What a fun, early July for World Cup play. The round of 16 filtered the contenders from the remaining pretenders. While most of the eight teams knocked out showed promise and fight, the remaining eight were better and earned their wins to make round four. Since group play is over, that means 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 who finished at the top two in each group, and the letters are from the group each team was in. Here are the predictions for which four teams advance to the semi-finals.
1I France v. 2C Morocco
Talk about a bang to start the quarter finals! It’s a shame these teams have to play each other this round. Morocco and France dominated most of their matches this tournament and showed few weaknesses. After a 2022 shutout win by France, Morocco will try to split their World Cup series this decade.
That will be tough since France showed global audiences they aren’t intimidated by rough, physical play. Captain Kylian Mbappé laughed off Paraguay’s brutish and (at times) racist antics to clinch a shutout win last round. Morocco is a much better team than Paraguay, but France has the best manager, players and roster depth in the tournament.
Prediction: France advances 3-1
1H Spain v. 1G Belgium
Two weeks ago, many believed this matchup would have been a near unanimous win for Spain. La Roja has not impressed as much as audiences anticipated, but they are still a solid team.
However, Belgium has dazzled since their 86th minute against Senegal in the second round. The Red Devils crushed the Yanks last round without Jérémy Doku, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin de Bruyne in the starting lineup. This should be a great match.
Two factors will determine which team advances: injuries and coaching. The loss of Amadou Onana is big for Belgium’s mid-field and puts more pressure on manager Rudi Garcia to pick better substitutes. Speaking of substitutions, the way Garcia has used his and made bolder changes in decision making could cost the Red Devils against an actual championship caliber team like Spain. La Roja’s manager Luis de la Fuente is practical in his substitutions and puts the best players in at the best times to keep overwhelming opposing defenses late in matches. Belgium has impressed viewers by finding another gear for their golden generation’s last dance, but Spain is better top to bottom.
Prediction: Spain advances 3-2
2I Norway v. 1L England
The most underrated matchup of the quarter finals. Norway might be a dark horse to make the finals, but they play like a championship caliber team on every side of the pitch. Again, the pressure falls on England to use all their star talent and advance to the next round.
Erling Haaland and Harry Kane have been stellar this tournament. Both have scored six or more goals and are in the race for the Golden Boot. Yet if the Vikings want to win this match, they need other players not named Haaland to step up. This is where England separates itself.
Regardless of what viewers think about manager Thomas Tuchel’s sideline theatrics, one cannot argue he has gotten the Three Lions to play their best against serious contenders. England dominated against Croatia and Mexico, two teams many believed could return to the quarterfinals. Norway’s great defensive play has been led by veteran goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland. However, the offense could be the Vikings downfall if England starts scoring more than two goals. Given how well Kane, Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon have played, it’s likely the Three Lions get out to an early lead and don’t look back.
Prediction: England advances 5-2
1J Argentina v. 1B Switzerland
This could be one of the best matches of the quarter finals because of how both teams play. Argentina’s looked vulnerable in both elimination rounds after they dominated group play. The Swiss thumped Algeria and beat Colombia in a thrilling shootout. Whichever team earns the win will have earned their trip to the semi-finals.
The biggest factor could be the health of Switzerland’s Johan Manzambi. Manzambi’s play catapulted the Swiss into a top position in both group play and on their side of the knockout bracket. However, Johan Manzambi didn’t play in the penalty kicks win against Colombia and it showed. Switzerland still has a lot of underrated talent at forward and midfield, but they will need everyone to show up against the reigning World Cup champions. That could be too much for them.
Prediction: Argentina advances 3-2
Group Play Predictions: 26-6
JD's Sportscorner 