natalie pirks, oui’ world cup campaign.in volgograd, fantastic stuff. kick—offjust over 15 minutes away. let's get some more reaction now to that england's starting xi. just across the way i can see the bbc stored studio, this very wise heads reacting to the england xi. they need to embrace this chance, not be safe and try to express yourself and enjoy it. it's a life—changing opportunity for these boys. and we've seen them recently posting pictures of themselves whilst they we re pictures of themselves whilst they were young boys and kids and this is what they wanted. this is they drained what of as young boys. they're in this situation now, millions and millions of people back at home would love to be in their boots now, having this opportunity. so they've got to try and enjoy it, they really have, and just embrace it all. i think what he's done is made the players believe, he's given them an identity, almost, with three at the back and there is a clear idea of how he wants to play, a clear idea of how he wants them to ac

apology, maybe we will try and get back to natalie pirks late in the programme to catch up pirks lateek on sports take we have been previewing the other teams, we looked at egypt and mo salah yesterday and what they might be able to bring. joe lynskey wasjoined by our world might be able to bring. joe lynskey was joined by our world football reporterjohn bennett as they looked at the other african nations. much of the african focus ahead of the world cup focuses on mo salah's egypt side. with the liverpool striker not fully fit could another of this continent's the limelight in russia? tunisia, senegal and morocco will be looking to better the likes of ghana. to assess each of those sides isjohn of ghana. to assess each of those sides is john bennett. of ghana. to assess each of those sides isjohn bennett. we will start with tunisia because they are england's group opponents and the first team england playjust like they did at the stade velodrome in france 98. the players england will look out for in the first match? wahbi khazri is their star player, sunderland fans will remember him

natalie pirks with the england tea m 2006. natalie pirks with the england team in repino.on an official royal visit. the queen and the duchess have been in cheshire, where they opened the mersey gateway bridge, and the storyhouse theatre in chester. our royal correspondent sarah campbelljoins me from there. yes, hello, the queen and meghan are currently in the town hall behind me having a spot of lunch after a fairly busy morning of engagements. this is another milestone day of the royal life of the new duchess of sussex. not only is this her first solo in gauge meant without her new husband, prince harry, but she's also accompanying the queen and deliver anyone who's going to show her the royal robes, who better than the monarch? taking you through the morning, the pair travelled overnight arriving this morning at runcorn station, they travelled overnight on the royal train. they then headed off to the mersey gateway bridge, one of the biggest infrastructure projects in this area in recent years. and after the excitement of the wedding this is largely what meghan's life a

from russia, here's our sports correspondent natalie pirks.may be the youngest of any team here, they may be the least experienced, but if prizes were handed out for enthusiasm, england would be front of the queue. the world cup is the biggest tournament in football, so this is what it is all about, this is what you work hard for as a kid and spend all them hours training. this is the stage you want to be on, the biggest stage in the world. this is finally a squad england fans feel connected to — thanks to some steady leadership. i think people can see there is a humility about the group, and there is absolutely no reason why there should not be, by the way. so, you know, that's important for us, that's important for the way that we work. we've got to keep wanting to improve, and we are representing our country in the greatest sporting tournament there is. they flew into st petersburg, home to the beautiful winter palace, site of the russian revolution. but if england plans to stage its own, it will be a quiet one. 30km away lies repino, the s

natalie pirks, bbc news, repino.usands of children in pakistan are legally employed as domestic servants. they cook and clean for their employers, and are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. but as secunder kermani has been investigating for our world — there are rarely consequences for those who cause them harm. his programme contains some scenes which viewers may find upsetting. for losing a broom, this ten—year—old girl says she was beaten and her hands were burned. this 16—year—old boy died allegedly after being assaulted again and again. their horrific stories highlight the plight of some children working as servants in the homes of the rich and powerful in pakistan. but their desperately poor families often choose not to pursue the cases... ..meaning those accused of abuse regularly go unpunished. wherever you go in pakistan, you can see young children working to support their families. but others are less visible, working behind closed doors in upmarket neighbourhoods. tens of thousands of children are sent

natalie pirks, bbc news, volgograd.e lowest round in major championship history. he had this putt to shoot a 62 — butjust missed and recorded a final round of 63. butjust missed and recorded he's currently second on the leaderboard behind american brooks koepka. on the leaderboard behind well, you can follow the coverage of the final round on the bbc sport website, and there's also more from the world cup here in russia. a from the world cup here in russia. first look at tor newspapers a first look at tomorrow's newspapers coming up on the bbc news channel. that's all from me. channel. stay with us on bbc one, it's time for the news where you are. for most of us, it was quite a fresh, cloudy weekend but things are set to warm up, particularly across the south of the country in the coming days, perhaps even turning a little too hot for some of us. in the north, however, we will retain the north, however, we will retain the cool weather and also occasional rain. let us have a look at the satellite picture, because there i

