LIVE UPDATES: Russia vs Croatia

When the group stages draw for the World Cup was made, no one gave Russia a dog’s chance to make it to the quarters but today they play host to Croatia in the quarter-final stage and we are delighted to be bringing you live text commentary of that game.

Russia hope to continue their fairytale run in the tournament and will have the entire country behind them as they take one Croatia at the Sochi Stadium.

England, France and Belgium have booked their places in the semis so there’s only one spot remaining and Croatia and Russia will fight for it tonight.

Russia knocked out 2010 winners and favourites Spain to reach this level so you can expect them to be high on confidence as they go into the game.

Croatia, meanwhile, came through a shootout of their own, seeing off Denmark following a nervy 1-1 draw.

Russia's Yuri Zhirkov’s experience will be missed today as the defender will sit out the game due to a calf problem.

Alan Dzagoev and Ivan Strinic have returned to the team after recovering from their respective injuries.

Croatia have a full house with all players available for selection.

Russia and Croatia have faced each other three times previously, with two of those ending goalless in qualifiers for Euro 2008; Croatia won the other meeting in November 2015, a 3-1 victory in a friendly.

Croatia have scored as many goals in four matches at this year's World Cup (8) as they did in six games in their previous two World Cup appearances in 2006 and 2014 combined.

Stay with us for live updates at 6:00 pm



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