Quarter-final predictions with Mbappe, Messi, Yamal and Haaland hoping to fire their teams into the last four
The World Cup is reaching its peak as the quarterfinals will begin tomorrow night.
This is the business end of the biggest show in sports with four fun relationships to watch.
The champions of Europe, South America and Africa are still participating, along with favorites France and dark horses England.
Here, we look at four games and give our predictions…
THURSDAY, JULY 9
France v Morocco (9pm)
What a start to the 2022 semi-final replay in Qatar. France won 2-0 at the time but Morocco, who were the first African team to reach the final four, did as well as they got almost all night.
Most observers would say that Morocco has grown since then and new manager Mohamed Ouahbi has provided a cooling energy after the tumultuous reign of Walid Regragui.
They are unbeaten in 34 games and play a similar front-foot game for the French, led by Achraf Hakimi – arguably the best right-back in the world – and attacking talents Brahim Diaz and Ismael Saibari. Saibari is an injury doubt and the Atlas Lions will be hoping he is fit.
France have been the team of the tournament so far. Didier Deschamps’ men have won all five games, scoring 14 goals in this game. They also proved that they have another team when they defeated Paraguay 1-0 in the last round, they won badly to advance to this stage.
Sound defensively and with an attacking force in international football in Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele, they remain the team to beat.
Morocco are good but we are not sure if they are ready to win this one.
Prediction: France 2-1 Morocco
FRIDAY, JULY 10
Spain v Belgium (8pm)
Belgium started life in the round of 16 against the United States. Having looked lacking in the group stage and winning against Senegal in the 32nd round, Rudi Garcia’s team produced an impressive performance to defeat the USA 4-1.
They were clearly motivated by a sense of injustice at the machiavellian tactics used by FIFA and Donald Trump to ensure that USA striker Folarin Balogun could play but they expressed their frustration.
Garcia made the bold decision to leave star players Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku on the bench and it will be interesting to see if he repeats the feat in Los Angeles.
Spain entered the quarter-finals with a few alarms, after suffering the shock of a draw with Cape Verde in their opening game.
The cool football is still there but what’s new is the stability of the defense which has seen them keep a clean sheet in each of their five games.
Lamine Yamal showed flashes of his brilliance but if he can produce a highlight in the full 90 minutes it could be a long night in Belgium.
Prediction: Spain 3-0 Belgium
SATURDAY, JULY 11
Norway v England (10pm)
On paper, it seems straightforward. Stop Erling Haaland and England will enter the semi-finals.
Simplistic yes, but also partially true. Haaland scored twice in Norway’s 2-1 win over Brazil in the round of 16 and has now scored in his last 14 games for his country. His overall record read 62 goals in 54 international matches.
The good news is that if England play with four players behind John Stones, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa and Nico O’Reilly then three of that quartet will be playing with him when they are training in Manchester City. They will know his quirks, triggers and they will also know what annoys him. That insider knowledge could prove crucial and decisive as the Three Lions look to build on Monday morning’s win over Mexico.
Although it wasn’t a perfect game technically, the resilience and determination shown by the players, especially after the ejection of Jarell Quansah, showed a united team.
The attacking fluidity still needs work but this looks like a good game for England to secure a place in the last four.
Prediction: Norway 1-3 England
SUNDAY, JULY 12
Argentina v Switzerland (2am)
It is not known how Argentina reached this stage but it also says a lot about their desire to keep the title they won in Qatar.
Below par against Cape Verde and a 75-minute thrashing against Egypt, Lionel Scaloni’s side somehow found a way.
Even Lionel Messi looked different in the round of 16 match against Egypt before leading a stunning late comeback to win 3-2.
Yes, some of the referee’s calls were questionable and yes, doubts remain about the defense and the pitch, but if Messi fires Argentina will stop.
Is Switzerland good enough to stop them? They definitely won’t give it to you, as evidenced in the tough match against Colombia.
It was not taking into account the danger and the heavy clock but they completed the task of taking the penalties. They have a lot of knowledge but do they have quality?
Prediction: Argentina 1-0 Switzerland
