Brazil great Ronaldo says Lionel Messi's incredible achievements do not mean he deserves to win the World Cup and the Argentina captain must earn his shot at glory.

Messi provided a goal and an assist as Argentina overcame the Netherlands on penalties in the last eight, and he will hope to lead the Albiceleste to their sixth World Cup final when they meet Croatia in Tuesday's semi-final.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward has assumed a talismanic role in Qatar, with his return of six goal contributions - four goals and two assists - only bettered by Kylian Mbappe, who has five goals and two assists.

Messi has both scored and assisted in two different games at this World Cup, and in three at the tournament overall. Since 1966, no player has done so on four occasions.

While praising Messi's performances, Ronaldo warned lifting the World Cup will not come easily for the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"We all deserve it. Nobody gives you anything, not even for your story," Ronaldo told reporters on Monday.

"Argentina isn't playing very well, but they play together, they're aggressive and then there's Messi, who is decisive when he's near the box. He now does less sprints than before.

"At the beginning of his career he did 30 actions and now he does 10, but he is still decisive. As soon as he gets the ball and he sees spaces, or is in the area, he is a killer.

"Would I be happy if Messi won the World Cup? Of course, I would be happy for him, but there is a big rivalry between Brazil and Argentina.

"I'm not going to be hypocritical and say that I would be happy for Argentina, that's not true!"

Messi will equal Lothar Matthaus' record of 25 World Cup appearances when he takes to the field on Tuesday, while a goal would see the 35-year-old surpass Gabriel Batistuta's tally of 10 World Cup strikes for the Albiceleste.

While Argentina remain in contention for a third World Cup triumph, their great rivals Brazil crashed out in the quarter-finals after losing a dramatic penalty shoot-out against Croatia.

The decision for Neymar to take Brazil's fifth and final penalty – a kick which never arrived due to Rodrygo and Marquinhos failing to convert – has attracted criticism, but Ronaldo does not view it as a mistake.

"I don't agree with any of the theories about the penalty shoot-out," he said. "I think changing the sequence... it's extremely delicate for you to approach a player and show that you don't have confidence in him, asking for another to take his place.

"That doesn't exist in football, in a group where everyone has full confidence in the coach and the nation. 

"You arrive and ask to change, this is a great absurdity. Those who support this theory do not understand the dynamics of a group."

Joel Embiid downplayed the enormity of his historic 53-point performance for the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, insisting that his teammates simply fed the hot hand.

Embiid reached 50 points for the second time this season, both occurring in the past nine games as the Sixers won 131-113 over the Charlotte Hornets.

The center also joined Allen Iverson and Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in 76ers franchise history to have two 50-point games over a nine-game stretch.

Embiid also joined Chamberlain as the only Sixers in franchise history with at least 30 games of 40 points and 10 rebounds.

"We won," Embiid told reporters. "It's good to do that when you win. It would suck to have those type of scoring nights if you lose.

"I'm just happy it's contributing to winning. Whether I'm scoring a lot, but especially if I'm scoring a lot, at the end of the day, what matters is if it brings us the win."

He added: "We have a saying that you gotta feed the hot hand. My teammates, if I just scored once, it doesn't matter.

"If anybody on the team, if they just score once, you gotta keep feeding them until the defense stops them once or twice or three times. In that situation, I just kept scoring, and they just kept giving me the ball."

Embiid's dominance was underlined by a second-quarter stretch where he scored 15 points in a row. He shot 20-for-32 from the field, making 11-of-11 free-throws with 12 rebounds.

"Every single time, it seems to bring us the win so just gotta keep trying to be efficient and try to play with my teammates," Embiid said.

"Good things happen when you’re worried about the right things and that’s moving the ball and the ball just finds me."

Teammate James Harden, who laid off 16 assists with 19 points, praised the MVP contender.

"He was in attack mode for the entire game," Harden said. "He made scoring look easy tonight, you know what I mean? He was just in attack mode, getting to the basket, his jumper was falling, he had an aggressive night tonight."

Joel Embiid downplayed the enormity of his historic 53-point performance for the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, insisting that his teammates simply fed the hot hand.

