Welcome to Sports Mole's live news coverage from day 20 of the World Cup.
We will be bringing you all of the latest news and gossip from Brazil, as well as the reaction to last night's matches which saw France and Germany reach the quarter-finals.
The action continues this evening with Argentina taking on Switzerland and Belgium playing the USA in the last of the second-round matches.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live news coverage from day 20 of the World Cup in Brazil. The tournament failed to disappoint yet again last night as France and Germany both made it through to the quarter-finals thanks to wins over Nigeria and Algeria respectively. We will be bringing you all of the reaction from those matches, as well as the latest news and gossip ahead of tonight's conclusion of the second round. However, let's start things off by taking a look at the headlines from overnight...
Ottmar Hitzfeld: 'Argentina won't end my career'
France coach Didier Deschamps 'proud' of Nigeria scalp
Arjen Robben escapes punishment over 'diving admission'
Neymar will be fit for Brazil's quarter-final with Colombia
Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi steps down following France defeat
Andre Schurrle has praised Germany teammate Manuel Neuer following the team's victory over Algeria in the World Cup second round. Neuer made a string of saves in goal on Monday to help the Germans reach the quarter-finals with a 2-0 win in Porto Alegre.
Algeria goalkeeper Rais M'bolhi has admitted that he is disappointed by his team's defeat to Germany in the last 16 of the World Cup. Mbolhi was instrumental in forcing the game to extra time on Monday thanks to an impressive display in goal, but he was not able to stop Germany reaching the quarter-finals with a 2-1 win after 120 minutes.
John Obi Mikel has urged his Nigeria teammates not to be downbeat following their defeat to France in the last 16. The Super Eagles were beaten 2-0 on Monday thanks to two late goals in Brasilia.
Paul Pogba has claimed that France fear nobody ahead of their World Cup quarter-final against Germany. Les Bleus will meet their fellow Europeans on Friday after beating Nigeria last night.
Brazil midfielder Fernandinho has called on his teammates to stifle Colombia's James Rodriguez during Friday's quarter-final between the nations. Rodriguez has been one of the standout performers at the tournament so far, with five goals putting him at the top of the Golden Boot standings.
Argentina midfielder Fernando Gago has claimed that his team will show a more attacking side now that they are through to the knockout stage of the World Cup. The South Americans, who finished at the top of Group F, return to action tonight (Tuesday) when they face Switzerland in the last 16.
Speaking of Argentina's match with Switzerland this evening, a handful of our very own Sports Mole pundits have got together to assess the second-round encounter. You can check out what they think by watching our video here.
France midfielder Antoine Griezmann has admitted that he was pleased with his performance during his side's win over Nigeria in the last 16. Griezmann came off the bench with the game tied at 0-0 on Monday before helping Les Bleus earn a 2-0 victory.
Belgium midfielder Axel Witsel has claimed that the squad backs Eden Hazard to come good at the World Cup. The Chelsea playmaker has struggled to replicate his club form out in Brazil, leading to doubts over his contribution from coach Marc Wilmots.
Germany coach Joachim Low has confirmed that Shkodran Mustafi will miss the rest of the World Cup with a thigh injury. The defender had to be stretchered off on Monday during his side's 2-1 win over Algeria in the last 16 before tests revealed that he had torn muscle fibres in his left thigh.
Algeria coach Vahid Halilhodzic could reportedly step down from his role following the team's second-round exit from the World Cup. Halilhodzic's failure to attend his post-match press conference has led to suggestions that he is ready to walk away from the job.
Veteran defender Daniel Van Buyten has urged his Belgium teammates to stay focused ahead of their clash with the USA in the last 16 tonight. The Belgians head into the match having finished at the top of Group H with a maximum nine points.
Costa Rica defender Roy Miller has emerged as an injury doubt for his side's World Cup quarter-final against the Netherlands on Saturday. The 29-year-old suffered a foot problem during a training session with his teammates ahead of the game in Salvador.