natalie pirks, many thanks.untry. it‘s led to hundreds of children and babies being separated from their parents, and housed in detention centres. the united nations calls it an unconscionable policy — and the first lady‘s intervention has strengthened calls for it to end. chris buckler reports from washington. this border is a gateway into the united states, and, some families believe, a new life. but when they cross over from mexico into america, they are now, as a matter of routine, being split apart. every adult without papers is being detained and prosecuted, put in prison while their children are taken away to detention centres, like this one in a converted supermarket in texas. they are being cared for here, but separating parents and their children is causing obvious distress. translation: it was hard, the hardest day for me. i felt like i was losing my son. that‘s what i thought. i was going to lose my son. among the families are people trying to escape poverty and violence. in the past, many would be f

natalie pirks, bbc news, st george's park. time for a look at the weather... here's ben rich. today. what a cracking day it was for this weather watcher in the scottish highlands. it was a struggle to break up the cloud on the east sussex coast but the satellite picture shows what went on. a lot of cloud to start with but that cloud peeling away southwards, most ending the day with sunshine. just a little bit of rain in the far south—west of england, some of that could scrape along the south coast for a time this evening. it is dry with clear spells, cloud streaming in from the north sea to eastern scotland, may be some drizzle, and it will be quite a cool night will stop some places will get all the way down to three or 4 degrees. so cool started tomorrow but a bright start for many with spells of sunshine. again some places will be brighter than others and in parts of north—east england particularly there will be extra cloud, perhaps some drizzle. elsewhere in the best of the sunshine, 19—22d and with that it's another day of high or very high all levels, particularly across

here's our sports correspondent natalie pirks.essure and a safe pairof calmness under pressure and a safe pair of hands. as england's players took on the media at darts today, fa ns took on the media at darts today, fans will be hoping goalkeeper jordan pickford carries his form from the hockey onto the page. this relationship between the team and press hasn't always been this good. brilliant! yes! it was on this day in 96 that we saw this memorable celebration in england's history following headlines about that team's drinking culture. from water bottles still water sprinklers, the players and press that sold an overzealous groundsman today as striker marcus rashford returned to training. part of a new england world cup build—up involves one of garrett's southgate the media attempted to get his starting 11 what's with this new system he favours it does mean key positions are still up for grabs. 0ne favours it does mean key positions are still up for grabs. one man with more than a fighting chance of playing is raheem sterling, th

from russia, here's our sports correspondent natalie pirks. queue. the world cup is the biggest tournament in football. so, this is what it is all about. this is what you work hard for as a kid. spend all them hours training. this is the stage you want to be under, the biggest stage in the world. this is finally a squad england fans feel connected to, thanks to some steady leadership. i think people can see there is a humility about the group and there is absolutely no reason why there should not be, by the way. so, that is important for us, it is important for the way that we work. we have got to keep wanting to improve and we are representing our country in the greatest sporting tournament there is. they flew into st petersburg, home to the beautiful winter palace, site of the russian revolution. but, if england plans to stage its own, it will be a quiet one. 30 kilometres away, lies repino, the sleepy resort town on the shores of the gulf of finland, where england will call home. their ferest betel is h locals though are waiting for a glimp

natalie pirks has been talking to the fans ahead of the match. its role as welcoming hosts. i think it's fair to say we came with a little bit of trepidation because you never know until you get here, but in general we've always found if you're nice to people, they are usually nice back. put your shirt on, everyone takes photographs and shakes your hand and buys you a drink. it's the opposite, they love us. we thought it would be a war zone, but the locals have been really friendly, so so far, so good. a win against panama this afternoon would guarantee england a place in the last 16. in russia's 13th century city, gareth southgate is keen to consign past failures to history. we are a team who are hungry, we want to improve and show people an england team can play in a different way. we've got technically good players. we want them to get on the ball and express themselves and really attack the game as we did from the opening minutes of the game the other night. this panama side is organised. their style is, let's say, robust. england can expect

natalie pirks, bbc news, russia.ng in the election. ajudge in washington revoked mr manafort‘s bail, saying he had abused the court‘s trust. former tennis world number one boris becker has claimed diplomatic immunity from bankruptcy proceedings — citing his role as a sports attache to the central african republic. the three—time wimbledon champion was supposedly appointed to the diplomatic post in april. but a spokesman for the central african republic government has now suggested that no such post exists. the east sanders actor landlord of the queen vic has died. the a0 million viewers turn —— choosing to watch the christmas day episode in 1986 in which his character handed divorce papers to his on—screen wife, off—screen, it was not without controversy. christmas day, 1986, 30 dan and angie, and a bit of tv history,. this is a letter telling you your husband. does that look about him that you just didn‘t know what he was going to do next. that was his eighth in the whole, it was always that bit about him that was s