Embiid reached 50 points for the second time this season, both occurring in the past nine games as the Sixers won 131-113 over the Charlotte Hornets.

The center also joined Allen Iverson and Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in 76ers franchise history to have two 50-point games over a nine-game stretch.

Embiid also joined Chamberlain as the only Sixers in franchise history with at least 30 games of 40 points and 10 rebounds.

"We won," Embiid told reporters. "It's good to do that when you win. It would suck to have those type of scoring nights if you lose.

"I'm just happy it's contributing to winning. Whether I'm scoring a lot, but especially if I'm scoring a lot, at the end of the day, what matters is if it brings us the win."

He added: "We have a saying that you gotta feed the hot hand. My teammates, if I just scored once, it doesn't matter.

"If anybody on the team, if they just score once, you gotta keep feeding them until the defense stops them once or twice or three times. In that situation, I just kept scoring, and they just kept giving me the ball."

Embiid's dominance was underlined by a second-quarter stretch where he scored 15 points in a row. He shot 20-for-32 from the field, making 11-of-11 free-throws with 12 rebounds.

"Every single time, it seems to bring us the win so just gotta keep trying to be efficient and try to play with my teammates," Embiid said.

"Good things happen when you’re worried about the right things and that’s moving the ball and the ball just finds me."

Teammate James Harden, who laid off 16 assists with 19 points, praised the MVP contender.

"He was in attack mode for the entire game," Harden said. "He made scoring look easy tonight, you know what I mean? He was just in attack mode, getting to the basket, his jumper was falling, he had an aggressive night tonight."

Joel Embiid posted another 50-point performance to lead the Philadelphia 76ers past the Charlotte Hornets 131-113 on Sunday.

Embiid scored 53 points with 11 rebounds for the Sixers, backing up his league season-best 59 points against the Utah Jazz on November 13.

The Sixers center joined Allen Iverson (2000-01 and 2004-05) and Wilt Chamberlain (1965-66 and 1967-68) to become the third player in franchise history to record multiple 50-point games in the same season.

Embiid also joined Chamberlin as the only Sixers in franchise history with at least 30 games of 40 points and 10 rebounds.

The big man's haul was built around 20-of-32 shooting along with making 11-of-11 free throws as the Sixers improved to 14-12.

James Harden made a solid contribution with 16 assists along with 19 points, including three-of-eight three-point shooting.

Pelicans soar into Western Conference lead

Zion Williamson scored 35 points to power the New Orleans Pelicans to a 129-124 overtime victory over the Phoenix Suns, who were missing Devin Booker again.

Williamson starred on 14-of-21 shooting with eight rebounds for the Pels, who beat the Suns twice in three days to surge into the Western Conference lead with a 18-8 record, fueled by seven straight wins.

Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton both fouled out for Phoenix, who were without Booker due to left hamstring tightness.

Griffin snatches remarkable OT Hawks win

A.J. Griffin sunk an overtime buzzer-beater to clinch the Atlanta Hawks a thrilling 123-122 win over the Chicago Bulls, after DeMar DeRozan hit three free throws with 0.5 seconds left to take the lead.

The Hawks snatched the win when Jalen Johnson's inbound alley-oop pass found Griffin, who hit a six-foot turnaround jumper. Trae Young had 19 points and 14 assists for Atlanta.

DeRozan scored a game-high 34 points for the Bulls, including 12 in the fourth quarter and three overtime free throws after being fouled by Bogdan Bogdanovic with less than a second left on a three-point attempt.

Milan have played a part in France's latest bid for World Cup glory after "revitalising" striker Olivier Giroud, according to the Serie A club's president Paolo Scaroni.

France remain on course to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to retain the trophy after beating England 2-1 on Saturday to set up a semi-final showdown with Morocco.

Giroud scored the reigning champions' winner in the quarter-final against England, with that his fourth goal of Qatar 2022 – only team-mate Kylian Mbappe (five) has scored more.

The 36-year-old has also been in good form for club side Milan this campaign, having been directly involved in a team-high 14 goals (nine goals and five assists) in 19 matches.

