Irresistible force v immovable object?

Uruguay v Portugal (19:00 BST)

Not quite but not far off according to former Uruguay forward Diego Forlan.

Stopping Cristiano Ronaldo means Uruguay will be "stopping 50% of Portugal" if they can can manage that relatively simple (ahem) task this evening in their last-16 World Cup tie.

Pure drama

Uruguay v Portugal (19:00 BST)

Of course later on we also have Uruguay v Portugal. Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo v Barcelona's Luis Suarez and plethora of subplots, twists, turns and excitement.

And dare I say a contest that could have added theatrical elements to it if you get my drift.

Just look at that pose.

'A new start for France' - Deschamps

France v Argentina (15:00 BST)

After two wins and a draw in Group C France coach Didier Deschamps is in reflective mood about their form as they prepare for today's big game.

"Our group games left a mixed impression," said the 49-year-old.

"From tomorrow it's a new start for us.

"It's make or break. We don't have any choice. We have to do everything possible to make sure it goes well for us."

'Picking England's route to the semis - how can we be so arrogant?'

Alan Shearer
 

Now former England forward and BBC pundit Alan Shearer has been having his say on all things related to Gareth Southgate's squad and the sunny optimism surrounding the Three Lions' prospects.

However, in typical Shearer fashion, he's also not shy in addressing some of the major issues now facing England.

 

Rodriguez a doubt?

James Rodriguez
 

Now without wishing an injury on anyone how significant could the fitness of Colombia's James Rodriguez be come Tuesday evening?

News from the Colombian camp is that coach Jose Pekerman is "extremely concerned" about his star man being fit for the last-16 tie with England.

 

'Family comes first'

Fabian Delph
 

There's more on Fabian Delph's temporary return back to England here.

The 28-year-old did not feature in England's opening win over Tunisia but came on as a substitute against Panama and played the full game against Belgium.

The Manchester City midfielder turned defender recently said,"There's nothing more important than family to me - family always comes first and always will."

The best of wishes to the Delph family.

Absentees from training

Ruben Loftus-Cheek
 

While we're still on the subject of England it's worth pointing out that there were a couple of absentees from training this morning.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Fabian Delph were both spared the session at England's Spartak Zelenogorsk training base.

Loftus-Cheek, who started England's last two Group G games, did some work at the team hotel, while Delph has flown back to England for the birth of his third child.

From Russia with Love

Gareth Southgate
 

Or not perhaps, according to the England manager Gareth Southgate, who says his team have their "edge back" at the World Cup following the "love-in" they received before the defeat by Belgium.

And I was almost going to go all James Bond there for a moment.

 

Owen stuns Argentina

Any old excuse I know but I just had to throw this in at the mere mention of Michael Owen. WHAT. A. GOAL.

Only 20 years ago today. Now I do feel old.


Following in Owen's footsteps

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold has belied his years over the past 12 months.

And he became only the fourth teenager to start a World Cup match for England when he featured in the 1-0 defeat to Belgium on Thursday.

He followed Luke Shaw, Raheem Sterling and Michael Owen. Not a bad bunch.

 

'It's football, nothing goes to plan'

Trent Alexander-Arnold
 

Trent Alexander-Arnold certainly appeared in relaxed mood when asked if Gareth Southgate had been taking any penalties in training.

Laughing and shaking his head he said, "Everyone’s working hard to be ready.

“Obviously you don’t want it to get to penalties but it’s football at the end of the day and nothing really goes to plan when you’re out there on the pitch.

“I think if it does go to penalties then obviously we will be well prepared for that.”

Now switching back over to England again for a second....

Fekir pushing for a start

France v Argentina (15:00 BST)

Didier Deschamps
 

So what news from the France camp? Coach Didier Deschamps will be without Manchester City's Benjamin Mendy because of a muscle injury.

Lucas Hernandez should be available and Deschamps is expected to recall the players he rested against Denmark.

Nabil Fekir is pushing for a start after impressive cameos off the bench so far, while right-back Djibril Sidibe may play instead of Benjamin Pavard.

Argentina have no new injury concerns and could stick with the same side that began the 2-1 win against Nigeria.

Midfielder Enzo Perez has a slight thigh problem but should be fit enough to start.

Long live the King

Maradona banner at Napoli
 

For avoidance of doubt this is what they think of Diego Maradona in Naples where he had a transformative effect - carrying Napoli to:

    Two Serie A titles (1986-87 & 1989-90)
    A Coppa Italia
    UEFA Cup
    Supercoppa Italiana

 

Showboating at its finest

Diego Maradona
 

Maradona. What a player and that's just in the warm-up. If you ever get chance have a look at him in his pomp at Napoli performing to the Opus track 'Live Is Life'.

Showboating at its finest.

Messi v Maradona

France v Argentina (15:00 BST)
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Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Both players are national heroes in ArgentinaImage caption: Both players are national heroes in Argentina

With both courting attention on and off the pitch at this tournament so far, the old debate in Argentina about who is the greatest - Messi or Maradona - rumbles on.

"Messi is a phenomenon, but the world of football, until now, has not seen a player like Maradona," his old teammate Claudia Caniggia said recently.

Another contemporary, Julio Olarticoechea, agreed: "Seeing him, not only in games, but in training, was something else. Diego was magic. That's the word."

For what it's worth Messi's goal against Nigeria looked pretty magical to this non Argentine!

 

Get Involved

Another on England's prospects against Colombia.

ScillaciRam: Calm is great but it can be easily misunderstood leading to lethargy problems and the like. Far better to think of it as controlled passion. The key is in doing everything calmly, intensely at high speed. If our boys get that right they'll get past Columbia without serious problems.
 

 

Get Involved

Argentina's last 16 tie against France this afternoon will be their 15th game under coach Jorge Sampaoli. Could be the first time he has named an unchanged side?

And what's been going wrong for the South American's in this tournament so far?

Tactics, team selection, or just a case of age catching-up on key players? What do you think? And how far can Lionel Messi and compamy go in Russia?

Messi not dictating Argentina tactics

There have of course been all sorts of rumblings from the Argentina camp so far during the World Cup.

Harmonious does not look to be the word I'd use with rumours of disagreements and Lionel Messi and other senior players influencing team selection growing.

Read more here.
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'Messi can't do it on his own' - Sampaoli

France v Argentina (15:00 BST)

Lionel Messi
 

Jorge Sampaoli has got a message for his players - and it's likely it's not a new one.

Don't just rely on Lionel Messi!

He wants his players to rise to the Barcelona star's level during their crunch last 16 game with France today.

"Leo has such clear vision when it comes to football that he allows us to see things that, sometimes, only a true genius sees," Sampaoli said.

"It's often difficult to be at the level of such a great player. He's a shining light for us all, and we have to do our very best to all try to be at his level."

'It was win or die'

Argentina's nerves were jangling before they somehow sneaked through a tumultuous group stage thanks to a rare and priceless goal from defender Marcos Rojo in the 86th minute against Nigeria.

"It was win or die," said Gonzalo Higuain, while Lionel Messi admitted he "could not remember such suffering before."

So what does that mean for later boys? Nervous perhaps?

Andy: England v Colombia will go to extra time and prove Gareth's boys are fresher for the rest. Then they'll take 5 perfect penalties. Andy-social has spoken!

Adam: I feel as if Colombia are a danger from long shots, so no stepping off players at the edge of the box like we did against Belgium! If we can dominate defensively, I feel as if we have a goal in us to overcome Colombia, 1-0.

Anon: Southgate can tell his players that they have nothing to fear in a shootout these days. Win, and the hoodoo is lifted. Lose, and a lucrative Pizza advertising contract awaits.