Live Coverage: World Cup live: July 3 - as it happened

Good afternoon everyone and thank you for joining us as we take you through all of the news from the 22nd day of the World Cup in Brazil. Tomorrow sees the quarter-final action get underway, with hopefuls France taking on Germany and tournament hosts Brazil looking to get past an impressive Colombia. We'll bring you all of the build up to those games, as well as more news on how the World Cup's biggest controversy could impact the balance of European football.

Firstly, let's bring you some news that's developed overnight, including Sep Blatter's welcoming of an apology issued by Luis Suarez after his bite on Giorgio Chiellini, as well as Joachim Low's admittance that he will keep Philipp Lahm at the heart of Germany's midfield against France.

Brazil superstar Neymar has also spoken out ahead of his side's quarter-final clash with Colombia tomorrow, with the Barcelona striker revealing that his team are at the World Cup to win it, not just to entertain people.

Colombia have sent out a response of their own with Juan Cuadrado talking up the abilities of youngster James Rodriguez ahead of their clash with Brazil tomorrow.

As we await the quarter-finals to get underway tomorrow, there's also important build-up taking place for Saturday's fixtures too. You can read our preview of Argentina's mouth-watering clash with Belgium here.

Ahead of their clash tomorrow night, France's Blaise Matuidi has warned Germany that Les Bleus have improved as a team since the sides last met in a friendly last year. Read what the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder has had to say here.

This World Cup has already seen a record number of goals being scored, while civil unrest that threatened to unhinge the tournament is yet to cause any major disruption to its running. In light of this, FIFA president Sepp Blatter has been speaking to an audience in Brazil about the showpiece's success. Meanwhile, Diego Maradona has spoken out to warn his country not to blame Lionel Messi should they fail to get past Belgium on Saturday.

I'm going to be handing over to Giuseppe Labellarte now, who'll take you through all of this afternoon's news coming in from Brazil...

Thanks Christopher! I'll be taking you through the next few hours with all the latest World Cup news and updates. Germany forward Andre Schurrle has admitted that he is "fired up" after his good performance against Algeria on Monday, and as a result, he hopes to make Joachim Low's starting XI in the fixture against France on Friday.

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After the sheer glut of high-quality football that we've had over the last two weeks, it feels almost strange having not one, but two days without any action on the pitch. But fear not, because tomorrow we have the first two quarter-finals of the competition, and Sports Mole is at hand with match previews!

France v Germany

Brazil v Colombia

More news relating to the France v Germany quarter-final clash, and it's not positive for fans of Joachim Low's side. The Nationalelf manager has admitted that seven of his players are now suffering from flu symptoms, days after Mats Hummels was ruled out of the game against Algeria with the virus.

Hong Myung-Bo has been retained as South Korea manager, despite his side's failure to progress from the group stages of the World Cup. Korean Football Association President Chung Mong-Gyu allegedly talked the 45-year-old out of stepping down from the role after the Taeguk Warriors earned a solitary point in Brazil.

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Former Manchester United and England veteran Rio Ferdinand has tipped France prodigy Paul Pogba to become "the best midfielder in the world". The two used to be teammates at Manchester United.

Now, for some reaction from two of the tournament's highest-profile goalkeepers. France captain Hugo Lloris has claimed that the uncertainty of making it through each World Cup knockout game has spurred Les Bleus to give their all on the pitch, while Belgium's Thibaut Courtois has called Argentina lynchpin Lionel Messi "unpredictable", also claiming that he 'knows him well' because they've faced off on the pitch before.

Plenty of updates today about Luis Suarez and his ban for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini. The Uruguayan FA have formally lodged an appeal for FIFA to rescind the lengthy punishment, which nevertheless does not forbid the player from having medicals and being transferred between clubs, but the head of FIFA's disciplinary committee, Claudio Sulser, defiantly claims that Suarez 'knew the risks'.

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Brazil have been under a lot of pressure during this World Cup, with expectations at an all-time high for a nation that expects nothing less than victory, and it has been showing on some of the Selecao players. Manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has decided to hire a sports psychologist to help his players through the tournament, a decision praised by Neymar.

However, former England manager Glenn Hoddle has criticised Brazil, claiming that their back line "can't defend", and that Colombia will exploit this weakness in tomorrow's quarter-final in Fortaleza.

Nigerian legend Sunday Oliseh has defended the conduct of several players from African nations over bonuses at the World Cup, claiming that they carry a lot of familial responsibility and that they were expressing their dismay at promises that "have not been fulfilled".

Well folks, it's been a pleasure, but now it's time for me to hand the reins over to Callum Mulvihill, who will guide you through this evening's World Cup news and updates!

Thanks Giuseppe! Two days without a World Cup match. No goals, drama or biting. Is it driving you mad? Well, I'll help fill the void for the next couple of hours by bringing you the latest from Brazil this evening.

Ahead of the quarter-final between Germany and France on Friday, Thomas Muller has dismissed suggestions that the squad of four years ago were better than Joachim Low's current side. Is he right? They looked well short of their best in that nervy extra time win over Algeria.

Colombia were seen as dark horses prior to the tournament, but they seem to be gaining more fans as each day passes in Brazil. The hosts stand in their way on Friday night, and Pablo Armero admits that it will take everyone in the team to stop Neymar from stealing the show in Fortaleza.

Costa Rica's 22-year-old forward Joel Campbell has revealed that he is enjoying playing with the pressure that comes at the World Cup as the underdogs prepare to take on the Netherlands in the last eight on Saturday.

Andreas Brehme, the match winner in the victory over Argentina in the 1990 World Cup final, believes that Germany could once again be relying on Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to lead them past France inside the Maracana on Friday.

If you missed the big news earlier today, here's a reminder. The Uruguayan Football Association has confirmed that they have appealed against the ban handed out to Luis Suarez for his bite on Giorgio Chiellini in the group stages. Suarez is set to miss nine international matches and has been suspended from all football activity for four months. Should that ban be reduced?

Didier Deschamps has suggested that France can play without pressure as they search for what he believes would be an historic victory over Germany in the Maracana on Friday evening. It promises to be a close encounter between two European heavyweights.

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Ricardo Quaresma believes that too much pressure was placed on Cristiano Ronaldo's shoulders at the World Cup. Ronaldo, who was battling a knee injury throughout his stay in Brazil, was unable to prevent Portugal from exiting the tournament at the group stage, and Quaresma believes Paulo Bento and the supporters expected too much from the Real Madrid forward.

Remember, you can have a look at our previews of every quarter-final by visiting the World Cup fixtures page. It's certain to be a very exciting weekend in Brazil. Will anyone emerge as clear favourites?

Andre Schurrle has insisted that Germany are prepared for the likes of Paul Pogba, Karim Benzema and Mathieu Valbuena ahead of their World Cup quarter-final against France. One of that trio could hold the key for France if they manage to nullify the threat of Germany's own attacking players.

Luiz Felipe Scolari has come out fighting after critics questioned his side's display in the dramatic penalty shootout success over Chile last Saturday. The 65-year-old told members of the Brazilian media to "go to hell" ahead of the quarter-final against Colombia on Friday.

Algeria will reportedly donate their World Cup prize money to the troubled citizens of Gaza as the crisis between Israel and Palestine continues to escalate. The squad are expected to be awarded a fee in the region of £5.25m after reaching the last 16.

That's all from the team at Sports Mole tonight. The action gets back underway tomorrow with France vs. Germany and Brazil vs. Colombia. Our live blog will begin at 11am tomorrow. Thanks for joining me. Goodnight.