He has scored 23 goals in 57 games in all competitions since the start of last season when joining from Chelsea, which is also more than any Milan player over that period.

As Giroud continues to show on the biggest stage that age is just a number, Scaroni says France should be grateful to Milan.

"He's doing very, very well. I think France's qualification [to the semi-finals] is due to him a lot," Rossoneri chief Scaroni told Sky Sport Italia.

"We at Milan have 'revitalised' him a bit. I don't know if I can say it, but I have the impression with us he has found new motivation that he has transferred to the national team. 

"Let's say that we too have played a small role in the success achieved so far by France".

Giroud scored twice in France's opening group match against Australia and then overtook Thierry Henry as his country's record scorer with his strike in the last-16 win over Poland.

The ex-Arsenal man could set another record in France's semi-final against Morocco as he is one goal short of becoming the oldest player to score five at a single World Cup.

Giroud is not the only Milan player in France's World Cup squad, with defender Theo Hernandez – who has played in four games – also included.

Milan have played a part in France's latest bid for World Cup glory after "revitalising" striker Olivier Giroud, according to the Serie A club's president Paolo Scaroni.

France remain on course to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to retain the trophy after beating England 2-1 on Saturday to set up a semi-final showdown with Morocco.

Giroud scored the reigning champions' winner in the quarter-final against England, with that his fourth goal of Qatar 2022 – only team-mate Kylian Mbappe (five) has scored more.

The 36-year-old has also been in good form for club side Milan this campaign, having been directly involved in a team-high 14 goals (nine goals and five assists) in 19 matches.

He has scored 23 goals in 57 games in all competitions since the start of last season when joining from Chelsea, which is also more than any Milan player over that period.

As Giroud continues to show on the biggest stage that age is just a number, Scaroni says France should be grateful to Milan.

"He's doing very, very well. I think France's qualification [to the semi-finals] is due to him a lot," Rossoneri chief Scaroni told Sky Sport Italia.

"We at Milan have 'revitalised' him a bit. I don't know if I can say it, but I have the impression with us he has found new motivation that he has transferred to the national team. 

"Let's say that we too have played a small role in the success achieved so far by France".

Giroud scored twice in France's opening group match against Australia and then overtook Thierry Henry as his country's record scorer with his strike in the last-16 win over Poland.

The ex-Arsenal man could set another record in France's semi-final against Morocco as he is one goal short of becoming the oldest player to score five at a single World Cup.

Giroud is not the only Milan player in France's World Cup squad, with defender Theo Hernandez – who has played in four games – also included.

Jurgen Klopp says Luis Diaz's injury setback is "a proper smash in the face" as the Liverpool winger awaits news on the full extent of the damage.

Diaz injured his knee during a training session at Liverpool's base in the United Arab Emirates and flew back to the United Kingdom on Friday to undergo tests.

The Colombia international was on the comeback trail after missing 10 games for the Reds prior to the World Cup hiatus due to an injury sustained against Arsenal on October 9.

Klopp remains unsure for how long Diaz will be on the sidelines, but accepts it is a blow to lose the 25-year-old ahead of Liverpool's campaign resuming in 11 days' time.

"He was not in the best possible place. It's clear it's a big disappointment for all of us, for him as well," Klopp told reporters after Sunday's 3-1 friendly defeat to Lyon in Dubai.

"It was a non-situation in training. Honestly – nothing. He felt something. He didn't feel a lot the next day, but we wanted to be really cautious and said, 'OK, come on, let's have a look'.

"Then the news came and it was a proper smash in the face. But that's it now."

Former Porto attacker Diaz has four goals and two assists in 12 games this season, with 11 of those appearances being starts.

He has been directly involved in 16 goals in 38 games since his debut in February – a tally only Diogo Jota (17), Roberto Firmino (18) and Mohamed Salah (33) can better.

Diaz is now in a race against time to be fit for Liverpool's next competitive match, which is a mouth-watering EFL Cup last-16 tie with Manchester City on December 22.

