CNN
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We are waiting for two teams to qualify world cup The quarter-finals, but the Sixers have already booked their place in the last eight. Who are they and how did they get there?
when: Friday, December 9 at 10AM ET
Where: Education City Stadium
croatia
Perhaps the weakest team on paper in the quarter-finals, Croatia looked like a team struggling to regain control, having made it all the way to the final in 2018. The team was easily beaten by Morocco in the group stage, and was very lucky to have to beat Japan on penalties in the round of 16 with Belgium.
That’s a concern for any other team. But Croatia has proven that it is a master of the game. All three of its knockout games in 2018 went to extra time or penalties, but in each of those games the Croatian looked in control.
That experience was on display against Japan, where Croatia looked stronger and stronger, as they did in their semi-final win over England four years ago. That tournament experience and common sense will be put to the test when Kockasti faces a Brazil team that looks as good as its pre-tournament tags, as the favorite suggests.
group matches:
Morocco 0-0 Croatia
Croatia 4-1 Canada
Croatia 0-0 Belgium
Round of 16:
Croatia 1-1 Japan (Croatia wins 3-1 on penalties)
Brazil
Seleção, for the first time in 20 years, looked as good as the fans expected. The five-time world champion eased past stubborn European rivals Serbia before resting the first-team against Cameroon. But against South Korea, the world saw the true strength of this team.
Within the first seven minutes, Brazil had won the game and brought jogo bonito back to the World Cup with goal delight. Neymar – after missing the final two group games through injury – returned with a freedom the star in green and gold has rarely enjoyed.
Brazil will once again be the favourites, but coach Tite and his side will not underestimate their opponents. For the past 16 years, Brazil have been on the hype before taking on European rivals in the knockout stages. But this team looks likely to be the first since 2002 to bring the World Cup trophy back to its spiritual home.
group matches:
Brazil 2-0 Serbia
Brazil 1-0 Switzerland
Cameroon 1-0 Brazil
Round of 16:
Brazil 4-1 South Korea
when: Friday, December 9 at 2pm ET
Where: Lusail Stadium
Netherlands
It is expected to be the final game of Louis van Gaal’s illustrious career, with the Netherlands manager hoping to replicate his 2010 World Cup final – and possibly go further this time.
Without their 2014 stars, the Netherlands have been much more realistic and have conceded just two goals in the tournament so far. But that didn’t stop them scoring a goal against the USA. The team chained together 20 passes to create a picturesque advertisement for a beautiful game before Memphis Depay headed home.
The Dutch, arguably the easiest route to the quarter-final stage, will have their resilience tested as they take on a Messi-inspired Argentina.
group matches:
Senegal 0-2 Netherlands
Netherlands 1-1 Ecuador
Netherlands 2-0 Qatar
Round of 16:
Netherlands 3-1 USA
Argentina
In the first game of the World Cup, Argentina suffered arguably the biggest upset in World Cup history because of Messi and his partner. lost to Saudi Arabia. But since then, La Albiceleste has come into play, winning their last three games with ease.
In what could be his last World Cup, Messi has slowly grown into a part of the tournament, but against Australia he got a glimpse of why he is widely regarded as the man to add luster to the game. He scored the iconic goal against Australia, finishing with irresistible ease and was at his creative best as he created chance after chance for his team-mates .
It was arguably the most ignominious Argentine team of the 21st century, but Lionel Scaloni’s side had a system that worked well. Like their Dutch counterparts, the Argentines are facing their first real test of the tournament.
group matches:
Argentina 1-2 Saudi Arabia
Argentina 2-0 Mexico
Poland 0-2 Argentina
Round of 16:
Argentina 2-1 Australian Cup
when: Saturday, December 10 at 2pm ET
Where: Albert Stadium
U.K.
The Three Lions have started the best of any team in Qatar, keeping three clean sheets in their last 16 games and comfortably beating African champions Senegal. This begs the question: is this the best England team since 1966? your world?
Under Gareth Southgate, England have become tournament specialists, playing functional football and limiting their wealth of attacking talent in favor of defensive unity. But against Senegal, fans got a glimpse of England’s attacking prowess when given space and chances.
With Jude Bellingham in midfield, England are now playing like one of the best teams in the world, adding goals to a resolute defence. One criticism of arguably England’s best ever manager is that Southgate struggles when his teams are up against opponents who are as good or better than them. Nowhere in this round has that theory been tested more than France.
group matches:
England 6-2 Iran
England 0-0 USA
Wales 0-3 England
Round of 16:
England 3-0 Senegal
France
After a poor first-half performance against Australia, the French were quick to dismiss pre-match fears that they would emulate the previous three World Cup winners and go out in the group stage.
Les Bleus looked irresistible at times, and aside from its second-tier loss to Tunisia, the team looked every bit as good as the one that dominated Russia in 2018. Olivier Giroud has become France’s all-time leading goalscorer, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot fill the void left by Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kanté in midfield, and striker Antione Griezmann is back to his best form.
But this team is all about one man, Kylian Mbappé. The Paris Saint-Germain striker looked irresistible and the best player of the tournament. Whether he’s sitting defenders down or scoring stunning goals, it looks like no one on the planet is equipped to handle this mercurial talent.
France next take on their neighbors across the Channel but will have to find a way to stop the world’s best players if they are to get England into the semi-finals.
group matches:
France 4-1 Australia
France 2-1 Denmark
Tunisia 1-0 France
Round of 16:
France 3-1 Poland