now on bbc news it is time for sportsday. good evening. i'm olly foster. we are live in qatar at the world cup. here's what's coming up in the programme tonight: we have our first semi—finalist. croatia opera brazil out on penalties. england clinton plan till tomorrow night. we will hear from coach and captain ahead of their match against france. i'm sarah mulkerrins live at the bbc sport studio. also coming up in the programme:

what a debut for pakistan spinner abrar ahmed — seven wickets for him on day one of the second test against england. attendances soar in the women's super league, up 200% this season, as fans flock to the games after england's euros success. good evening. welcome to do half. the corniche here, we have had the first of the world cup quarterfinals, parts if they are all like that we will need a couple more rest days! an astonishing match at the education city stadium. brazil, the five—time champions, who have been playing so brilliantly in the last round,

knocked out by croatia. brazil named an unchanged team after thrashing south korea. neymar scored a wonderful goal in the first period of extra time. they held on to the lead until the 116th minutes. that is when the substitutes got an equaliser. heavily deflected. the croatians went party, so it went to penalties. it started really badly for brazil. dominik livakovic saved three and the shoot—out against japan. he saved roderigo�*s penalty. that meant that marquinhoson had to score that. we hit the post, brazil slumped to the ground in despair. there are 20 year wait for a second world title goes on. this simply follows the same pattern as the last

world cup. their route to the final pair also saw them win penalty shoot—out in the last 16 and also the quarterfinals in russia, as well. simply astonishing. at the heart of that melee, luka modric should, one of the players overlooked here. luka modric ship is playing his last world cup, as well. a former ballon d'or winner. he is still standing and brazil are not. i wonder how that went down at the stadium where we are looking forward to the next quarterfinal between the netherlands and argentina. like about 80,000 others, nestor, you will probably agree to this match as well. i'm guessing the argentinians enjoyed that more than the dutch! i

was going to sad, the only people screaming larger than the croatians tonight were probably the argentinians as marquinhoson�*s penalty hit the post. they were already celebrating here. it would have set up a mouthwatering tie against their south american rivals. a huge upset. brazil are the number one —— number one ranked team in the world. in the game against south korea, people talked about the first—half, the brazil of old, samba football. it looks like they will be foxtrot and home. croatia is a team that knows how to grind out results. finalists in russia four years ago. they have been behind in five of the six knockout games. they seem to never panic. at the heart of that is luka modric shssh. he is 37 years of

age, playing his 168 international game. he played the full 120 minutes and was still able to step up and score his spot kick. off the field, their fans score his spot kick. off the field, theirfans make score his spot kick. off the field, their fans make a score his spot kick. off the field, theirfans make a lot score his spot kick. off the field, their fans make a lot of noise, but on it, nice and quietly, they are proving a tough team to beat. just briefl , proving a tough team to beat. just briefly, netherlands against argentina. i tipped briefly, netherlands against argentina. itipped brazil. we briefly, netherlands against argentina. i tipped brazil. we are not going to say that argentina are definitely going to win this, but great history between the two and all eyes on lionel messi.— all eyes on lionel messi. lionel messi is 35 _ all eyes on lionel messi. lionel messi is 35 now, _ all eyes on lionel messi. lionel messi is 35 now, it _ all eyes on lionel messi. lionel messi is 35 now, it is _ all eyes on lionel messi. lionel messi is 35 now, it is likely - all eyes on lionel messi. lionel messi is 35 now, it is likely to l all eyes on lionel messi. lionel. messi is 35 now, it is likely to be his last world cup. already considered one of the greats. an argument against him is that he didn't have an international trophy. he led argentina to the corporate

america. if you lifted this trophy, there are not many who could question his place amongst the top one, two or three greatest players of all time. the netherlands think they have his number. louis van gaal spoke about his lack of defensive fortitude. saying lionel messi only comes alive when the ball comes near him so they do have ways to isolate him. we have seen some amazing fixtures between these two teams over the years. in 1978 argentina managed to win that final. it should be a cracking _ managed to win that final. it should be a cracking match. _ managed to win that final. it should be a cracking match. that _ managed to win that final. it should be a cracking match. that is - managed to win that final. it should be a cracking match. that is the - be a cracking match. that is the stadium where the final will be held a week on sunday. still too close to call he will be in that final, especially after our results today.

