Liam! Being half-French I am cheering for France here, especially as I tipped them to do well pre-tournament. Surely they're going to win?
A fairly even start to proceedings in Brasilia, with France seemingly most dangerous on the counter-attack. Nigeria's Ogenyi Onazi was stretchered off a moment ago, but has returned and looks fit enough to continue.
DISALLOWED! Emenike prods home a great cross from Musa, but the flag is up for offside and it is the correct call. Just.
It's still goalless in the day's first game between France and Nigeria. Paul Pogba came closest for the French with a fierce volley that Vincent Enyeama beat away.
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HALF-TIME! It's been up and down, but there's yet to be a goal in Brasilia. Here's our half-time report.
#FRA 0-0 #NGA (17') - Nigeria has a positive record vs. European teams at the World Cup: 5 wins, 1 draw, and 4 losses — MisterChip (English) (@MisterChiping) June 30, 2014
Another interesting stat, this time on France, from @OptaJean on Twitter: "12 - France have not conceded a goal in the first half in their last 12 games. Defence."
They're back underway in Brasilia. No changes at half time from either side.
Luis Suarez has just issued a statement on his Twitter feed that says "the truth is that my colleague Giorgio Chiellini suffered the physical result of a bite in the collision he suffered with me". Full statement below:
My apologies to Chiellini: pic.twitter.com/CvfkkjxzlM
— Luis Suarez (@luis16suarez) June 30, 2014
There's also some good news for the United States that's just been released. Jozy's back!
#AreYouReady for #USAvBEL? @JozyAltidore is Ready and available for @J_Klinsmann and the #USMNT tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/kKQvsyO1Xx — U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) June 30, 2014
Here's more on those two stories ➠ Suarez's apology and Altidore's return.
In Brasilia, it remains locked at 0-0 between France and Nigeria. Karim Benzema just came so close to giving the French the lead. Find out how!
OFF THE LINE AND OFF THE BAR! France getting closer with 15 minutes left.
GOAL FRANCE! Les Bleus' pressure pays off as Paul Pogba heads into an unguarded net from a corner. Ten minutes left for Nigeria to get back in it.
All over in Brasilia and it's FRANCE who reach the last eight. It was 2-0 in the end after a late own goal from Joseph Yobo.
ALLEZ LES BLEUS! #Fra reach the World Cup quarter-finals and knock out #Nga. Match report: http://t.co/HtYu8Q3cjx pic.twitter.com/A41mRXBd6A — Sports Mole (@SportsMole) June 30, 2014
Giorgio Chiellini hasn't waited long to respond to Luis Suarez's Twitter apology earlier. He's tweeted the Uruguayan saying "It's all forgotten. I hope FIFA will reduce your suspension." More here.
To Saturday's game between Brazil and Chile in Belo Horizonte, and Chile frontman Mauricio Pinilla has accused Brazil's communications director of punching him at half time.
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Nigeria midfielder Ogenyi Onazi, who plays for Lazio, has been photographed leaving the stadium with a plastered leg in a wheelchair after a nasty tackle from Blaise Matuidi. The Frenchman was booked for the challenge, but could have been sent off.
Poor quality picture but Onazi in plaster after challenge by Matuidi. #nga #fra #bbcworldcup pic.twitter.com/1xigrsCsMR
— ALEX SOUTH (@THEALEXSOUTH) June 30, 2014
A little over an hour until Germany look to set up an all-European tie with France. Read about their encounter with Algeria in our match preview ➟ here.
TEAM NEWS! Here are the two lineups for this evening's match in Porto Alegre:
Germany: Neuer; Mustafi, Mertesacker, Boateng, Howedes; Schweinsteiger, Lahm; Ozil, Kroos, Gotze; Muller
Algeria: Mbolhi; Ghoulam, Belkalem, Halliche, Mandi; Lacen, Soudani, Taider, Mostefa, Feghouli; Slimani
Germany: Neuer; Mustafi, Mertesacker, Boateng, Howedes; Schweinsteiger, Lahm; Ozil, Kroos, Gotze; Muller
Algeria: Mbolhi; Ghoulam, Belkalem, Halliche, Mandi; Lacen, Soudani, Taider, Mostefa, Feghouli; Slimani
Anyway, time for me to hand over to Daniel Lewis, who will be guiding you through the Germany game and more for the next few hours. Daniel...
Cheers Pascal! The quarter-finals are well and truly taking shape now as France become the fifth side to progress from the last 16. Next up we have Germany – the favourites of many neutrals to win the tournament – up against Algeria.
Paul Pogba opened the scoring for France in Brasilia earlier today, and he has described the 81st-minute goals as being "one of the proudest moments of my life".
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Well Paul Pogba may have been in joyful mood, but Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi was somewhat - and rather understandably - downbeat in his post-match press conference. Read what he had to say about the game here.
We're just five minutes away from kick off now in Porto Alegre as Algeria look to pull off a huge upset against Germany in the last 16. The teams are all set, and Matt Domm will provide you with live commentary right here.
