Best game of the tournament so far. Too bad for Argentina.

Exciting game. Sad for Messi but no one can do it alone.

A lot of cheap theatrics in this Uruguay-Portugal, the ones you have mentioned time and again, Ray.

Uruguay 1-0 Portugal at half time.

I’m glad this referee isn’t falling for all the Oscar-level dives, but it seems to me he has let an excessive number of clear fouls slide.

WOW! Portugal are out well done to Uruguay

Oh well, that's one result I correctly predicted! On balance of play, just about right result too, as for all Portugal's possession, I thought Uruguay looked the better team and the more likely to score.

It is strange, isn't it, the way match can be virtually free from theatrics, but another be full of it..............this one definitely came under the "full of it" category! Not much in it, but I's say Portugal won the "Oscar nominations" by a short head!

As well as theatrics, you know another thing I hate to see in the modern game, is when a team is attacking and the attack breaks down. The defending team make a meal of clearing their lines, and the attacking team win the ball back, say, in opposition half.
Do they continue to attack? Not a bit.....they "cleverly" work the ball backwards, until it reaches their own goalkeeper, thus losing whatever impetus may have existed.
WHY?

Good question Ray.

Loved the France-Argentina match, less so the other one because of the silliness. My Oscar nomination is Suarez who hasn't worked out that his head is above his neck, not below !

Half Time............Spain 1 Russia 1. Well Russia scored TWO goals....one at each end! "The Passing Game, and how to play it", but Spain paid for their lack of attacking intent. On top..........until..............that penalty.

Yes, the ball struck the Spanish player's arm........technically a penalty........but, DELIBERATE hand ball? I think not, the ball was played ONTO his arm, and IMO he couldn't have stopped it happening and was accidental.......however the Referee thought it clear cut, so fair enough. But were I a Spanish fan I would be feeling VERY hard done by.

Bring on the 2nd half.

Well during second half and subsequent extra time, Russia had learnt how to deal with the Spanish "possession game"......Spain however had not learnt how to score goals.

Penalty shoot-out is always a lottery, nullifying whatever went on during game itself, England are experts at losing them..........welcome to the club Spain!

Overall Russia soaked up all of what Spain tried.......not that Spain tried much, were content to pass the ball around and wait for the mistake the Russian defense would make........merely a pity from Spanish viewpoint that the expected Russian mistake, never happened.

So through sheer grit, determination and disciplined team work, Russia IMO deserved the result.

What a stunner! It’s Mexican Election Day so I’m not able to provide coverage at the moment. Recaps coming tonight!

Back from voting. Looks like we’re gonna see extra time/penalties again!

Croatia 1-1 Denmark at 78’

Arguably two of the most boring matches so far, have both featured Denmark. (Denmark v France and current Denmark v Croatia).

As we go into second period of extra time, both teams continue the mentality they have shown for most of the match..........never mind trying to win, just make sure we don't lose.

Other than the flurry in the first 4 minutes, the match has had "penalty shoot out" written all over it.

All credit to Referee, he TRIED to make sure it didn't go to shoot out, by awarding (rightly) Croatia a penalty in second period of extra time.......they missed it!

All turned up roses for them in the end though, and they go through via shoot out victory.

It seems like there's a penalty awarded in every other game this tournament.

"It seems like there's a penalty awarded in every other game this tournament."

Yes, there do seem to be a lot. I wonder if it is helped by having VAR so there is nowhere to hide now, whereas before the referees could miss things.

I'm glad Spain are out - I couldn't bear to watch another display like they put on today. It's a real shame, a few years ago they were beautiful to watch.

Russia v Croatia might have a bit of extra intensity for historical and political reasons. Let's hope it stays civilised...

Nothing new.

I’m sorry Mexico lost, Eddy. I was rooting for them.

Indeed, sad to see Mexico go. They were a, how to put it, honest team. Not as individually talented as the top tiers, but they didn't hide back and only defend for 90 minutes.

Sorry Eddy.

Mexico went out with heads held high.......they played well and gave it their best shot......Brazil though, when "on song" like today, seem always to be a notch higher than any opponent.
On this showing, it is difficult to see past them chalking up another World Cup Final victory.

Just HOW Belgium reached half time against Japan without being at LEAST 2 or 3 goals ahead, beats me! No complaints if the second half equals the first for entertainment value.

Safe to say, it did a whole more than that! I thought for sure Belgium was out when it became 2-0.

That was an unbelievable game and result. I thought for sure it was going into overtime. Even with that flurry of shots Belgium had at the end I didn’t think they’d be able to do it.

The term Linda is "extra time", not overtime. Lol

Missed it! Just as second half began.......came knock at door. Had to turn TV off as we had visitor (according to my dearly beloved, it is rude to keep TV on when we have visitor....and like most men desirous of peace and quiet on the domestic front...I complied). By the time I was able to switch back on....it was over.

Great matches! I feel sorry for both losers; they acquitted themselves well.

My Oscar nomination for the day is Neymar - what a pathetic display!