World Cup 2022 live online: game and team updates – quarter-final stage – AS USA

– Morocco stun Spain and Portugal cruise past Swiss to claim quarter-final berths
– Eden Hazard retires from international football
– World Cup takes two-day 'breather'
– Flick to remain with Germany despite World Cup disappointment
– Neutrals in Qatar delighted with Morocco's progress
– Cristiano Ronaldo starts on the bench for Portugal win
– Free agent CR7 rules out Saudi Arabia move
– Watch the Qatar 2022 World Cup live online on fuboTV (free trial available)
WORLD CUP 2022
Qatar World Cup 2022 quarter-finals: bracket, games, teams, dates and complete schedule
WORLD CUP 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo denies move to Saudi Arabia Pro League
WORLD CUP 2022
World Cup 2022: top scorers in race for the Golden Boot in Qatar
WORLD CUP 2022
USMNT to decide the future of coach Gregg Berhalter in January
Why this day seems sooo long.
Can you believe we have to wait yet another day?! It simply feels like forever.
SOCCER
The candidate that could coach the Mexico national team
Mexico is one of the hosts of the 2026 World Cup, and they are getting ready to train their team for the event with a new coach.
AS USA’s Rodrigo Serrano tells us about some of the candidates the country is considering to replace Gerardo Tata Martino.
WORLD CUP 2022
Van Dijk: “We’re playing against Argentina, not just Messi”
Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk spoke to the media two days before he and his team-mates will face Argentina in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
One name in particular cropped up several times during the defender’s meeting with the media – Lionel Messi. He was asked whether Messi is what worries the Dutch the most.
“Messi is one of the best players in the world. Together with Cristiano Ronaldo he is one of the best players of the last decades. There is only respect for what he has achieved. But now we are preparing not only to play against him but to face Argentina as a team,” Van Dijk replied.
Read more
WORLD CUP 2022
Morocco dedicate famous World Cup win over Spain to Nouri
The Morocco team made a nice gesture to Abdelhak Nouri and his family yesterday by remembering the former player as they celebrated advancing to the quarter-finals of the World Cup. 
After beating Spain 3-0 in a penalty shootout, the Moroccan players were photographed with a shirt with the former Ajax player’s name and the number 34.
Read more
WORLD CUP 2022
Hansi Flick to remain with Germany despite World Cup disappointment
Hansi Flick will remain in his position as Germany head coach despite his side’s dismal performance at the World Cup, the DFB said in a statement on Wednesday.
Flick received criticism after Germany were knocked out of the 2022 World Cup in the group stage in Qatar.
Team director Oliver Bierhoff has agreed to leave the Germany setup two years before his contract ends.
Full story
WORLD CUP 2022
World Cup: Can Kyle Walker stop Kylian Mbappé?
Kyle Walker will face Kylian Mbappé on Saturday when England take on France for a place in the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Mbappé has been unplayable in Qatar, scoring five goals to become the top scorer at the tournament, but Walker says he is ready for the challenge.
“I do understand what I need to do and that is to stop him,” the right-back said.
“It is easier said than done, but I don’t underestimate myself. I have played against some great players at Man City and England, I treat it as another game, I take extra care and give him the respect he deserves, but not too much respect.”
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Stones tops long passing table
And unsurprisingly, Pedri and Rodri also make the list.
Chávez goal the most powerful strike so far in Qatar
FIFA, world football’s governing body, says the most powerful goal scored at the World Cup so far is Luis Chávez’s effort for Mexico against Saudi Arabia.
The strike, Mexico’s second in a 2-1 win on the final matchday of the group stage, hit a maximum speed of 121.69 km/h, according to tracking technology in the Al Rihla, the official Adidas match ball for the tournament.
Hazard's Belgium career: a look back
Following the news that Eden Hazard has retired from international football, my colleague Jen Bubel has put together a piece that takes a look back at the Real Madrid forward's 14-year Belgium career.
Have a read of Jen's article.
(Photo: Geoff Caddick / AFP)
QATAR 2022 | PORTUGAL
Bitter pill for Cristiano Ronaldo
AS journalist Aritz Gabilondo has written a reaction piece to Portugal's 6-1 thrashing of Switzerland at Lusail Stadium last night. Specifically, Aritz looks back over Fernando Santos' decision to drop Cristiano Ronaldo for the game, and discusses the forward's replacement: hat-trick hero Gonçalo Ramos.
Spain pass themselves to death again
Here's another interesting stat from Opta. Spain are responsible for the two highest possession counts ever recorded in a World Cup knockout-stage match – and both were in ties that La Roja ended up losing on penalties.