Klopp provided some better injury news regarding midfielder Harvey Elliott, who limped off after 29 minutes of the Dubai Super Cup opener with Lyon.

"Harvey got a knock before we scored, but I think we were lucky," Klopp said, quoted on Liverpool's official website. "He looks fine but he feels it. That's normal; there was contact. I hope we were lucky in that moment."

Joao Carvalho gave Liverpool the lead inside a minute against Lyon, but Alexandre Lacazette scored twice, either side of a Bradley Barcola goal, to earn the French side victory.

Liverpool, who are sixth in the Premier League with 14 matches played, face Milan on Friday in the second of their mid-season friendlies.

Cristiano Ronaldo has played his last World Cup match after Portugal's defeat by Morocco in the Qatar 2022 quarter-finals.

The 37-year-old put a full stop to his career on that global stage on Sunday, saying his "dream ended" with the previous day's loss, while leaving it open as to whether he will play on for his country in the short term.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has achieved record tallies of 196 caps and 118 goals, and he may have his eye on becoming the first male player to earn 200 caps.

His club future is uncertain following an acrimonious departure from Manchester United, but his place in history is undoubtedly secure.

A record breaker, a history maker, here Stats Perform takes a closer look at the highs and lows of Ronaldo's Portugal career to date.

Euros bow ends in tears

Ronaldo is the European Championship's all-time leading scorer (14) and appearance maker (25), while he is the only player to feature at five separate editions.

He made his debut at the tournament when Portugal were the 2004 hosts. The then 18-year-old was named in the team of the tournament, but it ended in tears for him as Portugal suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat to Greece in the final.

Bittersweet Euro 2016 triumph

Despite reaching the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2012, Portugal boasted a generally underwhelming record at major tournaments ahead of the expanded Euro 2016 tournament.

Fernando Santos' side scraped through the group as one of the best third-placed nations, then required extra time to see off Croatia and Poland – beating the latter on penalties – before overcoming Wales 2-0 in the semi-finals.

Ronaldo scored three goals during the run, but the tears flowed in a final once more as he was forced off injured after 25 minutes following a heavy challenge from France's Dimitri Payet.

Nevertheless, the animated captain barked out instructions alongside Santos from the touchline as Eder's extra-time strike gave Portugal their first major tournament victory, before lifting the trophy at the Stade de France.

All-time leading international scorer

Portugal were eliminated from the 2018 World Cup at the last-16 stage by Uruguay, with Ronaldo having hit a brilliant hat-trick in a group-stage draw against Spain. However, the captain was lifting more silverware the following year as his nation landed the inaugural Nations League crown.

More personal success was to follow in September 2021, when a pair of late Ronaldo headers snatched a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Republic of Ireland in World Cup qualifying, taking his international tally to 110 goals – surpassing the long-standing record of Iran's Ali Daei (109).

A scorer in five World Cups

Ronaldo's messy departure from Manchester United dominated Portugal's preparations for this year's World Cup in Qatar.

However, he made headlines for all the right reasons in his country's opening match against Ghana, with a successful penalty making him the first player to score in five different editions of the tournament.

Dropped to the bench against Switzerland

Controversy was just around the corner as coach Santos dropped Ronaldo to the bench for Portugal's last-16 win over Switzerland, having criticised his reaction to being substituted in the previous match against South Korea.

That ended Ronaldo's run of 31 successive starts at major tournaments for his nation – stretching back to their Euro 2008 clash with the Swiss – while they were subsequently moved to deny reports their captain had threatened to leave Qatar in the aftermath of the decision.

World Cup exit marks end of his dream of global glory

Ronaldo was again on substitute duty for the 2022 quarter-final against Morocco, with Santos sticking by Goncalo Ramos after the Benfica striker hit a hat-trick against Switzerland.

Sent into action early in the second half, with Portugal surprisingly trailing, Ronaldo's presence in attack could not spur Portugal to find an equaliser.

He had just 10 touches of the ball and only one shot, cutting a frustrated figure and departing the pitch in tears at full time, with Portugal beaten 1-0, ending Ronaldo's last hopes of lifting the World Cup.