Looking ahead to tomorrow's final set of last-16 encounters, Belgium winger Kevin Mirallas says that his side can make history at the World Cup by bettering their fourth-place finish of 1986. Meanwhile, fellow Premier League star Eden Hazard declares that we have yet to see the best of him in Brazil - USA, be afraid.
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It's still currently goalless between Algeria and Germany in Porto Alegre, but it's the African side who have come closest to opening the scoring so far. Off the field, the Algerian FA have today been handed a fine by FIFA following an incident which took place in the Fennec Foxes' 1-1 draw with Russia. More of which can be found here.
HALF TIME! Algeria 0-0 Germany A goalless first 45 minutes at the Estadio Beira-Rio, and Germany know they have to improve following the interval if they want to keep their World Cup hopes alive. A full half-time report can be found here.
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Earlier tonight Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo announced his retirement from international football following his side's last-16 exit from the World Cup, saying that it is "time to focus on my family".
Elsewhere, USA manager Jurgen Klinsmann has questioned FIFA's decision to select a French-speaking referee for his side's last-16 meeting with Belgium tomorrow. He said:
"Is it a good feeling [having an Algerian referee]? No. He's able to speak with them [in his native language], but not with us. He's also from the country that we eliminated from the last World Cup with a last-minute goal.
FULL TIME! Germany 0-0 Algeria Well how about that?! Germany have been held to a goalless draw by Algeria with 30 minutes of extra time now set to be played. Be sure to stick around as Mark Langshaw updates you with any breakthrough for either side, while live commentary can also be found here.
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GOAL! Germany 1-0 Algeria Cheers Daniel! Extra time is now under way in that match and it starts with a bang as Andre Schurrle heads Germany into the lead, nodding home from a Thomas Muller cross! How will Algeria respond?
It's half time in extra time. Germany are on top thanks to that Schurrle strike but the Algerians are by no means out of this. Now we will see what they are really made of.
Germany vs Algeria has entered the second half of extra time, but we have some reaction from France's 2-0 win over Nigeria earlier this evening. Les Bleus coach Didier Deschamps has spoken of his pride at his side's showing tonight. You can read exactly what he had to say here.
GOALS! Germany 2-1 Algeria It's a grand slam finish in this last-16 encounter! Just when Mesut Ozil appeared to have made the game safe for Germany, Abdelmoumene Djabou finds the net for Algeria! That will be no more than a consolation though, surely?
FULL TIME: Germany 2-1 Algeria There you have it. It was a bold performance from Algeria, but Germany were the ones who dug deepest in extra time. Djabou's last-ditch strike restored some pride for the Africas, but Germany just about deserve to be in the quarter-finals.
If you've just joined us, Germany have reached the quarter-finals with a thrilling 2-1 win over Algeria after extra time. They will face France next after Didier Deschamps side saw off Nigeria 2-0 in tonight's earlier kickoff. You can read our match reports from those games here and here.
Reaction from the Germany game is incoming, but first here's an update on the Arjen Robben diving controversy. The Bayern Munich man has been quoted as saying that he went down in the box easily against Mexico, but FIFA have opted not to take retrospective action, claiming that simulation does not constitute a serious breach of fair play rules. I think the Mexicans might disagree with that, but you can read the full story here.
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Germany vs Algeria was certainly a close match, but was it a fair result? We take a closer look at the 120 minutes in our match analysis, which can be found here.
Nigeria manager Stephen Keshi has resigned from his post following his side's defeat to France. He becomes the sixth manager to step down at the tournament, following Honduras's Luis Suarez, Iran's Carlos Queiroz, Japan's Alberto Zaccheroni, Italy's Cesare Prandelli and Ivory Coast's Sabri Lamouchi. They're dropping like flies around here!
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More reaction from the France game is trickling through as Blaise Matuidi has revealed that he issued a personal apology to Ogenyi Onazi for the mistimed tackle that ended the Nigeria man's evening. Read more here.
Reaction from Germany goalscorer Andre Schurrle coming up, but before that why not check out our player ratings from Joachim Low's side's win over Algeria? You can find them here.
Schurrle has admitted that his goal against Algeria had an element of luck involved. Well, they all count don't they? Find out what else he had to say about the win here.
Robin van Persie has talked up the Netherlands' chances of going all the way this year. The Manchester United man believes that his country has a genuine chance of lifting the World Cup. You can read his comments in full here.
Germany coach Joachim Low has admitted that his side were below-par in the first half against Algeria. They did take a little while to show up, but better late than never, eh?
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More fallout from Algeria's defeat to Germany as Madjid Bougherra declares that he is proud of his country's achievements in Brazil, claiming that they came close to pulling off something "extraordinary".
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And that concludes our World Cup blog for today, but be sure to check back with Sports Mole tomorrow for live updates from Brazil, as well as full coverage of Argentina vs. Switzerland and Belgium vs. USA. See you then!
