Casemiro lamented the way Brazil let a semi-final place escape their grasp after the World Cup favourites suffered penalty shoot-out defeat against Croatia on Friday.
Brazil were on course to reach the final four when Neymar finished a flowing move in expert fashion as half-time in extra-time approached, but substitute Bruno Petkovic struck a deflected equaliser as Croatia forced spot-kicks.
Rodrygo and Marquinhos were unsuccessful in the shoot-out – the former denied by the outstanding Dominik Livakovic – as Croatia advanced to the World Cup semi-finals for just the third time.
Brazil have now been eliminated from each of their last six knockout ties in FIFA's top tournament against European teams, with the manner of their latest defeat leaving Casemiro struggling for words.
"All defeats are painful, especially when you have a goal, a dream, you have a four-year job for that moment. It's hard to find words in these moments," the midfielder said.
"It's about lifting your head, life that goes on. We are sad, everyone in the group did their best. We get upset, mainly because of the way it was. It was in our hands, it escaped there.
"It's a hard moment. Now it's about having peace of mind, life has to go on."
Casemiro will be 34 when the next edition of the World Cup begins, but the Manchester United man is in no rush to make a decision on his international future.
"I'm 30. Of course, there are always kids, but I'm 30 years old. I'm living the best moment of my career and I'm very happy at the club I'm at," he said.
"I missed an opportunity, but we need to see, especially now that a new coach will come in.
"You need to have respect. It's a tough time to talk about it, but we don't have to think about it now. It's about having tranquillity and a cool head."
Brazil's 38-year-old captain Thiago Silva, meanwhile, knows he will not get another opportunity to lift the famous trophy.
"Unfortunately, as a player, I will not be able to lift this cup. Who knows later with another role," the veteran defender said. "It's difficult to have words at that moment.
"I have already gone through some decisions in my life, not only in the national team, but personally.
"When we lose something important, which we aim for, it hurts a lot. You have to try to lift your head and follow it up, there's no other alternative. I'm a guy who got up every time he fell."
Neither England nor France see a clear favourite as they prepare to face one another in a highly anticipated World Cup quarter-final.
The Three Lions and Les Bleus each eased through the last 16, beating Senegal and Poland respectively to set up a far trickier tie in the next round.
Although England have won both of the sides' previous World Cup meetings, France have lost just one of the past eight between the nations in all competitions.
Didier Deschamps' side are the world champions – albeit the first holders to feature in a quarter-final since Brazil in 2006.
Meanwhile, Gareth Southgate is hoping to become the first England manager to go to two World Cup semi-finals, and Kyle Walker – on whom there is plenty of focus ahead of a battle with Kylian Mbappe – cannot split the two teams.
"We're playing the world champions, but we are two good teams that will go toe to toe," the England right-back said. "You've seen what can happen in 90-plus minutes.
"There have been shocks and for us this is just another game. We take our hat off to them as world champions, but each and every one of us will not be rolling that red carpet out for them to treat it as a theatre.
"We have great talent – talk about the goals we have scored and the clean sheets that we've kept. In my eyes, neither team is the underdogs or the favourites."
It is an assessment France midfielder Adrien Rabiot agrees with, even if England have been eliminated from six of their past eight World Cup knockout matches against fellow European nations.
"They are a team that has the same characteristics as us, very fast on the wings, with attacking full-backs, midfielders who can get forward, and [Declan] Rice looks a bit like [Aurelien] Tchouameni," Rabiot said.
"I am not sure that we should say that we have to be careful. They will also be very careful because we have the possibility of putting them in difficulty.
"It's an open game with two teams who know how to counter. What can make a difference is set-pieces. They are very good, we will have to be vigilant and not make the same mistakes as against Denmark. They have weapons, but we are not inferior."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
England – Jude Bellingham
Teenage sensation Bellingham will play a huge role in getting England up the pitch. He has won possession more often than any team-mate (23), with only Harry Kane (six) doing so more often in the final third (five). England have won the most high turnovers at the tournament (38).
France – Olivier Giroud
Mbappe has the talent to decide the game not just by scoring but also by setting up Giroud, as he did against Poland. Mbappe (five) alone has scored more goals for France at this World Cup than the 36-year-old (three).
The only older player to net four at a single World Cup was 38-year-old Roger Milla for Cameroon in 1990.