It also meant he again failed to score in a knockout game at the finals. Across his career, Ronaldo drew a blank in all eight of his knockout stage appearances at the World Cup, including the 2006 third place play-off, going 570 minutes without scoring and taking 27 shots in the process.

Cristiano Ronaldo arrived at the World Cup in Qatar looking to cap his remarkable international career by lifting football's greatest prize.

But the forward ended his campaign distraught, being led to the dressing room in tears after Morocco stunned Portugal with a 1-0 quarter-final victory at Al Thumama Stadium.

Ronaldo's tournament was one to forget, with the 37-year-old unceremoniously dropped for his nation's best performance against Switzerland in the last 16 and again being reduced to a role off the bench against Morocco.

It was an underwhelming campaign, but one that will not detract from his previous achievements on the international stage, regardless of whether he continues to represent his country.

As well as becoming the all-time leading goalscorer in men's international football, Ronaldo led Portugal to their first major trophy at Euro 2016 before repeating the trick in the Nations League, and his Selecao records look unlikely to be matched any time soon.

With one of the all-time greats facing an uncertain future after seeing his "biggest and most ambitious dream" dashed, Stats Perform assesses the remarkable numbers behind Ronaldo's Portugal career.

Ronaldo has attracted plenty of plaudits for his longevity, deciding games at the highest level from his teenage years until his late thirties. The forward's incredible tally of 196 Portugal caps puts him 50 clear of his nearest contender – Wolves midfielder Joao Moutinho with 146. 

If his appearance record looks set to stand for a long time, his goalscoring numbers look even less likely to be challenged – Ronaldo's tally of 118 international goals is more than double that of Portugal's second-highest goalscorer (Pauleta with 47), and is unmatched in the history of men's football.

Indeed, Iran's Ali Daei is the only other player to have reached a century of goals in international football, hitting the net 109 times.

While Ronaldo's ability to reinvent himself as the ultimate goal poacher allowed him to prosper on the club stage, his international goalscoring prowess was by no means a later development.

Ronaldo failed to score on his first two Portugal appearances as an 18-year-old in 2003, but he has netted at least one international goal in each of the 19 subsequent years.

In 2004, a teenage Ronaldo hit the net seven times in 16 international appearances, helping his side to the Euro 2004 final on home soil and scoring at a rate of a goal every 145 minutes.

Ronaldo's most prolific year for Portugal came in 2019, when he scored 14 times in just 10 appearances at an incredible rate of 59 minutes per goal.

On the club stage, Ronaldo has carved out a reputation as the ultimate big-game player – netting in Champions League finals for both Manchester United and Real Madrid while outscoring every other player on Europe's grandest stage (140 goals).

Ronaldo has also appeared to prefer playing within his own continent in a Portugal shirt; his tally of 14 goals at the European Championships is an all-time record, putting him five clear of France great Michel Platini.

Ronaldo has also hit the net seven times in just 11 Nations League games, perhaps making it fitting that his greatest achievements have come when leading his side to continental glory at Euro 2016 and in 2018-19's Nations League campaign.

At the World Cup, it has been a slightly different story for Ronaldo. His tally of eight finals goals is certainly not to be taken lightly, but all of those efforts came in the group stages – no player has scored more often at the tournament without netting in a knockout tie.

Ronaldo did become the first player to score in five different editions of the World Cup when he struck a penalty in their group-stage win over Ghana last month, but that record will mean little in the context of his failure to carry his continental achievements into the world's most important competition.

Ronaldo may have failed to get his hands on international football's most prestigious trophy, but that has not stopped the likes of Johan Cruyff or Ferenc Puskas from being considered contenders to be the greatest player to have played the sport.

Proponents of Ronaldo's suitability for that title have often highlighted his raw numbers, and they certainly speak to an historic legacy.

Twenty-four of Ronaldo's 118 Portugal goals have been scored at the World Cup, European Championships or Confederations Cup, with just 20 coming in friendlies, demonstrating his status as a player who has thrived under the brightest of lights.

Age catches up with us all eventually, however, and Ronaldo's displays in Qatar attracted plenty of detractors. 

