Beckham responded via Instagram: "@iamzlatanibrahimovic if @swemnt win I will personally take you to @ikeasverige and buy you whatever you need for the new mansion in LA @lagalaxy, but when @england win I want you to come watch an @england game at Wembley wearing an England shirt and enjoy fish & chips at half time ..."

BRAZIL SENT PACKING AGAIN

Five-time champions Brazil had arrived in Russia with high hopes of putting the humiliation of their 7-1 semi-final thrashing on home soil by Germany four years ago behind them, but were instead sent packing by a clinical Belgian outfit.

The Red Devils' 'golden generation' had looked on the brink of another major tournament disappointment when 2-0 down midway through the second half of their last-16 tie against Japan, but roared back in that game before punishing Brazil time and again with blistering counter-attacks.

The Selecao piled the pressure on their opponents in a gripping second half, but could only drag one goal back through substitute Renato Augusto's header after Fernandinho's early own goal and a sweet strike by Kevin De Bruyne.

The recriminations for Brazil will start in earnest after failing to reach the final for a fourth consecutive World Cup, with coach Tite sure to come under fire despite being widely praised in the build-up to the tournament.

The defeat means that Brazil's Pele-inspired triumph 60 years ago in Sweden remains the last time a South American side has won the title on European soil.

"I won't talk about my future right now - it's not appropriate as I'm still thinking about the match. Time will tell," said Tite.

Next up for Roberto Martinez's Belgium is a mouthwatering semi-final with France, who comfortably beat A Uruguay side shorn of the injured Edinson Cavani to back up their thrilling victory against Argentina in the previous round.

Raphael Varane's towering header gave Deschamps's men the lead before his Uruguayan counterpart Fernando Muslera's dreadful error gifted Antoine Griezmann the game-clinching goal.

"We had done something big against Argentina and today we have again raised our level," Deschamps said. "I have a good team that still has plenty of room for improvement.

"You can see our lack of experience sometimes, but we have so many qualities too."

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