The record percentage was registered in the Spaniards' last-16 defeat by hosts Russia four years ago, while the second highest came in yesterday's loss to Morocco, again in the opening knockout round.
LIGA MX
New Tigres head coach Diego Cocca not interested in Mexico job
Mexico are looking for a replacement for Gerardo 'Tata' Martino, who resigned as head coach following El Tri's group-stage exit. However, one man who has ruled himself out of the running is Diego Cocca, who only took over at Liga MX club Tigres last month.
“I owe a lot to Mexico and I’m grateful and continue to enjoy Mexican soccer, which has given me so much,” the Argentine said on Tuesday. “But I’m committed to Tigres and focused on Tigres. I’ve only just arrived.”
Check out Cocca's comments in full​​​​​​​
Netherlands and Argentina prepare for sixth World Cup meeting
Football stats specialists Opta note that Friday's quarter-final between the Netherlands and Argentina will be the countries' sixth meeting at a World Cup, making it the tournament's third-most frequent fixture.
The teams' most famous World Cup clash came in the final in 1978, as two-goal hero Mario Kempes fired the Argentines to the trophy on home soil.
It's a fixture that has produced a tasty goal or two – most notably, this filthy pulldown and finish by Dennis Bergkamp, which earned the Dutch victory in the 1998 quarter-finals.
Infantino hails Qatar WC22 group stage as the "best ever"
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has hailed the group stage of the Qatar World Cup as the "best ever" and said the number of upsets and geographic breadth of the teams progressing indicated that football was becoming ever more global.
Former champions Argentina, Spain, Germany and Brazil all suffered shock group-stage losses and Africa, Asia and North America were represented in the last 16 along with traditional powerhouses South America and Europe.
Infantino said the matches — "played in beautiful stadiums" — had already attracted a TV audience in excess of two billion viewers.
"Fantastic atmosphere, great goals, incredible excitement, surprises, small teams beating big teams," he said in comments released by FIFA on Wednesday.
Cristiano Ronaldo posts Instagram post with no bitterness over dropping
Cristiano Ronaldo started on the bench ahead of Portugal's Round of 16 clash vs. Switzerland last night and did come off the bench and had a goal rightly ruled offside, before later hailing the performance of the team via an Instagram post.
"Amazing day for Portugal, with a historic result in the biggest contest in world soccer. Luxury display by a team full of talent and youth," he wrote.
"Congratulations to our national team. The dream is alive! To the very end! Come on, Portugal!"
Hazard calls time on international career
Eden Hazard has announced his retirement from international football in the wake of Belgium's disappointing performance at the World Cup.
The Red Devils were underwhelming in an opening 1-0 win over Canada but defeat to Morocco and a draw with Croatia saw them exit Group F.
Head coach Roberto Martinez, who four years previously had led Belgium to the semi-finals in Russia, confirmed his departure after that game.
Real Madrid winger Hazard has now also called time on his spell with the national team, announcing his decision on Instagram.
"A page turns today… Thank you for your love. Thank you for your unparalleled support," he wrote.
"Thank you for all this happiness shared since 2008. I have decided to put an end to my international career. The succession is ready. I will miss you."
WORLD CUP 2022
How many times have Portugal qualified for the quarter-finals of the World Cup? What is their record?
Despite winning Euro 2016, Portugal have failed to dominate World Cups with fans hoping 2022 is the year that they buck that trend.
Mbappé leads the way in Golden Boot race
With his five goals, France striker Kylian Mbappé seems poised to scoop the World Cup 2022 Golden Boot award.
WORLD CUP 2022
What are some of the biggest upsets in the history of the World Cup?
A look back at the big World Cup shocks and surprises in Qatar and in the history of the WC
Messi / JESUS ALVAREZ ORIHUELA / DIARIO AS
Van Dijk relishing Messi test
Lionel Messi will be a danger to the Netherlands even when he is "chilling" and the Dutch must have a "good plan" to combat Argentina's superstar, says Virgil van Dijk.
The Dutch will renew hostilities with La Albiceleste in Friday's quarter-final contest in Qatar, in a fixture rich in World Cup history.
Argentina defeated the Netherlands in the 1978 final, while Louis van Gaal will get the chance at revenge having been in charge when his side lost to Messi and company on penalties in the semis eight years ago.
Van Dijk came up against Messi, who already has three goals in Qatar including in the 2-1 last-16 win over Australia, when Liverpool defeated Barcelona in the 2018-19 Champions League semi-finals.
So, naturally, he knows the Paris Saint-Germain star and seven-time Ballon d'Or winner is a player you can never take your eyes off.