Where Ronaldo ranks among the greatest players to feature on the international stage will continue to be discussed, but his incredible statistics ensure he will always have a place in that debate.

Australia made light work of the West Indies' resistance on day four to claim a dominant 419-run victory at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday and round out a comfortable 2-0 Test series win.

The West Indies collapsed to lose 35-6, with the defeat confirmed within an hour-and-a-half of the resumption of play, as Michael Neser claimed three of the six fourth day wickets in his second Test match.

The tourists had resumed at 38-4, chasing an improbable target of 497, but were all out for 77.

Left-arm Mitchell Starc grabbed the opening two wickets of the fourth day, including an inswinging gem to clean bowl Jason Holder.

Nathan Lyon took his 450th career Test wicket, when he bowled a heaving Alzarri Joseph who had danced down the pitch. Lyon was denied another when Travis Head dropped a chance close in from Marquino Mindley.

Neser, who finished with 3-22, closed out the job with wicketkeeper Alex Carey pulling off an excellent one-handed catch off his bowling to dismiss Mindley for a duck.

Carey took four catches on Sunday, including a brilliant juggling pluck when he stood up at the wicket off Neser's bowling to remove Joshua Da Silva who offered the only real resistance from the tourists on the fourth day with 15 from 40 balls.

Local batsman Head was named Player of the Match after scoring 175 from 219 deliveries in Australia's first innings, which set up the win. Marnus Labuschagne was named Player of the Series after making 502 runs in two Tests, the most-ever by an Australian in a two-match Test series.

Day-night dominance

Australia's win means they have claimed 11 from 11 victories in day-night Tests, relishing the pink ball conditions. Australia are also seven from seven in Adelaide in recent times.

The 419-run victory was also Australia's largest-ever win by runs against the West Indies, who had not lost a Test this calendar year prior to this lopsided series.

Quick turnaround for Aussies

Australia will be delighted to have secured victory with more than a day to spare, given they are due to take on South Africa in a three-match Test series starting Saturday.

Josh Hazlewood is highly unlikely to be available for the first Test against the Proteas due to a side strain, with Neser and Scott Boland vying for that spot, assuming Pat Cummins is fit to return.

Splash brothers Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson combined for 66 points as the Golden State Warriors claimed arguably their best win of the season, beating the Boston Celtics 123-107 on Saturday.

The Celtics had won eight of their past nine games, including a statement win over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, but the reigning champions shut down the NBA's number one offensive team while the splash brothers were on song.

Curry finished with 32 points including six-of-11 from beyond the arc, with four off the dribble, while Thompson scored a game-high 34 points with four triples. The Warriors are 14-0 all-time when Curry and Thompson both score 30-plus points.

It was a rare night of frustration for the NBA-leading Celtics, who fall to 21-6 overall, with Jayson Tatum kept to 18 points with seven rebounds, two assists and three steals. Jaylen Brown scored a team-high 31 points.

Curry and Thompson led the way, but center Kevon Looney pulled down 15 rebounds while Jordan Poole added 20 points.

The win means the Warriors are 12-2 at Chase Center this season and have won 11 of their past 17 games, improving to 14-13 overall.

Thomas stars as short-handed Nets claim shock win

The short-handed Brooklyn Nets recorded an admirable 136-133 victory over the Indiana Pacers, with Cam Thomas coming off the bench to score a career-high 33 points.

The Nets were without eight players, including All-Stars Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons, but Thomas stepped up along with Australian guard Patty Mills with 24 points, six rebounds and six assists.

Tyrese Haliburton scored 35 points for the Pacers, but Thomas and Mills were crucial in the fourth quarter, as the Nets made it three straight wins and six from their past seven games.

Jokic records triple-double in Nuggets victory

Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to a 115-110 win over the Utah Jazz with his fourth triple-double of the season and 80th of his NBA career.

Jokic finished with 31 points, 12 rebounds and 14 assists in a dominant display that helped the Nugs improve their record to 15-10.

Jamal Murray supported the reigning MVP well, with 30 points, four rebounds and five assists.

