World Cup quick hits: Portugal and Croatia's instant classic, England pubs prepare for Mexico

Portugal and Croatia play one of the greatest halves of football in World Cup history, packed with legendary players, brilliant goals and more VAR drama than anyone could handle.

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Here are today's World Cup quick hits.

1. Portugal. Croatia. Ronaldo. VAR. Incredible drama

In a World Cup of such incredible drama, the second half of Portugal's clash with Croatia might have topped it all.

A highly-anticipated game which was sure to feature the final bow for one of Cristiano Ronaldo or Luka Modric, didn't exactly deliver in a cagey first half but exploded into life in the second. Let's run through all the events in order, shall we?

First of all, Ivan Perisic scored to give Croatia the lead. The Croatians had been second-best in the first half but improved after the break and deserved their lead.

There was a Ronaldo goal correctly disallowed for offside, before VAR spotted some holding at a Portugal corner and awarded a penalty. Ronaldo duly converted what was his first ever goal in a World Cup knockout match.

With 10 minutes to go, Petar Sucic thought he had put Croatia ahead only for the flag to go up again for offside. Portugal manager Roberto Martinez then decided to sub Ronaldo off, a decision the veteran did not take particularly well.

THEN, deep in injury time, Goncalo Ramos met a brilliant Rafael Leao cross with an equally brilliant header to surely win the game for Portugal.

But Croatia kept throwing bodies forward and thought they had equalised in the 113th minute through Josko Gvardiol. VAR had a look and spotted an offside in the build up, but needed to use the in-ball snicko technology to confirm who the crucial final touch came off.

The goal was disallowed, Croatian fans delayed the restart by hurling bottles and other projectiles onto the pitch, and then finally the game was brought to an end.

Ronaldo and Modric embraced, Portugal progressed and Croatia wept. Not bad viewing for the neutral.

2. Probably shouldn't have said that …

The death of the father of Congo coach Sébastien Desabre was revealed at a media conference after his team's elimination, a public announcement which seemed to catch the Frenchman off guard.

Desabre had just finished taking questions from the media after Congo's agonising 2-1 loss to England in the round of 16 on Wednesday.

The team's spokesman then closed the session by saying in French "the coach has lost his father. Sincere condolences".

Desabre looked to his right with an expression of surprise at press officer Jerry Kalemo Ngoy, but quickly recovered his composure and said "merci".

Kalemo Ngoy said Thursday the passing of Desabre's father had been known to him before the game.

3. US hits those Country Roads

Apologies to Charlie Cameron, it appears your thunder has been stolen.

It's become one of the enduring scenes of the US team during this World Cup, with jubilant US players joining tens of thousands of fans in singing John Denver's Take Me Home, Country Roads at the end of their matches.

Even coach Mauricio Pochettino, who was born in Argentina and lives in Spain, got in on the act after Wednesday's 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina, belting out the words to Denver's anthem as he hugged his players and staff members.

The John Denver estate told AP that it is "thrilled" by the song's latest revival at the World Cup, saying Country Roads has endured because its message transcends geography and that its "simple, clear, and relatable" lyrics make it perfect for a sing-along.

"Everyone knows what 'take me home to the place I belong' is about," the estate said. "It's not limited to West Virginia."

"You could feel the connection with the fans," midfielder Weston McKennie said after the group stage win over the Socceroos.

Nice and all, but have they ever heard the a cappella Gabba version after Charlie has kicked two quick ones in a row?

4. Senegal star says it's either them or me

After Senegal blew a late lead against Belgium to go out of the World Cup, midfielder Pape Gueye said he would not play for the team while the coaching staff stays.

Senegal led 2-0 after 85 minutes in the round of 32 game but gave up two goals before the 90th minute and ended up losing 3-2 to a penalty awarded deep in extra time.

Gueye posted on Instagram that "as long as it's this technical staff in place, I will take a break from the national team".

The 27-year-old Villarreal player, who scored two goals in Senegal's 5-0 group-stage win over Iraq, did not mention coach Pape Thiaw.

A tough year for Senegal already saw its Africa Cup of Nations title won in January, due to Gueye's extra-time goal against Morocco, overturned in an unprecedented appeal case.

Thiaw took his team off the field in that match after host nation Morocco was awarded a stoppage-time penalty when the score was 0-0. Play resumed after a 15-minute delay and Morocco's penalty was saved.

When Morocco appealed post-game disciplinary rulings, judges for the Confederation of African Football ruled Senegal should default the game and suspended Thiaw for five games in the next edition of the competition.

5. Big Sunday night ahead as English pubs get extended hours

Pubs and bars across England and Wales will be allowed to stay open until 5am on Monday morning, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced, so fans can watch the World Cup last-16 clash against Mexico without having to stumble home at closing time.

The government announced the extended licensing hours for Sunday night's (local time) match in Mexico City, which kicks off at 1am in England, removing red tape that would normally require individual venues to apply for permission to serve alcohol beyond standard hours.

Similar extensions were granted for England's earlier games at the tournament that kicked off before 10pm, with the Home Secretary using legislative powers to extend licensing on occasions of "exceptional international, national or local significance".

"Football might be coming home but we're making sure fans don't have to," Sir Keir said in a statement.

"Pubs staying open till the final whistle is good news for supporters and good news for the pubs and venues that bring our communities together.

"The whole country will be backing the team. Come on England!"

And if you live in Victoria and think that sounds pretty sweet, then good news! Pubs will be open early for Australia's 4am kick-off against Egypt on Saturday too.

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