"The difficult thing about him is when we are attacking, he is chilling somewhere in a corner or something," Van Dijk said.
"You have to be so very sharp in terms of defensive organisation. They always looked for him to try to make it difficult for us on the counter.
The road to WC22 glory
This is the path to the 18 December final at the Lusail Iconic Stadium as just eight teams remain in the competition.
Rafael Leao hails hat-trick hero Ramos
Rafael Leao believes the hat-trick heroics of Goncalo Ramos in Portugal's 6-1 rout of Switzerland show what quality lurks in the squad's ranks as they chase a first World Cup triumph.
Ramos started Tuesday's game ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, with the 21-year-old Benfica forward proving far from unnerved by that prospect, hitting the first, third and fifth goals of Portugal's handsome win.
It may mean Ramos keeps his place for the clash with surprise quarter-finalists Morocco, who upset Spain with a penalty shoot-out victory.
Leao came off the bench in the late stages and struck the team's exquisite sixth goal, staking his own claim for place in the side to tackle the Atlas Lions.
Asked about Ramos, Leao told Sport TV: "We have a lot of players of great quality, and he is another young man who showed a lot of quality.
"Today he had the opportunity to be in the starting line-up, he helped the team and we are very happy for him."
WORLD CUP 2022
World Cup 2022: top scorers in race for the Golden Boot in Qatar
PSG and France striker Kylian Mbappé leads the way in the top scorer ranking with his five goals.
Red Army / FADEL SENNA / AFP
Morocco's Atlas Lions march on at World Cup with help of 'Red Army'
Morocco supporters flooded into Doha on Tuesday for the team's last-16 World Cup showdown with Spain and the Atlas Lions made the trip worthwhile as they roared into the quarter-finals for the first time with a 3-0 penalty shootout win.
The last Arab and African side left in the World Cup, Morocco have been willed on by some of the most impassioned fans at the tournament who arrived at Education City Stadium with their ear-splitting volume turned up high even before kickoff as celebrations continued in central Doha long into the night.
Shaqiri apologises to Swiss fans after chastening defeat by Portugal
Switzerland midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri apologised to their fans after they were dumped out of the World Cup in humiliating fashion as they suffered a 6-1 defeat to a rampant Portugal in the last 16 at Lusail Stadium on Tuesday.
Goncalo Ramos scored a hat-trick, with Pepe, Raphael Guerreiro and Rafael Leao also on the scoresheet as Portugal put Switzerland to the sword to storm into their first World Cup quarter-final since 2006.
England's midfielder Jude Bellingham / ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP
Match-winning Bellingham attributes have 'taken him to another level'
Jude Bellingham has a "match-winning ability" that is taking his game to another level, according to England assistant manager Steve Holland. 
The Borussia Dortmund midfielder has been one of the Three Lions' standout performers in their run to the World Cup quarter-finals, where they face reigning champions France on Saturday.
Bellingham launched England's campaign with the opening goal in the 6-2 thrashing of Iran, before assisting Jordan Henderson during another impressive display in the last-16 win over Senegal.
The 19-year-old leads his team-mates for dribbles completed (six) and possessions won (23) in Qatar, while only Luke Shaw (72) has bettered his tally of 48 passes ending in the final third.  
Holland is well aware of the qualities and attributes possessed by top players following his time at Chelsea, where he served as assistant manager under the likes of Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, Rafael Benitez and Guus Hiddink, and England's number two believes those traits are evident in Bellingham.
"He's unique. When you're categorising really top players – I was lucky enough in eight years at Chelsea to experience a few of those – there are the physical attributes, there are the technical attributes," Holland said.
WORLD CUP 2022
Cristiano Ronaldo denies move to Saudi Arabia Pro League
The Portuguese striker spoke to the meda after his side outclassed Switzerland with a Round of 16 blitz
World Cup 2022 live updates: welcome!
Good morning and welcome to AS USA's World Cup live blog for Wednesday 7 December – day 18 of the tournament in Qatar and the first rest day after we gather our breath after non-stop group stage and Round of 16 action.
After Tuesday's games, just eight sides remain in the tournament with the following the schedule for the quarter-final match ups
9 December: Education City Stadium: Croatia-Brazil 10:00 am ET / 07:00 am PT (1)
9 December: Lusail Stadium: Netherlands-Argentina 2:00 pm ET / 11:00 am PT (2)
10 December: Al Thumama Stadium: Morocco-Portugal 10:00 am ET / 07:00 am PT (3)
10 December: Al Bayt Stadium: England-France 2:00 pm ET / 11:00 am PT (4)

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