from their training base in repino to nizhny novgorod, where we find our sports correspondent, natalie pirksty? it is the most secretive city and the hottest city at the moment. actually not as hot as volgograd but the hottest we have been on our travels. 31 degrees and it will not cool down before england kick off at midday. 0nly cool down before england kick off at midday. only in the 90s, a quarter ofa midday. only in the 90s, a quarter of a century ago debate open their doors to foreigners. before that you could not come him because of its place in military production, producing tanks and the like. 0nly recently have they allowed foreigners in. they have been very kind to us, incredibly welcoming. there have been people all over the world walking down the streets with their flags, world walking down the streets with theirflags, very world walking down the streets with their flags, very cosmopolitan. let's have a look around the stadium. it is another new one they built for the world cup. they have all these glass panels that semi—reflective. at night it lights up. it looks nice at night—

natalie pirks, bbc news, moscow. newsnight is coming up on bbc two. here's evan davis., we devote most of our programme to the gosport war memorial hospital scandal. it'll be remembered for multiple failings for years. how could it happen? how could it have been overlooked? and why did no—one take responsibility afterwards? join me now on bbc two. here on bbc one, it's time for the news where you are. hello, and welcome to sportsday. i'm olly foster in mosocw on day seven of the world cup. spain ride their luck against iran, but a win means that group b will be going down to the wire. ronaldo is a record breaker as another goal keeps the portuguese captain out in front in the race for the golden boot, and it also means moroccoa are going home eraly. —— early. and a win for uruguay against saudi arabia puts them and hosts russia through to the second round, while the saudis and egypt are out. i'm tim hague at the bbc sport centre. i'll have the day's sport away from the world cup including. england's women break the t20 world record on the way to victory against south af

with all of today's world cup news, let's join our sports correspondent natalie pirks in moscow.d now of the group stages, where fans can plot a route through to the final. this time on thursday we will know where england will end up. in a moment we will look at what lies ahead for the three lions but first a look at the dramatic night of action. for iran and their portuguese manager, the maths was simple, beat portugal and be true to the knockout stage. but ricardo quaresma had other ideas. endless video referrals peaked when iran were handed a dramatic penalty in injury time. iran's dramatic equaliser meant portugal were on the ropes but they clung on for second spotin ropes but they clung on for second spot in the group. england's next destination spain needed just one point but morocco had nothing to lose and promptly took the lead. theirjoy lose and promptly took the lead. their joy lasted five lose and promptly took the lead. theirjoy lasted five minutes, as it was laid on a plate for isco. david de gea could only watch in horror as this shop came past him but var did itsjo

it was a very different story against the central american side, and our sports correspondent natalie pirksland road. very different. as you said, i was there at that costa rica game, that dead rubber, and england looked appalling. tonight, they looked exciting, dare i say, capable of surprising us at this world cup. famous last words. can she get from the side that played against —— ten changes from the side that played against nigeria. it was marcus rashford, man of the match performance from him. certainly worthy of that. the school was an absolute stunner. there was no chance that keylor navas was getting anywhere near that one. and it's been lots of talk that marcus rashford is having his career hampered by az mourinho. he did a great chance of staking his claim and giving gareth southgate a selection headache, whether to play him or perhaps sterling against tunisia. england needed to be clinical. they need to turn possession into the killer ball. and danny welbeck flew at it. there was somejoke between danny welbeck flew at it. there was some joke between the two of them afterwards af

from volgograd, natalie pirks reports. where tonight the motherland of football meets the motherland. in a city formerly known as stalingrad, england will attempt to win their opening world cup match for the first time since 2006. gareth southgate, though, believes his young side are not affected by the past. this team is looking at things ina the past. this team is looking at things in a different way, trying to play in a different way. they have a hunger, a desire with better technical players that we have had in the past coming to our academies. so there is a real enthusiasm and they are looking forward to getting going. around 2100 england fans are expected to night and as always, they found creative ways of getting here. jamie and mitch battled tiredness and sunburn to cycle 100 miles a day from england to volgograd, raising money for the bobby moore fund. no training, just literally a case of getting on the bike and heading east until we got to russia. we have proven you got —— you're not got to be superman to do it.

our sports correspondent natalie pirks looks back on what was a spectacular game.come in their thousands, little did they know they were about to witness history. the breakthrough came early, as panama were grappling, john stones was left to his own devices. that is a header that has gone in! they had a feeling more was on the way. panamanians wrestling moves were not going unnoticed, penalty to england for the blatant bun. it as they protested, it harry kane varied it. it was only about get better. jesse lingard's strike was the pick of the bunch. jesse lingard fires in a beautiful third for england! stones chipped it again to make it four and after another rugby tackle from panama, harry kangert his second penalty. is here and at home, fans couldn't believe their eyes. this was no drill, england really were five milk up at half—time. you know your luck is in when everything you touch, or barely touch, turns to gold. panama's touch, or barely touch, turns to gold. pa nama's oldest touch, or barely touch, turns to gold. panama's oldest player pulled one back to mak

