Netherlands VS USA
The first knockout stage at this year's World Cup saw the Netherlands take on USA. After a 21-play move, Memphis Depay put the ball into the back of the net to put the Netherlands 1-0 up after just 10 minutes. Right before halftime, Denzel Dumfries played pretty much the same ball he played for his first assist and this time, Daley Blind was there to put it home for the Netherlands. This goal was a real killer for USA. With 15 minutes to go of normal time, Haji Wright scored to give the United States some hope. I recommend you see this goal; I can’t really explain it. It doesn’t really matter though as Denzel Dumfries added a goal to his two assists with a lovely striker's finish (he’s a right back). Well done if you had him in your fantasy team. Overall, USA can be proud of their efforts at this tournament. As for the Netherlands, it was a good win for them and they now have a quarter final date with Argentina on the 9th of December.
Argentina 2-1 Australia
Argentina VS Australia happened to be Lionel Messi’s 1,000th game as a professional footballer and he marked the occasion by scoring in the 35th minute to give Argentina the lead. Skipping to the 57th minute, Argentina were 2-0 up through Julian Alvarez. I’m happy that Alvarez keeps getting on the scoresheet but what was Matt Ryan doing. He tried to be clever in a World Cup knockout game against one of the biggest footballing nations of all time. It’s both stupid and unforgivable. With less than 15 minutes to play, Craig Goodwin’s shot took a massive deflection off of Enzo Fernandez before the ball flew into the back of the net meaning the Aussies weren’t out of the World Cup yet. And then, in the 97th minute, Emiliano Martinez pulled off a massive save to deny both Garang Kuol and Australia the chance to go further in this year's World Cup. Overall, Australia can be delighted with their performances in this World Cup. However, the way they lost this game will hurt them for a while. As for Argentina, they’ll be happy that they got the win, but they will need to improve if they are to beat the Netherlands on December the 9th.
France 3-1 Poland
Poland were massive underdogs heading into this game against the reigning World Champions France and they came so close to making it 1-0 but unfortunately for them, Hugo Lloris pulled out A great save before their efforts were quickly blocked by French defenders. Right before halftime, Olivier Giroud made it 1-0 for France with a lovely finish into the bottom corner. This goal now means that Olivier Giroud is France’s all-time record goalscorer and it’s a goal that felt harsh towards a Poland team that had been the better team. In the 74th minute, France hit Poland on the counterattack and Kylian Mbappe brilliantly smashed the ball past Wojciech Szczesny to make it 2-0 to France. Kylian Mbappe then made sure to finish the game off once and for all as he smashed the ball into the top right corner in additional time. However, that wasn’t the last action of the game as Poland were awarded a penalty for Upamecano handball. Lewandowski stepped up but his effort was saved. However, Lloris was off his line and French players were already in the box meaning the Barcelona man got a second chance to score and this time he did it. Given that’s going to be the last time Lewandowski ever plays at the World Cup (most likely), I’m glad he scored. Overall, Poland haven’t looked particularly good at these finals but they did make it out of the group stage so it’s been a pretty good tournament for them overall. As for France, they are clearly going to be a very tough team to stop and they face England in the Quarter Finals on the 10th of December.
England 3-0 Senegal
Halfway into the first half, Harry Maguire played a poor pass and this allowed Senegal to put the ball into the box and I really don’t know how Ismaila Sarr managed to miss. Big let off for England. 15 minutes later, England were ahead through Jordan Henderson. Jude Bellingham made a good run before he played a pass that left Jordan Henderson the “simple” task of making it 1-0 to England. Right before halftime, Harry Kane managed to finally get himself a goal at this year's World Cup to put England in a great position. I have to say it was a fantastic goal. Bellingham won the ball back and then ran with it before he played a good ball to Foden who played an even better ball to Harry Kane. 3 genuinely World Class players. In the second half, England were 3-0 up through Bukayo Saka. Once again, Phil Foden was unplayable and Saka’s finish was top draw. Whether you like England or not, you can’t deny that they have some amazing young players. Overall, Senegal will be slightly disappointed with their performance at this tournament. Yes, they got to the last 16 but I think they were hoping for more. As for England, this was a really impressive performance and result and they will go into their game with France with lots of confidence.