PREDICTION
Neither Walker nor Rabiot may be able to choose a favourite, but Opta's supercomputer can – just.
France are given a 40.3 per cent chance of winning, ahead of slight underdogs England's 32.4 per cent. In a tie this tight, extra time or penalties could be required, with the draw rated at 27.3 per cent.
It will be a signal milestone when the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) initiates the "Kingston Liberec Connection" as a model partnership in the global sport film industry.
On a recent visit to the Czech Republic, JOA President, Christopher Samuda, who was a guest of the Liberec Film Festival Organization, proposed an Olympic partnership dubbed the "Kingston-Liberec Connection" - between the cities of Kingston and Liberec in strengthening bi-lateral relationships between Jamaica and the Czech Republic in the sport film industry.
President Samuda, who was also a speaker at the festival, expressed confidence that the proposed partnership will serve to "birth and develop a sporting cultural economy that will see mutual investments in talents across the professional spectrum in the sport-film industry while giving the peoples of Jamaica and the Czech Republic opportunities to experience, in cinema and film, cultural realities of each other in bridging the oceanic divide."
Mayor Zámečník welcomed the proposal and signaled the support of the city of Liberec which has a very respectable and enviable history in sport and the film festival.
Within the context of history in the making, JOA Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer, Ryan Foster said “the JOA looks within but also beyond the boundaries of Jamaica for partners who, with us, will establish landmark executions and lasting legacies for the benefit of generations in the global village of sport."
Meanwhile, Renata Balašová, director of the Liberec International Film Festival, which has a history spanning more than two decades, endorsed what promises to be an exciting and innovative “connection”.
Entitled the "Kingston Liberec Connection" the initiative comes at a time when the JOA's educational agenda, through its "Stamina" series, will be expanding its reach across the hemisphere building capacity in athletes, coaches and administrators intra and extra-regionally.
"We the JOA are a homegrown product rooted in the soil of Jamrock but this administration considers the apex body also as an international commodity in the business of sport as we play our part in sustaining an ever dynamic universal sport economy," Samuda said.
The Czech Olympic Committee has also expressed its support of what will be undoubtedly a groundbreaking “connection” in modern sport diplomacy.
France's all-time top goalscorer Olivier Giroud is the most complete striker at the World Cup, according to Les Bleus legend David Trezeguet.
Giroud surpassed Thierry Henry's tally of 51 France goals as Didier Deschamps' men beat Poland in the last 16 in Qatar, teeing up Saturday's quarter-final clash with England.
The 36-year-old Milan striker has scored three goals at the tournament. Only one player has ever scored more goals at a single World Cup when aged 36 or older – Roger Milla in 1990 (four).
Speaking to RMC Sport ahead of France's meeting with the Three Lions, Trezeguet – who sits sixth in his country's scoring charts with 34 goals – said there was a lack of genuine strikers on display in Qatar.
"Olivier Giroud is the centre-forward as in my time. There really aren't any more," he said.
"Germany have suffered a lot without a centre-forward, the Netherlands and others have a clear idea without a centre-forward.
"It is difficult to explain. We saw Spain, who lacked efficiency, either there was [Alvaro] Morata or there was nothing.
"There is beauty, the technical side but you have to finish the job and Giroud seems to me to be the most complete in this competition."
Meanwhile, Trezeguet is confident France can become the first nation to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962, hailing Deschamps' management of the side.
"The French team has a clear idea, it is going very well with Giroud doing an exceptional job up front, [Adrien] Rabiot at a very high level, [Theo] Hernandez has been a huge solution," he said.
"There are details, but I think it's the most complete team. Deschamps has always been clear, the team plays on his qualities."
However, the 1998 World Cup winner knows England will offer a stern challenge in the last eight, as he lauded their development under Gareth Southgate.
"Gareth Southgate, I had the chance to know him at FIFA level. He is not a classic English coach, he is much more disciplined on the tactical side," he said.
"Over time this team has progressed. This team has everything to compete with the France team."
Harry Kane will change will nothing about his penalty routine if he has to take a spot-kick against Tottenham team-mate Hugo Lloris during England's World Cup quarter-final with France.
England captain Kane will lead the Three Lions against a Les Bleus team skippered by goalkeeper Lloris at Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday.
Gareth Southgate's men will be underdogs against the defending world champions in a knockout game that predictably brings questions around penalties.
