It’s crunch time in the World Cup with 16 teams being whittled down to eight for the quarter-finals.
The group stage was defined by surprising results with traditional footballing powerhouses stunned by less-fancied nations – evidence, perhaps that the gap between the elite and the rest is narrowing at a rapid rate.
That hasn’t quite continued into the knockout rounds so far, however, given the first three nations to secure their spots in the final eight were all expected to proceed before a ball was kicked.
The Netherlands taught the USA a lesson despite suffering a mini scare late on, Argentina brought Australia’s unexpectedly long Qatar journey to an end and reigning champions France powered past Poland.
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Netherlands vs Argentina – Saturday 9 December 7pm
A re-run of the classic France 98 meeting between the countries at the same stage of the competition. If the standout moment of that game does not immediately spring to mind, here’s a reminder that will bring the memories flooding back: “Dennis Bergkamp… Dennis Bergkamp… Dennis Bergkamp… DENNIS BERGKAMP… DENNIS BERGKAMP… DENNIS BERGKAMP!”
Three perfect touches
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 4, 2019
Dennis Bergkamp's knack for making goalscoring look easy was on full display when he fired @OnsOranje into the #WorldCup semi-finals #onthisday in 1998pic.twitter.com/akVInsbTT7
Bergkamp’s 90th-minute winner in Marseille is one of the most iconic moments in recent World Cup history and there are plenty of candidates capable of making a similarly indelible mark on the competition in Lusail. In the Oranje corner, the fit-again Memphis Depay and goalscoring prodigy Cody Gakpo; in the blue corner Lionel Messi and his latest sidekick Julian Alvarez, who has provided the spark that the misfiring Lautaro Martinez lacked.
The Dutch were impressive against the USA in the last 16, with Depay finishing off the best team goal of the tournament so far and wing-backs Denzel Dumfries and Daley Blind wreaking havoc on the flanks. Argentina were less convincing in their win over Australia, but with Messi shifting ominously through the gears, their deficiencies may not even matter.
Croatia (TBC) vs Brazil (TBC) – Friday 9 December, 3pm
Write Japan off at your peril. Not only did Hajime Moriyasu’s squad progress at the expense of Germany, but they also topped a group containing Spain. Considering Samurai Blue have won both matches in which they were regarded as overwhelming underdogs and lost the one that everybody expected them to win (against Costa Rica), they are clearly awkward opponents for 2018 finalists Croatia.
The Croatians haven’t been too convincing so far – a 4-1 thrashing of Canada aside – and were fortunate that Romelu Lukaku’s finishing deserted him in their final group match against Belgium. Nevertheless, this is a squad packed full of quality, experience and knowhow which might just see them overcome Japan. Arguably more so than any other last 16 fixture, Japan vs Croatia is probably the hardest to call.
It would be a monumental upset if Brazil were to lose South Korea, however. Like Japan, the Koreans stunned a European heavyweight by beating Portugal, but unlike Japan they beat an under-strength side rather than the A Team. Brazil will fully expect to progress to the quarters for the eighth World Cup in a row.
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France vs England (TBC) – Saturday 10 December, 7pm
France were surprisingly eliminated at the last 16 stage of last summer’s European Championship, but they made no such mistake this time around after beating Poland 3-1. Olivier Giroud overtook Thierry Henry as the top-scoring men’s player in France’s history with his 52nd goal for Les Bleus before the Ballon d’Or in-waiting Kylian Mbappe rifled in a second and then a third.
As was the case in Russia four years ago, France haven’t totally convinced during the tournament, but no team in the competition will relish facing them given the quality they possess. Mbappe, in particular, has looked frighteningly good so far and is a shoo-in to win the Golden Ball if Didier Deschamps’ side goes all the way. He has already scored five times at this tournament, surpassing his total from 2018 when France lifted the trophy.
England are France’s likely opponents given the potency of their strikeforce. The Three Lions struck nine goals during the group stage, more than any other team in the tournament. Their last 16 opponents Senegal are no pushovers, though, catching the eye so far despite being without their injured talisman Sadio Mane.
Spain (TBC) vs Portugal (TBC) – Saturday 10 December, 3pm
Losing to Japan and almost crashing out of the tournament prematurely might be just the wake-up call that Spain needed after thrashing Costa Rica and impressing for large spells against Germany. Luis Enrique’s side are seen as the favourites to progress beyond Morocco, but the north Africans are not a team to be underestimated after finishing above Croatia and Belgium in their group. Achraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech have been excellent so far.
Portugal also lost their final match, going down to South Korea, and while the result will not overly concern manager Fernando Santos, Cristiano Ronaldo’s below-par display might have done. Portugal unquestionably have the talent to go far in this competition, but Switzerland will be tricky opponents, particularly after overcoming their last 16 mental block against France at the Euros last summer.
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