Switzerland forward Admir Mehmedi has admitted that his side must be on top form if they are to beat Argentina in the last 16 of the World Cup. The two nations meet in Sao Paulo tonight with a quarter-final clash against either Belgium or the USA awaiting the winner.
That's all from me for today, but I'm pleased to say that Liam Apicella will now be with you for the next three hours to take you through all of the latest news and gossip from Brazil. Enjoy!
Thanks Jack and afternoon everyone. As Jack has mentioned, first up today is Argentina vs. Switzerland and former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has been talking about what Argie star Lionel Messi has to do to be held in the same esteem as the great Diego Maradona.
"The Argentine public love Diego Maradona in a way that they don't love Lionel Messi because he delivered them the World Cup," Keown told BBC Sport.
"Messi has to do that. It's even harder now to run through a team like he does. Maradona and Messi both dribble through teams, Messi is the best dribbler we've ever seen. I expect Argentina to beat the Swiss, they've not played brilliantly well but they should still win. They should go on and reach the final stages."
The later game today pits Belgium against the USA. The Belgians are the favourties to progress, but they will be without the services of defender Thomas Vermaelen, who is believed to be at the centre of a transfer wrangle between his current club Arsenal and Manchester United. A report this afternoon has stated that he will not be allowed to leave the Emirates Stadium until a replacement has been signed.
Meanwhile, the Americans have been given a pep talk for that clash by none other than Mike Tyson:
Of course, Mike Tyson is partly famous for biting Evander Holyfield's ear, which leads us nicely on to Luis Suarez! It seems that his biting of Giorgio Chiellini's shoulder during a group encounter last week will not put Barcelona off making a bid for his services this summer. To find out what Barca director Andoni Zubizarreta had to say about Liverpool's Uruguayan international, click here.
Spanish journalist Guillem Balague has also had his say on the incident that has dominated the tournament on Sky Sports News:
"Barcelona wanted Luis Suarez to apologise. It is also part of an appeal that will surely reduce his ban. I realise many people feel cheated as he has apologised before. But I can't help but feel that I want to love the sinner and hate the sin. Only in serious crimes where other lives have been affected I wouldn't accept an apology. Biting shouldn't be done but can be corrected and Chiellini has accepted the apology, so who are we not to do the same."
STAT! The six teams that have already secured their spots in the last eight of the tournament won their respective groups. Belgium and Argentina finished at the summit of their standings - can they make it a full set?
Of course, any positive result that Argentina are to achieve will have to be collected without Sergio Aguero. The Manchester City player may not have shone at the tournament so far, but he's capable of producing moments that win matches. However, a hamstring complaint has ruled out the striker for the Switzerland clash. Full team news from Sao Paulo will be released shortly.
Staying with Aguero, providing that Argentina can get through, the Man City star appears to be eager to be fit for the quarter-finals, as this video on his Instagram page shows:
TEAM NEWS! Both managers have released their starting lineups, with the big talking point surrounding who was going to replace Aguero. Ezequiel Lavezzi has been given the nod in an otherwise unchanged Argentina side. Full a closer look at the two teams, click here.
It would seem that USA goalkeeper Tim Howard is pumped up for tonight's clash against the Belgians:
And here is that chant that will no doubt be heard on numerous occasions tonight:
Of course, our immediate attention is on the Argentina encounter against Switzerland, which will be getting underway very shortly. You can follow Sports Mole's live text updates of the clash in Sao Paulo here.
And that is as far as I take you for today. Coming up is Pascal Lemesre, who will provide updates of the Argentina match, as well as all the news coming out of Brazil.
Thanks very much Liam. They've just kicked off in Sao Paulo and a reminder that you can follow the match in detail using ➠ this link.
Some breaking news away from the World Cup as Chelsea announce that they have reached an agreement with Atletico Madrid for the transfer of Diego Costa. Developing story here.
After 12 minutes it's still goalless in Sao Paulo. Few chances so far. Tennis player Roger Federer looks like he's enjoying a massage while cheering on Switzerland at Wimbledon!
