Croatia entered the final of the FIFA World Cup for the first time as a late goal from striker Mario Mandzukic helped them overcome a combative England with a 2-1 victory here on Wednesday to set-up a title-decider against France.

France edged past Belgium 1-0 to book their place in the final of the FIFA World Cup in a rip-roaring semi-final clash here on Tuesday.

Mario Mandzukic has said that he and his Croatia teammates won't let fatigue get in their way when they face England in the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup on Wednesday.

Uruguay captain Diego Godin has said his team had "a great World Cup" despite losing in the quarterfinals to France, and thanked the fans who waited until the wee hours to welcome the squad home on its return from Russia.

While many people feel sorry to see Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar leaving the FIFA World Cup pitches earlier than expected, some young footballers stood out to show that they deserve equal, if not more, attention from the media and fans.

England broke a 28-year-old jinx as they entered the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup, defeating Sweden 2-0 in a quarter-final match at the Samara Arena here on Saturday.

Croatia halted valiant hosts Russia's splendid run with a 4-3 (2-2) win via penalty shootout at the Fisht Stadium here on Saturday to enter the FIFA World Cup semi-finals for the second time after a gap of 20 years.

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez said that the absence of fellow attacker Edinson Cavani from the line-up was decisive in the team's 0-2 loss to France here in their 2018 FIFA World Cup quarter-final.

Potential dark horse Belgium eliminated five-time world champions Brazil with a 2-1 triumph here on Friday to book their place in the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup only for the second time after a gap of 32 years.

England survived a penalty shootout for the first time in their FIFA World Cup history as they overcame a combative Colombian team with a 4-3 (1-1) victory on penalties here on Tuesday to set-up a quarter-final against Sweden.