so england players will no doubt be getting together in their al wakrah hotel to the south of the doha and watch today's quarterfinals. raheem sterling is back in the squad after returning to the uk to be with his family after a break—in at their home. alex howell has been that the england squad today. we have heard from the coach and the captain today, and they are very calm, very confident, despite the reigning champions coming up tomorrow. mi champions coming up tomorrow. rii very calm. i've been watching the england team prepare for the last three weeks and every time a big game comes you can feel there is something around the messaging changes. england are playing france, the world champions. the main talk around the england team is whether they are going into that game as underdogs. the tour, noted that campus we should be focusing on the

young players, the quality, the attacking that they have. phil foden, bukayo saka. the coach has been talking about how the team is given credibility over the last tournaments. harry kane has been speaking today and he said the reason why they believe they can win the world cup this year is because of their history and their results in major tournaments in the past. 0bviously in major tournaments in the past. obviously we got to the semi there and everybody was over the moon. whether_ and everybody was over the moon. whether we have the full belief to id whether we have the full belief to go and _ whether we have the full belief to go and win the tournament are not quite _ go and win the tournament are not quite sure — go and win the tournament are not quite sure. we back that up in the euros, _ quite sure. we back that up in the euros, getting to another final, which _ euros, getting to another final, which we — euros, getting to another final, which we lost by a couple of kicks of the _ which we lost by a couple of kicks of the bait — which we lost by a couple of kicks of the ball. i feel like they believe _ of the ball. i feel like they believe has been building and building over the four or five years how _ building over the four or five years now we _ building over the four or five years now. we entered this tournament hoping _ now. we entered this tournament hoping and believing that we can win

it. it hoping and believing that we can win it. , ., ., hoping and believing that we can win it. ,., ., , hoping and believing that we can win it. , , hoping and believing that we can win it. it is all about belief. they use that word a _ it. it is all about belief. they use that word a lot. _ it. it is all about belief. they use that word a lot. harry _ it. it is all about belief. they use that word a lot. harry kane - it. it is all about belief. they use that word a lot. harry kane was. that word a lot. harry kane was asking about the french captain, his team—mate, hugo lloris, a possible penalty shoot—out. everybody has asked about that man, kylian mbappe. a large portion of that press conference was that harry kane had practised his penalties against hugo lloris! the match has been billed as carole walker against kylian mbappe. i spoke to the manchester city defender and they asked him about whether there was much focus, whether there was much focus, whether there was much focus, whether the team speak about the battle ahead. he said it is not england versus kylian mbappe and he will not grow out the red carpet for what some people called the best player in the world. he said he

believes that they can win. he was asked as well about the battle between kyle walker and kylian mbappe, gareth southgate. france are a fantastic team. _ mbappe, gareth southgate. france are a fantastic team. we _ mbappe, gareth southgate. france are a fantastic team. we are _ mbappe, gareth southgate. france are a fantastic team. we are aware - mbappe, gareth southgate. france are a fantastic team. we are aware of- a fantastic team. we are aware of all a fantastic team. we are aware of at! of— a fantastic team. we are aware of at! of their— a fantastic team. we are aware of all of their attacking players and we are _ all of their attacking players and we are aware of the quality of the whole _ we are aware of the quality of the whole squad. that is what has made them _ whole squad. that is what has made them so _ whole squad. that is what has made them so strong is to be able to cope with the _ them so strong is to be able to cope with the loss of some big players. didier_ with the loss of some big players. didier deschamps has created a team that is— didier deschamps has created a team that is stronger than the individuals.— that is stronger than the individuals. , . . that is stronger than the individuals. , ., ., ., , individuals. they are having a bit of a loving. _ individuals. they are having a bit of a loving, saying _ individuals. they are having a bit of a loving, saying nice - individuals. they are having a bit of a loving, saying nice things i of a loving, saying nice things about each other. many thanks, alex. a huge day for everyone tomorrow. really looking forward to it. let's stay with this game. we mention hugo