Though Kane and Lloris have played together at domestic level since 2011, when the England striker made his Spurs debut, lining up for a penalty against his club captain represents a largely unfamiliar experience for the 2018 Golden Boot winner.
"Surprisingly, I haven't practiced too much against Hugo, normally when I practice it's against the second or third-choice goalkeeper," Kane told a press conference.
"The starting goalkeeper normally doesn't join in the practice the day before the game which is when I practice.
"Of course, we've taken them before, but I wouldn't say I've taken loads and loads against him.
"I have similar situations when I'm in the Premier League and I face England goalkeepers, I stick to my process and routine, go through the same training day before the game and hopefully try and deliver if called upon in the match.
"I'm someone who always backs myself in any situation against any goalkeeper, but I've seen Hugo pull off some fantastic saves.
"Hopefully I'll have some chances I'll be able to put away, but also I know I'll have to be at the top of my game to do that against one of the best goalkeepers there is."
Asked about his relationship with Lloris, Kane said: "I haven't spoken with Hugo before this match. Me and Hugo have a great relationship.
"We've been playing with each other a long, long time now. We spend some time away from football as well with our wives and families.
"He's a really good guy, one of the best goalkeepers in the world. For a game like this, we're not friends for that day for sure, we go to have a good battle against each other.
"It'll be two great teams going at it. I've known Hugo a long time, I can't speak highly enough of him. I'll enjoy playing against him if we win, but I know he'll be doing everything to make France win."
Southgate confirmed England have a plan for the shoot-out but is well aware of how quickly those preparations can be altered in the heat of the moment.
"We have a plan but when you get to the end of a game maybe some players don't feel as confident or feel more confident or have an injury," said the England boss.
"All of those things have happened in the previous shoot-outs that we've had. We are as well prepared as we can be."
England will go into their World Cup quarter-final showdown with France boasting "more belief than in 2018", according to Harry Kane.
The Three Lions are aiming to dethrone the reigning champions at Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday and clinch a second successive appearance in the last four.
Though boasting the second-youngest squad at the finals, Gareth Southgate guided England to the semi-finals in Russia four years ago, before eventually succumbing to an experienced Croatia.
The Three Lions then reached the Euro 2020 final, only to suffer a heartbreaking defeat by Italy on penalties at Wembley.
Kane acknowledges expectations are different in Qatar, but says he and his team-mates are determined to go the extra steps this time around.
Addressing the media at a pre-match conference, the captain said: "In 2018, we didn't really know what to expect from the group. It was a new experience for a lot of us.
"We got to the semi-final - whether we had the full belief to go and win the tournament, I'm not quite sure.
"The belief has been building and building over four or five years now. We entered this tournament believing we can win it. We face a really tough game tomorrow, we'll go into that game with maybe more belief than in 2018.
"We're not here just to reach the quarter-finals, let's put it that way. We know there are some very good teams in this tournament, and we also know that we're a very good team as well. If we did lose tomorrow, we'd be as disappointed as anyone.
"Between us - the players, the staff, everyone involved - we have a real belief and a real determination to be successful as an England team. We can only prove that on the pitch, we can only prove that by winning games like tomorrow.
"Also, tomorrow isn't a World Cup final, tomorrow is another step to trying to win the World Cup, we have to be fully focused on that and trying to get through to the next round."
Neymar's record-equalling goal was in vain as Brazil crashed out of the World Cup with a 4-2 penalty shoot-out defeat to Croatia after a 1-1 draw on Friday.
Brazil seemed destined for the semi-finals when Neymar scored his 77th international goal, matching the great Pele, midway through extra-time at Education City Stadium.
Yet Bruno Petkovic's strike deflected in off Marquinhos with four minutes remaining to force a shoot-out and the Brazil defender then missed his spot-kick to send Croatia into the last four.
Dominik Livakovic, who was the standout performer and made 11 saves in the 120 minutes before the shoot-out, had saved Rodrygo's first effort, with Neymar not taking a penalty as the favourites were sent packing.
Lisandro Martinez was included by Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni for Friday's World Cup quarter-final against the Netherlands.
Manchester United defender Martinez came on five minutes after half-time in Argentina's narrow 2-1 win over Australia in the round of 16 and retains his place at the expense of Papu Gomez with Scaloni reverting to a 3-5-2 formation.
Rodrigo De Paul also starts while Angel Di Maria is named on the bench.