Harry Kane took responsibility for England's World Cup exit after blazing a late penalty over the bar in the Three Lions' 2-1 defeat to France, saying he will "have to live with" the error.

England more than matched France during Saturday's tense quarter-final at Al Bayt Stadium, with Kane cancelling out Aurelien Tchouameni's opener from the spot after the France midfielder fouled Bukayo Saka in the area.

However, Olivier Giroud restored the holders' lead with 12 minutes remaining, and Kane was unable to score again when Theo Hernandez conceded a second penalty six minutes from time, firing over the crossbar.

The miss saw Kane squander the chance to surpass Wayne Rooney as England's all-time top goalscorer with his 54th international strike, while the Three Lions fell to their seventh World Cup quarter-final elimination – a tournament record.

Speaking to BBC Sport after the defeat, England's captain fronted up to his mistake and praised his team-mates for going toe-to-toe with the world champions.

"It's tough to take for me personally and for the team," he said. "I couldn't be prouder of the boys. We had better spells, better chances, but football comes down to small details. 

"As the captain and the one who missed the penalty, I take responsibility for that. I can't fault my preparation or the details before the game. 

"I felt confident taking it, I just didn't execute it the way I wanted to. It will be something I have to live with and take on the chin.

"The team is in a really good place and there will be highs in the future. Standing here now, we are gutted it has come to an end as we had full belief we could go all the way. We can be proud of what we've done."

Kane is the first player to both score and miss a penalty in a World Cup match (excluding shoot-outs) since Michal Bilek did so for Czechoslovakia against the United States in 1990.

He has scored more World Cup penalties than any other player (four).

The miss leaves Kane level with Rooney on 53 England goals, and the Manchester United great expressed his support for the Three Lions skipper after the loss.

"Absolutely gutted for the lads but proud of the way they've played this tournament and they should be proud," Rooney said on Twitter.

"Congratulations to Harry Kane on equalling the record, he'll be on his own soon and I couldn't think of anyone better to take over. Keep your head up Harry."

Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou hopes the Atlas Lions' "miracle" run to the World Cup semi-finals convinces future generations of Moroccan talent to no longer have an inferiority complex.

After eliminating Spain on penalties in the last 16, Morocco arguably produced an even bigger shock as Walid Regragui's men beat Portugal 1-0 at Al Thumama Stadium on Saturday.

Youssef En-Nesyri's first-half header proved decisive, ensuring Morocco became the first African team to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup.

While En-Nesyri's goal was ultimately crucial, Morocco would not have held on were it not for the heroics of Bounou in net; his saves from Joao Felix and Cristiano Ronaldo in the latter stages helped them cling on to their famous result, also earning him the Player of the Match award.

Unsurprisingly, the Sevilla goalkeeper was in a state of jubilant shock, but he and the team want their run to inspire greater belief for the next generation.

Bounou, who earned his 50th cap on Saturday, told reporters: "We're in the same state as you are. Pinch me, I think I'm dreaming!

"But as our coach said, we're here to change the mentality. This feeling of inferiority we've had, we need to get rid of it.

"A Moroccan player can face anyone in the world.

"The most important thing is we’ve changed this mentality and the generation coming after us will now know a Moroccan team can create miracles.

"It's really, really hard to find the words to describe this moment. All our team, the supporters on our backs, this is all I have.

"All the players put in a stellar performance. We had injuries, all the players on the pitch were at the highest level. It's hard to describe such a joy."

Bounou was also keen not to take too much of the glory for himself after earning the gong for the match's best player, having become the first African goalkeeper to keep three clean sheets at a single World Cup.

And it was not the award itself that filled him with pride, rather the expectation that Moroccans will see him as a beacon of hope en route to the top of the game.

"I got this award because I have great players with me. All of them, all of them on the pitch are fantastic," he continued.

"When someone hears about a Moroccan player, they might know now that they can actually play at the highest level. This is what makes me proud."

When having his photo shoot with the Player of the Match trophy, Bounou invited match-winner En-Nesyri in with him, even passing the prize to his colleague.