lloris. tomorrow he will win his 143rd lloris. tomorrow he will win his 1a3rd france cap. that is a record. he was asked about the england team when he was speaking today. he has been playing in the premier league for spurs for nine years playing alongside harry kane. she got the race was also asked about harry kane and how good he is as a marksman and and how good he is as a marksman and a finisher, and whether or not he might have to try to save a penalty from harry kane and a possible shoot—out. from harry kane and a possible shoot-out— from harry kane and a possible shoot-out. ., , ., , ., , , ., shoot-out. harry has the ability to shoot-out. harry has the ability to sheet from — shoot-out. harry has the ability to shoot from anywhere, _ shoot-out. harry has the ability to shoot from anywhere, it _ shoot-out. harry has the ability to shoot from anywhere, it could - shoot-out. harry has the ability to shoot from anywhere, it could be l shoot-out. harry has the ability to i shoot from anywhere, it could be my right, left, the middle. he is one of the best in this aspect of the game. but obviously, for harry or the other english players, there will be analysis on their penalties.

before to arrive in a penalty shoot out there is the chance to make the difference on the pitch. he will be giving the frenchman lots of information about what to expect from these england players. earlier today i spoke up —— i caught up with danny murphy and i asked him what his gut feeling was about this match. i his gut feeling was about this match. ., �* ~ ., , , ., match. i don't know! there seems to be an air of — match. i don't know! there seems to be an air of confidence _ match. i don't know! there seems to be an air of confidence about the - be an air of confidence about the team. every decision seems to be going right for gareth. although the french have arguably the best player in the world at the moment, they don't put as much fear into me watching them as they did in 2018. yeah, sometimes you get a feeling that the chips will fall your way. i don't think it will be a classic, i

have to say. two very experienced teams, players who are very capable defensively as well as offensively. i think it will be tight but ijust fancy us to nick it. i think it will be tight but i 'ust fancy us to nick itfi i think it will be tight but i 'ust fancy us to nick it. you're talking about the decisions _ fancy us to nick it. you're talking about the decisions that - fancy us to nick it. you're talking about the decisions that gareth i about the decisions that gareth southgate has made, what he done with the front very tough decisions because of the talent he has at his disposal. he is going to earn his crust. if you say it will be a tight game against the french, over how he can outthink didier deschamps, that is how can earnest money. he was short and that in the euro final? i think that is fair. gareth is very open—minded and he will have self analyse that tournament, his own decisions. he will probably look at that and realise he can have done things better in the final. now we have five substitutes as well which

gives us so many more options. i would expect him to be more proactive. i have said this from the beginning of the tournament, what you do in the second half of games tactically and personnel will decide your fate. tactically and personnel will decide yourfate. get tactically and personnel will decide our fate. , tactically and personnel will decide ourfate. , ., ., , your fate. get the win against the french, it your fate. get the win against the french. it is _ your fate. get the win against the french, it is clearly _ your fate. get the win against the french, it is clearly the _ your fate. get the win against the french, it is clearly the biggest i french, it is clearly the biggest game for england since the european final last year. 0r game for england since the european final last year. or would that rank in recent performances? ii final last year. or would that rank in recent performances?- final last year. or would that rank in recent performances? if they were to -la in recent performances? if they were to play well — in recent performances? if they were to play well and _ in recent performances? if they were to play well and beat _ in recent performances? if they were to play well and beat them, - in recent performances? if they were to play well and beat them, it - in recent performances? if they were to play well and beat them, it would | to play well and beat them, it would be up there, one of the biggest, because they are world champions. it would catapult us into a position of supreme confidence and other teams would then be looking thinking, this is a good england side. i think it would be monumentalfor the lads and the staff if we could beat them well. , ~ , , the staff if we could beat them well. , ~ ,_, the staff if we could beat them well. , ~ , , ,, ., well. danny murphy speaking to me earlier, he has— well. danny murphy speaking to me earlier, he has a _ well. danny murphy speaking to me earlier, he has a gut _ well. danny murphy speaking to me earlier, he has a gut feeling -