from russia, here‘s our sports correspondent natalie pirks.g. this is the stage you want to be under, the biggest stage in the world. this is finally a squad england fans feel connected to, thanks to some steady leadership. i think people can see there is a humility about the group and there is absolutely no reason why there should not be, by the way. so, that is important for us, it is important for the way that we work. we have got to keep wanting to improve and we are representing our country in the greatest sporting tournament there is. they flew into st petersburg, home to the beautiful winter palace, site of the russian revolution. but, if england plans to stage its own, it will be a quiet one. 30 kilometres away, lies repino, the sleepy resort town on the shores of the gulf of finland, where england will call home. their forest hotel is heavily guarded, with police and security taking no chances. locals though are waiting for a glimpse of their new neighbours. translation: we found out that the england team will be staying here by accid

natalie pirks has been talking to fans ahead of the match.was once a bastion of soviet secrets, but now nizhny novgorod is revelling in its role as welcoming hosts. it's fair to say we came with a little bit of trepidation because you never know until you get here, but in general we've always found if you're nice to people, they are usually nice back. put your shirt on, people take photographs and shake hands and buy you a drink. it's the opposite, they love us. we thought it would be a war zone, but the locals have been really friendly, so so far, so good. a win against panama this afternoon would guarantee england a place in the last 16. in russia's 13th century city, gareth southgate is keen to consign past failures to history. we want to improve and show people england can play in a better way. we've got technically good players, we want them to get on the ball and express themselves and really attacked again, as we did from the opening minutes of the game the other night. this panama side is organised, their style is, let's say, robust.

our correspondent natalie pirks reports. it was once a bastion of soviet secrets. gareth southgate got a feel for the heat inside of the state this afternoon. in russia's13th—century city, he is keen to consign past tournaments the history. we are a hungry team and improved. we want to show people that an england team can play in a different way. we want them to get on and express themselves. and attacked the game as we did from the opening minutes of the game the other night. up until even a quarter of a century ago, this city was off—limits to foreigners. now england fans are finding the welcome they received is nothing like what they expected sub villa brochure - —— everyone nothing like what they expected sub villa brochure. —— everyone —— villa brochure eric —— everyone —— eve ryo ne villa brochure eric —— everyone —— everyone wants to take a picture and have a trade. we thought it would be a war zone have a trade. we thought it would be a warzone and have a trade. we thought it would be a war zone and the locals up and family. so far, i good. russia is family

our sports correspondent, natalie pirks, is at the stadium for us. russia's newest stadium in what was once its most secretive city. it is one of those places that you can tick off the list is one of the places you would never covered were not for football. it is really interesting. up until a quarter of a century no foreigners were an —— allowed in here because of the military nature of the place. in the 90s was when they let foreigners in. now we are finding out very welcoming. they have flags everywhere. there are people from all over the world enjoying rusher‘s fifth biggest city. —— russia. this city is where two rivers meet and it is quite striking. i will move out of the way. the 16,000 seater stadium. you can see the glass, reflective, semitransparent stadium. you can see the glass, reflective, semitra nspa rent panels which light up at night to make it look pretty. it creates a greenhouse effect to make it even warmer pitch side then it is outside. it is hot, around 31 degrees today but it feels hotter at the moment. by three p:m., the local

our sports correspondent, natalie pirks, joins us from kaliningrad. be thinking about that? for any nation it will be an easier path towards the final with no germany. absolutely and that is the big talking point here amongst all of us. talking point here amongst all of us. iam talking point here amongst all of us. i am going to step out of the way for a while so you can see belgium and training right now. they are all huge household names from the premier league. they are all training in this 35,000 seater stadium here in kaliningrad. it is a curious place here. it was part of germany before it was taken by stalin after world war ii. it has no land border with russia, sandwiched between poland and lithuania. england are training here because they actually trained this morning as they have been doing for the whole tournament. there has been lots of talk about the permutations going in to this game against belgium. both sides are through to the last 16. top of the table is england by virtue of having less yellow cards. belgium have three. do you want t

natalie pirks reports from russia.s spain, the so many the champions spain, the so many the champions elect. they had already pressed the self—destruct button by sacking their manager two nights ago. tonight, they were in disarray from the off. on the day he was fined billions itax evasion, cristiano ronaldo took centre stage, just how he likes it. the finish was priceless. from one line might still to another, as ben started to find their rhythm. diego costa led. you cannot keep a good showman down though with spain dominating. to beat the world's best, you have to beat the world's best, you have to be at your best, usually. class is permanent david de gea simply should have done better. as the game swung back and forth, spain refused to be rattled. diego costa popped up again with a classic goal. with portugal still reeling, the ball found itself at the feet of nacho. and with the clock ticking down, the pressure now was all on portugal and pressure makes diamonds, and portugal had the man for thejob. makes diamonds,