Midway through the first half and the cagey nature of the affair goes on. Messi getting a little frustrated in the early stages as Switzerland's stubborn defence keeps him at bay. Here's Lavezzi on the end of a heavy tackle.
HALF-TIME in Sao Paulo and it's as you were between Argentina and Switzerland. The Swiss have impressed, but have squandered the best chances so far. Here's our half-time report.
As the second half kicks off in Sao Paulo, news reaches us of a blow for Netherlands as their midfielder Nigel de Jong is ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.
"An MRI examination at hospital confirmed that Nigel de Jong is struggling with a tear in his groin muscle," the Dutch football association said in a statement.
"The 75-times capped international is therefore presumably out for two to four weeks."
Into the final quarter of the 90 minutes in Sao Paulo and Argentina are currently having their best spell of the game, with Messi and Higuain both just going close. Will there be a winner in 90 minutes? Or will we need extra time again at this World Cup?! ➜ FIND OUT!
With just a couple of minutes of normal time remaining, it's still goalless and Mr Messi is getting a little irked. Extra time looks to be on the way.
EXTRA TIME in Sao Paulo! Neither team find the net and we'll have another half an hour! Roger's happy...
Half-time in extra time and still we wait for a goal! It looks like penalties are soon to be upon us.
GOAL ARGENTINA! In the 118th minute! Heartbreak for the Swiss!
Absolutely devastating for Switzerland! They exit the World Cup and Argentina go into the last eight. Here's our match report.
Time for me to bid you farewell. Shane Callaghan is here to talk you through the final last-16 tie between Belgium and USA, as well as bring you reaction from Sao Paulo. Shane...
Thank you Pascal. Hi ladies and gentlemen and welcome to Sports Mole's live World Cup coverage. Incase you missed it, Argentina booked their place in the quarter-final with a dramatic extra-time win over Switzerland. Now, Belgium and USA duke it out in Salvador for the right to face Lionel Messi and co. in the last eight. Join Darren Plant for the live commentary here.
We've got team news for you now and I can confirm that Eden Hazard and Vincent Kompany are two of SIX changes made by Belgium boss Marc Wilmots for tonight's clash in Salvador. For full team news, click here.
France have emerged as many people's outside bet to win the World Cup this summer, but coach Didier Deschamps insists that he is only focused on Friday's quarter-final clash with Germany at the Maracana. Click here to see what les Blues' boss has had to say.
We're about 30 minutes from kickoff in Salvador folks! In the meantime, why not check out Matt Domm's in-depth analysis of Argentina's dramatic extra-time win over Switzerland. Alternatively, you can join Darren Plant for live updates of Belgium's clash with USA.
Quite unsurprisingly, Guillermo Ochoa's agent claims that his client has attracted interest from "many clubs" following his near-impervious displays for Mexico in the World Cup. Could he be on the way to your club? Check out what his representative has had to say here.
Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella has claimed that his side were worthy winners following the dramatic extra-time win over Switzerland in the last 16 of the World Cup today.
We've just kicked off in Salvador ladies and gents. Check out Sports Mole's live commentary of the clash here, courtesy of Darren Plant.
The Nigerian Football Federation [NFF] have refuted claims that coach Stephen Keshi resigned from his post following the country's World Cup exit to France on Monday. Keshi was believed to have quit his role with the Super Eagles in the aftermath to the 2-0 defeat to les Blues in the last-16 stage yesterday.
It's half time in Salvador and, in keeping with the theme of these last-16 encounters, there is very, very little to choose between both sides. Click here for our half-time report.
Switzerland boss Ottmar Hitzfeld has announced his retirement from coaching after his side bowed out of the World Cup to Argentina this evening.
There's about 15 minutes left in Salvador folks and there is still nothing to separate Belgium and USA in the battle for a quarter-final spot. Catch the remainder of the encounter here.