well. danny murphy speaking to me earlier, he has a gut feeling that. earlier, he has a gut feeling that england are going to do it. let's bring you right up to speed with some of the other world cup stories. ahead of portugal's quarterfinal against morocco. coach fernando santos say�*s it's "high time to leave cristiano ronaldo alone". they have denied reports that the captain asked to leave the team after being dropped for the last game. well morocco will be hoping for more scenes like this as they target another huge world cup upset. their coach says they have the whole continent of africa behind them. work to dismantle the world cup's first ever temporary stadium has begun as stadium 974 waves goodbye to qatar. it is named after the country's dialling code and the number of shipping containers that were used to build debts. —— to build it. that is a bit of trivia for you before it

disappears completely. many of the other stayed here here will be repurposed into residential properties, leisure centres and stuff. i will be back from two how it more later, but that had back to the bbc sport centre. thanks, 0lly. let's get to the cricket then — where pakistan spinner abrar ahmed starred on his debut on day one of the second test against england in multan. the 24—year—old took 7—114, as the tourists were dismissed for 281. in reply pakistan ended the day on 107 for two, trailing by 174 asjoe wilson now reports. this was the day, this was the ground of abrar ahmed. he makes the ball spin, and heads turn. oh, what a start this is! zak crawley was his first test wicket. england could be playing in multan or on the moon — they will attack. ben duckett�*s spectacular 63 was standard. it's not a ground big enough

to contain england's new ambition, but the results were mixed. 0llie pope scored lots like this, and was caught like this. gone for 60. it looked like harry brook was trying to hit this back to rawalpindi. it worked so often in the first test, but it didn't here. well held. very well held. and by lunch, on his debut, abrar had five wickets. look how he dismissed ben stokes for 30. clean bowled. clear shock. abrar finished with seven wickets, but mark wood's late runs took england to 281 all out. so, england were bowling. imam—ul—haq's faint edge, and this was the first of two wickets england took before the close of play. but pakistan's captain can score as quickly as anyone. babar azam will resume on 61 not out. pakistan already on 107 and all set up for another manic multan day. joe wilson, bbc news. to rugby union now, where the champions cup begins this weekend.

the action gets under way tonight with london irish hosting montpellier. it's european rugby's premier club tournament, but this season, for the first time, south african sides will be taking part, with the sharks, stormers and the bulls all in the mix. let's get more on this from our rugby union reporter sara orchard now. how did this all come about, that south african teams are playing in that european competition? irate south african teams are playing in that european competition? we will certainly not — that european competition? we will certainly not be _ that european competition? we will certainly not be calling _ that european competition? we will certainly not be calling at _ that european competition? we will certainly not be calling at the - certainly not be calling at the european cup too much, just signs plain old, doesn't it? we will be calling at the champions cup. the south african sides are not aligned their season with europe. you have them playing into united rugby championship. when theyjoined it was obvious on the proviso that there was an honest discussion about if they could play in europe, and it was confirmed injune that they would be. we have three teams in the

champions cup and two teams in the challenge cup. it has divided opinion. this is a competition that has been going since 1996 and has given rugby union so many tremendous days. one person who doesn't like it is the france captain and 1—2 punch. he came out and say that their inclusion takes away from what he describes as a legendary competition. despite his dislike, i don't think this will change anytime soon. ii don't think this will change anytime soon. ., ., ~ don't think this will change anytime soon, ., ., " ., don't think this will change anytime soon. ., ., ., soon. if we look at who are the likely contenders. _ soon. if we look at who are the likely contenders. la _ soon. if we look at who are the likely contenders. la rochellel soon. if we look at who are the i likely contenders. la rochelle are the defending champions. french rugby are in a good point. you really do _ rugby are in a good point. you really do feel— rugby are in a good point. you really do feel at _ rugby are in a good point. you really do feel at the _ rugby are in a good point. i'm. really do feel at the moment that french rugby is in a good place as they move towards the world cup. the party that continued after rochelle

