CNN
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All eight teams have qualified for the World Cup. Who are they, and how did they get there?
When: Friday, December 9, 10 a.m. ET
Where: Education City Stadium
Croatia
Perhaps the weakest team on paper in the quarterfinals, Croatia looks like a side that is struggling to regain control that took them to the final in 2018. The team is well held by Morocco at the level of one, very happy to draw it. Belgium then relied on penalties to beat Japan in the last 16.
For any other team, that would be a concern. But Croatia have proven to be masters of navigating games that go down to the wire. All three of their knockout games in 2018 went to extra time or penalties, but in each, the Croatians looked like the dominant side.
The experience was a showcase against Japan. Just like their semi-final win over England four years ago, this was a game where Croatia got stronger and stronger as the game went on. The tournament experience and nous will be tested as Kockasti faces a Brazilian team that looks as good as a pre-tournament tag as the favorites would suggest.
Group stage:
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
Croatia 4-1 Canada
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
Round 16:
Croatia 1-1 Japan (Croatia won 3-1 on penalties)
Brazil
A Seleção, for the first time in 20 years, is as good as the fans expect. The five-time international winners comfortably defeated European powerhouses, Serbia, before giving the first team their first break against Cameroon. But against South Korea, the world saw what this team can really do.
In the first seven minutes, Brazil had won the game and brought it jogo bonito (beautiful game) back to the World Cup, scoring for fun. Neymar – after missing the last two matches of the league through injury – is back and playing with the freedom that the star is rarely able to display in the green and gold shirt.
Brazil will once again be favorites to face Croatia, but manager Tite and his team will not underestimate their opponent. For the past 16 years, Brazil have come to the tournament with a run before knocking off their European rivals in the knockout stages. But this team looks set to be the first since 2002 to bring the World Cup back to its spiritual home.
Group stage:
Brazil 2-0 Serbia
Brazil 1-0 Switzerland
Cameroon 1-0 Brazil
Round 16:
Brazil 4-1 South Korea
When: Friday, December 9, 2 pm ET
Where: Lusail Stadium
The Netherlands
In what is expected to be the last tournament of Louis van Gaal’s star team, the Netherlands coach is looking to repeat his 2010 achievement of reaching the final of the World Cup – and perhaps going to the face one step at a time.
Without the star of 2014, the Dutch have been the more valuable side, conceding just two goals so far in the competition. But that didn’t stop him from scoring one of the goals of the tournament against the US. The team put 20 passes together in a brilliant display of brilliant play before Memphis Depay fired the ball home.
The Netherlands clearly have the easiest way into the quarter-finals, and their resilience will be tested as they play a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina.
Group stage:
Senegal 0-2 Netherlands
Netherlands 1-1 Ecuador
Netherlands 2-0 Qatar
Round 16:
Netherlands 3-1 United States
Argentina
In his first match of the tournament, Argentina had the biggest upset in World Cup history as Messi and team. Lost in Saudi Arabia. But since then, La Albiceleste have kicked into gear, winning their last three matches comfortably.
In what could be his last World Cup, Messi has slowly entered the tournament, but against Australia he showed little reason to be regarded as the game’s best. He scored a trademark goal against Australia, finishing home with ease, and he was at his creative best as time and time again he created opportunities for his team.
This is arguably Argentina’s best team of the 21st century, but Lionel Scaloni’s side had a functional system that served the team well. Like the Netherlands, Argentina face the tournament’s biggest test.
Group stage:
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
Argentina 2-0 Mexico
Poland 0-2 Argentina
Round 16:
Argentina 2-1 Australia Cup
When: Saturday, December 10, 2pm ET
Where: Al Bayt Games
England
The Three Lions have had the best start of any team in Qatar, keeping three clean sheets and easily dispatching African champions Senegal in the last 16. Which begs the question: this is England’s best team since 1966, when they won you the World Cup. ?
Under Gareth Southgate, England has become a professional competitor, playing active football and blocking many of his attacking abilities to support strong support. But against Senegal, the threat England can make when given opportunities and opportunities is looked at.
In addition to Jude Bellingham in midfield, England is now playing as one of the best teams in the world, adding a strong defensive goal. One criticism of England’s best manager is that Southgate struggles against superior opposition. There was no greater test of that idea than facing France in the quarterfinals.
Group stage:
England 6-2 Iran
England 0-0 United States
Wales 0-3 England
Round 16:
England 3-0 Senegal
France
After a shaky first half against Australia, the French have quickly dispelled any pre-tournament worries that they will follow the previous three World Cup winners and make a group exit.
Les Bleus have looked unstoppable at times, barring their second-tier team from losing a dead rubber in Tunisia, the team looks set to dominate Russia in 2018. Olivier Giroud has become a French gambler, Aurélien. Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot filled Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kanté’s space in midfield, with Antione Griezmann looking the best back.
But this is about one man: Kylian Mbappé. The forward of PSG is undisputedly the best player in the competition. Whether he’s sitting in defense, or turning in a stunning goal, it seems no one on the planet has the tools to cope with the mercurial talent.
France face their neighbors from across the channel next time, but with England through to the semi-finals, they will need to find a way to stop the best player in the world.
Group stage:
France 4-1 Australia
France 2-1 Denmark
Tunisia 1-0 France
Round 16:
France 3-1 Poland
When: Saturday, December 10, 10 a.m. ET
Where: Al Thumama Stadium
Morocco
This Moroccan side are the revelations of this tournament, defending with grit and attacking verve and they deserve to be in the quarter-finals.
With Achraf Hakimi, who scored a spectacular ‘Panenka’ to win the penalty shootout against Spain, Morocco boasts a big player and the limitless power of Paris Saint-Germain on the right side is a threat to the Atlas Lions.
Chelsea striker Hakim Ziyech provides Morocco’s natural spark, while Fioretina’s Sofyan Amrabat is undoubtedly one of the best midfielders so far at this World Cup.
Head coach Walid Regragui has instilled confidence in his team’s impressive formation and Morocco will be rightly confident that they can beat Portugal and become the first African team in history to reach the finals. the world.
Group stage:
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
Belgium 0-2 Morocco
Canada 1-2 Morocco
Round 16:
Morocco 0-0 Spain (Morocco won 3-0 on penalties)
Portugal
Their defeat in their last group game against South Korea raised questions about Portugal’s ability to progress to this year’s World Cup, but their demolition of Switzerland in the last 16 answered them well. Fernando Santos’ side look unstoppable and 21-year-old striker Gonçalo Ramos burst onto the scene with a dazzling hat-trick.
The youngster replaces Cristiano Ronaldo, who was dropped to the bench due to strain. It is unclear whether the midfielder will be included in the starting line-up for the quarter-finals, but Portugal did not rule him out on Tuesday.
Portugal faced strong opposition, which defeated Belgium and Spain in Qatar 2022.
Group stage:
Portugal 3-2 Ghana
Portugal 2-0 Uruguay
South Korea 2-1 Portugal
Round 16:
Portugal 6-1 Switzerland