USA, thanks to Tim Howard, have taken Belgium to extra time in Salvador tonight ladies and gents. The Everton goalkeeper has earned his nation an extra 30 minutes by way of some heroics between the sticks. Follow Darren Plant's live commentary of the clash here.
GOAL! Extra time is barely two minutes old and Kevin De Bruyne has already fired Belgium into the lead. And on that note, I'll leave you in the safe hands of Alex Meyers, who will keep you apprised of anything else that happens in Salvador. Goodnight.
Thanks Shane! I'll be with you until the final minute here as the USA try and get back on level terms. There's also plenty of news and reaction from both of today's games to come over the next few hours!
GOAL! It looks like Belgium are heading through to the quarter-finals, as Lukaku fires a powerful strike into the roof of the net. The USA have it all to do now!
Angel di Maria has said that Argentina deserved to win their World Cup last-16 tie against Switzerland. The Real Madrid striker scored the winner for his side with just two minutes of extra time left to play to send them through to the quarter-finals.
GOAL! This World Cup just continues to amaze! The USA are back in the game as Julian Green volleys home. Can they pull it back to 2-2?
FULL-TIME! It's all over in Salvador as Belgium hold on to beat the USA and book their spot in the quarter-finals of the World Cup. It was a great effort from Americans, but it is Wilmot's side who will play Argentina in the next round.
Switzerland manager Ottmar Hitzfeld has said that he is proud of his team despite their defeat against Argentina earlier today.
He told reporters after the match: "We managed to stay calm. We saw everything that can happen in the life of the coach: the shock of the goal against us and our incredible reaction to go for it all. This is something that will make us proud."
Former Germany international Oliver Kahn has defended Arjen Robben for admitting that he dived against Mexico. The winger was criticised for his part in winning the match-winning penalty in the Netherlands' 2-1 victory in the last 16 of the World Cup.
Blaise Matuidi has praised Paul Pogba for his display during France's 2-0 victory against Nigeria. The Juventus midfielder scored the first goal of the game as his country made it into the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
"Paul produced a great performance," he told reporters. "They say that big players show up in big matches. He has a lot of weight on his shoulders. Don't forget he's 21."
USA manager Jurgen Klinsmann has paid tribute to his players following their World Cup last 16 defeat against Belgium.
"Congratulations to Belgium. It was a game which went to the extreme. We are all very proud of our team, they gave everything they had and they made their country proud," BBC Sport quotes him as saying.
Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has said that his side will face a difficult match against Argentina in the quarter-finals of the World Cup. Should Belgium win that fixture, then they could face the Netherlands in the semi-finals, but Courtois is not thinking that far ahead.
Jurgen Klinsmann has said that Tim Howard was phenomenal during the USA's defeat against Belgium. The Everton keeper made 15 saves, which is more than other player in a single match in World Cup history.
Belgium manager Marc Wilmots has said that his side deserved to win their World Cup last 16 match against the USA. He was also quick to praise Romelu Lukaku, who came on at the start of extra time and set up Kevin de Bruyne's goal, before adding a second of his own.
USA goalkeeper Tim Howard has said that Romelu Lukaku made the difference in his side's World Cup defeat against the USA.
"They brought big Rom on and he was a handful, he ran at us, scored a goal, created chances for other guys," Howard told reporters. "Big Rom changed the game."
Belgium manager Marc Wilmots has claimed that Argentina lack balance ahead of their World Cup quarter-final meeting. The two sides will go head-to-head in the last eight this Saturday at the Estadio Nacional, with the winners facing either the Netherlands or Costa Rica in the semi-finals.
That's all we've got time for here after another thrilling day of World Cup football. Sadly, there are no matches over the next couple days, but here's a full lineup of the quarter-final ties that will be taking place on Friday and Saturday.
Friday 4th July
France vs. Germany
Brazil vs. Colombia
Saturday 5th July
Argentina vs. Belgium
Netherlands vs. Costa Rica
Make sure that you join us tomorrow for continued coverage of the latest news from the tournament. Until next time, goodbye!
