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Kick off for the game is at 7pm.
So will it be Croatia or Russia to join fellow European teams England, Belgium and France in the World Cup semi-finals?
Hosts Russia have already exceeded expectations getting to this stage, having been written off pre-tournament by sections of their media.
They may have emerged from a relatively easy group following victories over Saudi Arabia and Egypt, but their last-16 defeat of 2010 champions Spain was undeniably impressive.
What they lack in talent, the Russians more than compensate for in commitment and work ethic, while in rumoured Chelsea target Aleksandr Golovin, they have one of the most promising young midfielders in Europe.
Croatia, meanwhile, have also had an excellent tournament, with their 3-0 group-stage win over Argentina especially impressive.
In Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitić, they have arguably the best midfield of the teams left in the competition.
A laboured penalty-kicks win over an ordinary enough Denmark team in the second round suggested they were flagging a little, nonetheless given the talent at their disposal, many critics will fancy Croatia to emulate the class of ’98 and reach the World Cup semi-finals.
Some details on the starting XIs via AFP…
Denis Cheryshev is back in the Russia starting line-up for the hosts’ meeting with Croatia in their World Cup quarter-final in Sochi on Saturday.
The Villarreal winger replaces Yuri Zhirkov, who has been struggling with a calf injury, in the only change made by coach Stanislav Cherchesov following the penalty shootout win over Spain in the last 16.
Cheryshev scored twice in Russia’s 5-0 win over Saudi Arabia in the tournament’s opening game, and was also on target as they defeated Egypt 3-1 in their second group outing.
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic also makes one change to his team following the win on penalties against Denmark in the round of 16.
Andrej Kramaric, the Hoffenheim forward, comes in with Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic dropping out.
The winners of the last quarter-final will go through to a semi-final in Moscow on Wednesday against England, who beat Sweden 2-0 earlier.
Croatia are aiming to make the World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1998, while the Russians are aiming to reach the last four of a major tournament for the first time since Euro 2008.
Starting line-ups for the World Cup quarter-final between Russia and Croatia in Sochi on Saturday:
Russia
Igor Akinfeev (capt); Mario Fernandes, Ilya Kutepov, Sergei Ignashevich, Fedor Kudriashov; Denis Cheryshev, Daler Kuziaev, Roman Zobnin, Alexander Samedov; Aleksandr Golovin; Artem Dzyuba
Coach: Stanislav Cherchesov (RUS)
Croatia
Danijel Subasic; Sime Vrsaljko, Dejan Lovren, Domagoj Vida, Ivan Strinic; Ivan Rakitic, Luka Modric (capt); Ante Rebic, Andrej Kramaric, Ivan Perisic; Mario Mandzukic.
Coach: Zlatko Dalic (CRO)
Referee: Sandro Ricci (BRA)
We’re under way…
Russia have started this game really well.
Golovin’s ball into the box is only half cleared, before Dzyuba’s attempt from the edge of the area is deflected out for a corner.
It’s now Croatia’s turn to attack.
Rebić evades the challenge of Kudryashov, before his powerful cross is parried out for a corner by Akinfeev.
It’s been a very lively start to this game.
The atmosphere is absolutely electric.
Every time Russia launch an attack, there is an audible surge of excitement around the stadium.
As I type, a cross finds Mandžukić, but he doesn’t get a proper connection with the ball and consequently blazes it well over the bar.
Russia look very threatening on the counter-attack at the moment.
Samedov finds himself in a promising position, but his cross is poor enough, and Perišić is well positioned to head clear.
After a fast-paced opening, this game has settled down a bit.
According to the BBC, Croatia have had 65% of the possession, while neither team has registered a shot on target so far.
Perišić has to stoop down to nod on a cross, and his attempt goes narrowly wide.
Both sides have had to be content with half chances so far.
RUSSIA 1-0 CROATIA (CHERYSHEV 31)
What a goal!
Cheryshev plays a one-two with Dzyuba in midfield before hammering an unstoppable shot into the top corner from about 30 yards out.
It’s his fourth goal of the tournament, and it puts Russia in dreamland.
“He played as a banger in a match for Real Madrid, and he certainly banged that one into the net,” says RTÉ’s Brian Kerr, again showing why he is the best co-commentator in the business.
Here’s another look at the superb opening goal.