finland, to nizhny novgorod where they'll play panama at one o'clock. 0ur sports correspondent natalie pirksyes, incredibly hard and incredibly loud. three hours to go until kick—off and england fans are starting to arrive and the flags are going up. let me show you around this beautiful stadium, 45 —— 45,000 seats, built for £700 million, and these transparent panels light up at night, which is beautiful. but that is making it incredibly hot. it is about 31 degrees but pitch side is even hotter. gareth southgate said that wouldn't affect the players. there are no physiological benefits to training in the heat so they carried on training in repino yesterday, 12 or 13 degrees cooler than this. it is hot to work in and it will be even hotter to play in. we know that dele alli is injured and ruben loftus—cheek will take his place in midfield. the big decision for gareth southgate was that the jo blair raheem sterling. no goals in 21 games for england. —— the big decision was to play raheem sterling. 0r marcus rashford. in that friendly before they came here he played. it looks like raheem sterl

tomorrow, they have arrived in volgograd ahead of their game against tunisia our sports correspodent natalie pirksnd will attempt to win a world cup opening match for the first time since 2006. their opponents the news you are ranked ninth places below them but all the fun talk here at city has been less about the match and more about welcome. about the match and more about welcome . tomorrow about the match and more about welcome. tomorrow night, the motherland of football meets the motherland. formerly stalingrad, this city is the sight of what's about to be the bloodiest battle in history. and many england fans spent today learning about its unique role in world war ii. so far, this country has exceeded expectations. it's amazing how welcoming the russian people have been, every single person if, across absolutely fantastic. lu upset the people that go for yourself and see, don't listen to other people you have to see for yourself. we than them hospitable, they have been keen to work with us to exchange ideas. martin roberts is the national league for football policing and he's been working clo

him the record european scorer in international football history, as our sports correspondent natalie pirksorts from moscow. he scores them with his left foot... he scores them with his right... commentator: silva with another opportunity, short this time. today, ronaldo used his head. but the celebration is always the same. legs akimbo, arms outstretched, adulation incoming. # nobody plays like ronaldo...# fans flocked to the luzhniki stadium today, and it was clear who most had come for. his appeal is global. we love ronaldo — we are from india! this world cup, it will be the world cup of ronaldo. our world cup. european champions and world champions, you believe? yes, for sure. before reaching russia, all the talk was over who would be the best player at this tournament — cristiano ronaldo or argentina's lionel messi. it's a debate that been raging for a decade. we like ronaldo, we love ronaldo! he's the best player in the world. no, messi! ronaldo, ronaldo! messi, messi! he wants to be the best. he always says that, and every time that he comes out and says something, he achieves. comme

him the record european scorer in international football history, as our sports correspondent natalie pirksther opportunity, short this time. today, ronaldo used his head. but the celebration is always the same. legs akimbo, arms outstretched, adulation incoming. # nobody plays like ronaldo...# fans flocked to the luzhniki stadium today, and it was clear who most had come for. his appeal is global. we love ronaldo — we are from india! this world cup, it will be the world cup of ronaldo. our world cup. european champions and world champions, you believe? yes, for sure. before reaching russia, all the talk was over who would be

our sports correspondent natalie pirks is in the stadium for us, and we now know gareth southgate‘s teamone player from the side that started against tunisia. loftus—cheek will come in for dele alli. the england team from the back is this: trippier was very impressive against tunisia. there was talk of danny rose coming m, there was talk of danny rose coming in, but it has been decided that young would keep his place. up front we have sterling keeping his place, rashford on the bench and of course the two—goal hero, harry kane, up front. a win will take england through to the last 16. but this panama, well they could be a stubborn resistance. tell us about panama, it is their first world cup. we don‘t know much about them. it is a fairly old squad as well? yes, they don‘t score goals. they have only scored one in their last six matches. but they‘re organised and that kind of stubborn game that england will face, in this tournament, only eight of the 20 teams have had more possession and gone on to win. when you‘re faced with lesser opposition, which they are, they‘re 55th in the world, i

our sports correspondent natalie pirks is in the stadium for us.starts? what a storm in a tea cup that was? yes it looks like sterling will keep his place. he hasn't scored in 21 england games and there are a few moments in the game with tunisia where he got his feet muddled up. it is that last missing part of his game. he has played so well for manchester city all season. but that just in an england shirt it is that final product. that led many to speculate that rashford would start. rashford was man of the match and scored against costa rica. we understand sterling will keep his place. actually his movement was fantastic in the game. it looks like the team will be unchanged. apart from dele alli, who has a thigh strain and reuben loftus—cheek will come in. we will get the team news in 40 minutes in this very hot stadium. we understand fifa will make a decision about whether to have water breaks. we should know about that in the next 40 minutes or so. about that in the next 40 minutes or so. ican about that in the next 40 minutes or so. i can brin