Japan 1-1 Croatia (1-3 on Penalties)
So far, every team that had topped their group had won their first knockout game. Japan had a great chance to take the lead inside the first two minutes, but Taniguchi’s header went wide of the target. However, Japan were able to take the lead just a few minutes before halftime through Daizen Maeda. However, 10 minutes into the second half, Croatia were level through Ivan Perisic. For me, this will go down as one of the most underrated goals at this tournament, he couldn’t have headed the ball any better. Not much happened after this and even less happened in extra time meaning we were going to a penalty shootout. Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved both of Japan’s first two penalties meaning they were already 2-0 down but Japan had a bit of hope restored when Marko Livaja’s penalty hit the post. This was a prime example of how not to take a penalty. However, it didn’t matter as Maya Yoshida’s penalty was saved and Mario Pasalic scored to send Croatia into the last 8. Overall, Japan can be proud of their efforts but that won’t stop them from being mightily disappointed. As for Croatia, they love a penalty shootout! They face Brazil in the Quarter Finals in a game that they also hope goes to penalties.
Brazil 4-1 South Korea
Brazil VS South Korea felt like a proper David VS Goliath matchup. It didn’t take long (just 7 minutes) for Brazil to take the lead. Raphinha went round the defender before he played a nice ball across to Vinicius Junior who calmly placed the ball into the back of the net. Richarlison was then fouled in the penalty area and this allowed Neymar to smartly place his penalty to make it 2-0 to Brazil. Brazil were then 3-0 up through Richarlison; this was a ridiculous team goal. Brazil then got their fourth inside 36 minutes through Lucas Paqueta. This was another brilliant team goal. Seung-Ho Paik managed to get one back in the second half through a lovely strike that did take a slight deflection off of Thiago Silva. Overall, South Korea can celebrate what they achieved. To make it into the last 16 is a really impressive feat. Also, I don’t understand why everyone was complaining about how South Korea set-up; I thought they did pretty well. As for Brazil, they were just unplayable. They take on Croatia next and to be honest, no-one is going to be able to stop this team if they play like they did in the first half.
Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 on Penalties)
Morocco took on Spain in a game that you felt an upset could occur. Nothing much happened in the “90” minutes however, at the end of the first half of extra time, Cheddira had a massive chance, but he hit his shot straight at the goalkeeper. Anywhere near the corner and that’s potentially 1-0. And then, in the 123rd minute, Pablo Sarabia’s effort from a tight angle hit the post and went out meaning we were headed to penalties. Sabiri calmly made it 1-0 to Morocco before Pablo Sarabia’s shot hit the post and came out. Ziyech then smashed the ball down the middle before Carlos Soler’s penalty was saved meaning after 2 penalties each, it was 2-0 to Morocco. Unai Simon pulled out a save to keep Spain in with a shot, but it didn’t really matter as Sergio Busquets’ penalty was also saved by Morocco’s Yassine Bounou. Achraf Hakimi stepped and scored a Panenka penalty meaning Morocco advance to the World Cup Quarter Finals for the first time ever. Overall, Spain crashes out on penalties in the last 16 for the second successive World Cup. Besides beating Costa Rica 7-0, it hasn’t been a particularly good tournament for the former World Champions. As for Morocco, they continue to be an incredibly difficult team to score against. The only goal they have conceded was an own goal which is pretty ridiculous. They take on Portugal in a must-see Quarter Final this Saturday.
