The quarter finals were filled with anxiety and excitement. Three of the four matches went to overtime and two went to penalty kicks. It will be difficult for the semi-finals to be just as fun. The remaining four teams are the most competitive ones we’ve watched this summer. As mentioned in the last article, there are no draws nor points given from ties. Every round is elimination, meaning overtime and shootouts/penalty shots will decide winners. Before picks are made, the numbers are for which team placed where in their assigned group. Here are the predictions for which two teams advance to the title game.
1B Spain v. 2D France
Not many people expected this matchup. After a fantastic match of football from Spain and host nation Germany, many audiences were treated to a horror show match between France and Portugal. Les Bleus still can’t score an offensive goal outside of penalty kicks in either regular or extra time. The frustration is taking a toll on coaches and players, with captain Kylian Mbappe saying in a Saturday interview he was, “tired” and had to leave the match due to fatigue. Manager Didier Deschamps even dropped midfielder Antoine Griezmann for the semi-finals due to his ineffective play.
Spain fortunately scores once a match, even if it’s in extra time. La Roja have their own roster issues with captain Alvaro Morata and star defender Dani Carvajal missing the match due to multiple yellows the previous weeks (Carvajal drawing a red last round didn’t help either), and Pedro “Pedri” Lopez out the rest of the tournament with a knee injury after German midfielder Toni Kroos tackled him.
Fortunately Spanish manager Luis de la Fuente has a lot of midfielders on the roster. He has to feel some relief in France’s offense lacking midfield presence and Mbappe struggling to use his vision around the pitch instead of attacking defenders. Mikel Merino pushed La Roja’s offense past Germany, and could get the start with fellow midfielders Fabian Ruiz, Rodri and Dani Ceballos before substitutions. De la Fuente playing backups in a victory against Albania also gives the team many options to attack a stout French defense.
Prediction: Spain wins 2-1 and advances to the finals
3D Netherlands v. 1C England
Not many people had either team making it this far. If anyone’s stunned England’s made the semi-finals, it’s the viewers. The Three Lions made another comeback and surprised the Swiss in penalty kicks. Manager Gareth Southgate has used the three subs at the 80+ minute trick in two elimination rounds and both times they’ve worked. Southgate deciding the roster’s positioning has been tricky, but England’s depth and talent has worn down opposing defenses and opened up scoring opportunities.
Ronald Koeman’s Oranje improved since their private friendly. Cody Gakpo is the top player for the Netherlands while Wout Weghorst and Memphis Depay have improved and led the Oranje to key wins. Defensive mistakes have been fixed and transition offense looks better with the defensive trio of Stefan De Vrij, Virgil Van Dijk and Denzel Dumfries.
Roster depth will determine who wins and advances to the finals. England’s depth has been pivotal in their victories since the round of 16. Many criticize Gareth Southgate’s tactics of keeping a shutout for both sides until the 80th minute due to the offensive talent and poor positioning of certain veteran players. However, the substitutions made before extra time gives opposing managers more problems. This match could go to extra time but Netherlands doesn’t have the spare legs to keep a lead or take it to penalty kicks.
Prediction: England wins 3-2 and advances to the finals
Quarterfinals predictions record: 2-2
JD's Sportscorner 
Brilliant work
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