MATT BARLOW'S WORLD CUP DIARY: Richarlison's emotional exchange with Ronaldo goes back to the 2002 World Cup and Eden Hazard calls time on his international career... PLUS, I'm A Celeb winner Jill Scott will join the ITV coverage for England vs France
- Richarlison's emotional exchange with Ronaldo has roots at the 2002 World Cup
- Eden Hazard retired from international duty after Belgium's awful tournament
- I'm A Celebrity winner and Lionesses hero Jill Scott will join ITV's coverage
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
The quarter-final line-up for the World Cup is complete, as the tournament is in the midst of a two day break ahead of the last eight.
Portugal, Morocco, Netherlands, Argentina, France, England, Croatia and Brazil remain in Qatar as we move towards the business end of the tournament.
It has been a World Cup full of intrigue both on and off the pitch, and here Sportsmail's MATT BARLOW shares the latest instalment of his World Cup diary.
![The Qatar World Cup is currently in the midst of a two-day break ahead of the quarter-finals](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/07/22/65358083-0-image-a-42_1670453859287.jpg)
The Qatar World Cup is currently in the midst of a two-day break ahead of the quarter-finals
Richarlison's exchange with Ronaldo goes back to 2002
Richarlison's emotional exchange with Ronaldo after Brazil's win over Switzerland has prompted the Spurs forward's father to reveal how the connection began during the 2002 World Cup.
'That's why Ronaldo is his inspiration,' said Antonio Carlos de Andrade. 'He was about five at the time and it was just the two of us. I went down to the street and I watched games in a little bar there with him.
'He would go out for a bit, go play football with the boys in the street, come back, and I would watch. I believe he has these memories of Ronaldo, who was the top scorer, and takes a lot of inspiration.'
![Richarlison's emotional exchange with Brazilian Ronaldo goes back to the 2002 World Cup](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/07/23/65359453-11514453-image-a-79_1670457092592.jpg)
Richarlison's emotional exchange with Brazilian Ronaldo goes back to the 2002 World Cup
Hazards hangs up international boots
Eden Hazard has called time on his international career.
'A page turns today, thank you for your love,' said 31-year-old Hazard as he announced his retirement after 126 caps and 33 goals. He made his Belgium debut aged 17 in 2008 and his exit is another staging post in the demise of their Golden Generation.
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/07/23/65359455-11514453-image-m-81_1670457112596.jpg)
Eden Hazard as he announced his retirement from Belgium duty after 126 caps and 33 goals
Queen of the Jungle, Scott, to join ITV
Fresh from her success in the I'm a Celebrity jungle, Jill Scott will be flying out for more dubious culinary delights in the FIFA media cafes of Qatar, joining the ITV team for England v France, where she will be pitchside with Laura Woods and Eni Aluko.
ITV dropped their scheduled news bulletin on Tuesday to stick with Morocco's penalty shootout win over Spain and then went straight into their live coverage of Portugal against Switzerland. They were rewarded with a peak audience of eight million.
![I'm A Celebrity winner Jill Scott is set to join ITV's coverage for England's game with France](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/07/23/65358189-0-image-a-45_1670454109194.jpg)
I'm A Celebrity winner Jill Scott is set to join ITV's coverage for England's game with France
Noppert admits he had given up on World Cup dream
Netherlands goalkeeper Andries Noppert, one of the feelgood stories of this World Cup, admits even he had given up on his childhood dream when he was without a club, two years ago. 'As a small boy you dream about the World Cup,' said Noppert. 'But when you see my career, I put the dream away. I thought it was not possible.
'You have to keep pushing, that's what's most important.'
![Netherlands goalkeeper Andries Noppert was without a club just two years ago](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/12/07/22/65358085-0-image-a-43_1670453937241.jpg)
Netherlands goalkeeper Andries Noppert was without a club just two years ago
Germany remain loyal to Flick
Flick was widely criticised after overseeing Germany's second consecutive group-stage exit at a World Cup, but the former Bayern Munich manager has avoided the axe.
'We are all convinced that the 2024 European Championship in our own country represents a great opportunity for football in Germany,' the German federation said in a statement. 'We have full confidence in Hansi Flick.'
Premier League's Oliver handed quarter-final tie
English referee Michael Oliver has been handed the quarter-final tie between Croatia and Brazil on Friday.
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