Russia 1-0 Croatia - Denis Cheyshev gives Russia the lead with an absolute screamer of a goal #rtesoccer #worldcup #RUS #CRO pic.twitter.com/VSLot4ljlB
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 7, 2018
RUSSIA 1-1 CROATIA (KRAMARIC 40)
Croatia are right back in this game!
Mandžukić is left completely unmarked and in acres of space down Russia’s right-hand side.
The striker’s cross finds Kramarić, who nods home from close range.
Russia’s lead lasted less than 10 minutes.
7 - Andrej Kramaric is the seventh different player to score for Croatia at the 2018 World Cup; only Belgium (9) have had more different goalscorers (excluding own goals) in this year's competition. Sharing. #CRO #RUSCRO #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/eGOVQDSW5v
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 7, 2018
Here’s what Croatia’s equaliser looked like…
Russia 1-1 Croatia - Andrej Kramaric levels things up as he takes advantage of some awful Russian defending to head home. #rtesoccer #worldcup #RUS #CRO pic.twitter.com/vi8gxMgIum
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 7, 2018
HALF-TIME: RUSSIA 1-1 CROATIA
1-1 is probably a fair half-time score on the balance of play.
Croatia are the technically superior team and controlled the play at times, but Russia have been their usual lively selves and look very dangerous on the counter-attack.
In addition, Denis Cheryshev might not be at Villarreal for much longer, as he has continued to impress, scoring one of the goals of the tournament (his fourth in total) to put Russia ahead, before the hosts were pegged back thanks to Kramaric’s clinical finish, after good work out wide by Mandžukić.
The second half has begun…
I really love Mandzukic. Just does anything you want him to, so much easier to play two upfront with someone who covers so much ground
— Michael Cox (@Zonal_Marking) July 7, 2018
Croatia have started this half the stronger of the two teams.
Modric, who is looking as sharp as ever, has just flashed a shot wide from the edge of the area.
Vrsaljko’s cross is half cleared by Ignashevich, before Kramarić fails to trouble Akinfeev with an audacious overhead kick.
Croatia are looking increasingly dominant, controlling the play, with Russia appearing to tire.
Russia boss Stanislav Cherchesov appears to sense his side are losing control of this game and look increasingly vulnerable.
A change is consequently made, with Erokhin on in place of Samedov.
So close!
Kramarić’s cross is only half headed away. The ball falls to Perišić, whose shot from the edge of the box hits the post before being cleared by a relieved Russia.
The hosts are giving the ball away too cheaply at the moment and simply inviting more pressure on their goal.
Modric has been increasingly influential as Croatia gain greater control of midfield.
It feels as if all that running, which Russia have become renowned for at this tournament, is finally catching up with them, as many of their players look exhausted.
Russia make another change.
Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, it’s the goalscorer Cheryshev making way.
Smolov, who had been expected to feature prominently prior to the tournament, enters the action.
A rare Russia chance. Fernandes’ cross is headed just over Erokhin.
It would be a real smash-and-grab victory if the hosts do manage to win this game.
Croatia make a change.
Strinić goes off with Pivarić slotting in at left-back.
More heroic last-ditch defending by Russia.
Croatia counter-attack and shots by Vrsaljko and Modric are both blocked.
This clash is not a million miles away from the Spain last-16 game now. Russia’s brilliant defence and work-rate is compensating hugely for flaws elsewhere in the team.
Russia make a third change.
Dzyuba, who has produced another tireless performance up front, is replaced by Gazinskiy.
Subašić looks in serious pain after kneeling down to collect the ball.
Croatia have made their three subs, so they won’t be able to take him off at the moment and will need to wait until extra time to make the substitution.
There will be five minutes of stoppage time…
Modric continues to look energetic.
His cross at the edge of the box is cut out.
The Real Madrid star has been imperious, particularly in the second half.
Smolov takes a shot out wide that Subašić has to parry.
It looks like we’re set for extra-time.
FULL-TIME: CROATIA 1-1 RUSSIA
So we’re going to play another 30 minutes.
Russia have shown incredible heart in this game.
Stanislav Cherchesov’s men have looked second best, particularly in the second half, but as with Spain before them, Croatia — for all their increasing dominance — just can’t find a way past their stubborn backline.
The Croats are the better team and so probably deserve to prevail, but Russia’s remarkable resilience could yet get them over the line.
The first half of extra-time is under way…
Modric. That is all.
