Croatia goalkeeper Dominic Kivakovic saved penalties from Takumi Minamino, Kaoru Mitoma and Maya Yoshida before Mario Pasalic netted the winning spot-kick in their 3-1 shootout win over Japan on Monday to reach the World Cup quarter-finals.

Portugal coach Fernando Santos said he was unimpressed with Cristiano Ronaldo's behaviour after the forward reacted angrily when substituted during the team's final group game at the World Cup in Qatar.

FIFA said on Monday it had opened disciplinary proceedings against the Serbian football association following the team's bad-tempered World Cup clash with Switzerland.

Croatia have performed wonders to punch above their weight for so long in international football and are determined to keep their reputation going against Japan in their last-16 match at the World Cup on Monday, coach Zlatko Dalic said.

France head into Saturday's heavyweight World Cup quarter-final clash with England well aware that their hopes of carrying on in Qatar and retaining the title rest on the shoulders of Kylian Mbappe.

The Japanese football team, also known as the Samurai Blue, is raving about the World Cup stadium in Qatar in ways few expected. The discipline and coordination they carry as a nation consistently garner respect from their neighbours. Japan has all of the ingredients to be a football powerhouse: the world's third-largest economy, a population of 125 million people, a national passion for football, a prominent domestic league, and the infrastructure that comes with co-hosting its own World Cup.

With over 30 nations participating in this year’s World Cup, the field has once again become a melting pot of cultural expression. Particularly, South Korea and Brazil have made an impact in bringing a significant piece of their home to an international platform, giving fans from all over the opportunity to indulge in their cultural practices. The World Cup being watched by millions all over the globe not only presents the chance for teams to exhibit their skills, talent and sportsmanship, but also breaks cultural barriers.

England's Raheem Sterling, who was missing from the squad for Sunday's 3-0 World Cup win over Senegal, will head back to Britain on Monday to be with his family, coach Gareth Southgate said, as local media reported a break-in at his home.

The game of football is a class apart, and so are some of the players — not just in terms of their athletic prowess while playing the game, but also in their fashion game — they stand apart. Some have a formal style, some prefer casual, and some straight up flamboyant.

Following a shock loss to Cameroon, Brazilian coach Tite will be delighted to welcome a plethora of first-team starters against South Korea in their last 16 clash.

Wild cards South Korea say they have nothing to fear and nothing to lose when they take on five-times champions Brazil on Monday, with their sights set on another giant-killing feat in a World Cup where big names have taken a beating.

After fierce criticism of the Qatar World Cup, the head of the UN labour agency on Sunday pressed FIFA's president for a greater role scrutinizing future World Cup hosts..International Labour Organisation director general Gilbert Houngbo told AFP before meeting with Gianni Infantino that Q

Japan will invoke the spirit of the Samurai warrior in their clash with Croatia on Monday as they look to banish the memory of their exit from the last World Cup and reach the quarter-finals for the first time.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has entered the knockout phase, and one of the top honours players will be competing for is the Golden Boot, awarded to the player with the most goals in the tournament.

Japan’s sensational smash-and-grab raids at the World Cup have already seen off Germany and Spain, but in the last 16 on Tuesday they come up against a Croatia side who might just be a little too streetwise for a mugging.

Croatia’s squad features only a few of the players which led them to the World Cup final in 2018, runners-up to France, but Luka Modric is defying time to be one of those few constants.

World Cup favourites Brazil confirmed Neymar to return for their last-16 match against South Korea on Monday, a news that came as a relief to the five-time World Champions who have a host of injury concerns in their squad.

In one of the most poignant off-field moments at the Qatar World Cup, Wojciech Szczesny was seen comforting his distraught child.

Harry Kane hailed England's serene progress to the World Cup quarter-finals after scoring his first goal of the tournament in a 3-0 win over Senegal in the last 16.

Kylian Mbappe said Sunday he dreamed of winning the World Cup for a second time after his brace helped France to a 3-1 win over Poland which advanced the holders to the quarter-finals in Qatar.