Louis van Gaal also makes one change to his Netherlands starting line-up with Steven Bergwijn coming in for Davy Klaassen.
Gareth Southgate believes it will take a collective effort from England to stop Kylian Mbappe in Saturday's mouthwatering World Cup quarter-final against France.
Mbappe is the tournament's top scorer with five goals in four matches, including a double in the reigning champions' 3-1 victory over Poland in the round of 16.
Kyle Walker is the player many believe will be chosen to deal with the power and pace of Mbappe, with the possibility that Southgate will opt to play with a back five.
The Three Lions boss does not think it will all be on Walker to stop the Paris Saint-Germain star, stating that every player will have to chip in.
"He’s [Walker] been a very important player for us over the last six years," Southgate said.
"Kyle is ready. We, of course, are talking about one of the opposition, but we play France who are a fantastic team.
"We're aware of the quality of the whole squad. He's [Didier Deschamps] created a team that is stronger than the individuals. That's great credit to him, we know we've got to be at our very best to win the game."
Asked how England will prepare for Mbappe, Southgate said: "Same as every position on the field, you have 10 one-v-one battles, but then everybody else round those battles has to support their team-mate.
"You've got to work collectively to stop any player like that. You’ve got to work the areas of the pitch zonally to make sure there's good coverage and support for every player on the pitch, simple as that."
France are unbeaten in the 13 games in which Mbappe has started in the World Cup and European Championship combined (W10 D3), winning all nine in which he has played from the beginning at the World Cup.
The 23-year-old has been directly involved in 12 goals in those 13 starts, scoring nine and making three assists.
England captain Harry Kane, though, believes Walker is in the form of his life and is more than capable of dealing with Mbappe.
"Kyle is a fantastic defender," Kane said. "He's been probably the most consistent right back there's been for the last 10 years or so.
"He's playing at the highest level I think he's ever played at. I know everyone's talking about Kyle and Kylian, but Kyle will be focused on doing his job for the team as he always does. He's one of the best defenders."
Koke has cited Luis Enrique as a potential replacement for Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid.
Luis Enrique left his position as Spain boss after they were dumped out of the World Cup round of 16 on penalties by Morocco on Tuesday.
AS reported the former Barcelona coach could be a target for Manchester United and Atletico, despite both clubs having their positions currently filled.
Simeone has been Atletico head coach since 2011, leading the team to two league titles and a pair of Europa League triumphs, while they also finished Champions League runners-up in both the 2013-14 and 2015-16 campaigns.
But a poor start to this season which sees them fifth in La Liga and out of the Champions League at the group stage has fuelled rumours Simeone could leave the club.
Atletico midfielder Koke was part of the Spain team that crashed out of the World Cup, ultimately costing Luis Enrique his job, yet the midfielder still believes the 52-year-old would be a suitable replacement for Simeone.
"Luis Enrique is a spectacular manager and coach," Koke told reporters. "It's a different idea than what we have now at Atletico, but why not?"
Atletico's CEO, Miguel Angel Gil Marin, also spoke of his interest in bringing Luis Enrique to the club, telling TVE: "I really like him personally and professionally. I think he has the talent to coach any team in our league.
"It is clear that he adds up for everyone. For the media, for the players and for the clubs because he offers performance. I think he is good."
Gareth Southgate confirmed Raheem Sterling will be involved in England's World Cup quarter-final showdown with France, but the Three Lions will continue to assess the Chelsea forward's fitness.
Sterling returned home to be with his family after an apparent burglary at their house and missed the 3-0 win over Senegal in the round of 16 last Sunday.
An investigation has been launched by Surrey Police after the raid was reported on Saturday.
Sterling is now back with the squad in Qatar, and featured in a light training session on Friday ahead of the mouthwatering clash with the reigning champions on Saturday.
Southgate is delighted to have the former Manchester City player back at his disposal, but said the Three Lions will wait before deciding the role he will play at Al Bayt Stadium.
"I've spoken briefly with him at training, [I] need to pick up with him again later," Th England manager said. "It's great he’s back with us.
"He wanted to train today. Normally, we wouldn't do that having been on a long flight, but it was a lighter session.
"He'll be involved tomorrow, but what that looks like? Hard to tell what his level is. We'll just have to assess that, really pleased he's back, and he's an important player for us."
Spain's decision to part ways with Luis Enrique following their World Cup exit was "yet another mistake," according to former La Roja head coach Javier Clemente.
