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The Netherlands, Argentina, Croatia, Brazil, Morocco, Portugal, England and France. Those are the eight countries left standing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, each dreaming of winning the biggest prize in men’s international football.
The round of 16 saw Spain eliminated by Morocco on penalties – a result that cost Luis Enrique his job as national team manager – but there was otherwise no real surprises as the game’s biggest players came to the fore.
Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar were all on the scoresheet, with their eyes now firmly fixed on securing a place in the final four of what’s been an entertaining tournament so far.
Here’s 90min’s predictions of what’s to come.
Croatia’s World Cup campaign has been one of steady but unspectacular progress, evidenced by their scrappy penalty shootout with Japan in the round of 16.
In stark contrast, Brazil were at their brilliant best against South Korea, effectively ending the game as a contest after 12 minutes en route to scoring four first-half goals.
In Richarlison, Neymar, Vinicius Junior and Raphinha, the Selecao have an extremely exciting front four capable of destroying any defence, and they look like a well oiled machine ready to push for a sixth World Cup triumph.
Prediction: Croatia 0-2 Brazil
The Netherlands meet last year’s Copa America winners Argentina in Friday’s second World Cup quarter-final.
Louis van Gaal’s Oranje haven’t been at their brilliant best, truth be told, but they’ve had more than enough quality in the tank to ease through a group containing Senegal, Ecuador and Qatar, before seeing off a plucky United States in the round of 16.
Cody Gakpo has been their standout player so far, though Memphis Depay appears to be coming into form at just the right time.
Argentina got their World Cup campaign underway with a defeat to the second-lowest ranked nation at the tournament, Saudi Arabia, but business has picked up since. Mexico and Poland were suitably dispatched, before Australia were seen off in the round of 16.
In a tight affair, Lionel Scaloni’s side may just have the edge with some guy called Messi the star act.
Prediction: Netherlands 0-1 Argentina
Surprise quarter-finalists Morocco will hope to build on their sensational penalty shootout win over Spain when they take on Portugal in Saturday’s afternoon kick-off.
The Atlas Lions have conceded just once in their four games so far, with their defensive resilience in the round of 16 proving too much for a Spain side who dominated the ball from start to finish.
Portugal discarded Cristiano Ronaldo for their round of 16 blitz over Switzerland, but they didn’t miss him one iota as Goncalo Ramos bagged a hat-trick in a comprehensive 6-1 win.
Fernando Santos’ team is filled with quality and confidence will be riding high after their Swiss demolition job.
Prediction: Morocco 1-2 Portugal
The quarter-finals round off with a huge clash between England and France; two teams blessed with outrageously talented young players.
The Three Lions were methodical and precise in the early stages of their round of 16 win over Senegal, but accelerated through the gears after breaking the deadlock to chalk up a comfortable 3-0 win.
Didier Deschamps’ France breezed past Poland, meanwhile, with Kylian Mbappe, the top scorer at this World Cup with five goals, showing the world his immense quality with two outstanding late goals.
It could be a tight, cagey affair as Gareth Southgate and Didier Deschamps set their sides up to contain, but it could be Les Bleus who come out victorious and extend England’s major tournament heartbreak beyond 56 years.
Prediction: England 0-1 France
