After three weeks and 56 games, the 2018 World Cup field of 32 has been winnowed down to eight. Here’s what to look forward to…
After three weeks and 56 games, the 2018 World Cup field of 32 has been winnowed down to eight. Here’s what to look forward to in the quarterfinals from the eight teams — seven, if we’re being completely honest — that have a chance of lifting the FIFA World Cup Trophy on July 15.
France finally showed what they’re capable of during a thrilling 4-3 victory over Argentina in the Round of 16. Of course, Argentina’s defense is laughably bad, while Uruguay’s, led by the central defensive partnership of José Giménez and Diego Godín, might be the best at the World Cup. The Uruguayans will probably be without forward Edinson Cavani on Friday, but if they can stand firm against a French attack led by Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe and steal a goal on the counter, a first World Cup in 68 years would become a genuine possibility.
Player to Watch: Kylian Mbappé, France
Mbappé’s scintillating play against Argentina allowed a glimpse of how good France can be. If he can replicate that form Friday, even defenders as good at Uruguay’s might not stand a chance.
Prediction: Uruguay wins a tense and disjointed game with a controversial late goal.
Led by Neymar’s first real team performance of the tournament, Brazil put in one of the best performance of the Cup in the Round of 16, comfortably beating a strong Mexican side, 2-0. While Belgium have the offensive talent — Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne — to give Brazil’s disciplined backline some trouble, it’s hard to imagine their much shakier defensive midfield and backline stopping the Brazilians from running riot, especially if Neymar continues to play nice with his fellow attackers, like Philippe Coutinho. But as the Belgians showed against Japan, don’t count them and their golden generation out just yet, especially if the game’s still up for grabs late.
Player to Watch: Axel Witsel, Belgium
While Brazil might be able to stop Belgium’s offense, it’s hard to imagine the opposite happening. Because of that, Belgium will need their midfield, particularly the defense-minded Witsel, to impose itself on the game and disrupt the Brazilians from getting their beautiful, free-flowing offense going.
Prediction: Though the first half is close, Brazil pulls away late to show why it’s favored to win it all.
When England went out of their way to not win Group G, this is the game they, and their fans, had their eye on. Now Harry Kane and company just have to win it, which won’t be easy considering how quietly impressive Sweden and their defense, anchored by captain Andreas Granqvist, have been all Cup. If an English offense that’s yet to really click — of their nine goals, only two have come from open play (and one of which was a fluke) — can’t figure out a way past a very resolute Swedish backline, they may be looking at yet another penalty shootout.
Player to Watch: Dele Alli, England
Part of the reason England’s offense has looked so halting is because Alli, perhaps the team’s most talented player, has been battling injury all tournament long. A good performance from him, though, and the team’s offensive issues should be a thing of the past.
Prediction: England scores early to win an otherwise unwatchable game.
That’s right, Russia, the lowest-ranked team of the Cup and coincidentally the hosts, finds itself in the quarterfinals. Though they claimed a major scalp last round in Spain, in what was probably the upset of the tournament, a very strong Croatia side will be another thing entirely. Coming off a too-close-for-comfort win over Denmark, the Croatians, and their all-world midfield of Luka Modrić and Ivan Rakitić, will be looking to recapture their dominant group-stage form and put themselves in the driver’s seat for the final.
Player to Watch: Luka Modrić, Croatia
What Modrić does, maybe better than anyone on the planet right now, is control the flow of the game. He struggled to set the tempo against a Denmark side that had no interest in playing fluid soccer, but should find little trouble imposing his will on Saturday’s proceedings.
Prediction: Croatia looks like it did during the group stages and wins easily.
