The 2018 World Cup draws closer to its grand finale as the quarterfinals will commence this coming Friday with a pair of match involving Uruguay, France, Brazil, and Belgium. Then on Saturday, it’s the turn of Russia, Croatia, Sweden, and England to compete for the final slots in the semifinals. Read on for our predictions of the four games in the quarterfinals.
France are a bit lucky to have reached this deep in the competition as they managed to erase a 2-1 deficit in the round of 16 to take down Lionel Messi and Argentina, 4-3. Ceding three goals in a match is never going to be a good look for a team, and they will have to tighten it up against a deadly Uruguay side that is arguably the most balanced in the tournament. Uruguay have outscored their opponents in Russia, 8-1, with the lone goal against them being scored by Portugal in La Celeste’s 2-1 victory in the round of 16.
This match is going to provide plenty of fireworks if it lives up to its billing. Brazil have Neymar, Roberto Firmino, and Philippe Coutinho, who each has had their time in the limelight in past games in the tournament. Not to be overlooked is Brazil’s defense, which has only allowed only one goal in the tournament, outscoring their last four opponents, 7-1. Locking up Belgium’s attack would require immense discipline, a perfect game plan, and total dedication, as the Red Devils have scored 12 goals in four games, including the three they dumped on Japan in a testy 3-2 come-from-behind win in the round of 16.
Although they are the hosts, Russia are undeniably the Cinderella of the tournament. Despite inconsistent play, they finished second in the relatively weak Group A. Then they passed their initial test in the knockout stages with a stunning 2-1 win (4-3 via penalty shootout) over powerhouse Spain, who were also one of the pre-tournament favorites. Russia will enter the quarterfinals as the underdogs again against Croatia. The Croatians are being powered by perhaps the best midfield in Russia with Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic weaving their magic. Their creativity on the attack could just too much for a Russian side, but then again, this edition of the World Cup has been so insane that no outcome should come as a surprise anymore.
England finally exorcised their demons in penalty shootouts with a heart-stopping 2-1 (4-3 in penalty shootout) win in their round of 16 match against the James Rodriguez-less Colombian side. England’s firepower has torched opponents in the tournament, thanks in large part to the incredible exploits of Harry Kane, who leads the World Cup with six goals, including the lone regulation goal of the Three Lions against Colombia. Sweden are also among the most surprising teams in Russia, managing to top Group F which had the likes of Mexico and Germany before taking down Switzerland in the round of 16, 1-0.