natalie pirks, our sports correspondent, many thanks indeed. orrow on bbc news mv build—up to that lunchtime kick—off, which is across the bbc. natalie was mentioning the england team probably watching that match in sochi where sweden still beating germany 1—0. just approaching half—time come as it stands in germany would be going out of the world cup. plenty more coming up here from moscow later in sports day, more on that england panama match. we will be speaking to a former england captain. also hearing from the current belgian tapping about what he expects from that game next thursday. for now, let's head back to the bbc sportscenter. holly hamilton. thanks for that. and from moscow to sydney where ireland's incredible season continued with their first three—match series win down under since 1979. for the irish, some frayed nerves during that final deciding test at the allianz stadium withjoe schmidt's side hanging on until the final whistle as patrick gearey reports. music. winning on the other side of the world is rugby‘s great test. the l

him the record european scorer in international football history, as our sports correspondent natalie pirksm with his right... commentator: silva with another opportunity, short this time. today, ronaldo used his head. but the celebration is always the same. legs akimbo, arms outstretched, adulation incoming. # nobody plays like ronaldo...# fans flocked to the luzhniki stadium today, and it was clear who most had come for. his appeal is global. we love ronaldo — we are from india! this world cup, it will be the world cup of ronaldo. our world cup. european champions and world champions, you believe? yes, for sure. before reaching russia, all the talk was over who would be the best player at this tournament — cristiano ronaldo or argentina's lionel messi. it's a debate that been raging for a decade. we like ronaldo, we love ronaldo! he's the best player in the world. no, messi!

that game kicks off at seven o clock — and our sports correspondent natalie pirks is there live for usore qualified already the big question is natalie, i suppose the more qualified already the big question is which natalie, i suppose the more qualified already the big question is which team natalie, i suppose the more qualified already the big question is which team wants natalie, i suppose the more qualified already the big question is which team wants to natalie, i suppose the more qualified already the big question is which team wants to finish natalie, i suppose the more qualified already the big question is which team wants to finish top, if either? that is the big debate, isn't it? that's what dominating the media but it's not something dominating gareth southgate‘s thoughts. essentially, if england top the group, they will play where currently 37 degrees rising to 39 degrees tomorrow and they will get one day less rest with a possible quarterfinal against the five times champion brazil if they come second. then they'll get one more days rest and play in moscow with a possible q

our correspondent, natalie pirks, is there for us.he fans for success too, many of them there in volgograd. certainly. around 2100 england fans are expected here tonight, with 42,500 tickets sold so far. that is 3000 short of capacity. england will be playing in red, doused in repellent to keep the pesky midges at bay. this morning, the fa released a video imploring fans to get behind them. they are looking to reverse a trend of shaky starts at tournaments. from day one, it's got to be the whole country together. your country needs you. players have called on england fans to roar them on tonight, be it at home orfrom inside the volgograd arena. more than 2,000 fans have made the journey by planes, sleeper trains or on two wheels. jamie and mitch have cycled the 2,400 miles from england to volgograd in aid of the bobby moore fund. they've battled punctures and sunburn as they rode 100 miles a day across europe. i have ridden a bike before, but that's about the stretch of it. recently, we've done no exceptional training. it was literall

goalie could only look on in disbelief from the other end of the pitch. 0ur sports correspondent, natalie pirks are playing tomorrow. this world cup has been one upset after another. it's just been unbelievable so far, hasn't it? today was no exception. the press room here looked on in sheer disbelief of the world champions went out at this stage of the world cup for the first time since 1938, sparking scenes ofjoy and of course despair, as our correspondent richard conway now reports. germany came into this game knowing they needed to win for a place in they needed to win for a place in the knockout rounds, but scoring and conceding has been an issue for the defending champions, and theirfirst half performance was listless. south korea nearly took advantage, manuel neuer spilling the free kick before clawing it away. josh reykjavik have a chance to make it 1—0, but on the biggest stage, he only found the diving career goalkeeper. meanwhile in yekaterinburg, the other gaming group of saw face mexico, both with ambitions to progress. and sweden beat! swedish nerves were settled from the spot. ge

from russia, here's our sports correspondent natalie pirks.

the germans have failed to make it through the group stage since 1938. 0ur sports correspondent natalie pirksl, this has already been an extraordinary world cup. today was no exception. there was huge shop in kaliningrad as we said goodbye to the four—time world champions. it is the four—time world champions. it is the third world cup in a row that the third world cup in a row that the holders have gone out at the group stages and a feeling the germans were completely unprepared for, as our sports correspondent richard conway reports. win or go home, a predicament germany rarely finds itself injuring the group stage of a world cup. it is 80 years since they have fallen at the first hurdle, but goals, both scoring and conceding, have been an issue for the defending champions. their first—half performance was listless, much to the frustration of the manager. south korea clinging to their own slim hopes of survival, nearly took advantage. joshua kimmich had a chance to make a 1—0. drawing a great save. meanwhile, in ekaterinburg, sweden faced mexico in group f, both with ambitions to progress. a