one lead went on for days afterwards. they are led by ronan 0'gara as coach. to lose, they could be in the mix, racing 92. la rochelle will be opening against northampton, they will be at home. some of the inca sites just don't have the depth of the french sites. this final will be held in dublin and i think for leinster that will be a huge carrot for them this season to go all the way. saracens back in the — season to go all the way. saracens back in the competition. _ season to go all the way. saracens back in the competition. i - season to go all the way. saracens back in the competition. i wantedl season to go all the way. saracens i back in the competition. i wanted to ask you about the leicester tigers coach, steve borthwick. he had his press conference today, didn't want to be drawn on the england job. that's right. eddiejones was relieved of his position after the england manager on tuesday. steve

borthwick is the only real name on anyone's list. if anyone had ever been one of his press conferences he is rarely drawn on anything like this. he was there to say we are playing the ospreys on sunday and thatis playing the ospreys on sunday and that is what i'm going to talk about. he has worked with eddie jones before in the past, part of the england coaching setup. he threw a lot of praise at eddiejones. any talk of him becoming the new england coach was quickly brushed away. separate, thank you. now, on the back of england winning the euros this summer, average attendances in the women's super league have increased by 200% and crowds going to the women's championship have grown by 85%. the final round of wsl fixtures ahead of their winter break take place this weekend, with the standout tie being the manchester derby at the etihad stadium on sunday. 0ur reporterjo currie caught up with manchester city's esme morgan ahead of it. i know you normally play your games

at the academy stadium, but the manchester derby is coming up and thatis manchester derby is coming up and that is being played there at the etihad stadium. what does it mean to you, a massive manchester city fan, to play in that stadium? you you, a massive manchester city fan, to play in that stadium?— to play in that stadium? you can robabl to play in that stadium? you can probably tell _ to play in that stadium? you can probably tell with _ to play in that stadium? you can probably tell with my _ to play in that stadium? you can probably tell with my smile, - to play in that stadium? you canj probably tell with my smile, just the prospect of it, i'm so excited. what does derby day mean to you? it is the one you always look for in the calendar when the fixtures get released. both for the man's games and the women's games. when i cut announced it was going to be at the etihad stadium, ijust thought it was so exciting. what is the rivalry like? i was brought up on the song if you hate manchester united clap your hands, to which i would rapturously clap in the stands! everyone is brought up that way. if you are a city fan you hate united, if you are a united fan you hate

city. if you are a united fan you hate ci . , . ., city. getting changed in the chanauin city. getting changed in the changing room _ city. getting changed in the changing room that - city. getting changed in the changing room that this - city. getting changed in thej changing room that this can city. getting changed in the - changing room that this can only help, surely. i changing room that this can only help. surely-— changing room that this can only help, surely. i already feel ready for the game- — help, surely. i already feel ready for the game. i _ help, surely. i already feel ready for the game. i need _ help, surely. i already feel ready for the game. i need to - help, surely. i already feel ready for the game. i need to rein - help, surely. i already feel ready for the game. i need to rein it i help, surely. i already feel ready for the game. i need to rein it in | for the game. i need to rein it in until i'm ready for kick—off. i can't imagine how i will feel when the time does come and we are going out to warm up and then hopefully preparing if i am planning to go out and play. i'm already so excited. i can only imagine that feeling building. can only imagine that feeling buildinu. ~ ., ., , can only imagine that feeling buildinu. . ., ., , ., ., building. what does it mean for the team to have _ building. what does it mean for the team to have these _ building. what does it mean for the team to have these big _ building. what does it mean for the team to have these big moments . building. what does it mean for the j team to have these big moments in the big stadiums.— the big stadiums. after the success the big stadiums. after the success the uirls the big stadiums. after the success the girls had _ the big stadiums. after the success the girls had in _ the big stadiums. after the success the girls had in the _ the big stadiums. after the success the girls had in the summer - the big stadiums. after the success the girls had in the summer at - the big stadiums. after the success the girls had in the summer at the | the girls had in the summer at the euros, the interest in the game has skyrocketed. it feels apt that we can have an opportunity in arguably the club's biggest game of the season playing against manchester united to hopefully have these stands filled with the blue screaming and shouting. ii stands filled with the blue screaming and shouting. if you could be ca- ed screaming and shouting. if you could be capped and _ screaming and shouting. if you could be capped and leading _ screaming and shouting. if you could be capped and leading your - screaming and shouting. if you could be capped and leading your team - screaming and shouting. if you could be capped and leading your team for| be capped and leading your team for a manchester derby is something somewhere like this, what would that be like? . , ., ,