The former Barcelona boss' departure was confirmed on Thursday, two days after the 2010 world champions were eliminated by Morocco on penalties in the last 16.
Luis Enrique's contract was due to expire at the conclusion of the finals, and the Royal Football Federation (RFEF) opted not to renew his deal and announced current Under-21 boss Luis de la Fuente is set to take over.
Former Spain boss Clemente feels Luis Enrique, who he coached at the World Cup in 1994 and 1998, should not be blamed after overseeing a second successive last-16 exit, having fallen at the same stage to host nation Russia four years ago.
"I think it is not a success to have dispensed with Luis Enrique as coach," he told El Programa de Ortega. "This is yet another mistake.
"Luis Enrique is a very good coach, with his ideas, with his personality, friendly, pleasant, man of the house. The problem of the Spanish team is a problem of Spanish football.
"[Morocco] stood up and closed well behind, and the players did not have the temperament to overcome it.
"You always talk about the coaches, but when you play badly, you also have to talk about the players. Is Luis Enrique to blame [for the penalties]? Not really.
The RFEF is expected to officially announce De La Fuente as Luis Enrique's successor on Monday.
The 61-year-old has spent close to a decade coaching Spain's age-grade sides, winning the Under-19 European Championship in 2015 and the Under-21 equivalent in 2021.
He also took charge of the Under-23 side at the Beijing Olympics last year and won a silver medal following defeat to Brazil in the final.
"You don't imagine he'll end up as a coach," said Clemente, who coached De La Fuente at Athletic Bilbao during the early stages of his playing career.
"I think it's good, he's been in the Under-21s, and he's had good results. He's done well, he already knows the kids. I don't know how he coaches, but I tell you he's very good because he's a friend of mine."
FIFA will display anti-discrimination messages at the World Cup quarter-final matches on Friday and Saturday to mark International Human Rights Day.
FIFA is collaborating with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to show the #NoDiscrimination hashtag on the giant screens and LED boards within the stadiums.
The World Cup in Qatar has come under intense scrutiny for the standards of human rights within the host nation, particularly the views on same-sex marriage and the treatment of migrant workers used to build the tournament's infrastructure.
On Wednesday, The Athletic reported a Filipino man in his early 40s died while working at the base of Saudi Arabia during the group stage.
When questioned on the incident the chief executive of Qatar 2022, Nasser Al Khater, told the BBC: "Death is a natural part of life, whether it's at work or in your sleep."
FIFA also declined to comment on the reports, with its secretary general Fatma Samoura saying to Reuters: "We've already elaborated... about what we are doing in Qatar.
"We are talking about things we have already discussed for months and months, time and time again."
But FIFA signalled its intention to celebrate International Human Rights Day on December 10, explaining in a press release: "Discrimination - in all its possible forms and expressions - is one of the most common forms of human rights violations and abuse.
"FIFA and the World Health Organization (WHO) will mark International Human Rights Day on Saturday, 10 December by reinforcing the message that there is no place for discrimination of any kind, either in football or in society in general.
"During the FIFA World Cup quarter-final matches on 9 and 10 December, the #NoDiscrimination message will feature on giant screens and LEDs in stadium and, as during the whole of the tournament, on the captains' armbands."
Odell Beckham Jr. does not "see the point" in playing regular-season games and will prioritise finding a new team before the playoffs after holding talks with the Dallas Cowboys.
The wide receiver has been a free agent since sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury while winning the Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams last season, though he looked likely to join the Cowboys after undergoing a physical on Monday.
However, Beckham was left without a contact offer following his visit to Dallas, with reports suggesting the team harbour concerns over his availability for the remainder of the season.
The 30-year-old scored the first touchdown of Super Bowl LVI in February, having missed the previous year's postseason through injury, and he is content with being a big-game player.
Asked whether he would find a team before the end of the campaign during an appearance on Thursday Night Football, Beckham said: "I haven't made the decision.
"I would like to be in a stable environment, get up at 6am and leave at 6pm for four weeks and then let's talk about it.
"I've played football for a long time. I'm not saying I couldn't step in and play regular season, but I don't see the point. I really don't.
"I'd rather play when that pressure is on, I'd rather play when the lights are on. I went through the whole of the playoffs [last season].
"After having my first bad playoff experience, all I wanted to do was clear that off my name."
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