Russia tries to keep its incredible home run alive in a quarterfinal matchup against Croatia. Stay here for live scoring, updates and analysis from Russia.
Russia and Croatia both have the weight of history on their teams as they face off in Sochi: Croatia is trying to match the 1998 squad’s memorable run to the World Cup semifinals, while Russia is trying to reach the final four for the first time.
• Refresh here for live World Cup updates and analysis from Russia.
• England vs. Sweden: Here’s what happened.
How to watch: In the U. S., Fox and Telemundo have the broadcast at 2 p.m. Eastern, but you can stream it here.
• Every team faces pressure at this stage of the tournament, but Croatia has that loved/dreaded label of “Golden Generation” applying some extra weight. It’s the last chance for the offensive core of Mario Mandzukic of Juventus (32 years old), Luka Modric of Real Madrid (32), Ivan Rakitic of Barcelona (30), to play together at the World Cup in their prime, and a relatively easy route to the semifinals only adds to the pressure.
• Croatia’s main task? Slowing Artem Dzyuba, the 6-foot-4 striker who has three goals in four games for Russia. That responsibility will fall primarily to Dejan Lovren, the 6-foot-2 Croatia defender who plays for Liverpool in the Premier League, in what should be a tough physical battle all game.
• Croatia has had some international-tournament success recently, winning its group at the 2008 and 2016 European Championships, but losing its first knockout game each time. The 2008 exit was particularly painful, with Modric and Rakitic both missing in a penalty shootout against Turkey. But both earned some redemption in their round of 16 win, converting their penalties in a win over Denmark.
• There’s already one Cup in Moscow for Russia to celebrate: Alex Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals star from Russia, brought the Stanley Cup he won last month to provide some inspiration for the fans watching in the capital.
• Think the stands in Sochi are packed with club scouts hoping to find the next young Russian or Croatian star? Probably not the case .
• We asked acting coaches to rate players’ injury-faking at this World Cup. They weren’t impressed.
• The history of Russian soccer is shrouded in mystery. But after 75 years, some of that history is coming to light in the form of dossiers of files that are being declassified by the Russian government.