The two are club-mates at Sevilla, where En-Nesyri has struggled for form over the past 18 months – in fact, his trio of goals in Qatar is three more than he has managed in LaLiga this season.

Despite En-Nesyri's problems at club level, Regragui insists he never lost faith in the striker.

"I've always believed in Youssef. Even Moroccan journalists criticised me when I defended him, but he's here," Regragui said.

"I accepted the criticism and I said to him he is a top player. He's the top scorer in history for Morocco at the World Cup.

"I told him, the answer is on the pitch. This is going to be a lesson in the future. Coaches have reasons for choices and I've always believed in him, because of his energy on the pitch, that's why he plays for Sevilla.

"He's like [Olivier] Giroud for France, he works so hard for the team. Sometimes [these types of strikers] are criticised. He's from Morocco, he trained in Morocco and he's an important player.

"I'm very proud of him. His goal was a sign of destiny."

Morocco became the first African team ever to reach a World Cup semi-final as the Atlas Lions continued their fairytale run in Qatar with a 1-0 win over Portugal at Al Thumama Stadium on Saturday.

Walid Regragui's side saw off Spain on penalties in the last 16, but this was even more impressive and notable as Morocco ensured they will go where no other African nation has ventured before.

Youssef En-Nesyri had the honour of scoring what will go down as one of the most important goals in the history of African football as he powered in a header just before the break.

Portugal piled pressure on for much of the second half, introducing the again-benched Cristiano Ronaldo, but their efforts fell short much to the delight of the Morocco-dominated crowd.

Fernando Santos' side unsurprisingly enjoyed early control, but clear opportunities were non-existent.

Encouraged, Morocco looked dangerous on the break and the contest livened up after the half-hour mark – Selim Amallah blazed over from Romain Saiss' cut-back and the lively Sofiane Boufal shot at Diogo Costa from 25 yards.

As such, the Atlas Lions were good value for the lead when En-Nesyri towered above Costa to head in Yahya Attiat-Allah's cross after 42 minutes.

Portugal looked for a response.

Bruno Fernandes' dipping right-wing volley struck the crossbar, and he was subsequently denied a penalty after claiming to be tugged back in the box.

Ronaldo's introduction – just before Azzedine Ounahi wasted a decent chance – effectively ushered in complete Portugal control.

But Portugal created precious little until crucial late Yassine Bounou saves from Joao Felix and Ronaldo, as Morocco valiantly held on for another momentous result despite substitute Walid Cheddira's stoppage-time dismissal for a second booking.

Argentina and the Netherlands are being investigated by FIFA following Friday's fiery World Cup quarter-final.

South American champions Argentina prevailed 4-3 on penalties at Lusail Stadium, having earlier squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 as the game went the distance.

Referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz issued 15 cards to players who played a part in the game – the most in World Cup history, overtaking Cameroon versus Germany in 2002 (14).

Netherlands defender Denzel Dumfries was also shown a red card after the match.

There was a big flashpoint in the 89th minute when Leandro Paredes committed a foul on Nathan Ake and then booted the ball into the Netherlands' dugout.

Both sets of players and coaching staff squared off, though tensions again threatened to boil over in extra-time and also in the subsequent penalty shoot-out.

FIFA announced in a statement on Saturday that proceedings have been opened against the Argentinian Football Association and the Dutch Football Association.

The charge relates to a possible breach of article 12 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code – the misconduct of players and officials.

Lionel Scaloni's side are also being investigated over an additional potential breach of article 16, which relates to order and security at matches.

Argentina have won the most penalty shoot-outs of any side in World Cup history (five out of six), while only Spain have lost more than the Netherlands (one win from four).

Speaking after the game, Argentina superstar Lionel Messi criticised Spanish official Lahoz over his handling of the contest.

"I don't want to talk about the referee, because you can get a suspension, but people saw what happened," he said. 

"FIFA have to look at that, they can't put in a referee who isn't up to the job at this stage."

Defenders Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna were among the players booked and will now serve a suspension in Tuesday's semi-final against Brazil's conquerors Croatia.