Portugal 6-1 Switzerland
The big talking point heading into this game was the fact that Cristiano Ronaldo had been dropped. One of the men that had come in for him was Goncalo Ramos and he got onto the scoresheet after just 16 minutes. His goal was excellent, he smashed the ball past the Yann Sommer in the Switzerland goal. Portugal were then 2-0 up through Pepe’s header and 5 minutes into the second half, it was 3-0 Portugal as Goncalo Ramos bagged himself another goal. Pretty crazy that this was his first ever international start! Less than 5 minutes later, Portugal got another one through Raphael Guerreiro. This was a fantastic team goal. Manuel Akanji got one back for Switzerland just a couple of minutes later, but it didn’t matter as Goncalo Ramos was able to complete his hattrick by dinking the ball past Yann Sommer to make it 5-1 to Portugal. Portugal then added a 6th in additional time all thanks to Rafael Leao. This was another great goal. Overall, Switzerland did well to get out of their group, but this wasn’t a good performance. They will need to perform better in future tournaments. As for Portugal, this result was a statement of intent. Certain teams in this tournament have been criticised for relying on older players whilst others have young players that just aren’t ready. Portugal don’t rely on older players and the reason for that is their younger players are more than capable of pulling off incredible performances. This team is going to be tough to stop.
Quarter Final Preview:
Croatia VS Brazil
Croatia take on Brazil in the first game of the quarter finals. Croatia beat Japan on penalties in the last round and they come into this game with an aggregate score of 5-2 whilst Brazil come into this game off the back of a 4-1 thumping of South Korea and an aggregate score of 7-2. Overall, this game is interesting. Brazil are the stronger team and they looked amazing against South Korea, but they’ve lost a game at this tournament whilst Croatia haven’t. Also, Croatia don’t lose many games and if this game goes to extra time and penalties, I could see Croatia winning. However, I don’t expect that to happen. In my World Cup predictions before the tournament, I had Brazil VS Croatia in the Quarter Finals and I had Brazil winning 1-0. I’m going to stick with that.
My Prediction: 0-1
Netherlands VS Argentina
The Netherlands picked up a good 3-1 victory over the United States in the last 16 and they come into this game with an overall aggregate score of 8-2. Argentina managed to beat Australia 2-1 and they come into this game with an aggregate score of 7-3. Overall, all the games in the quarter finals are interesting and this one is no different. Despite the Dutch side being more convincing so far when it comes to results, Argentina are the favourites. That is due to having Lionel Messi, but the Netherlands have Virgil Van Dijk and I also think the Netherlands are quietly going along really well. I understand why people think Argentina are going to win but, in my opinion, I don’t think they will.
My Prediction: 3-2
Morocco VS Portugal
Morocco are about to walk into their first ever World Cup Quarter final but they will definitely have belief that they can make it further. They come into this game off the back of knocking out Spain on penalties and their aggregate score at this tournament is 4-1. As for Portugal, they decimated Switzerland 6-1 to send a real message to the remaining teams in this tournament. They come into this game with a quite ridiculous aggregate score of 12-5. Overall, I’m torn with this game. I genuinely think anyone left in this tournament has a shot at making the finals and out of all the teams, I think Portugal actually have the best chance. However, Morocco are so hard to score against. They’ve only conceded 1 goal in 4 games and the most ridiculous part is the fact that goalkeeper kept a clean sheet in the penalty shootout against Spain (3-0). They’ve drawn with Croatia, beat Belgium, beat Canada and beat Spain. Why can’t they add Portugal to that list?
My Prediction: 1-2 (AET)
England VS France
The final quarter final of this year's World Cup sees Euro 2020 finalists England take on reigning World Champions France. England come into this game off the back of a very impressive 3-0 victory over African Champions Senegal and they have an overall aggregate score of 12-2. As for France, they were able to cruise past Poland (3-1) and they come into this game with an aggregate score of 9-4. Overall, this should be an exciting game. France are the favourites and they should be, particularly when they have Kylian Mbappe in their team. However, England carry their own threats in Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham. England got a point against the North American Champions and they also knocked out the African Champions so there’s no reason why they can’t eliminate the World Champions. I had England VS France in my World Cup predictions and I picked France to win 3-1. I’m not going with that anymore.
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