be like? incredible. it would 'ust be like? incredible. it would 'ust be a dream. fl be like? incredible. it would 'ust be a dream. ii be like? incredible. it would 'ust be a dream. i used i be like? incredible. it would 'ust be a dream. i used to i be like? incredible. it would 'ust be a dream. i used to sit in h be like? incredible. it wouldjust be a dream. i used to sit in that| be a dream. i used to sit in that lock up there. i cried when we conceded last—minute goals. i've been through all the emotions in the stadium. i was here for vincent kompany�*s kattar against united. to experience one of those numbers for myself would be a dream come true. i think i could retire happy then, to be honest. the fa has apologised after a video was posted to the fa cup tiktok account making light of a players head—on collision with an advertising board. stockport county's macauley southam—hales was taken to hospital but was later given the all—clear. the now deleted video set to music was criticised by the brain injury charity headway and the pfa say they are "seeking assurances" from authorities about player safety. that is it from me at the bbc sport studio. let's get back to arlene

foster. welcome back, thank you, let's just look ahead to that second quarterfinal final that kicks off in the next few minutes. the dutch fans aren't here in huge numbers, officially less than two thousand in the lusail stadium, they will be dwarfed by around 40,000 argentina in supporters but i'm guessing the millions will be glued to their tvs and radios back in netherlands anna holligan is in the hague. there is anxious anticipation here

in the hague. inaudible. |naud|ble. look, - |naud|ble. look, how. inaudible. | look, how do inaudible. - look, how do you inaudible. _ look, how do you fancy inaumble. — look, how do you fancy your chances? i think we have about a 50—50 chance — i think we have about a 50—50 chance. argentina has leonel massey. we have _ chance. argentina has leonel massey. we have a _ chance. argentina has leonel massey. we have a very good team. that chance. argentina has leonel massey. we have a very good team.— we have a very good team. that is what ou we have a very good team. that is what you hear— we have a very good team. that is what you hear from _ we have a very good team. that is what you hear from a _ we have a very good team. that is what you hear from a lot _ we have a very good team. that is what you hear from a lot of - we have a very good team. that is what you hear from a lot of dutch | what you hear from a lot of dutch fans, they might not have the star power of lionel messi, but they have a team, and they say teamwork makes the dream work. they are getting in the spirit, aren't they? 50—50 set that dutch

fan. i wonder what he will be thinking by the end of that game, especially if it goes to penalties. let's leave you with live pictures from that wonderful stadium, where the netherlands are preparing to take on the two—time champions, argentina. a great history between these sides. you automatically think of the 1978 world cup final in argentina. we have had the anthems, now we have to handshakes. quite a defensive line—up from argentina, no angel di maria. it looks as though the netherlands are really going to go for it. let's hope so. let's hope we have some goals in 90 minutes and not another 120 and then penalties.

so, croatia knocking out brazil. roll on the next of the quarterfinals. goodbye. hello. this cold snap is not living in a hurry. overnight temperatures falling to —5 or —6, even in our more urban areas. colder than that in some urban spots. freezing fog for eastern england, the qpr patch elsewhere. for some of us that could linger all day. snow flurries in southern scotland and on the irish sea coast. temperatures will range from freezing up to about plus six in the mouth of spots. into something, some stubborn freezing fog patches in

england and wales. snow flurries for southern scotland, the north of england and the far north of scotland. there could be some snow moving into the far south of england later in the day. it will be cold wherever you are.

this is bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in the uk and around the world. i'm nancy kacungira. the headlines: it goes to penalties, but brazil is out of the tournament with this quarter final miss against croatia. croatians celebrate their place in the world cup semifinal. we'll be live in zagreb one of russia's most prominent opposition politicians is sentenced to eight and a half years in prison after speaking out against the ukraine war. days after police in bangladesh fired on a crowd of protesters, now two prominent opposition leaders are detained.