will see them join belgium in the knockout stages, who beat tunisia 5—2 today. 0ur correspondent natalie pirksth century city, he is keen to sign past tournaments to history. we want to improve and show people that an england team can play in a different way, we've got technically good players, we want them to get on the ball and express themselves angrily attacked the game as we did from the opening minutes of the game the other night. up until even a quarter ofa other night. up until even a quarter of a century ago —— century ago, —— the welcome was nothing like they expected. everyone shakes your hand and by stuart drink, it is the opposite, they love us. we thought it would be a war zone and the locals have been really friendly. russia is on the charm offensive and so are russia is on the charm offensive and so are england, their attacking style is winning friends everywhere, including pam's coach. that's what eve ryo ne including pam's coach. that's what everyone wants to see, it excites fans, people are happy back home to see a team play with such energy. keep that going. while england w

their world cup campaign against tunisia at seven o'clock tonight, and our sports correspondent natalie pirksgograd arena for us this lunchtime. what should the england players be expecting later? it is going to be pretty hot temperature wise, isn't it? it will be hot. they are expecting midges. they are... this isa 40,000 expecting midges. they are... this is a 40,000 seater stadium built for the world cup. the third biggest being used. the rest of us are in shade. 29 degrees outside. it doesn't feel excruciating. it is very nice indeed apart from these midges. they are everywhere, our ears, i, hair, mark. atabout nine o'clock last night, it was pretty brutal. we are covered in repellent just as the england players will be denied because the team doctor has confirmed they will be covered in it. it doesn't make a difference. they are still in your face. someone likejordan they are still in your face. someone like jordan pickford, it they are still in your face. someone likejordan pickford, it could be difficult weather is not much for him to do. the last thing england to need is a bad start o

meanwhile england have been preparing for their next game against panama on sunday in nizhny novogrod, natalie pirksmbled 3—0 by croatia. a result so bad one tv station in argentina today held a minute's silence. they needed nigeria to do them a favour against iceland, but brazil faced a very stubborn and costa rica side. bouncing to the beat of brazil. humiliated on home soil in 2014, the five—time champions are back, rejuvenated and have a score to settle. brazil were heading for a second draw in as many games, but in stoppage time, philippe coutinho arrived at the perfect time to cue wild celebrations. rather too wild for his manager. the victory was sealed by neymar — the world's most expensive player, overcome by emotion. they left it late but brazil arejubilant. they've got a win on the board and how vital might that prove in their bid to reach the last 16, lift sixth world cup and lay to rest, the ghost of four years ago. the other game in group e this evening saw switzerland strike in the closing minutes too, to beat serbia 2—1 and set up a potentially thrilling round of games. meanwhile, ni

natalie pirks sent this report from the team's base near repino. was watched by fans eager for a glimpse of their favourite stars. and farfrom the glimpse of their favourite stars. and far from the stereotype of the surly russian, these fans were open and engaging and knowledgeable. surly russian, these fans were open and engaging and knowledgeablem is my favourite team. i love english will all. i always dreamt to see them. it is tough to be a football player in england, you have very high hopes, expectations. we have the same problem in russia, our expectation is more than reality. russian custom dictates that visitors received bread and salt as a gesture of hospitality and friendship. what the team nutritionists will make of that were not sure but when training began in gwent provided a glimpse of the premier league sparkle that 400 locals had come forfull stop no build—up to the world cup is com plete build—up to the world cup is complete for england without a slight injury scare. marcus rashford has missed training with a slight knock to the kn

natalie pirks, bbc news, volgograd.night. we could hear them from our hotel, going strong into the night. a great atmosphere in the stadium, a huge roar when the winning goal went in. and great celebrations in the streets outside. the fans were wary of coming to rush after all the trouble at the euros in france in 2016 winchburgh people off and the politics between russia and the uk at the moment. yet those who have made it here say they have had an incredible time, the atmosphere has been extremely warm and welcoming and the match result was just what they were looking for. sarah, thank you, we can finish on some shots of celebrating fans. thank you. the former conservative leader lord hague has called for a review of the law on cannabis — suggesting that it should be legalised. he says that the case of billy caldwell, the boy with epilepsy whose medicinal cannabis oil was confiscated, shows the government‘s approach is out of date. let‘s speak to our political correspondent ben wright who‘s in westminster. this is int

natalie pirks, bbc news, moscow. time for a look at the weather. here‘s darren bett.ifferent in scotland but quite a few showers to the north of the central belt in the cooler and fresher air. more showers over the next few hours in scotland, some of them heavy, clipping northern ireland and northern england before exiting into the north sea. becoming clear with northerly breeze drawing down. temperatures lower across the southern half of the uk. we‘re getting cooler, fresher air because all that heat and humidity getting pushed into europe. cooler and fresher air coming down from the north because we have a big area of high pressure sitting to the west of the uk which is bringing us this north to north westerly airflow. windy in the north—east of scotland, costs of 50 mph. in the morning there could be some showers for the northern isles. 0n there could be some showers for the northern isles. on thursday a dry day with plenty of sunshine around and some fair weather cloud coming in. across the southern half of the uk particularly in the south—east and east anglia, te

