After a spectacular first round with a lot of sensations and surprises, we move on to serious things with direct elimination matches. More space for experiments and trial and error. The knockout stages have started and continue until tomorrow. The quarter -finals will take place at the end of the week …
Favorite Brazil in the face of South Korea
Let’s go for the knockout stages. Today, Brazil is entering the scene. Beaten by Cameroon (0-1) in his third match of the first round, Brazil fell from above. Announced as a powerful favorite, this Brazil created the surprise by being trapped. It is true that the team had been reworked, but this defeat shows that the “cariocas” are not invincible. South Korea, out of group H, will have a blow to try even if the Brazilians largely leave in this confrontation which should see the return of Neymar.
Japan – Croatia, undecided
Japan – Croatia is an unprecedented eighth finals. The Croats that was said to be aging, knew how to make his way to the knockout stages. A qualification synonymous with performance in a group composed by an overwhelmed Morocco and by Belgium. Croatia, vice-champion of the world, will be opposed to valuable Japanese, who have damaged the pawn to Germany. The Japanese will have to fear the big experience of Modrics and others, but at the same time, Croats will have to be wary of the liveliness and resistance of this Japan team.
Morocco – Spain, a Mediterranean derby
Morocco, a big revelation of this World Cup has the means to go very far in this World Cup. Qualified with merit in the round of 16, she faces a big caliber tomorrow, Spain. The “Atlas Lions” have confidence in their means and at this stage of the competition, they no longer fear any opponent and especially not a team from Spain, who showed signs of feverishness during their third match against Japan. Between a very fast and imposing Morocco in the game and a very “possessive” Spain, this Mediterranean derby remains undecided.
Portugal – Switzerland, advantage in Ronaldo?
Portugal can go very far in this World Cup. Is Switzerland armed to dame the pawn at Ronaldo teammates? This is not certain, especially since Portugal, except in its last match, showed a lot of solidity in the game is one of the power outsiders. This is not the case with Switzerland. Sometimes muddled, sometimes effective, this Swiss did not show much and was satisfied with the bare minimum with two narrow victories (against Cameroon and Serbia) against a defeat against Brazil.
Advantage to Ronaldo and others in this match which could be locked and go to the penalties!
Argentina-Netherlands and France-England, attractive quarters!
The knockout stages began on Saturday. The Netherlands came to the quarterfinals after their victory over the United States on the 3-1 score on Saturday in match for the round of 16. Memphis Depay opened the brand in favor of the Netherlands from 10 ‘, before his teammate Daley Blind widens the gap (45’+1). Denzel Dumfries sealed the fate of the match in the 81 ‘. Haji Wright reduced the gap for the United States to the 76 ‘.
For its part, Lionel Messi’s Argentina has established itself against Australia (2-1) on Saturday and qualified for the quarter-finals where it will face the Netherlands. Messi of a shot placed (35 ‘), then Julian Alvarez after a blunder of the Australian goalkeeper Mathew Ryan (57’), allowed the Albiceleste to have the Socceroos, who reduced the gap by a goal against his camp of Enzo Fernandez (77 ‘). On this occasion, Messi played his thousandth official match.
The second quarter -final will oppose France and England. The Blues imposed their law on Poland thanks to a goal from Olivier Giroud and a double from Kylian Mbappé. England has gripped Senegal 3-0 in a match where the English displayed their technical ease. French and English will compete next Saturday in quarters.
Terminal Highness
Already played
Netherlands-United States 3-1
Argentina-Australia 2-1
France-Poland 3-1
England-Senegal 3-0
Monday, December 5
4:00 p.m.: Japan – Croatia
8:00 p.m.: Brazil – South Korea
Tuesday, December 6
4:00 p.m.: Morocco – Spain
8:00 p.m.: Portugal – Switzerland
Quarter -finals
Friday December 9
4:00 p.m.: Japan or Croatia – Brazil or South Korea
8:00 p.m.: Netherlands-Argentina
Saturday December 10
4:00 p.m.: Morocco or Spain – Portugal or Switzerland
8:00 p.m.: France – England
