After 55 games of high drama and unmissable action, we are down to our last eight teams at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Barring two penalty shootouts, the round of 16 provided largely one-sided ties, with most of the favourites cruising through against inferior opposition thanks to milestone performances from the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi.
However, there are some tantalizing ties and incredible matchups in the second round of the knockout stages, and here is our preview of the World Cup quarter-finals.
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Brazil will be playing in their eighth consecutive World Cup quarter-final at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and the Selecao should be the favourites to head into the final four as they take on Croatia at the Education City stadium. The South American side showcased their class in the round of 16 with their 4-1 win over South Korea, while the 2018 finalists laboured to a victory on penalties over Japan on their path to the quarters.
Croatia have been solid defensively in this tournament thanks to breakout performances from centre-back Joskvo Gvardiol and goalkeeper Dominic Livakovic. But Brazil’s front four of Vinicius Jr, Neymar, Richarlison, and Raphinha may be too much for Croatia to handle in the quarter-finals in Qatar.
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After an indifferent start to their tournament against Saudi Arabia, Argentina and Lionel Messi have begun to show some form in Qatar 2022 as they enter the business stage of the tournament. Lionel Messi has already blessed this FIFA World Cup with his brilliance, scoring phenomenal goals against Mexico and Australia, and the 35-year-old has been well-complemented by Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, and Alexis Mac Allister in attack.
However, the South Americans will face their toughest test of the tournament so far against the Netherlands, who have yet to lose a FIFA World Cup match in 11 outings under Louis van Gaal.
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Morocco upset Spain on penalties to reach their first-ever quarter-finals at a World Cup, and the Atlas Lions will be looking to shock another Iberian nation when they take on Portugal at the Al Thumama Stadium on Saturday.
Morocco are just the fourth African side to make the final eight of the FIFA World Cup and have progressed far in the competition largely due to their resolute defence. The north African nation have conceded just one goal in 390 minutes of football at the tournament which includes games against Belgium, Spain, and Croatia.
However, Portugal will be a stern test for the African outfit. Fernandos Santos’ side hit their stride in their last 16 clash against Switzerland following the controversial benching of Cristiano Ronaldo. The removal of the ageing superstar seems to have unleashed a new gear in the 2016 European Champions, with a free-flowing front three of Joao Felix, Bruno Fernandes, and Goncalo Ramos helping Portugal put six goals past the Swiss in the previous round.
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The most anticipated tie of the quarter-finals is France’s meeting with England at the Al Bayt stadium on Saturday night. This will be the first time the two nations will face each other in the knockout stages of a major tournament, and the winner of this clash could be considered the favourite to go all the way and lift the trophy.
The defining battle in this quarter-final will be Kylian Mbappe versus the English defence. Kylian Mbappe has five goals and two assists in three starts at this FIFA World Cup and has been the star of the tournament thus far. However, the pace of Kyle Walker and defensive awareness of John Stones may give England the best chance of stopping the 23-year-old from running riot, while Bukayo Saka could exploit the PSG forward’s defensive deficiencies by taking on the opposition left-back, Theo Hernandez.
Shivaan Shah