they faced costa rica in a friendly in leeds, from where natalie pirks reports.l presence today. as patron of mental health the duke of cambridge took time to applaud danny rose's decision to speak out about his battle with depression. it is really, really good what he did, he said. well done, you should be pleased. yorkshireman rows returned home tonight as england played their first match in leeds for 16 years. it's all part of gareth southgate's plan to bring the fans closer. but real madrid's keeper couldn't get anywhere near marcus rashford. fabulous for marcus rashford. how is that for staking a claim for both country and club? england had all the possession, costa rica offered little. when the three lions needed to put this to bed, danny welbeck, used his head. the substitute's

through the quarterfinals by avoiding the tournament favourites, brazil. 0ur sports correspondent, natalie pirksiningrad. germany going out has made fans even more confident that england could win the world cup. the reality is they have not won knockout match since 2006 and gareth southgate has dismissed all chat about trying to avoid winning this group to avoid the harder opponents. up to 3500 england fans are expected tonight and they all want the same thing, england victory. it's taken a while but the english have arrived. # just don't want to go home #. belgium is england's first sold—out game of the tournament and germany's defeat yesterday has left fans here believing that football is coming home. there is no team we should fear. we should go all the way. i think they will quite easily go to the final. we've got the momentum, we've got the belief and that's something that england's not had in the past, is it? why not? we can win this world cup. commentator: jesse lingard. .. jesse lingard! they are confident not because of the opposition england have beaten, but the way they have beaten th

england now face an easier route through the rest of the tournament, as our sports correspondent natalie pirksland world cup game without that sick feeling in your stomach. yes, this was a strange game indeed. with both sides making wholesale changes, it at had all the attention ofa changes, it at had all the attention of a sunday barbecue amongst premier league powles, but with no real urgency to win, it seemed all the threat was sitting down. at least, thatis threat was sitting down. at least, that is what danny rose thought when he momentarily let his guard down. it isa he momentarily let his guard down. it is a great goal. at top drawer strike from adnan januzaj gives belgium the lead. as the belgians celebrated, their manager's face barely registered a smile. winning meantan barely registered a smile. winning meant an easier next opponent but in a tougher side of the draw. had they just shot themselves in the foot? england still have a golden chance to go level, but marcus ratchford missed, and england's first defeat ina yearwas missed, and england's first defeat in a year was confirmed.

natalie pirks is in moscow. natalie?n champions portugal take on morocco right here at the little nicky stadium in less than an hourand at the little nicky stadium in less than an hour and the atmosphere, as you can see, than an hour and the atmosphere, as ou can see it's than an hour and the atmosphere, as you can see, it's pretty good but nowhere near as good as when russia beat egypt's 3—1 last night. the cheers could be heard all over the city, warns being bled, firecrackers going off. it really means a lot to them. if saudi arabia failed to beat uruguay later, the hosts, the lowest ranked side in the tournament, will be through to the last 16 for the first time in 32 years and egypt will be out afterjust first time in 32 years and egypt will be out after just two first time in 32 years and egypt will be out afterjust two games. england fans of course know that pain all too well after that barguil in brazil in 201a. their game against tunisia on monday was the most watched tv programme of the year so far, more than t

natalie pirks, bbc news, volgograd. the diesel investigation. last month, audi admitted that another 60,000 a6 and a7 models with diesel engines have emission software issues — that's on top of 850,000 recalled last year. mps are calling for the legislation of medicinal cannabis after the home secretary allowed an epileptic boy to receive the treatment. sajid javid intervened to grant billy caldwell the right to use cannabis oil, after he was admitted to hospital with extreme seizures at the weekend. billy is expected to leave hospital today, but his mother says she now wants a meeting with mrjavid to try to help other children. the united nations human rights council has started a three—week session in geneva, today. the foreign secretary borisjohnson spoke at the opening session and has called for more efforts to improve access to education for girls across the world. if all girls went to secondary school, then infant mortality would be cut in half, saving three million young lives a year. about 12 million children wo

our sports correspondent natalie pirks has sent this report.o home. belgium is england‘s first sold—out game of the tournament and germany‘s defeat yesterday has left fans here believing that football is coming home. there is no team we should fear. we should go all the way. i think they will quite easily go to the final. we've got the momentum, we've got the belief and that's something that england's not had in the past, is it? why not? we can win this world cup. commentator: jesse lingard. .. jesse lingard! they are confident not because of the opposition england have beaten, but the way they have beaten them. momentum has been building. but gareth southgate will make changes tonight. he is confident, though, it won‘t disrupt england‘s positivity. we have been consistently performing well in the last eight, nine matches and we are hitting a level of performance that is really important when we go into latter stages of the competition. belgium is a team of well—known premier league faces that all english football fans could name. the same can‘