The Netherlands, Argentina, Croatia, Brazil, Morocco, Portugal, England and France. These are the eight international locations left standing on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, every dreaming of profitable the largest prize in males’s worldwide soccer.
The spherical of 16 noticed Spain eradicated by Morocco on penalties – a consequence that price Luis Enrique his job as nationwide staff supervisor – however there was in any other case no actual surprises as the sport’s largest gamers got here to the fore.
Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar have been all on the scoresheet, with their eyes now firmly fastened on securing a spot within the remaining 4 of what is been an entertaining event thus far.
Here is 90min’s predictions of what is to come back.
Croatia’s World Cup marketing campaign has been considered one of regular however unspectacular progress, evidenced by their scrappy penalty shootout with Japan within the spherical of 16.
In stark distinction, Brazil have been at their sensible greatest towards South Korea, successfully ending the sport as a contest after 12 minutes en path to scoring 4 first-half targets.
In Richarlison, Neymar, Vinicius Junior and Raphinha, the Selecao have a particularly thrilling entrance 4 able to destroying any defence, and so they seem like a effectively oiled machine able to push for a sixth World Cup triumph.
Prediction: Croatia 0-2 Brazil
The Netherlands meet final yr’s Copa America winners Argentina in Friday’s second World Cup quarter-final.
Louis van Gaal’s Oranje have not been at their sensible greatest, reality be advised, however they’ve had greater than sufficient high quality within the tank to ease by means of a bunch containing Senegal, Ecuador and Qatar, earlier than seeing off a plucky United States within the spherical of 16.
Cody Gakpo has been their standout participant thus far, although Memphis Depay seems to be coming into type at simply the appropriate time.
Argentina received their World Cup marketing campaign underway with a defeat to the second-lowest ranked nation on the event, Saudi Arabia, however enterprise has picked up since. Mexico and Poland have been suitably dispatched, earlier than Australia have been seen off within the spherical of 16.
In a good affair, Lionel Scaloni’s aspect may have the sting with some man referred to as Messi the star act.
Prediction: Netherlands 0-1 Argentina
Shock quarter-finalists Morocco will hope to construct on their sensational penalty shootout win over Spain after they tackle Portugal in Saturday’s afternoon kick-off.
The Atlas Lions have conceded simply as soon as of their 4 video games thus far, with their defensive resilience within the spherical of 16 proving an excessive amount of for a Spain aspect who dominated the ball from begin to end.
Portugal discarded Cristiano Ronaldo for his or her spherical of 16 blitz over Switzerland, however they did not miss him one iota as Goncalo Ramos bagged a hat-trick in a complete 6-1 win.
Fernando Santos’ staff is stuffed with high quality and confidence will probably be using excessive after their Swiss demolition job.
Prediction: Morocco 1-2 Portugal
The quarter-finals spherical off with an enormous conflict between England and France; two groups blessed with outrageously proficient younger gamers.
The Three Lions have been methodical and exact within the early levels of their spherical of 16 win over Senegal, however accelerated by means of the gears after breaking the impasse to chalk up a snug 3-0 win.
Didier Deschamps’ France breezed previous Poland, in the meantime, with Kylian Mbappe, the highest scorer at this World Cup with 5 targets, exhibiting the world his immense high quality with two excellent late targets.
It may very well be a good, cagey affair as Gareth Southgate and Didier Deschamps set their sides as much as include, nevertheless it may very well be Les Bleus who come out victorious and prolong England’s main event heartbreak past 56 years.
Prediction: England 0-1 France
