Gareth Southgate has gone even younger in his search for the midfield maestro he believes England has lacked since the days of Paul Gascoigne

How an earwormy, tongue-in-cheek song became an anthem of hope for Three Lions believers

Suddenly, surreally, the prospect of Croatian hands lifting the fabled trophy is plausible.

In London, an initial wave of elation turned to heartbreak as 30 000 beer-soaked fans in Hyde Park watched their team come up short

Ognjen Vukojević, assistant coach and Dynamo Kiev scout, has been sent home from Russia after posting a politically sensitive video on social media.

Can Gareth Southgate now become the first manager to win a World Cup semi-final with England on foreign soil?

The men in red exceeded the wildest expectations by coming within a penalty kick of making it into the semi-finals for the first time since 1966

The Croats won 3-2 on penalties after a tense 1-1 draw, to set up a clash with hosts Russia on Saturday

Croatia wrapped up top spot in Group D in Rostov-on-Don thanks to a slick second-half volley by Milan Badelj and a late strike by Ivan Perisic

Argentina have rallied around their superstar captain after his spot-kick was saved in the 1-1 draw against minnows Iceland on Saturday

The last two minutes of Croatia’s Euro 2008 loss to Turkey will torment Croatia coach Slaven Bilic for the rest of his life.

Croatia underlined their growing reputation as Euro 2008’s most dangerous dark horses by stunning tournament favourites Germany 2-1 on Thursday.