— Raphael Honigstein (@honigstein) July 7, 2018
Lovren argued after the Argentina game this team might be better than 1998. It’s nowhere near. And yet they might go one better. Funny old game etc
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) July 7, 2018
1998 had some spine and a world-class finisher
This has two world-class players, though Modric may be better than any 98 player.
Croatia make a change.
Vrsaljko pulls up with an injury and is unable to continue.
He is replaced by 32-year-old former Man City and Tottenham right-back Vedran Ćorluka, who plies his trade at Lokomotiv Moscow these days and earns his 102nd cap for his country.
RUSSIA 1-2 CROATIA (VIDA 101)
Out of nothing, Croatia are ahead.
Vida’s header from a corner sneaks through a few bodies and finds the corner of the net.
Russia are really up against it now, and they respond immediately by replacing Golovin with Dzagoev.
Russia are playing in a much more attacking manner now.
Erokhin nods a header from a corner wide, as the hosts search desperately for an equaliser.
Here’s a look at what could be the winning goal…
Russia 1-2 Croatia - Domagoj Vida scores with a soft header and Russia suddenly have to change their approach and attack. #rtesoccer #worldcup #RUS #CRO pic.twitter.com/Nk5g9IfHve
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 7, 2018
HALF-TIME: CROATIA 2-1 RUSSIA
The second half of extra-time has begun…
Even Modric is looking a little tired now.
He has just uncharacteristically given the ball away.
Gazinskiy gets booked for cynically tripping Mandžukić and stopping Croatia from launching a promising-looking counter-attack in the process.
He will miss the semi-final with England through suspension if Russia get there.
Less than 10 minutes remain for Russia to find an equaliser.
The tension in the stadium is palpable.
As I type, the ball falls to Kuzyaev on the edge of the area, and Subašić does well to hold onto his powerful shot.
Subašić has to parry away a cross by Smolov.
Russia have found energy from somewhere and have Croatia under serious pressure now.
RUSSIA 2-2 CROATIA (FERNANDES 115)
Dzagoev swings in a free kick and Fernandes heads home to send the majoriy of fans in the stadium into ecstasy.
You get the feeling Russia will fancy their chances if the game goes to penalties, having received the psychological boost of a late comeback.
Here’s a look at what could prove to be a very famous moment in the history of Russian football…
Russia 2-2 Croatia - Mario Fernandes scores with five minutes of extra-time to go, drawing Russia level once more #rtesoccer #worldcup #RUS #CRO pic.twitter.com/9xdMaiHcds
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 7, 2018
I’ve said it before and I’ll hopefully say it again: what a World Cup.
— Owen Gibson (@owen_g) July 7, 2018
There will be one minute of stoppage time…
FULL-TIME OF EXTRA-TIME: CROATIA 2-2 RUSSIA
So penalties it is!
One of these sides will be in the World Cup semi-finals without having won a knockout game in normal or extra time.
Croatia have been the better side and would probably be most neutrals’ choice for a semi spot, given their attractive style of play, but it’s hard not to admire Russia’s courage and heart in getting back into this game when they looked dead and buried.
Smolov’s first penalty is saved!
Brozovic puts the ball in the top corner to put Croatia in the lead. 1-0.
1-1. Dzagoev semds the goalkeeper the wrong way.
Penalty saved! Kovacic’s effort is stopped by Akinfeev.
Fernandes puts a poor penalty wide! Still 1-1.
Modric scores to put Croatia 2-1 up!
Ignashevich makes it 2-2!
Vida puts Croatia 3-2 ahead!
Kuzyaev makes it 3-3.
Rakitić scores! Croatia are in the semi-finals.
So that’s that.
Croatia are in the semi-finals following another win on penalties.
They were the better side, playing the more attractive football and thus deservedly go through.
Russia exit the competition, but can hold their heads high. Having been dismissed by many critics prior to the competition, they have fought incredibly bravely this evening and shown unbelievable work-rate and resilience over the course of the competition.
Here’s a look at Rakitić’s coolly taken winning penalty.
Croatia have set up a World Cup semi-final with England after they beat Russia 4-3 on penalties. The game finished 2-2 after extra-time. #rtesoccer #worldcup #RUS #CRO pic.twitter.com/cuXqp6bgbC
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 7, 2018
Right, that’s all from me.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
You can read our match report here and we’ll have more reaction to follow.
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